Sony KDL40HX803 3D TV

[gstriftos]

Conclusion

Although our last couple of Sony LCD TV reviews have been largely positive, the company’s LCD line has been fighting to stay relevant in recent times, given that Samsung have been implementing similar LCD technology with marginally better colour accuracy and crucially, lower prices. Although Sony is still lagging behind in terms of accuracy due to their lack of colour calibration controls, the Sony KDL40HX803 LED-powered LCD TV shakes things up a little, because it is superior to Samsung’s most recent efforts – especially when it comes to 3D.

Compared to the Samsung C8000 (and by design, we assume also the C9000) models, the differences are in the details: Samsung’s 3D implementation introduces judder with 24p films and especially also with 50hz material such as UK TV signals… and Sony’s does neither. Samsung’s features a lack of detail and pixellation with Side-by-Side broadcasts (eg Sky’s 3D channel), Sony’s does not. For both 2D and 3D, the Sony KDL40HX803 has clearly superior viewing angle performance, with the image still looking somewhat natural and rich when viewed from the sides.

Unfortunately, as we expected from an LCD-based HDTV, its 3D images are still marred by a moderate amount of crosstalk. This is a pity, because if it weren’t for this, the Sony KDL40HX803 would have been the best 3D performer yet. The Greyscale accuracy of our KDL-40HX803 review sample’s 3D mode was absolutely excellent, meaning that for once, there was no unwelcome yellow-green tint to the image after putting the 3D glasses on (they still make the picture somewhat darker, though). This means that, in spite of featuring superior Greyscale tracking, the Panasonic VT20 Plasma is still a superior 3D performer thanks to its relative freedom from distracting crosstalk. We are glad to see that the competition is catching up, though, and hope that the next generation of LCD-based 3DTV displays will reduce the crosstalk somewhat.

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/sony-kdl-40hx803-kdl-46hx803-20100925858.htm