Sony KDL-W5500 SERIES

alsina · 23-03-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinistro

The perfect lcd aint for sale yet

I think its a good review and comparing with the similar samsung and the previous w4500 we have to remember that this tv comes on the market with a lower launch price and lower power consumption.

I think for price/quality this series is one of the most interesting on the market atm.

Though I wont buy one yet as my wallet aint permitting me to buy the 46'' yet and I hope that in a few months I can and that the offers are a bit better even.

Just a small point, but the W4500 had an RRP of £1199 on launch and the W5500 also has an RRP of £1199.

sinistro · 23-03-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackburn_

The W4500 uses 90watt calibrated and the W5500 uses 106watt, both according to HDTVtest.

I talking here about the 46'' and according sony's stats the w4500 uses 282watts and the w5500 uses 172 watts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alsina

Just a small point, but the W4500 had an RRP of £1199 on launch and the W5500 also has an RRP of £1199.

Not here in spain, the offers I seen here are atm a bit lower then when the 4500 came out.

spl23 · 23-03-2009, 1:11 PM

In case anyone is interested, I've put a photo of the SD deinterlacing bug on the W5500 on Photobucket - http://i709.photobucket.com/albums/ww99/spl237/sdi.jpg

It looks to me as if alternate blocks of horizontal lines are in the wrong order. This only happens with SD interlaced content over HDMI - SD progressive, 720p, 1080p and 1080i are all fine over HDMI, and SD interlaced is fine over component and SCART.

I think this has to be a software bug (ie common to all of them) rather than a fault with my particular set, unless anyone knows otherwise.

tomacwhite · 23-03-2009, 2:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrWatson

Just having a look at the 4500 review at hdtv.test.

Input lag 0-10ms in [Game Mode] or over VGA; 30-50ms otherwise

It says there it's worse than the W4500 for input lag. Would this be a problem? I've not seen a W4500 running with a PS3 or whatever so I wouldn't know. I'd like a new TV and this looks good.

Has anyone here tried it with a fast paced game (something at 60fps like Burnout Paradise or Street Fighter IV)?

toure7 · 23-03-2009, 2:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomacwhite

It says there it's worse than the W4500 for input lag. Would this be a problem? I've not seen a W4500 running with a PS3 or whatever so I wouldn't know. I'd like a new TV and this looks good.

Has anyone here tried it with a fast paced game (something at 60fps like Burnout Paradise or Street Fighter IV)?

17-33ms is very good for an lcd. Philips lcd's have 100ms(unplayable).
You should buy samsung 650 which is a much better tv than W5500

threesixty · 23-03-2009, 2:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomacwhite

It says there it's worse than the W4500 for input lag. Would this be a problem? I've not seen a W4500 running with a PS3 or whatever so I wouldn't know. I'd like a new TV and this looks good.

Has anyone here tried it with a fast paced game (something at 60fps like Burnout Paradise or Street Fighter IV)?

Played it with StreetFighter IV and COD modern warfare. Everything seems perfect.
Having had a w4500 and a w5500 I think the later one is pound for pound better. The options you have to customize the screen are better (the review on hdtv lounge didnt mention that you now have 3 levels of black etc..)
The sound is better (I couldnt bare to listen to the w4500 speakers but these ones are at least listenable).

The build quality is nice, and most of all the back light issue is at a minimum compared to the w4500 I had. I also think that the motion is better with this TV. On the 4500 watching blu-ray I always noticed to judder effect with slow panning shots when not using 100z. I watched tropic thunder last night and turned off the motion flow and it was cool. Didnt notice as much of that judder as I did before. I think there has been some refinement to the Bravia Engine.

At the end of the day I'm sure both tv's (samsung b650 & w5500) look amazing watching HD material. Just like a Denon and Pioneer sound system will both be amazing. The standard has been set this year with these tv sets. The thing that should sway you are things like input lag, menu systems/ease, brand loyalty/looks , price etc.. But picture wise, to 99% of viewers I'm sure the pictures are of equal quality..

skyform · 23-03-2009, 2:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toure7

17-33ms is very good for an lcd. Philips lcd's have 100ms(unplayable).
You should buy samsung 650 which is a much better tv than W5500

Philips had over 100ms two years ago, that was my model but last year models have only 25-30ms in gamemode.

I would also recommend B650 over W5500 this time, which is cheaper and also because it looks like Samsung improved this year in many things while Sony went a step back.

sinistro · 23-03-2009, 2:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyform

Philips had over 100ms two years ago, that was my model but last year models have only 25-30ms in gamemode.

I would also recommend B650 over W5500 this time, which is cheaper and also because it looks like Samsung improved this year in many things while Sony went a step back.

