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To try to better understand how long a TV should last, we're running 100 TVs through an accelerated longevity test for the next two years. We've just posted our 1-year video update with our latest findings on temporary image retention, burn-in, and more!

Sony W600D TV Review

Tested using Methodology v1.0
Review updated Mar 01, 2017 at 06:31 am
Sony W600D Picture
5.3
Mixed Usage
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
3.1
Movies
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
5.8
TV Shows
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
6.4
Sports
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
6.0
Video Games
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
4.7
HDR Movies
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
4.7
HDR Gaming
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
5.9
PC Monitor
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench

The Sony W600D Series 720p LED TV has poor picture quality. Even if it doesn't have the sharpest picture, sports looks decent and it is okay to play video games. For movies though, it isn't good. The picture leaves to be desired, especially when watched in a dark room. To its merit though, the picture stays good when watched from the side.

Our Verdict

5.3 Mixed Usage

Poor TV for mixed usage. Picture quality is bad due to low native contrast ratio and poor uniformity. Supports up to 1360x768 content. Thankfully it handles motion well with little blur, and the image remains accurate when viewed at an angle.

Pros
  • Good for sports and video games.
  • Picture is good when watched from the side.
Cons
  • Poor movie experience, especially in a dark room.
  • Screen reflections can be harsh.
3.1 Movies

Bad for movies in a dark room. Low native contrast ratio so blacks appear gray, and uniformity is poor with visible flashlighting.

5.8 TV Shows

Poor choice for watching TV shows in a bright room. Picture quality is bad, but remains accurate when viewed at an angle. Okay at handling reflections in an average room but will have issues in a bright room, compounded by the low peak brightness which can't fight glare.

6.4 Sports

Decent choice for watching sports. Fast motion is handled well with only a short trail of blur, and the image remains accurate when viewed at an angle. Gray uniformity is below average so some dirty screen effect is visible.

6.0 Video Games

Decent for gamers. Picture quality is poor, and limited to a low resolution. Luckily motion is handled well and input lag is always fairly low.

4.7 HDR Movies

Doesn't support HDR10 or Dolby Vision. Poor picture quality and also can't get very bright or produce saturated highlights.

4.7 HDR Gaming

No support of HDR gaming. Picture quality is poor due to low native contrast ratio and poor uniformity. Can't get very bright or produce vivid highlights.

5.9 PC Monitor

Bad PC monitor. Resolution is low, and picture quality is poor. The sides of the picture do remain accurate when viewed from up close though, and TV feels responsive due to low input lag and little motion blur.

  • 5.3 Mixed Usage
  • 3.1 Movies
  • 5.8 TV Shows
  • 6.4 Sports
  • 6.0 Video Games
  • 4.7 HDR Movies
  • 4.7 HDR Gaming
  • 5.9 PC Monitor
  1. Updated Mar 01, 2017: Review published.
  2. Updated May 04, 2016: Our testers have started testing this product.
  3. Updated May 04, 2016: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Sony KDL32W600D is available in one size only, 32".

If someone comes across a different type of panel or if their Sony W600D doesn't correspond to our review, let us know and we will update the review.

Size Model UK LCD Type
32" KDL-32W600D KDL-32WD603 IPS

Compared To Other TVs

Comparison picture

Top row, from left: Sony W650D (KDL-40W650D), Sony W600D (KDL-32W600D), TCL FS3800 (40FS3800). Bottom: Vizio D Series 1080p 2016 (D50-D1). Unlike our other photographs, this picture wasn't taken under a controlled environment, so do not draw conclusions from it.

The Sony W600D is a good TV for watching sports or playing video games but is not ideal when it comes to watching movies. More versatile, and sometime cheaper options are available on the market.

Test Results

Design
6.0
Design
Style
Curved No

The Sony KDL32W600D doesn't boast a fancy design like the higher end Sony models. The TV has somewhat large borders and its black frame and stand are bulky. This is not to say it looks particularly bad though, it just won't turn heads.

Design
Stand

The stand is bulky and the TV feels very sturdy on it.

Footprint of the 32" TV stand: 22" x 7.5"

Design
Back
Wall Mount VESA 200x200

The back of the TV is also bulky and not attractive. Some of the connections will be available if the TV is wall mounted.

Design
Borders
Borders 0.83" (2.1 cm)

Borders look larger on a 32" TV. They are made of plastic.

Design
Thickness
Max Thickness 2.36" (6 cm)

The TV is fairly thick and might look a little odd if wall mounted.

Design
Temperature
Maximum Temperature
35.5 °C
Average Temperature
31.2 °C

Being small and efficient, the W600D does not produce much heat at all.

