LCD TV's have traditionally required an always on backlight to illuminate the display, a system which makes it difficult to achieve high contrast ratios.

Sony have not only replaced the traditional always on backlight used by the majority of LCD manufacturers, with LED technology, they have gone one step further with their own refinement of the system. Instead of a static edge-based LED backlight, Sony use clusters of LEDs which can be controlled individually.

Additionally, Sony use LED clusters which employ RGB rather than "Black & White" dimming. Sony claim that these RGB clusters "significantly elevate colour purity".

Although it has taken more time than many of us envisioned, the huge investment in LCD TV technology over the past few years is beginning to pay big dividends. The inexorable advance of LCD technology is no better illustrated at this time than with Sony's ground breaking X4500 series. Even dyed in the wool plasma enthusiasts may want to explore in more detail what this TV has to offer.

Read a full review of the Sony KDL-46X4500.

Sony KDL-46X4500