Behold II Smartphone with Android
Entered CNET Catalog: 11/08/2002
SKU: 0027242616035
Manufacturer: Sony Electronics, Inc.
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Manufacturer description
Thanks to innovative design and cutting-edge optics and video processing technology, the KF-60XBR800's picture will amaze you with bright, gorgeous colors and pixel-perfect clarity - all without a bulky cabinet! The combination of high resolution and compact size (about as deep as a conventional 27" TV!) makes this a perfect big-screen TV for smaller rooms, too. Sony achieves this incredible image detail by using three 1.35"-wide LCD elements (one each for the red, green, and blue signals) that deliver picture resolution of over one million pixels. Compared to the previous Grand Wega, the KF-60XBR800 has improved overall black levels by 25%, further enhancing picture brightness and contrast. Besides making it possible to create a big picture in a slim cabinet, using LCD panels eliminates misconvergence and other limitations of conventional CRT-based rear-projection TVs, while greatly reducing the potential for image "burn-in." The XBR Grand Wega LCD projection display is so packed with pixels that it makes your most demanding sources, like 1080i HDTV broadcasts and progressive-scan DVD, look magnificent. The TV automatically converts all input sources to a high-resolution progressive output for a picture that is effortlessly realistic and smoothly consistent. For your standard non-HD sources (like VCRs, cable TV, etc.), Sony includes Digital Reality Creation (DRC) circuitry to produce a smoother, more fluid picture. This latest version of DRC gives you complete control over the level of picture enhancement. You can dial in exactly the right amount of enhancement to match the quality of the input signal or your personal preference, so you'll always enjoy clear, high-quality images, no matter what the video source! Another great feature is the selection of viewing modes that let you re-size the squarish 4: 3 aspect ratio of conventional analog signals to fit the Grand Wega's wide screen - you can enjoy that amazing 60" picture at all times, without those distracting black bars! Hooking up a DVD player, VCR and PlayStation is no problem because the KF-60XBR800 has a total of 7 A/V inputs. Two wide-bandwidth component video inputs let you connect a progressive-scan (or standard) DVD player as well as an HDTV tuner. Sony also included a DVI HDTV input for compatibility with the new-generation satellite-capable HDTV tuner boxes. And here's a bonus for owners of Sony Memory Stick digital cameras - a front-panel Memory Stick slot so you can enjoy your digital photos in life-sized color and clarity!Product summary
The good: Sleek, slim design for a 60-inch, rear-projection TV; requires no convergence or geometry correction; solid video processing with 3:2 pull-down.
The bad: More expensive than like-sized sets; no true independent input memories; poor black-level performance.
The bottom line: This LCD set has a very sleek, sexy design, but it can't match the performance of less expensive, CRT-based HDTVs.
Average user rating: from 36 users
3.5 stars
CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 12/03/2002
To denote its upscale status, the 60XBR800 comes with a new, aluminum-plated remote. The remote has been completely redesigned, and we found that its smaller overall size and tiny buttons make it more difficult to use. The set's internal menu system offers simple navigation through the various functions, and the picture adjustments don't obscure the rest of the screen. Sony's use of LCD technology provides more than just a slim profile; it also means that the set isn't subject to the convergence and geometry errors that plague CRT-based TVs. You won't have to periodically realign the tubes or pay somebody else to do it since this set has no tubes. LCDs also don't burn in, so you don't have to worry about permanently etching a TV station watermark or another static image into the tube. (Granted, this is an issue with CRTs and plasma-based sets only if you leave the contrast too high.) The 60XBR800 has three 16:9-shaped LCD panels with 1,366x768-pixel resolution. This WEGA can display 1080i and 720p HDTV when connected to a separate set-top box, and it scales all incoming video to fit the panels--so technically, it doesn't display every line of a 1080i source. Nonetheless, this set is still one of the highest-resolution display devices available.
