I have to admit when it comes to electronics I’m a bit of a Sony Snob! I know, I know; Sony has sold some poor consumer electronics products at the low end, but when it comes to flat panel TVs, Sony’s flagship XBR line is still the bomb!

You can’t fault this new BRAVIA XBR KDL-46XBR4 much at all; with a 178 degree viewing angle, Full HD 1080p, HDMI 1.3 and just about the most vibrant and accurate color, image detail and motion image sharpness you can find in a 46 inch unit for 2008. It’s like looking out a window … really. And, you can view the 46XBR4 from amazing angles without image degradation.

Editor’s Product Summary

Merits: Picture is incredible. With Motion flow turned on and sharpness turned up, contract and back-light turned to max it looks like you are looking through a window.

Demerits: cost high, lots of features and settings but the manual doesn’t always explain things.

Product Specs: Top of the line Sony LCD TV, 1920×1080 resolution with a 2000:1 contrast ratio, Built-in HD tuner, 3 HDMI and 2 component video inputs

What’s Included?

KDL-46XBR4 46-inch LCD flat panel HDTV, remote control, 2 AA batteries, AC power cord, operating instructions, quick setup guide, warranty card, table top stand, and support strap.

Product Description

XBR series televisions represent the very best Sony has to offer in high definition viewing.The XBR line of Full HD 1080p televisions incorporates all of Sony’s latest technologies (including HDMI v1.3 features such as x.v.Color and Deep Color). Additional features like Motionflow 120Hz enable smoother motion when viewing movies or fast-action sports.

BRAVIA Engine PRO with Digital Reality Creation upconverts all interlaced and progressive video signals including HD signals directly to 1080p for amazing detail and sharpness. And it’s only fitting that your XBR make a statement not only through breathtaking picture quality, but by taking your breath away with optional color bezels. Now your LCD TV can be as distinct as your own personal style.

Top-Notch Video Performance

The XBR KDL-46XBR4 is a 1080p television with a full 1920 x 1080 resolution, the highest resolution available for the sharpest, clearest picture. The KDL-46XBR uses the most recent HDMI 1.3 interface, which houses both audio and video signals in one connector and has the bandwidth to support the data needed for the high resolution. Sony’s Bravia Engine Pro Full Digital Video Processor upconverts all video signals to 1080p so you can watch all your old DVDs on this glorious display.

Sony complements the high resolution with the latest technology in color reproduction. The KDL-46XBR is a 10-bit display with 10-bit processing. Most panels are only 8-bit. The added bit depth here means a larger color palette for more faithful color reproduction and smoother transitions from one color to the next. Additionally, the display also supports the new x.v.Color standard, which dramatically increases the available color space. The end result is a picture that is so detailed, colorful, and vibrant, you’d have a hard time distinguishing it from real life.

The KDL-46XBR4 features Sony’s Motionflow technology, which automatically adjusts for and applies the proper processing for optimal motion reproduction depending on the video input. This includes support for 24 frames per second (24p) video, which displays video content at the 24-frames-per-second rate at which it was originally filmed or recorded. With 24p, you get the most faithful possible reproduction of the original.

Tons of Inputs

This Sony television’s wide variety of inputs ensures compatibility with your other home theater components. There are three HDMI connections for Blu-Ray, HD DVD, and other technologies requiring the high bandwidth, and two component video inputs, three composite video inputs, one S-Video input, one PC Audio and Video input, and five analog audio inputs. Even with a collection of legacy components, you shouldn’t have a problem connecting to the KDL-46XBR4.

Stunning Looks and Design

The KDL-46XBR4 not only displays stunning video but is itself a head-turner. It features Sony’s unique floating glass frame along with a black bezel that can be interchanged with optional color bezels to match the display to your decor.

Outstanding Ergonomics and Simplicity of Control

Sony’s Xross Media Bar interface is an award-winning, intuitive on-screen display that makes setup a breeze, with menus and controls logically laid out for quick access. The KDL-46XBR4 also features Theatre Sync technology, based on the HDMI-CEC standard, which means you can easily connect to and control compatible devices. For example, when the KDL-46XBR4 is connected to a compatible DVD player, you can turn on both the DVD player and the television and start playing a DVD with a single push of a button on the remote. When you’re done, another push of a button powers everything down. With Theatre Sync, you can spend time enjoying the movie rather than waste time setting everything up.

More Than Just a TV

Because more and more people expect to view photos on their HDTVs, Sony developed a Photo TV HD mode that optimally sets the sharpness, gradation, and color to make digital photos look like printed photography.

• The KDL-46XBR4 is backed by a 1-year limited warranty for parts and labor.
• Full HD Quality
• HDTV provides up to six times the visual detail of the Standard Definition television. You need an
• HDTV set, HD sound and a source of HD content to make sure you’re really getting HD.
• One-step Simplicity
• It’s easy to setup your HDTV system. A single HDMI cable carries both audio and video signals, while
• it also banishes confusing setup and cord tangles.
• HD broadcasting can include up to 7.1 channels of surround sound. A Sony HD Audio system lets you experience every whisper.