Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV Fully Detailed Review

Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV

The Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV is the entry-level model in Sony's 2024 TV lineup, offering a range of features suitable for budget-conscious consumers while maintaining Sony's commitment to quality.

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Unboxing of the Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV

The unboxing experience of the Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV combines careful packaging, ease of setup, and an immediate sense of premium quality. Here's a detailed review based on a typical unboxing experience:

Packaging and Initial Impressions

Sturdy Box: The TV arrives in a robust, well-branded box that highlights the key features such as 4K HDR, smart TV capabilities, and advanced picture processing.
Secure Seals: The box is securely sealed with heavy-duty tape, ensuring the contents are well-protected during transport.

Opening the Box

Ease of Access: Opening the box is straightforward. The top flaps are easy to cut through and lift open.
Protective Materials: Inside, the TV is well-protected with foam inserts and plastic covers to prevent any damage during shipping.

Accessories

Neat Packaging: The accessories are organized in a smaller, separate box or compartment within the main box.
Contents: The accessories typically include:

Remote control with batteries.
Power cable.
User manual and quick start guide.
Screws and parts for the stand.
Wall mounting brackets (if included).
Cable management clips.

Quality: All accessories feel sturdy and high-quality, consistent with Sony’s reputation.

Removing the TV

Two-Person Job: Due to its size and weight, it’s advisable to have two people lift the TV out of the box.
Handle with Care: The TV should be lifted from the sides, avoiding any pressure on the screen.
Protective Wraps: The TV is wrapped in a protective plastic sheet, with additional foam around the corners.

Setting Up the Stand or Wall Mount

Stand Assembly:

The stand components are easy to identify and attach.
Instructions are clear, making the assembly process straightforward.
The stand is sturdy and provides a stable base for the TV.

Wall Mounting:

If you opt to mount the TV on the wall, the provided brackets and screws are of high quality.
The instruction manual provides clear guidance on the wall mounting process.

Positioning and Connecting the TV

Placement: The TV fits well on most TV stands or can be easily mounted on the wall.
Connections:

The back panel offers easy access to HDMI ports, USB ports, and other inputs.
Cable management is simplified with clips and designated pathways to keep things tidy.

Power On: Connecting the power cable and turning on the TV is intuitive.

First Power-On and Setup

Initial Setup:

The TV powers on quickly, and the on-screen setup guide is user-friendly.
Connecting to Wi-Fi and setting up smart features is a breeze.
Account setup for Google or Sony services is straightforward.

Picture and Sound Configuration:

The initial picture quality is impressive right out of the box.
The setup guide helps you optimize picture settings for HDR, cinema mode, and other preferences.
Sound settings can be adjusted, and external audio systems can be connected easily.

Overall Experience

Premium Feel: From unboxing to setup, the Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV delivers a premium experience.
User-Friendly: The process is designed to be user-friendly, even for those who may not be tech-savvy.
Performance: Once set up, the TV’s performance in terms of picture quality, sound, and smart features is exceptional, meeting high expectations.

Design and Build Quality of the Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV

The Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV is a remarkable blend of aesthetics, robust construction, and modern design elements that reflect Sony's dedication to quality and user experience. Here’s an in-depth review of its design and build quality:

Design

Slim Profile

Thin Bezels: The TV features ultra-thin bezels, giving it a sleek and modern look. This design choice maximizes the screen area and provides an immersive viewing experience.
Minimalist Aesthetics: The front of the TV is clean and minimalistic, with the Sony logo subtly placed. This design ensures the TV can seamlessly integrate into any living room decor.

Back Panel

Textured Finish: The back panel has a textured finish, which adds to the overall premium feel of the TV. It is designed not just for aesthetics but also to help with heat dissipation.
Cable Management: Thoughtful cable management solutions are built into the design. Channels and clips help keep cables organized and out of sight, maintaining the TV's clean appearance from all angles.

Stand

Robust Stand: The TV comes with a sturdy stand that complements its overall design. The stand is often designed to be slim yet robust, providing stability without detracting from the TV's sleek profile.
Adjustable: Some models offer adjustable stand positions, allowing users to fit the TV on various types of furniture or accommodate soundbars beneath the screen.

