Tour & Design
Like the other models in the W5100 series, the KDL-65W5100 has a design that's slightly reminiscent of a picture frame, with a raised edge to the bezel and the screen recessed within that. It's a slightly unusual design, but it works well.
Back
We were not able to get a photo of the back of the KDL-65W5100 as the demo model was bolted to a wall and Sony declined to allow us to tear it off. Below is a photo of the back of the KDL-40W5100, which our sources inform us has a similar layout as the larger model.
Sides
On the left side of the KDL-65W5100, you can see the ports and sockets. On the right side are the controls.
Stand/Mount
Because the demo unit we looked at was bolted to a wall, it did not have a stand attached. However, once again our sleuthing skills (downloading the manual) revealed that the stand of the 65' version of this display will be the same as the stand of the KDL-40W5100, just a little bigger.
Aesthetics
We would describe the looks of the KDL-65W5100 as stylish, but understated. And we mean that in a nice way; a HDTV should look like a TV, not a piece of abstract art.
Performance Features
Display Size & Technology
The heart of the KDL-65W5100 is a 65-inch LCD panel, with a conventional CCFL backlight. While some models are switching to the fancier LED backlights, this model sticks with the tried and trusted florescent lights.
Formats & Resolution
1080p is the order of the day here: the screen of the KDL-65W5100 has a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels, so it can display every pixel of a 1080p signal.
Brightness, Blacks and Contrast Ratio
We weren't able to test the blacks and whites of the KDL-65W5100, but Sony claim a contrast ratio of 50,000:1. That's an ahmbitious claim, but this figure is for dynamic contrast, which produces much larger figures that the static contrast figures that we find in our tests. We'll know how good this figure is when we get a review model in for test.
Color
We were not able to test the color performance of this display, but one thing to note is that it does support Deep Color, a new standard that provides for more color information to be sent to the display. However, this is not currently supported by Blu-ray players, so this feature isn't that useful yet.
Motion & Refresh Rate
120Hz processing is included on this display, which Sony claims will produce smoother and more accurate motion. We were not able to run our tests on this particular model, but our tests on other similar models have shown that it does usually produce better motion.
Viewing Angle
Sony quotes an ahmbitions viewing angle of 178 degrees for this display, but we typically find the real figures to be much smaller in our tests. But agin, we'll have to wait for a review unit to test before we can draw any conclusions on that.
Connectivity & Media
Audio & Video Ports
On the side of the display are a number of ports, including a USB port, VGA, 3 HDMI and an S-Video and composite video input. An analog audio input accompanies the S-Video and composite video inputs.
We weren't able to get a shot of the back of the KFL-65W5100, but the layout and number of ports are the same as those on its sibling, the KDL-40W5100, shown below. The ports include 1 HDMI and a number of analog video inputs. This is unusal; most models put the majority of their HDMI ports on the back, but this one puts them on the side. However, the side ports are deeply recessed, so it is not difficult to route the cables out of the way if you use them for permanent connections.
Media & Other Connectivity
The KDL-65W5100 includes both a USB port and an Ethernet port so it can play media from both USB devices and from the Internet. The latter is becoming more common on HDTVs, and allows this display to play back Internet content such as Netflix streaming movies and twitter posts.
Placement
The port's on the KDL-65Z5100's left side are easy to reach, although they are behind the edge of the bezel and may be shielded from direct light depending on your set-up, you may still need a flashlight to identify the ports correctly.
Audio
We were not able to test the speakers of this display.
Controls, Menu & Remote
Remote
The remote that comes with the KDL-65W5100 wasn't available for us to test out, but we have generally found Sony remote to be pretty good, although they are often overly blessed with too many buttons.
Controls
The KDL-65Z5100's controls on the right side provide the following functions: power on/off, channel up/down, volume up/down, input selection, and home (menu). They are easy to reach when standing in front of the unit, and though there's not much to differentiate them by feel aside from their location (the channel and volume adjustment buttons feel exactly the same), it should be no problem operating them once you have the lay-out down.
Menu
We were unable to access the menus of the demo unit we looked at.
Conclusion
Series Comparison
X Series
There are four models in the W5100 series, ranging from 40 inches up to the 65-incher that we looked at here.
Meet the tester
Richard Baguley is a veteran writer who has written about technology ranging from Alphabet to Zip file utilities. He has contributed to pretty much every major tech publication, including Amiga Format Magazine, PC World, Wired, CNET, Toms Guide, Forbes, and many others. He lives in the Boston metro area with his wife, dog, and an indeterminate number of cats.
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