Full HDTV - BRAVIA New Series X by SONY INDIA

Sony India has launched New Series X in Full HD LCD TVs. These are KLV-55X450A, KLV-46X450A and KLV-40X450A. The maximum retail prices are Rs. 399,900/- , Rs. 263,900/- and Rs. 153,900/- respectively.

First, let us understand HDTV:

The quality of picture depends on screen resolution, i.e. no. of pixels (dots) across horizontally by no. of pixels vertically in the screen. Higher resolution gives better pictures.

The HDTV technology offers vertical resolution that ranges from 720 lines with progressive scanning (720p) to 1080 lines with interlaced scanning (1080i).

Progressive Scan is an image improvement technology where all the lines of a picture are exposed in one go, rather than in two sweeps as with interlaced images. One of the key High-Definition formats, 720p, uses progressive scan technology.

In Interlaced technology, the image on screen is created by two 'sweeps', where the odd lines are produced in the first sweep and the even lines in the second sweep, with the two sweeps interlaced to create one picture. One of the key High-Definition formats, 1080i, uses interlacing technology.

Full HDTV provides 1080 lines with progressive scanning (sometimes referred to as 1080p). Progressive scanning is considered superior to interlaced scanning for full-motion video displays.

The main features of New Series X are as under.

1. Full HD 1080: Here, Screen resolution is 1080p (1920 by 1080 pixels).This High Definition (HD) recording, delivers the best image quality for live broadcasts, recordings and HD movies. This format is more than twice the number in conventional standard definition (SD) format. The format of HDTV screen is widescreen format. Generally in ratio of 16 units wide by 9 units high. You will see no black bar while seeing films as films are normally shot in widescreen format. The wider 16:9 aspect ratio of HD approximates the shape of the human visual field, making you feel like you are actually in the picture. This HD picture quality is immediately noticeable. Channels that are not broadcast in HD won’t look very pretty.
2. BRAVIA Engine 2 PRO: BRAVIA Engine 2 Pro is a newly developed high definition video processor that integrates several special picture enhancement technologies and Advanced Contrast Enhancer. This fully digital video-processing circuit can reproduce optimal, high-resolution images from SD signals and HD signals.
3. RGB Dynamic LED: The most significant upgrade for the Bravia X450A is LED backlighting technology that boosts dynamic contrast to over 1,000,000:1.Precision-matched RGB filters in the screen make sure the increased colour range has the maximum impact on picture quality.
4. 10-bit Panel: 10-bit LCD panels allow shades of colours to be reproduced more naturally. Whereas conventional 8-bit panels could only reproduce 256 levels of gradation, 10-bit panels are capable of displaying 1024 steps. This means a finer, smoother reproduction of colour shades is now possible.
5. Live Colour Creation: The combination of Sony's Colour Algorithm and WCG-CCFL new back light system enables it to capture the true colours of the source for superior and stunning colour performance. The result is realistic pictures with a wide range of radiant colours and incredibly deep accurate tones, reproduced exactly as nature intended.
6. Motionflow™ PRO: It improves motion performance so that fast actions appear clearer and sharper, and smoother than ever. Motionflow actually creates artificial pictures which it inserts into fast-moving sequences to effectively double the number of pictures, or frames, that make up the sequence. This enhances the excitement of watching sports and movies.
7. MPEG Noise Reduction: MPEG Noise Reduction automatically reduces block noise and improves the edges of characters while at the same time, successfully suppressing noise that usually appears at high contrast edges.
8. Intelligent Picture: Intelligent Picture automatically boosts weak analogue broadcast signals (RF) and reduces the noise of these signals to produce vibrant and noise-free pictures.
9. BRAVIA Sync: With the push of a single button of remote control, each entertainment device (e.g. Bravia Home Theatre) synchronises itself with the others and brings every system online and playing your favourite programmes instantly.
10. S-Force Front Surround: This amazing virtual surround technology utilises a complex process of sound delay to bring a surrounding sound atmosphere to any space whatsoever from just two built-in front speakers. Users can enjoy 360°of full surround sound with only two front speakers.

Before purchase, make sure that HDTV has an HDMI input with HDCP support. HDMI and HDCP are explained as under.

HDCP: High bandwidth Digital Content Protection. This is a copyright system that prevents unauthorized copying and distributing of copyrighted content. Due to the quality of High-Definition content, the likes of Hollywood studios are becoming obsessed with HDCP to combat piracy, and it's likely that all next-gen HD sources will feature HDCP and thus only let you watch HD content at its maximum resolution, for which you will need a DVI or HDMI connector.

HDMI: High Definition Multimedia Interface. As with DVI, this is a high-bandwidth digital connection that carries video and sound between your HD television and source transmitter. This is the best possible connection available and ensures the best picture and sound quality is achieved.

DVI: Digital Video Interface input. A type of connector used between your HD television and source transmitter (like Sky box or DVD player).