Sony BRAVIA XBR-65HX292 65" LED LCD 3D Display First Look

If there is a more recognized name in consumer electronics than Sony, we're not sure what it is. They have had their hands in just about every major advance in technology since we were kids. From walkmans to Blu-ray, people have associated Sony with technological advances and quality. We know people that will buy nothing else. If it isn't a Sony, they don't want it.

If there was a buzz word of CES 2011 it was 3D. You couldn't walk into a booth and not see those two characters somewhere. It didn't matter if they had a product that actually used 3D, they used it to draw you in. Sony, of course, did have 3D and they didn't mind showing it off. Their new BRAVIA line of displays include 27 (count 'em) new models of LCD panels. Being audioholics, while we might not be able to afford it, we're going to talk about the top of the line.

The BRAVIA XBR-65HX292 is an LED back lit LCD panel with all the bells and whistles. While it makes for a slightly deeper display, Sony has opted for the local dimming rather than edge lit LED technology with this flagship panel. We applaud them for that. Like all major manufacturers these days, they've given the technology a special name (in this case they call is "Sony's Intelligent Peak LED" or, as we like to call is SIP LED), what it amounts to is the ability to turn the backlight off in specific areas. This gives the LCD panel plasma-like contrast and black levels. They match this with "Sony's MotionFlow XR 960" backlight control. This technology precisely (according to Sony) synchronizes the dimming with the liquid crystal movement. This promises to reduce motion blur, a common complaint of LCD panels.

When display manufacturers aren't busy trying to convince you their 3D is best, they are usually talking about connectivity. In the case of the XBR-65HX292 they've integrated a Wi-Fi receiver so you aren't forced to use a wired connection (though they have an Ethernet port as well). This gives you access to Sony's BRAVIA Internet video and Qriocity. Sony's BRAVIA Internet Video platform includes Sony’s Video On Demand and Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity, as well as Netflix, Pandora, Hulu Plus, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Slacker Internet Radio, Crackle, Blip.tv. Video On Demand powered by Qriocity is a premium video streaming service with instant access to Hollywood blockbusters, and Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity is a cloud-based, streaming music service which gives music lovers access at anytime to a constantly expanding catalog of over six million global music tracks from major labels. If ever there were a need for HDMI Audio Return channel, it is with this display. 

Not to be left out, Skype is included in the XBR-65HX292 though you'll have to buy the camera/mic separately (and we're guessing it's proprietary to Sony so you won't be able to use that old webcam you have in that box under your desk). The Sony camera and microphone (CMU-BR100) will allow users to enjoy free widescreen Skype-to-Skype video calls with friends and family from the comfort of their living rooms.  Users can also make voice calls while simultaneously watching TV. 

Of course, the big talk is 3D and the XBR-65HX292 is, of course, equipped. While the new polarized glasses were all the talk, the XBR-65HX292 will be using Active Shutter glasses. These are sold separately and probably represent a pretty substantial expenditure. All of the Active Shutter glasses we've seen have been at least $100. Sony gave us no indication that their new set will have any glasses included.

One of the stranger additions to the XBR-65HX292's feature set is the X-Reality PRO Engine. In Sony's words

The X-Reality PRO Engine is a two-chip digital video processor that optimizes high definition content, compressed HD signals, standard definition, and other sources including low resolution Internet content.  Utilizing a vast database of “ideal” signal patterns developed by analyzing and indexing and enormous library of film and video, the X-Reality PRO Engine compares incoming signals pixel-by-pixel with ideal scenes to display vivid and detailed images.

We're not exactly sure what this is or how well it'll work but it sounds like something your custom installer (and we) would want to turn off. There are a lot of other features to the XBR-65HX292 that get glossed over in all the 3D/connectivity talk. It is custom installation friendly with key features such as rear IR-input and a two-way RS232c connection for easier integration with third-party control systems. It can stream media from a USB port. Sony’s Media Remote app (available for iPhone/iPod Touch, iPad, and Android) provides simple operation and search for internet content. There is a Playstation 3 style Xross Media Bar which will be very familiar to PS3 owners and should ease confusion. The new UI provides uninterrupted viewing by disseminating the video and placing key menu functions and favorite along the bottom and side of the picture frame.

Conclusion

There is a trend in just about every industry that the bigger and more well known a company gets, the less the "hardcore" will like them. That's definitely the case with Sony. But the reality is that a company as big as Sony is going to put out a couple of dud products. It's just statistics. But that doesn't mean you should discount them all. Sony's BRAVIA line has been very popular and the XBR-65HX292 looks to be a worthy successor. While we'll reserve our final judgment until we see it in action and know what the MSRP will be, we love that they included a Wi-Fi receiver and local area dimming has been very successful in our experience. We are definitely looking forward to seeing what this display will do when it is released in August. We just hope they decide to bundle a few pairs of the glasses when they do.

For more information, please visit www.sony.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.