Sony Bravia KDL-46Z4500 LCD HDTV

To kick off the series of tests dedicated to LCD TV and Plasma, I propose that a top model from Sony, the Bravia Z4500, the first LCD to be equipped with a 200Hz.

With the Bravia Z4500, Sony completes its range of TV. It is positioned just above the W4500 excellent thanks to its better audio quality and Motionflow 200Hz technology that aims to smooth the images.

Overview

With the Bravia Z4500, Sony completes its range of TV. It is positioned just above the W4500 excellent thanks to its better audio quality and Motionflow 200Hz technology that aims to smooth the images.

The new style to the Bravia

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History to start things, the Sony based on a slab of 46 inches or 117 cm, features a rather flattering look. The manufacturer follows the rules it has imposed in terms of design. Transparency plays with black shades and foot swivel and discreet, brings light to all. The edges to allow their shares to enhance the image size. Its satin floor offers a slight increase of blacks in the shadows, however, by limiting the reflefs them to light. This is a good compromise between matte and shiny tiles. Another advantage, the Z4500 also differs from its predecessor in its remote control that is this time backlit illuminated. It is gaining in ease of use, especially in the dark. Especially as the grip is excellent and the many keys are understandable.

A good level of connectivity
On the back of the slab, there is a connection of the most exhaustive. In addition to the 3 HDMI ports and CEC 1.3 compatiblse xvYCC military disposed of, the Bravia Z4500 has taken YUV components and 2 scarts and a VGA input (limited to SXGA resolution, or 1280 x 1024 pixels). More unusual, this TV becomes a multimedia center through the presence of an Ethernet jack, compatible with the DLNA protocol. We appreciate the other hand, the optical digital audio output to enjoy the sound of television programs on the 5.1 system. On the left side of the TV, the user can enjoy the fourth HDMI, USB port, the port CI passes or connectivity analog S-Video and composite. The nightlife in turn, appreciate the headphone jack.

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Multimedia functions that are inadequate
With its port DMPort (owner Sony), the USB and Ethernet port compatible DLNA, this Bravia opens to the joys of multimedia. If the first two hosts without any problems or USB external hard drives formatted in FAT32, the Ethernet jack created a media gateway to a remote server UPnP (computer, NAS, etc. ...). The supported files are however very limited since only MP3 formats for audio and JPEG (smaller than 30 MB) for the pictures are supported. The Z4500 also deadlocked on all video formats. It is simply a pity, especially when one sees the quality of the simplicity of the interface, similar to XcrossMediaBar of the PlayStation 3.

Features manufacturers Sony BRAVIA 46Z4500:

• Certified 1080p HDTV
• Resolution of the slab: Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels)
• Screen Size: 46 inches / 117 cm
• Response time: 2 ms
• Brightness: 500 cd / m²
• Contrast: 80 000: 1 (dynamic)
• Motionflow 200Hz
• Dimensions: 114 x 79 x 13.2 cm not walk
• Weight: 30 kg off foot
• VESA Support: 300 x 300 mm
• Warranty 2 years

TV tuner TNT compatible HD
Once all the cables, the Sony can be easily tamed. The installation of channels, analog and / or digital place swiftly and classification is made in order. In addition, channels TNT HD appear in first place while TF1 as in standard definition, is relegated to the 51st position. Once this is done, the benefits of DTT then and zappe rapidly from one channel to another. A strong appreciation for the competition is sometimes almost five seconds to move to the next channel.

Meanwhile, the program guide is also part of the functions offered on TV and this is proving to be very good. Only HD channels TNT did not take advantage. Too bad as it is known that HD programming is currently still anecdotal. We would have liked to be informed of films and broadcasts in 720p or 1080i to enjoy the quality of these channels.

A menu on the PS3 sauce but no advanced color settings
Side menu, the Bravia Z4500 is very friendly. It sailed with ease copy. However, we can not say that this TV takes advantage of many settings. It is quite the contrary, in avarice. Parametrizations point here dedicated to the correction of every color and every hue. It will be content to play with colors (global) and color temperatures (Cool, Normal, Hot Hot 2 and 1). Then difficult to obtain accurate colorimetry desired.

Among other adjustments, Sony offers a noise reducer which includes the DNR and MPEG NR. Both are very welcome on sources where faults compression and / or noise is greatly felt. The density of black and contrast can be improved by the dynamic backlight and the automatic improvement of contrast and 4 presets (No, Low, Middle, High).

Alternatively, the Sony offers an automatic mode deinterlacing. More practical in theory, it is however particularly disappointing because we could not possibly erase some hatching from analog sources.

More innovative still, the Motionflow. This is undoubtedly the point of this TV differentiator compared to its predecessors because it works hand in hand with the treatment of 200 Hz slab, whose avowed aim is to fluidized image. For this, the motion compensation Motionflow interpolates three images per second to create intermediate movements and thereby obtain an image without saccade. The option is easily accessible and offers three levels of treatment in addition to the ability to disable (Low, Standard and Max).

