Sony KDL-40EX620 Review

Description: 40" LED backlit LCD TV, 120Hz, Internet Options
Power Consumption: 166W
This review also applies to models: EX621

by Robert Wiley

Color rendition is accurate in this scene from Just Married. Color is one of the strong points of the 40EX620, the anti-glare coating is also seen doing a good job of rejecting ambient light in this shot.

Strengths:

• Aesthetic Design Appeal
• 1.62" Deep
• Deep Black Levels
• Hardwire or Wifi Capable for Internet
• Full Internet Browser for Search
• Clean detailed image edges
• 120Hz Motionflow
• Strong Input selection
• Internet options

Weaknesses:

• Cinemotion removes natural background blur
• Bravia 3 Video processor testing not positive
• Side Angle viewing limited
• Irregular screen uniformity introduced by LED backlighting
• Motion judder and blur in fast motion and panning scenes
• Poor Audio quality and volume
• Remote Control not backlit
• No Picture Menu adjustment for Internet Programming

Picture Quality Rating (HD): 7/10

We have discovered that we much prefer clear coat screens over their filtered anti-glare screen counterparts. The latter come with a few too many issues. One such is weak side viewing contrast which the EX620 suffers from. Another is lack of dark shadow detail in areas where there is glare. Another is weak dark shadow detail in dark scenes when there is light in the room. Even though this EX620 produces excellent black levels in suction cup calibration readings, it doesn't appear that way to the naked eye when there is room light. So much for high technology.

Picture Quality Rating (Non-HD): 7/10

Features Rating: 7/10

The Bravia Internet Video home page.

Internet Options: Sony's improving Internet Suite includes Netflix, Crackle, Qriocity, Pandora, Hulu Plus, and You Tube among many others. We rate the Internet Suite on the EX620 as average.

The EX620 is an extremely attractive TV.

Value Rating: 7.5/10

The Sony KDL-40EX620 is a mid range Sony offering for 2011. At around $999 we believe this TV will come down in price slightly through the year. It delivers a few extra features over the econo-models such as thin depth, a complete Internet suite, 120Hz, good black levels, and great design and appearance. It has its negatives as well as discussed above. Competition is from Samsung with the UN40D6300 and the Sharp LC-40LE832U.

Overall Rating: 7.2/10