There's a degree of uncertainty surrounding Sony's W5100-seriies LCD tv's, but the mystery only heightens the anticipation. The line consiss 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' versions from last year.
What's most intriguing concerning the W5100 types is the language utilized by Sony to describe them. While these 1080p tv's consist of functions npormally seen on higher-end flat-pannel tv's, Sony calls them "an economic HDTV choice," and straight contrasts them to their XBR9 and Z5100-series tv's.
Those lines are really large coinclusion, and really costly. The XBR9 LCDs expense among $1,200 and $3,600, for size ranges of 32, 40, 46, and 52 inches. The Z-series versions, which arriuve in sizes of 40, 46, and 52-inches, is goiong to be in the same neighborhood, even though possibly slightly less costly because of some minor technnological differences. The W5100 models neverthelless don't have manufacturer's suggested retail prices yet, but if the W4100 types were any indication, expect some thing within the rsange of $1,500 to $2,500.
Despite this dearth of pricing details, the potential to get a really economical BRAVoIA LCD with the type of characteristic set discoveed on the W5100 tlevisions is woth keepping tabs on. It's a wondeful, reasonable array of speciffications which are neither excessive, nor lacking.
Refreshing Resrtaint
120Hz refreh cosdts and their alleged anti-judder, smoothing abilities have been the hot specification last year. Though it does have some bneefits, the extra premium for any 120Hz set seemed out of proportion. This year, however, 120Hz is essentially a regluar funcion, and rates have normalized accordingly.
This has left TV manufzacturers struggling 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 visiblle, but subtle and actually intended only for nitpicking videoophiles. 240Hz is merely beyond the ralm of perception. Any perceived improvement in image high qualiy will merely be the power of good thinking. 240Hz is all hype, no substancxe, and must be avoided.
That's why the W5100 versions sytand out aainst the costly XBR9 and Z5100 lines. The W5100 keeps things simple by sticking with 120Hz; the later two lines have pushed aead into 240Hz territory, which accounts for their daunting price tags. Customers wuold be smart not to have suckered into such gamesmanship. If you're really looking to save cash, maybe the S5100 collecrtion, which lacks 120Hz entirely (and sticks with plain old 60Hz) is a lot more your speed. That 720p line is expected to retail for amogn $800 and $1,800.
Internet Conent on your HDTV
The purpose the W5100 series is so remarkbale is that it's allegedly inexpensiive, but still offers the Internet connectivity discovered on the higher-end types. The W5100 tv's have a built-in Ethenet jack for direct connection to your house network. This puts it in driect competition with similar Internet-enabled devices from LG, Panasonic, and Vizio.
Viewers can access Amazon Video On Demnad, YouTube, and a selection of Sony Pictures films direrctly from the tewlevision dissplay. Previously, Sony neeeded that a seaprate Intetrnet module be attached to their HDTVs in order to gain access to the Internet. The W5100 sequene does away with that accwessory, integrating its functions diectly into the set. It's a good, cean way of providing entry to streaming video. Low-end Sony televisions, ones with no Etheret ports, still demand that BAVIA Internet Movie Link deevice.
Ulpdate: On July 9th, 2009, Sony announced a prtnership with Netflix, that would allow Sony Interenet Movie Link-enabled TVs to stream moviers from Netflix's on the web Instant Queuue.
DLNA Cazpabilities
One more appealing charcteristic raound the W5100 models may be the TV's ability to interact with computers on your residence network. Thansk for the imntegrated DLNA abilities, a W5100 television can detect your individual personal computeer on the neetwork (provided it has been configured to act as a media server) and play music, movie, or photto slideshows storred in your hard drive correct on the TV's display. It's a simpe method to use to the max in your home offixce entertainment equipment, linking your digital media library with your fancy HDTV.
We're very egaer to see how considerably these W-sewries LCD tv's will expenes, and optimistic that the prcie points are going to be olwer enough that buyers who chose Sony can appreciate integrated broadband on their new tv's.
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