The 46-inch Sony Bravia KDL46Z5100 LCD television is part of the higher end HDTVS from Sony in 2009, and the first alongside the XBR9 to feature new 240Hz MotionFlow with Bravia Engine 3 processing. To help you compare differences between the KDL46Z5100 and similar 46″ offerings under the bravia name, below are some quick comparisons and bullet points of major changes comparing the 46Z5100 vs XBR9, W5100, V5100 and S5100 series equivalents:

Compare Sony KDL-46Z5100 vs KDL-46S5100

The Sony KDL-46S5100 model and the KDL-S5100 series offers the lowest pricing compared to other Bravia models of equal size, though it lacks many of the same features. It is a system ideal for those shopping on a budget. Below is a list of differences between the KDL-46Z5100 and the KDL-46S5100:

  • Picture quality / Dynamic Contrast Ratio - A model’s contrast ratio refers to the arrangement of colors between both a systems brightest and darkest colors possible, with a greater ratio resulting in better overall picture quality. The KDL-46S5100 features a Dynamic Contrast Ratio of 30000:1 as opposed to the KDL-46Z5100 which has a ratio of 100000:1.
  • Motionflow Technology - Motionflow technology recreates cinema motion quality with unerring accuracy. The KDL-46Z5100 offers an astounding 240hz refresh rate, while the KDL-46S5100 offers a significantly reduced rate of 60hz.
  • Level of Connectivity - The Sony KDL-46Z5100 gives users four HDMI ports as opposed to the KDL-46S5100’s three, for an impressive level of connectivity. It also provides USB support for jpeg photo viewing, mp3 players, and videos. This feature is absent in the S5100.
  • Read & Compare All feature differences

Compare Sony KDL-46Z5100 vs KDL-46V5100

The Bravia KDL-46V5100 HDTV is a cut above the previous S5100 series, offering improvements both in the level of technology and number of features available to customers while remaining at a reasonably low price. Below is a list of differences between the KDL-46Z5100 and KDL-46V5100:

  • Contrast Ratio and Motionflow differences discussed above -
  • Bravia Engine - The KDL-46Z5100 features the more advanced Bravia Engine 3, resulting in enhanced picture quality over the previous Bravia Engine 2 employed by the KDL-46V5100 and KDL46-S5100 series.
  • Differences in Internet and Media Features - One of the most notable differences between mid to upper range Sony Bravia models is their level of internet and media features. These features include the ability to watch video content from a constantly growing library, the ability to watch videos from streaming video sites like YouTube, and the ability to resize and adjust Bravia Internet Widgets on your screen for current information on news, weather, sports and more. These features are absent in the KDL-46V5100 and KDL-46S5100.
  • Read & Compare All feature differences

Compare Sony KDL-46Z5100 vs KDL-46W5100

The Sony Bravia KDL-46W5100 provides customers with a superb balance of functionality and affordability by featuring much of the same technology present in upper class systems while remaining in a comparatively lower price range. Below is a list of feature differences between the KDL-46Z5100 and the KDL-46W5100:

  • Speaker Configuration - The KDL-46W5100 has four concealed speakers with tweeters added, while the KDL-46Z5100 uses two direct speakers. In spite of these format differences, both provide the same level of audio power output.
  • Panel Bits - The KDL-46W5100 has an 8-bit panel rate while the KDL-46Z5100 has a 10-bit panel rate, Bit rates refer to a screens resolution, with a difference of even one or two bits resulting in noticeable improvement.
  • Motionflow Technology - Despite the fact that the KDL-46W5100 series offers a refresh rate of 120hz, it nevertheless pales in comparison to the full 240hz rate of the KDL-46Z5100 series.
  • Read & Compare All feature differences

Compare Sony KDL-46Z5100 vs KDL-46XBR9

The Sony KDL-46XBR9 is a step above the Z5100 series, offering illustrious technological improvements and several additional features making it the poster model of the Sony Bravia series in 2009. Below is a list of differences setting the Z5100 and XBR9 models apart:

  • Picture Quality and Backlight differences - The Sony Bravia KDL-46XBR9 uses a Wide Color Gamut—Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (or WCG-CCFL) backlighting system resulting in improved picture quality over the standard CCFL backlighting system of the KDL-46Z5100 series.
  • Sound Quality - The Sony KDL-46XBR9 has added tweeters in its sound system for an improved level of audio quality over the KDL-46Z5100.
  • Live Color Creation - The Sony KDL-46XBR9 makes use of Live Color Creation technology to accomplish a vaster array of deep colors along with more distinct contrast levels between blacks and whites. This technology is features in the XBR9 series but is not available in the Z5100 or models beneath it.
  • Read & Compare All feature differences