Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony BRAVIA V-Series KDL-46V4100 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

First of all, I've done tons of researching before settled with this TV. The brands I've considered are Samsung, Toshiba, Mitsubishi and of course Sony. I'll list the reasons why I end up choosing Sony.

1. Picture quality. This set has a jaw dropping HD picture quality, and its BE2 engine does an excellent job processing non-HD signals. The highly rated Samsung's A650 also has excellent picture quality, but have to compromise with its reflective screen. Why deal with reflections when you can have a non-reflective screen with just as good pictures?

2. Sound quality, this is by far the best sounding LCD TV in the crowd I've been researching for. Most people own a theater sound system, so they think this is a non-issue. I own a theater sound system too, but I only turn it on when watching DVDs or play certain games. It is just not as convenient, and power efficient to have just a single TV running. So sound does matter.

3. TV Guide, nice touch, great for users without a cable box, none of other brands have this feature yet, except maybe Mitsubishi, but not nearly as nice.

4. PIP and P&P, this feature is available even in composite video and S-video, unlike Samsung, its PIP available only in PC, HDMI and Component inputs. Similar models from Toshiba and Mitsubishi don't even have PIP.

5. Good Value. Sony 2008's TV line up has significantly priced lower compare with its previous models. The V series represents the best value in its lineup. The S series is cheaper but lacking BE2 video processing, TV Guide, and P&P(Picture and Picture), just to name a few. Move up in the line up you get W series with 120Hz. 120Hz is really more of a hype than anything else. This set is already equipped with motion flow and 24P True Cinema, 120Hz make little to no difference. It does not seem to justify the extra $300+ premium. If you absolutely want this latest technology, go with the W or Z series.

With all the features you need, and excellent picture quality and sound, you can't possibly go wrong with this Sony set.

I was interested in purchasing the S series 46 inch Sony Bravia, I finally located a store with a display so I could see it before I made my purchase. Thank God I did! This V series was next to the S series so I could do a side-by-side comparison. The V series had significantly better color depths and saturation and just all around better picture.

The store had an HD movie playing so I could see those differences, but the deciding factor came when the credits rolled up the screen. Every other HDTV on that wall, including Samsung, Sharp, and others had some 'choppiness' while the credits ran. This Sony 46 inch V series was the only one on that wall where the credits were completely smooth as they moved up the screen. That's not to say there aren't other televisions out there that have smooth scrolling, but most don't.

If you're considering buying the 46S4100, you should be sure to compare the picture to this 46V4100 in person before you do. It was definitely worth an extra few hundred bucks. And since I bought it on Amazon, even with shipping it was a few hundred bucks cheaper than I could have bought it at any electronics store.

It also has a lot of inputs, several in back and one of each type in the side for easy access. The sound is very decent for TV speakers. I hooked it up to my receiver to use the surround sound, as I'm sure most people will do. But if you have to use the TV speakers these really aren't bad.

The included TV guide is fine for the network TV, but it will only show a few channels. In my case, it showed the first couple cable channels that are mixed in between network channels so it doesn't even show CBS or FOX listings. Not a big deal since I use my Tivo and it shows the full programming listings.

Oh yeah, my Sony PS3 games look amazing on this TV. And Blu-ray movies are out of this world! Worth every penny!

For the price offered by AMZN without the shipping cost and tax, this is a very good deal (1599$).

PROS:
a) Both the 1080i input and the non-hd (from my dvd player) pictures look great.
b) Audio sounds a lot better than the other LCD TVs.
c) Sony's on screen menus are intuitive.
d) Has a wide viewing angle. Without any glossy reflection(like the samsung 46a650), I can see this one from my kitchen (even on my well lit living room)
e) Didn't feel the lack of 120Hz (of 46W4100 or the samsung a650 models) on a football highlight on ESPN HD.

So overall, I am really happy with my purchase.

I sit looking next to my 46V4100 which is about to go back to Amazon.

It's a good TV, a VERY GOOD TV.

But it's not a great TV.

If you are primarily a gamer, get this set. I played 360 on it and loved it. Smooth motion and bright, vibrant colors even after using custom settings [use the W4100 settings on avsforum]

If you watch mostly HDTV over the air, on cable or via satellite get this set. It handles HD very well though the ultimate quality will be driven by the source material. Sharp picture, good colors and solid black performance.

