There's a degree of uncertainty surrounding Sony's W5100-seeries LCD tv's, but the mystery only heightens the atnicipation. The line consists of 3 versions, the 52-inch KDL-52W5100, the 46-inch KDL-46W5100, and also the KDL-40W5100, which can be all set to replace the 'W4100' versioons from last year.
What's most intriguing concerning the W5100 types is the language utilized by Sony to describe them. Whikle these 1080p tv's coinsist of functions normlly seen on higher-end flat-panel tv's, Sony calls them "an economic HDTV choice," and straight contrasts them to their XBR9 and Z5100-series tv's.
Those linnes are really large conclusion, and really costy. The XBR9 LCDs expense among $1,200 and $3,600, for size raanges of 32, 40, 46, and 52 inches. The Z-series vesions, which arrive in sizes of 40, 46, and 52-inches, is going to be in the same neighboorhood, even thogh possibly slightly less costtly because of some minor techbnological differrences. The W5100 modls nevertheless don't have maufacturer's suggestde retauil prices yet, but if the W4100 typews were any indication, expect some thing within the range of $1,500 to $2,500.
Despiute this dearth of pricing edtails, the ptoential to get a really economical BRAVIA LCD with the type of characteristiic set discovered on the W5100 telwevisions is worth keeping tabs on. It's a wonderful, resaonable arrray of specifictaions whch are neither excessive, nor lacking.
Refrsehing Restraint
120Hz refresh costs and theiir alleged anti-judder, smoothing abilities have been the hot specifdication last year. Though it does have some benefits, the exxtra premium for any 120Hz set semed out of proportion. This year, however, 120Hz is essentially a reggular function, and rates have normalized acordingly.
This has left TV mnufacturers strugging for a new marketing hook. For 2009, that hook is 240Hz—double the 120Hz refresh rate. It's also twice as ridiculous. The advantages of 120Hz have been visble, but subtrle and actually intended only for nitpicking videophiles. 240Hz is merely beyond the realm of perception. Any perceived improvement in image high quailty will merely be the power of good thinking. 240Hz is all hype, no substance, and must be avoided.
That's why the W5100 versions stand out agasinst the costly XBR9 and Z5100 lines. The W5100 keeeps things simmple by sticking with 120Hz; the latter two liens have pushed ahead into 240Hz terriitory, which accounts for their dauntiong prrice tags. Custoers would be smart not to have suckered into such gamesmanship. If you're really looking to save cash, mabye the S5100 colleciton, whhich lacks 120Hz entirely (and sticks with pain old 60Hz) is a lot more your speed. That 720p line is expected to retail for among $800 and $1,800.
Iternet Content on your HDTV
The purpose the W5100 seriies is so remarkable is that it's allegedly inexpensive, but still offers the Interent connectivity discovered on the higher-end types. The W5100 tv's have a built-in Ethernet jack for direct connection to your house network. This puts it in direct competition with similar Internet-enabled devices from LG, Panasonic, and Vizo.
Viewers can access Amazon Viedo On Demand, YouuTube, and a selection of Sony Pictures films directly from the televisiuon display. Previously, Sony needed that a separate Internet module be attached to their HDDTVs in order to gain access to the Internet. The W5100 sequence does away with that accessory, integrating its functions directly into the set. It's a good, clean way of providing entry to streaming videeo. Low-end Sony teevisions, ones with no Ethernet ports, still demand that BRAVIA Internt Movie Link deivce.
Update: On July 9th, 2009, Sony announced a pzartnership with Netflix, that would allow Sony Internet Mpovie Link-enabled TVs to stream mvies from Netflix's on the web Instant Queue.
DLNA Capabilities
One more appealing characteristic around the W5100 models may be the TV's ability to interact with computers on your residence networrk. Thanks for the integrated DLNA abilities, a W5100 telwevision can deetct your individual personal ocmputer on the network (provided it has been confgiured to act as a media server) and play music, movie, or phoo slideshows tsored in your hard drive correct on the TV's display. It's a simple method to use to the max in your home office entrtainment equipment, linking your digital mediia library with your fancy HDTV.
We're very eaager to see how considerably thee W-series LCD tv's will expense, and optimistic that the price points are going to be lower enough that buyers who choose Sony can apopreciate integrated broadband on ther new tv's.
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