Sony releases nine new Bravia LCDs with XMB and Internet Video Link

We glimpsed the future of the Bravia XBR LCD line back in March when Sony showed off the Japanese-only X2550s, and now it looks like that premonition was dead-on, as the nine new Bravias introduced today feature Sony's x.v.Color wide color gamut system, 10-bit 1080p panels, Bravia Engine upscaler, the oh-so-popular XMB crossbar interface, and compatibility with Sony's Bravia Internet Video Link to stream HD video directly to your set over the 'net.

The $4,300 52-inch KDL-52W3000, $3,500 46-inch KDL-46W3000, and $2,700 40-inch KDL-40W3000 all come flossing a standard brushed-metal case, while the XBRs feature Sony's "floating glass" look, Motionflow 120Hz high-framerate technology, and Bravia Engine Pro.

The KDL-46XBR5 and KDL-40XBR5 will drop in August for $4,100 and $3,300, while the KDL-52XBR5 model (pictured) will come out in September for about $5,100. Those looking to burn a little less cash can pick up the XBR4 series with interchangeable bezels -- the 52-inch KDL-52XBR4 will set you back $4,800, while 46-inch KDL-46XBR4 and 40-inch KDL-40XBR4 are $3,800 and $3,000, respectively.

[Andir3.0 @ Jun 6th 2007 8:18PM]

52-inch KDL-52XBR5... *drool* Come on September!

[Chuck @ Jun 6th 2007 8:29PM]

40, 46, and 52 inch xbr4 models are all $4800? Nice ctrl-v and editing work, guys.

[Justin Keyes @ Jun 6th 2007 8:29PM]

Quote -
"Those looking to burn a little less cash can pick up the XBR4 series with interchangeable bezels -- the 52-inch KDL-52XBR4 will set you back $4,800, while 46-inch KDL-46XBR4 and 40-inch KDL-40XBR4 are $4,800 and $4,800, respectively."

they all cost $4,800?? me thinks a typo

[humpty @ Jun 6th 2007 8:33PM]

Meh, ive the 40 inch xbr2.. aside from 120hx, there doesnt seem to be much advancement.

The extended colour range is only good for menu overlays in BD content and the bravia upscaling chip is already good. The xmb is nice, but, no big wup and the iptv hook up is interesting.

Now, if they had rgb led back lighting.. that would be interesting.

[paloooz @ Jun 6th 2007 8:52PM]

10-bit PANELS or 10-bit processoring??

[ahazan80 @ Jun 6th 2007 10:10PM]

no word yet on whether the HDMI is 1.3, what's the reponse time and contrast ratio of the panel

[Castle @ Jun 7th 2007 12:31AM]

>>10-bit PANELS or 10-bit processoring??

10-bit per channel color; True Color! So it'll be using HDMI 1.3 since it can't support True color without it.

Considering how good the previous XBR2/3s have been, this set should be amazing.

[Brad @ Jun 7th 2007 12:40AM]

Any word whether the horrible clouding issues that plagued the XBR2/3's will be making an appearance?

[Keith @ Jun 7th 2007 12:42AM]

Yesterday on the WWW.SONYSTYLE.COM web site, they had a whole bunch of new LCD TV's listed including the 46" KDL-46V3000. Today those new TV's have vanished from their web site. Why???

[Johnal @ Jun 7th 2007 1:22AM]

"Brad @ Jun 7th 2007 12:40AM
Any word whether the horrible clouding issues that plagued the XBR2/3's will be making an appearance? "

That is the most important question so far. Often overlooked, but the XBR2/3's have serious clouding/mura issues that made me return my sets.

[Jitty @ Jun 7th 2007 2:45AM]

Anybody know the contrast on these LCD's? Hopefully it's not the same old 7000:1 dynamic...

[J lyons @ Jun 7th 2007 12:30PM]

sony posted spec's tuesday. they disappeared weds. 18,000 to 1 dynamic is what they said

[Jitty @ Jun 7th 2007 8:19PM]

Wow, that's almost twice as good as I expected... Makes my 1080p seem almost like crap :\

[Johnny @ Jun 7th 2007 6:21AM]

So what's the difference between XBR4 and XBR5?

[carlos @ Jun 7th 2007 5:28PM]

The XBR4 has a Black matte frame and the XBR5 has a high gloss piano black finish. Similar to the current XBR3.

[Nathan @ Jun 8th 2007 1:28AM]

i just looked at sony style they said it was 18k:1

whats the difference between the "w" series and XBR besides the floating glass?

[DrT @ Jul 26th 2007 3:11AM]

http://news.sel.sony.com/en/press_room/consumer/television/flat_panel_displays/lcd/release/30448.html

Correct Prices

"The KDL-52XBR4, KDL-46XBR4 and KDL40-XBR4 models will be available in August for about $4,800, $3,800 and $3,000, respectively. Also shipping in August, the KDL-46XBR5 and KDL-40XBR5 will be about $4,100 and $3,300. The KDL-52XBR5 model will come out in September for about $5,100. Sony’s KDL-46W3000 and KDL-40W300 models will debut in July for about $3,500 and $2,700, respectively, while the KDL-52W3000 will be available in August for about $4,300."

[cata @ Aug 16th 2007 1:44PM]

Any word about the refresh rate? 4-6-8 ms? Sharp already does 4 ms...