In May we reported on a new wave of Sony BRAVIA high-def TVs hitting the UK - the S and V series.
Now Sony have released their latest LCD HDTV - the KDL-46X2000.
The KDL-46X2000U is a 46-incher with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and, importantly, can handle and display a 1080p high-def signal.
Comparing it with the KDL-46V2000, which has the same size screen but with a 1366x768 resolution, reveals an enhanced "BRAVIA Engine EX". Not only does this engine assist in displaying all high-def resolutions, but it also claims to vastly improve standard-definition pictures by upscaling them up to 4 times.
Sony has designed its latest offering with impressive features for both HD and SD content - important in this lengthy transition phase. It has plenty of inputs including 2 HDMI and 3 SCART - it will handle the very best that HD can (eventually) offer yet boasts superior performance on even standard broadcasts.
“The X Series embodies exactly what the new wave of Sony TVs are all about,” said Jonathan White, General Manager, TV Marketing. “Technology-driven, certainly, but completely focused on only one thing: the best possible HD experience for the viewer. That’s really all that matters.”
What consumers need to bear in mind, but probably won't, is that it will be some time before the full capabilities of this TV will become apparent. Amongst the current selection of HD content, little if any is broadcast in the highest 1080p format - most is in 720i/p. It's questionable whether standard and current high-def content will look any better on this TV than the KDL-46V2000 - I'm sure Sony would say so.
Having said that, this may be a better longer-term purchase for when 1080p becomes a more dominant format, even though that could be several years away yet, whilst allowing consumers to make the best of their existing content.
What do you think? Worth investing the extra for 1080p capability yet?
I already have this TV and it's a scorcher.
The extra resolution really comes in to its own with Sky HD, which lookes noticeable sharper than my previous 768 panel. Also, the TV can display PC output at 1920 x 1080 native resolution (at either 50Hz or 60Hz), and this looks absolutely stunning. You've no idea just how good Age of Empires III looks in this native resolution on such a big screen.
I've had my eye on this screen as well, however it's worth mentioning that even though the display is capable of displaying full HD in 1920 x 1080 resolution, the hardware inside cannot process a full HD signal in 1080p (at least that's what I'm told). So I'm not sure what the advantage of this screen is beside the fact that there's obviously no conversion/scaling needed to display a 1080i signal.
Needless to say, it's a beautiful TV for a reasonable price (in Holland it can be bought for about EURO 4500,-).
That's odd, I've been told the opposite. The set distinguishes between any 1080i and 1080p source I've fed it and all the indications so far from others who also have one are that it copes with 1080p perfectly well.
The TV handles 1080p input perfectly. I think you have been misinformed Marco.
Do you imagine a PS3 (yes, it outputs 1080p) pluged to this TV? Playing MGS4 in a 46" display at 1920x1080 progressive....
But..... PS3 will allready have the new famous HDMI 1.3 capable of reproduce billions of collors and some others great features, will this TV support that?? If not.... I think that this TV is not yet the holly Graal of TV's.... Let's wait for TV's with HDMI 1.3, with billions of collors and with 1920*1080p, and then..... wi'll experience the TRUE pleasure HD has to offer.
(Sorry my English but I'm Portuguese and I'm not used to write in English)
"Amongst the current selection of HD content, little if any is broadcast in the highest 1080p format - most is in 720i/p."
I thought that SKY HD mainly used 1080i?
BTW, you're wrong. There is no such format as 720i.
In addition, my HD DVD player outputs 1080i and later ones will output 1080p. That's a US import but by the end of the year you'll be able to buy them here as well.
So, the time is right. 1080-line content is already here and there's only going to be more of it. In about 2 years, don't be surprised if 1366x768 LCDs are widely viewed as lower-priced compromises.
"I think that this TV is not yet the holly Graal of TV's.... Let's wait for TV's with HDMI 1.3, with billions of collors and with 1920*1080p, and then..... wi'll experience the TRUE pleasure HD has to offer."
There is a lot of hype surrounding HDMI 1.3 but most of it is just that - hype.
HDMI 1.3 means that the device CAN support billions of colours - but it does not mean that it will!
There's always going to be something better around the corner so if you want "True HD" right now, go buy!
Most likely the first tv's that include an HDMI ver 1.3 will still not be able to take advantage of the extra colours due to the panel itself.
I wonder how many games will actually output at 1080p. :P
As for the tv it does indeed sound awesome and have been tracking the thread at avforums, though i'll probably wait for the 40", the 46" is just too darn big. :D
Wow, 576i to 1080p by 4x upscaling.
That takes some serious processing power.
How many watts of output does its CPU put out when doing that?
Hope its got a GREAT cooling method.
How many pc games have can go over 2400 x 1400?? I've got an old 9800 pro graphics card which can play games at high res with details turned down low. so if there graphics & textures on some PS3 aren't that complex then they can easily put the resolution to 1080p.
I've got the Panasonic PT-AE700 projector thats 1080i at the moment showing over 90" display at the moment. so i'll be patient & wait for a 1080p TV with 1.3 HDMI as that is the biggest steps i've seen on a HDTV. Why buy a TV with hdmi 1.2 when 1.3 is round the corner & supported by PS3.
I've just bought the Sony 46X2000U TV, but my PC is only showing a max. resolution of 1320 x 768 resolution. Surely it should go to 1920 x 1024. Does anyone have a specific XP Driver for this TV?
Scott,
The TV handles 1920 X 1080 in (p)rogressive and (I)nterlaced frequencies like a dream (Not 1920 X 1024). You have a number of choices here. If you have an ATi Graphics card download the latest drivers from the ATi site. Same goes for the NVidia drivers if you have one of their cards. Providing your card isn't too old it should support 1920 X 1080. The Nvidia drivers are much easier to setup than the ATi Drivers because the NVidia drivers actually let you choose from HD resolutions like 720p and 1080i/p.
If you don;t have a card that supports these resolutions and you have to buy another my advice would be to get one that supports HDCP as those are usually spec'd for HD LCD and Plasma users in mind.
As for the PS3 I have one from the US and although it supports HDMI 1.3 I can't see the kind of difference everyone is raving about. It may be the game or the console but to me my XBOX 360 and the PS3 have the same number of colours present in the games. Having said all that the PS3 Blue-ray picture is worlds ahead of any WMV, VC-1 or DVD I've had in the past.
Sony has produced a real winner with this screen but if you want to see true perfection Pioneer has an 1080p plasma (£5999) and it looks better when playing fast moving images. At twice the price though I'd rather buy two Sony's!