3DTV REVIEWS

Sony Bravia XBR-55HX929 3D LED LCD HDTV Specs

Specs
Type: LCD
Screen Size (diagonal, inches): 55
Native Resolution: 1080p
3D: Yes
HD Tuners: ATSC, Clear QAM
Backlight: Backlit LED (local dimming)
Wall Mount or Stand Included?: Stand
Dimensions (W x H x D, inches): 50.4 x 30.4 x 1.5 (without stand); 50.4 x 31.7 x 12.25 (with stand)
Weight (pounds): 57.5 (without stand); 69.7 (with stand)
Price: $3,800

Connections
Inputs: Video: HDMI 1.4 (4), PC D-sub 15-pin analog RGB (1), composite viedo (1), component/composite video (1, shared, with adapter), RF antenna/cable (1)
Audio: Stereo analog (2), PC/HDMI 4 (L/R minijack)
Outputs: Audio: TosLink optical digital (1), headphone (1)
Additional: USB (2), DLNA, LAN, RS-232C, Audio Return Channel (ARC) on HDMI 1

Company Info
Sony
(877) 865-SONY
sony.com

COMPANY INFO
Sony
(877) 865-SONY
sony.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
JoeBlogg1983's picture
Submitted by JoeBlogg1983 on September 28, 2011 - 6:24pm

Hi, Some other publications have noted an issue of a "crease" on their HX929 review samples. I'm wondering whether that is consistent to the sample you have reviewed?

Scott Wilkinson's picture
Submitted by Scott Wilkinson on September 28, 2011 - 9:02pm
What do you mean by a "crease"? A crease in what? Where is it located?
JoeBlogg1983's picture
Submitted by JoeBlogg1983 on September 29, 2011 - 2:06pm

Hi Scott. The "crease" on the HX929 has been noted on several AV forums as well as some other publications. You can probably find results by searching "HX929 crease" in google.

It is generally described as a "column" of slightly darker pixels running along the left or right edge of the screen.

Claims have been made that this column ranges from barely noticeable to the unit being considered "defective".

I'm in the market for a new TV. The HX929 seems to be a good candidate, but the "crease" problem that I've been reading about may be a deal breaker for me.

I'm wondering if those are isolated incidents or a general problem for the series. You guys are the pros! - and therefore wonderingif you guys spotted the same problem in your review sample.

Thanks!

MISHARI M BERAGDAR's picture
Submitted by MISHARI M BERAGDAR on September 29, 2011 - 1:50pm

i think it is the best detailed review with very good settings.

i thought 3D settings only shows cinemotion auto 2, i will check that.
and for motionflow, when set to OFF, 3D glasses flicker too much which is painful, so better to change to Standard to eliminate flickering

MISHARI M BERAGDAR's picture
Submitted by MISHARI M BERAGDAR on September 29, 2011 - 6:31pm

also the 3D ghosting due to angle variation is due to Sony glasses, Xpand X103 eliminates this problem with better 3D overall. but the glasses flickering in Motionflow OFF is common, it can be seen by looking at the window or any bright light source and then change Mtionflow to Standard to notice the difference

Thomas J. Norton's picture
Submitted by Thomas J. Norton on September 30, 2011 - 9:12am
That's something we didn't see in our sample. If we had seen it, you can be sure it would have been mentioned. But is it possible we missed it. The sample is fortunately still here, so I'll check it out next week.
zoetmb's picture
Submitted by zoetmb on September 30, 2011 - 9:43am

I took delivery about 2 1/2 weeks ago on a set with an August 2011 Mexico build date and I have absolutely no crease. I also never saw a crease when I looked at the set in many different retail environments, including 2 chain stores, 2 independent stores and 2 Sony stores. But there are definitely people who have the crease, including some who also have an August 2011 build date.

From the online postings, Sony doesn't recognize it as a critical problem, instead saying that it's "within spec", but they have come up with a methodology for adjusting some hidden settings that supposedly fixes it or at least makes it less visible.

By the way, your review didn't mention anything about the audio quality of the set's internal amp/speakers, which I think is remarkably poor. While I realize there isn't much space for speakers in a flat panel, it has vastly inferior sound to my 25-year-old Sony KV-1917 CRT TV.

But there's no question that this is a great set and I'm actually happier with it than I thought I'd be, which is remarkable. Usually when I spend a lot of money on a device, I'm disappointed.

etrochez's picture
Submitted by etrochez on October 7, 2011 - 6:39am

Can you be more specific about the black levels in this TV? You state the black level in Custom Picture Mode is unmeasurable by your meter. I'm stunned that you didn't talk more about the black level performance. You never waste any time to compare any TV to the 0.002 ft-L performance by the Kuro. Yet you don't mention anything in this review other than the comparison with the Panasonic. Does the Sony TV has the best black level performance you've ever tested? I'm sure I'm just confused, but a little clarification would be nice.

P.S.: I saw the new Elite at my local BB and it looks stunning. Can't wait for the review.

Stephen Trask's picture
Submitted by Stephen Trask on October 10, 2011 - 6:34am

From the HTLABS Measures page:
"With the LED Dynamic Control on low and the other settings unchanged, the peak white level was 29.6 ft-L AND THE BLACK LEVEL 0.004, for a full-on/full-off contrast ratio of 14,800:1. With the LED Dynamic Control off, the relative measurements were 30 ft-L white and 0.021 BLACK (A VERY MEDIOCRE NUMBER IN TODAY’S MARKET), FOR a full-on/full-off contrast ratio of 1,429:1. We recommend leaving LED Dynamic Contrast in its standard setting...

THE BLACK LEVELS FOR THE LOW AND OFF SETTINGS WERE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE IMAGE DROPPED TO BLACK. IN THOSE SETTINGS, THE BLACK LEVELS DROPPED AN ADDITIONAL DEGREE SHORTLY AFTER THE READING WAS MADE.

The color was not calibrated separately for 3D for reasons described in the main text. But I did measure a 3D peak white level of about 14.1 ft-L and A BLACK LEVEL OF 0.001 ft-L, for a full-on/full-off 3D contrast ratio of 14,100:1 (with the backlight at max, the picture on 70, the brightness on 43, the gamma on –1, and LED Dynamic Control on standard)."

TreyT's picture
Submitted by TreyT on October 13, 2011 - 8:35am

You mention a .004 black level with the LED dynamic lighting set to "Low" but in the review you recommend having this on the "standard" setting. What measurements did you get in the "standard" setting if the .004 and 29.6 ft/l was in the "low" setting?

Breakdancefight's picture
Submitted by Breakdancefight on January 28, 2013 - 5:17pm

I was able to find an open box close out at Best Buy. I picked it up for a steal and am loving everything about it. The closest to an Elite for me this side of winning the lottery.

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