Sony Bravia VSeries KDL46V3000 46Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
| Brand: | Sony | ||
| Average Rating |
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BRAVIA V-Series televisions are where Full HD 1080 starts. Two sizes, 46 and 40 diagonally, define what Full HD 1080 (1920 x 1080) televisions are all about. Performance functions like Live Color Creation (featuring the WCG-CCFL backlight) and the 10-bit panel display assure picture quality and performance. The BRAVIA Engine¿ EX full digital video processing system includes DRC-MF v1.0 technology, which upconverts 480i video signals to a 1080p equivalent. DMeX ¿ ready allows connection to the new DMeX (Digital Module Expander) called the BRAVIA Internet Video Link module. And BRAVIA V-Series TVs are big on ease of operation. BRAVIA¿ Theatre Sync offers one-button command for time consuming control functions and signal path routing. And we didn't forget about connectivity. How about two 1080/24p and 1080/60p input capable HDMI connections, two HD Component YPbPr inputs, and a PC input, just to name a few. Add a sparkling new black picture frame design, quiet operation, and you have BRAVIA V-Series HD LCD TVs. more info
Honest Review
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
This TV was an excellent buy for the size and price. Picture quality is quite good, although not quite as good as sony’s newer panels, and there is some motion blur in moving scenes. Since I am a total freak over sound and image, I would expect that most people would not notice IE my mom and friends who aren’t so technically inclined. Others who have seen it loved it and thought it was a great TV and jealousy ensued. I personally love the design of this panel much more than the newer models. it looks much like a picture frame. No picture in picture and only 2 HDMI inputs is a bit lacking, but if you have a AV receiver, not a problem. I will not say you must buy this, but if your looking for a large tv with minimal glare and good picture on a budget, this is a good choice.
Audio Guy
28 Jan 10 at 12:10 am
Great Experience with Amazon
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I studied and reviewed many HDTVs including the new 120Hz models. I came to the conclusion this model gave me the best bang for the buck. I won’t bore you with all the technical details and jargon, but I just can’t say enough good about this unit. The picture quality is awesome and have not experienced any of the clouding issues talked about in earlier Sony models.
The only issue I had was where to buy the unit from? Do I take a chance and buy it on the web or purchase it locally? I took a chance and purchased it on the web from Amazon. The Amazon White Glove Delivery was the deciding factor of why I purchased it on the web. The White Glove service is exactly what Amazon claims. The delivery service delivered the TV, performed basic setup and took the waste material away. When they were finished, we went through a checklist verifying the unit’s functionality. After verifying the unit, I had to make the decision to accept the unit or not. What more could you ask for?
Conclusion, knowing what I know now, I would purchase the exact same TV from Amazon again. My experience was very good and I saved over $600 in comparison to purchasing the exact unit at a local Best Buy.
M. Allen
28 Jan 10 at 1:18 pm
Great picture, unfortunate clouding
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
If it wasn’t the unfortunate clouding issues, I’d give this a 5/5. Basically, there are four white “clouds” on a dark background that seem to be related to the LCD backlight. Each cloud seems to start at the top and bottom of the picture, six inches from one of the corners and “shines” upward or downward. With any luck, Sony will take the TV as a warranty repair/replacement. It’s distracting enough to take two points off my score.
Other than that, the picture is great. The clouds aren’t visible when the background is anything but black. I’ve hooked it up to a hi-def sat receiver and I’ve been blown away by the quality. Even a standard-def DVD player looks great on it.
You’ll find yourself wanting to upgrade all of your components to *at least* s-video after turning this TV on. Composite inputs don’t look very good on the TV, regardless of the DRC settings. IMHO this is a limitation of the signal, not the TV itself.
Matthew Mastracci
28 Jan 10 at 1:37 pm
Good middle of the road Tv
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I purchased TV as a gift as I already oxn the 46″ Bravia XBR2. The TV is just as clear and colorful as mine and I paid over 3,000.00 when it came out. If I had been in the market for a TV I probably would have got this one. The remote is defintitely lacking it looks really cheap compared to a typical Sony remote. Most people have home theater systems and opt for a Harmony remote anyways. The one thing to consider is if you have an XBOX 360 or PS3 you may want to purchase the W3000 if you need 3 HDMI inputs. This model the V3000 has only 2 HDMI. You figure cable box, Blu-ray/upconvert DVD player, and a 360 or PS3 there is your 3 HDMI inputs used up. All in all a really good TV for the price definitely buy Sony over other brands way worth it in the long run. Also used the Amazon white glove delivery service. Man, those guys are good opened up the box plugged in the HDMI to make sure everything was working. They then packed the TV backup because like I said the TV was a gift. Have no worries when having it shipped white glove.
