Sony BRAVIA Z5100 Series

The Z Series is one of Sony's high-end lines of LCD HDTVs with the 2009 models (Z5100s) featuring a native resolution of 1080p alongside the new Motionflow 240Hz technology. The three biggest upgrades to the Z5100s over the Z4100 Series is the use of the BRAVIA Engine 3 processor, Motionflow 240Hz technology, and Internet connectivity. This line retains the slim formfactor of the original Z Series, and is the only line of Sony TVs released in the first half of 2009 to offer the slim profile. From a specifications standpoint the Z5100s are nearly identical to the XBR9 line except that the XBR9s use a different form of backlighting and don't have the slim profile. The Z5100s are the step-up line to the VE5s and V5100 Series.

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Sony BRAVIA Z5100 Series
MSRP $3,299.00
Release date May, 2009
Brand Sony
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Pros & Cons7
Reviews4
Details
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
4 reviews
88
negative
mixed
positive
4 positive
0 mixed
0 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

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Pros:
Do you agree?
Internet and network media streaming
+4agreedisagree

1080p, 240Hz
+3agreedisagree

dynamic backlight - improves picture quality and power consumption based on the ambient light levels in the room
+3agreedisagree

Bravia Engine 3
+2agreedisagree

thin cabinet
+1agreedisagree

thin and attractive bezel and stand
+1agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
Does not have LED backlighting/local dimming
+2agreedisagree


4 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!

Details

Specifications

  • 1080p native resolution
  • Motionflow 240Hz Technology
  • BRAVIA Engine 3
  • Integrated Internet Link with Yahoo Widgets and Video streaming
  • thin cabinet design
  • Energy Star 3.0 compliant
  • BRAVIA Link
  • BRAVIA Sync
  • XMB Interface
  • Inputs: 4xHDMI, Component, VGA

Common to Z5100 Series and XBR9 Series

Motionflow 240Hz - this technology means that the display can insert up to 3 extra frames between the regular frames that the source video provides. What is displayed in those extra frames can be adjusted by the algorithm with the main goal to reduce motion blur and provide an overall better picture. One of the major downsides to the motion interpolation technology is the creation of a "Soap Opera Effect" that many people don't like. Fortunately, you can adjust the strength of the motion compensation and even turn it off entirely.

BRAVIA Engine 3 - This is Sony's image processing engine that handles the incoming video signals and processes them to modify and enhance the picture. This processing attempts to adjust colors, define lines, and in general improve the look of the TV. The 2008 entry-level televisions contained the first generation BRAVIA Engine, while the BE2 was limited to the high end sets. For 2009 the entry-level gets the BE2, while the high-end sets use BRAVIA Engine 3 the highest-end processing engine for Sony's 2009 models.

Internet Connectivity - Sony has built in its BRAVIA Internet module into these televisions to offer Internet Video streaming, Network media streaming, and Yahoo Widgets. Internet Video Streaming is accomplished through services such as YouTube and a variety of video distribution partners that can and will change/expand over time. Network Media Streaming means that shared media on a media server, such as a computer running Windows Media Player 11, can be played directly from the TV without the need of a separate settop box. Lastly, the Yahoo Widgets offer Internet connected information services, such as stock quotes, weather and news articles that again can change and expand over time.

Common to S5100 and up

Light sensor with dynamic backlight - a sensor inside the TV is able to detect the amount of ambient light in the room and adjust the backlight accordingly. So when the room is bright the TV will become brighter, and vice versa in a darker room.

USB port - plug in a Universal Mass Storage Device into this port and the television can display the photos or music contained inside. The higher end sets can also play digital video files that are stored on the USB stick.

Common to all 2009 Sony's

BRAVIA Link - This is Sony's proprietary interface port where people can attach specific BRAVIA accessories to enhance the capabilities of the television such as the Sony Internet Link Module, or Sony Wireless Module. Again, this BRAVIA link was limited to the mid and high-end range Sony lines in 2008, but is now available on the entry level 2009 line. The 2009 high-end sets retain the BRAVIA Link, but also have the specific Internet Module integrated into the television itself.

24p True Cinema - This is Sony's marketing name for technology that lets the TV accept 24Hz signals, which is the native framerate of film movies. You also need the source video to be sent at 24 frames per second which is a feature of most modern Blu-Ray players. It is unknown if this line of TVs does a conversion of the 24FPS content to the more standard 30Hz, or retains the content's original framerate.

Models

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This report was started January 14, 2009 at 5:28 pm by Omar
with the last edit occurring June 13, 2009 at 3:09 pm by leifashley
This page has been viewed 7516 times, with 46 edits by 7 contributors.
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Buy It

Sony BRAVIA KDL-40Z5100

• Sony BRAVIA Z Series KDL-40Z5100 40-Inch 1080p 240Hz LCD HDTV

• BRAVIA KDL-40Z5100 40" LCD TV

UPC: 027242756878

EAN: 027242756878

MPN: KDL-40Z5100

Sony BRAVIA KDL-52Z5100

• Sony BRAVIA Z Series KDL-52Z5100 52-Inch 1080p 240Hz LCD HDTV

• BRAVIA KDL-52Z5100 52" LCD TV

UPC: 027242756854

EAN: 027242756854

MPN: KDL-52Z5100

Sony BRAVIA KDL-46Z5100

• Sony BRAVIA Z Series KDL-46Z5100 46-Inch 1080p 240Hz LCD HDTV

• BRAVIA KDL-46Z5100 46" LCD TV

UPC: 027242756861

EAN: 027242756861

MPN: KDL-46Z5100

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Reviews

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Yale

avatar
February 9, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
5 pros
0 cons
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Internet and network media streaming
  • 1080p, 240Hz
  • dynamic backlight - improves picture quality and power consumption based on the ambient light levels in the room
  • thin cabinet
  • thin and attractive bezel and stand

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
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dekikaa

avatar
April 27, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
80
negative
mixed
positive
4 pros
1 con
love itlove it
want itwant it

Pros

  • Internet and network media streaming
  • 1080p, 240Hz
  • dynamic backlight - improves picture quality and power consumption based on the ambient light levels in the room
  • Bravia Engine 3

Cons

  • Does not have LED backlighting/local dimming

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Ronman79

avatar
April 13, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
75
negative
mixed
positive
3 pros
1 con

Pros

  • Internet and network media streaming
  • 1080p, 240Hz
  • Bravia Engine 3

Cons

  • Does not have LED backlighting/local dimming

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

mcbit

avatar
February 25, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
2 pros
0 cons

Pros

  • Internet and network media streaming
  • dynamic backlight - improves picture quality and power consumption based on the ambient light levels in the room

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

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This product is also known as:

Z, 5100, Z5100