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Sony KDL-40R450A Review
40" Direct LED Backlit LCD HDTV, $599
RedLine

Sony KDL- R450

Dick De Jong
March 26, 2013
HDTV Solutions

The Sony KDL-40R450 is a bit of a throwback to simpler times when TVs were just TVs. You remember, way back in about 2009, before TVs became "Smart" with connections to the Internet and a store full of apps crowding the screen.

Ah, the good old days when you just plucked the TV out of the box, plunked it down, plugged in an antenna or cable box and started watching the big game or your favorite telenovela.

If you long for that simplicity, the KDL-40R450 fits the bill. With no Internet connection and no apps, the menu system is cleaner and setup is faster.

Of course if you desire the Smart experience, you can always plug in an Internet connected device like a Blu-ray player or Roku box.

No matter what you feed the KDL-40R450, prime time programming or streaming Internet content, the TV's picture quality is very good.

With "only" a 40-inch screen, this Sony is not a great candidate for your home theater, but I wouldn't kick it out of my bedroom. In fact, since it weighs less than 17 pounds (with stand), you could easily carry this TV to any room in the house.

(Editor's Note: Currently Sony makes only one size of the R450 series, this 40-inch KDL-40R450A. The 32-inch KDL-32R400A is a 720p TV and the soon to be released R550 series features Internet connections. Therefore this review only applies to the KDL-40R450A.)

Our Star Ratings
Performance: 4.04.0 Star Rating
The Sony KDL-40R450 employs a Direct LED backlighting system that does not produce the picture quality of a local dimming edge-lit TV or a plasma display. Still, the picture quality is quite good. And the audio oomph from the integrated speakers is surprisingly strong.
Features: 3.0 3 Star Rating
With no Internet connections (wired or wireless), and no apps, this Sony may seem featureless when compared to today's Smart TVs. But with two HDMI inputs (with ARC and MHL support), the 40R450 provides all of the features that many need.
Ease of Use: 5.0 5 Star Rating
Since there are no network hook-ups to fret over and no apps to install, this TV is easy to set up and use.
Value: 4.0 4.0 Star Rating
Considering that the KDL-40R450A just hit the market, it's interesting that Sony is already offering it on their site for $499, which is $100 less than the MSRP. Even at that discount price, the marketplace offers a number of larger, more feature-laden options. But I find value in this simpler Sony 40-inch TV.
Star Ratings Description
Ratings are relative to when the review was written. The obvious example is Value, what you could purchase for $2000 two years ago or even two months ago would seem like a bad value for that price now. We give very few 5 Star ratings, which we reserve for truly outstanding accomplishment.

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Reader Comments

Posted Jun 20, 2014 9:00:08 AM

By Mirjam
HI,

How is this tv with full hd games? With an ps4 for example.

Posted Jul 8, 2013 6:42:14 AM

By mike
Well I just got one of these TVs and a sony Bdv-e2100 Home Theatre dvd/bluray player. The setup is easy, simple and flawless both with the TV and player. the player has the smart features that the TV is Missing.

I would recommend a setup like this to anyone looking for something easy to setup and simple to use.

Posted Apr 11, 2013 3:46:56 PM

By Dick De Jong
Jane,

Currently, no Apple products (including the iPhone 4S) are MHL compatible. Therefore, you cannot connect your phone to this Sony TV through MHL.

I did try another solution but it's a bit clunky. You can connect your phone with a cable from your phone's headphone connector to the back of the TV's audio inputs.

You will need a cable with a stereo minijack on one end (which fits into the phone's headphone jack) and on the other end, you will want two prong RCA connectors (which will attach to the two audio ins on the TV. (Here's a link to that type of cable, http://www.walmart.com/ip/21668785?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227000000000&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=&wl3=21486607510&wl4=&wl5=pla&veh=sem

You can then control the music through your iPhone and hear it through the TV's speakers.

If you have any questions, let me know.

Though you might be better served with just buying a little speaker system that is made for playing iPhones specifically.

Posted Apr 8, 2013 6:09:08 PM

By Jane
I bought the 40R450A and I would Like to Know if the IPhone 4S is compatible With the mhl cable that we CAN Read about in this review. In fact, I want to listen to music on my TV. Therefore, CAN someone help me and tell me what I should buy since this TV doesn't have wifi?

Thanks in advance!

Posted Apr 1, 2013 2:04:48 PM

By Carlos Mahns
I like the basic. Mostly of the gizmos you don't need it or used them. And a good option is as you pointed out that the bluray may carried the aditionals. Cheaper TV, and not paying the extra money for things that you don't need. I will love a TV top of the line, with no 3D and extras. Best Regards Carlos
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