Sony Bravia XBR-Series KDL-40XBR2 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
Fantastic television: phenomenal picture, features galore, good looks, but PRICEY!
This television replaced a Sony KDL-40S2000 I had purchased. During my 30-day return policy I realized if I were to invest (ha!) in a LCD television I should get one with a full 1080 resolution. I returned the KDL-40S2000 and got this model. <br /> <br />Out of the box the television is gorgeous, however, a bit wider and thicker than my previous Bravia. Not a problem for me, but check the measurements before you buy. <br /> <br />Picture quality is phenomenal; previous to this set I've always been a tube/CRT guy due to their better picture quality when compared to plasmas and LCDs. I think the technology has finally caught up with CRT quality with this TV. Great (but not perfect) black levels and more detail than you really need in a 40\\" television. I will say there is a difference between a 720p panel and 1080p panel in my tests. Motion on high definition sources is also very good. The picture quality on standard definition sources could be better, but I am watching less and less standard definition every day. <br /> <br />I was surprised by the amount of tweaks and features present on this television. A few notable features include: A full pixel mode which takes your high definition source and displays it pixel for pixel on your set, something I've never seen on a HDTV before. This feature does wonders for sources outputting a 1080 signal, including my modded Xbox which outputs the interface and DVD signals in 1080i. You can literally walk up to the TV and see the pixels 1:1 just like a computer monitor. This full pixel mode does have a caveat, some HD broadcasts have some extra pixels on the side or top of the frame that appear in this mode, but it's a fine trade off for the 1:1 resolution. The extra pixels are the result of the broadcaster and not the TV. <br /> <br />The other valuable feature is the ability to adjust the wide viewing mode when viewing any sort of signal including high definition. My previous HDTV was locked into \\"Wide/Full\\" mode when watching1080i content. The KDL-40XBR2 lets you choose which viewing mode when watching high-definition content. I use this feature when I watch inside the NFL on HBO-HD. They broadcast the program using a 1080i signal, but the show is actually standard definition displayed in a 4:3 frame (when is HBO gonna start shooting this show in HD?). The zoom mode allows me to zoom the picture and watch the program using the whole screen. I wouldn't have had this option with my previous HD sets. <br /> <br />Because I don't like artificial sharpness or edge creation I always turn the sharpness down very low or off on my televisions. Most TVs look ideal when the sharpness is set low so no artificial edges are created. Don't do this on the KDL-40XBR2 because Sony has added some additional control with the sharpness adjustment. When I set the sharpness very low (Min - 10) I noticed the picture became very blurry, especially with text. At first I thought I had gotten a lemon, but later realized this is a feature. When the sharpness is low the TV seems to reverse the sharpness effect causing the picture to soften. Once I bumped the sharpness up to 35 the picture looked amazing with no artificial edges or blurriness.  This functionality is different than most sets, but a perfect example of the level of adjustment the KDL-40XBR2 offers. <br /> <br />Great looks, picture quality and enough tweaks to occupy hours fine-tuning the picture. This isn't a great set for someone who wants to take it out of the box and expect a great picture, but instead someone who is used to tweaking their A/V equipment to their preferences. Highly recommended if you've got the cash.