XBR9 Series of Sony LCD TV Sets

The new Sony XBR 9 line for 2009 represents Sony high-end CCFL-based LCDs. It comprises four models ranging in size from 32-inch up to 52-inch.

The larger three models, namely the 52-inch KDL-52XBR9 ($1,950), the 46-inch KDL-46XBR9 ($1,575), and the 40-inch KDL-40XBR90 ($1,350) all share exactly the same specifications and therefore we expect similar picture performance. Top-selling within this series is the 52-inch followed by the 46-inch model.

On the other hand, the smaller in the series, the 32-inch KDL-32XBR9 ($670) Sony LCD TV comes with a few differences. These include a slightly different styling, lower 40,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, reduced color gamut, 120Hz instead of 240Hz supported refresh rate, and a different menu structure. Still, despite the lower specs, this 32-inch is doing quite well in HDTV sales.

Sony XBR9 LCD series is equivalent to Samsung Series 7 LCD TVs we reviewed earlier this year. Both series share very similar features and sets from both the XBR9 and Series 7 are practically selling online at the same price for the same screen size.

Due to its extensive streaming capabilities and DLNA networking support, Sony defines the XBR9 as the 'ultimate in Sony video technology'.

In fact, top in the list of extensive features found on XBR9 Sony LCD TVs is a full suite of interactive options termed BRAVIA Internet video/widgets.

These let you enjoy both premium and free on-demand online entertainment directly to your HDTV. Services supported include Amazon Video-on-Demand, YouTube™, Sports Illustrated, Sony Pictures, Sony Music, Slacker, and Epicurious.com.

Additional features include Sony's MotionFlow 240Hz refresh rate, 100,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, DLNA support, and x.v.Colorwide technology for a wider color gamut. There are also plenty of connectivity options - including four HDMI inputs, three of which are placed on the side instead of the rear connection panel. Interesting is also the presence of a TV Guide on-screen EGP for antenna and cable TV channels as well as the possibility to receive firmware updates straight to the TV.

These Sony LCD HDTVs come with a smart eco menu that includes a room light sensor to automatically adjust the screen brightness accordingly. This is somewhat similar to the intelligent light sensor functionality found on premium LG LCD TVs we recently reviewed on our site.

It is interesting to note here that Sony's XBR9 represents just a minor step-up over the marginally less expensive 2009 Z5100 Sony LCD TV series. The two series share almost an identical feature set - including a 100,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, the same Internet/video widgets, DLNA support, 240Hz refresh rate, and the same connectivity - including four HDMI inputs.

The few real differences between the two relate to a slightly different design. Z5100 HDTVs feature a somewhat wider frame at the bottom of the screen and a minimal reduction in the supported color gamut. However, the marginally wider color range of the XBR9 is not much of use with today's available program content.

We did not review the Z5100 series of Sony LCD TVs but we expect similar performance to the XBR9. However, with the present reduced pricing, Z5100 HDTVs yields a price advantage over XBR9 sets only at the 52-inch, namely the KDL-52Z5100. At the other screen sizes, the price difference between the two is negligible.

The XBR9 Sony LCD TV series ...in detail

Design: Sony has gone for a totally new design concept with its XBR9 series. Up to now, Sony's LCD HDTVs were characterized by a rather wide frame around the display that did somehow competed with the overall display. The new XBR9 series design comes with a thinner glossy black frame that is the same width along the four sides of the display panel.

The only highlight in the XBR9 Sony LCD TV design is a subtle but elegantly designed transparent protruding edge that covers a blue gray metallic border along the set glossy black frame. To further enhance this minimalistic but stylish design, Sony went for an invisible speaker system.

Unfortunately, as is typical of Sony, the provided TV stand with the XBR9 HDTVs do not swivel. But otherwise, the all glossy black stand integrates well with the rest of the XBR9 Sony LCD TV design.

Features and Conveniences:

Without doubt, one of the top features found on XBR9 Sony LCD TVs is Internet enabled TV content accessible through the set Ethernet connection. Sony do not provide a wireless network solution but any third-party wireless bridge will do.

