Pioneer PRO-940HD 42" Plasma HDTV

Pioneer Elite 42" PRO-940HD Plasma HDTV Review
Dick De Jong
October 29, 2006
HDTV Solutions

Breath taking. Watching the Pioneer Elite PRO-940HD 42" plasma HDTV often elicited that transcendent state of wonderment. At that moment of witnessing an image so startling in its clarity or fidelity, your breath isn't really snatched from your lungs; you simply forget to exhale. So forgive me if I seem a little breathless in this review. To my eyes and respiratory system, this Pioneer plasma inspires plenty of panting.

And once you recover from marveling at the quality of HD images this 42" TV produces, the real kick in the pants is that the PRO-940HD's resolution is 1024 x 768. For those more-is-better videophiles out there who won't even consider anything less than 1080p, this Pioneer Elite proves that size isn't everything.

In addition to components like integrated NTSC/ATSC tuners (with CableCARD Interface), dual

HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio, and interactive controls on a single cable. It transmits all ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committe) HDTV standards and supports 8-channel digital audio. First product releases using HDMI occurred in 2003." class=gloss>HDMI inputs (capable of accepting 1080p/24Hz signal), and USB and Ethernet connectors; the unit contains video processing and panel technologies exclusive to the Elite brand. Interestingly, Pioneer does not list contrast ratios or brightness ratings; but from my viewing, I have rarely seen better contrast handling. Of course, with all these high-end features and performance comes a corresponding price tag of $3500. Did I mention what a joy it is to watch this TV?.

Out of the Box
The term "box" is inadequate to represent the mobile McMansion in which this plasma rolled up to our door. Give this red and silver case a windshield and headlights and it could be confused for a MINI Cooper. Pop open the outside sheath and you discover the monitor is ensconced in its personal padded and velvet lined case. You have a feeling that you are unwrapping a Fabergé egg. (Of course, such a regal container is not the common method of packing and shipping this unit.)

Once extracted from its cocoon you realize that this butterfly is flying free from its stand. Attaching the stand is a little like the baffling job of putting together the kids swing set on Christmas Eve - some assembly required. Though with only four bolts to screw in, the task proved easier than it first appeared. The unit with stand weighs about 70 pounds. With the handgrips molded into the back of the chassis, two people can maneuver the TV around fairly easily.

Pioneer PRO-940HD 42" Plasma HDTV

The jet black bezel and matching stand present an elegant package. Since the control panel buttons are indented on the right side behind the screen, the facade is almost completely unadorned except for the silver Elite logo in the center and Power indicator lights on the bottom left.

I like the look of the glass on plasmas though some people feel that it is too shiny when the TV is turned off. Pioneer has implemented a Surface PRO Color Filter on their Elites that enhances color and contrast while reducing the light reflection on screen, which results in a more muted appearance to the switched off monitor.

Of course, if you or your significant other are adverse to the sight of a 41" wide (4.5" deep without the 11" wide stand) black, unblinking, right-angled Cyclops hulking in your room, Pioneer does include a Home Media Gallery feature that can turn your TV into a canvas for your favorite photos. (For more suggestions on how to integrate your HDTV into your home, see our HD Design column.)

If I hadn't made it clear already, this Elite, at almost every step along the way, offers what you would expect in an HDTV - then adds its own flair. For example, if you look at the back of the unit, the standard AV connectors are included, in duplicate: HDMI, Component, Composite, and S-Video. Then for good measure (and easier access), extra sets of Component and Composite inputs are mounted on the left side of the monitor.

Pioneer PRO-940HD AV Connectors

The HDMI inputs along with a CableCARD slot, an Ethernet port, an RS-232C input, a 15-pin D-Sub PC input, and antenna terminals, are all positioned facing up in a hard-to-reach and even harder-to-see location. Thankfully, the abundance of AV connections face outward, making them much more accessible. I also applaud Pioneer for the added touch of including speed clamps and plastic ties to assist in controlling cable clutter.

Pioneer PRO-940HD HDMI and other Connectors

For those connecting DVD players or set top boxes that have It can also carry an analog signal and comes as DVI-I (integrated - analog and digital), DVI-D (digital only) and DVI-A (analog only). Dual link DVI connections add additional resolution capabilities. Digital cable lengths should not exceed 15 feet. Specifications on DVI are available at www.ddwg.org. Click for more details on DVI." class=gloss>DVI Outs (and therefore have to transmit audio to the TV through the stereo Outs to the analog audio Ins on the TV), the PRO-940HD offers separate analog audio inputs for the two HDMI inputs. Often manufacturers will only provide one set of audio Ins that is either shared by the HDMIs or one of them goes without.

Even though Pioneer has beefed up their pair of integrated (non-detachable) 13W speakers with "SRS(WOW) technology, which includes SRS Surround, TruBass and Focus for superior audio quality," I assume most of you will bypass the TV and route your audio through a more stalwart sound system. If the TV is hooked up to an external antenna, you can export the audio from the TV through either a digital optical or an analog stereo output. There's even a Subwoofer output.

The NTSC/ATSC tuner is truly integrated to the extent that you hook up your antenna and the tuner scans the digital and analog signals together and builds a comprehensive list of both digital and analog channels. And following the two-is-better-than-one theme, the PRO-940HD provides dual tuners. In addition, the TV Guide On Screen interactive program guide is included.

