Official Sony KDL 32EX400 40EX400 46EX400 EX401 - Page 2

Take my advice with a grain of salt because I'm definitely not the foremost expert on this forum. But I believe your decision is a bit tricky. I understand 120Hz to not be very noticeable on a smaller display like a 32". That observation, combined with the argument that an additional 8" in display size will "slap you in the face" much more strongly than 120Hz will, lead me to suggest that you chose the larger display for the same price.

With that said, until we can conclude just how different the EX400 and EX500 are in terms of PQ, I think your decision is still up in the air. If it turns out that the EX500 has noticeably better PQ then I'm inclined to go with the 32" EX500 so long as that size is sufficient for your space. If it turns out that the PQ difference is negligible, then I'd go for the 40" EX400 and dismiss the other minor differences of 120Hz and swivel base.

To add a final bit of difficulty to your decision, I don't believe the 32" EX500 is available at Costco (EX501). The fact that the 40EX401 is available at Costco (with 3-years of warranty, or 4-years if you pay with AMEX) and is void of the silver bezel treatment may be enough reason to look towards the EX401 even if the PQ is slightly inferior.

I went tonight to my local super wal-mart and looked at the Sony and Samsung TV's they had mounted on the wall. They had a 40" EX500 mounted right next to a 40" EX400 - both receiving the same input. Try as I might, I could see absolutely no difference between the 2. I walked from side to side trying to see any difference in off-axis picture - couldn't see any. Looked up close and stepped back at some distance. Looked for differences in screen gloss or reflections - didn't see any.

The only minor difference is that the "bar" below the screen on the EX400 appears to be made of plastic and is glossy like the rest of the bezel. On the EX500, that bar appears to be made of brushed aluminum and is not shiny. Some have described the color as silver, but to me I'd call it a gun metal gray, not silver. I actually like the look of it on the EX500, it gives a slight accent to the look of the cabinet without calling too much attention to itself (for example "red touch of color" on the Samsungs).

Robert

PS - Someone was asking if the screen was matte. It certainly is not as glossy as the typical Samsung, or a plasma, but I don't think it is as matte as some of the older Sony's were. It is more of a semi-gloss but with an anti-reflective coating - at least that is how I would describe it.

guys either 32ex400 or 32v5500 is better i need help choosing

Edited: Sorry guys, I totally misread the question. My eyes saw "32ex500" instead of "32v5500", so my comments below apply to EX400 vs EX500.


I think that someone else earlier in the thread pretty much summed it up by saying the only difference seems to be 60Hz refresh rate vs. 120Hz refresh rate.

Whether or not this is worth the difference in price is a decision you have to make yourself. For me, I don't watch a lot of sports, and I have never been bothered by motion blur from LCD screens.

Apparently, some people are more bothered by this than other people. It has to do with the way LCD panels "sample and hold" the image vs. a CRT tube which "draws" the image line by line, so that by the time the last line of the frame is drawn, the first lines have already started to fade in brightness. I work with a guy who cannot stand watching a football game on an LCD screen (at least on an older one without 120 or 240 Hz refresh) That is why both of his TVs are plasma.

Robert

i was just at a local best buy comparing 3 of sony's new models...the 32ex400, 32ex500 and, 32bx300.....i set all 3 tvs settings so that they are the same and left motionflow "on" for the ex500......PQ was significantly better on the ex400 and ex500 compared to the bx300 at a close distance but probably negligible at further distances....contrast and black levels were also much better on the ex400/500.....comparing the ex400 and ex500 only, the ex500 from my experience had a slightly better picture quality but the motionflow technology was hard to distinguish only during some scenes....lol i was at bestbuy for like 2 hours scanning all 3 tv's back and forth and the very last ex400 i took and kept near me only to leave and purchase it online!! btw i believe all 3 TV's were getting the same signal except the bx300 was being fed a 1080i/720p demo not really sure might explain the better PQ on the 400/500

umm actually both 32EX400 and 32V5500 is both 60Hz

http://www.sony-asia.com/product/Com...ls=KDL-52V5500

the V5500 is a 2009 model but i like the design but the EX400 is this years model this both sets has similar specs so i cant choose out of the 2
also i heard the 32v5500 contrast is 60,000 while the 32EX400 is 140,000 which is higher. Well i guess i have to make my mind testing these 2 units side by side is the EX400 model really look good can someone take picture of it

