Sony Bravia KDL-32V2000 review

Sony Bravia KDL-32V2000 Review

Reviewed by: Richard Arrowsmith

Reviewed on: 12 September 2006

The reason resides in the unseen technology that lies beneath. At its core is the latest Bravia Engine, which unlike previous Sony processing systems has been specifically designed for LCD. It uses several underlying systems, all aimed at enhancing individual picture elements such as detail, contrast, colour and multi-faceted noise reduction.

This is supported by several additional technologies, including the redesign of the liquid crystal system to extend viewing angles and the Wide Colour Gamut backlight that uses phosphors with improved light emitting properties to create more extensive, natural colours. Sony also claims an 8-millisecond response time that's considerably faster than earlier LCD models and supposedly enhances fast action movement.

As always, Sony's on-screen menu system is beautifully displayed and easy to use. The colourful icon-based menu simply involves scrolling between an extensive array of advanced settings. You can manually adjust all picture elements, adjust backlight brightness and choose between several preset picture and colour temperature modes. Sound options are equally impressive with frequency adjustments and its own pseudo-surround system.

There's also an excellent EPG that displays 7-day schedules for 12 channels at a time with numerous sub-options such as a 30-minute view and programme reminders. Put simply, the screen is a joy to use.

Performance
With a little fine-tuning this screen's performance deserves a place on the podium alongside the finest LCD TVs we've reviewed in the last year.

Almost independent of source and connectivity, image quality is unreservedly outstanding. Breathtaking colours are immediately engaging with a balance that separates natural skin tones from vivid surroundings without confusion. Dense black levels create excellent contrast and expose meticulous detail, even during low light scenes. Movement is particularly impressive with no trace of smearing or staggering, whether you're watching fast paced action or slow camera pans.

Images are immaculately clean whether you're using HDMI or component inputs, and even digital broadcasts suffer from less instability than we've seen before. There are occasional artefacts with digital programmes, but that's more a case of poor broadcast signals than any screen limitations.

It is hard to criticise any aspects of performance for the KDL-32V2000. Contrast edging could be sharpened, but the only flaws are too subtle to mention and are easily ignored given the exceptional performance elsewhere.

Edited by Mary Lojkine
Additional editing by Kate Macefield