Sony XEL-1 OLED Digital TV

In the world of consumer TV technology, OLED (organic light-emitting diode) screens are the next big thing. The beauty of an OLED display is that, unlike an LCD, it doesn't require a backlight system as a light source. The individual pixels in an OLED TV, rather, are self-illuminating, which allows for incredibly thin flat-panel designs. The Sony XEL-1 OLED Digital TV ($2,499.99 direct) is the first and (currently) only one of its kind, and its 11-inch screen delivers a superbly contrasted picture with richly saturated colors. Sure, the XEL-1 costs as much as our favorite 50-inch plasma HDTV, the Pioneer KURO PDP-5020FD, but it still earns our mark as the ultimate small-screen TV.

Beyond thin, the XEL-1 features an 0.2-inch (3mm) display framed by a narrow, glossy, textured black bezel. A flat, rectangular base with illuminated control buttons along its top front edge supports the screen, which rests on a chrome neck that connects to the back of the display by means of a hinge mechanism and provides 70 degrees of total tilt. Thanks to the base's low center of gravity and soft rubber feet, the 4.2-pound TV has a surprisingly solid stance. The flat, baton-style remote is small and easy to operate, and it performs well at distances exceeding 15 feet and at wide angles.

Since it's a small set, the XEL-1 has only a limited array of audio/video connections, but what you get should satisfy most connectivity needs. The back of the base has two HDMI ports, an RF input, and a Sony Memory Stick card slot for photo and music files. The set's USB port is useful for service updates or for connecting other Sony Bravia external modules like those for wireless connectivity and DVD playback. A headphone jack on the base's left-hand side doubles as an optical digital audio, but it requires an adapter to use with a standard optical connection.

The 11-inch OLED screen has a resolution of 960 by 540 pixels—25 percent of a 1080p screen. The set's HDMI ports are compatible with 1080p24 video signals (1080p at 24 frames per second), as well as the more common 1080p60 format. Unfortunately, the only format that doesn't stretch the picture beyond the edges of the active portion of the screen is 1080i, a very common HD format. At 720p or 1080p, about 5.5 percent of the picture is lost due to overscan.

Video on the XEL-1 is pure eye candy: Its OLED-based display produces remarkably dark blacks and bright whites simultaneously, showing off its high dynamic range. The set achieved the highest contrast test scores I've seen in any consumer flat-panel television, with an utterly impressive average contrast ratio of 23,132:1. Red and green primary colors are oversaturated but don't shift into unnatural-looking hues; blue, however, is slightly off target (toward cyan) on the CIE chart. More important, white balance is exceptionally linear, resulting in consistent color in both bright and dark scenes. Advanced picture controls on the XEL-1 are limited, but a simple tweak that fixes oversaturated greens is really all you'll need, since the display's white balance hits very close to the HD standard.

At default picture settings, the XEL-1's picture is too bright, too intense for comfortable viewing in a dimly lit environment. To mitigate this effect, the TV comes with an effective integrated room-light sensor that can be enabled in the menu settings.

I was impressed with the XEL-1's ability to minimize blurring when displaying fast-moving video; in fact, the picture clarity is better than that of any LCD I've seen and is comparable with even the best plasma televisions, including the Panasonic TH-46PZ85U and Editors' Choice–winning Pioneer KURO PDP-5020FD. When examining 1080i TV programming, there were a few jagged-edge artifacts, and the resolution isn't anywhere close to HD; the small screen, though, easily conceals these issues at normal viewing distances.

That an 11-inch TV consumes so little electricity is hardly a surprise. The XEL-1's estimated monthly operating cost of $0.50 (22W average) is lower than that of some standalone Blu-ray disc players such as the Samsung BD-P1500 (24W average). (Both estimates are based on 5 hours of daily use at $0.13 per kWh.)

Sony's slick little XEL-1 OLED Digital TV is not only the first of its kind, it also outperforms larger LCDs and plasmas in several critical picture quality areas, including contrast and motion performance. This set has me craving larger OLED screens that can display full 1080p resolution and incorporate advanced picture controls and video-processing features that could completely transform television technology. Right now, price is a major roadblock for widespread OLED adoption, but the XEL-1 is a benchmark for the technology's potential.

Sub-ratings:
Image Quality:
Value:
Usability:

Benchmark Test Results:
Calibrated display settings
HDMI video input @ 1080p24/1080p60

Objective Testing (higher is better):
HD HQV Benchmark score: 35/100
Average Contrast Ratio: 23132:1
Average Power Consumption (default settings): 21W; $0.48/month @ $0.13/kWh (a local average)

Compare the HDTVs mentioned above side by side