Sony XS Series KDE-37XS955 37" Widescreen HDTV-Ready Flat-Panel Plasma TV

Rating:
Summary: Sophisticated and gorgeous flat screen: 4 & 1/2 stars
Review: Ok, i've owned this absolutely sexy and modern plasma screen tv for 2 weeks and my early impressions are WOW! Every single time i walk into the living room and look at this tv (on and even off) i get that extra deep feeling inside. You guys know what i'm talking about, that strange, almost primal instinct to stare lovingly in it's direction.

First off, I've just upgraded my cable signal to HDTV and the results are incredible. I've seen the future and the future is GOOD! I can only receive 10 HDTV stations at the moment and i've been considering purchasing VOOM satellite since they offer thirty-some-odd HDTV channels, but this monitor makes me wish that all signals were broadcast in HDTV...I can't wait.

Picture quality is superb. Absolutely the best on the market. This third generation plasma by Sony upgrades all signals to produce the best quality picture available. Standard tv, dvd, even vcr signals are all upgraded to "fill in" the resolution to optimize the performance. DVDs transmitted via component cables are incredibly crisp and life like. The signal via cable HDTV box (check your local cablel or satellite retailer) is so beautiful it makes me verge on tears. I am not kidding, Discovery channel is so realistic some people twitch at the sight of reptiles and insects so lovingly reproduced.

My only complaint is the lack of HDTV channels available and as such I worry about burn and leave the tv in zoom mode to prevent the sidebar burn-in common with plasma screens. The zoom mode seems to decrease the picture quality, not by much, but noticable, i've decided to live with it since the picture quality in HDTV full screen mode is so absolutely incredible.

Sound quality is reproduced realistically. The speakers are sufficient for most applications with 25 watt fronts and 50 watt rear mounted sub-woofer speakers. Guests have commented on the power of the speakers. The rear sub-woofer is detachable to allow wall mounting and form a true 2.1 speaker system. Kind of cool.

This machine is a work of art. I'm still not sure exactly how this technology works, but this tv is both beautiful and modern with it's floating glass design. The power light "floats" without any means of support, so impressive. The most impressive fact about this monitor is that it is made in Japan. Don't get me wrong, i'm as patriot as most Americans, but the quality of products coming out of Japan now (Sony products are outsourced and mostly produced in Mexico, China, and Indonesia) are first rate.

I have to deduct 1/4 a star since it is a pain to worry about burn-in. So decide right now if plasmas are worth it. DLPs offer almost the same quality without the extreme cost but lack the viewing angle and resolution of montiors such as these. This sony is almost 1500 more than than most plasma so i have to deduct another 1/4 star. I purchased this tv for 900 less retail out the door after bargaining, so be wary of e-retailers offering the tv for less than 3500. Overall, a superb HDTV monitor and well worth the cost.