Of course, this Pioneer has the V chip and companion parental controls. And for those multitaskers, you can split the screen or play with PIP (picture in picture).

And the list of features marches on. Perhaps the most noteworthy is the Home Media Gallery, which is a built-in program that allows you to hook into your home network either through the TV's Ethernet port or USB connector.

Displaying Photos in the Home Media Gallery

Even if you are not ready to string a Cat 5 cable across your living room floor, if you own one of those nifty USB portable flash drives, you can load it up with your favorite family photos and plug it into the USB port on the side of the TV. The Home Media Gallery software will read the drive and display your snazzy snapshots in luxurious color on your big screen Elite. You also can create a slideshow that will change images at an interval you set.

As you may imagine with a TV with this many options, the remote control can become a bit overpopulated with buttons. Pioneer designers squash pushbutton proliferation by only putting the essentials on the remote. And they are spread out over more real estate than is normal.

PRO-940HD Remote Flip Out Section

Also, many of the controls for external components like set top boxes are secluded behind a flip-out door at the bottom. The backlight casts this eerie red glow, which makes the stenciled lettering easier to read while at the same time setting a great Halloween mood.

Setup
This is the first TV I have reviewed that I felt didn't need any adjustment. I almost hesitated to play with the Picture controls because it looked so good right out of the box. And when I did pull out the Digital Video Essentials DVD and went through the normal calibration routine, I made a minor tweak to the brightness and that was that.

I was glad I stepped through the process because it made me appreciate all the fine-tuning controls that were available. Not only are there the normal basic picture adjustments for Contrast, Brightness, Color and Tint; but click on the Pro Adjust selection and you are greeted with a variety of advanced picture controls that could calm the twitchiest of tweakers.

Tools like CTI (Color Transient Improvement), Intelligent Color, and Dynamic Range Expander may frighten the meek. Indeed, if you feel you are over your head, follow your gut and stay away. For those adventurous adjusters out there, Pioneer does an adequate job of giving on-screen guides to controls and the manual is well written.

To begin, you might want to scroll through the different AV Selections of presets, Standard, Dynamic, Movie, Game and Pure. Notice the difference in the pictures and then examine how the individual settings have changed. For example, Movie desaturates the image by dropping the Color setting to -5, softens the image a bit by lowering Sharpness to -8, and adds a little warmth by pushing the Color Temp to Low.

Play around. If you find yourself floundering in the deep end, you can always hit the Reset button to return the settings back to the shallow waters of the default. The reason I suggest you futz with a perfectly good image is so you can see how responsive the PRO-940HD is to these adjustments. And you also might discover that you actually prefer a slightly cooler or warmer image or one that is not so razor sharp.

Now, if you really wish to tweak your Testarossa of a television, the Pioneer Elites can be professionally ISF calibrated to your most demanding standards for both day and night viewing.

Performance
What can I say without resorting to hyperbole? This HDTV rocks.

Whether revealing the nasty nooks and creaky crannies of Count Olaf's gothic house in Lemony Snicket or illuminating Rembrandt's mastery of light and shadow in the Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp, the PRO-940HD excelled with flying colors. The black and white rendition of the Philadelphia Story was luscious. Notwithstanding the genius of Antonio Gaudi, the 1984 Japanese documentary on the Spaniard's architecture was mesmerizing.

In fact, I found that I was spellbound quite often when watching programs on this TV. It might be a little detail like how the light reflects off the rich red metallic finish of Joe Satriani's Ibanez JS series guitar. Whatever it may be, a sense of the sublime is incited. And you think, this is the way high definition should look. But I wax poetic.

Usually, if I need a pail of cold water thrown on my HD reverie, I simply turn on an SD channel. And even with this Elite, watching standard definition - I'm ready to dub it "substandard def" - is a slap in the face. Though the PRO-940HD handles SD programs about as well as any of the HDTVs I have seen.

I did run into two situations while viewing HD content. First, on an occasional program, I would see noticeable judder in camera pans. Since this wasn't a consistent problem, I would tend to blame the source material and not the TV. Also, some programs would veer too much towards the vivid for my tastes. I seem to be especially sensitive to ruddy skin tones. I found that the default for the Picture control named Color Space is set to 1, which the manual describes as, "Optimized for vivid, vibrant color reproduction." Switching to 2, (Standard color reproduction), reined in the red to my satisfaction.

Finally, I hooked up a Dell laptop to the TV through the 15-pin D-Sub input. (There is a separate mini plug connection for the audio.) In the manual, the computer compatibility chart lists resolutions from 640 x 480 to 1360 x 768; but it does not recommend one. The Picture controls are limited to Contrast, Brightness, Red, Green, and Blue. In the Options menu, you can opt for an Automatic Setup that adjusts Horizontal and Vertical Positioning. Or you can manually adjust them as well as Clock and Phase.

The PC images are sharp and clean, but I don't think that my poor peepers would want me to do word processing on this monitor for an extended period of time. But because of this 42" beauty's color rendition, I could Photoshop all day to my eyes' content.

