The good: Produces a deep level of black; accurate primary colors; dejudder mode smoothes moving video with few artifacts; screen attenuates ambient lighting; solid connectivity with four HDMI and one PC input; numerous picture controls including white balance; attractive styling with transparent pane below screen.

Specifications: Product type: LCD TV ; Diagonal size: 46 in ; Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 30000:1

As Sony and Samsung continue to battle for LCD supremacy, Sony is trickling down previously premium features to its less expensive models. That's where the KDL-46W4100 comes in; it's the least expensive 2008 Bravia LCD to feature a 120Hz refresh rate and dejudder video processing, and it currently costs hundreds of dollars less than the equivalent size TV in Samsung's 120Hz-equipped A650 series. The bad news is that the Sony can't quite muster the picture quality chops to compete against those models--despite its excellent black-level performance, its fluctuating backlight and a few other gripes spoil its chances. However, if you've fallen in love with the smoothing effect of dejudder and want to avoid completely breaking the bank, the KDL-46W4100 deserves consideration.

Design
Sony's styling flair this time around is supplied by a horizontal window in the midst of the frame, right below the standard glossy-black rectangle and above a strip of silver (perhaps a harbinger of silver's triumphant return to TV design?). You'll get a great view of your wallpaper and the silver pedestal stand. Overall we liked the looks of the KDL-46W4100, and it's refreshing to see an alternative to the standard glossy black rectangles that doesn't involve buying red drapes (we're looking at you, Samsung and LG).

Including the two-tone black-and-silver stand, this 46-inch Sony measures a relatively compact 44.1 inches wide by 30.9 inches tall by 12.1 inches deep and weighs 67 pounds. Without the stand, it's 44.1 inches wide by 29.3 inches tall by 4.6 inches deep and weighs 58 pounds.

We liked the feel of the smaller remote included with the KDL-46W4100, and its buttons are arranged in a thoughtful way that's easy to navigate by touch. The remote doesn't have any backlighting and cannot control other gear, but those are minor gripes.
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