Sony Bravia KDL40LX903 review

Can Sony's pricey new 40-inch 3DTV compete at the high-end?

Sony Bravia KDL40LX903
It's a shame the 3D on this LCD TV doesn't live up to the hype, becuase the 2D images are stunning

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Sony 40lx903

As Sony's 40LX903 proves once again, LED tech lags – literally – behind plasma technology when it comes to 3D duties, but there's plenty to like.

We liked

BBC iPlayer is probably the highlight of a vast array of online content – and it's presented brilliantly as part of a user interface that's second only to those found on LG's TVs. The 2D image is stunning with colour and contrast impressing and SD is upscaled well, while USB file support is comprehensive.

We disliked

Awfully expensive – and sometimes just plain awful – the 40LX903 struggles to convince with 3D imagery. That's a real shame because in almost all other areas (the exceptions being the standard issue flat weedy speakers, some networking niggles and a tiny issue with light leakage) it's almost impossible to fault.

Final verdict

With better options elsewhere that cost less, there's no obvious reason to buy the 40LX903 if you're after a 3DTV.

That's a shame, given its stunning package of features, but unless you're addicted to BBC iPlayer, YouTube (the 40LX903 is the finest example of a 'connected' TV we've seen so far) or the Sony Bravia brand, you'll find far better value elsewhere.

There's no doubt that 3D's day will come, but on this evidence it might be worth skipping a couple of generations.

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Jamie Carter

Jamie is a freelance tech, travel and space journalist based in the UK. He’s been writing regularly for Techradar since it was launched in 2008 and also writes regularly for Forbes, The Telegraph, the South China Morning Post, Sky & Telescope and the Sky At Night magazine as well as other Future titles T3, Digital Camera World, All About Space and Space.com. He also edits two of his own websites, TravGear.com and WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com that reflect his obsession with travel gear and solar eclipse travel. He is the author of A Stargazing Program For Beginners (Springer, 2015),