Conclusion
The Pioneer PRO-940HD provides top-notch HD performance and a bevy of features. This HDTV is a videophile's dream and does Pioneer's Elite brand proud. It serves as a great reference monitor. I'll be sorry to see it go.

Star Ratings
First, realize, that ratings are relative to when the review was written. The obvious example is Value, what you could purchase for $2000 two years ago or even two months ago would seem like a bad value for that price now.

Second, I have yet to give a 5 Star rating, which I am reserving for truly outstanding accomplishment. And as you can see below, the Pioneer PRO-940HD has achieved that standard of excellence.

Performance: 5
Is this Elite HDTV perfect? No. But its color fidelity and contrast handling does definitely elevate PRO-940HD above the crowd.

Features: 5
With dual HDMI inputs and twin tuners only serving as the appetizers to a smorgasbord of features, the biggest problem is overeating. But all the bells and whistles are just noise if the HDTV doesn't perform. The PRO-940HD delivers.

Ease of Use: 4.5
All the features can be daunting. But you can plug and play and have a great viewing experience without ever learning about adjustments with acronyms like MPEG NR or I-P Mode.

Value: 4
I'm a tough grader on Value, and $3500 is on the high end of the scale for 42" plasmas, especially with a resolution of 1024 x 768. But this Pioneer provides a lot of bang for its big bucks. For me, on Value, 4 is a high mark.

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LG 55LA8600 TV Review Video

55" Edge-lit LED LCD Smart TV, $2699

Length - 5:58

A hands-on video review of the LG 55LA8600 that is a companion piece to the written review.

After you hit Play, for a bigger and better resolution image, click the round "gear" icon and choose 720p and then pick Full Screen.

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Panasonic VT25 vs GT25 Differences Explained

Panasonic released their mid-range GT25 line of 3D TVs shortly after the introduction of their flagship VT25 line. Looking at the specifications of both lines of Plasma TVs, it is a bit difficult to understand what the actual difference between the VT25 and GT25 TVs are. Obviously there has to be some difference to justify a $500-$700 price difference between the two. This article will compare the VT25 vs GT25 to point out any differences and similarities between these two excellent Plasma 3D TV offerings from Panasonic.

Firstly, the VT25 series is available in the following sizes: 50 inch, 54 inch, 58 inch and 65 inch.

These are the largest 3D TVs offered by Panasonic at the moment and it makes sense that their premium line of Plasma 3D TVs are also their largest.

The GT25 series is only available at 42 inch and 50 inch screen sizes. Being the mid-range 3D TV offering, this also makes perfect sense.

This is one area where there is definitely a difference between the VT25 and GT25 3D TVs. The VT25 series features Panasonic’s premium Infinite Black Panel Pro panel technology. Infinite Black Panel Pro is an improvement in the front panel technology that reduces electrical pre-discharge allowing for extremely deep blacks and great contrast ratios. The VT25 series of 3D TVs have been universally praised for their Kuro like black levels and superior 2D and 3D image quality.

The Panasonic GT25 features the Infinite Black Panel feature which is meant to do exactly the same as Infinite Black Panel Pro technology, but is a less complex implementation of the technology. While it certainly improves black levels and image quality by a lot, it certainly can’t match the black levels of the VT25 series. However, it should be noted that the GT25 still has great picture quality, and for the price, it is a fantastic 3D TV. This is why the GT25 made it to our list of Top 5 3D TVs.

Surprisingly, this feature is only available in the GT25 series and not the VT25 series. It is a pretty fun feature and when it works, it can be reasonably good at converting 2D content into 3D. However, this doesn’t always work (same goes for all manufacturer’s implementation of 2D->3D conversion) and will be less and less important as more and more 3D content is made available to the consumer.

This is one area where the Panasonic VT25 is much better than the GT25. This is primarily due to the 96Hz ability of the VT25 (not to be confused with 600Hz Sub-field motion, which both have) which allows the VT25 to display 24fps content very smoothly via 4:4 pulldown techniques (24*4=96Hz) giving very accurate motion display. On the other hand, the GT25 does not have this feature and has to use 3:2 pulldown techniques resulting in judder in smooth panning scenes or when text is scrolling across your screen.

However, don’t be alarmed by this. It isn’t a huge issue as judder due to 3:2 pulldown is something every TV has had till last year and even now, a lot of the current 3D TVs cannot manage judder free viewing of 24fps content. Also, keep in mind that content from your HD cable provider is provided at 60Hz, so judder is not an issue in the case of cable content.

These are the primary differences between the VT25 and GT25. The VT25 is definitely one of the best 3D TVs currently available on the market. However, it is also quite a bit more expensive than the GT25. While the GT25 doesn’t have the same black levels as the VT25, it still produces a very impressive picture with excellent color accuracy, is THX certified and also has the added bonus of being able to convert 2D content to 3D. Additionally, the GT25 series features the same revolutionary RGB phosphors pioneered by Panasonic that help eliminate cross-talk when viewing 3D content. Depending on your budget, you can’t really go wrong with either one of these fine Plasma 3D TVs. Be sure to check our Panasonic 3D TV reviews to read unbiased reviews of all the Panasonic 3D TVs currently available in the market.