Build Quality

Materials

Premium Materials: Sony uses high-quality materials in the construction of the Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV. The frame is typically made from durable metal or high-grade plastic, ensuring longevity and a premium touch.
Screen Protection: The screen is well-protected by a solid frame that prevents flex and potential damage during setup and everyday use.

Durability

Solid Construction: The overall build of the TV feels solid and robust. There are no loose parts or flimsy panels, indicating a high level of craftsmanship.
Long-Lasting: Sony TVs are known for their longevity, and the Bravia 3 is no exception. The components are built to last, ensuring consistent performance over time.

Heat Management

Efficient Cooling: The design includes efficient heat management features, such as strategically placed vents and a heat-dissipating back panel. This ensures the TV remains cool during extended viewing sessions, which can enhance the lifespan of the internal components.

Conclusion About Design and Build Quality

The design and build quality of the Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV are standout features that enhance its overall appeal. The sleek, minimalist design with thin bezels ensures it looks great in any setting, while the robust construction and use of premium materials guarantee durability and long-term performance. Thoughtful details like cable management and easy access to ports further improve the user experience, making this TV a top choice for those who value both aesthetics and quality.

Display Review of the Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV

The display performance of the Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV is a critical aspect that defines its overall quality and user satisfaction. Here’s an in-depth review of its display capabilities:

Picture Quality

Resolution and Clarity

4K Resolution: The TV features a 4K Ultra HD resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels), offering four times the detail of Full HD. This results in incredibly sharp and clear images, making every detail visible.
Upscaling Technology: Sony’s proprietary upscaling technology, often known as 4K X-Reality PRO, enhances lower-resolution content to near-4K quality, ensuring that all content looks great on this screen.

Color Accuracy and Range

Triluminos Display: The TV uses a Triluminos Display, which enhances the color palette to deliver more vibrant and accurate colors. This technology helps reproduce more subtle shades and hues, making the picture more lifelike.
Wide Color Gamut: The wide color gamut ensures that colors are rich and saturated, enhancing the viewing experience for all types of content, from nature documentaries to animated films.

HDR Performance

HDR Formats: The TV supports multiple HDR formats, including HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision. These formats provide greater contrast and color depth, ensuring a more dynamic and immersive viewing experience.
Highlight and Shadow Detail: HDR content displays a wider range of brightness levels, bringing out details in both dark and bright scenes. The contrast between shadows and highlights is pronounced, adding depth and realism to the picture.

Brightness and Contrast

Peak Brightness

High Luminance: The TV delivers impressive peak brightness levels, ensuring that HDR content can be viewed in all its glory. Bright scenes are vivid and lifelike, even in well-lit rooms.

Contrast Ratio

Dynamic Contrast: Sony’s dynamic contrast enhancement technology adjusts the contrast in real-time, ensuring deep blacks and bright whites. This makes scenes with both dark and light elements more impactful.

Viewing Angles

Consistent Quality

Wide Viewing Angles: The TV maintains consistent picture quality across a wide range of viewing angles. This is particularly beneficial for larger rooms or wider seating arrangements, where viewers might be sitting off to the side.
Minimal Color Shifting: Colors and brightness levels remain relatively stable, even when viewed from an angle, ensuring everyone in the room enjoys a great picture.

Motion Handling

Smooth Motion

MotionFlow Technology: Sony’s MotionFlow technology reduces motion blur and judder, making fast-moving scenes look smooth and clear. This is particularly useful for watching sports, action movies, and gaming.
Refresh Rate: It has a native refresh rate of 60Hz, which is lower than the 120Hz found in higher-end models like the Bravia 7 and Bravia 9. This makes it less suitable for high-speed gaming but adequate for general viewing and standard gaming.

