Sony KDE-42XS955 42-Inch Widescreen WEGA Plasma Flat-Panel TV with Integrated HDTV Tuner
Absolutely Amazing
Having been in the market for a plasma or LCD in the past five months, the pile of \\"research\\" papers started to take over my home office. My final decision was made last week.<br /><br />I'd like to take you through some of the points I found helpful in ultimately going with Sony's KDE-42XS955.<br /><br />1) Pros and Cons of Plasma and LCD<br /><br />First, the plasma. Its pros are that is has an incredibly sharp and coloful picture, displays \\"black\\", and shades thereof, very well, and has smooth motion. I did not find any large variations between the different brands of plasmas in these variables, except for the ability of displaying *close* to true black. In going to the stores with plasmas on display, the Sony KDE-42XS955 had the very best ability of displaying black (comparing side to side).<br /><br />The cons of the plasma is that it consumes as much energy as a regular CRT (tube) television. Another aspect that may be considered as a con by some, is that plasmas generate pictures in \\"gas\\", instead of liquid crystals, as the case is with LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displays). This \\"gas\\" has a tendency to become less dense as the years go by. According to the manufacturers, this gas will have a \\"half-time\\" of 60,000 hours. That is, 50% of the gas will be left in the plasma after viewing the set 40 hours a week for 29 years. To some, this might be a problem, to others, not so much.<br /><br />Now for the LCD. The LCD is mostly opposite of what I've said above. That is, black \\"color\\" is not displayed as well on an LCD as it is on Plasma. LCDs consume less energy, and do not have the limitation of dissapating gas. The LCD is not capable of displaying \\"smooth\\" motion as well as a Plasma set.<br /><br />I must comment on a review of this set that I read earlier today. The reviewer gave it a rating of 1 star based on the fast that Sony no longer produce plasma TVs. I believe that \\"review\\" should be taken with a grain of salt. It has nothing to do with the performance of the Sony KDE-42XS955, so I find that \\"review\\" rather pointless. It is true that Sony has discontinued making plasma TVs, however, according to Consumer Reports, Sony and Panasonic plasmas are the only two companies with enough data to say that their repair ratios are relatively low.<br /><br />It should also be noted, that for both Plasmas and LCDs, it is too early to say \\"this is good\\" or \\"this is bad\\". There simply aren't enough data to draw those conclusions yet.<br /><br />So, back to my initial impressions of the Sony KDE-42XS955. After having owned it for about a week it is doing superb and I could not have been happier with its performance. The built in sound is awesome. Unless you desire the 5.1 or 6.1 sound, the built-in speakers does a marvelous job.<br /><br />Its design is true to \\"Sony Style\\". With glass surrounding the plasma screen, an etched \\"Sony\\" logo is lit up as the TV is on. I know, pretty insignificant talking about performance, but oh so neat to look at.<br /><br />Hope this helps.DE-42XS955, so I find that \\"review\\" rather pointless. It is true that Sony has discontinued making plasma TVs, however, according to Consumer Reports, Sony and Panasonic plasmas are the only two companies with enough data to say that their repair ratios are relatively low. <br /> <br />It should also be noted, that for both Plasmas and LCDs, it is too early to say \\"this is good\\" or \\"this is bad\\". There simply aren't enough data to draw those conclusions yet.  <br /> <br />So, back to my initial impressions of the Sony KDE-42XS955. After having owned it for about a week it is doing superb and I could not have been happier with its performance. The built in sound is awesome. Unless you desire the 5.1 or 6.1 sound, the built-in speakers does a marvelous job. <br /> <br />Its design is true to \\"Sony Style\\". With glass surrounding the plasma screen, an etched \\"Sony\\" logo is lit up as the TV is on. I know, pretty insignificant talking about performance, but oh so neat to look at. <br /> <br />Hope this helps.