Performance-related features include CineMotion 3:2 pull-down--which helps eliminate artifacts from film-based material such as DVDs--as part of the adjustable Digital Reality Creation video processing. There are three selectable color temperatures (warm, neutral, and cool), giving you the ability to tailor the overall cast of the picture from a warm, reddish hue to a cool blue. Four picture modes come with very different factory presets for contrast, brightness, and other controls. For sources such as VHS and cable TV, the set sports a 3D-YC comb filter to help eliminate composite-video-related artifacts. A selection of aspect ratios are onboard to accommodate standard 4:3 video, anamorphic DVD, HDTV, and regular letterbox sources--including a mode that selectively stretches the image to fill the wide screen with minimum distortion.
On the convenience side, the Grand WEGA has much to offer. A dual-tuner picture-in-picture mode, complete with side-by-side windows, gives you the ability to keep tabs on two programs simultaneously. Sony provides a Memory Stick slot so that the set can display images from a digital camera. Favorite Channel, Channel Skip/Add, a sleep timer, and the obligatory V-Chip parental control are just some of the other handy features. In terms of audio, the set offers MTS Stereo and Simulated Surround, the latter of which gives a semblance of surround sound using only the two left and right speakers.
The Grand WEGA's jack pack is also quite comprehensive. Front-panel A/V inputs with S-Video are conveniently located on the left side of the set's base. On the rear panel, the 60XBR800 sports two broadband component-video inputs that support 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i sources. Additionally, you'll find three A/V inputs (two with S-Video), a set of monitor outputs (composite video only), a set of variable-audio outputs, two RF inputs, and an RF loop out. All A/V inputs have stereo audio for use with the set's onboard sound system. Finally, and most importantly, the 60XBR800 adds a Digital Visual Interface jack with Hollywood-sanctioned HDCP copy protection for use with newer HDTV receivers. While LCD technology works wonders for the Grand WEGA's look, it doesn't do as good a job as CRTs in creating a beautiful picture. As with many HDTVs, this set's out-of-the-box performance was not very good. Even the warm color-temperature setting looked quite blue, and the picture was severely washed out with little or no detail at or near black. After our standard ISF calibration, the picture improved considerably.
We were pleased to find color-decoder adjustments in the service menu, giving us the ability to eliminate red push and dramatically improve the color saturation with component-DVD and HDTV sources. As with all Sony sets, one of this model's drawbacks is its lack of independent memory for each input, which lets you optimize your settings for various video sources. If you do set up different adjustments for each memory slot on this set, you'll have to change the mode in the menu every time you switch inputs.
We tested our adjustments with scenes from another Pixar masterpiece Monsters, Inc. Chapter 4, The Morning Workout, is a nice, bright scene that showed off the Grand WEGA's strong points, including excellent color saturation with the newly calibrated decoder. Chapter 11, on the other hand, is fairly dark and stands as a good torture test for LCD-based TVs since reproducing good black level--deep and inky with plenty of detail in the shadows--is an LCD's biggest performance challenge. Despite Sony's claims of improved black level from the previous Grand WEGA, blacks on the 60XBR800 still appeared as dark gray. A kind of haze comes over the picture whenever you are viewing dark scenes on this set.
HDTV sources from Time Warner Cable in New York City looked pretty good. PBS in particular was quite nice as long as the image was bright. Again, the dark scenes suffered, even with high-resolution HDTV sources. Overall, the Grand WEGA provides a good--but not great--picture, and at this price, we expect greatness.
User opinions
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4/10
$300 bulb has gone out 3 times in 1 year!
Pros: Nice and slim design. Beautiful picture when it's working.
Cons: We bought this TV in September of 2003. In November we replaced the bulb, in February of 2004 we replaced the bulb and now again in January of 2005 we have to replace the bulb. However, Sony refuses to cover it this time because it is out of warranty.
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User Rating: 
10/10
It is good for picture depth and colors
Pros: I have this TV for more than 2 years. I am really happy with the picture quality. You can enjoy real picture depth with LCD projection compared to flat plasma screens.
Cons: The sound system is poor. I have SONY DTS system to add crispy sound.
