Sony Bravia KDL-32CX523 review

What sets the CX523 apart from other budget-oriented TVs is its multitude of multimedia streaming and internet TV features. Once you’ve connected it to your home network using an Ethernet cable (or separate wireless dongle), you can immediately access your PC’s multimedia collection using DLNA, or stream YouTube and LoveFilm video over the internet. Catch-up TV features include Demand 5 and BBC iPlayer, with the latter being available in high definition.

You can also play local files on a portable hard disk using one of the two USB ports; we played DivX, Xvid and MKV without any issues. Although you have to format it, any USB hard disk larger than 32GB can also turn the TV into a PVR, recording free-to-air broadcasts. It can record only one program at a time, and can’t be used to pause live TV.

With so many features, it’s no surprise that Sony has had to cut some corners in order to sell the CX523 for such a low price. The LCD panel is lit by traditional CCFL rather than LED and the screen bezel is slightly thicker than we would like, but these are minor quibbles and Sony’s excellent styling helps give the impression of a more costly set.

We might not have been blown away by its picture quality, but there’s simply no other TV in this price range that offers so many extra features. If you’re on a budget, this is definitely the set to buy. Plus, if you’re after a bigger TV, the 40in version costs only £516 from Amazon.