Sony Bravia KDL-55HX923 55in LED 3D TV
Viewing it large
Review The KDL-55HX923 is a remarkable Freeview HD TV for many reasons. It’s humungous for one, measuring 148cm diagonally. It’s also overflowing with image technology and network niceties, as befits a flagship product. Even from a design standpoint, this set knocks the ball out of the park.
A 55in member of the Monolith family: Sony's Bravia KDL-55HX923
With its edge-to-edge glass frontage and soundbar-stand, this monster screen is surprisingly elegant. It’s not even vaguely TOWIE. But that doesn’t mean you should necessarily buy one, even if you can drop the best part of three grand without palpitations.
The review model came equipped with a Bunchin (SU-B551S) stand which incorporates its own powered audio system and notches up the price by another £230. The TV recognises when it’s been docked in this and prompts you to switch from its internal sound system to that in the external stand. A short HDMI lead is used to link the two, utilising an ARC (Audio Return Channel).
The Monolith Bunchin stand incorporates a soundbar to bolster thin panel telly audio
Rated at 2 x 10W, and bolstered by a 20W subwoofer, the resulting noise is a good deal better than standard TV audio. The KDL-55HX923 is also feature-rich, with some attractions seen throughout the rest of the Sony line, and some new.
I particularly like the fact that an Intelligent Presence Sensor throws up on-screen warnings if it feels you’re too close for comfort. This Distance Alert can be disabled, but families with children might want to leave it on. The HX923’s glass screen isn’t going to look its best covered in jammy fingerprints.
ARC HDMI speaker stand
Like other net connected screens from the brand, the KDL-55HX923 offers access to the newly unified Sony Entertainment Network. Compared to the app-driven portals of its key competitors, this simple grid of services looks a little dull. But if you want access to lots of IPTV content, Sony has it nailed.
Next page: Broadcast network
COMMENTS
You'd think at the best part of three grand they'd throw in a second set of glasses.
Projector?
Once you have seen a decent HD projector you won't want a large TV. Picture quality is in a whole different league, so long as you can watch in reduced light.
As a Former Sony TV Product Planner.
Perhaps you are in a position to explain why Some formats (eg mkv) are playable from a USB drive but NOT playable from a DLNA Media Server (eg Twonky).. It's obvious that the device has the required codecs, so how/why can it not cope?!?
Just Why?
"The screen can also stream content from local USB storage and from networked devices, but there’s no support for NAS-stored MKVs."
Sometimes I think they do this deliberately so that they will have a selling point for a future model... or is that just me being sceptical.. Its obvious the device has the required codecs they are just crippled.. but it seems this is an industry collaboration/standard..
Panashitic do it too: http://www.reghardware.com/2011/11/18/review_panasonic_sc_btt270_blu_ray_home_theatre/
"As an adjunct to local USB media playback, the receiver will also stream across your network, although file compliancy is poor and presentation basic. While AVIs and MKV content unspooled from a stick, it wasn’t recognized on my Nas."
Oops again
So basically Sony has done another 'Trinitron grill line' thingy like last time?
Once you've noticed it, you keep on noticing it.... :)
Amazing how the same technology mistakes keep making a come back!
