Sony KDL55HX850 (KDL-55HX850) Review
55" 1080p 960Hz 3D LED TV KDL-55HX850
by Robert Wiley, Senior Editor
Introduction
This model is not really replacement for the top end HX929 series but a continuation of the same type of characteristics and features that Sony is putting into their top end LED backlit LCD offerings. You will find all of Sony's top features on this 2012 TV offering.
Picture Quality
This is one of Sony's top end TVs for 2012 and has the unique OptiContrast panel which is Sony's way of telling you that contrast is very high – that is deep, saturated blacks and very bright white and lights. Light coming through images is very good and we are impressed with the 3 dimensional quality of 2 dimensional programming. The edge lit LED backlighting is dynamic – meaning it can be manipulated to act more like local dimming backlighting than ordinary edge lighting. This helps provide more concentrated contrast to localized areas – creating more depth in the picture images.
The inbuilt Ambient light sensor is there for your use if you want it but may be turned off through the menu system. It introduces a slight amount of flicker that the most pure picture hearted will not want to tolerate.
This upgrade feature in the KDL-55HX850 creates 960Hz frame rate effect by manipulating the backlight through the local dimming mechanisms in the backlight. This is processed and achieved by the local dimming of hundreds of zones in the TV. This difficult panel process achieves extremely fast processing that removes lots of judder effects and an blurring in fast motion objects. The feature works well and even gives you various options from which choose such as Standard, Smooth, Clear, and Clear Plus. In the KDL-55HX850 we prefer the Smooth or Standard Settings, but it is difficult to tell the difference.
We recommend leaving the Cinemotion feature to the off position due to unwanted side effects from the de-judder processing that this function takes on.
OptiContrast Panel
This panel is composed of Corning Gorilla Glass and is the premium screen for Sony in 2012. It provides better durability, contrast, brightness, and minimizes unwanted reflections. The key component of all these is its ability to minimize reflection, which it does very well. Blacks also appear much stealthier in this screen compared to Sony's models without this panel and they are some of the best black levels to be found in LED backlit Televisions in the market.
Internet Smart TV Options
The HX850 series includes the Sony Portal with the Sony Entertainment Network and its Apps or Streaming Services as Sony calls them. This includes a catalog of thousands of movies and TV programming. The premium Apps are included Netflix®, Pandora®, HuluPlus™, Amazon Instant Video, YouTube™, Slacker® Internet Radio, Crackle and social networking through Facebook and Twitter. Sony claims Yahoo! Broadcast Interactivity with auto-content recognition as well. This new platform allows one-click access to TV Apps which are related to the content you are watching on the TV. In other words, it's a convenient way for Sony to market their Apps to you if you are so inclined to use the feature. On the other hand, it does make it easy for you to know which Apps you might like.
Skype
This TV is Skype enabled so you can enjoy video conferencing from your TV if that is appealing to you. However, it is not included – meaning the applicable Camera and microphone are sold separately. The camera costs around $129. It sits neatly atop the television.
Appearance
Sony continues the elegant and understated monolithic design element in 2012 with the HX850. It also has the Gorilla glass LED cover screen which purportedly helps allow for its super thin design, and lighter weight. It is less than 1" in depth.
Standout Features
- Brilliant Full HD (1080p) picture quality with Dynamic Edge LED backlight with Local Dimming
- X-Reality™ PRO Engine with 3D Super Resolution
- Motionflow™ XR 960 technology
- Frameless Monolithic Design with Corning's Gorilla® Glass and OptiContrast Panel Technology
- Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11n)
- Skype™ ready
- One-touch access to the Sony Entertainment Network™ and apps
Sony KDL55HX850 Specifications |
Dimensions |
| 55" Diagonal Screen Viewing Area |
| 50.4"Width |
| 31.6"Height |
| 12.3" Depth |
| 24p True Cinema Technology: Yes |
| 3D Comb Filter: Yes |
| 4:3 Default: Yes |
| Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE): Yes |
| Auto Wide: Yes |
| Blinking Type: Line Blinking |
| CineMotion Reverse 3:2 Pulldown Technology: Yes |
| Deep Color: Yes |
| Intelligent MPEG Noise Reduction: Yes |
| Live Color Technology: Yes |
| Motionflow Technology: XR 960 |
| PhotoTV HD: Yes |
Screen & Picture |
| Resolution: 1920x1080(1080p) |
| OptiContrast Panel |
| Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Infinite Dynamic Contrast |
| Intelligent Peak LED |
| Xreality Pro Engine |
| Motionflow XR 960: Modes: Smooth, Standard, Clear, or Clear Plus |
| Cinemotion: Auto1 and Auto2 |
| 24 True Cinema (for 24 frames per second movies) |
| Infinite Dynamic Contrast: starts TV from 0 IRE black |
| Advanced Contrast Enhancer: For blacklight Adjustment |
| Intelligent Presence Sensor: Detects Viewing Position |
| Presence Sensor Range: 20' |
| Aspect Ratio Modes: 4.3, Wide Zoom, Full, Zoom |
Connections |
| HDMI Inputs: 4 |
| Components Inputs: 1 (through breakout cables) |
| Composite: 1 (through breakout cables) |
3D |
| Display Mode: 2D to 3D switching |
| 3D Formats: Simulated, Side by Side, Over Under |
| 3D Depth Adjustment |
| Preset Picture Modes: Vivid, Standard, Cinema, Adnimation, Game, Custom |
Sound |
| Sound Modes: Dynamic, Standard, Clear Voice, Custom |
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Having reviewed and written about Television Technology for over 10 years, Wiley never tires of researching the newest qualitative trends related to the technology. Most people do not get excited about possibilities behind the latest video engine...Wiley does. Read more about Robert |
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