Smart Features and Picture Modes

Smart Calibration

Automatic Calibration: Some models come with smart calibration features that adjust the picture settings based on ambient light conditions and the type of content being viewed.
Custom Picture Modes: The TV offers various picture modes (e.g., Cinema, Game, Vivid) tailored for different viewing experiences. Users can also customize these settings to suit their preferences.

Gaming Performance

Low Input Lag: The TV is equipped with features that reduce input lag, making it suitable for gaming. The Game Mode optimizes settings to provide a responsive and immersive gaming experience.
VRR and ALLM: Support for Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) ensures smoother gameplay and reduced screen tearing, which is essential for a high-quality gaming experience.

Conclusion on Display

The Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV excels in delivering outstanding display performance. With its 4K resolution, wide color gamut, superior HDR support, and excellent motion handling, it provides an immersive and vibrant viewing experience. The combination of high brightness, dynamic contrast, and wide viewing angles ensures that the picture quality remains top-notch in various viewing conditions. Whether you're watching movies, sports, or playing video games, the Sony Bravia 3 offers a compelling display that enhances your entertainment experience.

Audio Review of the Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV

The audio performance of the Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV is designed to complement its impressive visual capabilities, providing a well-rounded and immersive entertainment experience. Here’s a detailed review of its audio features and performance:

Audio Quality

Sound Clarity and Detail

Clear and Detailed Audio: The TV delivers clear and detailed audio, making dialogues intelligible and ensuring that background sounds and effects are distinct.
Balanced Sound Profile: The overall sound profile is well-balanced, with a good mix of highs, mids, and lows, making it suitable for various types of content, from movies to sports to news broadcasts.

Bass Response

Decent Bass: While the built-in speakers may not produce deep, thumping bass like a dedicated subwoofer, they do offer a decent low-end response. This ensures that explosions in movies or bass lines in music are adequately represented.

Highs and Mids

Crisp Highs: The high frequencies are crisp and clear, bringing out details in treble-heavy sounds like cymbals, strings, and certain vocal elements.
Rich Mids: The mid-range frequencies are well-represented, providing richness to dialogues and vocals, which are crucial for a lifelike audio experience.

Volume and Power

Adequate Volume Levels

Room-Filling Sound: The TV can achieve sufficient volume levels to fill a medium to large room without distortion. This makes it suitable for casual viewing as well as more immersive movie-watching sessions.
Consistent Performance: Even at higher volumes, the audio remains clear and free of significant distortion, maintaining sound quality across various volume levels.

Powerful Audio Output

Enhanced Amplification: The TV is equipped with robust amplification technology that ensures powerful audio output, enhancing the overall listening experience.

Audio Technologies and Features

Dolby Audio and DTS Support

Dolby Audio: The inclusion of Dolby Audio technology enhances the sound quality, providing a more immersive and dynamic audio experience. It improves clarity, adds depth, and enhances the overall listening experience.
DTS Digital Surround: Support for DTS audio processing further enriches the sound quality, delivering a more theater-like audio experience.

Sound Modes

Preset Sound Modes: The TV offers various sound modes, such as Standard, Cinema, Music, and Game, which optimize the audio settings based on the type of content. This allows users to tailor the audio experience to their preferences.
Customizable Settings: Users can also manually adjust the equalizer settings to fine-tune the audio to their liking, offering a higher degree of personalization.

Additional Features

Acoustic Surface Audio

Innovative Technology: Some Sony Bravia models feature Acoustic Surface Audio, where the screen itself acts as a speaker. This technology provides a unique and immersive audio experience by delivering sound directly from the screen, enhancing the sense of realism and immersion.

Voice Enhancement

Dialog Enhancement: Features like voice enhancement ensure that dialogues are clear and prominent, which is especially useful for movies and shows where speech intelligibility is crucial.

Connectivity for External Audio

Audio Outputs: The TV includes various audio output options, such as HDMI ARC, optical out, and headphone jack, allowing easy connection to external sound systems or soundbars.
Bluetooth Audio: Bluetooth connectivity enables wireless audio streaming to compatible speakers or headphones, adding convenience and flexibility.

