Review of the Sony KDS-55A2000 55-inch 1080p HDTV LCD

Sony has done it again, but this time the KDS-55A2000 accepts and displays a true 1080p signal in the usual Bravia style.

Design

In anticipation of an all-encompassing picture performance, Sony has ingeniously put a matt black, thin non-distracting frame around the edge of these 55 inches, leaving every inch of lovely LCD to be seen.  Underneath the screen is a strip of silver, housing a handful buttons which can be used in the event of losing the remote. The extremely light 39KG weight is surprising with dimensions of 1292 (W) x 913 (H) x 48o (D) mm.  The included floor stand is contemporary in a smart way, with a silver frame and integrated black shelves, we loved that it comes all-in with the reasonable price too.

Without fail, Sony always provides enough gadgets reinforced by enhanced technology to wow any reader of the spec list, which will usually guarantee a sale.  And on this occasion, nothing has changed.  For picture performance, Sony has supplied the KDS-55A2000 with a Bravia Engine Pro to process pictures, which is backed up by the SXRD display technology.  A crisp clear view is almost guaranteed, with block noise reduction and a detailer enhancer. And taking care of the extensive colour palette, is Live Colour, Cinema Black Pro, a Black Corrector tool, and a Clear White enhancer too.    With an integrated digital tuner, viewers can watch up to 100 channels without the need for an extra box.  All video signals are supported, ranging from 576i, 480p, 576p, 1080i, 720p, and the much discussed, and absolutely fabulous 1080p.  Gamers, or those with gaming-distracted kids will enjoy the Game Mode, which deals with motion and fast changing scenes superbly.  A few other digital extras are the 2000 pages of text, a 7-day electronic program guide, and the option to label channels. 

Even the substandard SD performance was fantastic on this KDS-55A2000 TV.  The Bravia engine noticeably cleans up the picture, providing a clear, smooth SD show.  After the initial tune-in, the view wasn’t the best, but once we had adjusted our lighting levels in the room, it improved.  This TV doesn’t like too much light, so if you have got lots of natural light that can’t be shut out, you may want to rethink about buying this model.  No noisy fans to mention, even when accepting and displaying a true HD 1080p signal.  They say once you’ve watched true HD, there’ll be no going back, and let me tell you – they were spot on.  Gorgeously colourful and realistic images just melt (without motion-blurring I can promise) onto all 55-inches of the screen, which had a similar melting effect on me, as I didn’t leave the couch for a whole 6 hours.  Audio is handled expertly, with some ear-smashing volumes, and spot on surround sound capabilities.  The only one, and admittedly very small, pitfall to mention, is not about the TV, but its smaller counterpart, the remote.  For the amount of buttons on it (not many), it is incredibly longer than average.  Apart from that small, or rather long problem, there really is nothing else to whine about.  

TV

AC cable

Coax cable

Operating instructions

Remote

Stand

Putting the wastefully long remote aside, we are dumb-struck by this KDS-55A2000 True HD TV.  I want one, the guys that I kindly invited to watch with me want one, and if you’ll take my word for it – you’ll want one.  The price is reasonable when you consider that you’d pay around this much for a 46-inch TV with a lesser spec, and no stand.