The Sony Bravia 32D3100 is the smallest unit on offer as part of the company's MotionFlow 100Hz range. The image quality is excellent with only a few minor issues and the implementation of 100Hz technology has been done well. With support for 1080p video signals (via scaling), 24 frame cinema mode and three HDMI ports, it is a well-rounded package for those with looking for a smaller sized television with all the features of a larger panel.
Design
The D series has a quaint feel with hard edges and a simplistic aesthetic. The speakers are not visible and the stand is pre-installed. At the rear, there are three HDMI ports, two Component, three S-Video and three Composite connections. While this unit is suitable for those wishing to view high definition content, it is good to see Sony providing for those that still use older connections. In addition, there is also an analogue 15pin D-Sub port so you can connect your PC (with 1:1 pixel mapping).
Features
The Sony Bravia 32D3100 is a 32inch LCD television with a native resolution of 1366 x 768. It uses 100Hz MotionFlow technology to smooth out motion and does so quite well. The only issue that is worth mentioning is that 100Hz interpolation generally removes a great deal of motion blur and makes images look slightly fake. You get used to it over time, and it can be turned off if you don't like it, but it is still a point worth considering.
This television is able to display content authored in 1080p24. This format is mostly used for movies as it is designed to replicate the traditional 24 frames per second in which movies are projected. The most common place you will find 24p content is on Blu-Ray and HD-DVD Discs.
Performance
Since this is a 720p television we were quite eager to check how well it supported 1080p content. It is able to display a 1080p signal by down-scaling to the native resolution of the panel. We viewed the Blu-Ray film Casino Royale and found the image quality to be rather good. The colours were a little excessive and there was also a high level of over-sharpening but by changing the picture mode to "standard" and lowering the sharpness level, these issues were greatly reduced. We would also recommend increasing the contrast to full when in "standard" mode as the change from "vivid" tends to dull the image.
For standard definition tests we viewed the lobby scene from The Matrix on DVD. There was a noticeable amount of interpolation noise and some slight pixilation on curved edges but it was no more than we have come to expect from watching a DVD on a high definition panel, and should satisfy most user's needs.
Conclusion
While the 32D3100 is the most expensive 32 inch unit in the Bravia range, its features and image quality are well worth the price tag. Despite some minor issues, it performed well in our tests with image quality that is on-par with many high-end televisions. We were most impressed by how well it handled resolutions above its native 720p and by its competent integration of 100Hz technology.
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Tony
08/09/2008, 05:49 PM
rating
9/10
$810 Grays online demo model with full warranty. Awesome TV. Search for the bargains. They are there.
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RoZ
17/05/2008, 11:37 PM
rating
9/10
I’ve never had a digital TV so it’s difficult to make comparisons, and most of what I’ve seen in stores look as good/bad as each other. Stores seldom have them set up to show them in their best light (often pixellated). I don’t know why they allow themselves to do that.
My old analogue and its poor reception were getting me down, which was mostly due to poor antennae set up in the attic, that I’d never got around to repairing. I bought a discounted Sony at Myer Belconnen today ($1349). I was amazed at the quality it managed to get via that lousy antennae in the attic.
I’m generally impressed and quite happy with it.
Pros: Just love it.
Cons: There could be more stuff in the manual.
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pratikdg
09/03/2008, 11:36 AM
rating
9/10
You've saved me a lot of time. Thanks!
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vanny
26/02/2008, 04:39 PM
rating
7/10
I have just reviewed all the above and do not disagree with comments. However I purchased the Toshiba 32C3000A as I found it far superior to all and got price down to $995-. Great HD and good SD reproduction. Toshiba leveraged of a sound background in LCD with their experience in laptops. Sound reproduction is very good with strong bass and fills a large room very well. It sit's nicley and not too high on it's curved swivel stand and comes with 2 yr warranty. The finish is professionalland not cheap looking like the Samsungs and rather boring like the Panasonic. Agree Phillips picture quality is good but sits on a big ugly round stand.
Pros: Sony make a good tv but you pay for the name and not always a better product. Their after sales service has not always been one to write home about
Cons: Again overpriced and better value elsewhere.
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Macca
26/02/2008, 01:55 PM
rating
7/10
I just finished an exhaustive period of time researching 32" LCD TVs and bought a Panasonic TX-32LXD700A. At this range, there are only three TVs worth considering:
* Philips 32PFL9632D
* Panasonic TX-32LXD700A
* Sony KDL-32D3100 (this TV)
After what amounts to literally days of research, here are my findings:
* The colours on the Sony are not the best.
* The colour reproduction on the Panasonic and Philips is better than the Sony.
* The Panasonic uses the best panel out of all of them (the new IPS Alpha).
* The Philips has arguably the best picture when viewed directly in-front, however has terrible viewing angles and washes out badly.
* The Panasonic has (by far) the best sound of all of them - the Tru Surround XT is surprisingly convincing.
* The Panasonic and Philips can be had for much cheaper than the Sony.
* The Panasonic has the best reputation and highest rating reviews around the world out of these three models.
* WhatHiFi did extremely extensive testing on these three TVs - the Panasonic won.
* The Panasonic has a better inbuilt HD tuner, and it is widely accepted as one of the best inbuilt tuners out of all 32" LCD TVs.
* The Philips and Panasonic handle SD content better than the Sony.
The Sony is a great TV, but not better than the Panasonic, and arguably no better than the Philips, either.
After all my research I concluded it's simply not worth the extra price unless you have an obsession with Sony product or love the way it looks.
Don't forget that technology moves fast and you won't get your money back on these things a year down the track. With that in mind I decided to purchase the Panasonic. It was overall the best TV (check other internet reviews to confirm this) and I got it for MUCH cheaper than the Sony (around 1400).
Pros: A very good TV all things considered.
Cons: Overpriced. Save your money and buy the superior Panasonic TX-32LXD700A.
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