Monday, 29 May, 2006
Sony BRAVIA KDL-40V2000 40” LCD TV
| Manufacturer | Sony | Image quality | 93% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | KDL-40V2000 | Sound quality | 84% |
| Approximate price | £1,750 | Design | 86% |
| Overall rating | 88% |
Check the current price of the Sony KDL-40V2000 now.
The Sony BRAVIA KDL-40V2000 is certainly not cheap. Part of the second generation of BRAVIA panels, it comes with only 1 HDMI socket, a less-than-impressive remote control and sound that is flat.
However, with a built-in digital TV tuner, Sony’s new “BRAVIA ENGINE”, and “Live Colour Creation”, the KDL-40V2000 delivers such stunning picture quality that makes it one of, if not, the best high definition LCD TV on the market at the moment.
Image quality
Sony’s new “BRAVIA ENGINE”, built from the ground up to work specifically with LCD TVs, sits at the core of these second generation TVs from the BRAVIA range. The question is, does it deliver real value?
The first thing that you notice when looking at the picture is that the black levels are much improved. Previous Sony offerings tended to have a flat, washed-out look in dark areas, but this LCD serves up genuine blacks matched with subtle shadow details that add real depth to images.
Furthermore, blurring and smearing that was applied to motion on previous Sony LCDs has all but gone. There is a sharper image with clean edges in the 40V2000; there is room for some minor improvement though, but it is head and shoulders above the first generation of BRAVIA’s.
How does the KDL-40V2000 handle colour reproduction? Superbly, thanks to Sony’s new Live Colour Creation; reds and greens are rich without being over saturated and blues appear deep. Being picky, the default settings probably deliver pictures that are a little bit too orange/red.
When fed with high definition sources, the TV really comes alive. There is no finer, sharper, more detailed high definition TV on the market anywhere.
Sound quality
The 2 x 10W integrated stereo speakers run along the bottom of the 40V2000. Whilst sounding reasonably decent for in-built speakers, the bass is tinny and the mid-range is flat. It doesn’t help having the speakers run horizontally along the bottom of the screen.
Investing in a surround sound set-up to accompany this TV should be given serious consideration. It would be criminal to let such fantastic pictures be ruined by unequalled sound. Saying that, it would be hard to find a sound system to equal this TV for less than £1,000! Seriously though, spend a few hundred pounds on decent speakers to really immerse yourself in a total experience.
Design
The KDL-40V2000 looks quite ordinary for a Sony. No high-gloss finish. No funky shapes. Just plain, honest 7th generation glass surrounded by a matte black bezel. What this does is allow you to focus on the solid build quality and the truly wonderful picture quality.
But what has Sony done with the remote control? The old remote control was a joy to behold. The buttons felt solid, the weight was well balanced, and the look was elegant. The new remote is not awful, but certainly not an improvement over previous incarnations.
The major drawback of this TV is the connectivity. The KDL-40V2000 comes with only one HDMI input, two SCART sockets which are compatible with RBG and Composite Video, one set of component inputs, one set of fixed audio outputs and a PC input with 3.5mm audio input.
It would have arguably been better if Sony had removed one of the SCART sockets and provided two HDMI inputs, seeing as this is a reasonably high-end HD TV. Instead, you will probably end up buying a HDMI switchbox to enable you to obtain the connectivity you desire. This connectivity issue shouldn’t exist in an LCD TV of this price, but as the KDL-40V2000 contains one input for each type, it is not a total disaster.
Summary
The Sony BRAVIA KDL-40V2000 is certainly not cheap. Part of the second generation of BRAVIA panels, it comes with only 1 HDMI socket, a less-than-impressive remote control and sound that is flat.
However, with a built-in digital TV tuner, Sony’s new “BRAVIA ENGINE”, and “Live Colour Creation”, the KDL-40V2000 delivers such stunning picture quality that makes it one of, if not, the best high definition LCD TV on the market at the moment.
Features
| Manufacturer | Sony |
|---|---|
| Model | KDL-40V2000 |
| Approximate Price | £1,750 |
| Screen technology | LCD |
| Screen size | 40in |
| Screen resolution | 1,366 x 768 |
| HD-ready | Yes |
| Digital tuner | Yes |
| Contrast ratio | 1300:1 |
| Brightness | 500cd/m2 |
| PC capable | Yes |
| Inputs | 1 x HDMI (19 pin HDMI Type A), 2 x SCART (RGB) (21 PIN SCART), 1 x audio line-out, 1 x S-Video input (4 PIN mini-DIN), 1 x Audio line-in, 1 x component video input (RCA phono x 3), 1 x composite video input (RCA phono), 1 x VGA input (15 PIN HD D-Sub (HD-15)), 1 x headphone jack |
| Audio output power | 2 x 10W |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) (stand not included) | 988mm x 664mm x 103mm |
| Weight | 21kg |
| Supplier | Amazon |
Comments
| 05 July, 2006 - 13:19
I have just bought this TV.
Wow, it is brilliant.
Brilliant is possibly not doing this TV justice, but I can’t think of another word to describe it.
| 18 November, 2006 - 18:13
I researched many, many HDTV’s before finally deciding on the Sony Bravia KDL-40V2000. I have now had it for 5 months and EVERYONE states just how amazing the picture is. The picture from Std Def Sky is simply stunning. From upscaled DVD, its awesome. I have a Yamaha YSP-800 with separate Bass Box (Yamaha) and the system is simply breathtaking. Forget Samsung, Panasonic, pay a few quid more and get the best system there is, you won’t regret it !
| 23 November, 2006 - 12:02
After much research and travelling from electronic store to electronic store to view different models in person, I decided on the Sony 40V2000.
After one week in operation, I have been very happy with the television.
I sit approximately 2-3 meters from the screen, so was a little worried that the screen might be too big, but it is not.
On TV stations (over satellite) that use a lower data rate, some pixel-edging is noticeable, but not on the standard TV stations (either public or commercial).
I watch both NTSC and PAL stations, and, of course, PAL is superior. If NTSC (not HD) was the only type of station I could receive, the TV might be just a little bit too large.
I just purchased a new DVD player with HDMI connection, so I am expecting an even better picture with DVD when that is installed.
The sound is not a problem. It is not surround sound, and is not like movie theater sound, but I did not expect it to be like that.