1. I had the Bravia X 40" before, the KLV-40X200 and the KLV-40X350, and this Z beats them both, IMO, in terms of aesthetics and size. The "Midnight sky" bezel is dark blue in color, although it looks more towards black than blue. The bezel is "sprinkled" with tiny flecks of sparkling material that only shows itself upon close inspection, which lends itself to making this unit looking classy. Also good news to me is that, the speaker settings have been placed under the panel instead of by the two sides, reducing the width further. I'm space-challenged when it comes to the location of this unit, so it works even better with those additional tolerances.

2. The Z still uses the contemporary Sony-style navigation system, with pressing the subsequent buttons to access a function, and then stepping through them to access the deeper option tree. Only the new Bravia X incorporates the Xross MediaBar style ala PS3/PSP. This is a personal choice, but I'd prefer the old navigation system than the Xross Mediabar system. Reason being, I am using the Harmony ONE Universal Remote, and with the Xross MediaBar, programming the "Activities" into the Harmony ONE would be virtually impossible, not to mention, having to wait for the "Activities" actions to self-navigate itself through the Xross MediaBar system. Others may prefer this, but I've been spoiled by the Harmony ONE's excellent "Activities" one-button-turns-everything-on system.

3. 3 x HDMI ports capable of up to 1080p/24, as well as 2 x Component inputs capable up to 1080p/60. Connecting via HDMI allows "Vivid", "Standard" and "Cinema" Picture modes, while Components discards "Vivid". This is a step up against the Bravia X of old, where the Components are restricted to 1080i only.

4. In essense, the KLV-40Z450A is a stripped-down version of the KDL-40X4500 which is yet to appear on store shelves in the US, and a close cousin to the X1 Japanese series with the addition of Motionflow 200Hz. What all this mean is that, this set is SPECIFICALLY MADE for the South East Asia region, with the hindsight to add the latest Motionflow 200Hz feature only available on the latest XBR7 model (US), or the XR1 model in Japan. Even the XR1 model in Japan still only incorporates Motionflow 120Hz, and not the 200Hz step up.

What is Motionflow, you ask? Motionflow technology basically fills in the gap between refresh rates of the material you are watching with additional frames, making the image looks contiguous, continuous and smooth. We have the first step towards more lifelike film quality video with the advent of 1080p/24, and further enhanced by the 100Hz/120Hz refresh rates, and now Sony doubles that. Why the difference of 100/120Hz is due to how HDTV transmissive material being broadcasted, nomenclatured as 50/60Hz of the respective resolution (720p/1080p 50/60Hz). Sony effectively quadruples this, making the action onscreen looks silky smooth. This however is an acquired taste, just like how Malaysian like durians and the Westerners abhors them. Personally, I love Motionflow, and setting it up to the highest setting sets up a lifelike, "Holy shit, it looks like it's been shot by a camcorder" kinda look, that lends itself to like seeing it live before your eyes.

This effect also spills its benefits to any other source materials other than Blu-ray. I have an Onkyo DV-HD805 HD-DVD player equipped with Silicon Optics ReonVX upscaling video processor, which does 1080p/24, and together with Motionflow 200Hz, it absolutely fools the eyes into thinking that you're watching upconverted DVDs(pristine reference materials only) as a High Definition source. I've also an Apple TV connected via HDMI, set to upconvert any movies streamed to it to 1080p. Coupled with Motionflow 200Hz, even ripped DVDs (into MP4 formats) benefits from the film-lifelike PQ. And this is from movie DVDs ripped using standard presets on a Mac to the Apple TV, no magic fairy dust or absurdly high video bitrate settings. The movie may still look below-HD standards, but Motionflow 200Hz lends itself a "fluidity" quality that is missing before this, when it is obviously viewed as "video", and not "film".

For further simplified example of Motionflow 200Hz, click the link on my sig below.

5. As I've said before, this model is missing the Bravia widgets and other internet-related features on the American-based X4500 series, which is to me, is not a huge loss at all, since using those features requires dragging Ethernet cable to the unit, and I'm not too keen on that idea. I'm keeping my HDTVs as a source to view my movies and media, anything else beyond that is just icing on the cake. I still get to eat the cake.

6. For best results, and if you dont have access to ISF calirators/calibrating devices, these settings from TweakTV.com works wonders. Blu-rays like Kung Fu Panda just LEAPS OFF THE SCREEN with these settings, and if you want to tweak it further, without going for calibrators, use the Digital Video Essentials you can get from Amazon. I've set both tweaks on the "Standard" and "Cinema" Picture modes respectively, and IMO, still prefer the settings from TweakTV.com. This is of course, heavily dependant on your room environment and lighting configurations. I view my movies in my room, totally dark.

Other ports on this model includes Digital Media Port which can be used with Sony's own NWZ-A82X series Video Walkmans, in which a special cable is needed to do so. My next trip to Osaka should bag me this cable.

I'm also planning to get proper ISF calibration done on this unit, it is a waste not to do this right, and have the colors, brightness, contrast and sharpness run awry. With the two calibration options I've used, it is as close as how it is intended, but not quite, and I'm already extremely pleased with the results. Cant wait to professionally calibrate it!

In summary, previous benefits of film-like looks was secluded only to the HD materials like Blu-ray and HD-DVDs, with post-processing done by the players themselves, and the TVs displaying the end result. With Motionflow 200Hz, this benefit is further extended to other materials as well. Upconversions to 1080p is again up to the players, but while Blu-rays and HD-DVDs have the 24p mode to allow that silky-smooth film-like look, other non-HD materials now can enjoy the same benefits with Sony's Motionflow 200Hz.

