Sony W630B  TV Review

Review updated Mar 01, 2017 at 06:31am
Tested using Methodology v1.0 
Sony W630B
7.1
Mixed Usage 
Value for price beaten by

Not at the latest test bench

6.3
Movies 
Value for price beaten by

Not at the latest test bench

7.2
TV Shows 
Value for price beaten by

Not at the latest test bench

7.6
Sports 
Value for price beaten by

Not at the latest test bench

8.1
Video Games 
Value for price beaten by

Not at the latest test bench

5.4
HDR Movies 
Value for price beaten by

Not at the latest test bench

5.3
HDR Gaming 
Value for price beaten by

Not at the latest test bench

6.5
PC Monitor 
Value for price beaten by

Not at the latest test bench

 0
 TV Settings
The 1080p Sony KDL60W630B/2 TV is a remake of a popular 2014 model with the same name. It is a budget TV with average picture quality, lacking many of the features found in higher end TVs. Despite the low price, it has excellent motion performance and input lag.

Our Verdict

7.1
Mixed Usage 

Slightly above average TV for a range of usages. Average picture quality, which degrades when viewed at an angle. Very little motion blur so good for sports. Due to the low pixel density, it is better suited for viewing from further away.

Pros
  • Excellent motion handling
  • Low input lag
Cons
  • Colors are inaccurate at an angle
  • Average peak brightness
6.3
Movies 

Average for movies in a dark room. Picture quality is average, but lacks features such as local dimming. Can play all movie sources smoothly.

7.2
TV Shows 

Slightly above average for watching TV in a bright room. Whole screen maintains same level of brightness which is good. Picture quality is average but degrades from the side. Smart platform is good for casual watching.

7.6
Sports 

Good TV for sports. Plays 1080p sources at native resolution. Excellent motion handling. Very little motion blur. Can interpolate content to 120fps for those who prefer smooth motion. Picture quality is average.

8.1
Video Games 

Very good for gamers. Fast paced motion is displayed very well, with little blur. Input lag is low, which is great even for the more avid gamers. Picture quality is average.

5.4
HDR Movies 

Doesn't support HDR from any source. Can't achieve bright highlights or more vivid colors.

5.3
HDR Gaming 
6.5
PC Monitor 

Average PC monitor. Displays text clearly with chroma support. Doesn't accept 120Hz input and is only 1080p TV. Input lag is low which is great. Fast motion is handled very well.

  • 7.1
    Mixed Usage
  • 6.3
    Movies
  • 7.2
    TV Shows
  • 7.6
    Sports
  • 8.1
    Video Games
  • 5.4
    HDR Movies
  • 5.3
    HDR Gaming
  • 6.5
    PC Monitor
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Mar 01, 2017: Review published.
    2.  Updated Aug 03, 2016: Our testers have started testing this product.
    3.  Updated Aug 01, 2016: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

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    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    We tested the 60" (KDL60W630B), the only size available at the moment. 

    If someone comes across a different type of panel or if their Sony KDL60W630B doesn't correspond to our review, let us know and we will update the review.

    Size Model
    60" KDL60W630B/2

    Popular TV Comparisons

    Comparison picture

    Top left: Vizio E Series 1080p 2016 (E48-D0). Bottom left: TCL FS3750 (48FS3750). Middle: Sony W630B (KDL60W630B). Top right: Samsung KU6300 (UN55KU6300). Bottom right: 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 W630B is a low-end TV, offering an average picture quality. For those looking for a 1080p TV on a tight budget it shouldn't disappoint, but spending a bit more money does provide a proportional increase in picture quality. Keep that in mind when reading our recommendations below.

    How We Test TVs
    How We Test TVs

    We buy and test dozens of TVs yearly, taking an objective, data-driven approach to deliver results you can trust. Our testing process is complex, with hundreds of individual tests that take over a week to complete. Most of our tests are done with specially designed test patterns that mimic real content, but we also use the same sources you have at home to ensure our results match the real-world experience. We use two main tools for our testing: a Colorimetry Research CR-100 colorimeter and a CR-250 spectroradiometer.

    Test Results

    Sort:
    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    8.5
    Style
    CurvedNo

    Style is very similar to other 2014/2015 Sony TVs such as the W800C and the X850C. From the front it looks minimal and sleek. The back is designed for function rather than appearance and won't turn any heads.

    Stand

    Small, sleek stand similar in design to the Sony W800C. Feels sturdy with a small footprint. Footprint of the 60" TV stand: 22.8" x 8.9"

    Back
    Wall MountVESA 300x300

    When wall mounted, the component and composite inputs may be difficult to access.

    Borders
    Borders0.79" (2 cm)

    The simple plastic border looks quite good.

