Current Sony LCD TVs

In its history of over 60 years, Sony has grown from a small Japanese telecommunications manufacturer to one of the world's biggest names in consumer electronics. If you're thinking of buying a Sony LCD TV, you've made a good choice. Sony offers some of the most sophisticated LCDs on the market. In particular, a 200-hertz Sony LCD provides some of the crispest motion-depiction currently available, making these models ideal, for example, for fast-paced sports broadcasts. The series listed here also offer features including LED backlighting, wireless HDMI, and DLNA-streaming of multimedia.

Sony LCD: Z series
The Z series leads the Sony LCD TV range, boasting the aforementioned 200-hertz technology. It's also jam-packed with other top technologies - an HD-capable digital tuner for DVB-T/DVB-C, CI Plus support, streaming multimedia, and access to online RSS feeds, to name but a few. For an extensive introduction to the current 40-inch Sony LCD KDL-40 Z 5500, and 46-inch Sony LCD KDL-46 Z 5500, see our recent previews, which also compare the TVs with their biggest rivals.

Sony LCD KDL-40 Z 5500

Summer might not be the best time of year to bring out a TV, a device typically associated with sitting indoors. Nevertheless, Sony is trying its luck and releasing the KDL-40 Z 5500 in July 2009.

Sony LCD KDL-46 Z 5500

Save the best till last - Sony has adhered strictly to this age-old rule with its Z series. Of all the Sony TVs we've tested up till summer 2009, this series is the most ambitious - both in technology and pricing - and the newest.

The Z-series models in comparison:

Sony LCD KDL-40 Z 4500, 40 inches (102 cm), 1,300 GBP
Sony LCD KDL-40 Z 5500, 40 inches (102 cm), 1,700 GBP

Sony LCD KDL-46 Z 4500, 46 inches (117 cm), 1,500 GBP
Sony LCD KDL-46 Z 5500, 46 inches (117 cm), 1,800 GBP

Sony LCD KDL-52 Z 4500, 52 inches (132 cm), 2,100 GBP
Sony LCD KDL-52 Z 5500, 52 inches (132 cm), 2,700 GBP

Sony LCD: W series
Halfway between the frame rates of the V and Z series, the W-series Sony LCD models provide "100 hertz Motionflow", alongside all the features of their cheaper V-series relatives.

Sony LCD KDL-40 W 5500

Patience pays off with this Sony: Once you've trawled through the mystifying picture menus, and made your peace with the lack of 4:3 or zoom settings for HD signals, you're rewarded with outstanding picture quality.

The W-series models in comparison:

Sony LCD KDL-32 W 5500, 32 inches (81.3 cm), 700 GBP
Sony LCD KDL-37 W 5500, 37 inches (94 cm), 950 GBP
Sony LCD KDL-40 W 5500, 40 inches (102 cm), 970 GBP
Sony LCD KDL-46 W 5500, 46 inches (117 cm), 1,350 GBP
Sony LCD KDL-52 W 5500, 52 inches (132 cm), 1,700 GBP

Sony LCD: V series
The V series is essentially the same as the Z series, but only runs at 50 hertz. Despite a resulting increase in motion blur, we were impressed with its overall picture quality, which we discuss in more detail in our review of the biggest model in the series, the 52-inch Sony LCD KDL-52 V 5500. We then used technical specifications, along with our impressions of the larger model, to produce extensive analyses of the other models in the series - the KDL-32 V 5500, KDL-37 V 5500, KDL-40 V 5500, and KDL-46 V 5500. These ‘previews' also compare the Sony LCD TVs with their closest rivals.

Sony LCD KDL-32 V 5500

This LCD TV from Sony has been available since spring 2009. The V-5500 series is the second cheapest of the manufacturer's product lines, with only the S series selling for less. Still, in the compact-screen class, this Sony TV is no ultra-bargain - thanks to some useful extras, however, it's definitely worth a closer look.

Sony LCD KDL-37 V 5500

The second cheapest of Sony's TV lines, the V series, has been available since spring 2009 - only the S series comes cheaper. The KDL-37 V 5500 boasts a versatile, up-to-date tuner and above-average network capabilities.

Sony LCD KDL-40 V 5500

This LCD TV from Sony has been available since spring 2009. The V-5500 series is the second cheapest of the manufacturer's product lines - only the S series comes below. Highlights include a future-proof tuner, a network connection, and multimedia functionality.

Sony LCD KDL-46 V 5500

This LCD TV from Sony's V series offers a lot of picture for a moderate price. The V series is Sony's second cheapest TV line - only the S series comes below. The KDL-46 V 5500 has been available since spring 2009. It's not only Sony that can give you a big picture, multimedia capabilities, and network access.

Sony LCD KDL-52 V 5500

Sony's gigantic TV offers an enormous picture and excellent feature set, with versatile multimedia entertainment. Movies impress thoroughly in bright conditions, but fast movements blur a little, especially in sports broadcasts.

The V-series models in comparison:

Sony LCD KDL-32 V 5500, 32 inches (81.3 cm), 600 GBP
Sony LCD KDL-37 V 5500, 37 inches (94 cm), 750 GBP
Sony LCD KDL-40 V 5500, 40 inches (102 cm), 900 GBP
Sony LCD KDL-46 V 5500, 46 inches (117 cm), 1,000 GBP
Sony LCD KDL-52 V 5500, 52 inches (132 cm), 1,530 GBP

Sony LCD: EX series
The EX series is a Sony LCD with a difference - all video and audio source-devices connect to a separate box, which then transmits the signals to the display wirelessly. The TV itself therefore requires only a power cable, making it ideal for wall-mounting. For more information about wireless HDMI technology, see either the technology section below or our in-depth review of the Sony LCD KDL-40 EX 1.

