Sony KD-36XS955 36-Inch FD Trinitron WEGA Hi-Scan TV with Integrated HDTV Tuner
CRTs Are Still the Best Value for HDTV
I have had my Sony KD-36XS955 36\\" FD Trinitron WEGA for only 5 days now, but I am both impressed and satisfied on several levels. <br /> <br />Pros <br />1. I purchased directly from Amazon and received promptly in 5 business days. Completely painless. <br />2. I carefully selected a CRT 36\\" on 4:3 format as a comfortable compromise until 16:9 HDTV is the standard; as well as the best value  per inch of screen size for the highest quality image. Now that I've watched both HD and non-HD programming, this 36\\" 4:3 has eliminated any nagging doubt regarding viewing satisfaction. Letterbox HD viewing is just plain mesmerizing at 8' to 10' viewing distance (diagonally: 36\\" 4:3 in letter box is only 1\\" shorter than a 34\\" wide screen TV). <br />3. Sony is the last of the higher end quality manufacturers to keep >30-32\\" 4:3 CRTs still in production. <br />4. Sony reputation of quality is still there in both appearance & function. Nice interface for setup and configuration.  <br />5. Excellent picture from HD Satellite, and local Off-Air stations. Excellent sound quality from Television alone. Wide viewing angle from flat screen. <br /> <br />Cons <br />1. Weight. Just like the other forums and feedbacks, this IS heavy at 238lbs! Imagine lifting three 80lb bags of cement on a 24\\"x42\\" platform, but loaded heavily off balance toward the front -  with the handholds one on each side located just a bit too far to the rear.  <br />2. The universal remote is OK.  <br />3. Warranty of only 3 months on labor, 1 yr on parts,  is on the skinny side, but that's probably how Sony keeps the cost down on this model over the XRB series. <br /> <br />Advice: Use only a high quality surge protector (& review your older house's grounding system against local code to ensure voltage spikes don't provide a premature life of electrical components)