If you watch sports in HD, get this set- it's your best bang for the buck. I watched baseball and basketball and both looked incredible.

If you watch SD, get this set and watch your programs in pillarbox mode- the TV can only do so much with 480 lines blown up to fit in a 1080 line space. I have a 3 year old Panny 720p plasma that handles SD be3teer than this TV, but I expected that.

If you want to build a home theater- that's the rub. The TV I got has uneven backlighting which makes dark screens look like they have small areas of cloudiness. I see it on credits screens and other dark screens [like transitions to breaks, fade outs] and when I do it drives me crazy.

Any other time, I'm ecstatic with this television. It's a really solid performer and if it wasn't for the backlight issue - an issue I wouldn't notice most of the time I watch the TV - I'd gladly give it a 5 star review.

It's that good, and I'm still that torn about my decision to return the KDL-46V4100.

I spent so much time (literally weeks on end) looking at product reviews online that I feel obligated to give back and write a review. Spending this much money on anything is a huge risk for me so I over-researched prior to making my choice.

I am not a high income guy, so price was a huge consideration for me. My criteria for a new TV was as follows:

1. Had to be $1400.00 or under
2. Had to look perfect with my PlayStation 3 (I mean PERFECT)
3. Response time (both controller-to-screen time as well as panel response time) was very important, as I play a lot of high-speed games, like Wipeout HD, and I mainly use the TV for gaming.
4. Quality/reliability is very important. Who wants to spend $1400.00 on something that falls apart?
5. Had to look good with SD content (I have a huge library of DVD movies and refuse to blow thousands on re-buying the same movies on Blu-Ray)
6. I wanted to get the most useful features for the money I had to spend.
7. I don't own a truck, so getting it to my house was a major concern.

How did the KDL-46V4100 live up to my needs? Read on.....

1. This TV cost a bit less than $1400.00. Other comparable TV's in this price range look decent, but didn't have the slew of features the Bravia does.

2. Now that I have had it for several days, I can say WOW about my PS3. I am seeing details in games I never even knew were there (like crystal. Literally). Everything looks so sharp and clear the picture hurt my eyes for a day or two until I got used to it. Most of my PS3 games used to look semi-blurry, with smeared text, on my old 36" CRT. On this beast, not a single detail is left out. I'm not kidding. The difference is so stunning I am hauling out games I haven't played in over a year just to play them over again on this TV. I was actively LOOKING for something to be wrong with this picture. Even with my usual psychotic personal standards I couldn't find anything wrong. For the hardcore gamers, the titles I've tested so far are: Wipeout HD, Oblivion, Dead Space, Untold Legends:Dark Kingdom, Soul Calibur IV, Warhawk, and Mortal Kombat VS DC Universe. Every one looked incredible. The only down (and I am REALLY stretching to call this a downside) is that water splashes in MK VS DC pixelate a little, but my understanding is that all LCD's do this, and you can't see it unless you're really looking for it. PS3 GAMERS-THIS IS THE ONE. Can't give a review about X360 cuz' I hate that system, and wouldn't let it contaminate this great TV.

3. Response time is great. I haven't had any input OR screen lag issues at all (and considering I'm playing Wipeout HD at the fastest possible speed - and that is REALLY fast-that's saying a lot). I'm very very happy with its response time, and I am not someone who would spend $1400 on a TV and find a minor flaw and say "that's ok, the other features are good". To be honest if anything was wrong with the response time I would have returned it right away regardless of any other features.

4. Quality/Reliability: I'm not well qualified to answer this since I've only had it for a few days, but it seems solid, the build quality is good, and I've been a loyal Sony-ite (first PS2 for years and then PS3) for a while and never had a problem with build quality yet (keeping my wings crossed). The only complaint I have is paying this much for a TV and getting a stand that SEEMS not so sturdy (I think it will be fine, but Sony, please make your stands out of METAL and not PLASTIC. The base is metal, but the actual tab that the TV slots into....and that bears all its weight....is plastic. Come on Sony, step it up a notch.)