Sony LCD KDL-40 EX 1

Wireless, digital picture-transmission is a novelty in TVs and solves many traditional problems. The Sony KDL-40 EX1's manufacture is top-class and more than fair for this price, but the wireless transmission occasionally causes problems.

The EX-series models in comparison:

Sony LCD KDL-40 EX 1, 40 inches (102 cm), 1,350 GBP
Sony LCD KDL-46 EX 1, 46 inches (117 cm), 1,600 GBP
Sony LCD KDL-52 EX 1, 52 inches (132 cm), 1,950 GBP

Sony LCD: L series
At this size, the single L-series Sony LCD is ideal for use as a second TV - in the kitchen or bedroom, for example.

Sony LCD KDL-19 L 4000, 19 inches (48.3 cm), 300 GBP

Sony LCD: S series
Want a big-name TV without paying the price? Bring on the entry-level S-series range of Sony LCD TVs. Beginning small, and reaching a screen diagonal of up to 40 inches, these TVs bring the essentials of modern TV viewing - an HD-ready panel, USB photo/music playback, and a DVB-T tuner - and all at accessible prices.

The S-series models in comparison:

Sony LCD KDL-22 S 5500, 22 inches (56 cm), 400 GBP
Sony LCD KDL-26 S 5500, 26 inches (66 cm), 470 GBP
Sony LCD KDL-32 S 5500, 32 inches (81.3 cm), 450 GBP
Sony LCD KDL-37 S 5500, 37 inches (94 cm), 850 GBP
Sony LCD KDL-40 S 5500, 40 inches (102 cm), 750 GBP

Sony LCD: WE series
Add ‘E' for ‘energy-saving': The WE series uses hot-cathode fluorescent lamps (HCFLs) instead of the usual cold-cathode (CCFL) variety, and promises to draw just half as much power as the related W-series Sony LCD TVs.

The WE-series models in comparison:

Sony LCD KDL-40 WE 5 W, 40 inches (102 cm), 1,100 GBP
Sony LCD KDL-46 WE 5 W, 46 inches (117 cm), 1,485 GBP

Sony LCD: E series
With the same technology as the W-series, but a choice of attractive finishes - black, wood, or aluminum - Sony's E-series gives you all you need from today's flat-panel TV: a network connection, modern tuners, and 100-hertz technology.

The E-series models in comparison:

Sony LCD KDL-22 E 5300, 22 inches (56 cm), 490 GBP

Sony LCD KDL-22 E 5310, 22 inches (56 cm), 490 GBP

Sony LCD KDL-32 E 5500, 32 inches (81.3 cm), 900 GBP
Sony LCD KDL-40 E 5500, 40 inches (102 cm), 1,080 GBP

Sony LCD: ZX series
Where the WE series swapped cold-cathode tubes for hot-cathode versions, the ZX series does away with fluorescent lamps altogether. Instead, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), positioned around the screen's edges, illuminate the picture. Since the backlight is no longer behind the screen in this Sony LCD, the TV's casing is unusually shallow, leading Sony to boast at the time of release that this was "the world's slimmest LCD TV".

Like other pricey Sony models, the ZX 1 provides 100-hertz technology and digital tuners for both cable and terrestrial signals. The tuners do not, however, support CI Plus, and the only multimedia is a "USB Photo Viewer".

The ZX-series models in comparison:

Sony LCD KDL-40 ZX 1, 40 inches (102 cm), 1,900 GBP

Sony LCD: X series
Last, but definitely not least, let's take a look at 2008's X-series models. Using Local Dimming (discussed below), as well as a "Pro" version of Sony's 100-hertz technology, the ‘4500' models aim to produce images with deep blacks, rich contrast, and accurate motion sequences. These two Sony LCD TVs do not, however, support CI Plus or offer network access.

The X-series models in comparison:

Sony LCD KDL-46 X 4500, 46 inches (117 cm), 3,700 GBP
Sony LCD KDL-55 X 4500, 55 inches (140 cm), 4,634 GBP

Sony's discontinued models

Don't turn your nose up at a TV just because it's old. Many Sony LCD TVs released in the 2008 - and even 2007 - model-years still provide excellent pictures. If you can make do without the latest multimedia extras and digital tuners, therefore, there are plenty of bargains to be had.

Sony LCD KDL-40 Z 4500

See how it all started! Our review of this 40-inch (102-centimeter) model describes the TV that launched Sony into the 200-hertz era.

Sony LCD KDL-46 Z 4500

Review of the 46-inch (117-centimeter) model from the first 200-hertz series of Sony LCD TVs.

Sony LCD KDL-46 W 4500

Review of a 100-hertz, upper mid-range model.

Sony LCD KDL-46 W 4000

Review of an impressive Sony LCD released in 2008.

Sony LCD KDL-40 X 3500

Review of a highly recommended 40-inch (102-centimeter) model from 2007.

Sony LCD KDL-40 V 3000

Review of an excellent all-rounder 40-inch (102-centimeter) model, also from 2007.

Sony LCD KDL-46 W 2000

Review of, by modern standards, a less-impressive 46-inch (117-centimeter) model from Sony's 2007 upper mid-range.

Sony LCD KDL-26 P 2530

Bigger isn't always better! In this review, a 26-inch (66-centimeter) Sony LCD reveals ahead-of-its time features.

The following were involved in producing this article on Sony LCD TVs:

Author(s): Karl-Gerhard Haas
Editor in Chief: Florian Friedrich
Photos: Manufacturers and AV T.O.P. Messtechnik GmbH
Last updated: September 2009