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Category Archives: 120hz

Best LCD HDTV: CNET Reviews the Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8

Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8 LCD HDTV 1080p with LED Backlight

The 55-inch Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8 ($6,999) couldn’t knock off current overall HDTV champion, the Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-111FD plasma, but as far as LCDs go, the Sony rules the roost, or at least according to CNET’s latest review.

They gave the Sony, which has the new LED backlight technology, an 8.7 out of 10 (the Pioneer has a 9.1), stating that the set has deepest blacks of any LCD they’ve tested, very accurate color reproduction and grayscale, superior dejudder capabilities, and comprehensive inputs (4 HDMI and one PC).

55-inch Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8 from the side

They only cons are that it’s “mind-boggingly expensive” and that it showed some blooming in areas of high contrast. They also didn’t like the unremovable speakers that jut out from the side.

Specs for the Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8:

  • 55-inch screen
  • 120Hz
  • LED backlight
  • 72.8 lb
  • Gloss piano black
  • 3000:1 image contrast ratio
  • 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
  • 178-degree viewing angle
  • Ambient light sensor
  • 1080/24p, 1080/60p

Sony RM-YD024 Remote for the Sony Bravia

Check out CNET’s video review of below:

Helpful Links for the Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8:

CNET’s review.
Sony’s official page for the Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8.


Collection of Vizio SV470XVT and SV420XVT Reviews

Vizio SV470XVT 1080p LCD HDTV
This is a collection of reviews I’ve put together from the AVS Forums thread on the Vizio SV470XVT and SV420XVT. This is for your convenience so you don’t have to cull through dozens of pages of price questions, technical queries, and troubleshooting. (Note: The 47 inch and 42 inch models are exactly the same except for screen size.) The original thread can be found here.

Reviews:

Continue reading ›

CNET Reviews the Vizio SV470XVT 47-inch 1080p LCD HDTV

Vizio SV470XVT 1080p LCD HDTV

CNET has reviewed the Vizio SV470XVT, a 47-inch 1080p LCD HDTV with a 120Hz refresh rate. They gave it a 7.3 out of 10, making it their highest-rated Vizio HDTV.

They liked the Vizio’s inexpensive price, “highly accurate color,” extensive picture controls, and 4 HDMI inputs and PC input. They didn’t like the poor black levels, somewhat “pedestrian design,” and some artifacts with the dejuddering processing.

The Vizio SV470XVT has a a msrp of $1,699, which is a big jump compared with Vizio’s other 47-inch 1080p LCD, the $1,199 Vizio V047LF. What do you get for that extra $500? Check out the chart:

  SC470XVT VO47LF
Screen size 47 inches 47 inches
Resolution 1080p 1080p
HDMI inputs 4 4
Refresh rate 120Hz 60Hz
Contrast ratio (w/ DCR) 6500:1 6500:1
Weight 77.8 lb 90.3 lb
PC input Yes Yes
Colors 1.06 billion 16.77 million


Vizio’s new XVT line is an attempt at breaking into the higher end LCD and plasma market. The CNET review score puts in on the same level as comparably featured sets from Sony and Samsung at an aggressive price. With Vizio’s history of price cutting, this should be a set to watch.

Vizio SV40XVT remote control

Vizio SV470XVT remote

*Update*

I’ve put together a collection of reviews for the Vizio SV470XVT here.

Other Helpful Links:

CNET’s review of the Vizio SV470XVT