| The Sony BRAVIA XBR8-Series HDTVs represent the next step forward for Sony HDTV technology. Underpinning this advance is the TRILUMINOS RGB Dynamic LED backlight, which utilizes clusters of red, green, and blue LEDs to produce accurate colors and an amazingly realistic image, and employs local dimming to dynamically adjust the brightness of LED clusters, allowing the XBR8 to display deep blacks alongside bright whites for enhanced image depth and exceptional shadow detail. Motionflow 120Hz PRO technology creates new frames to double the frame rate, then uses sequential scanning to enhance motion and deliver a smoother and clearer picture, and 24p True Cinema lets you experience a cinema-like experience. BRAVIA XBR8-Series HDTVs also feature the powerful BRAVIA Engine 2 PRO fully digital video processor, which creates sharp, crystal-clear images at any resolution, as well as advanced color reproduction technologies including 10-bit processing and a 10-bit panel, Live Color Creation, and x.v.Color capability. DMex functionality lets you expand the capabilities of the BRAVIA XBR8-Series with optional BRAVIA Link modules, including the BRAVIA Internet Video Link, BRAVIA Wireless Link, BRAVIA DVD Link, and BRAVIA Input Link (all sold separately). In addition, the exclusive Xross Media Bar (XMB) user interface, integrated TV Guide Interactive Program Guide, and BRAVIA Sync one-touch component control make the BRAVIA XBR8-Series HDTVs easy to use, and the large number of inputs offer you a wide range of connectivity options. BRAVIA XBR8-Series HDTVs also feature an RS-232C connection for integration into home automation systems. You can even customize the timeless design of the BRAVIA XBR8-Series by adding optional speaker grilles available in a selection of designer colors (sold separately) |
|
 A pricey HDTV that produces stunning images |
| Review Date: December 18, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Pamela R. Heath, Bay Area, CA |
People complain a lot about this TV's price. It's expensive. But if you're picky about what you watch and you have a lot of windows in your house, this HDTV LCD is definitely worth the extra bucks--especially since Amazon has free shipping and discount rates.
I was surprised how small the box was that this came it. It doesn't have a ton of protection around it. There is a thin film layer of plastic that protects the front bezel, which easily comes off. I did not use the stand, but put it on a swivel mount. Setup of the TV was very easy and the image outstanding, with beautiful colors and details right out of the box. By the way, a nice touch is that the TV's serial number is on the outside of the batteries for the remote control--which I wish I'd realized before searching the entire back of the TV with a flashlight (it was also on the back, but partly obscured by the swivel mount I'd used).
You see some folks who talk about "poor" off angle viewing and "blooming." I honestly haven't noticed either one. This thing looks great from a range of angles, the picture phenomenal.
The TV speakers are okay but not great. If you're going to watch a lot of movies--and trust me, with this screen you're going to want to--I'd recommend getting the Sony BDV-1000ES and an HDMI cable. That way you get theatre-quality sound to match the picture and the Bravia Link means the two will communicate well with each other, and respond to one remote control. Then, just pop in a blu-ray disk, kick back, and enjoy. This is one great TV. |
Truly a window to the world.
|
| Review Date: November 27, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Gerald V. Quinn, |
| I purchased this TV one month ago. It is a replacement for my XBR4 which is being enjoyed in its new home. Shopping and looking, then I saw it. It was love at first sight. And it is a sight to behold. Crystal clear, vibrant realistic colors, and a beautiful design. Sony has outdone itself with a new benchmark for the industry. You will not be disappointed with this beauty. This is TV as it has never been. Coupled with my FIOS HD service and a blu-ray player there's little reason to ever attend a movie theater. Although my Bose surround system is the perfect mate to this TV, the eight built-in speakers leave little to be desired. Check it out, you'll see TV like never before. |
Expensive but one of the best
|
| Review Date: January 16, 2009 |
| Reviewer: oddlycalm, Portland, OR |
This set is one of the best 5 flat panel sets being produced. The others include the Pioneer Kuro PRO-111FD plasma and Samsung LN46A950 which also has LED back lighting. All are expensive so it's best to see all in person before you decide. The Kuro has been the gold standard for flat panels for some time, and rightly so, but the LCD sets with LED back lighting are now very close.
Some reviewers have niggled about off angel viewing and color blooming but that is picking the finest of nits. The off angle viewing is as good as all but a very few CCL backlit LCD or plasma sets so I'm not sure what that's all about. I have a pivoting wall mount so problem solved. As for the blooming, it is so minor as to not be visible unless you are right at the screen looking for it and is not noticeable in normal use.
The XBR8 will work better in a room with normal light levels than the Kuro and also renders standard definition programs better than the Kuro. It also beats the lone 1st generation LED set at rendering SD.
The LED back lighting generates less heat than an LCD set with cold cathode back lighting and much less heat than a plasma due to it's lower electrical current draw. Each individual LED cluster is controlled dynamically so that they are shut completely off during dark scenes producing the same absolute black levels as the best plasma sets. The LED back light elements have a service life of something like 20,000hrs so replacement is not necessary. They also will not fade over time like a plasma set does.