Jeromie Moss
28 Jan 10 at 2:08 pm
Sony Bravia HD 46 inch V3000
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Sony Bravia KDL-46V3000 46″1080p LCD HDTV We waited a long time before we replaced our old television. We were amazed at the quality of the picture on our new Bravia. We love watching movies on our Bravia.
K. Proffitt
28 Jan 10 at 3:09 pm
Very Pleased
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I have had this TV since Oct. 07 and have been very happy with it. The color from the 10-bit panel is exceptional, especially with High-def sources. I really like the black bezel as well, wonderful finish. The only possible complaint that I can find with the tv is some very slight motion blur. However, this occurs in all LCD tv’s, especially 60Hz models like this one. That being said, the motion blur is only noticable on standard definition sources. Since nearly 100% of the content that I play on this tv is high-def, then I do not ever notice the motion blur. Wonderful tv, I highly recommend it!
J. Hilldrup
28 Jan 10 at 5:36 pm
SPECTACULAR!!!!!!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I had another Sony with a Bravia Engine, forgot the model, but I purchased it about a week ago..the color was horrible!!! I had to adjust the color with every change of the channel..and that was very irritating. So,I sent it back to the store and ordered the Sony KDL46V3000. Wow!! I turned it on, went thru about 30 SD signal TV stations and the pic was just amazing and solid..no flickering..and the black was sharp..I did have to brighten it a bit because of the sharpness of the black but still..I could not believe how sharp and beautiful the pic was..I was stuck..and the HD CHANNELS..forget about it…just absolutely amazing!! I got it for 1625.00, and that was including tax!! Hand delivered and set up..just so beautiful..I do not know if I will ever get over the sharpness and sheer beauty of the pic…just blows me away…you can see the size of a person’s pores…hair texture..everything..just wonderful. This is my second and last LCD,until of course, something even more mind blowing takes the market by storm. THIS IS THE TV TO GET!!!!!
Q. Dixon
28 Jan 10 at 6:42 pm
As advertised, maybe better
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Wow… always expected High Def signal to look great, but what makes this TV stand apart is what it does with regular non-HD signals… I am truly amazed by the DRC Circuitry; thought it was just a gimmick, but it is taking the same signal my previous TV had and making it much denser, much more appealing to look at.
No flaws (agree with previous user, shiny piano black can reflect light, but don’t know if this is really a negative; just moved the light, really beautiful cabinet) except it is pricier than comparable models. I initially was shopping Toshiba as it was cheaper, then Sharp but this TV went on sale and boy am I glad I bought it…
Maybe wish it had two tuners with two coaxial inputs, but otherwise, sound is great, picture really amazing, and most importantly for those without a lot of HD programming or signals, the DRC Circuitry works as advertised. If you can get a good price, don’t hesitate!
Allen H
28 Jan 10 at 7:59 pm
Very Pleased
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I purchased this TV about a month ago and as my review title suggests, I am very pleased.
Actually, I’m pleased for two reasons. First, the unit itself is as advertised and it went from the box to the TV cabinet with no hassle and once I hit the ‘on’ button, I knew I had a winner. Without going into boring technical jargon, the sound and picture are great.
The second reason I’m pleased has to do with the price and delivery. Now, this is my first purchase of what I consider a major electronic appliance. Let’s face it; when you consider ordering a 100lb, $2500+ device from an online retailer, you tend to get a little apprehensive after you key in your credit card info on the ‘Order’ screen and your index finger is one millisecond from hitting the ‘Place Your Order’ button.
However, I had some help from Circuit City. Not only did they want about $500 more for this model, all my attempts at getting them to deliver it were fruitless. So, I came to Amazon, took advantage of their ‘White Glove Delivery Service’ and allowed my trembling index finger to place the order.
So, the price was right and delivery service inside my home was as promised. On the down side, I wonder if I should have asked the delivery people why they weren’t actually wearing white gloves? Hmmmmmm. Maybe I have cause for a multi-billion dollar suit against Amazon for false advertising? On the other hand, if I had asked the delivery people the question on that hot August day, could they have justifiably beaten the crap out of me? Hmmmmmmmm . . . . . Probably.
