Sony KDL-46XBR3 46-Inch BRAVIA XBR 1080p LCD Television

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 15 x 55 x 36 inches ; 90 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 114 pounds
• ASIN: B000J41EV6
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #144,411 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

How do you make superb picture quality even better? Add the Live Color Creation backlight system to this 46" BRAVIA XBR LCD flat panel HDTV. For superior sound, tune into the TruSurround XT audio technology. Whether you're watching sports, movies, TV or even a presentation from your PC, make it more vibrant with the KDL46XBR3.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

146 of 154 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The SONY KDL-46XBR3 is One AMAZING TV!, November 1, 2006

By 

Porfie Medina "Porfie Jr. Medina" (Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony KDL-46XBR3 46-Inch BRAVIA XBR 1080p LCD Television (Electronics)

I am writing a review regarding the SONY KDL-46XBR3 to explain some of the confusion regarding this SONY KDL-46XBR3 and the SONY KDL-46XBR2 and what the differance is between the two models. I have done extensive research on both models and contacted SONY on numerous occasions to find out what was really the differance. The only differance between this SONY KDL-46XBR3 and the SONY KDL-46XBR2 is that the SONY KDL-46XBR3 has a beautiful piano black bezel (bezel is outer part of the TV) which you can not change. The SONY KDL-46XBR2 has a silver bezel and gives you the option to change the color or the bezels to match your home or style. The color of the bezels are arctic white, pacific blue, velvet black, scarlet red, and sienna brown all which sell for about $299.99 each. Another confusion is that the XBR3 comes with a 18 month warranty while the XBR2 comes only with a 12 month warranty. When I got my SONY KDL-46XBR3 the paperwork stated it had a 12 month warranty. I contacted SONY to find out what was going on and it was then that I was informed that it was incorrect paperwork included. The warranty period is actually 18 months and covers parts, labor, and in-home service only on the SONY KDL-46XBR3. The SONY KDL-46XBR2 has only a 12 month warranty. Why SONY did this on a TV that is almost the exact same I have no idea. Other than that the XBR2 and XBR3 are the exact same. I researched for months before I decided to buy a tv. I looked at the plasmas and almost went with one till a sales rep informed me about the new soon to be released 1080p Tvs. She explained most of the Plasmas today could only display 720p versus the new 1080p format. I then decided to wait a few more months and I researched this SONY and a Samsung 4696 model. After all my research and actually being able to compare the 2 in a store side by side I decided to go with the better picture quality of the SONY. I can truly say I could not be happier. This SONY KDL-46XBR3 is one amazing TV. I purchased the TV from Crutchfield and I have to say I could not be more pleased. I also bought the fairly inexpensive TERK indoor antenna for about $39.99. When I connected it in to the tv, and the Tv finished its auto programming I was able to not only get about 10 HD channels. I received the amazing Discovery HD and ESPNHD through my cable connection, and also a number of digital music channels which I did not expect. I got over 100 digital cable/music channels and over 80 analog channels with my cable and antenna conncection. That was a great surprise and if you want to just listen to the music you have the option of turning the picture off and just listen to sound. I like the favorite channel option which lets you save 16 of your favorite channels (including the music ones) and it lets you save both the cable and antenna ones so you don't have to toggle back between the cable and antenna option. The guide button is also another great feature as it gives you show time, time remaining, description of the show (if available by channel)and it lets you know if your show is in 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, or even 1080p. I connected a Samsung Blu-ray player and WOW! It is an amazing picture just like looking through a window! The ony thing I can complain about is that this tv does not have pip (picture and picture). I feel for the price Sony should have included pip, otherwise it is a great TV. Now many people have asked about the glass around the TV and if it causes a glare with some lighting situations. I think many people think the glass is over the entire TV (like a plasma or tube tv) and it is not. There is only about 1 inch of glass and it is only around the entire edge of the tv and is lined with some type of silver color edging. The glass is so minimal that it does NOT really create a glare, and believe me I have a lot of light(s) in the room my TV is in. I am not sure if SONY used some kind of anti-reflective coating over the glass or what but it really does not create a glare and that really surprised me. Now what does create a minimal glare is the shiny piano black around the screen, but nothing bad at all. When you see the amazing picture quality of this tv you really don't seem to mind those small things.


After researching and finding little information on this TV I am posting as much information as I possible can to help others make a more infomed decision on this purchase.

