Sony Bravia KDL52EX700 LCD HDTV

Specifications

• Product type LCD TV
  
• Diagonal Size 52 in - Widescreen
  
• Dimensions & Weight Details Panel with stand - 49.2 in x 13.8 in x 31.7 in x 59.5 lbs , Panel without stand - 49.3 in x 2.6 in x 30.5 in x 50 lbs
  
• Enclosure Color Black
• Technology TFT active matrix
  
• LCD Backlight Technology LED Backlight technology
  
• LED Backlight Type Edge Light
  
• Display Format 1080p
  
• Refresh Rate 120Hz
  
• Progressive Scan Progressive scanning (line doubling)
  
• Price range : $ 1,979.99     ==>  Go to Special Price

Introduction

The Sony KDL-EX700 LCD HDTV series is the second edge-lit LED-based LCD from Sony, which we tested this year. If you read the review KDL-NX800, you see more similarities than differences between the two. The price difference - $ 400 models from 46 inches between the two series - you get a better style,Wi-Fi network, and a few other minor improvements on the NX800 series, but for some reason you lose the innovatory ' Sensor presence '.  that the Sensor presence is display turn off automatically deactivated when you leave the room, and you can use very low power, if one is inclined to leave the television. Even without the sensor, the EX700 few sips power as any TV we've tested - although we expect that other LED models we review this year show similar results.
consumers a detailed comparison may be surprised to learn both Sony's have almost the same quality. The main difference is that the performance-related EX700 has a matte screen, while the NX800 external monolithic apparently calls for more gloss - in a bright room, we preferred the matte finish. The image of the EX700 will not wow anyone looking for a home entertainment center, but the KDL-EX700 series has cheap price than his brothers practice more expensive for buyers who want more Internet video and superb efficiency.
Note Series: We conducted a practical assessment of 46-inch Sony KDL-46EX700, but his advice applies to other dimensions of the series: the 32-inch KDL-32EX700, 40-inch KDL-40EX700 the 52-inch and 60 inch KDL 52EX700 KDL-60EX700. All sizes share the same specifications, they must provide a very similar image quality.

Design

Sony has applied the philosophy of "step-up” when he designed the exterior of the KDL-EX700 and more expensive NX800. While it is the so-called monolithic closely high integrated with a single pane of glass, a narrow space between support and the panel and uninterrupted swath of black gloss - the EX700 seems more traditional. The KDL-EX700 series has screen and frame are clearly separated, this glossy black on three sides and brushed black gray stripe on the bottom without major interruption. As I liked the design of the NX800 better, EX700 design is nice as well. The KDL-EX700 is gloss black stand swivels, but not have tilt-back like NX800, and back side of the TV is opaque and exhibited – not seem the glossy, panel-concealed backside of NX800 series,. The two groups share the same slim, its jagged profile which is 2 5 / 8 inches deep at the widest.


We also liked the remote 52EX700, Although the clicker Slicker NX800's better. The EX700 lose the remote controls, bountifully of plastic key that the NX800 is in favor of standard of rubber, but also the loss of backlight, and you can not control other gear with it via a infrared. However, the button on the remote is excellent accommodation botton and nice concave shape to remain intact, as is the strange power button on the back of the remote and the surreptitious sliding battery compartment.
Sony has not reached its menu system on the KDL-EX700 series, and is generally a good thing. The XMB interface, inspired by the game console company, doing a good job of many new Internet TV services, inputs and various doo-dads and arrangement their logical style. Although we would like to see more customization options and less confusing (how about the ability to "hide" undesirable or even interactive services throughout the vertical, as the TV channels ,which is useless for cable box) , The smart guide -the best we've seen on any TV, and remember the PS3 - is makes up for long.
We also appreciate that Sony has included ways to avoid having to navigate through the XMB high, led by the keys of remote direct-access to a favorite section that recalls entries often-accessed input - you can also add items manually, as Netflix - the context sensitive options section with quick access to scene modes, Motionflow settings and Netflix options.

Features

Sony uses the same kind of system of edge-lit LED device to illuminate the screen of the KDL-EX700 series as many other manufacturers of television are use this year. A part of its thinness, another great advantage of eliminating the traditional CCFL backlight in favor of LEDs has improved energy efficiency. On the other hand, the choice of an edge-lit scheme as opposed true local dimming, as found in the series of high-end Sony XBR-HX800, usually leads to compromise quality.

Internet feature : NX800 and EX700 share most features of the Internet itself, with the notable exception is the second missing the Yahoo Widgets and Wi-Fi available on NX800.
In 2009, Sony has offered other services connected to the Internet than any other manufacturer of television, once updated their compatible TV to include Netflix, but in 2010 did not add anything new until this, such as Skype announced by Panasonic and LG, or "Apps" platform touted by Samsung and Vizio. What will change in coming weeks as the company launches QRIOCITY (pronounced "curiosity"), an online film on which the details are still scarce.
Netflix is the main draw on the EX700 LCD HDTV series, but according to our tests, fell significantly behind video quality we've seen other devices Netflix - so basically the same as the NX800 did. We compared the scenes of "Lost," one of the most beautiful stream Netflix titles in the library, and both of Sony televisions seemed just as soft, more pixilation and articles stating than the “Roku player”or LG 47LH50 we used for comparison did. It was as if Sony was Netflix streaming video at low bit rate, we could not confirm that since, unlike most devices Netflix interface, Sony gives no indication that the quality streaming can be expected.

