f o c u s

LCD TELEVISIONS

SONY BRAVIA KLV-V40A10

SCREEN SUCCESS
he battle for video image supremacy has been waging for years, even decades. In the beginning, cathode ray tube (CRT) technology had it all its own way, and admittedly, it's still a contender, with screens becoming flatter and thinner all the time. But the demand for bigger screens spawned the rear-projection TV, as well as the CRT projector both offering much bigger image sizes, but ultimately struggling in bright ambient light conditions. More recently, the plasma screen has arguably been the pick of big screen bunch, mainly because of its lush colour spectrum, high screen brightness and sexy, slimline dimensions. Initially prohibitively expensive, plasmas have become better and more affordable as the technology has matured. Discounting, for the purposes of this review, the role of DLP-based projectors and rearprojection screens, LCD displays have emerged as the main rival of the plasma screen. Initially limited in appeal because of size and cost, LCD screens are getting better, bigger and cheaper all the time. Not that cheap is the right word to use in the context of the Sony Bravia KLV-V40A10 LCD screen.This 40-inch (101 cm) 16x9 aspect ratio LCD screen may come highly recommended, but at a shade under R39 000, it's a high-end screen targeting the high-end home theatre sector. Aesthetically, it certainly looks the part: the LCD screen itself is framed in high-tech gunmetal and black, with a thin alloy strip adding further visual elegance. A table-top stand with swivel and tilt functions is supplied as standard, but the Sony can also be wall-mounted. This Bravia is part of Sony's top-end 'V' series of LCD screens, and is currently the flagship of the range. As one would expect, it therefore embraces every possible technology at its maker's disposal, as well as a long features list and the full gamut of connectivity options. Fully compatible with both PAL and NTSC standards, the Bravia achieves a maximum display resolution of 1366 x 768, and offers a claimed viewing angle of 178 deg, which should ensure that everyone seated a reasonable distance away from the screen should have an unencumbered view. Sony's specification sheet quotes a brightness factor of 500cd/m2 and a contrast ratio of 1 300:1, which is at the upper end of the scale A U D I O

p e a k s

VERDICT Vibrant colours, pin-sharp images and quick response times all combine to make this one of the best LCD screens to date. Who said plasma was best? Excellence doesn't come cheaply, though. PRICE... RSUPPLIED BY Sony South Africa 011-690-3555
for LCD panels. Add the claimed 8 ms response time, and you clearly have display that finds itself at the leading edge of its class. The feature list is a long one, as one expects of a flagship model. Among the more interesting items is an integrated light sensor, which
measures ambient light conditions and adjusts brightness accordingly. The Bravia uses Sony's Wide Colour Gamut cold cathode fluorescent lamp, said to deliver more accurate greens and reds for a more vibrant overall colour delivery. Also included is an advanced digital image processing engine that allows optimisation of the video signal, regardless of the input employed. Indeed, the connectivity options are comprehensive, with the presence of an HDMI interface perhaps the most important, as it allows an all-digital connection with compatible source components and receivers. However, the Sony also caters for other interfaces, ranging from plain old composite and S-Video to component video inputs, as well as three audio input and output sets. The display will accept a feed from a PC, for the sake of presentations (or, I guess, as the ultimate in PC gaming screens.). Finally, there's a USB input which will accept feeds from Sony handycams and digital cameras,

V I D E O

and also from USB flash drives containing JPEG images. Since the KLV-V40A10 can act as a fullscale, standalone TV set, it comes with twin analogue tuners (to allow full picture-in-picture functionality), and on-board sound, supplied via S-Master digital amplification.The 13 watt x 2 output is adequate, and helped along by SRS TruSurround virtual surround sound, as well as BBE digital enhancement. Frankly, not many buyers of the Bravia will make use of the on-board, however it simply can't compare with a full-scale home theatre set-up, and pales in comparison to the visual performance of that huge LCD screen. Set-up is pretty straightforward, although you'll need two people (at least) for the initial unpacking and physical installation, especially since the unit measures 1015 x 723 x 371 mm (WxHxD) and weighs in at a substantial 33,4 kg. Once properly located on its stand (or on the wall) and after the primary connections have been made, the combination of an ergonomically designed remote control

handset and Sony's intuitive menu-based user interface (dubbed Wega Gate) makes getting the Bravia up and running a quick and painless affair. The remote appeared to lack backlighting (which is an oversight), but worked well in all other respects.The set-up menu provided quick, easily found access to all the key attributes, and also allowed sufficient customisation to ensure finer tweaking to suit both ambient conditions and personal taste. Brightness was never an issue, while colours were quite brilliant: vivid and realistic, but not to the extent of appearing artificially boosted. Resolution was quite superb, as was shadow detail although it has to be said that the Sony wasn't able to deliver the depth of black one would expect of a top-end display. The Bravia's response was as quick and defined as the specifications promised, with no smearing or break-up, and picture definition remained crisp and in place, even during fast pans and action sequences. A word of warning, however: while the
KLV-V40A10 is fully high-definition ready, and therefore compatible with the digital broadcasting era, its actual performance is very much determined by the quality of the source signal. Using the HDMI interface is easily the best option, and really shows off the considerable abilities of the Sony to best effect. Despite the digital optimisation of analogue signals, however, the Sony cannot perform miracles, and the results from terrestrial broadcasts and DSTV are no match for the results achieved off DVD via HDMI. Even so, considered in isolation, the picture quality is still pretty darn good as long as the actual signal quality and level is sufficient. Sony's Bravia KLV-V40A10 finds itself at the cutting edge of current LCD technology. It's a well-thought out unit worthy of its high-end status in terms of both physical execution and performance, while proving that LCD is not only a match for plasma, but is possibly edging ahead. Expect to see the Sony on our reference component list it's that good.

Deon Schoeman

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