We have already touched upon this in our introduction. In this respect, the XBR9 offers a most extensive interactivity suite with BRAVIA Internet Widgets. These are Sony's version of Yahoo widgets that let customize your entertainment experience by selecting widgets to access the latest in news, weather, stock info, and more right on your BRAVIA XBR9 HDTV.

In addition to widgets, these Sony LCD TVs come with built-in BRAVIA internet video capabilities - with very similar features to Sony Bravia Internet Video Link add-on module - that let you view select on-demand movies, TV shows, music and more. With BRAVIA Internet Video you can enjoy one of the largest collections of premium and free on-demand entertainment directly to your HDTV. The most compelling being access to Amazon Video-on-Demand even though the Sony implementation does not support previews as is the case instead with Panasonic VieraCast.

Other content includes YouTube, Sports Illustrated, Sony Pictures, Sony Music, Slacker, and Epicurious.com. Worth noting however that most of the free content available online is designed for the Web and not the big screen - so do not expect the best video quality with YouTube, Sports Illustrated, style.com and the like.

To complement these sets interactive menu, XBR9 Sony LCD TVs come with DLNA support to stream photos, music, and video from networked PCs that are running compatible DLNA-compliant software e.g. Windows Media Player. You need to connect your TV to your home network for these interactive features to work. Sony do not provide a wireless adaptor but any third-party wireless bridge will work.

Worth mentioning here that Sony has included a dedicated picture setting for online video content, like for other inputs. The system is not completely bug-free - with the occasional instance when the screen will fail to load. But overall, this is one of the most interactive content-rich HDTVs that will surely provide hours of entertainment.

Other than this interactive support, these XBR9 high-end Sony LCD TVs come with an extended feature set over the less expensive series. These HDTVs use an advanced WCG-CCFL backlight that provides a slightly extended color range. This however would not result in any added benefit with available program content.

As expected, the XBR9 series also includes 240Hz refresh rate technology. Same as Samsung, Sony interpolates three extra fames for every video frame using the so called ME/MC (motion-estimation/motion-compensation) system to generate the 240Hz frame rate for a virtually blur-free motion. Sony includes its Motionflow™ dejudder processing with its 240Hz technology. This can be set to either 'Standard' or 'High' apart from being switched off, with the 'High' setting providing a higher level of smoothness, rendering film-based content more video-like.

Unfortunately Sony's MotionFlow 240Hz processing does not support separate blur reduction and smoothness control as is the case with the dejudder processing implemented on Samsung's 2009 premium HDTVs. This means that you cannot really enjoy the benefits of blur reduction without the added smoothness of dejudder - thus rendering film-based content more video-like.

Picture Controls: The Picture adjustment menu offers the usual picture settings. There are three picture preset modes in the main menu, each of which can be adjusted independently per input. An additional Scene Select menu adds more presets - labeled Cinema, Sports, Photo, Music, Game, Graphics, General, and Auto - that are also adjustable per input. In total, the XBR sets come with eleven picture modes - including Standard, Cinema, Sports, Game, Graphics, and four photo picture settings. The Game option removes most of the advanced video processing to minimize delay.

Each of these picture modes come with two noise reduction settings and four color temperature presets. Among the available picture controls, there is a white balance control to fine tune color temperature, and a gamma setting. These Sony LCD TVs include four aspect ratio modes for HD sources and a zero-overscan mode for full 1080p 1:1 pixel mapping.

XBR9 Sony LCD TVs have a rated 100,000:1 dynamic and 3,800:1 on-screen contrast ratio. In this respect, Sony is one of the few brands that lately are specifying also the more important on-screen contrast ratio in addition to the more common dynamic contrast. The latter larger numbers are often quoted by TV makers to help them drive sales.  

Additional features include x.v.Colorwide technology for a supported wider color gamut over HDMI. Interesting is the presence of a TV Guide on-screen EGP for antenna and cable TV channels which is powered by the Sony's Ethernet connection. The latter also provides firmware updates straight to the TV in a similar manner to what Samsung has done on its 2009 HDTV lineup.

As indicated in our introduction, this is one of those 2009 HDTV series that come with a smart eco menu and includes a room light sensor that automatically adjust the screen brightness accordingly. There is also a mode to turn off the screen but leave the sound on, and another to turn the TV off automatically after a set period of inactivity.

Power consumption of XBR9 Sony LCD TVs in default setting is approximately 190W for the 46-inch - but this can easily be reduced by close to 40% once properly calibrated. These figures are in line with other 2009 CCFL-based LCD TVs from other brands.

These Sony LCD TVs come with plenty of connectivity options  - including four HDMI inputs, three of which are placed on the side instead of the rear connection panel as seen in the adjacent picture.

This approach - while surely appreciated by those that are constant swapping gear, is not ideal for those that have a fixed system layout.

Apart from the HDMI ports, other connections include two component video, two composite video, one USB2.0, VGA-style PC input, analog audio in for HDMI/PC, Digital Audio out, analog audio out, Ethernet connection and RF input. There is also a USB1.1 port for servicing only.

XBR9 Sony LCD TV Series - Performance Analysis

XBR9 Sony LCD TVs are capable of very good overall picture performance with deep blacks that are very much in line with the best conventional LCD TVs from Samsung. However, the XBR9 black levels and shadow detail still does not match those of the best LED LCDs and premium plasma HDTVs - though shadow detail on the XBR9 Sony LCD TVs is quite natural.

Most accurate out-of-the-box picture mode is the Cinema picture setting; this can be conveniently activated via the remote using the Theater 'hot' button. Color temperature in Cinema mode however is somewhat on the bluish side; this can be partially corrected through proper calibration. Shadow detail in the brighter areas is very good though things in the darker parts are a bit different; activating the Advanced Contrast Enhancer would help here as it considerably improves shadow detail in the dark parts of the image.

Color accuracy: Accuracy of the Sony primary colors is close to perfect; secondary colors accuracy is not ideal, but still better than most HDTVs. But as we often say in these product evaluations, when it comes to overall color accuracy, Samsung is definitely king; premium LG LCD TVs and the PS80 LG plasma TV are also capable of extremely accurate colors.

View Processing: MotionFlow 240Hz dejudder processing do add that slight improvement over 120Hz based systems. However, most users would not discern any difference between the two with standard program content. In a review of the Sony KDL-52XBR9, Cnet notes that motion resolution is close to the full resolution supported by the 1080p standard with dejudder activated - thanks to the 240Hz processing. Dejudder is clean as long as you keep it in standard mode. As expressed earlier on, with these Sony HDTVs, it is not possible to adjust blur reduction and judder separately - which may not be ideal with film-based content.

With 1080p/24 content, these Sony LCD TVs preserve the judder of film when the 2:3 pull-down CineMotion is set to Off. These sets are also capable of properly deinterlacing 1080i film- and video- based content. Proper deinterlacing of film-based content however requires the CineMotion to be engaged.

With standard definition sources, video performance is average - resolving every detail from DVD content but showing more jaggies with diagonal lines than Samsung or LG HDTVs.

On the other hand, PC picture performance is very good with crisp clear text both via HDMI and also with the set VGA input.

Screen Performance and Uniformity: There is a slight issue with screen uniformity where large dark areas on the screen appear somewhat brighter in the middle. However the real problem with the Sony screen is a rather poor off-angle performance - to the point that according to results published on TelevisionInfo.com, it is slightly worst than that of the Samsung UN46B6000. And considering, LED LCD TVs are renowned for their below average off-angle performance. Mind you, it is still good for home viewing but these Sony LCD TVs would not represent the ideal option where wide angle viewing is necessary.

On the other hand, as expected, the matte screen on these Sony LCD TVs handles bright lighting well - better than plasmas and the 'Ultra Clear' shinny screen on Samsung LCD HDTVs.