Conclusion on Audio Quality

The Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV offers impressive audio performance that complements its stunning visuals. With clear and balanced sound, adequate volume levels, and support for advanced audio technologies like Dolby Audio and DTS, it provides an immersive and enjoyable listening experience. While the built-in speakers offer good performance, the TV also supports external audio systems for those seeking an even more powerful audio setup. Whether you're watching movies, listening to music, or playing games, the Sony Bravia 3 delivers a well-rounded audio experience that enhances your overall entertainment.

Smart Features of the Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV

The smart features of the Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV are designed to enhance user experience through a combination of robust performance, extensive app support, and user-friendly interfaces. Here’s a detailed review of its smart capabilities:

Operating System and Interface

Google TV Platform

Intuitive Interface: The TV runs on the Google TV platform, which provides a clean, intuitive interface that's easy to navigate. The home screen is customizable, allowing users to organize their favorite apps and content for quick access.
Voice Control: Integrated Google Assistant provides powerful voice control capabilities. Users can search for content, control smart home devices, and get answers to questions using voice commands.

Performance

Smooth Navigation: The interface is responsive, with smooth transitions between menus and apps. This ensures a pleasant user experience without frustrating delays or lag.
Processor Power: Equipped with a powerful processor, the TV handles multitasking efficiently, allowing users to switch between apps and tasks seamlessly.

App Support and Content

Wide Range of Apps

Streaming Services: The TV supports all major streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max. The availability of these apps ensures access to a vast library of movies, TV shows, and exclusive content.
Google Play Store: Access to the Google Play Store allows users to download additional apps and games, expanding the functionality of the TV beyond standard streaming services.

Content Recommendations

Personalized Suggestions: Google TV's content recommendation engine curates personalized content suggestions based on viewing habits and preferences. This helps users discover new shows and movies that match their interests.
Watchlist Feature: Users can create a watchlist directly from the search results or via the Google TV app on their smartphones. This feature helps in organizing and tracking content they plan to watch.

Voice and Smart Home Integration

Google Assistant

Voice Search: The built-in Google Assistant enables hands-free voice search, allowing users to find content, check the weather, control playback, and more without using the remote.
Smart Home Control: Integration with Google Home allows users to control compatible smart home devices, such as lights, thermostats, and security cameras, directly from the TV.

Compatibility with Other Assistants

Alexa Support: The TV also supports Amazon Alexa, providing users with flexibility in choosing their preferred voice assistant for controlling the TV and other smart devices.

Connectivity and Casting

Chromecast Built-In

Easy Casting: With Chromecast built-in, users can easily cast content from their smartphones, tablets, or laptops to the TV. This includes videos, music, photos, and even browser tabs, making it convenient to share content on the big screen.
Cross-Device Syncing: Seamless integration with other Google devices allows for synchronized streaming and multi-room audio setups.

AirPlay 2 Support

Apple Ecosystem: The inclusion of AirPlay 2 allows users to stream content from their iOS devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs, directly to the TV. This expands the TV’s compatibility with the Apple ecosystem, providing greater flexibility for users.

Gaming Features

Low Latency Mode

Enhanced Gaming Experience: The TV features a low latency mode that reduces input lag, providing a more responsive gaming experience. This is particularly beneficial for fast-paced and competitive games.
Variable Refresh Rate: Support for Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) helps eliminate screen tearing and stuttering during gameplay, ensuring smooth visuals.

Game Mode

Optimized Settings: A dedicated Game Mode optimizes picture and sound settings for gaming, enhancing the overall experience by providing clearer visuals and more immersive audio.

Additional Features

Parental Controls

Content Restrictions: Parental control features allow parents to set restrictions on content based on ratings and block specific apps or channels. This ensures a safe viewing environment for children.
Usage Monitoring: The TV provides tools to monitor and limit screen time, helping manage how long kids spend watching TV.

Energy Efficiency

Eco Settings: The TV includes various eco-friendly settings to reduce power consumption. These include features like automatic power-off, ambient light sensors, and energy-efficient modes that adjust the display brightness based on room lighting.

