Sony Bravia KDL-40EX724 40in LED 3D TV

Dynamic 2D, diabolical 3D

TwitBook TV

Partnered with the BIV is the brand’s subscription music and movie streaming service Qriocity. The film choice on Qriocity is wide, with titles available in both SD and hi-def. Sony may not have gone big on apps, but it does offer Facebook and Twitter clients. These are rather good. I like the way the TV window minimises, allowing you to follow along with tweets when you’re watching the #bbcapprentice.

Twitter feed

The set has a web browser, but this is centred in the screen rendering text so small it’s unreadable from the sofa. Flash is not supported. The 40EX724 can play media across your home network and from USB, however support isn’t comprehensive. If you have AVCHD home movies and plenty of AVIs you’ll be fine, but MKV wrapped content isn’t supported.

You can also set the screen up for lightweight PVR duties. Just plug in an external USB hard drive, format and marry it to your set, and you’ll be able to timeshift from the TV guide. Having a single tuner is a limitation, but it’s a useful backup to a real PVR.

2D high-def picture quality is good. I felt the brand got its PQ mojo back last year, and the momentum carries on here, courtesy of the rather exciting sounding X-Reality engine. Certainly, the set has a good black level and can deliver dynamic entertaining images. The edge-LED backlight may be a little uneven, but this doesn’t really impact general viewing.