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VIZIO M602I-B3 TV Review

60" Full-Array LED Smart TV, $1249

At the CES show last January, VIZIO pleasantly surprised many of the TV journalists when they announced that almost all of their 2014 lineup of LCD HDTVs would employ full array backlighting with local dimming.

Without straying too far into geek-speak, this system of lighting an LCD TV is considered superior to edge lighting (which is the more common method) because it produces better picture quality (more light uniformity and more accurate dimming).

Indeed, VIZIO has distributed 32 Active LED Zones behind their M602i-B3's 60-inch display, which allows for true 2D local dimming (vertical and horizontal), providing deeper, spot-on blacks, the foundation of an excellent picture.

Active LED Zones

Of course, all this whiz-bang technology cannot guarantee a good TV, but with their M602i-B3, VIZIO delivers a high performance product at an attractive price.

To reach that $1200-ish price point for a 60-inch Smart TV, VIZIO does not include certain features on the M602i-B3. None of the 2014 M-Series are 3D TVs and they do not provide either voice or motion controls. And as far as I'm concerned, the TVs are better off without those features.

In fact, after considering the combination of features, price, screen size and remarkable picture quality, the VIZIO M602i-B3 earns our Highly Recommended recognition.

(Editor's Note: VIZIO plans on releasing eight sizes of their 2014 full-array backlit M-Series, starting with the 32-inch M322I-B1 [$329] all the way up to their 70-inch M702i-B3 [not yet available]. In between are the 42, 49, 50, 55, 60, 65-inch models, M422I-B1, M492i-B2, M502i-B1, M552i-B2, M602i-B3, and M652i-B2.

(The colossal 80-inch M801i-A3 was released in early 2014 but it is edge-lit. And the two smallest models have fewer Active LED Zones, the M322I-B1 [5] and the M422I-B1 [14]. Since all of the other sizes have at least 32 zones and similar specifications to the M602i-B3, this review can apply to all of them.)

Performance: 4.5Once I adjusted the VIZIO M602I-B3's to my tastes, the video performance was impressive. The full-array backlighting with local dimming produces an excellent picture. I was pleased with the quality of the 10W integrated speakers, but you will be happier by pairing this 60-inch display with a more robust sound system.Features:4.5 With built-in Wi-Fi and over 100 content providers, this VIZIO Smart TV furnishes the essentials. It does not include voice recognition nor motion control, but the QWERTY keyboard on the two-sided remote makes search entries easier. The M602I-B3 is not 3D capable.Ease of Use: 5.0 Set up is a snap. The two Calibrated Picture Modes make picture adjustment easy. And the double-sided remote is handy.Value: 4.5 I considered giving this M-Series TV a 5 Star rating, but VIZIO is currently selling their 2014 60-inch E Series E600I-B3 (with full-array backlighting and 16 zones) for $849. If it performs even close to this M Series M602I-B3, then it would rate 5 Stars. With that said, this M Series 60-inch beauty is definitely a good value.Ratings are relative to when the review was written. The obvious example is Value, what you could purchase for $2000 two years ago or even two months ago would seem like a bad value for that price now. We give very few 5 Star ratings, which we reserve for truly outstanding accomplishment.Bookmark:   del.icio.us     Reddit     Google

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Sony XBR-65X900A Ultra HD TV Review

65" LED Edge-lit Ultra HD Smart TV, $5499

The Sony XBR-65X900A is a big, beautiful TV.

There were times when I was watching this 65-inch screen that I simply caught myself marveling at the quality of the picture.

Now, this Sony is one of the new breed of Ultra HD (4K) televisions, but my viewing Nirvana moments were not only when playing 4K content, but also HD Blu-ray movies and even the more pedestrian HD programs on Broadcast TV (all upscaled to Ultra HD by the Sony).

That is not to say that the limited amount of native 4K material I had available didn't look great. The eye-popping demo materials playing on the 4K server definitely accentuated the extra resolution of this Ultra HD TV, which has four times the pixels of an HDTV (3840 x 2160 vs. 1920 x 1080).

I'll discuss the UHD resolution issue next. To me, the most important point is that this Sony delivers splendid picture quality with both HD and UHD content, making it an ideal event TV for today and the future.

(Editor's Note: Sony produces two sizes of the XBR-X900A Series, this 65-inch and the 55-inch XBR-55X900A. If money were no object, I would prefer the 65-inch, especially when watching native Ultra HD content. With that said, their specifications are similar and this review can apply to both. Sony also makes the mammoth 84-inch XBR-84X900, which has a lot in common with its two smaller siblings, but enough differences to deserve its own review.)

Since the first Ultra HD models were introduced late in 2012, two main complaints have been raised about the technology.

The first is a psychophysical one. Simply stated, the human eye is not acute enough to perceive the difference in resolution between an HD display and an UltraHD one - at least not at the distance that we typically sit away from the screen (more than seven feet).

Basically, to appreciate the extra resolution, you either need to move your chair closer or buy a bigger TV - even bigger than 65 inches. If you agree with that notion and you don't plan on changing your viewing habits then you should be fine with an HDTV, as far as pixel peering is concerned.

If you are a "damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead" early adopter, then there is still a second UHD roadblock, the lack of native 4K movies and TV shows.

