Sony W900 vs W802 (KDL-55W900A vs KDL-55W802A)

The main distinction in terms of the picture quality between the flagship W900A and the tier-two W802A is due to the use of quantum dots in the former one. These nanoparticles eliminate the need for the color filters to be spectrally broad, as they have narrow emission spectrum that matches the filters. As a result, the color quality is improved (if the filters are spectrally broad, which is typically the case when yellow phosphor is used for creating white light, they inadvertently allow the mixture of impure primary colors to happen, thus creating slightly washed-out image). The red and the green quantum dots also lead to the W900 being able to achieve wider color gamut, but it's user-controllable via the Live Color setting, so you don't have to worry of going over-the-top as far as the Rec. 709 (the standard for HDTVs) is concerned. There are more differences that have a direct impact on the picture quality:

• The W900A uses local dimming, while the W802A relies on frame dimming for boasting the contrast ratio. The disadvantage to the latter method is in the lack of granular control over different portion of the image, meaning the improvement in the dark areas comes at the expense of the bright ones.
• They both employ scanning of the backlight, albeit doing it differently. The flagship set utilize line blinking, whereas the step-down model resorts to frame blinking. The drawback to the latter approach is that it can introduce more flickering (if you can notice it and it bothers you, it can easily be disabled by setting the Motionflow to either Off or any other mode except for the Impulse, which is the worst offender in terms of flickering). That said, both methods are effective in counteracting the motion blur originating from the way LCDs operate: sample-and-holding an image.
• The Motionflow XR 960 and especially the 240Hz panel of the W900A ensure its impeccable performance when viewing content filled with fast-motion. On the other hand, the second-in-line model might not be just as suitable for sports and action-packed films, since it has a 120Hz panel and Motionflow XR 480.
• The W802A is equipped with the passive 3D system, which, unlike the active technology that the top-tier has, delivers brighter and flicker-free picture in 3D mode. However, one downside is that the vertical resolution is halved, due to the polarization of alternating lines.