Conclusion on Smart Features

The Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV excels in providing a comprehensive smart TV experience. With its intuitive Google TV interface, extensive app support, powerful voice control via Google Assistant and Alexa, and seamless integration with smart home devices, it offers a highly interactive and user-friendly platform. Features like Chromecast built-in, AirPlay 2 support, and dedicated gaming enhancements further expand its versatility, making it an excellent choice for a modern, connected entertainment hub.

User Experience of the Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV

The user experience of the Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV is shaped by its combination of high-quality display, immersive audio, smart features, and ease of use. Here’s a comprehensive look at the overall user experience:

Setup and Installation

Unboxing and Assembly

Easy Unboxing: The TV’s packaging is designed for straightforward unboxing. Accessories and components are neatly organized, making it easy to identify and access everything you need.
Simple Assembly: Attaching the stand or mounting the TV on a wall is straightforward, thanks to clear instructions and well-designed components. This makes the initial setup hassle-free, even for those with limited technical skills.

Initial Setup

Guided Setup Process: Upon powering on the TV, users are guided through an initial setup process that includes connecting to Wi-Fi, signing into Google or Sony accounts, and configuring basic settings. The on-screen prompts are clear and easy to follow.
Automatic Updates: The TV checks for software updates during the initial setup, ensuring you have the latest features and improvements right from the start.

User Interface

Google TV Interface

Intuitive Navigation: The Google TV interface is user-friendly and intuitive. The home screen is customizable, allowing users to organize apps and content according to their preferences.
Content Recommendations: Personalized content recommendations based on viewing habits help users discover new shows and movies. The recommendations are prominently displayed on the home screen, making it easy to find something to watch.

Voice Control

Google Assistant: Integrated Google Assistant provides robust voice control capabilities. Users can search for content, control playback, adjust settings, and even control smart home devices using voice commands.
Alexa Compatibility: For those who prefer Amazon’s ecosystem, Alexa compatibility offers similar voice control functions, adding flexibility to the user experience.

Performance and Responsiveness

Smooth Performance

Fast Processor: The TV’s powerful processor ensures smooth navigation and quick loading times for apps and content. Users can switch between apps and menus without noticeable lag.
Stable Connectivity: Wi-Fi connectivity is stable and reliable, ensuring smooth streaming without frequent interruptions or buffering.

Content Access and App Support

Extensive App Library

Major Streaming Services: The TV supports all major streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max. This ensures access to a vast library of content.
Google Play Store: Access to the Google Play Store allows users to download additional apps, games, and utilities, further expanding the TV’s functionality.

Casting and Screen Mirroring

Chromecast Built-In: Built-in Chromecast allows users to cast content from their smartphones, tablets, or laptops to the TV effortlessly. This includes videos, music, photos, and even browser tabs.
AirPlay 2 Support: AirPlay 2 compatibility enables users to stream content from iOS devices directly to the TV, enhancing its versatility.

Picture and Sound Customization

Picture Settings

Advanced Picture Modes: The TV offers various picture modes, such as Cinema, Game, Vivid, and Custom, allowing users to optimize the display for different types of content. Each mode is fine-tuned to enhance the viewing experience.
User Customization: Advanced users can manually adjust settings like brightness, contrast, color, and motion handling to achieve their desired picture quality.

Sound Settings

Sound Modes: Similar to picture settings, the TV provides different sound modes tailored for various content types, including Standard, Cinema, Music, and Game.
Equalizer: Users can fine-tune the audio using the built-in equalizer, adjusting frequencies to match their personal preferences or to compensate for room acoustics.

Gaming Experience

Optimized for Gaming

Low Input Lag: The TV’s low input lag is ideal for gaming, providing a responsive and immersive experience. The dedicated Game Mode optimizes settings to enhance visual and audio performance for games.
Advanced Features: Support for Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) ensures smoother gameplay and reduces screen tearing, making it a great choice for console gaming.