(Below is a more in depth review courtesy of Crutchfield.)

So much is changing with today's TVs -- shape, size, display technology -- that it's nice you can still count on some things, like Sony's "XBR" badge. The BRAVIA XBR line represents Sony's finest LCD TVs ever, with picture quality that's simply stunning. The features and performance of the 46" KDL-46XBR3 are identical to the KDL-46XBR2 -- the only difference is the XBR3's gloss-black cabinet, which looks extra stylish encased in Sony's clear "floating glass" case.

The big performance story for the KDL-46XBR3 is "Full HD 1080" screen resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels). It provides about twice as many pixels as you get with typical 40" LCDs. That higher resolution gives images lifelike clarity, detail, and texture -- it's like looking through a window. Colors look strikingly natural, too, thanks to Sony's "wide color gamut" backlight, which reproduces a much wider range of colors.

You'll want to feed this thoroughbred as much high-quality material as possible, like DVD movies and HDTV programs. But realistically, you'll probably still be watching some regular (non-HD) programs for a while yet. That's when you'll really appreciate the KDL-46XBR3's advanced video processing. The latest version of Sony's DRC (Digital Reality Creation®) circuitry has twice the processing power of earlier versions. Until now, DRC could only process interlaced video signals, but this version can upconvert both interlaced and progressive video, giving images a smoother, more solid look. Native 1080p signals (like those from Sony's Blu-ray Disc player) are displayed directly, without any processing.

The future-ready set of audio/video connections is heavy on HD-compatible connections, including two component video and three digital HDMI for your most advanced video gear. The natural ruggedness of LCD panels helps the KDL-46XBR3 excel as a total entertainment display. Connect your PC and/or video game console and work or play for hours if you like -- LCDs are immune to screen burn-in.

Details:

» high-definition TV -- receives and decodes digital standard-definition and HDTV signals from over-the-air broadcasts (antenna required)
» S-PVA (Super Patterned Vertical Alignment) LCD panel for improved off-axis viewing
» widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio
» 1920 x 1080 pixels
» ultra-fast pixel response time (8 milliseconds)
» 1300:1 contrast ratio (7000:1 dynamic)
» 178°(H) x 178°(V) viewing angle
» adjustable Wide Color Gamut fluorescent backlight for more accurate colors
» BRAVIA Engine(tm) Pro digital video processing
» adjustable DRC MultiFunction v2.5 (upconverts video signals to 1080p)
» built-in stereo speakers (11 watts x 2)
» multibrand remote control
» picture settings memory for each video input
» 8 A/V inputs, including:
* 3 composite video (2 rear, 1 side)
* 1 S-video
* 2 component video (accepts 1080i/720p/480p/480i signals)
* 3 HDMI digital audio/video inputs (2 rear, 1 side) -- accepts signals up to 1080p
» PC input: analog RGB (D-Sub 15-pin)
» 2 RF inputs for antenna/cable signals
» optical digital audio output for Dolby® Digital
» Energy Star® compliant
» detachable stand (stand "footprint" is 19-5/8"W x 12-5/8"D)
» wall-mountable (bracket not included)
» 49-5/8"W x 28-7/8"H x 5"D (31-3/8"H x 12-5/8"D on stand)
» weight: 79.4 lbs. (without stand)
» warranty: 18 months parts & labor -- in-home service


WHAT'S INCLUDED in the Manufacturer's Box?

» Download Owner's Manual
46" LCD projection TV
RM-YD013 wireless remote control
2 "AA" batteries
8' Power cord
5' RGB cable (D-Sub 15)
9.75' Coax cable with screw-on F-connectors on each end
Nylon support strap with mounting screw and mounting bolt
Plastic wire management bracket
Operating Instructions (English)
Operating Instructions (French)
Operating Instructions (Spanish)
Quick Setup Guide (English)
Quick Setup Guide (French)
Quick Setup Guide (Spanish)
Installing TV on wall instructions (English/French/Spanish)
US Warranty information
Canadian Warranty information
On-line Product Registration sheet
Statement about licensed software used (English)
Statement about licensed software used (French)
Warranty Card (Spanish)


FEATURES

Overview: The Sony BRAVIA KDL-V46XBR3 and KDL-V46XBR2 is a 46" diagonal LCD flat panel HDTV that features a Live Color Creation backlight system, TruSurround XT audio technology and digital audio enhancement amplification to provide you with a dynamic picture and sound quality experience.