Picture Quality
5.9
Picture Quality
Contrast
Native Contrast
955 : 1

The blacks on the Sony W600D appear grayish. As such, our contrast measurement is low.

0
Picture Quality
Local Dimming
Local Dimming
No
Backlight
Direct

There is no local dimming feature on this TV.

6.7
Picture Quality
SDR Peak Brightness
SDR Real Scene Peak Brightness
199 cd/m²
SDR Peak 2% Window
236 cd/m²
SDR Peak 10% Window
234 cd/m²
SDR Peak 25% Window
236 cd/m²
SDR Peak 50% Window
237 cd/m²
SDR Peak 100% Window
236 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 2% Window
236 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 10% Window
234 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 25% Window
236 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 50% Window
237 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 100% Window
236 cd/m²

Low peak brightness values that remain constant for all window sizes. The Sony W600D isn't able to make very bright highlights.

not tested
Picture Quality
HDR Peak Brightness
HDR Real Scene Peak Brightness
N/A
HDR Peak 2% Window
N/A
HDR Peak 10% Window
N/A
HDR Peak 25% Window
N/A
HDR Peak 50% Window
N/A
HDR Peak 100% Window
N/A
HDR Sustained 2% Window
N/A
HDR Sustained 10% Window
N/A
HDR Sustained 25% Window
N/A
HDR Sustained 50% Window
N/A
HDR Sustained 100% Window
N/A

This TV does not support HDR.

6.3
Picture Quality
Gray Uniformity
50% Std. Dev.
6.621%
50% DSE
0.19%

The corners of the screen are particularly dark but at least there is no obvious banding problems.

8.0
Picture Quality
Viewing Angle
LCD Type
IPS
Color Shift
51°
Brightness
55°
Black Level
75°

When viewed from the side, the picture quality stays relatively good compared to most LED TVs. This is good for a wide living room.

3.9
Picture Quality
Black Uniformity
Native Std. Dev.
3.84%

Bad uniformity on a totally black screen. Lots of clouding and big flashlighting at the bottom left of our unit.

8.0
Picture Quality
Gradient
Color Depth
8 Bit

The Sony W600D has an 8 bit panel and processing as can be noticed in our gradient test pattern. The anomalies won't be such an issue in regular content except for some banding that can be seen in some scenes.

7.0
Picture Quality
Pre Calibration
White Balance dE
5.35
Color dE
5.3544
Gamma
2.17

Very high white balance dE with a lack of blue. Colors had it shares of problems too.

7.0
Picture Quality
Post Calibration
White Balance dE
5.5
Color dE
5.3975
Gamma
2.18

The above post-calibration pictures are the same as the pre-calibration ones since there is no adjustment settings available.

Update: After the review was done, we were made aware of the white balance setting in the service menu. To access this menu, while the TV is off, press on the remote in this order: 'Display', '5', 'Volume +' and power on.

7.5
Picture Quality
480p Input

The native resolution of the Sony W600D is 1360 x 768 which doesn't exactly match standard HD format. But it isn't much of a problem for 480p content and once upscaled it looks okay.

7.5
Picture Quality
720p Input

The Sony W600D isn't a native 720p TV so content made for that specific resolution isn't matching pixel for pixel resulting in loss of details.

0
Picture Quality
1080p Input
0
Picture Quality
4k Input
7.0
Picture Quality
Color Gamut
Wide Color Gamut
No
DCI P3 xy
76.48%
DCI P3 uv
88.7%
Rec 2020 xy
54.88%
Rec 2020 uv
58.24%

The range of colors the Sony KDL32W600D can display is only good enough for Rec. 709 content.

4.7
Picture Quality
Color Volume
Normalized DCI P3 Coverage
49.978%
10,000 cd/m² DCI P3 Coverage
27.778%
Normalized Rec 2020 Coverage
36.423%
10,000 cd/m² Rec 2020 Coverage
20.275%
10
Picture Quality
Image Retention
IR after 0 min recovery
0%
IR after 2 min recovery
0%
IR after 4 min recovery
0%
IR after 6 min recovery
0%
IR after 8 min recovery
0%
IR after 10 min recovery
0%

No retention at all could be notice after the 10 minutes burn-in scene on the Sony W600D IPS TV. This is a very good result for IPS a TV, since it is IPS TVs that tend to be more susceptible to image retention.

7.0
Picture Quality
Reflections
Reflection
2%
Screen Finish
Semi-gloss

The Sony W600D can have some harsh reflections on its screen. As long as it isn't in a very bright room, it should be fine.

