Tour & Design
The front of the KDL-40Z5100T has few features, showing only the LED status lights in the bottom right corner, the Sony logo front and center along the bottom edge of the bevel, and the Bravia line insignia in the top left corner.
The front of the KDL-40Z5100
We could not capture the entire back of the KDL-40Z5100 on display, though you can see from this photo taken at an angle that it's pretty much what you expect the back of a flat screen TV to look like. The ports are on the right side of the unit as you face the rear, conveniently placed near the easy to access ports on that side of the TV. The visible ports include 2 sets of component video and audio in, 1 HDMI, 2 analog audio out ports, 1 digital audio out, 1 ethernet connection.
The back of the KDL-40Z5100
The left side of the KDL-40Z5100 has the easy access ports to enable quick input and output connections without needing to get to the back of the unit. The connections include HDMI, PC in, S-video, audio in, and USB ports. The right side of the KDL-40Z5100 features the control buttons to turn the unit on and off, change the channel, adjust the volume and input source, and go to the menu.
The left and right sides of the KDL-40Z5100
The KDL-40Z5100's stand is rectangular and seemed to provide stable support to the display unit we observed. The swivel function was locked, so we were unable to see how easy it was to move the unit. The wall mounting specs for the KDL-40Z5100 are not available, but it appears to have VESA-compatible mounting points.
The KDL-40Z5100's stand
As with most of Sony's flat screen line-up, the KDL-40Z5100 has understated yet stylish looks that will be at home in any but the most bletcherous media room decor choices. It won't be a head turner, however, though the bold Sony logo often carries its own panache. The KDL-40Z5100's bezel is a glossy black that's not overwhelming and shouldn't present a visual distraction in normal viewing conditions. In short, the KDL-40Z5100 doesn't wow us with its form, but presents a fashionable enough face that won't detract or distract from what it displays.
Performance Features
Display Size & Technology
The KDL-40Z5100's display is a 40' flat screen LCD. No information is available yet describing its backlight technology and efficiency.
The KDL-40Z5100's display
Format & Resolution
The KDL-40Z5100 supports 1080p format and has a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080. You should note that 1080p content currently comes primarily from Blu-Ray discs, so you won't be able to take advantage of the KDL-40Z5100's capabilities with broadcast TV regardless of its source at the moment. It will, of course, handle those 1080i, 720p and 480p/i broadcast signals.
Brightness, Blacks & Contrast Ratio
The brightness, blacks, and contrast ratio specs are not yet available for the KDL-40Z5100.
Refresh Rate & Motion
The KDL-40Z5100's refresh rate is 240Hz and Sony claims a proprietary Motionflow compensation technology here. The video presented on the display unit showed no fast motion whatsoever, so we were unable to gauge the KDL-40Z5100's performance by eye. We look forward to getting this unit in to our lab for full testing to see how the Motionflow technology performs.
Viewing Angle
The KDL-40Z5100's official viewing angle has not yet been published. From our observation on the show floor, its LCD display provides a very wide viewing angle, with little change to clarity and color of displayed images at very oblique angles.
Color
The KDL-40Z5100's color specs have not yet been published. The color displayed on the floor unit appeared true and natural, if not spectacularly vibrant. The videos shown on display units are usually tuned to flatter a TVs capabilities, and a unit's actual color performance won't be known until we take a look at it in our labs.
Connectivity & Media
Audio & Video Ports
The KDL-40Z5100 has a total of 4 HDMI ports, 2 component video in ports, 1 set of composite video and audio in, 1 S-video in, and one PC in port. In terms of audio out, there are 1 optical audio out and 2 analog audio ports.
It's nice to see multiple HDMi ports like this, though the placement of most of them on the side could result in a cable visible emerging from the side of the TV unless you're careful to route them behind the TV.
The ports on the rear and left side of the KDL-40Z5100
Media & Other Connectivity
The KDL-40Z5100 has an ethernet port for direct internet connectivity, and it's capable of showing internet video content without the need for an intermediary device. Content partners include video on demand from Amazon as well as Youtube. Additionally, the KDL-40Z5100 can display Bravia Widgets that can show real-time weather, stock price, and other information pulled directly from the internet.
Placement
The port's on the KDL-40Z5100'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. The KDL-40Z5100 does swivel for easier access to the ports on the rear, most of which are found just around the left edge.
Audio
No specs have been made available on the KDL-40Z5100's audio capabilities. Though we've found that, no matter how fantastic a TV's audio specs sound, even an inexpensive surround sound system will provide a better listening experience if audio is even remotely important to you.
Controls, Menu & Remote
Remote
The remote for the KDL-40Z5100 on the show floor was not available.
Controls
The KDL-40Z5100'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.
The controls on the right side of the KDL-40Z5100
Menu
We were unable to view the menu of the KDL-40Z5100.
Conclusion
The KDL-40Z5100 presents a good array of features on paper, and we're particularly intrigued by the 240Hz refresh rate and look forward to testing its performance in our lab. Direct connectivity to the internet is a nice option to widen the offerings available for your entertainment, especially with partners like Amazon and Youtube providing some content you actually want. Without a price, we're unable to size up its value relative to other comparable offerings. Sony does tend to price their units above other brands, even when the feature set offered is not as rich, and our guess is that the KDL-40Z5100 will be priced on the high end for each of the display sizes offered in this line.
Meet the tester
Marianne Schultz
Editor
Marianne Schultz is a valued contributor to the Reviewed.com family of sites.
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