Full HD 1080: There are a lot of ways to define high-definition but Sony BRAVIA Full HD means you're getting the best resolution that high-definition has to offer. With Sony BRAVIA XBR HDTVs, Full HD 1080 means 1920 x 1080 pixels and 1080p video inputs.

1920 x 1080 Panel Resolution: When it comes to high-definition TV the pinnacle of performance is achieved by using 1920x1080 display panels; BRAVIA XBR televisions have them. Full HD 1920x1080 panel resolution with over 2 million pixels (more than twice that of 720p HDTV) is exactly what you need to reproduce the 1080p content that can... Read more ›

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sleek, clean and awesome, November 1, 2006

By 

Edward V. Velez (East Windsor, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony KDL-46XBR3 46-Inch BRAVIA XBR 1080p LCD Television (Electronics)

Just bought the unit on 10/30/06 and I have to say that 1080i (and hopefully 1080p coming soon) is fantastic with the Sony. Amazing how flat the screen is and how much more room I now have in my family room. I plugged it into my cable outlet without a cable box (Comcast) and I got over 100 digital channels as well as the 79 analog channels. I can listen to the music channels and I get 7 HD channels that Comcast transmits without having a cable box (MY network, ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, CW, FOX). Cant figure out why Jeopardy is in HD but hey, its about the sports and NASCAR and concerts and whatever else you are in to. I went with the Sony based upon my experience with their TV product as well as some online research and in store reviews and actually seeing it in action. Now if I need to wait to see if Blu-Ray or HD-DVD will reign supreme so I can get myself on the HD DVD bandwagon. I am impressed as well as very happy with my purchase.

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING TV...But....Clouding Issues are a problem!, January 3, 2007

By 

Woots (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Sony KDL-46XBR3 46-Inch BRAVIA XBR 1080p LCD Television (Electronics)

I have owned a 46xbr3 for over a month now. I would 1st like to say that the image of this TV is awesome. The menu options you have to tweak the look of the image is very very detailed. It helps if you run component and HDMI signals and need to have different tweaked settings to optimize look and reduce pixelization. 1080p with your playstation 3, blu ray or hd dvd players. The tv does not run 1080p component, only hdmi and vga, so your xbox 360 will have to run in 1080i (still looks great). The xbox 360 does run 1080p through vga input on this tv but xbox360 makes the screen look washed out.

Clouding Issue:
There is however a manufacturing defect that is not officially published by sony and no recall is yet in effect. The Sony LCD flatpanels XBR2/XBR3 40"/46"/52" screens have a greater then 50% chance to have a defect nicknamed "clouding". I am one of those unlucky buyers. What "clouding" basically is, is white puffy looking background lighting, when screen is black. This is not to be confused with non uniform lighting often seen in PC lcd panels; This is much worse and much brighter and heavily blotchy. For most people with this problem (including myself) you can only see this clouding during times when the screen goes black. (credits at the end of the movies, transitions between commercials to tv shows, dark parts scenes in movies and shows.) During these dark scenes they stand out like a sore thumb and make viewing distracting; due to the fact they are very bright and whitish. My experience is the longer the TV stays turned on the brighter these clouds get. When you 1st turn on the Tv they are very faint. They also have an odd habit of shifting around the panel very slowly over the course of weeks. (as strange as this may sound) I have found the clouding does not discolor or overbrighten the screen when the TV has full colorful images on it. This is why this problem is tolerable and I did not demand my money back, its still not acceptable though. I have read a few users say their clouding is so bad it effects the colors and makes them washed out. Thankfully I have not seen that.

Please do not take my word for any of this I encourage you to be a critical thinker and go out on google and seek this "sony lcd clouding" issue. I am doing my part for the small community of us who are stuck with this sad problem overshadowing what is otherwise an absolutely great HDTV.

In closing this TV is beautiful looking but when you spend this much money you don't want things like this bringing down your morale over the product. If you buy this TV you could be one of the lucky buyers and get an untainted screen and most stores give you a 30 day return policy. I have also heard (not confirmed) that the newest manufactured models have fixed this issue. I gave the product 5 stars despite the flaw, because even with this flaw I love this TV.

Best of luck with your HDTV purchases. Hope this helps.