Mike Barrett
28 Jan 10 at 8:52 pm
Fabulous Picture
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This has got to be the best functioning TV I have ever owned. The picture quality is excellent and setup a snap. Follow the directions for setup and within a few minutes you are searching the spectrum(in my case Directv) with outstanding performance. Highly recommend!!!!!!!
Gary L. Martin
29 Jan 10 at 4:21 am
Better than in the store!!!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Amazon was awesome in every way, the ordering, the delivery timing, and the people that dropped off the TV’s, I ordered two, were all 1st class!! The BraviaV3000 and W3000 are both an incredible viewing experience in every way. I would definitely use Amazon again and Sony is the Best!!
James Fetterman
29 Jan 10 at 7:42 am
Count ventilation measurements!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
It’s a great TV, but they should warn you that you need 11+ inches at the top and 4″ on each side for proper ventilation. I almost drilled holes in my entertainment unit for a cross shelf – thank God I didn’t as the extra decorative shelf would have prevented the tv from venting properly. The manufacturer should warn people.
Annie in Arizona
29 Jan 10 at 8:55 pm
What Sweet Spot Issue?????
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I almost didn’t buy this TV even though I have several friends that own Sony LCD HDTV’s and really like them. The reason? I read a review from one of the computer mags that said that there was a “very narrow sweet spot” from which to view this tv and still get an acceptable picture and true colors. I felt this was a deal breaker and almost gave up on the purchase until I read consumer reports positive review and figured it was worth a gamble. I figured, if it is realy a problem I would return it. The shipping folks showed up with the TV, set it up, turned it on, and the most amazing picture come to life. I walked from side to side expecting this horible loss of picture quality and found out that the picture was wonderful from all angles up to about 60-65 degrees from center at which point it dulled a little, but even then it still looked great! Amazingly, non HDTV broadcasts look better if viewed way off center! That is one item I should mention, please keep your expectations of the picture quality during regular broadcasts realistic. This TV is no better or worse than any other big screen LCD I’ve seen, well maybe a little better.
L. Kent
29 Jan 10 at 9:22 pm
Great TV
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Lots of LCD TVs out there so buying one can be overwhelming. We are enjoying this set lots.
L. Markowitz
29 Jan 10 at 9:25 pm
a very good toy
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I was going to buy a 52″ Sony, but after playing with this set, I’m glad I settled into a 46″. The picture is plenty big enough in my living room. And with my Sony home theater system set up, everything works very well.
Garrett J. Walsh
30 Jan 10 at 7:10 am
Loved it until….
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
I really hate to give this only 3 stars because I absolutely love it. It’s my second bedroom lcd and it has been perfect for 8 months. Recently, it developed one vertical line to the left. It does go away after an hour but it’s definitely the tv. Since the warranty runs out in May; I’ll be taking the set back to a Sony repair shop next week. I hate to do that since the TV is really perfect after an hour but fear the line will get worse or not go away. I have another Sony 52 inch kdl xbr4 from Amazon almost a year ago and it is beyond perfection. Love that beautiful set with the glass framing around it. It is huge and heavy but the images are just awsome. I have hdtv dvrs on both sets from comcast and although Comcast isn’t perfect; the dvrs and really breath-taking when played back. Keep your fingers crossed for me as I hope they’ll be able to fix this set. If not; I’ll be purchasing another 46 inch or larger set for the bedroom after I settle with Sony. I’m assuming it will be another Sony lcd. I’m a loyal customer.
Mary S. Venable
30 Jan 10 at 11:04 am
Poor quality
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
I gave this TV 1 star because I could not give it zero star. I was deciding between the Mitsubishi LT-46133 and this Sony DKL46V3000. Mitsubishi had much better features, but I decide to buy the Sony because
it had slightly better contrast in the dark areas. Big mistake buying this piece of lemon. I bought the unit on 12/22/07, the unit malfunctioned by doing auto shut down on 3/7/08. It has been in the repair shop twice since then and I hope to get it back before the end of May 2008. Sony offered me a replacement refurbished unit, saying the unit is more than 30 days. I refused because I paid for a new TV, not a refurbished unit. When I ask Robert at Customer Relations if this quality is acceptable, his reply is “things happen, and you turned down our offer to exchange it [with a refurbished unit]“. Some one at work suggested I take them to Small Claims Court, which Robert replies “that is your peragative”. Compare this to my friend’s Mitsubishi TV bougt in Nov 2007 and my parent’s Samsung TV bought in Dec 2007 which are still working fine.
