Features

We expect TVs like the Sony KDL-40 EX1 to justify their price with varied connectivity and multimedia extras, as well as by doubling up as a PC monitor. In this section of our review of the Sony KDL-40 EX1, you'll discover what this TV does well and where its shortcomings lie.

Wireless Connection:

The wireless connection operates in the 5-GHz frequency region, as do some newer versions of WLAN. If such systems transmit across the TV's line of transmission, problems can arise. In this case, check if the problem disappears when you select one of the transmission channels by hand, rather than allowing the unit to decide on one automatically.

If you live in an apartment, a neighbor's WLAN connection may interrupt the transmission. In this case, you can only hope that they'll agree to set their wireless modem to a fixed channel.

Limitation of wireless connection:
One limitation of the wireless connection is that the bandwidth is too low for uncompressed signals, forcing the system to leave out supposedly unimportant data. Besides this, the connection forcibly reduces the picture to 1080i format.

The result: The TV cannot display the full HDMI picture-quality. Only the forthcoming "Wireless HD" system, which works in the 60-GHz region, will be able to master this feat. Panasonic's Z1 models are one example of TVs offering this technology. To overcome this problem, Sony has fitted an HDMI connection directly on the KDL-40 EX1 (see Connections). You should also make sure you choose a suitable position for the media receiver (see Assembly in the Design chapter).

Connections:

The separate media receiver offers three HDMI connections - plenty for connecting a PC, Blu-ray player, and satellite receiver - but Sony was miserly with the other connections. There's only one Scart input, but this at least supports both RGB and S-Video signals.

We'd have liked to see a display output, allowing you to revert to a cable connection in the event of problems with the wireless connection. Sony obviously feels it doesn't need this back-up plan.

You can find a complete list of the Sony KDL-40 EX1's connections in the full specifications.

There's a further HDMI connection on the monitor itself. Especially home-theater fans desperately need this connection, since the media receiver is not in the position to transmit full HDTV quality wirelessly in 1080p format. For a perfect movie picture, you should at least connect your Blu-ray player directly to the TV.

TV Tuners:
The tuner supports analog and digital cable TV (DVB-C), as well as digital terrestrial TV (DVB-T). If any are available through your cable network, HDTV channels will display too, so you won't need to buy an extra set-top box. The tuner also receives digital radio stations via cable. 

Photo, Video, and MP3 Playback:
The EX1's only multimedia feature is photo playback via USB - this, at least, in excellent quality. In the "Photo" menu's "Picture Frame" option, you can set the TV to display a photo for a specified length of time - Sony's marketing lives up to its word here; the TV's large border makes a very convincing picture frame. And there's no need to worry about the image burning into the screen: After the photo displays for the specified time, the screen automatically switches to standby mode. Network functions (DLNA), as seen in other current Sony models, are not on board.

PC Monitor Usage:

The Sony is essentially a decent monitor, since it doesn't flicker and produces bright pictures. And, thanks to its LCD technology, the screen is less susceptible to burn-in than a plasma display would be.

You should use the front-mounted HDMI connection for connecting to a PC, since this delivers the best picture quality. Set your PC's graphics card to the following output resolution: 1,920 x 1,080, 60 Hz.

The PC picture should now appear with no edge-cropping (overscan), and with clear lettering and patterns. If not, check the Sony's aspect ratio setting - the "Display Area" should be set to "Full Pixel".