Guest blog by Rachel
Before I start my review on the Sony KD49X8305CBU let me first start by saying my previous TV was, by comparison, a tiny 26” TV, that just about boasted an HDMI port and not a lot else. So, this is a massive leap forward in screen size and picture quality, making it an essential upgrade for a movie buff like me. Although picture quality alone is a fantastic selling point in itself, I have discovered there is much more than meets the eye to this set, and its overall performance is enhanced considerably by an array of features, that cements its place firmly in the 21st century and into my home.
What impresses me most about the Sony KD49X8305CBU is the superb clarity of the 800Hz screen, which upscales the picture to a “near 4k” resolution thanks to its 4K X Reality Processor, making the grainy picture quality I’ve been used to a thing of the past. As true 4k broadcasts becomes more readily available through BT Vision, Amazon Prime, Netflix and Sky I can safely conclude this TV will be a great investment for me going into 2016.
To me a key element of a good TV is to give a pleasant visual experience and this TV goes far beyond any expectations I had. As a sports fan and PS3 gamer (I’m saving for a PS4), I found the sharp, anti-blur technology called Motionflow a thing of beauty, especially when watching the tennis, as it meant I could enjoy Andy Murray and team GB winning The Davis Cup, without any annoying pixel break up or screen “jerking”. The great picture coupled with the inbuilt Dolby speakers really did create a sense of immersion, as if I was part of the crowd cheering them all on, which was absolutely fantastic. The only thing in my opinion that could have heightened this experience would have been connecting a soundbar such as the Sonos Playbar.
What I find great about this TV is that its exquisite quality makes it stand out from the crowd, and it appeals to people of all ages, with its wide variety of functions. For example, something my grandparents were impressed with when they came round was the “Clear Voice” function, which meant they could enjoy their favourite soap operas without the dialogue getting lost amongst chaotic background noise. This is something my Nan found especially useful, as it’s something she is often complaining about with the TV in her house (she deals with this by having the TV on LOUD!)
Something I found myself complaining about with my old TV was that I was unable to connect it to the internet, which I found frustrating, as I felt I was missing out on something, and this Sony is jam packed with “Smart” features that ease this frustration and rocket-launch this TV into a world of its own. As a smart TV, it means I can connect it up to my home broadband with the built in Wi-Fi and access a range of interactive features, such as catch up TV via BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, All 4 and Channel 5 on demand, meaning I never need to worry if I miss a programme. There is a preinstalled “YouView” app, which means I can access seven days catch up TV, with a few simple taps on the remote. As well as YouView, I can also access a range of video streaming apps such as YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Instant, with YouTube a particular favourite of mine. I do love putting on the latest Adele track and singing (dismally) into my hairbrush when I’m getting ready for a night out. For days when I feel like staying indoors in the warm, the Playstation Now app allows me to stream, rent and play games onto my TV or android mobile phone, perfect for a lazy Sunday, wrapped up in my pyjamas with the heating on! If I’m lucky enough to have a few spare minutes to enjoy a cup of tea in the morning, I can sit back, relax and catch up with any news, sports gossip or current affairs through the army of apps available to me, with BBC news, BBC sport, Dailymotion and Euro news being just the tip of the iceberg.
I have yet to discover everything available to me, but I know if I want to personalise this TV so it works with my lifestyle, with all my likes and interests at my fingertips, it is something I can easily do, and this excites me very much. One app I know my friends and I will take advantage of is Netflix and cleverly Sony have incorporated a dedicated Netflix button on the remote control to take us straight to a variety of TV box sets and films to enjoy. Kindly, Netflix have included a month’s free trial to get us started so our only trouble will be deciding what to watch!
Something else my friends and I have been able to enjoy is Cast Screen which basically allows us to mirror anything on our android phones such as websites, pictures and videos on to the TV screen. To outward appearances this may sound a little gimmicky, but it’s a bit of fun, and means we can reminisce by sharing photos and videos. I used it at Christmas when the family came round, which was especially useful for those who are unable to see a small mobile phone screen. It’s a small element of the TV’s features, but it really did play a big part in bringing my family and friends together which is especially important to me.
So what rating would I give this TV out of ten, and why should you buy it? Personally, I find it hard to pick out any major faults and I would rate it at 9 out of 10. If you want a TV that will deliver a crystal clear picture, and has the capability to link up with consoles, sound equipment and the internet, then this will in no way disappoint. Its slimline black and silver design means it will look good in any household and it can be wall mounted.
Sony have included a 5 year FREE guarantee (which you register after purchase) so there’s peace of mind. In my opinion Sony has come up with a TV that will impress just about anybody, of any age, and will certainly be a conversation starter. The more time you spend with this TV, the more you realise you NEED it in your life. Well done Sony!
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