Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8

The Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8 is a flat panel LCD HDTV that falls under the 55inch class. It features full HD 1080p resolution,10-bit panel and Motionflow 120Hz PRO refresh rate. Not only that, the Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8 also incorporates BRAVIA Engine 2 PRO and TRILUMINOS RGB LED backlight.

Specifications
The Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8 measures 1486 mm x 855 mm x 356 mm (W x H x D) in dimension when put on the pedestal and 1486 mm x 803 mm x 147 mm (W x H x D) in dimension without the pedestal, weighing approximately 52.1 kg including the pedestal and 46.1 kg without the pedestal. In terms of video features, the Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8 is compatible with video signals including 480/ 60i, 480/ 60p, 720p, 1080/ 60i, 1080/ 24p (HDMI only), and 1080/ 60p (HDMI/ component). Besides that, it also has DLNA network features. In addition to that, the Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8 also incorporates other video features including 24p True Cinema Technology, 3D Comb Filter, 4:3 Default, Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE), Auto Wide, CineMotion Reverse 3:2 Pulldown Technology, Deep Colour, Game Text Mode, LCD Display Technology with 178 degrees wide viewing angle LCD display panels, Image Blur Reduction, Live Colour Creation Technology, MPEG Noise Reduction, Motionflow PRO, PhotoTV HD, x.v.Colour Technology, and Video Processing Bravia Engine 2PRO Technology. The Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8 also has various picture modes including Vivid, Standard, Cinema, Custom, Photo-Vivid, Photo-Standard, Photo-Original and Photo-Custom. In terms of audio specifications, the Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8 has an audio power output of 10W + 10W, 12W + 12W (Woofer), with a total of 8 speakers. Audio features include 6.1 channel audio output, alternate audio (digital), audio out, auto mute (on no signal), auto SAP, digital amplifier, Dolby Digital, simulated surround, Sony original Surround using S-Force Front, sound booster, steady sound automatic volume control, MTS stereo system, and voice zoom. Not only that, it also has various sound modes including dynamic, standard, and clear voice. As for its display, it has an aspect ratio of 16:9, 122% colour range (u’v’), 100% colour range (xy), a display resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HDD), dynamic contrast ratio of over 1 million:1, native resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, 10-bit panel bit, and a viewing angel of 178 degrees for both right/ left and up/down. The LCD screen measures 54.5 inches when measured diagonally. Inputs and outputs consists of one AC Power input, six analog audio inputs, analog audio inputs for HDMI, one audio out, two component video inputs, three composite video inputs, one optical digital audio output, one digital media port, one Ethernet connection, four HDMI connections, HDMI PC input, one PC In (D-Sub) + Audio In (Stereo Mini), one RF Connection input, RS-232C input, S-video detection, one S-video input and one USB 2.0 port. In terms of its TV system, it has one analog tuner, one digital tuner, NTSC TV system for analog and ATSC TV system for digital, QAM cable tuner, as well as ATSC and NTSC terrestrial tuner. The Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8 runs on a maximum power consumption of 480W when in operation and 0.3 W when in standby mode with a voltage requirement of AC120-240V. Other general features include auto CC on mute, BRAVIA Link Module support, closed caption button, closed captions (CC), Illuminated Sony logo, on-screen display with enhanced GUI + XMB, RS-232C Control and touch sensor. For added convenience, the Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8 also features BRAVIA Sync, BRAVIA Sync Menu button, channel block (with password), channel jump, channel labels, channel surf, edit channel labels, favourite channel, freeze, ID-1 detection, info banner, initial setup, input skip, label inputs, multiple language display in English, Spanish and French, on-screen clock, on-screen display for external input, on/off timer, and parental control

Reviews

“Although not quite the best HDTV we’ve tested so far, the wallet-busting, LED-powered Sony KDL-55XBR8 comes mighty close.” (CNET, 2009)

“The picture is certainly excellent especially the black levels, and viewing angles which are so important to viewing pleasure. Color information while not the best we’ve seen was also good. Drawbacks include the cabinet depth at 6 inches, the surprising poor audio quality from the built in speakers, and the occasional scaling mistake from lower resolutions.” (LCDTVBuyingGuide, 2009)

“The KDL-55XBR8 is a triumph of technology over the limitations of LCD. Its blacks are super-inky, its shadow detail is surprisingly good, its colors are rich and natural, its detail is stunning, and its off-axis performance is better than most LCD TVs. Add to that USB and Ethernet access to digital content and DMe^x expandability, and you’ve got just about everything you’d want in a high-end TV. The only sticking points are its cumbersome menu system and sky-high price tag, which will keep all but the most well-heeled videophiles away. Still, if you’ve got the scratch, this is among the finest TVs available today.” (ultimateAVmag, 2009)