With the KDL-32W4000, Sony is following attempts by Panasonic and Sharp to kick-start an era of full HD resolution 32in panels.

The idea of using a 1,920 x 1,080-pixel screen instead of a basic HD Ready resolution might smack of gimmick, but having seen similarly-specified rivals, we know that’s not the case.

A full HD screen displays a two megapixel resolution, while a regular HD Ready set shows more like one megapixel. There’s still a way to go yet before ‘your eyes can’t tell the difference’.

Sony’s KDL-32W4000 is eye-catching though, with its bold Bravia bezel featuring underslung speakers that cling to the TV’s sides – complete with a transparent glass panel in the mid-section.

Full HD TV temptation

The screen’s main attraction is that massive resolution, which will tempt gamers and Blu-rayers alike.

This is impressively backed up by three HDMI inputs. Better still, one of them is situated on the TV’s side, which will make occasional hook up of games consoles a cinch, whether on a desktop stand or wall-mounted.

For once, it’s actually worth considering the latter because, as well as offering a USB input for watching digital photos on the screen, the KDL-32W4000 stores a bunch of arty screensavers in its memory.

Van Gogh’s Wheatfield with Cypresses, for instance, can be displayed pixel-for-pixel, while your own digital photos can be added to the gallery from a USB stick and scaled down to fit the screen. This Picture Frame Mode is a low-power function, but it’s the wrong side of eco-friendly for our tastes.

Sony's improved picture processing

The biggest improvement on earlier incarnations of Sony’s Bravia LCDs is the all-new Bravia Engine 2 picture processing, which builds in an Advanced Contrast Enhancer to boost black level response, promising an extra dose of realism to movies.

Other features are Blu-ray orientated and are becoming standard on big brand HD Ready TVs. Bravia Sync allows the remote to control the basic functions of a Blu-ray player while 24p True Cinema ensures you’re watching hi-def discs at exactly the same speed as old-fashioned film.

Audio hasn’t been forgotten, with Sony’s speakers able to use both Virtual Dolby Surround and BBE ViVA sound technology.

Simple menus

Called XrossMediaBar, its onscreen menus are intuitive and take mere minutes to master.