LCD Televisions: the Sony Bravia KDL-46W5100 and the Samsung UN46B8000 - For watching more than just television
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Besides the streaming video, another interactive highlight on the KDL-46W5100 is its inclusion of widgets. In case you did not know, a widget is basically an application that gives you current news and other info. The KDL-46W5100 only comes with a few widgets, such as news, weather, and stock reports from Yahoo, as well as a Twitter social networking widget.
A nice customization feature is the ability to move your widgets around on the KDL-46W5100’s display to your liking, much like shortcuts on a computer desktop. Hopefully, the manufacturer will add more widgets to the available lineup on the KDL-46W5100 in the future.
In addition to viewing online content on the KDL-46W5100, you can also access your own photos, videos, and music on the set as well. You can do so by simply connecting the devices, such as a digital camera or MP3 player directly to the TV via one of its USB ports. Another option is to get a third party wireless network bridge or direct Ethernet connection to view multimedia from your computer or other DLNA enabled device right on the KDL-46W5100.
There are plenty of connectivity options on the Sony Bravia KDL-46W5100 placed strategically throughout its design. On its back panel there is one HDMI input, an RF input, two component-video inputs, an Ethernet port, and connections for analog audio. A compact side panel houses three HDMI inputs, an AV input with composite and S-video, a VGA input, and a USB port.
The design of the Bravia KDL-46W5100 is attractive and quite compact. There is no real flash factor to the device, but it will fit nicely into the design of any room. Its 46-inch display is surrounded by a thin 1.5-inch black frame, and the TV is only 3.5 inches thick, not including the stand. The KDL-46W5100 sits on an attractive, glossy black rectangular stand that is sturdy and holds up well. Unfortunately, the stand does not enable any swiveling.
If you are really into streaming content and want interactive features on your television, the Sony Bravia KDL-46W5100 is a good choice, if you can afford it. While expensive, it does offer a good amount of interactive features and a nice design. The possibility of Netflix becoming integrated with the set in the future could be a big plus for many.
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