I think that solving this shortcoming is essential to enjoying the full Ultra HD experience because there is much more to UHD TVs than resolution. A good Ultra HD display like the TRILUMINOS screen on this Sony can also render a wider color gamut (a bigger range of colors) than is capable with many HDTVs.

The problem is that there is no HD material that is mastered or broadcast with that expanded color gamut.

To address that situation, Sony has launched the Video Unlimited 4K service, the world's first and only 4K Ultra HD video download service, beginning with a selection of more than 70 full length native 4K Ultra HD feature films and TV shows.

A Sony representative has confirmed that, "the feature films on the box and from the forthcoming service were either shot in or mastered in true 4K which incorporates the expanded color gamut which can be rendered on our TVs with TRILUMINOS Display."

The content is downloaded to the Sony FMP-X1, a 4K Ultra HD Media Player, which is only compatible with Sony Ultra HD TVs. The combination of the 4K native content, the player and the TV begin to realize the potential of Ultra HD. You can read more here. Performance: 5.0I realize that some videophiles believe that no TV deserves the mythical 5 Stars, but I would be nitpicking to give the Sony XBR-65X900A anything less. The color rendition with normal HD material is impeccable. Add to that, this TRILUMINOS display ascends to another level with Ultra HD material.

And the 65W speaker system on the XBR-65X900A is way, way above average, definitely wow-worthy for the fantasy football gang. Though if you want that full surround sound for your home theater, match this TV with an appropriately impressive dedicated audio system.

Features:5.0 This Sony supplies everything that I need in a TV, succulent picture quality, pages of Internet apps and an integrated Wi-Fi adapter. Oh, yeah, it also sports an Ultra HD display. You can deduct a half a point or two if you must have motion or voice control because they are not included and the TV is better off without them. Ease of Use: 4.5 If you are familiar with recent Sony TVs, you should have no trouble setting up this one. Even if you are a first timer, the initial process is straightforward. And don't be leery of the Ultra HD aspect, it doesn't add any layer of difficulty. Of course, if you do spring for this $5500 beauty, you might as well pay a professional to set up and calibrate it.Value: 4.0 It's sobering to say that a 65-inch TV at $5500 is a good value, but what the Sony XBR-65X900A offers in picture quality and Ultra HD features makes this reasonably competitive in the current UHD marketplace.

In six months, with a more crowded field, I reckon that prices will start dropping out of the stratosphere and become more affordable for us mere mortals. For now, this luscious 65-inch TV - especially if you pair it with the Sony FMP-X1 Ultra HD player - proves its worth because the combination makes a solid foundation for a home theater system that will serve you well in the years to come.

Ratings are relative to when the review was written. The obvious example is Value, what you could purchase for $2000 two years ago or even two months ago would seem like a bad value for that price now. We give very few 5 Star ratings, which we reserve for truly outstanding accomplishment.Bookmark:   del.icio.us     Reddit     Google

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Sony BRAVIA KDL-40NX700 LCD Review

Sony BRAVIA KDL-40NX700 Review40" 1080p LED Edge-lit LCD HDTV, $1699

In 2010, Sony seems to be transitioning away from some of their old XBR model numbers (XBR8, XBR9 and XBR10) and settling into a new system that features NX and EX models like this BRAVIA KDL-40NX700.

Judging from the prices of these two series, the NX line is currently the king of Sony's hill. The NX also sports the BRAVIA Engine 3 video processing technology while the EX features the BRAVIA Engine 2.

In the summer, Sony will be releasing their first 3D ready LX900 and HX800/900 HDTVs. Though prices are not set for these 3D units, I assume they will demand a premium.

To be clear, the current NX series, like the KDL-40NX700, will not playback 3D and there will be no firmware upgrade that will make it 3D capable.

With that said, the NX700 is packed with all of the high-end features that are popping up on must-have lists for LCD TVs, including LED backlighting, (the NX700 is LED edge-lit), 120Hz frame rate, (the NX800 ups it to 240Hz), and a whole host of Internet content providers.

The cherry on the top, the NX700 has built-in WiFi, (802.11n compatible), which means that you don't need to run an Ethernet cable to connect to your network.

(Editor's Note: Sony makes two sizes of the NX700 series, 40" and 46". If you want a larger screen, then you move up to the 240Hz NX800 which come in 60", 52" and 46". Except for the frame rate difference, all the models have similar specifications and this review of the KDL-40NX700 can apply to all of them.)

