[etagure]

Pros

• Excellent black level with decent shadow detail
• Very good standard-def video processing (especially video and film mode deinterlacing)
• Comprehensive set of picture adjustment controls available in user menu (including white balance and a rudimentary colour management system)
• [100Hz Motion Plus] reduces motion blur (but may cause interpolation artefacts; see Cons)
• "Just Scan" allows for exceptional detail from 1:1 pixel mapping
• Displays 1080p/24 video signal from Sony PS3 without exhibiting telecine judder
• Generous connectivity with 4 HDMI 1.3 input, USB port, etc.
• Settings can be stored independently for each input
• Can accept and display 1920x1080 progressive video signal over VGA
• User menu and EPG navigation quicker and more responsive than last year's models
• Swivelling table-top stand comes pre-attached out-of-the-box for quick setup

Cons

• [100Hz Motion Plus] may introduce interpolation artefacts like tearing, stutter or shimmering around moving objects
• Shiny "Ultra Clear Panel" reflects ambient light and causes glare
• Mild input lag (except in "Game" mode or over VGA) may affect sensitive gamers
• Some clouding and backlight unevenness (though reduced to unobtrusive levels after calibration)*
• Slight low-pitched hum from back of TV unless the screen is very bright*

Sony KDL40W4000 Review Conclusion

by Vincent Teoh

21 May 2008

Pros

• Accurate primary colours with excellent decoding
• Excellent black level with decent shadow detail
• Exquisite high-definition detail from "Full Pixel" 1:1 pixel mapping
• Handles 1080p/24 video signal correctly without telecine judder
• [Film Mode] "Auto" can deinterlace film-based 1080i material to 1080p without resolution loss
• Better than average scaling of standard definition content
• Solid connectivity with 3 x HDMI 1.3, USB input, etc.
• TV speakers deliver impressive resolution, soundstage and dynamic range
• Settings can be saved independently per input
• Speedy and responsive EPG and channel navigation
• Table-top stand swivels and easy to set up

Cons

• No white balance control in user menu for greyscale calibration
• Motion resolution not as good as those on HDTVs equipped with MCFI/ 100Hz technology
• Fails to apply 3:2/ 2:2 pulldown to 480i/ 576i film-based content even with [Film Mode] set to "Auto"
• Backlight setting not saved if the Sony KDL40W4000 does not go into "true" standby mode
• XMB user menu rendered in lower resolution and lags intermittently
• Slight clouding and LCD backlight bleed (though negligible once calibrated)
• Mild low-pitched electronic hum from back of TV (not a problem at normal sitting distance and TV volume)