Picture-affecting features : Sony has also removed the NX800 features a 240Hz refresh rate from the EX700 series, leaving it 120Hz instead- although I do not think you miss the extra Hz. More importantly, unlike Samsung and development work of Toshiba is not possible to obtain the benefits of reducing blur, which is certainly very difficult to discern, without involving the dejudder processing. The latter, which Sony calls Motionflow is available in two strengths, and fortunately, you can also turn it off.
The KDL-EX700 series provides a welcome opportunity to apply the settings to the current input only, or globally to all inputs. The choice of works to one of three standard picture modes, Custom, Vivid or Standard, which could potentially have three different sets of picture settings for each input. There are also seven different scene modes, such as Game, movies and PC, which unfortunately are not accessible from the main picture menu,and you can also apply settings to each of them is the current entry or all inputs. The result is relatively unclear, although vacillation of customizable,arrange of settings. We are willing to bet that people at the heart of different settings for each input situation will be very well with complexity. To make things easier by pressing the button on the remote Theatre Cinema undertakes the scene.


Other Features : Another major difference between the EX700 and the NX800 is the inclusion of the same old type of presence-sensor "Included in the Series of KDL-VE5, which can be set to temporarily disable the image if you leave the room, a significant saving of energy. If the sensor fails to detect motion, after a certain period of time - you have a choice of five-minute intervals of 5-60 minutes, plus a  5 seconds, "demo" mode - the image is dark while the sound is turned on, and consumption of the TV is reduced to about 26 watts (less than one third of the image default on the energy consumption). If the sensor detects movement again in 30 minutes, the TV turns on again. Otherwise, it closes itself off completely, cutting its energy consumption down to near zero watts.



In our tests, the system worked as advertised. We liked that "television is about to turn off" warning message appears before the automatic shutdown, and that simply moving an arm or head is usually used to reset the timer, and maintain the image warning as we can seen (“gesture control”action). Not once in a week or the intermittent test did EX700 turn-off as we sat looking forward, even in the most sensitive to 5 minutes.
Other features of the energy savings are more typical. A two-step power saving option on the ECO menu that label limited peak brightness and really cut down energy consumption. Sony also includes a manual mode to turn off the screen while leaving the sound, and another mode that automatically turns off the TV after you can not press a key or otherwise interact with television. New for 2010, you can choose to turn off the TV completely with one side of the switch, which eliminates standby draw (which is anyway negligible, then the step), and also choose whether the TV is "awake" to download updates automatically. In short, the EX700 has characteristics more energy-aware feature than all the television we've tested.

Performance

Both 2010 Sony edge-lit LED-based LCD application that we tested, the EX700 and NX800, offering a very similar image quality. Both are characterized by medium-performance LCD black level and color accuracy solid, with the except the dark blue color - especially as the EX700 than on the HX800. The differences, namely consistency and superior performance bright room of the KDL-EX700 , and NX800 has better shadow detail and motion resolution, are not sufficient to cause a difference in ranking for that category, both scored a 6.

Black level : The black tones produced by the KDL-EX700 has been relatively low in our programming, and has not, to a greater or lesser degree, other screens apart of outliers SL90 LG, which has gone wrong. Sometimes, the EX700 has rander a deeper darker than the NX800, especially in lower letterbox menu, but in most other areas the two delivered similar black levels. Compared to KDL-XBR9 and Samsung UNB7000, the EX700 seems little light, while its separation from the other screen was proportionately much larger.
The differences are most visible in darker scenes, as the rain-spattered night in Chapter 12, where the EX700 deliver of black umbrellas and clothing of the ninja and Lord Ozunu that bars letterbox was mediocre and typical standard LCD. Shadow detail was slightly worse than the NX800 and the other displays outside the KDL-XBR9, however, with sectors such as the mantle edge of the umbrella and the folds in the jacket of the teacher seems a little more darkende on the EX700.

Video Processing : The Sony KDL-EX700 does not much processing dejudder twist, providing only Off, Standard, High and options for its control Motionflow. As we expected, we preferred the look to off good appearance with film-based sources like most Blu-ray flim, which seems too smooth and video-like in the other two control. However, we preferred the Sony’s lowest dejudder option , Standard, to equivalent modes of Samsung and LG, why not introduce more smoothing and delivered a less video-like look.
A good example of why it came in Chapter 5, the camera follows the trail during a training session of Raiz, LG and Samsung seemed too smooth, with less of a deep sense of Plans camera, while Sony kept preserved some that feel. Of course, all Samsung can set smoothness, as you like, which in our book is the best way to handle video processing, for example.

Geek box Score

TEST	RESULT	SCORE
Before color temp (20/80)	6468 / 6556	Good
After color temp	6593 / 6559	Good
Before grayscale variation	73	Good
After grayscale variation	68	Good
Color of red (x/y)	0.624/0.337	Average
Color of green	0.306/0.5977	Good
Color of blue	0.159/0.061	Good
Overscan	0.0%	Good
Defeatable edge enhancement	Y	Good
480i 2:3 pull-down, 24 fps	Pass	Good
1080i video resolution	Pass	Good
1080i film resolution	Pass	Good

 Product summary

The advantage : Innovative features automatic shutdown saves energy, high efficiency, matte screen works well in bright, relatively accurate, robust, including Internet service Netflix, amazon video, music and video slots many, menu system Snappy.
The disadvantage : lower levels lighter black, dark blue, can not adjustment very dejudder, uniformity of the bottom screen, the picture quality worse in Netflix streaming devices.
The bottom line : mid-range edge-lit LED-based LCD of Sony has nothing special in terms of image quality, but its Internet video and eco-friendly to attract many buyers.