The XBR addition to the model name of Sony has always been a sign of the high-end HDTV that’s why Bravia KDL-46XBR4 besides the wide range of features (e.g. 120Hz frame rate, high contrast ration and 10 bit colors) it has a higher price than other models – $3,299.99 is the list price (one can find online stores that reduce this price even to $2,619).
This Sony model is 1080p capable and uses the latest generation of LCD panel which can produce more natural colors. It’s not just empty words, the display is actually capable of displaying 10bit per RGB color, it means that it can display 2^10 * 2^10 * 2^10 = 1,073,741,824 colors! More over, the processing of the color space is also done using 10bits. For those who are not aware, most displays still use 8bit processing and display, they are cheaper but give worse color representation. Furthermore this LCD panel has a dynamic contrast ratio of 15,000 to 1 (normal contrast 2,000 to 1), those two properties make a astonishing display.
KDL-46XBR4 has a feature called Motionflow which adjust the display frame rate to the video source one’s. Sometimes users have a 24 fps video and their TV is capable of displaying 30 fps, this produces sometimes a flicker on the screen when there is no adjustment like Motionflow.
Various connectors that are part of this HDTV make it a versatile product. One can connect it to Blu-rays/HD DVD using HDMI 1.3 interface, three composite video connectors, two component ones, and last but not least PC Video/Audio using which one can display a collection of photos or play a Divx movie (or even show some funky wallpaper in Windows). Speaking of photos, 46XBR4 has a special mode called Photo TV HD which sets the display parameters to mimic the ones of a printed photography, making viewing photos on the screen like looking at real photo album.
As with other Sony products this one also has the Theater Sync feature. Behind this strange name is just a technology that enables e.g. starting the TV, DVD, setting up the surround system and starting the DVD playback with just one push of the button. The same thing for turning everything off, it is great time saver.
Summing up, Sony Bravia XBR4 is a great addition to the XBR line of HDTVs, giving a nice black glossy bezel surface (available in other colors), a superb LCD display (with wide color space) and the Theater Sync for faster movie setup times.
Jenna is a technology journalist from Dallas, she specializes in High Definition TV and Blu-Ray equipment. In her spare time she likes to jog and (on Wednesday afternoons) watching Lost series on her plasma.