I will have to see both next to each other working to make up my mind which of them I would go for, but here I dont see any 650 only the 651 and that one is as ugly as hell, just horrible.

Did not find any review on that sammy series though.

daniel0917 · 23-03-2009, 3:04 PM

Hi,

I couldn't seem to find any info about it anywhere in this forum but could someone please tell me what the 5.1 Channel Audio Out feature on the 5500 series is about?

and am i right in saying that it is a new feature this year?

Thanks very much

alsina · 23-03-2009, 3:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daniel0917

Hi,

I couldn't seem to find any info about it anywhere in this forum but could someone please tell me what the 5.1 Channel Audio Out feature on the 5500 series is about?

and am i right in saying that it is a new feature this year?

Thanks very much

The 5.1 channel out is an optical output which will transmit 5.1 surround sound if we ever see this (in the UK) on any of the Freeview channels, which seems highly unlikely. Sony (as well as others) have had this connection for many years.

daniel0917 · 23-03-2009, 3:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alsina

The 5.1 channel out is an optical output which will transmit 5.1 surround sound if we ever see this (in the UK) on any of the Freeview channels, which seems highly unlikely. Sony (as well as others) have had this connection for many years.

thanks for your reply! does this feature apply to Freeview channels only or does it also support other input sources that support 5.1 channel sound?

alsina · 23-03-2009, 3:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daniel0917

thanks for your reply! does this feature apply to Freeview channels only or does it also support other input sources that support 5.1 channel sound?

Freeview only I'm afraid.

threesixty · 23-03-2009, 3:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daniel0917

thanks for your reply! does this feature apply to Freeview channels only or does it also support other input sources that support 5.1 channel sound?

The w5500 now passes through digitally the sound system used from a HDMI source (i. e. PS3). So if you have your amp connected via sp/dif from your W5500 and your watching a blu-ray film on PS3, the amp will now receive Dolby 5.1 etc..

Previously, the W4500 would just pass through a stereo signal.

daniel0917 · 23-03-2009, 3:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threesixty

The w5500 now passes through digitally the sound system used from a HDMI source (i. e. PS3). So if you have your amp connected via sp/dif from your W5500 and your watching a blu-ray film on PS3, the amp will now receive Dolby 5.1 etc..

Previously, the W4500 would just pass through a stereo signal.

that's the kind of feature I was hoping to get! thx a lot, Threesixty!

alsina · 23-03-2009, 3:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threesixty

The w5500 now passes through digitally the sound system used from a HDMI source (i. e. PS3). So if you have your amp connected via sp/dif from your W5500 and your watching a blu-ray film on PS3, the amp will now receive Dolby 5.1 etc..

Previously, the W4500 would just pass through a stereo signal.

That's a very neat feature. I presume this has been tested and proven to work?

ziffius · 23-03-2009, 3:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threesixty

The w5500 now passes through digitally the sound system used from a HDMI source (i. e. PS3). So if you have your amp connected via sp/dif from your W5500 and your watching a blu-ray film on PS3, the amp will now receive Dolby 5.1 etc..

Previously, the W4500 would just pass through a stereo signal.

I don't believe it does. It's prohibited from doing so by the HDCP licensing requirements. HDCP doesn't just apply to video, it appies to audio too.

It can only output sound from a HDCP source, to another HDCP compliant source. This was to prevent coping of the 5.1 audio. Optical doesn't support HDCP. This is why it was disabled on the W4500, even though it's technically capable of it, similar to region coding. HDCP doesn't apply to the internal freeview tuner, hence why it's able to output 5.1 from the optical.

Quote:

High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) is a form of Digital Rights Management (DRM) developed by Intel Corporation to control digital audio and video content as it travels across Digital Visual Interface (DVI) or High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connections. The specification is proprietary, and creating an implementation of HDCP requires a license.

HDCP is licensed by Digital Content Protection, a subsidiary of Intel. In addition to paying fees, licensees agree to limit the capabilities of their products. For example, high-definition digital video content must be restricted to DVD quality on non-HDCP compliant video outputs when requested by the source. DVD-Audio content is restricted to DAT quality on non-HDCP digital audio outputs (analog audio outputs have no quality limits). Licensees cannot allow their devices to make copies of content, and must design their products in ways that "effectively frustrate attempts to defeat the content protection requirements.

threesixty · 23-03-2009, 3:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alsina

That's a very neat feature. I presume this has been tested and proven to work?

Even as i typed this I was thinking.. let me make sure that I'm not talking out of my ass! I'll check it tonight again, but I remember it was something that bugged me on the w4500. So when I checked the W5500 over the weekend I was happy it was working as it should. I'll definitely confirm this tonight though.

jzc008 · 23-03-2009, 4:54 PM

I've just ordered mine and though I paid full price (£1200) from a Sony Centre it does include delivery and a five year guarantee and they have thrown in a Sony BluRay player.

