When it comes to technology, Sony has a knack for pulling off incredible feats unrivaled by competitors. When the recent crave for new and improved televisions came into play, Sony certainly held their own on the market. However, as we enter the new fad of 3D viewing at home, can Sony remain “King of the Hill?”
Stepping out onto the ever-raging battlefield that is the electronics market is the new Sony 52” BRAVIA XBR HX909 Series 3D HDTV. Armed with a multitude of features living up to Sony’s prestigious quality, it could be hard finding flaws within its sleek shell.
Appearance
Sony has never had a problem with the look of their products, and this television continues that winning streak. The screen dons an all-black finish, easily fitting in with any living space. Furthermore the black suit looks great on the slender frame, mounting on your wall with less than 3” of depth. Should one choose to use the stand, the depth grows to nearly 16”, though keep in mind 12 of those inches reside solely within the stand. Where the TV may find fault is within it’s weight. Unlike other TVs of its size (and even some larger ones) this model weighs nearly 100 lbs. Even without the stand, the screen sits at a hefty 80lbs; quite heavier than some competitors.
Picture Quality
Fortunately, Sony makes up for its weight in the quality it brings to your living room. Keeping up with the pack, the screen displays in 1080p high definition and manages to exceed the quality of many competitors thanks to the BRAVIA Engine 3 processor. Crisper images and better contrast allows for beautiful picture without as much strain on the eyes. Utilizing all of their artillery, Sony includes the Motionflow PRO technology within the model, amplifying the capture rate of fast-paced action to bring an even more thrilling feel.
Features
Beyond regular television, the XBR HX909 boasts a wide array of extra features to make the price tag even more worth your while. With a pre-installed internet network feature, it is possible to access a plethora of Internet Video websites to display assorted clips on the large screen. Taking network access one step further, one can also link the screen to their personal computers via a home network, allowing for direct streaming from computer to television set. By simply including USB ports, Sony has transformed their television into a TV/PC hybrid, enabling easy access to stored media whenever you want to view it in a higher quality then you are used to.
All of these features are easily accessed through Sony’s Trademark XMB media center. The technology often found in their PlayStation products makes its way to the silver screen. Easy to use and precisely organize, the Xross Media Bar (XMB) delivers the added flair Sony is known for. Their reputation as a high quality competitor in the industry does not fall short in this model, as it is truly a remarkable piece of work.
Downsides
To be honest, it is rather difficult to find fault in the product, but there is definitely fault to be found. One may notice the review thus far has lacked commentary on the 3D aspect of the television. This is simply because the TV can stand on its own without the feature. As with most 3D HDTVs, the 3D quality works out just fine. Even more so, Sony is one of the few 3D television manufacturers (along with Samsung and Toshiba) who utilize direct 2D to 3D conversion processing. This allows viewers to watch everything in 3D. Though not at the quality of intended-for-3D programs, it is still a great feature to have. Unfortunately, you have to purchase the specific 3D glasses separately from the television.
To this reviewer, this does not make sense. The device is advertised as a 3D television, yet purchased alone is instead a well-built HDTV. Well-built or not, it is an HDTV until I spend more money on the glasses designed for this television, so why keep the products separate?
Overall
As was said before, the XBR HX909 is an incredible television. Sony has naturally produced a device of high quality that would be an impressive addition to any living room. However, this can be said about many 3D HDTVs on the competitive market for an even lower price than the $3600 price tag advertised here.
Would purchasing a different television mean sacrificing some of the amazing features a Sony television has to offer? Absolutely. No feature has yet to rival the simple elegance of the XMB center, let alone the user-friendliness of the device.
But can a buyer find a screen of near-equal quality for a slightly smaller chunk of their paycheck? Yes. Personally, I would give the edge to the Samsung UN55C8000 television. A larger screen of seemingly equal quality for a lower price wins my vote. Nevertheless, Sony is still competitive on this market with this TV.
In the end it all comes down to preference to company. Naturally, Sony’s reputation speaks for itself and is as reliable as they come. But another brand would not be the end of the world, and you would certainly be able to buy Sony’s glasses with the money you save.
