55" - LCD - DVB-T MPEG2 - ATSC - 16:9 - Surround - HDTV - MPN: KDF55XS955
Strengths: Picture quality, Built in HDTV Tuner, Number of inputs, sound quality
Weakness: Transition effects
This is an awesome set. Picture quality, especially in 1080i broadcasts (via the built in ATSC Tuner) is stunning. Watching the football playoffs and Super Bowl on this baby was mesmorizing - could pick out individual blades of grass and the players breathing detailed smoke in the cold weather games. Even the fireworks were like being there - not washed out colors like you normally see on regular TV or video. Black levels have often been talked about on RP LCD TV's as being more like dark gray. This set is has improved blacks over the WF series (according to Sony) and the blacks looks black to me.
The sound is very good for a TV. Four speakers plus a subwoofer create a really nice movie experience with plenty of power. If you like real surround, you'll probably want to add a Home Theater system.
The cooling fan is not an issue. I only noticed it when the house was empty and I turned on the TV. As soon as the sound comes on at any level it can't be heard.
There is no other set I've seen that makes regular analog cable look so good. It all depends on the quality of the source. This TV up-converts these signals to near HD quality. Looks best with live broadcasts. In my opinion, leave the screen in normal 4:3 mode for best picture. My digital camcorder (Non HD) played back via the front input S-Video jack was truly outstanding. The up-conversion was evident, especially when you record with good lighting. Again, the quality of the source video makes a huge difference.
DVDs in progressive scan format range from very good to awesome. One thing I don't like is that the screen is never filled in normal mode (including wide-screen dvd's). Some DVD's still have black strips on top and bottom in full and wide zoom modes. I thought that would go away when I got this 16:9 TV. I don't recommend regular Zoom mode because of loss of content and distortion.
Because all HD sets use video compression for broadcast signals, there is a bit of blurring for abrupt scene changes. Also if not maintaining proper viewing distance, fast moving scenes can produce the dreaded screen door effect-also a by-product of compression.
There are more input connections than yu'll ever need. Eight separate A/V inputs including two HDMI connections (for uncompressed HD signals), and two inputs for component sources. Actually there are 10 inputs in all when including cable and HD Tuner antenna inputs.
The Twin View picture and picture is a great feature. You can watch video from two separate sources (but not 2 HD or 1 HD and 1 component). One can quickly switch from one to the other and enlarge/reduce the size of each. Great for keeping your eye on the game when everyone else wants to watch a movie.
The remote is so-so. I've already memorized mine because there is no back lighting, and using the remote in low light situations was difficult for awhile.
Another slight drawback is that the TV sound and an external amp can't be used simultaneously and switching from one to the other is not instantaneous.
If I upgrade to digital cable, I'll certainly use the Cable card slot to reduce the clutter of a cable box.
There are lots of picture adjustments available to the user, and I've tinkered with all of them. Actually the picture quality right out of the box was great.
I got this set for about $3K online (including shipping) and another $400 for a 4-yr extended in-home warranty with lamp replacement. Usually I wouldn't bother with a warranty, but the projection lamp will burn out at least a few times over the next 5 years. At $200/lamp, it is probably a wise idea to get the right warranty. Anyway, this is the best HDTV for the price. In my opinion, better than plasma and DLP. I'm glad I did my research and picked the right one. I love this set!
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TopDear user,i just purchased this tv and im still waiting for it to be shipped to me .Can you tell me who did you purchase your warranty through ,because the place I bought it from wanted $800.00 dollars.THANK YOU FOR REPLYING!!!
Strengths: HD and DVD picture quality. Great looking set and perfect size.
Weakness: Remote control, no DVI input
I have been looking and comparing LCD's and DLP's for well over a year and this Sony in my opinion, out performed the others. The HD picture quality on this set is absolutely amazing. Although digital cable quality was worst than I expected, but livable. My main reason for picking the LCD over the DLP was because of picture quality, when compared side to side, I personally perfered the LCD. When it comes down to it, all the newer LCD and DLP will give you a great picture. I also brought base on the Sony name, because I have never had a problem with their AV products. Complaints I have so far with the set is the remote that comes with the TV. It feels very cheaply made and you have to point it straight at the TV for it to work. The set is also not as computer friendly as the Samsung DLP, there's no DVI input.
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TopStrengths: Excellent Picture Vibrant colors
Weakness: Not as bright as DLP. 62 inches for a 55 inch tv. Big form factor
I bought a Samsung DLP 5663W and while picture was great there was a horrible green tint. I went through two sets and a light engine and proble, was still there. The Sony kicks butt. Picture excellent. Colors vibrant. Not alot of tweaking. Picture out of box was great! I got the XS model because it has 2 HDMI ports, the WF only has one.
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TopStrengths: Great Picture and really easy to change picture, sound, and other TV settings.
Weakness: The remote is fairly descent and it provides capable options for controlling other Home Theater devices, but most of the remote buttons cannot be seen in the dark.
This is a great TV with lots of expandability; the picture quality is just unbelievable. I currently have it connected to a digital DirectTV TiVo receiver and I'm so impressed with the picture quality, so much so that I've decided to hold off in purchasing a new DirectTV HD TiVo Receiver until their prices drop a little more. The sound quality that this TV produces is great as well.
Unlike DLP TVs, the picture quality is great from almost every viewable angle. I can't wait until football season. If you are considering purchasing a new TV, I strongly recommend purchasing an XS. In my opinion, best bang for the buck. If you are a good internet shopper and you’re not in an immediate hurry to get a new TV, you can probably get a 55" for a little less than $3,000 including shipping or a 60" for around $3,200.
I can't wait until football season.
