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"The best out there for High def viewing" on by dmangusto
Pros: Awesome picture no ghosting or blurring, bright and great color saturation
Cons: sub-par low bandwidth viewing
Summary: I got rid of a Pioneer 5071HD for this one because I couldn't get used to the reflections off the plasma screens. I couldn't be happier with the result. this 1080p set is nothing short of amazing in high def (DirecTV). It is at least as good as the Pioneer in imaging and even black levels are great. Plenty of connections, it sync'd up beautifully with my Harmony remote and the whole thing worked flawlessly. It even makes standard DVD really pop! My only (small) complaint is that when you are viewing some of the low bandwidth Standard-def channels (like bravo, E!, FSW etc.) the picture isn't as great as I'd like. You notice some artifacts and "jaggies" on image edges. This set is obviously more sensitive to having good quality signal than the plasmas. It is much better for viewing in a bright room since the LCD doesn't reflect, and with the XBR2 (unlike the XBR3 and the Sharp and Samsung LCD's) the frame isn't glossy, so you don't have that distraction either.
All in all a fantastic set! -
"Best HDTV option available" on by smoopie
Pros: Watch a good 1080i signal and you will be an HD believer
Cons: HD quality content is limited; Stndard TV image so so
Summary: I waited 1 year to pull the trigger on an HD set. Looked at Plasma 1080p, LCOS and LCD. All have pros and cons. Rear projection seems to have the best refresh rate and image quality, but limitation on viewing angle (goes darker when moving side to side, or up and down)was too restrictive. Plasma is a good option for color depth, but heavy, not good for daytime viewing, and (in my opinion) a technology that will be superseded by LCD. This Sony set has excellent image quality when receiving a good HD signal. I am using TW Cable via HDMI cable, and when the source signal is good, HD is like having IMAX at home(even the wife was impressed. Low res signals are average at best. Not sure if a better scaler would help, but some pixeling around images especially ones that move. Again for HD, no issues noted. Was concerned about refresh rate at 8ms, and concern over ghosting. Carefully watching a Agassi 100 mph tennis ball and NHL Hockey on HD, I was able to see a minor tall on the moving puck and tennis ball. I think a slightly faster refresh might clean this up, but again, very minor. As with all technology, better TV's will come out in the near future, but this is best in class at this point in time and an absolute viewing pleasure to watch HD.
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"Nope......" on by RobG-Cnet
Pros: Sony, features, style
Cons: Still an LCD
Summary: Man, I REALLY wanted to like this tv. Have been a loyal Sony buyer forever, and was looking to replace my 36" XBR Tube. Perhaps I was spoiled, but I just couldn't deal with all the 'ghosting' that this picture brings. Watching sports and action is so blurred, I was starting to get headaches. Maybe others just don't see it, or don't care, but if you think you have a sensitive eye, please do your homework...That said, I promptly returned it and now enjoy Pioneer's 50" 1140 elite, which is AWESOME. LCD? -maybe upstairs in the bedroom at under 36", but not as the big dog...at least not yet.
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"I have Fios that makes this the most phenominal picture I have ever seen." on by cehallam
Pros: Spectacular detail, I didn't know Christina Aguilar had some many warts on her chest until I saw her on Saturday Night Live HD.
Cons: I saw Christina Aguilars warts.
Summary: Verizon Fios drives an unbelievable picture on this set. In the stores the quality of the image I saw was no where near what I saw when I had it installed at home. If you have a high quality signal there is nothing better. Sonys are not cheap but the way I see it for what I got I am glad to pay the higher price. Some people will see the value and pay the price, others won't or maybe they are just cheap weasals as they are in the rest of their life. Spend the dough, don't sit around for the next decade wondering what it would have been like if you had. I am very happy. CNET warned me that I am giving this a 10....it is a 12.
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"Best all around picture for practical use in nomal tv rooms" on by hdjoedude
Pros: NO reflections, bright, accurate color (once calibrated)
Cons: price of interchangeable bezels
Summary: I've had this tv for about two weeks now. Out of the box, the picture settings were over done (too red), flesh tones looked fake, overall picture looked artificial. After tweaking, (almost the same settings as suggested in Cnet's kdl-52xbr2 review), the picture was awesome! Skin tones were great, the picture from quality hd channels seemed like people were right in your living room. It was bright, sharp, and color accuracy was fantastic. No glare. Blacks were great too! Can't speak for other users, but my tv viewing does not "typically" occur in the idealized "mostly dark room" that videophile reviewers seem to always test in. My real world tv room happens to have windows and lamps (one is directly behind the tv), and I intend to watch plenty of Sunday afternoon football games. These reviewers ramble on about "deeper" blacks from high end plasmas (blah, blah). I however, never could get past plasmas glossy screen glare & reflections, that happen to be even more apparent during in dark or mostly dark scenes, duh! What good is a “deep” black when you glaringly see your balding forehead, or the lamp reflection across the room bouncing off the screen?? Seeing an hd scene of the tropics or a Mediterranean resort landscape on the sony xbr2 LCD picture gave me that wow, this feels like I'm looking out my hotel window on a bright sunny day experience. Once the xbr's settings are set correctly (backlight, picture intensity, hue, etc..) and you watch a program using a high quality input source, the picture is fantastic. Blacks shades and dark scenes are great too, with NO reflections!! For all around viewing in a practical “normal” room environment, this is the best hdtv on the market. Just make sure you calibrate it. Use most of the cnet tips & tricks recommended settings, but DO NOT turn the "picture" setting down to 77, keep it a 100. This will give you the best, most natural, and brightest picture with deep color and contrast, BUT also be sure to move the "hue" setting over to the green side two clicks (from neutral), in order to keep the reds from over saturating.
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