Smart Home Integration

Smart Home Control

Google Home Integration: Integration with Google Home allows users to control compatible smart home devices directly from the TV. This includes lights, thermostats, cameras, and more.
Seamless Integration: The ability to control smart devices without leaving the TV interface adds convenience and enhances the overall user experience.

Daily Use and Convenience

Remote Control

Ergonomic Design: The remote control is ergonomically designed and comfortable to use. It includes dedicated buttons for popular streaming services and voice control, making navigation easy.
Voice Search: The built-in microphone allows for quick and accurate voice searches, simplifying the process of finding content.

Parental Controls

Content Restrictions: The TV offers robust parental controls, allowing parents to set content restrictions based on ratings and block specific apps or channels.
Screen Time Management: Tools for monitoring and limiting screen time help manage how much time children spend watching TV.

Conclusion on User Experience

The Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV delivers an exceptional user experience, combining intuitive design, robust performance, and comprehensive smart features. Its user-friendly setup, responsive interface, extensive app support, and advanced picture and sound customization options make it a top choice for a modern home entertainment system. Whether you're streaming, gaming, or integrating with smart home devices, the Sony Bravia 3 provides a seamless and enjoyable experience, catering to a wide range of user needs and preferences.

Price and Availability of Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV

The Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV is competitively priced and widely available across various retailers. Here’s a summary of its price and availability:

Price

43-inch model: Approximately $499.99 USD at Best Buy.
50-inch model: Priced around $599.99 USD on Best Buy.
Other sizes: The Bravia 3 series includes models ranging from 43 to 85 inches, with prices scaling accordingly based on size and retailer.

Availability

Retailers: The TV is available at major electronics retailers such as Best Buy, Amazon, and directly from Sony’s official store.
Online Purchase: You can purchase the Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV through online platforms like Best Buy and Amazon, with shipping options available.
In-Store: Many physical retail locations, including Best Buy, also stock this model, allowing customers to view and purchase the TV in person.

This TV series offers good value for its features, including Google TV smart platform integration, 4K resolution, HDR support (HDR 10, HLG, Dolby Vision), and enhanced color and clarity via Sony’s 4K HDR Processor X1.

For the latest deals and to ensure availability, it’s recommended to check multiple retailers and consider any ongoing promotions or discounts.

Overall pros and cons of Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV

Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TVs generally receive positive reviews, but like any product, they have their pros and cons:

Pros

Picture Quality: Sony Bravia TVs are renowned for their excellent picture quality. The 4K resolution combined with HDR (High Dynamic Range) enhances colors, contrast, and overall image detail.
HDR Performance: HDR support ensures a wider range of colors and brighter highlights, providing a more immersive viewing experience, especially with HDR content.
Design: Sony often designs its TVs with aesthetics in mind, offering sleek, slim designs that blend well in modern living spaces.
Audio Quality: Some Sony Bravia models come equipped with high-quality sound systems or support for advanced audio technologies like Dolby Atmos, enhancing the audio experience.
Smart Features: Sony's smart TVs typically run on Android TV, offering a wide range of apps and streaming services, as well as Google Assistant built-in for voice control.
Build Quality: Sony TVs are generally well-built and durable, with attention to detail in materials and construction.

Cons

Price: Sony Bravia TVs tend to be on the higher end of the price spectrum compared to some competitors, reflecting their premium features and quality.
Brightness in Well-Lit Rooms: While HDR helps with brightness, some users may find the peak brightness levels slightly lower than some other high-end TVs, which can affect visibility in very bright environments.
Motion Handling: Although improved in recent models, some users may notice slight motion blur during fast-paced scenes, which can be more pronounced in older models or in certain viewing conditions.
Complexity in Settings: The settings and menu interface can be quite extensive, which might be overwhelming for users who prefer simpler setups.
Gaming Features: While Sony Bravia TVs support gaming, they may not offer the lowest input lag compared to dedicated gaming monitors or some gaming-focused TVs.

Overall, Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TVs are well-regarded for their superior picture quality, sleek design, and smart features, though they may come at a higher price point and have some nuances in performance that vary across models and user preferences.

Also Read: Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR TV Full Specifications and Features