Sony KDL-52XBR9 LCD HDTV HT Labs Measures

HT Labs Measures

Black: 0.008
White: 29.4
Full-On/Full-Off Contrast Ratio: 3,675:1

For the picture settings used in this review, go to www.HomeTheaterMag.com. All the measurements here were taken through an HDMI input with the set adjusted for the most accurate picture in a darkened room.

As mentioned in the main text, when displaying a full black field, the black level started out at one value, then slowly decreased over several seconds, and finally dropped to a very low value, even with all of the dynamic controls disabled. After the second firmware update, this also occurred with 20- and 30-IRE windows but, oddly, not 10 IRE. The black level indicated here is the initial value, which is what you’ll see with most program material.

The Warm 2 color-temp preset was pretty close to accurate, but I knew I could get it closer. I did the initial calibration after the set had been on for over an hour, and the end result was excellent. However, the calibration drifted substantially after about two weeks because this was a preproduction sample that had not been aged at the factory. The After Calibration result below was taken after I had let the set run for 72 hours and recalibrated.

The Standard color gamut (shown here) is very close to correct as depicted in the CIE chart above, while the Wide gamut has very oversaturated green and cyan.—SW

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