Sony’s line of LCD Flat Panel HDTV displays is extensive. Within this line of LCD displays, there are several different series of sets that are each distinguished by some similarities and some differences. Their line of LCD displays range in size from 26 inches to 70 inches in size. This overview will focus solely on the 40″ Sony Bravia XBR Series LCD Flat Panel Display with model number KDL-40XBR4.
This particular Sony LCD set carries the model number KDL-40XBR4. To understand the meaning of this model number, a brief description of what the number means is needed. The first three letters, KDL are essentially meaningless as they are used on all current Sony LCD displays. The next two numbers, 4 and 0 indicate the size of the LCD at 40 inches. The letters XBR indicated that this is an XBR series LCD display which is considered the top of the line displays made by Sony. The final number of 4 indicates that the trim surrounding the display is a matte charcoal color, with a detachable bezel that can be changed to different colors.
You may be wondering what the difference between the XBR5 and XBR4 series is. The only real difference between the two models is in the trim surrounding the display. The XBR5 has a gloss trim finish; the XBR4 has a matte trim finish.
The KDL-40XBR4 has a manufacturer’s retail price of $2,299.99. This is significantly more expensive than many other 40 inch LCD sets, but this is Sony’s top of the line LCD display and carries a higher price tag than Sony’s other 40 inch models: though this unit is still 300 dollars less than the XBR5 version.
This set is rated at 1080p which is considered full high definition. This implies that it can show more detail and have better picture quality than a set that is rated at 720p.
Now on to the specs of this unit. This set has a 120 hertz refresh rate. This rate is important when you are comparing LCD sets. The refresh rate indicates how quickly the screen can change what it displays or refreshes. Higher refresh rates usually equate to less motion blur and a better picture quality.
This LCD display also has a very high contrast ratio. The dynamic contrast ratio is listed as 18,000 to 1. The contrast ratio determines the sets ability to distinguish black levels and white levels. All else equal, a higher contrast ratio provides a better, more accurate picture.
Finally, this set employs Sony’s own Bravia Engine Pro. This is Sony’s best engine, or best internal hardware that they use in any LCD display.
This brief overview is intended to provide you with the most important specs of each individual LCD and Plasma HDTV made. If you would like to compare this set to another set, simply look through my list of overviews and make direct comparison based on the specs provided. Overviews are available or will soon be available for sets made by Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, Pioneer, and Toshiba.
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