Sony KDL-46Z5500 LCD TV

It’s no secret that Sony hasn’t had an easy time in the highly competitive TV market of late. Despite its eminently recognisable logo and a brand status that’s comparable to the likes of Nike, Coca Cola and Lego, it’s struggled to compete with more affordable rivals. In truth, the brand’s TV vision seemed a little blurred for a while, but 2009 has signalled a renaissance. And the 46Z5500 keeps the forward momentum going.

In fact, it’s exceptional. And brave. For starters, it doesn’t have an LED backlight, which, for a two-grand telly, strikes me as rather courageous. Instead, Sony has put its faith in CCFL. And while that is to the slight detriment of black levels (which are extremely good regardless, helped by a real world contrast ratio of over 60,000:1), it is a move that has seemingly allowed the boffins to concentrate on detail reproduction and colour saturation...

First published in Home Cinema Choice 173

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