End result? I've just hosted a Lost Season 5 TV Show night event at my place for our usual TV Show group of friends, and they were astonished at how film/lifelike the episodes are, and these episodes are just the normal Standard Definition version purchased from Apple's iTunes! Mission accomplished!

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jan 27 2009, 03:51 AM

Its best you include pictures as well..makes it more interesting..haha...anyway, nice review...I'm sure you'll be watching movies everyday this CNY.



This post has been edited by azbro: Jan 27 2009, 05:55 PM

Pictures wont do any good, since pictures wont be able to show the advantage of Motionflow 200Hz. I'm already discovering renewed interest in watching older movies and TV Shows that were previous was a pain to watch because of the jarring framerates.

Blu-rays? Blissful!

bro just asking
how much does this tv worth?

RM8,499. Comes with free HDMI cable, and other knick-knacks like miniature gold sets and other freebies. Also 6 different vouchers to purchase other Sony items, for example, an RM1,000 voucher discount towards the BDP-S350 BD player.

40inches IMHO too small for such nice fullHD panels. .maybe something like 50-55inches would be more like it....

Oooops forgot to put. Consequently, I have a 40" Bravia X KLV-40X200 for sale, after the Z came into the house. Asking for RM4k FIRM. Not in a hurry to sell it nor do I need to sell it either, I still love the Bravia X's total glass frame around the bezel. Not putting it as a [WTS] either, seeing how prude the crowd here are when it comes to money these days.

A simpler, more layman way of explaining Motionflow 200Hz can be found on this Youtube video:-



Have a gander at it.

New TV, congrats bro!

Not really familiar with LCDs lately, is this the one with LED backlight?

Nope, still WCG-CCFL. LED, and by extension, the Triluminous RGB LED technology as well, are the domains of the X series exclusively, and only XBR7 and beyond.

---

Added on January 27, 2009, 10:08 pmIt is all about the viewing distance.

Watching a movie from a 32 incher from 100 meters away is as worthless as pressing your face against the Panasonic 103" Plasma you see at Best Denki, you're already pixel-peeping. Your comment on 40" being small for FullHD may hold water during the early days where image rendering and video processing engines can discern and produce high quality HD PQ enought to warrant going up in size for full appreciation. Those days are over with the new engines like BE2 and the other next-gen video processing engines from other brands.

Try watching this Z at 20 meters away, and I agree the Full HD effects diminishes to the point where it is indistinguishable from 720p. But I dont view it that far away, I watch while seated on a couch 2m away. Any resolution improvement at that distance is appreciable, even at such panel size. Otherwise, Sony would already have discontinued the 40" and just carry on with the 46" and above for Full HD.

Your room configuration is not the same as mine, so dont slap your IMOs and take it as the same as mine. I've already mentioned before that space is a commodity I am lacking in the location where this Z is being displayed.

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jan 27 2009, 10:08 PM

stringfellow, whats next....Dvico?

Next wishlist kot tapi recession nih

After comparing those 50hz and 100hz LCD TV, i really dunno this 200hz really worth the money or not..
100hz LCD Tv even cant remove movie judder..

This post has been edited by accs_centre: Jan 28 2009, 09:00 AM

ah yes viewing distance, (and also viewing cone angle, wider the better if the pixel density in the screen is sufficient to avoid seeing pixels instead of video images, i.e. full HD pixel density)..

for full HD, one can sit at 1.5-1.8x (IMHO means I like sitting at 1.5-1.8x range)

I sit 3meters from screen and the screen size is between 70-90inches diagonal depending on source material I use.

but since you said you sit at 2meter distance, then 40inches diag screen is like 1meter, i..e 2x.. I guess in your case of room size restriction, 40inches TV would do just fine. cheers!

This post has been edited by ar188: Jan 28 2009, 11:48 AM

I rather go for Pioneer KURO 42" compare to sony X/Z series.

that all sounds good except for the size of 40" is err..... just ok i guess

you want to kena taruh or what!

anyway the TS said he watch from 2meter distance, so I think 40inches fullHD pretty ok lor..

exactly what i said... it's ok lor.. keke

Relax, nobody wants to taruh anyone. Before anyone starts expressing their "I prefer X over Y" statements, put yourself in my shoes. I am space constrained. Hell, I prefer that new 150" Panasonic wall, but is it possible to fit all that in my space-challenged area? Think people, think!

This HDTV is also for gaming as well, all that gee-whiz-bang features helps. Yes, I like Pioneer TVs as well, which is why the PRO-151FD Kuro stands in my living room in LA. Different needs breeds different equipments. Living room, no space constraints, hell, I can even slap in a projector if I'm into it (which I'm not, black is never black on a projector).

Again. My config. 2 meter away viewing distance. You want me to put a 50 incher over my face for that?

Fcuk all these brandings and chest thumping about "my screen is bigger than your, so nyah nyah nyah!" nonsense. The one I'm excited about is not the age-old nonsense about screen sizes or viewing distances, I'm excited about Motionflow 200Hz. To put it in simpler terms, Motionflow 200Hz, does to non-HD material what 24p does for HD, that missing silky-smoothness. I have a Video-On-Demand system already set up for all my non-HD material, and with Motionflow 200Hz, this totally changes the viewing experience.Older movies becomes exciting to watch back again, to put it in simpler terms.

So please, if you have nothing to add to the topic other than petty nonsense such as your own preference about screen sizes, don't add them here at all.

And what's even more important, Have you seen Motionflow 200Hz in action at all? We all can open our mouths and lift our fingers to type, but all those mean nothing if you're commenting based on your "preferences" and not experience.

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jan 28 2009, 12:53 PM

Almost 2 month already running my Dvico HDM7000 A with my Bravia X450A. That day tested using My Dvico at Sony Style D Curve, New Z series cannot lawan X Series la.