Sony Bravia KDL-52V4100

Summary: Just like many out there, I had a hard time deciding on whether or not to go with plasma or LCD. In my opinion, both technologies are getting so close in performance that it's really down to you're personal preference which is best. For me, I'm the type of person that wants as big a screen as I can get without breaking the bank or sacrificing quality. This was definitely the HDTV to go with in my opinion.

To begin with, when shopping for an HDTV, keep in mind that the retail store you're using to compare TVs with usually have the settings on their display units all f*&%'d up and the TV you're looking at is probably performing way below its potential. If you can, take a look at the units that have a Blu-ray player and home theatre system configured. There, you can get a much better idea of what you're getting yourself into. Luckily, I have a Sony Style store near me and I was able to get a better idea of how the KDL-52V4100 performed.

After a week of having the KDL-52V4100, I am certainly impressed with what it is able to offer at a price that couldn't be beat. I also took a look at some of the other comparable LCDs from other manufacturers and felt that movies looked more natural with this TV than most of the more expensive 120Hz competitors. Although the blacks are not as good as what you'll see in a plasma, the lack of phosphor trails, image burn, and power consumption helped me shift away from buying a plasma.

Even within the Sony line itself, I couldn't justify buying a "W" or "XBR" series model of the same size. Both would have cost any where between $600-2000 more.

The KDL-52V4100 has some great features and integrates nicely with my Sony Blu-ray player. With 4 HDMI inputs, you've got more than enough room for all your components. The TV has an interesting menu system that makes configuring A/V selections a breeze.

When all said and done, you couldn't go wrong with this one!