Hi, I'm a new owner of a Sony Bravia KDL-32EX400 and it's my first HDTV. It's only 32" but that's the largest TV I've ever had personally and that's what fits in my car and in my entertainment center.
I looked at a lot of different brands, narrowed down a couple of Samsung and Panasonic plasmas at first but I kind of prefer the LCD. I also got a great deal since I got $50 off at HH Gregg using the coupon from their website, if only I could have found a better deal at another retailer and price matched.
My girlfriend and the sales guy kind of talked me into a 2yr warranty though I also have Extended Warranty Service since I paid for it with my American Express. Not sure if theirs was necessary but its nice to have I guess.
The great thing is now I have a regular TV in my bedroom too, almost more excited about that. I also bought a new antenna so maybe I'll have some better luck with my signal quality.

I got my PC hooked up to the Sony using DVI to HDMI w/ the RCA cables. It seems the PIP only functions with a direct PC input though?
Anyways, are there any recommendations on settings or functions I should be using or not using.
Thanks

Hi, thanks for your response.
With PIP I've found the option isn't available on my PC using the resolution 1680 x 1050. I have my PC hooked up using DVI to HDMI though. With my 360 hooked up to the VGA port I am able to access PIP. I'm wondering if I should do some sort of VGA splitting and get my PC on VGA as well, though I'd need a 20" cord for it.

Thanks or the tips. I decided to turn off the Ambient Sensor. I'll mess around with the back light/power saving now. I'll be sure to check out Live Color as well since I kind of noticed some skin tone issues.
I'll be sure to switch to Graphic for text reading too.
With my PC viewing I think I'm going to have to constantly switch my display setting. For movies I'll do extended display so I get a true 1080P vs when I just want to mirror my desktop for general PC use.

I just tried to hook up my iPod Touch 2g (3.* firmware) and noticed it charges but there's no way for me to access any of my music on it. I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions?

So I decided to go with the 40" over the 46". The gf is happy and I am impressed by how much larger 40 feels over 32. 46" is in the cards for the future but right now I am really enjoying this set.

I haven't played any Blu-Ray movies on it yet, but I have my PS3 hooked up and played God of War 3 and the picture was fantastic! 1080P is a large difference over the previous 720P. The black levels on this set FAR surpass my old one and I could not detect any flashlighting whatsoever.

I will say this about the set though, off angle viewing is not the best at all by far. It realyl doesn't bother me as I sit in the "sweetspot" dead center most of the time, but for those with a lot of seating options or angled seating, it may be something to consider. When i do Wii Fit I stand over the set a bit and can tell a difference. Overall the TV kicks ass and I couldn't be happier :-D

I hope to get some pics up in the next couple of days and watch a Blu-Ray or two as well.

I forgot to mention that I bought the 40EX400 at a Sony store at an outlet mall. The 2 year in home warranty was $29 which I thought was much cheaper than even Sony Style (I may be wrong).

I wonder how sd/analog sources look on these tvs?

Anyone that has one of these can comment on this?

I can only comment on the Wii as I haven't had a VCR in years. The Wii is plugged in with component cables and the picture looks good to me.

My gf loves VH-1 and Comcast only has it in SD in our area and it looks alright to me as well. I wish they would move on and get Comedy Central and VH-1 on HD feeds!

I have a question about sony KDL-32EX400, is the screen matte or glossy?

semi gloss

Anyone have any settings to share for the 40ex400? The set looks good as of now, but it's missing something I can't quite dial in.