Whether this set is worth the money is a matter each person has to decide for themselves. Those that can afford one are very unlikely to ever become disappointed with the image. If you do buy one you owe it to yourself to get a full calibration done by an ISF certified tech in order to get all the potential out of this set.
|
Big bang for the buck!
|
| Review Date: July 28, 2009 |
| Reviewer: D. Ramos, Irvine, CA USA |
Although the list price for this HDTV would be out of my budget, I purchased this amazing flat screen from Amazon for a little over $2,300. In my local electronics store, the Sony was my 2nd favorite (after the Kuro). The Samsung LEDs were close behind. What makes this unit ideal for me is the fact that is still has pretty decent built-in speakers. I personally hate having a sound system hooked up to my TV. I like to be able to turn on my TV and go. I made the salesman at my local store demonstrate the built-in sound to make sure it would be sufficient for my needs. (I was really planning on buying it there but they raised the price overnight and then I found Amazon's amazing price which saved me over $600!) Since we were originally thinking we were going to have to buy both a new TV (to replace our dying projection HDTV) and a home theater sound system (since none of the new flat screens seemed to have speakers at all anymore), we were able to apply that budget to this superior TV instead, which arguably has one of the best pictures available.
Now that it is installed at home, I am absolutely thrilled! I am more than happy with the built-in sound. I admit that those who are used to having booming surround sound audio would probably be disappointed, but the sound set at medium levels is very nice for day to day viewing. If you turn it up for serious BluRay DVD viewing, it is pretty impressive as well. The picture is truly stunning!
I must give kudos to Amazon for their customer service as well. The first unit we were shipped turned out to have a cracked interior screen. The box was undamaged and everything seemed fine until we powered it up. There were massive cracks going across the screen (actually a picture of cracks since the exterior was fine, just the interior screen of some kind was broken - it was obvious it had been dropped at some point.) I called Amazon immediately and they took care of it quickly and courteously and now we have our beautiful new TV. Yes, I would have rather had a perfect unit the first time out, but the money we saved over purchasing from our local superstore was more than worth it. |
XBR8 - why not?
|
| Review Date: April 29, 2009 |
| Reviewer: D. Pates, |
| I just acquired one of these 46" XBR8 units. As others have said, the image quality is nothing short of awesome. I threw on my DVE calibration disc, and very little tweaking was required to get it just spot on. I do recommend enabling "Full Pixel" mode, and turning off the MotionFlow stuff - I find the frame creation to make the motion unnatural and kind of creepy (and on some material, it can add artifacting). If you are an HT junkie though, this is one *sweet* TV. Go check it out. |
Newly Purchased SONY KDL 46XBR8
|
| Review Date: November 18, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Terrie L. Giannosa, St. Clair Shores,MI |
Picture quality and color quality is fantastic. This is our first LCD flat screen TV. We had a 28 inch CRT for 20+ years... We are still blown away with the colors. We initially planned on a 40-42 inch, now that we have the 46 we are not disappointed, ..50?55?..hmmm No more room actually on our new TV console.
Sound quality leaves a bit to be desired. The speakers are just to small to have any quality sound. We have a stereo system that we may have to incorporate with the TV watching.
The one feature I was initially disappointed with was the lack of USB port recognition with a flash drive. Sony claims not all USB devices will work and recommends the SONY Micro Vault Flash drive to be compatible. Well after doing some web searching I did find some helpful info on the Sony eSupport page. After learning the USB device must be FAT32 formatted I now can upload photographs (.jpg files) from even the least expensive flash drive. I just re-formatted a SanDisk 250MB flashdrive and then a "micro center" 2GB flash drive I got for free!. After re-formatting to FAT32 the SONY recognizes the drive and I can now view my collection of digital photos. I must add that when viewing good quality .jpg's (2-3meg size) the SONY displays the pics as sharp as a tack!!..the shots look the best I've ever seen. The colors are so real looking you feel as though you could touch the object as in real life. Now I can pursue getting my 1000+ 35mm slides from Germany and England while in the service (40 years ago!) converted to .jpg files. What better way to show all the slides as compared to to old slide projector/screen method...so archaic!
I did learn as well at the eSupport Site there is a software update available for the set. I'll be contacting Sony soon to verify if our set needs the update as we just purchased the TV 2 weeks ago.
Tip: Get the Support Belt Kit, Part #X21866021, to secure it to your console. You don't want this massive set to inadvertently topple over. Would recommend this set...the Sony's all outperformed other LCD's we looked at as far as color quality. At least that was my wife's opinion..she has a better eye for color I have to admit. Enjoy, Jack |
Believe the Hype
|
| Review Date: August 24, 2009 |
| Reviewer: bbmach, Atlanta |
Believe the hype. After much research (and saving) I finally chose the Pioneer 50" Plasma - just before they announced they were getting out of the TV business, so I started from square one and I don't think I could be any happier
The Sony's picture is brilliant, the sound decent for a TV set and I like the "floating" speakers on the side. I have a wall above the fireplace that is wider than it is tall and it fits (visually) well. It works flawlessly with my Onkyo 7.1 system and up-sampling DVD (haven't made the BluRay leap yet) player.
For as many features as it has, it was easy to set up and to navigate the menus for selecting inputs, etc.
Did I mention the picture? Out of the box, it was close but after tweaking it with the Sound and Vision DVD, it is nothing short of amazing. I find myself watching ESPN's Sportscenter - not listening, just watching!
Even the side-viewing angle is much better than I expected - the only negative would be the screen reflection. LCD is supposed to be better than Plasma, but you can still light sources in line with the screen (floor lamp, ceiling fan light, etc). No big deal, just takes some adjusting.
If ultimate picture quality is worth it to you, this set has to be on your short list. If you read the reviews here at Amazon, you'll notice all the relevant comments are five-star. Couldn't agree more - and not just because I am trying to justify my purchase :-)
|
|
No video reviews found for this product.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }