Cheap Sony Bravia XBR KDL-40XBR7 40-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV best price

From the Manufacturer
Feel like you're part of the action with the Sony BRAVIA XBR7 Series LCD flat panel HDTVs. Take all of the great features of the XBR6 line and add BRAVIA Engine EX (40-inch) and BRAVIA Engine PRO (70-inch) fully digital video processors that render stunning images from any resolution, an RS-232C connection and upgraded industrial design. Again, optional speaker grilles are available in designer colors.

The XBR7s feature Full HD 1080p resolution and Motionflow 120Hz technology, which enhances motion to deliver a smoother and clearer looking picture. Enjoy exceptional ease-of-use with the Xross Media Bar user interface, integrated TV Guide Interactive Program Guide and BRAVIA Sync one-touch component control. You can even expand your HDTV's capabilities with optional BRAVIA Link modules (sold separately). These HDTVs come with abundant connectivity options that allow you to connect to all of your content sources. And with the gorgeous piano gloss black finish with floating glass accents, it will be the sharpest wall in your home.

Last updated September 30, 2008

Key Features

New: TV Guide IPG (Learn more)
New: Enhanced (XMB) User Interface with Rich 3D Graphics (Learn more)
New: DLNA Compliant (Learn more)
New: Digital Media Port (Learn more)
16:9 Full HD 1080p Resolution Panel (1920 x 1080p) (Learn more)
BRAVIA Engine EX fully digital video processor (Learn more)
Advanced Contrast Enhancer circuit (ACE) (Learn more)
24p True Cinema capable (Learn more)
Emmy-award winning Xross Media Bar user interface (Learn more)
DMeX capable (Learn more)
BRAVIA Sync capable (Learn more)
S-Force Front Surround Voice Zoom (Learn more)
Robust Connectivity with 4 HDMI inputs, 2 HD Component inputs, and a PC Input (Learn more)
Piano Gloss Black with Onyx Speaker Grille
Remote: RM-YD023

Which Bravia HDTV is Right for You?

Comparison chart of features for all Sony Bravia HDTV Series
What size TV should I get?

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Full HD 1080p

Full HD 1080p means our connections accept 1080p signals and the display will render that signal in Full HD 1080p. The flexibility of native 1920 x 1080 displays allows any high definition content to be viewed without the need to downconvert images to the native resolution of the display. Take full advantage of Blu-ray Disc players and PlayStation 3 systems that can deliver 1080p content.

(Found in S, V, W, Z, and XBR Series HDTVs)

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BRAVIA Engine Technology

The latest version of Sony’s respected BRAVIA Engine fully digital video processor uses a collection of unique Sony algorithms to significantly reduce noise and produce sharp, vibrant, life-like images.

Dynamic Noise Reduction: Intelligently identifies and dramatically reduces noise in the signal according to the motion and brightness of each scene for clearer, crisper images.
Detail Enhancement: Improved image enhancement algorithms render greater overall detail.
Contrast Enhancement: Works with the Advanced Contrast Enhancer circuit to optimize the contrast for every scene to create better depth and reality.

BRAVIA Engine technology optimizes the color, contrast, detail and clarity of every scene for the exceptional performance that BRAVIA HDTVs are known for.

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Enhance the blacks Match the color Smooth the motion Filter the Image Clean the image Widen the tone range	DRC-MFv1 (SD-HD Creation) Digital Texture Enhancer Enhance the blacks Match the color Smooth the motion Filter the Image Clean the image Widen the tone range	DRC HD-HD (SD-HD Creation) Digital Texture Enhancer Enhance the blacks Match the color Smooth the motion Filter the Image Clean the image Widen the tone range

Next-generation “xvYCC” color space supports 1.8 times as many colors as existing HDTV signals
Lets HDTVs display colors more accurately
Enables displays with more natural and vivid colors

Select products such as four Sony Handycam High Definition camcorders include x.v.Color to reproduce color that takes you beyond HD.

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10-bit Processor and 10-bit Panel

deep color eliminates visible color banding

While it’s great to state that a TV is capable of creating billions of colors it’s a whole lot better when you have a true 10-bit display that can actually display them. Sony combines 10-bit processing with a 10-bit panel, allowing 64 times the levels of color expression. What that translates to is smoother transitions from color to color and subtle color changes faithfully reproduced without a paint-by-numbers look.

So, where x.v. color expands the available range of colors your HDTV can display, Deep Color increases the number of colors your HDTV can display within that range, for smoother transitions from color to color.

Lets HDTVs and other displays go from millions of colors to billions of colors
Eliminates on-screen color banding, for smooth tonal transitions and subtle gradations between colors
Enables increased contrast ratio
Can represent many times more shades of gray between black and white.

(Found in all Z and XBR Series HDTVs)

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TV Guide On-Screen Interactive Program Guide

The TV Guide On-screen IPG delivers continually updated program listings to users. The guide requires no subscription fees or phone connection and is available at no extra cost to the consumer. Sony is the first company to integrate the TV Guide On-Screen User Interface into a custom interface — Sony’s exclusive Xross Media Bar user interface.

(Found in all V, W, Z, and XBR Series HDTVs)

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Digital Media Extender (DMe^x)

Sony's Digital Media Extender (DMe^x) offers a digital connection path for optional modules like the BRAVIA Internet Video Link, as well as other modules you can add in the future. Innovative DMe^x expansion capabilities integrate into the award-winning XMB user interface making HDTVs a powerful entertainment platform that not only meets current needs, but expands to meet tomorrow’s needs as well.

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Connectivity

In 2007 Sony included HDMI CEC capability in select HDTV and BRAVIA Theatre Home Audio products, which led to a one-touch function Sony feature called BRAVIA Theatre Sync. This feature allows the access and control multiple tasks and system operations with one button ease. BRAVIA Sync is now being introduced as the name for a new family of control features that not only includes BRAVIA Theatre Sync, but will now include BRAVIA Sync. This feature allows the user to control a CEC-enabled camcorder connected to a BRAVIA HDTV via an HDMI cable by using the HDTV’s remote control and an on-screen display that shows camcorder transport functions.

(Found in all V, W, Z, and XBR Series HDTVs)

All Connections

4 HDMI — High Definition Multimedia
2 component video inputs
PC Input: Limited to resolutions supported by both the PC and the Sony TV. See Sony TV users manual and PC documentation for supported resolutions
Digital Media Port connection allows the use of an optional Digital Media Port cradle to connect digital devices directly to your BRAVIA HDTV

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Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)

All 2008 XBR and Z-Series BRAVIA HDTVs are DLNA-compliant.

You already know something about digital living. There’s the TV and digital video recorder in your family room. (And another set in your bedroom.) You have a PC and digital printer in your office, along with a network attached storage device. And you’ve copied all your music onto your portable music player and haven’t had to open a CD case for years. But getting them to talk to each other can be pretty tough. Why is it still so difficult to send digital content from one device to another?

Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) is a collaboration of the world’s leading consumer electronics, PC and mobile companies that has created design guidelines for a new generation of products that can work together — no matter the brand.

Think for a moment about all of the photos “locked away” on your home PC that you wish you could access while entertaining your friends and family. Now, thanks to DLNA enabled devices, a DLNA-enabled PC can be accessed from the comfort of your living room or family room via a DLNA-enabled HDTV, where you can enjoy your memories with friends and family, without having to deal with the hassle and non-intuitive “PCexperience”.

Or, say you recently downloaded your daughter’s birthday party video from your digital camcorder to your PC. Now you want to share it with your parents who are visiting. Without DLNA, you probably have to burn a DVD of the video or hook up the camcorder to the TV. With DLNA, you can just use your TV’s remote to call up the video on your TV. That’s it.

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Live Color Creation

Many colors in the real world such as deep reds, greens and clear blues cannot be expressed with conventional display technologies. Live Color Creation technology achieves wide color reproduction using advanced chroma signal processing algorithms. The primary benefits are clear blues, natural greens and an overall vibrant color for all scenes.

(Found in XBR6 Series HDTVs)

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Optimized Theater Mode

Developed in consultation with the Sony Pictures Entertainment movie studio, most 2008 Sony BRAVIA LCD HDTVs feature our optimized Theater Mode. Selecting the THEATER mode on the BRAVIA HDTV remote automatically adjusts a number of key elements that have an important impact on reproducing movies better. Skin tones and lighting are seen as natural without over-enhancing color and contrast. The picture is fine-tuned for a dark viewing environment just like the cinema and optimized for LCD display technology. Even the right amount of film grain is included. All of this helps preserve the mood and detail so you enjoy the cinema
experience that you go to the theater to see, right in the comfort of your home.

Optimized Theater Mode is another great example of Sony HDNA in action. We not only create the exciting movies that you see at the cinema but also enhance the home viewing experience to
recreate it as only Sony can.

(Found on most Sony® BRAVIA LCD HDTVs.)

Note: Optimized “Theater Mode” was developed in consultation Columbia Pictures, a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.

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Audio Features

S-Force Front Surround
Built around a sophisticated set of Sony algorithms, the S-Force Front Surround enhancement function generates realistic surround sound from the two speakers in the TV. Unlike some other "virtual surround" technologies, S-Force Front Surround sound does not need to be bounced off of side walls or other surfaces to hear three-dimensional sound. No matter what the size or shape of the room it's possible to hear sounds from behind you.

SRS TruSurround XT
TruSurround is a patented SRS technology that solves the problem of playing 5.1 multichannel content over two speakers. TruSurround delivers a compelling, virtual surround sound experience through any two-speaker playback system, including internal television speakers and headphones. It is fully compatible with all multichannel formats up to 5.1 channels. High-quality virtual surround sound can be experienced with just the two hidden, downward-firing side-mounted 2.2-channel dome speakers built into the TV.

SRS TruSurround XT technology delivers an amazing, simulated 3D effect with clear dialog and powerful bass.

TruSurround XT audio also adds three audio enhancement technologies to produce an amazingly immersive sound experience.

Dialog Clarity brings movie dialog into Focus during the playback of any surround-encoded material to make speech much clearer and crisper.
TruBass creates incredible deep rich bass allowing a person to perceive significantly deeper, richer low bass tones that are far beyond the physical low frequency capabilities of the speaker itself.
The SRS WOW feature widens the soundstage by processing standard two-channel stereo material as well as multi-channel encoded material for a dramatic improvement in the playback of any stereo audio over a two-speaker system.

Stereo broadcast reception is offered for MTS and SAP with 181-channel capacity. A sound leveler keeps audio volume consistent during channel changing.

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Which Size HDTV is Right for My Room?

With standard-definition TVs, the rule used to be that viewers would feel comfortable watching a set from a distance of 3 to 6 times the screen size in inches. With HDTV, the resolution is so much better that you can sit closer to a larger TV without noticing the pixels. So with HDTVs, the rule tends to be you can sit anywhere from 1.5 to 3 times the screen size (in inches) for the best experience.

If you know the size of the room you have already, where you want to sit, and where your new HDTV should go once you get it, you can figure out the size HDTV you should get.

Minimum size= Viewing distance/3
Maximum size=Viewing distance/1.5

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Which Sony Bravia Series is Right For You?

Series

Size Range

Resolution

Bravia Engine

ACE

True 24p

DMe^x

TV Guide IPG

3D Graphic Onscreen Controls

120 Hz

10-Bit

Deep Color

x.v. Color

DLNA

Backlight

Dynamic Contrast

Multi Device Control

Component Inputs

HDMI Inputs

Speakers

Standard Features

32",37"

720p
(1366x768)

8,000:1

2 x 10W

1 PC Input

178 degree viewing angle

VESA mounting compatible

8 ms panel response

ATSC/NTSC tuner with QAM

M (19-inch)

19"

720p
(1440x900)

9,000:1

2 x 5W

26",32",37"

720p
(1366x768)

BE2

ACE

9,000:1

Bravia Theatre Sync

2 x 10W

26",32",37"

720p
(1366x768)

BE2

ACE

9,000:1

Bravia Theatre Sync

6 (2x7W + 20W internal subwoofer + 2x7W external)

40",46"

1080p
(1920x1080)

ACE

25,000:1

2 x 10W

40",42",46",52"

1080p
(1920x1080)

BE2

ACE

25,000:1

Bravia Sync

2 x 10W

40",46",52"

1080p
(1920x1080

BE2

ACE

30,000:1

Bravia Sync

2 x 10W

40",46"

1080p
(1920x1080

BE2

ACE

30,000:1

Bravia Sync

2 x 10W

XBR6
(37-inch
or smaller)

32",37"

1080p
(1920x1080)

BE2

ACE

25,000:1

Bravia Sync

2 x 10W

XBR6
(40-inch
or larger)

40",46",52"

1080p
(1920x1080

BE2

ACE

WCG-CCFL

50,000:1

Bravia Sync

2 x 10W

XBR8

46",55"

1080p
(1920x1080

BE2
Pro

ACE Pro

TRILUMINOS RGB LED

over 1,000,000:1

Bravia Sync

TBD

Customer Reviews

Amazing Picture for a great price.
This is my third LCD set. The first being a 32" Sharp Aquos 720p (touted to be the best at the time of that purchase). The second being a 40" Sony V2500 1080p unit. This third being the 40" XBR7. Oh my have things changed over the years.

In the comparison of apples to apples (V-series from 2 years back against the current XBR7), the difference in picture quality is amazing. The color contrast is better (without the need to be in 'torch mode'), and the "blurring" is almost gone.

If I am comparing the unit to another, please assume it's the Sony KDL-40V2500 unit unless otherwise specified.

Menus:
The XMB menu system is great. There is a bit of lag when switching from category to category though. It's just in the animation. The function isn't hindered. The adjustments (that make everyone's heads spin) have some added comments to help you decide which setting is best. It's a nice added feature, but I would still use the best tool to adjust the set: your eyes. Many home theater "elites" will criticize all of the added "picture enhancers" Sony has added. I would ignore their advice of "turn if all off" and simply adjust the set to what looks best to you. Of course, a simple calibration baseline does do wonders: Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics [Blu-ray]

Source: DirecTV HR21 HD-DVR - Connected via HDMI to Receiver, then to TV
The HD content has a more crisp and clear look to it. The "MotionFlow" should be either set to Off or "Standard", as the "High" setting is a bit dizzying. It gives a smooth "flowing" visual effect which makes content look great OR horrible (depends on your eyes and personal preference). Many movies (HBO HD, 1080i broadcast, I think) look fantastic. It's almost as clear as having the actual BluRay. The SD content PQ has slightly improved, but nothing amazing.

Source: Playstation 3 (60 gb Launch model) - Connected via HDMI to Denon Receiver "Pure Mode" (bypasses any receiver processing), then to TV
Stunning. That is the word that best describes the quality. The first thing I watched after setting up the TV was Batman: The Dark Knight. The detail in the dark scenes were quite impressive. Most LCDs will produce a very dark gray since it's near impossible to reproduce black. This unit get's VERY damn close in my opinion. Details can actually be seen in the dark scenes now (the V2500... couldn't distinguish much). Film content (24p) is best viewed with MotionFlow OFF. With the feature on, it looks like the main subject(s) on the screen are slightly popping out from the rest of the scene. It's an interesting look, but it's not for me.

When gaming, there is no motion blur (1080p and 720p) that I noticed. The V2500 had some blur issues. The colors are crisp and vibrant. Details can be seen even in the darkest of rooms. This is definitely a noteworthy contender if gaming is the main function of this TV.

Source: Lenovo T500 Notebook via HD15 - Directly connected to TV
Intel on-board graphics test... will test ATI Graphics at a later date
Everything looked fine. I was running the native resolution for the notebook's screen (1600 by 1050, or something in that ballpark). The text was easy to read. I haven't been able to do full resolution (1920x1080), but will try the next time I connect it.

Overall, this is a great unit. There were very little gripes I had about the unit. It's near flawless. Some say the XBR6 quality is the same. I unfortunately didn't have the luxury of a XBR6 and XBR7 side by side for a true comparison. To save a few bucks, I'd recommend checking out the XBR6 also. The only difference that MIGHT exist is a 8bit (XBR6) versus 10bit (XBR7) panel... but Sony never indicates what the XBR6 actually has. Rumors have it that they both use 10bit panels and it's just hidden in the XBR6 documentation so the XBR7 will have a larger arsenal to market with.