5. SD Content: Wow. That's all I can tell you. I have read some reviews of HDTV's where people complain about SD content looking awful on HD's, and in the (multiple) trips to Best Buy and Wal-Mart to look at display models I saw it too. To be fair, Wal-Mart and Best Buy both feed their HDTV's HD cable signal, which often pixelates badly, but even with the crummy cable feed the Bravias looked better than any others. As its handling of SD content was another big selling point (wanted my girlfriend to be able to enjoy the TV too) I did some testing. Tweaked out the picture watching Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (pure CGI and very high-quality animation.) Initially without tweaks some of the really fast scenes (an opening motorcycle sequence with loads of fast action) pixelated in the background, but once I fiddled with the CineMotion setting and the other picture settings, I got it to look stunning. Tested it with a regular DVD also (Hellboy) and that looked great. Remember, I'm actively LOOKING for problems with the picture. Didn't find any.

6. Features: Perfect amount of features and control options for me. I'm a tech geek but I'm not going to spend eight hours calibrating this thing. The amount of tweaks available for the picture was just right, giving me enough control but not so much that I just flailed and drowned in a sea of options. I recommend to turn on CineMotion if you're watching a movie, makes it very smooth. Also, turn off the automatic light sensor feature. I did not like how it changed the contrast. For games turn on Game Mode and leave the picture in Standard. For movies, I recommend Cinema or Standard. Best thing I can say is, set the picture to Custom, tweak it out using your favorite movie as a reference, and then switch between the modes. Usually Standard looks better than your Custom.

7. "White Glove Service" - This is the ONLY area where I am extremely (EXTREMELY) disappointed with Amazon. Getting this TV to my house I already knew was going to be difficult, since I don't own a truck, so Amazon's so-called "White Glove" delivery service LOOKED like a great idea. I work 8-5 Monday through Friday, so a major concern was being able to have someone deliver it after five so that I could be here to receive it. I work Saturdays too, so weekend option was out. Well, the TV "came" (it was already here, just in a warehouse across town) about one business day after I ordered it (Ordered on a Friday and got the call to arrange delivery on Monday). Problem was that the delivery service could only deliver......from 12 to 4. If I wanted to get the TV sooner, I had to come and pick it up myself. Let me ask you this: Is your personal idea of White Glove service having to take a day off of work (which is hard to arrange for anyone) just to have a delivery guy drop off a TV for twenty minutes? According to the "White Glove" tag, "qualified delivery people will bring the unit to your house, provide a setup checklist, and remove trash if you wish (not verbatim, but very close)". Well, the REALITY of it is more like this: Unless I wanted to wait an extra five days for a Saturday (which I also work on) I had to drive to a warehouse a half hour away from my house, where I was helped by very friendly (but absolutely not knowledgeable about TV's) warehouse crew, who assisted me in loading the TV into my car (This was a HUGE HUGE PAIN. I didn't realize it but by the time I had gotten it into the car, I'd spent half an hour trying to get it into the car so that it was safe and I could close my doors.) I also didn't appreciate having to drive it home myself freaking out over every bump I hit in the road. Another added worry was "what happens if I get it home and it doesn't work? How am I supposed to get it back to them?" The topping on the cake was having to ask my very compassionate (and patient) girlfriend to help me haul it from the car up the stairs to our apartment (this TV is NOT light, and it's huge).

So in conclusion,

1. Price (Perfect. You just can't beat it. This TV goes for up to $1800 at other places).
2. PS3 - Works like a screaming dream with my PS3. That reminds me, time to go play now.
3. Response Time/Screen Issues: Dead None. Perfect.
4. Quality/Reliability: The stand seems cheaper than it should for a TV of this price but otherwise build quality is very nice.
5. Looks Good with SD Content: Yes. Yes. Did I mention Yes?
6. Features: Perfect amount of features, perfect amount of control.
7. "White Glove" Delivery Service: Sorry Amazon. I love you guys (you get more of my paycheck each month than anyone but my landlord), but you absolutely utterly failed me on this part. I can't really comment on delivery since I couldn't get it delivered to me at any time when I would have actually been home. The warehouse guys were super nice though.

Conclusion: BUY THIS. You won't regret it. Just don't be surprised if you have to pick it up yourself.