Performance: 4.5 With the rollout of 2010 models, I am becoming stingy with 5 star ratings, witnessed by the fact that last year, I gave 5 stars to another similarly BRAVIA Engine 3 powered TV, the Sony XBR9. I truly do admire the deep blacks and vibrant image that this 40NX700 can produce. And the integrated audio system ranks above most of the competition, though still is nowhere near a dedicated audio system. Features: 5.0 The NX700 offers so many features that you can keep busy for days just exploring all of the Internet content providers. To make connectivity cleaner, the TV has built-in Wi-Fi. And this Sony is DLNA Certified, making it the centerpiece of your home network. The NX700 is not 3D ready and will never be. Ease of Use: 4.5 Setting up the NX700 for basic broadcast TV and Blu-ray viewing requires a simple five minute procedure. Even connecting it to your home network can be fairly easy. Plan to take an evening to familiarize yourself with all the features and to register with some of the streaming video providers. The documentation could be more detailed. Value: 4.0 I just went to the SonyStyle site and the KDL-40NX700 is on sale for $1600, which is $100 off the list price. Though a quick surf of online retailers reveals prices around $1450. Considering that you can find 40" TVs for considerably less, you need to decide if you need all the features that Sony has wrapped up in this lovely 120Hz LED edge-lit NX700 package. Ratings are relative to when the review was written. The obvious example is Value, what you could purchase for $2000 two years ago or even two months ago would seem like a bad value for that price now. We have given only a precious few 5 Star ratings, which we reserve for truly outstanding accomplishment.

The NX700 is one of Sony's new Monolithic design series. When you see it attached to a traditional stand, you might wonder about the moniker. But when this TV, with its brushed black bezel, is mounted in the low profile metallic gray base, (a $199 accessory), you can begin to imagine apes clamoring around the monolith in 2001: A Space Odyssey.

With both the stand and the base, you can tilt the TV six degrees back, which gives you a better viewing angle when the TV is placed below where you are sitting.

The advantage of the stand is that it swivels twenty degrees left and right, allowing you the flexibility to turn the TV to different seating arrangements.

The glass on the front of the screen spans all the way to the thin metal frame's edge. Underneath the glass, a wide 2" black bezel surrounds the display.

The glass itself is more reflective than many TVs I have seen. Once again, this usually is not a problem when the TV is playing a program. But when a dark scene appears, bright reflections are noticeable. It's not a deal breaker for me since I can control the lighting in our facility.

This 40" NX700 weighs 49.8 pounds with the stand and 42.3 without.

The front of the TV is uncluttered. The operational buttons are secluded along the right edge of the TV. On the left side, Sony furnishes two

HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio, and interactive controls on a single cable. It transmits all ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committe) HDTV standards and supports 8-channel digital audio. First product releases using HDMI occurred in 2003." class=gloss>HDMI connections. HDMI2 shares an Audio In (stereo minijack) with a VGA PC input. Below them is a Component video (YPbPr) In (with a matching stereo Audio In). At the top of this side panel is a USB port for uploading JPEG photos, MPEG2 videos or MP3 songs.

On the back, a second panel includes two more HDMI inputs and one Composite video In (with a matching stereo Audio In). For sending audio to external speakers or a receiver, an SPDIF (optical) digital Audio Out is provided next to analog L/R Stereo Outs.

If you decide to attach this TV to your network with a Ethernet cable, Sony furnishes a LAN connection.

The one RF antenna connector links to integrated ATSC/QAM tuners. Since the tuner system is Clear QAM compatible, you can attach your cable TV signal directly into the RF connector and tune in unscrambled cable stations.

With the ATSC tuner and the proper antenna, you also will be able to tune in digital signals broadcast over-the-air.

But watching programs coming through rabbit ears is what your parents or grandparents did. That was so last century.

With hours of video being posted on the web every minute of the day, TV manufacturers are partnering with Internet content providers to pipeline that programming directly to your HDTV.

A couple of years ago, Sony had fallen behind in the connectivity race, but they have caught up quickly and are passing a lot of the competition in the breadth of web programming that you can tap through their TVs like the NX700.

On this unit, Internet content can be accessed in two ways. The first is through Widgets, which I personally find intrusive and cumbersome. I don't relish little icons popping up over the program that I'm watching and when I pick one, they are never as responsive as I wish.

But if you are wacky for widgets, Sony offers links to providers like facebook, CBS Interactive, eBay, FrameChannel, Twitter and Flickr. If you still fidget for more widgets, the NX700 currently offers 23 choices including Spacecowboy, Texas Hold'em, Drivecast, and USA Today Sports.

I definitely prefer linking to web content through Sony's XMB menu. You can go directly to a list of streaming video Internet content partners by clicking on the Video button on the remote.

Sony has partnered with an array of Internet video providers, 27 of them at last count. The list changes from time to time. For example, Sports Illustrated (and the swimsuit videos) is no longer available, though the FordModels (not the cars but the wispy fashion women) is still on the list.

Along with the usual suspects like Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand and YouTube, you can stream video from sites like FEARnet, LiveStrong and SingingFool.

Sony has even packaged their own channels like Michael Jackson, Inside Sony Pictures, and the Digital Cinema Concert Series.

They are also teasing us with an icon titled Qriocity, which is Sony's name for their own video on demand service.

When announced at CES, Sony planned on rolling it out in February. They are still fine tuning it. When Qriocity is ready for prime time, it will be enabled on the NX700 through a firmware update.

To expand the reach of this TV even further, Sony has made it DLNA Certified. When attached to your home network, the NX700 can access videos, photos and music stored on your DLNA Certified computer or other compliant devices and play the content directly on to your HDTV.

The ability also allows the TV to see any media servers that you have on the network. I find this valuable because the NX700 does not connect directly to Hulu.

But I have MediaMall Technologies' PlayOn media server, (a life time subscription is $39.95), on my computer. Through PlayOn, I can access my Hulu account and stream TV programs and watch them on this 40" TV rather than a much smaller computer monitor. To be clear, PlayOn is not part of the Sony package of providers.

