Skip to main content
DEAL WATCH: Keurig K-Express | 22% off $69.99

Keurig has changed the face of coffee, and snagging one of these for less than $70 is a solid deal. Read Review

BUY NOW
  • Tour & Design

  • Performance Features

  • Connectivity & Media

  • Controls, Menu & Remote

  • Conclusion

  • Series Comparison

  • Tour & Design
  • Performance Features
  • Connectivity & Media
  • Controls, Menu & Remote
  • Conclusion
  • Series Comparison

Tour & Design


The front of the Sony KDL-52S5100 has a glossy, very dark blue, bezel around the entire display. The Sony logo sits below the display on the logo, with the infrared port sitting slightly to the left of it. Below the bezel is a black speaker bar, with three LED indicators sitting just above it.

Back


We were not able to get a photo of the back of this model, but the only really interesting thing there is the ports.

 

Sides


The ports of the KDL-52S5100 are located on the left side, and the controls on the right

Stand/Mount


As the demo unit we looked at was wall mounted, we were not able to take a photo of the stand. However, we believe that it will be the same as the 40-inch version.

Aesthetics


The looks of this display aren't going knock anyone's socks off. We don't particularly like the very visible infrared port and indicator labels on the front. We also found the grey/blue color of the bezel a bit off-putting. It is a very simple design, however, and should fade into your decor easily.

Performance Features

Display Size & Technology


The KDL-52S5100 is built around a 52-inch LCD panel with a conventioanl CCFL backlight; this display does not use the LED backlights that are becoming more common on HDTVs.

 

Formats & Resolution


Although this is a cheap HDTV, it doesn't skimp on resolution: this a Full HD screen that has a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels.

Brightness, Blacks and Contrast Ratio


We were not able to test the blacks and whites of this display, but Sony claims an on-screen contrast ratio of 3000:1 and a dynamic contrast ratio of 30,000:1. The first nubmer is the closest one to how we test, but we'll have to wait to get a review unit in before we can determine if this display managed to reach the claimed number. However, we did find that the 40 inch model in this series managed a contrast ratio of 2980:1, just a touch under the claimed number.

Color


We were not able to test the color performance of this display on the demo unit, but the colors in the sample files on display looked pretty good. We did also find that the coloer performance of  the 40 inch model in this series was pretty decent.

Motion & Refresh Rate


The KDL-52S5100 does not have the 120Hz motion processing that we see on most HDTVs, including ones at this price from other manufacturers. This was underlined in our tests on the 40-inch model in this series, which managed only lackluster scores for motion.

Viewing Angle


We were not able to test the viewing angle of this display.

Connectivity & Media

Audio & Video Ports


The KDL-52S5100 has a reasonable selection of video connections. On the side port, there is one VGA port, two HDMI ports, an S-Video port and a component video and analog audio input.

We were not able to photograph the back ports of this particualr model, but they are similar to the ports of the 40-inch model, which is shown below.

whence

Media & Other Connectivity


The KDL-52S5100 does not have any USB ports, so it cannot play back photos, video or music from USB devices. Neither can it connect to the Internet or stream Internetn content.

Placement


The ports are reasonably well placed. The ones on the left side are easy to get to, albeit a little recessed. The ports on the back are located just beyond them around the left side, so they're not that difficult to access either, although a rotating stand would have been nice. All the ports are well laid out and clearly labeled.

Audio


We were not able to test the speakers on this display.

Controls, Menu & Remote

Remote


The remote control for this model was not available, but we believe that it will use the same remote as the 40-inch model that we reviewed, which we discussed here.

Controls


The on-tv controls are found on the right side of the KDL-52S5100. From top to bottom they are power, channel up/down, volume up/down, input and menu.

Menu


We were not able to access the menus on this display, but we believe that the menu structure is the same as the KDL-40S5100 that we reviewed here.

Conclusion

 

Series Comparison

Sony KDL-XXS5100 Series


Sony's S5100 series of HDTV's represent an entry-level line. All models in the series have 3 HDMI inputs and offer full 1080p resolution. They lack the higher refresh rates and media functionality of Sony's higher-end models, however.

Meet the tester

Richard Baguley

Richard Baguley

Contributor

@@rbaguley

Richard Baguley is a veteran writer who has written about technology ranging from Alphabet to Zip file utilities. He has contributed to pretty much every major tech publication, including Amiga Format Magazine, PC World, Wired, CNET, Toms Guide, Forbes, and many others. He lives in the Boston metro area with his wife, dog, and an indeterminate number of cats.

See all of Richard Baguley's reviews

Checking our work.

Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.

Shoot us an email

Up next