Sony is a household name in the electronics industry. But sadly when it comes to LED TVs, they aren't on top. The Sony Bravia KDL55HX800 does offer 3D comparable to the Samsung UN55C8000 and is offered at a much better price, so if 3D is a must-have and you want to save a little money this may be a good choice for you. The HX800 series is the most affordable 3D TV available from Sony, but unfortunately you get what you pay for with this unit. The LED TV itself is quite thick at 2.9 inches and has right around the same specs you would expect to find on a mid-range LED TV.
Features:
Much like Samsung and LG, Sony understands the need for the latest and greatest technology and has attempted to compete in the new realm of 3D TVs. However, Sony's 3D still leaves a lot to be desired. That being said, Sony and Samsung are the only two companies who have been able to produce a 3D LED TV that is even somewhat decent.
Along with 3D capability, the Sony Bravia KDL55HX800 has what is called “Dynamic Edge” LED backlighting which gives this TV the ability to offer local dimming from an edge-lit array. This is very similar to standard local dimming but doesn't produce a true black; nor does it improve the picture quite as much.
At almost 3 inches, this LED TV is probably too thick to hang on the wall. However, just because it is somewhat thicker than the LG INFINIA 55LX9500, it is still an edge-lit LED TV and offers amazing quality overall.
As with all high-end TVs today, the Sony Bravia KDL55HX800 comes with all of your basic extras such as Netflix, YouTube, Pandora and many others. These are all offered through BRAVIA Internet Video, which is the program used to access all of these extras. These little extras have become a standard and will be seen on all TVs no matter if they are LED, 3D or LCD.
Display:
The Sony Bravia KDL55HX800 is a high-end LED TV that delivers in a lot of areas when it comes to what you see on the screen. That being said when it comes to the overall picture quality when watching Blu-rays or TV you may be somewhat disappointed in well let areas. It's frustrating to us that Sony doesn't publicize the contrast ratio and the refresh rate for this TV. While this won't be a factor to most buyers, it's definitely concerning when a company as well known as Sony holds back information as important as this from consumers. With that being said, we did find the picture quality to be very good in dark areas and to wash out a little in well-lit areas. Much like some of the higher-end LED TVs, the Sony Bravia KDL55HX800 will be a much better home theater TV than a living room TV if you want the best picture quality. There are plenty of adjustable picture settings, and overall the TV delivers where it counts.
Connections:
The Sony Bravia KDL55HX800 has all of your basic HDMI connections as well as an Ethernet port, PC input and even a USB for connecting your camera or camcorder. The one thing this TV is missing is a memory card slot. Overall we were pleased with the connections found on the HX800.
Help and Support:
Sony is probably one of the best companies to work with when it comes to getting help and support on purchase orders, technical issues or anything you might have a question about with your Sony Bravia. They have built up a large work force that is knowledgeable about your specific needs and is available during regular business hours. An email and phone number are available, as well as a FAQs section and live chat for quick answers.
Summary:
Sony has obviously focused a lot of their attention as of late on creating a 3D TV that actually looks good and produces realistic 3D effects. While the Sony Bravia KDL55HX800 may not be the top of the line when it comes to LED TVs, it is one of the better 3D TVs on the market. If you don’t mind buying a slightly thicker LED TV and don’t mind spending a little bit more for the 3D technology, this is the TV for you.
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