Design and equipment (by me 4/5 stars):
The design of Bravia like, with just 14 mm thick and 6 mm edge brings the aluminum frame in the upper part of the panel.
The complete technique has been housed in the lower part. An external power supply provides a relatively low heat.
Unfortunately, I have not noticed a slight camber of the panel, ie: when viewed from the side on the panel along, this is not 100% straight. Nevertheless, the Sony is very well made. The slim metal feet looks modern and not so Globig as with some other devices.
The large Sony logo is a matter of taste.
The connection options are limited to the absolute minimum. In addition to 2 HDMI 1 USB 2.0 and are the major ports.
Another USB would have been desirable, can cope, however.
Wall mount (VESA):
Who putting up with a foot do not like, which can also repurpose this to the wall bracket. Unfortunately, this is only possible rigid, without panning or tilting function. All necessary steps for wall mounting are well described and go thanks to the included template slightly out of hand.
If not enough this feature, unfortunately, no mounting via VESA standard is possible. There are only 2 glands above the rear panel of the Sony own adapters. This can be as far as I could make it in experience, only available through the manufacturer support.
From a mounting with VESA mounting to only the two glands I would advise against, since it may distort the panel. Two M6 screws hold no 14 kilos television permanently functioning outside the main center of gravity. As a designer I know what I'm talking there.
But you can even be constructively engaged and designs its own adapter. My adapter (see my 3 customer images) uses existing mounting foot to the entire weight to bear and the two rear screw to stabilize the panel.
Thus an adaptation to the wall bracket is provided and the unit is working perfectly. The production of the adapter parts takes each sheet processing companies for low budget.
This design seemed the most secure, but also other fittings for wall mounting are possible.
Here are the instructions for reverse engineering: see comments
Picture (of me 4/5 stars):
The image is surprisingly good for this price range. Bold colors and a very good black level. However, the illumination is not really good.
At the highest setting and cold white picture still looks like a light gray.
Compared to my old plasma striking a darker image. For Samsung devices that works much better. Will probably be due to the different thickness panels. But if we have experimented for a while with many luxurious settings, a good picture can still produce. 200 Hz is sufficient also completely. So watching most classic films also for such.
The HD picture confident anyway ... impressive detail with HD movies as well as games via XBOX360 or PS3.
Sound (from me 2/5 stars):
The sound of the built Lausprecher is not very good. Treble and midrange are ok, but in the low frequencies, is in the bass, lack of certain kick.
Clear recommendation: an external sound system is needed. For me this is now doing a 2.1 system from Bose.
SAT tuner (from me 5/5 stars):
I have only tested the SATs, I just need this. Clear advantage for the Bravia. A really good SD picture and HD anyway.
I renounce deliberately to an HD plug-in module, because the SD image meets the normal requirements.
The switchover of the tuner, as already accustomed not fast, but ok.
Highlight the possibility to load the desired stations on a USB stick,
and then create a separate channel list on the PC using downloadable Sony editor. Then it returned to the television.
That went quick and was completed in 15 minutes.
3D image (from me 5/5 stars):
Strong buy recommendation also at this point. Having many devices from different manufacturers tested was first clear that it would be the polarization technique. The goggles pleasantly, are cheap and you do not get a headache as the shutter glasses.
When image itself I / we found positive that virtually no ghosting and rarely Doppelkonturten are perceiving.
Despite shared pixels the image is pleasant. Computer animated films such as "Train Your Dragon," "Megamind" and "Iron Man 3" act naturally better than conventional films. In the former film the flying scenes are especially impressive, and act as if we were hanging on the tail of the dragon.
Who initially has no 3D player, should take a look at the 3D test channel, it is worth.
SmartTV (from me 3/5 stars):
This function is easily possible via cable or integrated WLAN. However, in the long run not very rewarding. I quickly changed back to the usual PC and Tablet. In the first application in the browser, I first have to search for several minutes the URL entry. And with the TV remote control takes the use of SmartTV much longer than with other devices. Although you can see the "TV Side View" app load on smartphone in order to control the TV / SmartTV and to do text using the keyboard smartphone, but it does in the long run no fun. For SmartTV one should rather resort to a Philips device, because this function is also fun.
However, even when reichts Bravia For simple applications.
Remote control (from me 2/5 stars):
The remote control of KDL50W685 is kept simple, downright cheap. For simple applications, the television is also sufficient. Were it not for the nonsensical arrangement of the keys. Even after 2 months I am looking for sometimes even after keys to some functions such as teletext. One can also control other devices such as DVD players with it, but then rather bought a quality universal remote control for all or the "TV Side View" app for the smartphone.
Special functions (by me 4.5 / 5 stars):
For one thing, there would be "screen mirror" which allows you to stream photos from Smarphone or Tablet to the TV. After setting up this application works not so bad (tested with HTC smartphones and Samsung S4).
Furthermore, the recording function of TV programs on external storage devices via USB 2.0. Sony gives this before some units of their own home and from Western Digital, but goes well with devices from other manufacturers. Nevertheless, I recommend SSD hard drives or USB flash drives with a capacity from 32 gigabytes to use, since they operate without start-up time. Playing media via USB is also smaller capacity.
Praiseworthy is also the clear TV Guide.
Short yet to energy consumption:
My power saver bar has become superfluous since the Bravia because it has such a low consumption,
that the bar shuts down after a few seconds :-)
Conclusion:
A successful mid-size model with saving factor of connections, but very good picture and great 3D.
Deductions there for sound, SmartTV and remote control. All these functions can be shut off by accessories.
If even Liese improve mediocre illumination of the panel, I would give it 5 stars.
The lack of VESA standard is no problem with a little skill and a low for this career choice.