It's coming on Saturday and if there's anything to add to this thread I'll post it here.

However I am now filtering out any negative posts

alsina · 23-03-2009, 5:11 PM

At last, What-HIFI acknowledge what a fair few people have been experiencing with recent Sony LCD's.

Sony KDL-40W5500 LCD TV review - from the experts at whathifi.com

And proof I guess that Sony do not vet/tweak review samples

skyform · 23-03-2009, 5:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alsina

At last, What-HIFI acknowledge what a fair few people have been experiencing with recent Sony LCD's.

Sony KDL-40W5500 LCD TV review - from the experts at whathifi.com

And proof I guess that Sony do not vet/tweak review samples

This may sound harsh but Sony are laughable, they have the worst uniformed backlight.

I have never seen or owened a more cloudy LCD then W4500 and Z4500 and it seems to be the same this year, really shameful.

spl23 · 23-03-2009, 5:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alsina

At last, What-HIFI acknowledge what a fair few people have been experiencing with recent Sony LCD's.

Sony KDL-40W5500 LCD TV review - from the experts at whathifi.com

And proof I guess that Sony do not vet/tweak review samples

Proof that What Hi-Fi don't actually test things properly, as well -

"and to keep up with the Joneses, the W5500 is wireless DLNA-capable."

Really? Mine isn't - you have to plug an Ethernet cable in. Strange new definition of "wireless" that I wasn't previously familiar with...

spl23 · 23-03-2009, 5:41 PM

One other comment -

Mine came with a CD-ROM to run on my PC to register for my "12 month warranty". However, on the back of the instruction manual is a statement that "this TV is sold with at least 2 years warranty", presumably meaning that in some countries the warranty is longer than that.

Anyone know what the standard Sony warranty really is on this set?

DrWatson · 23-03-2009, 5:41 PM

Does every Sony dealership throw in a Blu ray? I have read this on numerous posts. Is this something you have to haggle or is it part of the deal?

ziffius · 23-03-2009, 5:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spl23

Anyone know what the standard Sony warranty really is on this set?

1 Year in the UK, 2 years in elsewhere in the EU. Probably why our prices are cheaper than in some of ther other EU countries.

spl23 · 23-03-2009, 5:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziffius

1 Year in the UK, 2 years in elsewhere in the EU. Probably why our prices are cheaper than in some of ther other EU countries.

Hmmm - I wonder what the legal position is in that case given the statement on the back of the manual?

ziffius · 23-03-2009, 5:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fukuhela

Well thanks a lot for the try - much appreciated. I might just end with same configuration as you: WD TV and a NAS drive along with the w5500. Is that configuration working without any hazzle?

Doesn't that negate the who point of DNLA? you might as well just plug the laptop into the TV.

alsina · 23-03-2009, 5:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrWatson

Does every Sony dealership throw in a Blu ray? I have read this on numerous posts. Is this something you have to haggle or is it part of the deal?

The simple answer is no. Unless of course Sony themselves offer this as a package which they will be doing from the 27th April to 30th May.

threesixty · 23-03-2009, 7:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziffius

I don't believe it does. It's prohibited from doing so by the HDCP licensing requirements. HDCP doesn't just apply to video, it appies to audio too.

It can only output sound from a HDCP source, to another HDCP compliant source. This was to prevent coping of the 5.1 audio. Optical doesn't support HDCP. This is why it was disabled on the W4500, even though it's technically capable of it, similar to region coding. HDCP doesn't apply to the internal freeview tuner, hence why it's able to output 5.1 from the optical.

I just checked this on the w5500. If you change the audio output on a blu-ray film from linear PCM to bitstream my amp changes from PCM to Dolby Digital. I have an older Sony AV receiver (dav-s550) that is fed a signal from the W5500 via the SpDif optical out.

nenito2k · 23-03-2009, 7:24 PM

QUESTION :
the sony w5500 does suffer from the 8bits and lack of WCG. that is clear.

but i dont understand why samsung does not have theses issues with the colours (red and green) ????

can anybody explain to me why....? is it because the christal engine is overall better than the BE3 ?

JCL UK · 23-03-2009, 7:32 PM

Took the plunge today having been into the new Sony Centre in Edinburgh and viewed the W5500 in action.

Haggled a bit so managed to get the following for £1223:

W5500 or W5710 (depending on stock apparently)
BDPS350B Blu Ray Player
3 Blu Ray discs bundle
Good quality HDMI cable
5 year guarantee

Seemed like a good deal as TV equivalent and Blu Ray player (without discs) would have cost £1170 from Amazon.