Y. Li
30 Jan 10 at 4:12 pm
Awesome TV
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I have found nothing wrong with this TV. It is my first foray into HDTV, and every time I turn it on I’m amazed at how clear the picture is. I have read several reviews on other HDTVs, and one of the most critical areas has been the clarity of the blacks…with this TV, every color, every image is crystal clear. I really do love this TV.
cindymsm
31 Jan 10 at 12:05 am
Best LCD without spending 3 Grand
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I had bought the Samsung 4661F and returned to to FRYS because the picture was, for me, sub par. I’m a photographer, for what that’s worth.
I was deciding between the price-equivalent Sharp and this one, the Sony KDL 46V3000. I did a lot of research, and both were highly rated but had random issues, so I knew I was taking a risk either way.
I finally settled on this one because I’ve always had good TV luck with Sony.
In fact, until January of 06 I had a 32” Trinitron from 1989(!) that I loved. So I bought this one on brand loyalty, and I can’t imagine for the price (ON sale at BEst BUy for $2399) that I could have done better.
Clearly ( no pun intended), a much better picture, I mean demonstrably better, than the Samsung.
I did spend an extra $200 though.
HD movies (HBO, Showtime etc) look fantastic, there were a bunch of Network Broadcast HD College Football openers on when I got home and they look spectacular. And on TNT HD, which is notoriously grainy, they were running TITANIC, and it looked fantastic too.
THE ISLAND was on another HD movie channel, and some of the fast moving scenes pixelated, but so far that’s my only complaint, and I don’t know if it’s the TV or the signal. For instance, FOX HD sports had a game on, and it looked like crap. But that HAS to be FOX, the low rent, right wing bastards…;-)
Anyway, great TV, I doubt I’ll be returning this one….
Adam Ritzlin
31 Jan 10 at 9:33 am
Five-star service to go with a five-star product
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This is the sixth Sony TV we’ve owned over the last 24 years and by far the best. As expected the picture quality of the Bravia is unrivaled, its features comprehensive enough to meet our daily viewing needs. But we knew that would be the case; we’re perhaps even more impressed by the quality of our buying experience. While we’ve been Amazon customers for some time this was the first “big ticket” purchase we’ve made online. Of course, the price was competitive, but the “white glove” delivery service was exceptional, with the TV shipping sooner than promised and the local delivery and installation was convenient and efficient. All in all, an excellent buying experience thanks to Amazon.
M. Knebel
31 Jan 10 at 9:58 am
Fantastic TV!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
After more than a month of researching HD LCDs online and in stores, I chose the KDL46V3000 and 6 weeks later, I couldn’t be happier! I narrowed it down to either the Sony or the Samsung LNT4665F. The Samsung had a great picture and a lower price, but two things led me to the Sony: the black, non-mirrored frame and the non-reflective glass. I have a living room with lots of windows and a lot of ambient light I can’t control and didn’t want to fuss with glare every time I turned on the TV. The Sony’s picture is sharp, brilliant and rich in all colors, especially black. HD channels make it seem like you’re looking through a window into the stadium/studio, and the regular channels look great too, although once you’ve seen HD, they admittedly look much worse.
The menu is easy to navigate (although I almost never go into it) and the build in speakers are great. Eventually I’ll install surround sound, but until then I don’t feel I’m missing a single thing. If you’re shopping for TVs, you’re going to be spending a lot of money anyway, so don’t hesitate to spend a little more to get the best TV on the market! And if you’re stressing between two or three TVs, keep in mind that when you get it home, you’re not going to be looking at sets side-by-side and any minute differences won’t matter anymore.
**Note – While I didn’t buy my TV on Amazon, I uses the price as my bargaining chip at my local store. They beat the price and took into account that with Amazon, there’s no sales tax or shipping!
Harry Brodsky
31 Jan 10 at 10:39 am
Great TV
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I did not purchase this from Amazon. Great tv first bought a Samsung 46″ LCD with the faster chip to help eliminate blur took tv back to store within 3 Days tv had poor picture and frame stutter to the point it would almost make you sick, decided to buy this tv best choice I made nice looking great picture so easy to use hooked up to a verizon fios HD box. Thank you Sony for doing such a great job.
