Sony KDL 26S3000

Author's product rating:   

How is the Picture Quality?	Good
How is the Sound Quality?	Satisfactory
Ease of Installation	Very Easy
Range of Features	Average
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	Good value entry level LCD TV
Disadvantages:	No digital amplifier or USB port

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

The Sony KDL-26S3000 is a 26 inch flat panel digital LCD HDTV that is part of Sony's Bravia S-Series. It cost £370 from www.directtvs.co.uk - over £100 cheaper than on Amazon at the time proving that it really does pay to shop around for a new TV. It was very east to set up with everything more or less happening automatically as soon as you switch it on or plug them in. The set is a well built and sleekly designed right down to the stylish remote control. It perhaps doesn't possess the aesthetic qualities of a Samsung or of Sony's more expensive Bravia models, but it does have a lustrous streamlined finish often associated with the Sony Bravia range and certainly adds an element of style to my already ultra modern lounge area.

===Features===The Sony KDL-26S3000 comprises full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution which is still quite unusual on 26" screen televisions. Unlike most 32" models, there are only two HDMI inputs on this set which might prove problematic for some people. There are also two scart sockets along with composite, component and s-video inputs. This model offers full digital audio and video integration. The set features HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) and PC connectivity that lets you easily hook up to your PC and other components.

===Picture Quality===This television produces a picture with very fine detail and a clear and sharp image, especially when in High Definition (HD) mode. In the past I have often been disappointed in the contrast range of many LCD televisions on the market. The 26S3000's seems to have moved forward a notch and produces strong black levels in the shadows and importantly it lacks the drab grey cast that seems to overlay darker images on many earlier LCD screens. According to Sony, it is the combination of the Bravia engine and WCG-CCFL backlight technology that enables this set to produce truer and more accurate colour tones for enhanced picture depth and clarity. Overall I was impressed with the depth of colour range and colour contrast. As is often associated with many Sony visual products, the colours produced retain an impressive vibrancy that is often lacking in cheaper brands. This is no doubt due to the Bravia engine full digital video processor.

The TV has both a 800:1 'on screen' contrast ratio and a 6000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. Both are more than adequate in producing excellent image quality. I found the viewing angle of 160 degrees on this set more than satisfactory. There is some reduction in colour quality if you view at an extreme angle with the image becoming paler and there is some acute darkening of the screen if viewed from and angle above or below. However, as my room seating arrangements are such that the screen can only be viewed more or less straight on and level with the viewer's eye line when seated, this is never a problem. One nice feature I like is the innovative inbuilt light sensor that monitors the ambient light of your living room so as to automatically adjust screen brightness.

===Sound===Unlike some higher range models, this S-series model does not include a digital amplifier for enhanced sound. It relies solely on Virtual Dolby and BBE ViVA HD3D technology. However, as I, like many I imagine, use an external surround sound speaker system, the sound quality has never been an issue. Although even without external speakers the sound is more than satisfactory. In my opinion the sound quality is much better than that on Samsung BDX series TVs that I've heard.

Conclusion

This could be considered an entry level LCD TV, not top of the range, but ideal if you are intending to make your first purchase of an LCD TV. There are better TVs out there if you're prepared to fork out more cash and you will also find similar sized LCVD TVs selling in Tesco's for a lot less, but I would argue in terms of all round value for money the Sony KDL-26S3000 is a fair deal to be had in today's saturated TV market place.