How good would this TV be for video gaming? Generally fast-paced, twitch games. The reason as to why I'm asking this is the fact that I can't seem to find the response time for this TV anywhere. When I do Google searches, I get different numbers. Also, what would you recommend for fast gaming? I've heard some say under 8ms is fine, while others say that under 4ms is essential. Lastly, will the 60Hz refresh rate on this TV hurt the gaming at all? Thank you.

cant wait to get 32EX400 end of this april/early may, yeah i want to know how games will be on this set

If you're watching sport events, is the difference so obvious when you have motion 100Ηz;
Also concerning the sound system, are there any real differences between the EX402 and EX500;
Thanks!

i have a line on my sony bravia and i just want to know what that is it is in the middle screen it is noticeable when the colors go dark. it just started. does this mean i have to get a new tv. new to this so is there a quick fix for that. help help help.

Hi,

I have a Samsung LN32C530F1F which is a 32" 1080p 60hz TV. I am using it at this point only for PC usage. I dont know if some point in the future I will use it as a TV but for now that is not the case.

I was going to buy the KDL32EX500 at BestBuy but they didnt have it. I have been having some buyers remorse about not getting the KDL32EX500. I went in today & saw that the store has it. I am within my 30 day return window.

The price differerence between the Samsung & Sony is an additional $90.00.

I like that the samsung timer lets you set 3 times per day when you can have the TV automatically shut off (full off). The Sony manual suggests that the TV can be shutoff after an amout of activity (similar to a screen saver).

Is it worth an extra $90 to upgrade from the Samsung 32 to the KDL32EX500?

Thanks,
Rich

I have been looking for a good 32" TV for what seems like ages. I have been debating between the EX400 and EX500 but ultimately purchased the EX500. In my case it was $50 more for the EX500. For the extra $50 I get:

- a cool backside power button on the remote which makes it very aesthetically pleasing to have sitting on a table
- a bottom bezel which appears to be actual brushed aluminium rather than the plasticky version found on the EX400
- swivel stand (which may come in handy at some point even though it doesn't now in my case)
- 120 Hz
- a slightly superior panel

From the above summary I think the EX500 is worth the small cost difference.

Regarding 120 Hz: last night I had some 1080i OTA hockey on the CBC. The difference with 120 Hz - even on my small 32" - is very significant! With that said, I personally have found that I strongly dislike 120 Hz for any other content, and since I don't watch sports normally, 120 Hz is more or less a useless feature for me so far. But if you watch sports, I'd say the EX500 is an absolute must.

Regarding PQ: I can't speak for the EX400, but the EX500 picture quality is outstanding. The black levels are incredible. I was a little worried that the EX400 may have noticeably inferior black levels, so that pushed me to the EX500. The fact that there are a number of other features gained in the upgrade make the decision pretty safe.

The only thing I dislike so far is that these TVs do NOT HAVE AN EPG! It doesn't even tell you what's on next. To be honest I am really surprised and disappointed by this. I also have a Samsung LTN-26B360 in another bedroom and it has a descent EPG on it and is a fairly low-end TV...so I am confused with this omission on the Sony. Fortunately I don't really watch TV so this isn't that big of a deal for me...but still, what's the point of having an ATSC tuner without having an EPG?

Some users in the EX500 thread claim that the CNET settings for last year's KDL-xxW5100 TVs are a very good starting place since the panels are apparently very similar (the same?):

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-19410_10...&tag=mncol;txt

Does anyone have any calabration settings on this set or settings they are happy with,or sets on Tweak My TV that are comparable...... Thanks

when I change the setting to full pixel mode I get a black bar in the top quarter of each side of the screen. I notice that the picture size reduces slightly to get more picture on the screen. I do not get these bars on my kdlw4100 .

I used the XBR9 settings and tweaked from there, until my calibration disks arrive tomorrow.

Hello,

I am planning to buy a EX40040 inch.
Could someone suggest how's the sound quality of this model and how does SD quality would affect in 1080? Would the picture look blur?

Regards

SQ isn't great, or good for that matter. If I had to rate it out of 10, it'd be like a 2.5 or 3/10. It's only "average" for sounds like ESPN - commentary.

VERY few TV's have acceptable sound out of them stock. SD isn't "blur" but it certainly doesn't look close to HD. Will you be watching a LOT of SD?

A few SD channels, not sure how sports channels would be.

Yesterday I bought KLV40EX400, would like to know best configuration settings available for this model,someone could suggest?

Regards