Every time I write about streaming video from the Internet, I feel that I need to repeat this caveat, if you are serious about obtaining good picture quality, you will need fairly fast and robust bandwidth from your Internet provider, ideally around 10Mbps.

I know some sites suggest as low as 2.5Mbps, but if anyone else in your house is accessing the network, the video playback will deteriorate. At least try to have around 5Mbps.

For streaming music, Slacker Personal Radio provides songs from a wide variety of musical genres.

Also Sony furnishes a link to NPR (National Public Radio) and thousands of news and information stories on topics ranging from Business to Politics, Science to Music.

Of course, you can stream music files that reside on your computer or you can shuttle files from your computer to your TV with USB flash drives. Either way, you can add music to slideshows that you can play on the NX700.

The slideshow interface is very good, though it only offers three speed choices (Fast, Medium and Slow) and I miss the cool Slideshow Effect called Museum, which was on earlier BRAVIA models.

But the four Photo picture modes, (Standard, Vivid, Custom and Original), are critical to photographers who want to present their images in the best possible light.

The slideshow menu also contains a list of features that allow you to customize your presentation.

Here's a capability that I have never seen on a TV before. If you connect a digital still camera with a GPS function, you can display both the photo and, overlaid in a corner, a map of the location where the photo was taken. To enable the GPS map, the TV has to be connected to the Internet to download the map information.

If you look at the multi-function remote control from the end, you'll see that the front of the remote dips slightly in the middle. The designers also added another uncommon twist. They put a second On/Off button on the back of the remote - there's still the traditional one on the front.

Also, if you punch the Light button on the remote, a blue backlight glows around all the buttons.

Looking at the size and layout of the buttons, I assume that the designers reckoned that most people use the number buttons more than the others. They are bigger than the rest with large easy to read labels.

At the top, the more specialized buttons like CC/Subtitle are squished together with smaller labels. But I do like the dedicated buttons that take you directly to menus like Internet Video and Widgets. And the multi-purpose Options button provides a quick shortcut to context sensitive menus.

A 21 page Setup Guide is packaged with the NX700. For more information on all of the TV's functions, Sony offers an on-screen i-Manual that you can access by hitting the i-Manual button on the remote.

It's still not highly detailed, but it does a reasonable job of giving most consumers all the knowledge that they need to get up to speed. Sony on their website also posts the i-Manual.

The EPA is now publishing a list of ENERGY STAR qualified TVs. (You can find it here.) The Sony BRAVIA KDL-40NX700 is on the list.

The EPA states that this Sony's On Mode Power is 74W and Standby Power Consumption is .13W. Based on the formula that the TV is on five hours a day and in Standby for the other 19, the Estimated Annual Energy Use is 136 kWh/year.

You need to check your electric bill to see how much you are paying for a kWh. The rate that I have been using in previous reviews is 10.4 cents. Doing the multiplication, at that rate, the yearly energy cost is $14.14.

Since manufacturers are not attaching those yellow ENERGY STAR tags that you find on air conditioners and refrigerators, you will have to study the ENERGY STAR list to see how the 40NX700 compares to other 40" TVs.

A quick overview of other Sonys that size puts it at the low end or most energy efficient. In fact, it's one of the lowest ratings that I have seen for a 40" TV. Even some other 40" models from Sony consume twice as much electricity.

The NX700 comes with a Eco menu full of power saving features. In addition, on the right side of the TV is an Energy Saving Switch. As you can see in the ratings, even in Standby Mode, the TV is sipping a little bit of energy, which if you multiply by millions of TVs can add up.

If you flip the Energy Saving Switch, the unit totally powers down and draws no electricity. You need to flip it back On before you can power up the TV with the remote control.

To calibrate the TV, we use two discs, the Blu-ray version of the Digital Video Essentials DVD called HD Basics and the Spears & Munsil High Definition Benchmark Blu-ray DVD. We are playing the DVDs on the OPPO BDP-83 Blu-ray player connected to the HDTV with an HDMI cable.

We use the test patterns to adjust black level, white level, and color bias. The player is set to output a 1080p signal, which is the Maximum Resolution.' class=gloss>native resolution of the KDL-40NX700.

To begin, I follow my usual pre-calibration routine. First, I choose a Picture Mode. On the NX700 Series, Sony provides three main choices: Custom, Vivid, and Standard, which you can find in the Picture Adjustments menu.

I summarily dismiss Vivid because it overbakes the image for me.

I like the default, which is Standard. It gives the picture a little pop. But if you dig into the Advanced Settings for Standard, you can see how that pop is achieved. Black Corrector, Advanced Contrast Enhancer and Live Color have all been tweaked. Also Sharpness at 15 adds a little too much edginess for me.

But if Standard looks good to you, I'm not one to argue. Leave it and move on. You have a lot of other features to explore, which I will discuss in a bit.

For now, I'm working through the test patterns to see what they advise.

With this TV, Sony does offer an expanded series of picture modes which you access by clicking the Scene button on the remote. The choices are Cinema, Sports, Photo, Music, Games, Graphics, General and Auto.

