The Sony Bravia KDL-55NX720 is one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful, 3D capable televisions on the market. Sony lists the price at $2,149.99, but it can be found elsewhere with a $300 markdown. This 55-inch beauty also has incredible picture quality, primarily due to its deep black levels. Although 3D viewing is one of its main features, the 3D performance leaves something to be desired. Anyone looking to watch a lot of 3D content may want to invest elsewhere.

Design

This 55-inch flat-screen LCD Sony Bravia KDL-55NX720 is beautifully designed. In fact, CNET deemed it as the best looking TV this year, beating out the previous title-holder XBR-HX929, also by Sony. This TV is incredibly thin, at only 1.1 inches in depth. The screen is surrounded by a sleek, black bezel, which is only 1.3 inches wide, allowing maximum picture display and minimal distraction.

The Sony Bravia KDL-55NX720's face is made of one piece of darkened glass with a glossy finish, acheiving an elegant look. It sits on a discrete, metal swivel stand for easy angle adjustment. However, the swivel doesn't feel very sturdy, so should be used carefully. It also comes with built-in WiFi, for easy internet connection.

The internet connection allows easy access to streaming and apps, such as Netflix, Amazon Instant, Facebook, Youtube, Hulu Plus and Twitter. This is also an aesthetic advantage, as it saves the owner from having to attach a clunky wireless router in order to access the internet features.

Picture Quality

The 2D picture quality on the Sony Bravia KDL-55NX720 is one of the best on the market today. It implements LED backlight technology with a twist. This TV is edge-lit with local dimming for impressive image quality. When the monitor is turned off, the screen is so dark as to be virtually indistinguishable from its black frame. This TV includes 12 adjustable picture modes, 4 color temperatures, 7 gamma presets, 2 local dimming settings and 2 fine color temperature controls. Color and video processing work well, but what really sets the Sony Bravia KDL-55NX720 apart are its deep black levels.

Menu Features

Sony's Home menu allows comprehensive access to all the great features included in the Sony Bravia KDL-55NX720. The main portion of the screen is occupied by a smaller version of the TV image, and to the right is a removable Recommendations section. At the bottom of the screen are all ten horizontal options available, represented by icons. Once the icon is selected, the label is displayed, so some memorization skills will come in handy. The options include the aforementioned Recommendations, Favorites/History, Settings, Widgets, Inputs, Media, Applications, TV, Internet Content and Qriocity.

3D Viewing

The Sony Bravia KDL-55NX720 really falls short on its 3D viewing capabilities. There are annoyingly apparent stutters and flickering in the image during both standard and smooth settings, while in 3D mode. The monitor includes a built-in 3D emitter, which is great, but requires a separate purchase for the 3D glasses. At $70 per pair of 3D glasses, it may be a significant deterrent for consumers.