What Hi Fi Sound and Vision
08 AUG 2008
Sony KDL-40V4000
We think this TV is a real bargain - a good few quid cheaper than comparable models and every bit as impressive
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Another month, another Sony TV... The '4000 number indicates this set comes from one of the most recently released series of sets, while the V shows this is a slightly stripped-down model compared to the W, E or even X ranges. Naturally, this is reflected in the price, with this 40in LCD in the Sony online store for £1000, and less than £800 online.
This model features the company's 'draw the line' concept design styling, though you'll have to fork out the extra for the W series should you want the 'midnight sky', sparkly blue finish.
Once turned on you'll see that this set doesn't have the PlayStation3-style Xross MediaBar, but there's a perfectly slick, easy-to-use remote instead.
There are a number of other differences beneath the surface, too. For starters, this is an 8-bit panel rather than a 10-bit panel, so Sony says offers fewer steps of colour gradation, and it doesn't support x.v.Colour or Live Colour Creation – though these technologies are reliant on a quality of source material that is currently simply not available.
While there are still three HDMI inputs, support for 1080p/24fps and of course a Freeview tuner, there's no USB input here or Picture Frame mode.
Sharp edges, natural colours and excellent detail
Watching the best quality 1080p/24fps Blu-ray content, this Sony has sharp edges, vivid but natural colours, excellent detail and a real sense of three-dimensionality. Fantastic Four shows dark blacks can be rendered faithfully alongside bright, clean whites, while motion is handled as well as any screen we've seen.
Switch to DVD and you realise why we've taken to HD content so merrily, the picture looking poor by comparison, especially if the TV does the upscaling. That said, a good quality DVD disc looks as good as the best in class we've seen – it's just not a patch on HD content.
The onboard Freeview tuner delivers a detailed, colourful, largely stable picture with only the odd hint of noise at times, while sonically it's admirable for a TV, avoiding harshness and delivering clear, solid dialogue and movie sound.
If you can cope without some of the frills missing on this model, and we see no reason for now why not, then this Sony TV is a real bargain.