Video rendering
Both say right away, rendering the Bravia Z4500 is excellent. Colorimetry default mode cinema (Hot 2) is a little too warm, but it still happens to correct the posting of colors faithful, despite the poverty of available settings (the same as those of the W4000 and W4500). The density of black and contrast for their shares are very good even if they are not yet at the level of stone LED backlighting. The dark scenes are perfectly readable and no lack of depth, the whites for their rise slightly in saturation with the default settings.

The advantage of this TV with Motionflow 200Hz processing off is almost zero since the images saccadent accompanied slight shake blur. The method is a minimum for its part anecdotal. This is well within the standard that the benefit is felt, both in DVD, Blu-ray or watching TV programs. The fluidity and precision of movement is excellent. Max mode meanwhile was little natural, however, even if the flow is close to perfection, the movements are mechanical and any blockbuster turns into a film series Z as the special effects are visible.

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Regarding the definition of the image, Bravia worked wonders with HD sources. Evidenced by Daniel Craig in Casino Royal and his two-day beard. Besides this film Blu-ray and broadcast 24p with Motionflow 200Hz is a realism! On the chains of TNT HD, Arte HD here on the level of detail and deinterlacing do not default.

Sound
Besides Motionflow 200Hz and remote back-lit, the audio section of Z4500 changing compared to W4500. It wins a woofer with a power of 12 watts which, you suspect, much less safe a dedicated box. Yet in music mode, the bass are beautiful and very present and accompanied by good medium / treble. As against the proposed film made by the Mode S-Force Front Surround lack of scale and in serious circumstances. There is nothing comparable to that of a true home theater system, which can be connected to the optical digital output.

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Conclusion
But this technology is condensed currency still at a high price: € 2700. But looking on the Internet, you can find to 2200 € in its 46 inches. And that is the price to pay to enjoy a sublime image with HD sources and above all an excellent fluidity without the inconvenience of the 100Hz technology. It also appreciates the remote handy backlit illuminated and the audio a little improvement on the W4500. Not everything is not all pink, deinterlacing SD film is very average and multimedia compatibility limited to JPEG and MP3.

Consumption

• Cinema mode (default): 174 watts
• Paused : 27 watts (Quickstart on), or 0.5 watts

Dalle

• Density of black : 0.10 cd / m²
• Contrast Ratio : 1630:1
• Legibility blacks :Excellent
• Legibility White : Very good, light saturation White corrects that by reducing the contrast slightly
• Colorimetry : Good but takes a little too much on the red hot 2 mode which corrects the parameter diminant slight color
• Viewing Angle : 155 °
• Uniformity of Slab: RAS

Video

• Definition : Excellent sharpness of the image (Blu-ray, HD native TNT)
• Overscan HDMI video : Zero if "All the pixels are displayed
• Scaling : Good, above average
• Deinterlace (video) : Correct
• Deinterlace (movie mode) : Wrong sources SD (shear). For DVDs, consider using a good video processing upstream.
• Noise Reduction : Correct in its default mode
• Compatibility 1080p/24: Yes, no slowdown detected
• Motion compensation : Motionflow 200Hz, convincing in its default mode

Tuner

• Zapping : Fast (less than one second)
• Electronic Program Guide : Very pleasant to use. Regret that there is not yet functional guide for HD programs

Audio

• Listen to high volume : Rather musical and full of force on the music channels, the Bravia steam soon as the action scenes appear.
• Spatialisation : Even with the S-Force Front Surround, the lack of scale and surround effects, as there is, its very drafts

Mode cinema rollout
Pre-setting of the Sony Bravia KDL-46Z4500 cinema mode (the other parameters are assigned to their default values):

• Mode: Movies
• Backlight: 2
• Contrast: 80
• Brightness: 50
• Color temperature: warm 2
• Color: 50

We measured very deep blacks to 0.10 cd / m² and white at 163 cd / m². Contrast ratio is thus a very good value of 1630:1.

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The gamma curve for its part is linear and close to the reference 2.22 with an average value of 2.15, but the whites rise a little saturation, consider slightly lower contrast.

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On the color, the three primary colors are also linear, with a slight excess of red, but nothing really dramatic. Reduce the setting slightly color corrections.

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This is reflected in a curve of color temperature of 6000K the avoisinnant a little warmer than the T ° 6500K ideal for rendering movies.

Results for shopping, cinema mode Bravia Z4500 is fairly well calibrated, the assurance of having a good record at your meetings DVD or Blu-ray right out of cardboard.

Nice review, but is the panel response time really 2ms?

Hi,
nice review ;
however regarding Multimedia functions,
it does not even support JPEG photos files larger than 100 KO ? ? ?
It just won't open such files.
I'm using a IOMEGA Home Media Network Hard Drive,
as DLNA device.
Many thanks for your assistance.
(On the other hand, all mp3 files are OK).
Michel

That's my dream TV. I wish it was a little bit cheaper. Oh well, I guess it's time to start saving. :) My brother bought recently philips 50 inch plasma TV. I guess that these two brands are currently the best.

Great review.. Great TV.