- 55-inch HDTV with Full HD 1080p resolution and Motionflow 120Hz technology for smooth motion
- Motionflow 120Hz technology for smooth motion; BRAVIA Engine 2 fully digital video processor optimizes color and contrast
- Ambient Sensor adjusts color based on room light; automatic increase or decrease in backlight brightness based on room’s lighting conditions
- Inputs: 4 HDMI, 2 component, 2 composite, 1 PC, 1 USB, 1 optical digital audio output
- Includes removable stand; measures 52.25 x 32.9 x 13.9 inches with stand
Experience Full HD 1080p, incredible contrast and sharp, vibrant images with the Sony BRAVIA EX500-Series HDTV. Features incredible motion performance so you enjoy crisp, fluid motion during fast-action scenes plus LightSensor Technology that automatically adjusts brightness based on a room’s lighting.Amazon.com Product Description
An impressive centerpiece to any entertainment system, this 55-inch BRAVIA EX500 Series HDTV (model KDL-55EX500) combines … More >>
This Sony was sold to me directly from Sony in exchange for a 5 year old 60″ Sony that had an ‘optic block’ problem that would require an expensive fix. Sony had been repairing this problem for free but I had no way to know that until mine went bad and then talking to Sony they had switched to an exchange program where the customer would pay about slightly less than half the retail price. If you have a slightly older Sony that is putting either a blue color on the screen or a green one you might start directly with the Sony Style website and contact their support help to see what they may offer you. On one hand I was very sad to see my 5 year Sony develop a problem but on the other hand I have to give Sony credit for standing up to the known problem.
The largest TV offered in the exchange program was this 55″ model or I certainly would have gone for the 60″ because I prefer that size. That said this model has a better and more vibrant picture than my older Sony which was a premium model that I had paid over $4,000 for. So the bottom line for me is that this new Sony has a better picture for less than the old one even if you pay retail. My old Sony weighed 113lbs and this new one is around 65lbs so it is easier to handle. The remote is better and more intuitive. We watch this in a very bright room filled with natural sunlight during the day and this TV handles that very well with no glare. The speakers are nothing to write home about and probably not as good as my old Sony but we tend to watch movies with the sound coming from a quality sound system anyway. My old Sony was 1080i and this one is full 1080p which is an excellent picture. We get our signal from Dish Net which broadcasts almost exclusively in 1080i anyway. For movies we use a Samsung Blu-Ray player which works beautifully with this TV. In fact there is a type of automatic setting that the Samsung and the Sony have where when you turn on the Samsung the TV also turns on and then goes directly to the input from the Samsung. Very cool. Truthfully I can barely tell the difference from a good blu-ray picture and a good standard DVD. We tend to use Netflix a lot and always order Blu-Ray when available.
I thought the set up was easy and the available HDMI connections are excellent as my old Sony only had two HDMI inputs and this one has 4. We actually use all 4 with a DVD recorder, Dish Net, HD camcorder, and the blu-ray.
I would have no problem recommending this Sony LCD TV and in fact when I looked in the stores I thought the new LED LCDs seemed a little too bright. I do miss the 60″ size but everyone who has looked at this picture has been in the ‘wow’ camp with it.
Rating: 5 / 5
Had been looking for a new tv for a little while to upgrade from my 6 year old Mitsubishi Rear Projection 48″ HDTV. Was trying to decide between Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, LG, and Vizio, and also LCD or Plasma. Did extensive research and decided LCD was the way to go for us. We had decided on a last years model Sony 52″, but then it was sold before we got ready to get it. Thank goodness it did! Went back to Costco and found this beautiful new 2010 model Sony 55′ LCD KDL-55EX501(costco’s model is 501, whereas other stores carry the 500-same tv, even lists it in the instruction manual that way). This tv is so sharp and beautiful! The colors are rich and vibrant, and that was out of the box without adjusting any settings yet!Fine tuning made it even better. Has the Bravia engine 2 and that really makes it look sharp. 120hz processing, and i really dont even see anything wrong with motion scenes. Black sure looks black to me on this set, which is an issue with lcd tv’s. Most stores don’t carry the set yet as it was just released the first week of Feb. Can’t beat Costco though, at this time its [...] and the offer not only the standard warranty on all electronics, but on this model tv, right on the box it states is has a 3 year warranty! Paperwork inside confirmed this! Lots of settings and adjustments can be made as well. Does 1080/24p very nicely. If you can get one, i would really recommend it, you wont be disappointed.
Rating: 5 / 5
I had the same experience as the other reviewer with a 5 year old 60 inch rear projection Sony TV that developed a blue blob on the screen. I was none too happy when Sony put me on hold after telling me my [...] TV was out of warranty. When they came back on and offered me this TV for less than half the retail price I was OK with that result.
Now that I’ve had the TV for a couple of months I’m thrilled with it. It doesn’t have all the bells + whistles/internet connectivity of other models but I love the picture. It’s a great value even at list price and I’ll get all those bells + whistles with my new Blu-ray player anyway.
Nothing bad to say about this TV.
Rating: 5 / 5
I bought this TV to replace a high def 52inch DLP that went bad and I am very happy that I did. My family room can be a challenge for watching TV, as we have “sky light” windows in the ceiling that provide glare during the day, and lofted, recessed lighting which provides inadequate light at night. The light sensor in this set provides an amazing picture at any time of day and in any light condition…and NO glare. The incredible detail when watching Blu-Ray and HD TV must be seen to be appreciated, and I feel like I am watching HD for the first time. I am very satisfied with my purchase.
Rating: 5 / 5
I was in the market for a reasonably priced TV with a great picture and big size, and little else factored into my decision. After months of research I came across this TV and now that I’ve owned it for a couple of months, I must say that I love it.
It’s lacking Internet connectivity so no Netflix streaming directly through the TV, no yahoo gadgets to play with, and no other specialized content available like there is on higher end TVs. If this makes no difference to you, as is the case with me (I use my PS3 if I want those bonuses), then this TV may be up your alley.
The main pro of this TV is the superb picture and the size. The size speaks for itself. Blu-Ray looks ridiculously good, video games on my PS3 are perfect (no input lag that I can detect either- which is a huge plus for me because I play a great deal of online FPS games that require quick twitch reactions), and watching sports or a movie on cable is great even though cable is usually broadcast in 1080i. Standard definition channels look like crap though, so make sure to upgrade your cable to high def.
Other pros: Better than expected sound (although I would recommend investing in a sound system), a great number of inputs, it’s energy efficient, and you have the choice between 60hz and 120hz.
If you do make the purchase I have some suggestions. When it comes to the motion flow feature, which when on displays the picture in 120hz, I recommend using it on high for when you watch sports or when you’re playing video games (by the way, to you gamers out there, do not play video games using the game scene option- it turns off the motion flow so you’re going to see too much motion blur, especially in faster paced games, and the scene mode makes no difference when it comes to input lag). Otherwise, unless you like the soap opera effect that to me makes human movement on the screen look unnatural and makes movies in particular bizarre looking, put motion flow on standard or turn it off all together. I would use the Standard Picture Mode instead of Vivid, but if you want to customize further you can choose Custom if you wish. Beyond that, spend some time tweaking the settings even if you’re not a techie so you get a picture that looks right to you, it can make a difference in my opinion but it really comes down to how anal you are about picture quality.
Good luck shopping.
Rating: 4 / 5