Sony KDL-V5500 Series LCD HDTV (32", 35", 37", 40", 46", 52") (TVs)

Offering generally excellent picture quality and a host of features, the 40-inch, 1080p KDL-40V5500 LCD TV is surprisingly cheap for a large Bravia TV. Committed videophiles may notice a backlight inconsistency issue, but, for most users, this set will...

Aggressively priced for a large Bravia TV ; pictures look great most of the time ; good feature set for the money

Online services are very limited ; some backlight inconsistency ; no 100Hz engine

Extremely affordable by Sony's usual wallet-hammering standards, the Bravia KDL-40V5500 is a good, feature-laden TV. The only problem is that, due to a noticeable backlight problem, pictures aren't as consistently good as we'd like

Extremely affordable by Sony's usual wallet-hammering standards, the Bravia KDL-40V5500 is a good, feature-laden TV. The only problem is that, due to a noticeable backlight problem, pictures aren't as consistently good as we'd like

Aggressively priced for a large Bravia TV ; Pictures look great most of the time ; Good feature set for the money

Online services are very limited ; Some backlight inconsistency ; No 100Hz engine

Conclusion If you're a casual user, the Sony Bravia KDL-40V5500 has plenty going for it. It's unusually cheap for a Sony Bravia TV, especially considering how much multimedia functionality it's got, and there are times -- many times, in fact -- when...

What can we expect from the Sony Bravia KDL-40V5500 40in LCD TV? John finds out.

In many ways, the 40V5500 really is a terrific TV. After all, for much of the time that you sit there watching it, its pictures could well have your jaw hanging open in admiration. It's just a real shame that all this quality should be blighted by the...

Did you expect anything less? This Sony set is a formidable flag in the sand

Extensive technical specifications ; brilliant TV tuner ; crisp, clean and natural video images

Sound is only OK

In many ways, the 'V5500 is a most impressive set; but it's also the most disappointing

Brilliant combination of inky blacks and bright whites ; stunning detail, especially with HD ; great motion and colours

Poor backlighting ; just a smidge of noise around standard-def edges

This petite 32-incher is an extremely well-endowed LCD TV which offers solid picture quality and extensive A/V connectivity options.

Full-HD panel; extensive connection options; DLNA networking features; USB media player

Minor backlight bleeding in lower corners of the screen; some noise; pixelation and color banding in standard definition

The Sony Bravia KDL-32V5500 is in a class of its own. While it's not the most advanced television Sony has on offer and image quality could be a little better, for the asking price you aren't likely to find a 1080p panel that has this many features and...

This Japanese 40-inch LCD TV is generally excellent, let down by only a single aggravating flaw.

Pictures look great most of the time; good black-level performance; DLNA network multimedia playback; IDTV; four HDMI inputs

Some backlight inconsistency; no 100Hz engine

If you're a casual user, the Sony Bravia KDL-40V5500 has plenty going for it and generally outstanding pictures. But serious film fans will inevitably find themselves cursing the subtle backlight inconsistencies from time to time.

Sony delivers a class leading mid level LCD TV ..

Most aspects of picture quality are outstanding

Can't match plasma for shadow detailing

With an accomplished performance in all areas, the KDL-32V5500 delivers on the promise of a class leading mid level LCD TV.

Without being the best of the bunch, the V5500 is an excellent alternative for anybody who wants to keep an eye on their budget. It's a reasonable choice if you don't want to shell out the prices demanded by the very best models.

Black levels: 0.12 cd/m² ANSI contrast: 1521:1 Average gamma: 2.25 DeltaE on PC: 5.4 Relative energy consumption : 252 W/m² Homogeneity of whites: 3/5 Clouding: 5/5 Light leak onto dark greys at 45°: 0.42 cd/m² DeltaE at 45°: 5.7 We take these...

Great image with solid contrast ; Powerful brightness available

No Motionflow ; Some ghosting noticeable

Without being the best of the bunch, the V5500 is an excellent alternative for anybody who wants to keep an eye on their budget. It's a reasonable choice if you don't want to shell out the prices demanded by the very best models.