This summer Sony introduced a number of LCD sets, and the KDL W3000 is a step-up line. It isn't the king of the hill series, but we'd consider it the "base camp" line as it offers plenty of advanced features to satisfy even the most serious videophiles. This flat panel LCD line notably offers full HD 1080p (1,920x1,080) resolution and about as many connections as you'd hope to get in a TV today. All these features do mean a steep price point, but this is to be expected for one of Sony's top sets. At 52-inches, the KDL-52W3000 is the king of the mountain in this particular series, and is a set fit for a king as well.

From the front, about the only thing you'll see is the set's large and very bright 52-inch screen. If the piano-black finish bezel of some of the rivals is a look that isn't quite your thing, then maybe Sony's brushed metal finish is more to your liking. This gives the set a very sleek look, and further helps to hide the system's bottom mounted speakers. The stereo speakers provide virtual Dolby Digital and S-FORCE Front Surround Sound to emulate the full-room experience from a home theater system. These speakers certainly won't replace a true home theater surround sound system, but they'll deliver more than adequate audio.

The picture on the KDL-52W3000 looks simply spectacular. The set features Sony's Live Color Creation technology and 10-bit processing, which essentially means that this model has the capability to deliver 64 times the level of color of normal 8-bit panels. To the naked eye, you'll see more natural and lifelike colors with more subtle transitions. The set also features Sony's new x.v.Color (which is also known as xvYCC), which according to Sony provides 80 percent more color than on the standard ATSC color space. What this means is that with the right source material, you'll see the most realistic color of just about any TV out there.

But there is a catch. Right now there are very few sources to take advantage of x.v.Color, or the accompanying HDMI 1.3 inputs. This is a nice feature to have, but so far the devices that support it are Sony's own x.vColor-compatible camcorders, and a newly released Sony Blu-ray player. But until movies show up on Blu-ray discs that also offer this feature, it's just another bell and whistle that doesn't do the consumer much good. However, considering the price of this set, it is likely you'll be using it for a while; if you're making the step up, it might be worth having even if you can't use it until the market catches up.

The KDL-52W3000 features 24p True Cinema, which will certainly appeal to movie buffs. This helps reduce judder in film-based material, notably 1080p/24 frame per second movies. Again, this is a feature most viewers might not even notice, but worth the step up if you're a true videophile. To further enhance programming that isn't in glorious high-definition, this set features Sony's BRAVIA Engine EX digital video processing with Digital Reality Creation-Multifunction. It's a mouthful, but basically is used to help up-convert standard definition signals so that even when you're watching a regular DVD or digital cable TV, you get a great picture.

Whatever the source you want to view, chances are this set can handle it with ease. We were highly impressed that this set features two rear HDMI inputs, as well as a third side input. In addition, the KDL-52W3000 features two component video inputs (rear), one S-Video imputer (rear), two composite inputs (rear) as well as an additional side composite input with a headphone output. We were also happy to find a digital coaxial audio output, which will allow the set to function as a pass through for any digital content.

The set does cost a princely sum, but if you want to watch a TV fit for a king, it is truly worth every penny.


Pros: 1080p, three HDMI inputs
Cons: Pricey, advanced features might be overkill for many viewers

Warranty
1-year limited