Sony KDL-40Z5800 Full HD LCD TV Review
The freshly heralded Sony Bravia Z5800 series is the first hi-end HDTV range to feature triple tuner along with Motionflow 200Hz. These can also be called as the next generation of Integrated Digital Television(IDTV), with three tuners (DVB-S2, DVB-T AND DVB-C). Now, you can watch Freesat HD broadcasts and many more without the need for a set-top box or cables cluttering your living space. The Sony KDL-40Z5800 is almost similar to the Sony Z5500 but has an integrated DVB-S2 tuner (Freesat). This model has 1080p Full HD LCD Panel, with Motionflow 200Hz with image blur diminution. The latest Bravia Engine 3 technology is bringing vivid and natural colours to the pictures. Connectivity to High Definition sources such as Blu-ray Disc Players and PS3 can be made easily via the four HDMI inputs.
Design:
Sony KDL-40Z5800 Bravia LCD TV is a sight to behold with its extremely smooth and pin sharp look. The stylish and artistic frame design looks great and makes you lose yourself in the stunning full HD picture. This LCD TV has a butter-smooth 200Hz mode and a broad range of colour gamut-CCFL screen that would make your neighbours envy your TV. Sony has managed to bring in a consummate set-up that is ready to deliver mind bending sound and picture experience.
Triple HD Tuners:
Bravia Z5800 is the LCD TV with triple HD tuners built in which means that you will not need to plug in any externally to watch Freesat and all its HD programming. DVB-S2, DVB-T and DVB-C contents can be handled by the tuner which means that terrestrial, cable and free-to-air broadcasts from satellite services(such as ASTRA), will now be available on your television, without the need of set-top boxes or cables cluttering the room.
HDMI Inputs:
Four HDMI Inputs two on rear and two on side with CEC connect to Blu-ray disc and PLAYSTATION3 which are high definition sources.
CI+ Ready Slots:
Yet another interesting modification in the design is that, sony has offered you the ability to access pay TV and subscription channels. This also includes all CI+ ready for slotting in smart cards, through which you can forget the beguiling different remote controls. With this facility available, you will now be able to access your favourite channels just by pressing single button on the Bravia TV’s remote control. Pay TV services subject to operator’s approval.
Draw the Line Design:
The draw the line feature of Z5800 has taken it further, which makes the design of the LCD TV more admirable.
Built-in Free Sat:
Sony has included the built-in Freesat feature in Z5800 which enables you to access over 140 free TV and radio channels, this package includes over 70 hours a week of free HD TV, with no subscription costs. Freesat gives quick and easy access to full range of TV channels, and it also includes a handy Electronic Programming Guide. As Freesat is a Satellite based service there is a possibility that you may get more HD channels which will be available at the time of future expansion of HD services. Freesat virtually covers all the homes in UK (98% of households), and so it is very easy to switch to digital TV and radio, especially in the out of coverage areas.
Motionflow Technology in 40Z5800:
Sony’s Bravia image processing engine and the company’s Motionflow technology is incorporated in the Sony KDL 40Z5800 Full HD LCD TV along with a handful of eco features for saving power. All of them come packed to the rafters along with HDMI and USB ports, in which some of them are also DLNA certified, in order to pump contents from laptop into the television.
Picture Frame Mode:
When you are not using the TV, the new LCD provides you with an excellent opportunity to see your own pictures or preloaded images which replaces your photo players etc.
Miscellaneous features:
A 10-bit LCD Panel, DLNA Network streaming support, AppliCast network applications including an RSS reader for live new, a USB media player for music and videos are some of the other features of Sony KDL-40Z5800. The Eco features include “Idle TV” mode through which it ingests 25-30% less energy than earlier comparable models. Heaps of HD connections are provided by four HDMI inputs. Though the above listed features are small, they are worth keeping in mind when there arises a need for some comparison.
Features and Performance:
Full High Definition Screen:
The newly incorporated Triple Tuners are set up to receive HD Channels when they are available. You will definitely be very happy to sit at home with your whole family and experience the amazing and plunging HD TV with excellent 1920 X 1080 pixel resolution Full HD Definition screen.
External Connectivities:
The new Sony 40Z5800’s unbelievable external connectivity via HDMI, DLNA and USB and its handy built-in Triple tuners can also connect to wide range of TV channels. The simplicity of the LCD TV gives the viewer all kinds of options for creating cleaner and clearer room spaces and access HD Channels when they are available.
Dynamic Contrast Ratio:
This KDL40Z5800 LCD HDTV unit provides images with a very impressive 100,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, ensuring the deepest blacks and purest whites, which makes you feel that as though fast moving is happening in the middle of your living room. Adding a specially designed home theatre from Sony like the matching HT-CT500 will provide you a truly impressive Full HD Home entertainment experience.