    Thickness
    Max Thickness2.87" (7.3 cm)

    The TV is thicker than average due to the wide bottom half.

    Picture Quality
    8.2
    Contrast
    Native Contrast
    3,528 : 1

    The contrast ratio of the W630B is pretty good. Black looks deep enough to provide a good experience in a dark environment.

    0.0
    Local Dimming
    Local Dimming
    No
    Backlight
    Direct

    The Sony W630B does not have any local dimming option. Video for reference only.

    7.0
    SDR Peak Brightness
    SDR Real Scene Peak Brightness
    253 cd/m²
    SDR Peak 2% Window
    273 cd/m²
    SDR Peak 10% Window
    273 cd/m²
    SDR Peak 25% Window
    273 cd/m²
    SDR Peak 50% Window
    273 cd/m²
    SDR Peak 100% Window
    273 cd/m²
    SDR Sustained 2% Window
    273 cd/m²
    SDR Sustained 10% Window
    273 cd/m²
    SDR Sustained 25% Window
    273 cd/m²
    SDR Sustained 50% Window
    273 cd/m²
    SDR Sustained 100% Window
    273 cd/m²

    Peak brightness is average for the KDL60W630B. At 273 cd/m², is it not the worst, but it is far from the best we have seen. The only one advantage here is that the brightness remains the same no matter how large the white window is and also it does not vary over time when a static image is displayed.

    0.0
    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.

    6.9
    Gray Uniformity
    50% Std. Dev.
    3.967%
    50% DSE
    0.197%

    Gray uniformity is average. You can see some vertical bands from the backlight. Dirty screen might be seen when watching sport or any other content where large panning shots over a uniform surface are present on screen.

    5.1
    Viewing Angle
    LCD Type
    VA
    Color Shift
    18°
    Brightness
    39°
    Black Level
    37°

    The viewing angle is below average, but it is better than most of the Sony TVs with the same kind of panel. When compared, it is better than the high end X930D that got a viewing angle of only 16°. Any IPS or OLED TV would be an improvement.

    9.1
    Black Uniformity
    Native Std. Dev.
    0.918%

    Black uniformity is also very good. It is not as perfect as OLED TV are, but for an LCD TV is very acceptable. On the test picture you may see some faint clouding but you should not notice any clouding watching normal content.

    10
    Gradient
    Color Depth
    10 Bit

    The color gradient of the W630B is very good without any particular banding in any shade.

    Note that when looking at the picture you can see some banding, but it is cause by Moiré when the picture was taken and not because of banding issues in the gradient.

    8.7
    Pre Calibration
    White Balance dE
    2.76
    Color dE
    2.0282
    Gamma
    2.32

    Before calibration, the W630B was not bad at all. The white balance is just a bit off and the gamma is just a a little high. But the total deviation is really low and normal customer could enjoy it "as is" without noticing anything wrong.

    9.4
    Post Calibration
    White Balance dE
    0.67
    Color dE
    1.4369
    Gamma
    2.17

    After calibration, which was done very easily, since there is just a 2 point correction, the white balance and gamma curve are almost spot on. You can see our calibration settings here.

    7.5
    480p Input

    The 480p upscaling perform slightly worse than what we usually see with Sony TVs. On the test picture, little details like waves on the water or leafs on the bush look less defined and edges look a bit softer too.

    8.0
    720p Input

    720p content like cable TV looks good once upscaled and the details are well kept.

    10
    1080p Input

    The 1080p native resolution looks good on the W630B. The picture is sharp and clean.

    0.0
    4k Input
    6.4
    Color Gamut
    Wide Color Gamut
    No
    DCI P3 xy
    73.1549%
    DCI P3 uv
    75.4731%
    Rec 2020 xy
    52.4837%
    Rec 2020 uv
    54.9939%

    Does not support a wide color gamut. Color space is only enough for Rec. 709 content.

    5.3
    Color Volume
    Normalized DCI P3 Coverage
    58.256%
    10,000 cd/m² DCI P3 Coverage
    33.397%
    Normalized Rec 2020 Coverage
    42.375%
    10,000 cd/m² Rec 2020 Coverage
    24.37%
    10
    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 image retention could be notice on the Sony W630B. This is in line with most other VA TVs that we have tested this far. This is a very good result and this will please gamers an PC user.

    7.5
    Reflections
    Reflection
    2.1%
    Screen Finish
    Semi-gloss

    Reflections are diffused to some extent, but still may present an issue in a very bright room.

    0.0
    3D
    3D
    No
    3D Type
    No
    2D to 3D
    No

    There is no 3D option on the Sony KDL60W630B.

