Dolby digital on tv?

Sony KDL-46VL160 LCD TV from Costco?

• Does anyone have any experience or opinions about this TV? The VL series is not listed in the product line on Sony.com site, but the specs look similar to the Z series. Here are the specs: Screen Size (measured diagonally): 46" Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Contrast Ratio: 3,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 30,000:1 Motionflow™ Technology: Motionflow™ 120Hz Video Processing: Bravia Engine 2™ Technology CineMotion® Reverse 3:2 Pulldown Technology Tuner: NTSC/ATSC/QAM Game Mode Deep Color 3D Comb Filter PhotoTV HD MPEG Noise Reduction Live Color Creation™ Technology 24p True Cinema™ Technology x.v.Color™ Technology Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE) Image Blur Reduction VESA® Hole Pitch: 300x300 M6 LightSensor™ Technology Energy Star® compliant: Exceeds Energy Star version 3.0 Dimensions: 42.5” x 29” x 12.13” (w/ stand), 42.5” x 27.13” x 3” Weight: 58 lbs (w/ stand), 49 lbs (w/ out stand) Audio: Speakers: 20W (10W x2) Digital Amplifier Voice Zoom Auto SAP Auto Mute (on no signal) Steady Sound® Automatic Volume Control Audio Out: Variable/Fixed Sony Original Surround: S-Force Stereo System: MTS Dolby®: Dolby® Digital Alternate Audio (Digital) Sound Booster 5.1 Channel Audio Out Sound Mode: Dynamic, Standard, Clear Voice 5.1ch Through Out (Handycam) Inputs/ Outputs: HDMI™ x4 (3 Rear/1 Side) Component Video x2 (Rear) S-Video x1 (Rear) Composite Video x3 (1 Side/2 Rear) Digital Audio x1 (Rear) RF Connection x1 (Rear) Analog Audio Input x5 (1 Side/4 Rear) Audio Out x1 (Rear) PC In (D-Sub) + Audio In (Stereo Mini) x1 (Rear) USB 2.0 x1 (Side) Is this TV any good for its price range of around $1500? Thanks

• Answer:

  Yah it kind of does seem like the old Z series or the modern V series. I'm assume with its name though its the modern V5100 line. They just adjusted it slightly and rebranded it for wholesalers (I see that quite often). But did Sony rebrand the old Z4100 as the new V5100? That I'm not sure. It seems a bit like they might have, but I can't tell from just the specs. It's a good TV. The V series is a solid line. I kind of prefer going up to the W series though myself. I think they have a bit better overall imaging to them. Especially with a 2009 model which will have the Bravia 3 image processor. While it doesn't state it, I'm pretty sure what you're looking at is a Bravia 2 based one. You can find a better price on the V5100 at Best Buy right now. Its $1,400 on sale. Heck even the W series at Best Buy is about $50 cheaper than what you've quoted. Or go a couple of really big steps up in quality for a bit more and get an XBR9. The 46" XBR9 at Best Buy is one sale for $1,800.