The television set I've been waiting for all my life...
I've held off on buying a 1080P set until I could get what I wanted, and not just get what was just within my generally limited price range. My spouse set the size limit at 40" because of the room size (I would have pushed for a 46" but in marriage you have to choose your battles...) When I've gone to Costco or Best Buy the Sony Bravia XBR series has always stood out. Since my television sets generally last me 15-20 years, I wanted the most up-to-date version of the best I could get.

The color and definition of what I have seen on the set so far are wonderful. Razor-sharp imagery has always been important to me, both in my years as a film exhibitor and as a photographer. One of the first things I checked out on the new set is one of the "Planet Earth" Blu-Ray discs -- dependably gorgeous and detailed. Next, a Blu-Ray disc of 1938 "The Adventures of Robin Hood". The definition holds in the action scenes when men and horses are streaming across the screen, while the sense of dimensionality is frequently beyond what would have been technically possible with the best film printing and exhibition at the time the film was made. Then I looked at a standard definition disc of an early 1940s comedy (Criterion's edition of "Heaven Can Wait"); the upscaled presentation on this television set is beautiful. I grew up on nitrate prints from the UCLA film archive; for the first time since then I feel like I can see film imagery with a comparable (or better) sharpness and luster. As great as this set will be for HBO High Definition broadcasts and Blu-Ray discs, this is also a cinephile's dream television set for something like the new Fox release of Murneau and Borzage silent films due out next week.

I'm thrilled. This was worth the wait.

Awesome!
Everyone seem to start a review with " i don't usually write reviews" but honestly i don't.
I am an IT guy and i love electronics. Music and tv are my passion and this is why i decided to write about this tv, because i care.
Now as far as the 40-xbr7
Looks: Wow the most gorgeous, slickest TV i have ever seen.
Sound: Great sound even though i am planning to get a high end surround system later on this year.
Picture quality: I am very happy with the deep levels of black on this set. I like the work that 120hz does with the 3 different types of settings it has ( even though you can't chose a 120Hz ON or OFF option per say)I have ATT U-Verse which i absolutely despise and i think offers the worst quality of picture to day and i can't wait to change it. Having that said, the xbr7 has a ten times better quality then the 37" Visio that i have right next to it.
Overall positives: Great deep black levels, unbelievably warm colors, tons of options to adjust the quality of the picture, excellent gui etc etc.
Negatives: there is white "halo" on both top corners of the TV when changing channels and the screen is all black. This got me worried in the beginning and i hope it will not get worst in the future but for now it is just a minor detail. ( i don't know if the warranty will cover it or not"
Would i recommend it to a friend?
Yes i would.
Would i recommend it to a family member?
Of course i would.

Conclusion: Overall a great TV that does a very good job with regular channels and a superb job with HD channels. For the amount of $ that i purchased the TV it is well worth it. Ah and one more time: if you learn anything from this review besides the fact that this TV is just as good as it looks, Learn from my mistake and don't get ATT U-verse because you will definitely regret it.

---------
Update:
I have had the TV for few months now and it has surpassed my expectations. My primary objective was to find a tv that will do a good job at non HD channels and boy did i find one. I changed the Cable provider and now i have Cox. What can i say i still keep on smiling when i look at every channel wether it is HD or not because the quality is just superb.
Even the "Halos" "Clouds" they just disappeared and i have not seen them for over a month now. I would definitely give it a 5 star without any hesitation.
I love this TV and i would not hesitate to buy it again in a heartbeat and i am glad i stuck with Sony brand.

Sony Bravia XBR KDL-40XBR7 40-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV
From Sony

Product Description

Product Details

Features

Editorial Reviews

Key Features

Learn More

Full HD 1080p

BRAVIA Engine Technology

Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE)

Motionflow 120Hz Technology

24p True Cinema

Xross Media Bar

Rich Graphic On-Screen Control Interface