This model has great reviews almost everywhere you look. Here is the review regarded as most helpful by Amazon consumers:
Just thought I’d pen an early review after an evening’s play! This is my first flat screen which i ordered 2 weeks ago after much research on the older sony models W4500. Took the plunge with no official reviews.
Firstly, as the others have said, first class delivery, Amazon ! Free super saver del. arrived day after release! Glad I went with Amazon now instead of others as price was good as well.
Now the TV – Very impressed with all the connections available and multi-media capabilities (not yet tried out). Haven’t noticed clouding issues yet as with other sony models. discovered “picture-in-picture” function – great for watching sky HD cricket and BBC news etc at the same time!
Digital freeview took twice to set up – missed it first time, but easy enough to navigate to set up again – now I can get many freeview channels even with my normal rooftop aerial.
Sky HD channels definitely more detailed than normal – sports like cricket looks v sharp and un-blurry.
Wii with component cable looks impressive!
Have to slowly try out the rest of the functions which i’m sure will be just as good…
The Sony Bravia KDL40W5500 is also called the Sony Bravia KDL40W5500U. It is a 40 inch LCD television that not only offers outstanding picture quality, but also a ton of the latest features, such as web capability and video streaming.
Sony leads the field by including the latest and best features in its products. And the Sony KDL40W5500 has a host of them. Media files can be streamed from a PC via an ethernet port. And internet access is included. This is via Sony’s Net Application and offers access via an expanding offering of over 30 widgets.
Although these features are useful, its the KDL40W5500 screen that’s the most important aspect of a TV. And the viewing available on the KDL40W5500 does not disappoint, even taking account of the high expectations of a Sony TV. The depth, colour quality and details are outstanding, with an overall natural looking effect. High definition picture quality is stunning.
The built in speakers only provide an average sound quality on the KDL40W5500. This is to be expected of flat screen TVs, as the case doesn’t have sufficient depth. Low frequencies lack some clarity, whilst higher frequencies sound over processed. If you would like superior sound quality, then analogue stereo and digital optical outputs are available to connect external speakers.
In addition to the audio connections, the KDL40W5500 has a range of connections including 4 HDMI sockets, 2 Scart RGB sockets, an analogue VGA port and USB port to link to your PC, and a headphone socket with an independent volume control that can be controlled by the remote.
Usability on the KDL40W5500 is very good.
The Electronic Programme Guide on the KDL40W5500 is readily navigated, although somewhat difficult to read on occasions. The remote is comprehensive, although it could be laid out slightly better.
There is an instruction manual available on-screen that includes the KDL40W5500′s features, together with some tips.
One of the KDL40W5500 features which is particularly useful is a Voice Zoom feature that increases the speech volume where the background music makes it difficult to hear sometimes. Very useful for some US movies! And it also has Audio Description – a narrative for those with a visual impairment.
The Sony KDL40W5500 is energy efficient, with an energy consumption of just 110 watts – low for such a TV. And it can be reduced to 60 watts with an energy saving button. An ambient light sensor cuts power in low light conditions. And the screen can readily be turned off whilst listening to the radio.
To summarise our review of the Sony KDL40W5500 , despite only average audio output, there are useful extra features, and, what makes this TV such a great buy is the outstanding picture quality.
The Sony KDL40W5500 is an outstanding TV.