Randy
1 Feb 10 at 3:59 am
One flaw away from perfection
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
So far I have been very happy with great performance of my new KDL-46V3000.
Pros:
- Great colors and black levels, no clouding
- Very good tuner and reception
- Nice upscaling and line doubling of lower resolution signals
- No noticeable motion blur even without the high end 120 Hz refresh rate
- Great, simple and sophisticated design without the useless cumbersome glass panel of the higher end XBR Sony models
- Low profile stand foot fits perfectly on the TV stand where my previous 42″ TV’s foot was sticking out.
Cons:
- Extremely limited combination of sources for Picture & Picture; No Picture-in-Picture
- Reflective black piano finish frame (not the screen) which can get annoying if you have a light source at a wrong place behind you
Initially I wanted to buy a 120 Hz system, but after a serious long research, I gave up on them for multiple reasons. First I dropped the new Sharp models because instead of the 120 Hz refresh rate they only have frame rate conversion, interpolating and inserting an artificial intermediate frame in between each two of the existing frames. Then after researching the promising Toshiba Regza 120 Hz LX177 models I dropped them from my list because of inaccurate colors. I had an opportunity to choose the top of the line 40″ 120 Hz Sony XBR4 model at a comparable price, but I chose this 46″ 60 Hz set instead, because I owned 37″ and 42″ 1080p models in the past and I had to be quite close to the smaller screen to enjoy the full benefit of the Blu-ray or comparable high resolution source. Then after reading some reviews I decided to drop the other remaining 120 Hz models because of the huge price difference and only a marginal, if any, improvement on motion blur. Instead, I decided to stick with the mature and proven 60 Hz technology and bought its latest generation with no regrets. This TV’s “older brother”, Sony KDL-46V2500, was standing on the next shelf and it was priced a couple hundred dollars less, but I didn’t want to spend this kind of money buying a last year’s model which has older technology and some known minor picture problems.
I love this set’s picture quality, for it can compete not only with other LCDs but also with most plasmas (and this screen, IMHO beats most of them with its anti-glare surface). When I watch this TV in the store next to other higher Samsung and Sharp models, I can see many more subtle details in the shadow and near-black areas of the screen. Other models seem to willingly sacrifice these details in order to improve their blacks and after having noticed this I am sure I picked the best model in this price range.
Video processing is very nice, even on SD TV coming from a weak signal. The TV tuner seems to have better reception than my other tuners on same antenna. In spite of my very limited expectations due to my relatively bad experience with previous tuners, I am now receiving all available digital channels in Chicago using an indoor antenna with minimum interruptions.
Sound quality on the set is good, with a typical lack of lower bass spectrum, but most owners of TVs of this caliber will aim for the full experience and buy a home theater sound system.
Just when I thought this set was close enough to perfection for my current standards, I discovered a major Picture & Picture design flaw. This set’s Picture & Picture feature limits the choice of the two pictures viewable next to each other to the left one coming from HDMI inputs, TV tuner, or Video-in, and the right picture coming only from one of the two component (that’s right, component) inputs. What were Sony designers thinking?! I have only HDMI and PC sources at home, so this feature is absolutely useless to me, because in most cases I want to view TV tuner combined with HDMI, or PC, or the two HDMI inputs next to each other. I was in such a disbelief that I thought I was doing something wrong and I didn’t trust the manual, so I called Sony’s tech support and they confirmed this nonsense. Moreover, the PC input is not available for viewing in Picture & Picture mode.
Although some reviewers find the menu system cumbersome, I got very accustomed to it on my Playstation 3, however, this system is not always totally intuitive and it doesn’t “remember” the last menu you accessed, which would make it much more convenient.
Summary: Bad “Picture & Picture” input combination is the only major flaw I can find and if the picture wasn’t so great, I would have returned it the very next day, but I couldn’t find a better 46″ model at this price, so I kept it. Without this design flaw I’d give this set a perfect score.
DrZ
1 Feb 10 at 6:23 pm
SONY Bravia 46″ LCD TV – KDL46v3000
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I highly recommend this TV. I have had the TV for about 30 days. I spent a significant amount of time in research and personally viewing a number of big screen TVs before selecting the 46″ SONY Bravia. It is very user friendly and the picture quality is just what one would expect from SONY..better than most, if not all others. Amazon’s price and delivery service made me a very satisfied customer.