Motionflow 200Hz Technology:
The latest Motionflow 200 Hz Technology, that integrated in the Sony 40Z5800, is the first quickest and newfangled technology, which quartets the number of unique images per second to smooth gaps in the action and hence delivers very fluent and shake free images. You will be astonished to know that not one but three images were added to make sure that motion could be seen from any direction to create powerful sharp images displayed at a staggering 200 frames per second. Compared with the equally newly announced model Sony W5810 which got Motionflow 100Hz technology, Z5800 is most advanced model.
BRAVIA Engine 3:
BRAVIA Engine 3 is the high performance engine that is used in the latest LCD Model of Sony, the Z5800. It was developed to tune the original picture and reduce the noise which guarantees you vivid and high contrast pictures. The complex noise reduction programme enhances the low contrast images until they are realistic and crisp. The Bravia Engine 3 even processes the blues, greens and whites inside each frame to generate grandness and colour accuracy.
Live Colour Creation:
Live Colour Creation is relatively a very new technology of Sony that delivers 30% wider colour than earlier LCD TVs. It also provides deeper and more accurate tones for stunning colour reproduction which makes them look absolutely natural.
10 Bit Panel:
When combined with the WCG-CCFL backlight and Live Colour Creation, the 10 Bit Panel delivers pictures with excellent and admirable natural quality, with unbelievable smooth modulations between dark and light shades of colour.
Integrated Tuners:
The Sony 40Z5800 is having three integrated tuners which provide individual tuning channels.
As we had discussed in the earlier section, the integrated Freesat Tuner allows you to watch free-to-air HD and SD Satellite broadcasts without the need of any additional set top boxes. Whereas, the integrated MPEG-2 tuner allows you to watch digital TV with the integrated standard definition digital terrestrial tuner that also receives analogue and the integrated Cable tuner allows watching cable TV. But these features are limited depending on the country and supported operators only.
DLNA Connectivity:
DLNA connectivity provides you with a facility to access music, photos and video contents present in the connected compatible device in your home and view them in HD on your big screen by simply using your TV remote.
Applicast Application:
Applicast permits you to easily access a series of network applications when your BRAVIA is connected to Internet-including an RSS reader which provides you up-to-the-minute headlines.
Scene Selection:
Just by a single click over the Scene button, you can easily switch the picture and sound settings to the best suit of what you are watching to get more atmospheric, dynamic and realistic results.
Eco Settings:
Eco Settings is a group of energy saving functions for the range of BRAVIA TVs, which includes power saving, idle TV Standby, PC Power management and Light Sensor. Using each eco setting is very easy and by doing so; you can save power with single touch of a button. These eco settings reduce power consumption and makes you environment friendly.
Power saving mode reduces the backlight levels for comfortable viewing in dim lights. Idle TV standby mode switches off the TV to save energy if there is no user activity within set off time. PC power management mode switches TV to standby if no signal is received from the connected PC for 30 seconds. Light Sensor automatically adjusts brightness of the backlight depending on the room light.
Energy Saving Switch:
Sony has also employed an energy saving switch that permits you to completely turn off the TV and hence the energy consumption results in zero. Whenever you intend to watch TV, just turn on the Switch and this gives the previous state of TV. This feature avoids the hassle of switching the plug on and off.
Warranty:
Sony offers its KDL-40Z5800 LCD TV one year standard warranty for parts and labour.
Verdict:
The most eye grabbing features of the Sony KDL-40Z5800 40″ LCD Television is the newly integrated three tuners, Motionflow 200Hz technology, Bravia Engine3, its dynamic contrast ratio, eco settings, energy saving switch, DLNA connectivity and are making it more obligating to purchase the new model. For a consumer looking for an LCD model with advanced technology and features, Z5800 is an ideal choice.
Check other 40-inch LCD Television Reviews, Sony LCD TV Reviews in this website.
Sony KDL-40Z5800 40-inch LCD Television - Technical Specifications, Features
| Manufacturer | Sony |
| Model Name | Sony KDL-40Z5800 LCD TV |
| Model Number | KDL-40Z5800 |
| Dimensions with table stand (W x D x H) | 95.8 x 64.9 x 30.3 cm |
| Colour | Black |
| Weight without stand | 17.9 kg |
| Swivel | Yes |
| Swivel range | 20° Left/Right |
| Logo Illumination | Yes |
| Clock | Yes |
| Sleep Timer | Yes |
| On/Off Timer (with Clock setting) | Yes |
| Display Resolution | 1920×1080 |
| Screen Size(cm) | 102 |
| Back light | WCG-CCFL |
| Picture Mode | Vivid, Standard, Custom, Cinema, Photo-Vivid, Photo-Standard, Photo-Original, Photo-Custom, Sports, Game, Graphics |
| Auto Picture Setting(with HDMI) | Game, Photo, Graphics |
| Scene Select | Auto, Cinema, Game, Music, Photo, Sports, Graphics |
| HDMI Inputs | 4 |
| Pack Details | Television, Table top Stand, Screws for table top stand, Power Cable, Remote control, Alkaline battery X 2, Warranty card, Product registration card |
| Power Consumption (Shop mode)(W) | 176 |
| Power Consumption (Home mode)(W) | 154 |
| Warranty | One year limited warranty for parts and labour |
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