Sony Bravia KDL-EX524 40in LED TV
Internet telly for the rest of us
Agentless Backup is Not a Myth
Review Sony’s KDL-EX524 is a well-equipped flatscreen for those of us with scant regard for the third dimension. Resolutely 2D, this Freeview HD 40-incher with 32- and 37-inch alternatives, instead tempts with features like Internet connectivity, media streaming and USB HDD recording. It’s also relatively affordable.
Slimline LED casts a net: Sony's Bravia KDL-EX524
First impressions are good. The TV is light but well-built, with a subtle two-tone finish. Connectivity is equally pleasing. It has three rear-placed HDMI inputs, plus Scart, component with stereo audio, Ethernet and digital optical out.
There are no side-mounted inputs, instead you’ll find extra connectivity facing sideways from the backplate; there’s a fourth HDMI, two USBs, a PC mini D-Sub and a CI slot. Wi-Fi isn’t integrated, but Sony sells a dongle for the job.
Once tuned in, it quickly becomes apparent that Sony has refreshed the Bravia user interface. The longstanding XcrossMediaBar – first introduced on the PS3 before spreading to pretty much everything else in the Sony portfolio – has given way to a new bar at the bottom of the screen. Now, live TV continues in a minimised window while you navigate.
No more XMB: revamped user interface for navigation
The EX524’s key draw is net connectivity. I’ve always liked the depth of the brand’s Bravia Internet Video portal, and now I like its presentation too. A tiled grid gives quick access to the Qriocity music and video on demand service, along with the BBC iPlayer, Demand 5, LoveFilm, YouTube, Daily Motion and other BIV regulars.
Next page: Media savvy?
COMMENTS
Its not LED, just backlit
Why can't manufacturers state properly about LED and LCD panels, instead of this decieving crap.
Ethernet, but what does it read through it?
DLNA? NAS protocols? SMB? AppleTalk? NFS (last one a tall order I know)?
I would have expected a more thorough review from the register.
Looking at Sony web site it has a number of _very_ interesting features (subject to getting more recent firmware):
1. Skype - I guess we finally approach South Korean level where instead of staring dumbly into a phone we can actually have a proper video call with someone who is sitting similarly comfortably in their living room - eg. grandma.
2. Media remote for iPhone and Android - we are only a few minutes away from having anything streamed from your phone via WiFi and DLNA and controlled via your phone. Interesting thought (and terminally scary one for anyone doing Set Top Boxes).
TV Review - 6/10 could do better
Why don't you create a spreadsheet checklist for all the features these TVs include. Then you wouldn't have to use any words in your review /sarcasm off.
It would enable people to compare TVs by just copying a column into their spreadsheet.
You could also include important features (that are rarely included in reghardware reviews) such as does the USB interface allow files greater than 4 GB to be run, ie can it understand NTFS, (or any other nonFAT32 file system for that matter) and does the TV provide proper DLNA support (or just Sonys usual noddy implementation).
Marks out of 10 for the basic functionality (ie picture quality) wouldn't go amiss either, since thats the number 1 factor buyers are interested in.
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