What a lot of attention has greeted the Sony Bravia KDL40W5500! This 40 inch LCD TV (also known as the 40W5500U by Amazon) provides a wealth of the latest features – and, crucially, the best picture quality of its class.

Sony has been providing its recent Bravia ranges with ever more interesting features. Among the 40W5500 extras are a DNLA-enabled ethernet port for streaming media files from a connected PC and Sonys Net TV application called Applicast. This doesn’t give you comprehensive internet access, but it offers widgets such as calendars, clocks and a photo directory. The internet also enables the television to download location maps to show you where any photos were taken (using a compatible GPS-enabled camera).

Although these features are useful, its the screen that’s the most important aspect of a TV. And the viewing available on the 40W5500 does not disappoint, even taking account of the high expectations of a Sony TV. The depth, colour quality and details are outstanding, with an overall natural looking effect. High definition picture quality is stunning.

Audio performance could be better, although this is the case with most flat TVs, as the narrow casings don’t provide enough room for speakers of the necessary quality. This model is typical, with some lacking of clarity in low frequencies. However, it has analogue stereo and digital optical outputs for connecting to a hi-fi or surround sound system.

As well as these audio sockets, the KDL40W5500 has a generous supply of other connections. These include no less than 4 HDMI sockets, an analogue VGA port to connect to your PC, a USB port, and a headphone socket with its own volume controls that can be accessed from the remote.

Ease of use for the KDL40W5500 is good.

On screen menus and the EPG (electronic programme guide) are easily navigated but they can be somewhat difficult to read and the buttons on the remote could be better laid out.

This TV has an on-screen instruction manual covering the main features and Bravia TV tips.

One of its features which is particularly useful is a Voice Zoom feature that increases the speech volume where the background music makes it difficult to hear sometimes. Very useful for some US movies! And it also has Audio Description – a narrative for those with a visual impairment.

Energy consumption is low, at just 110W, or 60W with an energy saving option activated. This is low. The screen brightness adjusts automatically to reduce consumption still further, depending on the light conditions. And the screen can be blanked whilst listening to the digital radio.

To summarise, despite only average audio output, there are useful extra features, and, what makes this TV such a great buy is the outstanding picture quality.

The Bravia 40W5500 is a great TV from Sony – you wont regret buying one if you are in the fortunate position to be able to do so.

Information on the Sony Bravia KDL40W5500 available at KDL40W5500 and Sony KDL40W5500 Price