EmailBest Reviewed
LCD TV
- Best 55-inch LCD TV Samsung UN55B8500 *Est. $4050
- Best value among 55-inch LCD TVs LG 55LH90 *Est. $2500
- Best 46-inch LCD TV Samsung UN46B8000 *Est. $2290
- Best value among 46-inch LCD TVs Samsung LN46B750 *Est. $1670
- Best value among 40-inch LCD TVs Samsung LN40B650 *Est. $1190
- Budget 37-inch LCD TV LG 37LH30 *Est. $580
- Budget 32-inch LCD TV Vizio VO320E *Est. $400
- Best small LCD TV Vizio VA19L *Est. $200
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- Value
- 120 Hz anti-blur feature
- Good picture quality
- Myriad of adjustments available
- Limited viewing angles
- Screen reflects room's light
- So-so screen uniformity
Even the harshest professional review says most people will like the 46-inch Sony Bravia KDL-46V5100, though some pricier TVs, such as the Samsung LN46B750 (*Est. $1,670), deliver performance that is notably better. Picture quality is very good, with deep blacks, but shortcomings such as less-than-perfect uniformity, limited viewing angles and a too-reflective screen show up in professional and user reviews. One often-cited user complaint -- picture brightness that varies with scene content -- has been addressed with a software update. Features are good and include a 120 Hz refresh rate and anti-judder processing, but you can't turn on one without also turning on the other.
We found the best coverage of the 46-inch Sony Bravia KDL-46V5100 at ConsumerReports.org, which thoroughly tests and ranks more LCD TVs than any other professional source. The downside is that access is limited to subscribers. CNET's review of the Sony Bravia KDL-46V5100 is actually based on testing of its 52-inch sibling, but performance should be similar. For those who want lots of technical details, the reviews of the 52-inch Sony Bravia KDL-52V5100 at TelevisionInfo.com will prove helpful. We found about 50 owner reviews combined at BestBuy.com and Amazon.com.
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Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org includes the 46-inch Sony Bravia KDL-46V5100 among the approximately 70 LCD TVs it tests and ranks. Testing is competent and fair, but the results are only minimally discussed and you'll need a subscription to see any of it.
Review: LCD TV Ratings and Reliability, Editors of ConsumerReports.org
2. CNET
One caveat to CNET's rating of "very good" on the 46-inch Sony Bravia KDL-46V5100 is that it's based on testing of the 52-inch Sony Bravia KDL-52V5100, though the two sets should have similar picture quality. The bottom line assessment is that the TV provides good value for the price, with lots of picture adjustments and other features such as a 120 Hz refresh rate. Complaints include a screen that could be more uniform.
Review: Un titled, David Katzmaier, June 19, 2009
This is a review of the 52-inch Sony Bravia KDL-52V5100, but the 46-inch version of the TV should perform similarly. Reviewer Alfredo Padilla says most people will like the TV, but finds some notable negatives, including a screen that is too reflective, viewing angles that are poor and some artifacts during action scenes.
Review: Sony Bravia KDL-52V5100 LCD HDTV Review, Alfredo Padilla, April 3, 2009
4. BestBuy.com
Close to 50 owner reviews combine for a high average score, although some express disappointment with the sound quality. There are several complaints about varying brightness levels in light and dark scenes, but Sony has recently addressed that with a software update.
Review: Sony KDL-46V5100, Contributors to BestBuy.com
5. Amazon.com
About 30 owner reviewers give the Sony Bravia KDL-46V5100 a high average score, with about 75 percent grading it a perfect five. The complaints are too varied to spot any specific issues.
Review: Sony KDL-46V5100, Contributors to Amazon.com
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