    Pixels
    TypeLED
    Motion
    9.7
    Motion Blur
    Refresh Rate120 Hz
    Response Time
    6 ms
    Overshoot
    4 ms

    Very little motion blur on this TV, due to pixel 'overdrive'. Short response time, with some overshoot. Overall a very good result. The backlight by default doesn't strobe, but it is possible to achieve this by adjusting 'MotionFlow'.

    10
    Image Flicker
    PWM Dimming Frequency
    0 Hz
    BFI
    Yes
    BFI Frequency
    60 Hz
    BFI In Game Mode
    Yes
    10
    24p Playback
    Judder-free 24p
    Yes
    Judder-free 24p via 60p
    Yes
    Judder-free 24p via 60i
    Yes

    The Sony KDL60W630B does play 24p content like movies from DVD, Blu-rays and from online streaming service without judder. 60p and 60i content can also be played without judder. To achieve this, you need to set the 'Motionflow' option to 'True Cinema'.

    10
    Motion Interpolation
    Motion Interpolation (30 fps)
    Yes
    Motion Interpolation (60 fps)
    Yes

    The Sony W630B features a 120Hz panel which can interpolate 30fps and 60fps content. To do so without backlight flicker, change the 'MotionFlow' setting to 'Standard' or 'Smooth'.

    Inputs
    8.3
    Input Lag
    1080p @ 60Hz
    23.6 ms
    1080p With Interpolation
    88 ms
    1080p @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode
    92.9 ms
    1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
    24.6 ms
    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

    Input lag is very good for the KDL60W630B. With game mode selected, the input lag was only 23.6 ms. Avid players will be pleased with this TV.

    2.0
    Supported Resolutions
    Resolution1080p
    1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
    Yes
    1080p @ 120Hz
    No
    4k @ 30Hz @ 4:4:4
    No
    4k @ 60Hz
    No
    4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
    No

    For Chroma 4:4:4 support, set 'Scene' to 'Graphics' or 'Game'. When in 'Graphic' mode, the input lag is only 24.6ms.

    Side Inputs
    Rear Inputs
    Total Inputs
    HDMI4
    USB2
    Digital Optical Audio Out1
    Analog Audio Out 3.5mm1
    Analog Audio Out RCA0
    Component In1
    Composite In1
    Tuner (Cable/Ant)1
    Ethernet1
    DisplayPort0
    IR In0
    SD/SDHC0
    Inputs Specifications
    HDR10
    No
    5.1 Passthrough ARC Dolby Digital
    Yes
    Dolby Vision
    No
    5.1 Passthrough ARC DTS
    No
    5.1 Passthrough Optical Dolby Digital
    Yes
    5.1 Passthrough Optical DTS
    No
    HDMI 2.0 Full BandwidthNo
    ARCYes (HDMI 2)
    USB 30
    HDCP 2.2No
    CECYes
    MHLYes (HDMI 1)
    Variable Analog Audio OutYes
    Sound Quality
    5.3
    Frequency Response
    Std. Dev. @ 70
    5.68 dB SPL
    Std. Dev. @ 80
    4.85 dB SPL
    Std. Dev. @ Max
    10.05 dB SPL
    Max
    89.1 dB SPL
    Low-end Cutoff
    127 Hz

    Poor overall performance. Frequency response and low-end cutoff are quite poor, even for a TV. Maximum volume is decent, but the TV doesn't get too loud.

    4.6
    Total Harmonic Distortion
    Distortion @ 70
    0.054
    Distortion @ 80
    0.075
    Distortion @ Max
    1.157

    Poor distortion performance. The overall amount of harmonic distortion is decent at 75 and 85dB SPL. However, at maximum volume, there's quite a big jump in harmonic distortion, which seems to be typical of most Sony TVs.

    Smart Features
    Apps

    Even if the smart interface is pretty simple, there is a large offering of apps and games that should satisfy most people out there. All the major apps like Netflix, YouTube, MLB.TV and other are there. There is also Sony PlayStation network on top of that.

    7.5
    Interface
    Smart OSAndroid

    The KDL60W630B features a modified Android platform. It has some extra features, such as PlayStation Now which allows PS3 games to be streamed to the TV. There are a wide variety of apps, but the interface feels slow and is not as refined as competitors such as LG's WebOS. After turning on the TV, it is necessary to wait before loading the smart OS. It comes pre loaded with Netflix, including a dedicated button on the remote.

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

    The controls are located behind the left side of the TV. They may be difficult to access if the TV is against a wall.

    Remote
    RemoteBasic

    Includes a basic remote, with the same familiar layout as other Sony TVs.

    In The Box
    Misc
    Power Consumption62 W
    Power Consumption (Max)144 W
    FirmwarePKG2.902AAA