David Record
1 Feb 10 at 10:07 pm
Great TV — Doesn’t last long though!
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
Great TV. No issues. Wonderful delivery from Amazon. Make sure to search the web for the ideal settings for this TV and it will look wonderful. Also, I got a great tip online to protect this potentially fragile LCD from kids…buy a piece of Lexan and some velcro tape to make a protective screen. It introduces a little glare, but protects from having a $1900 paperweight.
UPDATE: 20 Months after I bought it, this TV is now on the fritz. Repair guy coming soon. Should have stuck with my old JVC CRT that lasted 10 years without a problem.
B. O'KEEFE
1 Feb 10 at 11:52 pm
2 tvs in 4 months
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
I just replaced my 2nd Sony Bravia in 4 months. I had delamination on both sets. Highly dissappointed. Change to a Samsung. So far so good
K. Womble
2 Feb 10 at 12:43 am
Don’t buy
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
I have this beautiful Sony Bravia sitting on my TV stand that does not work. I ordered from Amazon on Monday and received the TV by Friday, there was no signs of damage on the box everything looked great. That is where things went downhill I turned the TV on and it played for less that 5 minutes and shutdown. After talking to tech support in India I was told that I could not send it back and would have to call a local Sony rep on Monday. On Monday I got a hold of the local rep and was informed he would get back with me in a few days and set up a time for his tech to look at the TV. Also that I should be aware that once the bad part is found another will have to be order, the time frame to get the new part will be up to Sony. He said that I should have the TV fix before the football season is over. I do not know if this same hassle is to be expected from all TV manufactures or just Sony. I contacted Best buys and was informed that they have the same policy with Sony products.
Charles Schroyer
2 Feb 10 at 5:17 am
Excellent TV but Vivid Mode creates “smearing”
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I got the TV about 3 weeks ago and it is working fine. The HD picture is excellent with the exception of Vivid mode where a lot of smearing occurs…it also happens when viewing Blu Ray discs. Other modes work fine after a bit of tweaking. Sounds is ok but I got a sound system hooked up to the TV so it’s a non issue for me. The TV is a lot bigger in my room than what you see at the store…I almost thought I got a 52″ one, which is cool by me. Also there was a big cloud covering half the screen when picture turned black but after I left the TV on initially for almost a whole day it dissapeared…that was cool too. Other than that all is working fine.
T. Idzi
2 Feb 10 at 11:51 am
Sony Bravia KDL-46V3000
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This is an excellent HDTV. I have had the TV for only about a month, but have thoroughly enjoyed the large screen, and HD 1080p picture. I watch a lot of football, and have never seen a game in the snow like the playoff game in Greenbay. I could almost individually describe each snow flake. This TV is awesome, even without the surround sound…with the surround sound, the whole experience is jacked up another notch or two. I was considering buying this same set from Sam’s but finally decided, based on other reviews, to use the ‘white glove’ delivery service provided by Amazon, and I do not regret the decision. The whole experience with Amazon has been effortless. I’d do it again in a minute.
W. Burns
2 Feb 10 at 1:12 pm
Brilliant picture!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Well, I’m not the tech type of reviewer — I’m the guy who just wanted the best possible HD picture for his money. The other reviews here were part of my research, and I did a *lot* of research before purchasing this TV. And, man, did it pay off.
The colors are rich and natural, and the quality of the picture is beyond compare. I’m very glad I decided to go with true 1080, because it *does* make a difference. Pair this with DirecTV HD and you start seeing TV in a whole new way. We keep running the HD broadcast of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ because we never realized how stunning the details were in this nearly 70 year old picture!
One thing: don’t be afraid to experiment with the settings. I find them very easy to use, and you can instantly see how it affects the picture. I’d recommend freezing the TV (if you have a DVR) on a good image first, then working the settings to get the optimal look that fits your own subjective preferences. I like the color natural, with a little sharpening and nice, deep blacks.
Ahhhhhhh …
Chapps
2 Feb 10 at 9:50 pm
Not the best.. not the worst.
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
My set was wonderful for about a year. Then it began getting a blue streak on the left side. This happens when the background is dark and there are bright letters or picture…
I have been to online tech help sites and there are several others who have the same problem with the set….occuring after the first year.
Sony has not been much help with this. Paying this price for a TV, I do not expect this it happen.
