23 Jun, 2009
Sony BRAVIA Z Series KDL-40Z5100 40-Inch 1080p 240Hz LCD HDTV
Sony BRAVIA Z Series KDL-40Z5100 40-Inch 1080p 240Hz LCD HDTV delivers an impressive list of features wrapped up into a thin and stylish design, including Full HD 1080p and Motionflow 240Hz refresh rate technology for maximum motion detail and clarity. The KDL-40Z5100 also has internet connectivity with built-in BRAVIA internet video capabilities that let you view select on-demand movies and TV shows, listen to music and more. You can even personalize your entertainment experience by selecting and positioning widgets containing the latest news, weather, sports and more directly on your TV screen. In addition to 7 HD inputs, the BRAVIA Z has a 100,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio which yields deep blacks in darker scenes.
16:9 Full HD 1080p resolution panel (1920×1080) accepts any high definition video signal and renders it with optimum resolution, so you can take full advantage of Blu-ray Disc players and Sony PLAYSTATION 3 entertainment systems that can deliver 1080p content.
Motionflow 240Hz technology is Sony’s highest level of motion detail and clarity so you enjoy unprecedented motion detail in sports, movies and games. Motionflow 240Hz technology quadruples the frame rate, resulting in a crisp fluid motion and a natural, realistic viewing experience.
With BRAVIA Internet Video you can enjoy one of the largest collections of premium and free on-demand entertainment directly to your HDTV. Use your in-home broadband connection and the BRAVIA HDTV remote control to access online video, music, and more content from over 20 providers including Amazon Video On Demand, YouTube, Sports Illustrated, Sony Pictures, Sony Music, Slacker, and Epicurious.com.
Personalize your viewing experience by selecting, positioning, and resizing widgets on your BRAVIA HDTV display. BRAVIA widgets are small icons that can be accessed with the touch of one button providing you with the latest in news, weather, sports, and much more right on your BRAVIA Z-Series HDTV.
BRAVIA Engine 3 is the newest fully digital video processor from Sony. It uses a collection of enhanced algorithms to significantly reduce noise, enhance overall image detail, and optimize contrast so every scene produces sharp, vibrant, life-like images.
Connect your camera, USB-enabled MP3 player, or USB storage device directly to the HDTV’s USB input to view photos on the big screen or listen to your favorite MP3s. BRAVIA Z-Series HDTVs also include mpeg2 video file support, so you can go straight from shooting video to screening it via USB.
Compliance with DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) allows BRAVIA Z-Series HDTVs to access digital photos, music, and video from DLNA-enabled PCs and other devices, so you can enjoy your memories with family and friends in the comfort of your living room instead of crowding around a PC.
Get versatile HD connection options with seven HD inputs. Four HDMI inputs (up to 1080/60p capable) let you connect a Sony PlayStation 3 entertainment system, Blu-ray Disc player, or any other HDMI-capable equipment (all sold separately) and get uncompressed digital video and multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. An HD combo input, which includes HD component and composite inputs, (1080/60p capable) provide added HD-capable connectivity, and a PC input3 (HD-15 pin) offers the added versatility of using your HDTV as a computer monitor.
Scene Select makes choosing the appropriate settings for the best HDTV experience easier than ever. Scene Select packages different picture and audio settings based on the type of content you want to view. For example, the “Sports” package configures the perfect picture and audio settings to make you feel like your right in the stadium. Other packages include “Cinema,” “Photo,” “Game,” and “Music.”
Helpful consumer’s review
Received our 40″ Z5100 one week ago via Onecall Amazon Sale – double boxed via Fedex tracking/timeliness. Extremely happy with the results. I own four LCD TV’s and a long term member of AVSForum.
Was able to replace a 32″ Sharp with side speakers and gain 8″ viewing for my wife’s primary viewing in the Master Bedroom Armoire and while I was torn between it and the B750 it’s a damn good thing I went with the Sony as I found the Samsung would not have fit the space.
To my surprise when I set everything up was how reflective the Sony was while off – not full matte like my Sharps but that has no impact when the TV is turned on at all. Damn the TV is black and semi-reflective Off but a beauty when displaying.
No gaming is done on this TV and so I won’t report on anything in that regards and I won’t assist with calibrations since my viewing preference is a vivid panel.
I decided on this panel after studying panels for the past 6 months and finally viewing the XBR9 and the Z5100 next to Samsung B750/B650 panels. As great as the Samsungs were I was unable to get that peering into PQ DEPTH that I experienced on the new Sony panels – plus I feared the wife may complain about reflections on the Samsungs after having none for 4.5 yrs on the Sharp. I was repeatedly impressed with this immersiveness on these two new Sony panels as I am in my Home.
I popped in Mamma Mia Blu-Ray and it was fantastic – the Mediterranean Sea color and clarity was eye popping and I turned on AMP and when you haven’t experienced it before it’s sort of strange to have that Live Camera view and soap opera look – I prefer the theater look but it’s nice to play with but something one can use according to their preference.
The blacks on this are wonderful trumping the 4.5 yr old it replaced easily.
I spent hours going from the bedroom to my main 57″ 3.5 year old Sharp and I used Food Network HD to cross compare since they constantly zoom into the cooking experience and it’s easy to see PQ details on that channel. Again my in-store HD Viewing with 3D depth peering into of the Sony trumped my 3.5 yr Technology on my Sharp easily. The friggin clarity on HD on these cook-off’s was simply amazing on the Sony and it tells me Sony may have a kick butt 65″ when it debuts with BE3 on the W5100 in August. My Sharp had a flatter smoother look – still looked great and the 57″ size delivers alot of WoW but the details on the Z5100 was stunning. The Z5100 and XBR9 are the first LCD’s I’ve seen that could match or exceed the PQ details of the SXRD I owned previous with HD.
Also, I carefully watched for flashlighting and clouds and saw ZERO – simply BLACK – BLACK – BLACK!
The only negative I can report is Turdvision SD – it is what it is – a TURD!
I’m used to viewing HD 90+% of the time and so I’ll always tolerate it for my channels that have not transitioned yet but I don’t buy my TV’s for SD – after all some SD channels can look quite good while others are crapola no matter the panel especially after growing accustomed to HD at six times the PQ.
The irony is that I’ll rarely view this TV regularly as my wife and I have very different tastes and I have a sleep disorder where I only view the Sony occasionally after setting it up but it gave me a yardstick to make a move to a 65″ > in the future with it’s PQ Depth, Details, and Black Levels and hopefully I can provide her this larger 40″ panel in the same space a 32″ would only fit with First Rate PQ for 8+ years and she’s quite happy and takes away the guilt when I jump to a 65″ as she’ll have the Z5100 for regular viewing and then the BIG HT 65″ or my 57″ for HT immersion as size does have it’s benefits to get HT immersion with Blu-Rays especially.
IMO Ten/Ten Panel Processing, BE3, 240Hz, and the 100K:1 CR and the maturity of Sony Bravia Series is now returning rewards in the “Z5100″ and XBR9. Enjoy!:D
ALSO — Most importantly with the achilles Heal of LCD — I see no Friggin HAZE!!! The Samsungs (B750/B650) are still outstanding IMO also but if you cannot handle the reflective nature and ambient lighting issues a viewing room may interfere with PQ these Sony panels trump the Samsungs IMO and with a little patience the prices should drop also.
Extremely Happy and look forward to the Sony 65″ W5100 in August!!! 