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TopStrengths: Quality of Display; Number of Inputs including 2 HDMI; Built-in HD tuner; overal aesthetics of tv and stand (sold separately); picture in picture option; and good built in sound for a tv.
Weakness: not much that I have found yet...remote is a little awkward; picture in picture option is only capable of showing one HD input rather than both; having to cycle through 8 video sources
I have had my Sony KDF-55XS955 for only about 2-3 weeks but so far I love it. One of my most pleasant surprises was that right out of the box (after a 45+ minute automatic channel setup process) the TV was able to detect several over the air HD channels without a separate antenna or cablebox. HD is awesome, but you really start to notice the imperfections and bad signal on normal analog or even some digital channels. These imperfections are even magnified on a large screen, but its not the tv's fault. I will be getting an HD DVR from my cable company soon, so I can enjoy even more HD broadcasts. TV itself on the Sony stand is really nice looking. Speakers on tv work well, enough so that most people could live without a home theatre in a box system.
There isn't much to complain about so far with this tv, it seems mostly nitpicking. Remote isn't as bad as some people have described, but it could be better. Picture in Picture option is pretty cool. I like to use it to compare regular broadcast with the same channel in HD. It would be cool to be able to see two HD channels, though. My last little gripe would be that with the large number of inputs on the TV it would be nice to be able to choose the input rather than having to cycle through the inputs (ie. if you are on input 2 and you need to go to input 1, you have to go from 2 to 3 to 4, etc, to 8 and then back to 1.
All in all, I would recommend it to most people. I was able to get a good deal online for the tv and stand.
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TopYou can program the TV to skip unused inputs, so if, for example, you only have cable, DVD, and antenna, you only have three choices to cycle through.
Strengths: Built in HDTV Tuner. Sony brand, integrate well with other Sony products. I like the style of this one much more than we WE/F series.
Weakness: Remote is a little hard to navigate.
Plugged a Terc HDTVi antenna in and immediately started receiving all the major HDTV broadcast stations OTA. Now I can also finally start to use the Progressive scan output of my DVD player and it looks great! Watching widescreen movies on a true widescreen TV is an awesome experience.
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TopStrengths: Awesome Picture, Vibrant colors, Built in HDTV Tuner. Sony brand, Number of Inputs including 2 HDMI, sound quality
Weakness: None that I have found yet
This is an awesome set. Picture quality, especially in HDTV is stunning. The picture quality is great from almost every viewable angle. DVDs in progressive scan format range from great to awesome. I have been looking and comparing LCD's and DLP's for about 14 months and the Sony KDF-55XS955 in my opinion, out performs the others. If you are considering purchasing a new Big sreen TV you should definitly check this one out you wont be disappointed!
I purchased this tv online for just over $2700 (including shipping), saving myself $1000 from a local electronics superstore
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TopStrengths: Awesome Picture (both HD & SD Content) Beautiful Design Plentiful features 2 HDMI Inputs
Weakness: Remote Lack of optic or coax digital inputs for audio
WOW, If you are considering a new "big screen" set or thinking of getting into the world of HD, you MUST take a look at this set. While the video setting may take some slight adjustment to get it to a Home Theater level, there are plenty of adjustments available and it is not hard to do with a Video Essentials DVD. The video inputs on this set are unbelievable, but luckily you can even name and adjust which inputs are "available" so that you don't have to cycle through 10 inputs to get to your different devices. As should be expected, HD is hard to even explain how good it is but surprisingly even SD content (especially DVD and DBS Satellite) are up-converted to look really, really good. The only real "weaknesses" I would have to say are: 1)the remote (it just doesn't look high-end enough to go with this awesome set, but who uses the factory remote anyway???) and 2) The speakers are actually very good and although there is digital input for the audio through the HDMI, there are no optical or coax digital inputs for DVD or Satellite. However, most people probably use a receiver for audio anyway and on that note there is an optic output which should suffice. All together, no question, a great feature packed set.
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TopStrengths: HDTV is AWSOME!
Weakness: If this is your first big screen-watch out. You can see all the very bad detail in the signal your cable company sends!
Twin view is very good. You also get plenty of video ports and easy to follow instruction guide. The remote is not as bad as some people say. I just got done watching the half time show of "the big game" and was very impressed. HD is excelent on this TV.
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Best unit in this size/type
Strengths: Fantastic picture quality if your source is doing it's part.
Weakness: None that I have found so far
I have owned this TV for about 7 months now. Had a problem within the first two weeks with a bad video board that was repaired by Sony in my home within 2 days. Since that time, no problems at all. For the budget minded who does not have the extra $$$ for a sound system, the sound from this unit with it's built in subwoofer is very good. As noted in other comments, I can't imagine anyone needing more inputs then this unit provides which also includes two HDMI inputs.
I did a lot of research prior to selecting this model, no regrets what so ever. If I had a need for another HD TV, I would buy the exact model again. Purchased it for $2300 online, about $1,000 less then any seller I could find locally. If you are considering an online purchase, keep in mind the added durability of an LCD as opposed to Plasma. I had thought of going to Plasma prior to seeing this unit, after viewing it live, I no longer wanted the plasma. They run hotter, cost more, use more electricty, and are less durable.
If you have a brightly lit area that you are buying the TV for, the LCD seems to give a brighter image plus, the screen also has a better non-reflective surface then any of the plasmas that I’d seen. No problem with reflections from windows etc. as I noticed with plasmas.
If you do not yet have HD coming into your house, you need to give that a top priority; you cannot begin to enjoy the benefits of this or any other HD capable television with out it. DVD’s do look great but, no comparison to HD.
I believe Sony has done a great job with both their products and, as mentioned above, their customer service also.
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