Siri
3 Feb 10 at 12:08 pm
Bravo, Bravia!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
My husband and I recently purchased this Sony Bravia, and we are both very happy with it. This is our first LCD/HD TV, and we did a lot of product research before we settled on this model. I think this is an excellent TV for the price. The picture quality is superb, and even standard definition programming looks great on the screen. (However, there is definitely no going back to a standard TV after experiencing the brilliance that is HDTV!) Hooking up the television was a pretty painless experience overall, and the remote and various menus are all very easy to use. I was also impressed with the speaker system on this TV. A lot of the other TVs we looked at had very quiet speakers, but the Bravia’s sound system is superior, and adding a surround sound system isn’t necessary unless you really want it.
We haven’t noticed any issues with cloudiness, black spots, etc., which is a relief because that’s something we were worried about when we first started thinking about getting a LCD TV. The only minor issue we’ve had with the TV is that every time we turn it on, there’s a strange clicking/popping noise that comes from the back of the TV and lasts for a minute or less. Then the noise goes away until we turn the TV off, and then the cracking noise comes back for about a minute or so. The manual says that this noise is normal, but I still think it’s a bit annoying and weird. However, I did some research online, and it appears that a lot of LCD models make these sounds. Oh well.
Overall, except for the weird clicking, this TV has been good to us so far. I recommend this product.
Melissa Niksic
4 Feb 10 at 9:06 pm
sony 46″flatscreen tv
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
i read the reviews on amaxon.. all true. fantastic picture we’re thrilled with it..hitch up and usage took abit of training but all good.. highly recommended..
Chittenden Bank
5 Feb 10 at 1:37 am
1.3 HDMI???
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Can anyone find the slightest verification of which HDMI format this LCD is? The Product Description says it is (on this page above) BUT, SonyStyle is showing that only the W-series and UP have 1.3.
If this is the case, which version does it have??
Any help is appreciated, as we have on it’s way!
F. Unger
6 Feb 10 at 11:34 am
Great picture, No problems.
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Others have complained about shadowing, clouds and other technical problems with the picture on this set. Well, all I can say is, either these problems are completely not noticeable by a normal person watching regular TV (and looking hard for them!) or Sony fixed them. It has a fantastic picture right out of the box and a great digital tuner. My only criticism is that the P&P feature is pretty much useless, but I never use that anyway.
Karen
6 Feb 10 at 1:54 pm
After a year, major quality issues – DO NOT BUY SONY
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
Originally I wrote a good review of this TV shortly after purchasing it (see original review below). However, I have to change my rating from a 4 to a 1. We have had two major quality issues come up in the past 12 months that have cost us a lot of money and we now have to buy a new TV – it will cost $2,100 to fix this TV.
A little over a year after we purchased the new TV it had its first major malfunction. The set would turn on, but then shut itself off after about 10 seconds. It just would not stay on. It cost $400 and it took a week to fix (I know, I should have bought the extended warranty but I figured a Sony would not need it).
Last week the TV broke again, a different issue. The screen started acting up, and after a day or two it lost the picture completely, althought the sound still works. We just found out that the “panel” is kaput, and that it will cost $2,100 to fix – which is more than we paid for it. It makes no sense to spend this much to fix what amounts to a piece of junk, so we will have to scrap it and buy a new TV.
So in the end this TV has cost us $1,900 (original purchase price) + $400 (fix two issues) = $2,700 – and we have NO TV!!!!
I am really disapointed with Sony and surprised about the poor quality of this TV. I have never had any problems with Sony equipment before. The TV was great WHEN IT WORKED, and we bought a Sony so that we wouldn’t have to deal with quality issues.
We are talking to Sony to see what they can do for us. This is really unacceptable. If Sony doesn’t replace it or give us at least 1/2 off on a new TV, we are going with another brand, and we will never buy a Sony again. And we will be sure to tell all our friends and family not to ever buy a Sony either.
ORIGINAL REVIEW
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This is a great TV and I’m glad I bought it. Amazon had the best price at $1,899 including shipping.
I did a lot of research before buying and finally decided on a Sony. Sony models in general tended to get the best reviews, and even when not rated “excellent” they didn’t seem to have any major issues. Most of the competition’s models seemed to have at least one issue, even when the TV was otherwise great. Originally I wanted to get the 46XBR4 because it comes with the 120HZ refresh and smoothing engine, but I didn’t want to spend the extra $700. I also didn’t want to get the V2500 which seemed a bit outdated and not that much cheaper. So I went middle of the road.