0
Picture Quality
3D
3D
No
Picture Quality
Pixels
Type LED
Motion
8.8
Motion
Motion Blur
Refresh Rate 60 Hz
Response Time
10.7 ms
Overshoot
5.1 ms

Good response time measurement meaning there is not much blur added on fast action scenes or play.

10
Motion
Image Flicker
PWM Dimming Frequency
0 Hz
BFI
Yes
BFI Frequency
60 Hz
BFI In Game Mode
Yes
0
Motion
24p Playback
Judder-free 24p
No
Judder-free 24p via 60p
No
Judder-free 24p via 60i
No

Even 24p sources have little judder. In fact, judder is present on all sources.

0
Motion
Motion Interpolation
Motion Interpolation (30 fps)
No
Motion Interpolation (60 fps)
No

There is no motion interpolation option on the Sony W600D.

Inputs
8.7
Inputs
Input Lag
1080p @ 60Hz
26 ms
1080p With Interpolation
N/A
1080p @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode
26.2 ms
1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
N/A
4k @ 60Hz
N/A
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
N/A
4k @ 60Hz + HDR
N/A
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 + 8 bit HDR
N/A

Nice input lag result. The W600D is well suited for fast action games. No matter the picture mode or 'Scene Select' settings, input lag is always this low.

0
Inputs
Supported Resolutions
Resolution 720p
1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
No
1080p @ 120Hz
No
4k @ 30Hz @ 4:4:4
No
4k @ 60Hz
No
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
No

The native resolution of the Sony W600D is 1360 x 768 and as such, the above resolutions aren't supported. To get as sharp as possible when using that TV as a PC monitor, 1360 x 768 has to be used. Even then, this TV isn't well suited to use as a PC monitor.

Inputs
Side Inputs
Inputs
Rear Inputs
Inputs
Total Inputs
HDMI 2
USB 2
Digital Optical Audio Out 1
Analog Audio Out 3.5mm 1
Analog Audio Out RCA 1
Component In 0
Composite In 1
Tuner (Cable/Ant) 1
Ethernet 1
DisplayPort 0
IR In 0
SD/SDHC 0
Inputs
Inputs Specifications
HDR10
No
5.1 Passthrough ARC Dolby Digital
No
Dolby Vision
No
5.1 Passthrough ARC DTS
No
5.1 Passthrough Optical Dolby Digital
Yes
5.1 Passthrough Optical DTS
Yes
HDMI 2.0 Full Bandwidth No
ARC Yes (HDMI 1)
USB 3 No
HDCP 2.2 No
CEC No
MHL No
Variable Analog Audio Out Yes
Sound Quality
6.3
Sound Quality
Frequency Response
Std. Dev. @ 70
3.92 dB SPL
Std. Dev. @ 80
3.64 dB SPL
Std. Dev. @ Max
4.71 dB SPL
Max
88.6 dB SPL
Low-end Cutoff
179.59 Hz

Average frequency response and maximum loudness. The low-end cutoff of 179Hz however, is quite poor, even for a TV. Also, at higher volumes, there will be noticeable compression and pumping artifact present.

7.3
Sound Quality
Total Harmonic Distortion
Distortion @ 70
0.04
Distortion @ 80
0.01
Distortion @ Max
0.021

Decent distortion performance. The interesting note here is that distortion at 75 is being reported as higher than 85 and Max results. This could be due to the 75dB test being influenced by outside noise. Also, since our scoring system gives more weight to higher frequencies to make it more perceptually relevant, and the W600D doesn't produce a lot of bass, the distortion at 75dB is being reported as higher.

Smart Features
Smart Features
Apps

The apps selection is very limited and missing a few big names. Anyone looking for a better smart experience should either look at a different TV or buy an additional device like a Roku.

6.0
Smart Features
Interface
Smart OS Basic

Very limited smart features available on the Sony W600D. It is on the verge of being considered a smart TV but those who doesn't ask more than Netflix will be satisfied. For better smart features, an external device like the Roku would be recommended.

10
Smart Features
Ads
Ad-free
Yes
Opt-out
N/A
Smart Features
TV Controls

Some basic TV controls are located underneath the front of the TV which can be used to power the TV, change inputs and volume. This can be accessed if the TV is wall mounted.

Smart Features
Remote
Remote Basic

The remote is similar to all other Sony remotes. It is basic but functional.

Smart Features
In The Box

- Remote
- Batteries
- VESA spacers
- Ppower brick & cable
- Cable tie
- Component adapter
- Manuals

Smart Features
Misc
Power Consumption 21 W
Power Consumption (Max) 36 W
Firmware 4.057-1.075-01