Sony KDL40W4000 Review

[initialsBB]

Ran around Paris looking for a dealer that had a 40w4000 in stock after Vincent's review... I found a 46w4000 instead :p

I'm thrilled, it's excellent! I waited so many years to get an HDTV, the time for technology to catch up to my expectations : Full HD, 24p, DVB-HD, ... I'm a professional video colourist too, so having detailed reviews like this site's was really important.

Thank you Vincent !

[kenneth]

Hey!

Really thanks for all the great reviews. I am going to buy my first HD tv soon. First  I had my eye on the W3000 but now this new model w4000 is available, i will go for it because it is more than 100 euro cheaper than the older W3000 (in my country: Netherlands).

But, I have one big question I would really love to be answered:

I cannot decide between the KDL40W4000 and the KDL32W4000

Because I dont really need a 40 " sreen. I have saved enough money for the 40" so money doesn' t matter, I just want to make the right choice. I am a student and my living room is actually quite small: the distance between the wall and the couch is 4 meters ( about 13 feet).

Is there any reason not to go for the 32 "  screen? I heard someone talking about smaller screens not really full HD???
I am going to use this TV for watching movies (mostly standard definition, but I have apple TV where i can watch HD movies with).

Ok, i hope someone can explain me which screen size will (differences between the 32 and 40 " ) be the best choice!!!

Thanks in advance,

Kenneth

[helge_a]

go 40"! at least. personally I think a 40" screen is too small with 3m distance... I think I once compared to the local cinema and found that at 3m, the tv should be 100" at least to cover a similar part of the view... but of course, if you watch SD material mostly, a 40" at 3m may be adequate.

[initialsBB]

Yes I agree... get the 40". And don't forget that this is an investment that will last you many years : You may not have much space for it now but in 2 years I'm sure you'll find a great living room to put it in

[Vincent]

Post-calibration settings are now up at:

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/Sony-KDL40W4000/Settings

Warmest regards
Vincent

[Gorgon]

Thank you!

[initialsBB]

Post-calibration settings are now up at:

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/Sony-KDL40W4000/Settings

Warmest regards
Vincent

Thanks, just in time for my inaugural blu-ray sunday afternoon double-feature

[Thrakier]

Post-calibration settings are now up at:

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/Sony-KDL40W4000/Settings

Warmest regards
Vincent

Vincent, could you please answer my question? Did you notice anything bad because you can't use RGB Full for PS3?

[Vennwood]

Hi Vincent,

I'm just about to surf around for one of these KDL40W4000 models but wonder why you haven't mentioned the lack of voice zoom feature as found on the W3000 - Do you think Sony dropped it because of costs or dropped it because it wasn't much good?

[duck_the_hitman]

Hello ppl. My first post here. Must say GREAT work by you pro guys, contrary to all other sites that just write "the product is good, buy it"

Now to the real topic:
I've recently bought the 40w4000 and connected it to my htpc via hdmi with a 1080p60 signal (and ofc 1:1 setting). I am very satisfied with it. However, there is the VERY DISTURBING thing with locked (forced) sharpness. When the setting is at 'min' the filter is still altering the picture. And i want a "clean" picture.
Can anyone else confirm this?
Any ideas on how to fix this (turn sharpness filter comletely off)?

[recoilfx]

Hi Vicent,

I noticed in your review you said that the auto dimming can be disabled by turning ACE off, but in the US version, apparently that doesn't do anything :-(  Though i did notice that in the service menu screenshot you provided, there is a menu item called dimmer, is this the corresponding option that can turn off dimming?  Also, could you post the code to get into service menu?  the  dispaly+5+volup+pwr brought up some really weird menu with cryptic text that i couldnt comphrend

[sirfin]

Hi Vincent,

I am in the throes of a dilemma at the moment......

Having read the review of the KDL40W4000U I was 99% certain it was the one that I wanted.

Just to confirm I went to the Sony Store to see on in action. Cleverly enough, they had the KDL40W4000, alongside the flagship KDL40X3500.

Even to my untrained eye, the picture on the 40X appeared noticably better then the 40W.

Now both TVs get excellent reviews on this site........and money not being a huge concern, (there is only about £300 difference) I would be interested to know what opinion people here (or Vincents) would be in relation to this purchase.

I don't game, it would merely be for Digital TV (Virgin) and the odd DVD.....

Thanks for reading,

Regards,

Finbarr.

[yoko83]

Hi Guys,

For those of you who speak french, feel free to find a tutorial i wrote about Sony W4000 calibration. I speak about white balance settings.

http://www.homecinema-fr.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1194&t=29887284

Sorry i had no time to translate it in english.

Best Regards,

Yoko83

[aididdly]

hi all,

I'm proud owner of sony KLV-40W400A and yes is a Asia Pacific model since I live in Malaysia.I regularly read on HDTVtest after Vincent's concluded highly recommended I just felt it is time to change my 1 year old Hitachi Plasma HD Ready to much better LCD with Full HD 1080P.

It took me 2 weeks to think and finally last week I made a booking for a 40W400A and arrived next 2 days later but before it arrived I just can't wait to go to Vincent's Suggested calibration for the TV and quickly print it out for my reference and suddenly my TV has Black Corrector,Gamma,White Balance setting.. ???I just confused then.

The UK spec doesn't have that but over here the set up menu just like UK 40W3000. Do I ignore all the extra  setting (all OFF) on my TV and stick to 40W4000 or can I follow exactly like 40W3000 Calibrations?

Thanks   

[kelljery]

Hello

I've read carefully the Sony KDL40W4000 Review Conclusion but there is one thing which I do not understand :
> Fails to apply 3:2/ 2:2 pulldown to 480i/ 576i film-based content even with [Film Mode] set to "Auto"

how this failure will affect the usage ? when will I have trouble with this failure ?

Note: I plan to use this LCD with SD television, DVD player, computer connected to watch divx movie

Thanks in advance if somone can help and explain ...
best regards,
kelljery