The picture is excellent and the TV looks great (we have it on a discreet glass stand in the corner). HD programming looks fantastic and normal programming comes in much better than I expected (probably partly due to the digital cable box). The 60HZ refresh rate isn’t a drawback either, so I don’t regret not going to the 120HZ. We recently watched the Australian Tennis Open and although the fast balls flying back and forth were not quite as crisp as on our old tube, there was no problem following the action. Tennis is also probably the only sport (maybe also golf) where blurring will even be noticeable since the balls are small and they move very fast. By comparison the Superbowl was splendid and I didn’t notice any blurring of the fast action whatsoever.
The blacks also come in very dark and the contrast is great. The “standard” picture setting out of the box is about as good as it gets, so you don’t have to mess around with the settings (but the menus are fairly easy to use if you feel the need).
I have only two issues with the TV:
1. Sometimes in HD programming if there is fast action in the foreground in front of where the camera is focused (such as watching a person move through a crowd) you may notice some tiny artefacts and slight blurring. But it’s not a big deal and happens only very rarely in just the right conditions. I also haven’t played with the settings to see if I can get rid of it. Furthermore, I don’t know if this is an issue with other brands in the same price range, but I suspect it’s not a Sony-specific issue. This is where the 120HZ refresh rate might help, but that’s beyond my expertise.
2. The viewing angle is great 99% of the time. The TV is in a corner, and the picture looks great from anywhere in the room, except with a few specific shows. The foremost example is The Dog Whisperer on Nat Geo HD. If you are sitting at a sharp angle to the TV, the faces of the people tend to gain a slight green/yellowish tint. However, this does not happen with most programming, especially not movies or sports, so I think it may be the quality of the broadcast or the media the show was taped on rather than a problem with the TV. And again, I suspect this isn’t a Sony problem, but rather an LCD problem in general.
In the end I still think this is the best TV for the money. I’ve seen a lot of other LCD’s in stores and people’s homes, and my V3000 knocks them flat. The picture is clearer and brighter, the colors are more accurate, the fast action is crisper, and the viewing angle is better. And I’m a very picky person. I hope my complaints will not disuade you from getting the TV – I’m just giving a fair review. I think if all you read from someone is how great their new TV is, they’re trying to make themselves feel better. No TV is perfect, and you won’t regret buying this TV. Woulod the 46XBR4 be better? Maybe, but I couldn’t tell the difference in the store. But if you want to spend an extra $700, that’s your prerogative. As long as you stick with a Sony you’ll be OK.
DRP
6 Feb 10 at 7:16 pm
Flawless HD set
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I just took delivery of my Sony KDL-46V3000 two days ago and already I can’t imagine going back.
The set has none of the flaws that trouble some flat panels: no stuck pixels that I can see, no clouding, banding or other visible defects. Just a nice picture. Glare is not a problem on this set, even off of the supposedly shiny bezel.
I agonized over my choice of a set for many months, looking at several Sony models and several from competitors such as Samsung. I could never tell that choosing a higher-end Sony would really buy me anything, so I stuck with one of their more affordable models. It can be difficult to compare TVs, especially in big box stores. However, the few times I got a fair comparison between the Sony and a comparable Samsung set (4661F), the Sony seemed to have a slight edge.
Keep in mind that this set won’t work miracles with standard-definition (SD) TV signals. I have it hooked to an over-the-air (OTA) antenna, which works quite well, pulling in HDTV from all of my local affiliates. But, when I switch back to my SD cable box, things look pretty shabby in comparison. In fact, let me echo the advice of many other HDTV users; SD television in some cases looks worse on a large HD set than it would have on your older CRT TV. This is in part due to the raised expectations of the new, fancy TV, but also has to do with seeing low resolution TV on a large set with ‘wasted’ display lines. The Sony has image processing which is supposed to enhance SD signals. I’m sure it helps some, but the truth is once you’ve seen HDTV on your new set, SD can look pretty grim. If you invest in any high-def TV be sure to get some sort of high-def inputs for it. I’m dumping cable in favor of OTA + Blu-ray, but I’m sure for most people HD cable is a great option, too.
To top it off, I found a great price on Amazon, and was quite pleased with the Eagle delivery. I don’t regret doing my research, and I couldn’t be happier with the 46V3000.
Greg4408
6 Feb 10 at 7:17 pm