When you highlight one, a short description appears on-screen. If a particular Scene looks enticing then experiment with it. If you do, you will find that it not only changes the picture settings but also often adjusts the sound controls. If you want to back out and follow along with my procedure, click on the General scene.

I chose the Custom Mode because I like to keep the settings in the Standard mode unchanged for quick reference.

To begin, I go into the Advanced Settings sub-menu and make sure everything is turned off, like Black Corrector and Live Color. Once you work through the basic picture settings, you can return to this menu and experiment.

Going back to the main Picture Adjustments menu, I set the Color Temperature. On the NX700, Sony offers Warm2, Warm1, Neutral and Cool. I vacillated between Warm1 and Neutral and finally settled on Warm1. Color Temperature is definitely a personal choice.

Now, from the top of the menu, working my way down. I leave Backlight at 5 out of 10, which is exactly where Custom defaults. Lowering the Backlight saves electricity. Your number may vary depending on the lighting conditions in your room.

Also, later when you return to the Advanced Settings, you may decide to turn on Auto Light Limiter, which will take control over the Backlight, lowering it during bright scenes. You can see why I like to turn off dynamic controls like this when I am setting up a TV.

When I viewed a Dynamic Range test pattern, the default setting of Max for Picture (Contrast) clipped part of the pattern. Turning Picture down to 90 revealed the whole pattern.

I left Brightness at 50. I pumped Color (Saturation) up slightly to 52. Hue stayed at 0.

The Sharpness scale runs from 0 (Min) to 30 (Max). When looking at a Safe Zone test pattern, I noticed the beginning of fringing above 9. You can play with Sharpness, though I found this TV to be exceptionally sharp without pumping it artificially. I moved it to 0.

I then played some of the reference scenes and the picture looked a little desaturated. Skin tones were a little dull to me. This was especially noticeable when I flipped back and forth between my Custom settings and Standard.

But then I went to Scene and chose Cinema and compared it with Custom. Cinema was even slightly more subdued. I decided to move Saturation to about 55.

If the picture is still too muted for you, then buzz around the Advanced Settings menu and start tweaking. Live Color definitely adds some bloom to the cheeks.

I find these Advanced controls to be responsive. As always, I suggest that you tune one control at a time. And remember the Reset button provides a quick return to reality if your picture becomes too psychedelic.

I will not rehash how 120Hz technology works. You can read more about it here. What I will say is that the NX700 picture can almost be 3D-like in its ability to separate foreground from background. If that effect is disconcerting, then you can experiment with different combinations of Motionflow and CineMotion to see which you prefer.

I tend to leave Motionflow at Standard and CineMotion at Auto 1.

Now, I don't want to scare you away from this TV, but as you can imagine with all of these features, you still have a lot of items to fiddle with, if you want to.

When you pull the NX700 out of the box and plug it in for the first time, you will run through the Initial Setup and answer basic questions like what is your zip code and then setup your TV channels and your Network connections.

Sony does a good job of making this process automatic and unless you have some unusual network configuration, you should be connected in a matter of minutes.

To take full advantage of all the available Internet content, you should go into the Settings menu and then the Network sub-menu and Refresh the Internet Content.

Not to confuse you, but there is also a Network selection on the XMB horizontal menu. In it, you should click on Activate Enhanced Features and follow those instructions.

And if you wish to tap into Netflix or Amazon Video on Demand or some of the other Internet content partners, you will need to setup an account with them. For example, with Netflix you need to subscribe to their service and register the NX700 at their site.

If you are a fan of widgets, then go into the Yahoo Widget Gallery and pick the ones you want to see.

And if you plan on accessing your DNLA computer, you need to set up permissions for your TV in Windows.

Whew! That sounds like a long to-do list. So, let me say this one more time, in a matter of minutes from pulling the NX700 out of the box, you can be up and enjoying stunning high def TV and Blu-rays.

When you are ready to extend beyond traditional media, the NX700 will be waiting.

When I reviewed the XBR9, I sung the praises of Sony's newest fully digital video processor, the BRAVIA Engine 3. I reiterate my pleasure with the picture it produces.

What's important to me is that you can customize the picture to your aesthetic. If you like vibrant and edgy, the NX700 is more than capable of producing a sharp, saturated image without going overboard.

On the other hand, if you wish to create a softer, subtler cinema experience, the BRAVIA Engine 3 allows you to tone down the picture while maintaining contrast.

In fact, the LED edge-lit LCD display exhibits some of the deepest, velvety blacks that I have seen from an edge-lit TV. I'm amazed at how far LED technology has come in a couple of short years.

The integrated audio systems in Sony TVs have always ranked at or near the top of my list when compared with similar models from other manufacturers. The audio performance of the 40NX700 maintains that standard.

But the pair of 10W speakers, even with features like S-FORCE Front Surround and Sound Enhancer engaged, can only generate limited sonic magic. They work well for regular TV duty.

If you plan on watching Blu-rays with multiple channel audio output, then buy a separate dedicated audio system or at least a soundbar.

The Sony BRAVIA 40NX700 combines excellent HD performance with a host of high-end features like a 120Hz LED edge-lit LCD display, Wi-Fi connectivity and an impressive list of Internet content partners.

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