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User Rating: 
8/10
Great TV if you have the money to spend
Pros: Great pricture. Supports 720p which is the highest resolution for HDTV. Some people say you can't hook it up to a computer, but if you know what you are doing, it is possible to do (using PowerPlay), and it looks very very good when using DVI. It has pret
Cons: Black levels arn't great. Doesn't have true memory for input names. Low resolution images don't look great on it (but they don't look great on any larger TV anyway).
Review:
User Rating: 8/10
Outstanding picture with the right hook ups!
Pros: My Satellite picture was fuzzy as they used s-video connections on the initial hook up (I was disappointed) until I installed the Pb component cables etc. to the Dish Network HD box. Even without High Definition programming the picture was Very Good and s
Cons: Takes a bit getting used to all the small buttons on the remote to do special things with. I use the Satellite remote for most everything.
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User Rating: 8/10
Stick with the SONY!
Pros: 1. size, quality, 2. easy to use, sony, 3. various sizing of the image available to best fit to widescreen, HDTV is fabulous 4. Nice to resize side-byside pictures 5. Lots of inputs (about 10 different video sources)
Cons: 1. bit bulky and heavy 2. Pip missing (no 4 way screen splitting) - though Side-by-side 2 pictures available - WASTES some screenspace 3. not much HDTV channels available - widescreen zoom fills the screen but cuts a bit of a image out 4. 1 year warranty
Review:
User Rating: 8/10
All I can say is I'm very pleased
Pros: I bought (upgraded actually) the 50" model to replace a Hitachi 51SWX20B (which somehow is rated higher than this set here on this site - go figure!?) that I had problems with and was unable to get repaired to my satisfaction. I've read all the reviews o
Cons: I hope I don't find any. I've seen the reviews concerning the red streaks, but I've not seen anything, plus my set was recently manufactured. The ONLY thing I've had to re-work, is because the top of the set is so thin, I had to wall-mount my Klipsch ce
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User Rating: 
3/10
Say NO! to Sony
Pros: Lightweight, good features
Cons: This tv is a bad news, it is one of the first television sets to use LCD projection technology, and as always with Sony, the buyer of this Tv set gets to be the Guinea Pig to test it out. After 1 year and 1 week out of warranty, I started getting huge red
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User Rating: 
9/10
Amazing picture if inputs are good
Pros: Great picture DVI input - A MUST Reliability When I first purchased the TV, I thought that I made a mistake. OUt of the box, the analog inputs were very poor and the only thing worth watching was a progressive scan dvd player. After tweaking however, t
Cons: Needs major tweaking out of box Expensive but worth every penny Black levels, as you know, suck. This is a problem with all lcd and dlp tv's. The only great blacks are in CRT's and plasma, but you can't get a CRT this big that is of this quality and p
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User Rating: 
7/10
Looks pretty darn good to me
Pros: I looked at this vs. CRT and plasma alternatives, and so far as my old eyes could tell, it was competitive with the plasmas. Being as I don't think plasma TV's are ready for prime time, this is a reasonable upgrade that can handle HDTV. How does it han
Cons: Product cons? It takes 30 seconds to warm up, but that's not really a problem. I wish it had the ability to take a computer signal directly with the proper resolution, but I gather it can be tweaked. Yawn for now, not important to me.
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User Rating: 9/10
AWSESOME
Pros: I did all the research, read all the reviews, but when it came down to it, nothing beats this machine. It is gorgeous and the picture is awesome. I've heard that there are other machines that can beat the picture (I can't imagine how especially on HD chan
Cons: nothing so far (3 months)
Review:
User Rating: 7/10
I own it
Pros: Size, shape, weight, ease of use, picture. Yes DLP RPTV looks better, damn close to plasma, but nobody made a 60"DLP RPTV for $4000 when I bought this sony. Don't know if anybody does now. This set was one of the few 50 or 60 inch boxes that would go u
Cons: User interface could be better. Picture setting and picture controls could be better.
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User Rating: 9/10
Wowwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!
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Review: Technology is not perfect, but when they get it right...WOW. I purchased my Sony 60XBR800 three weeks ago and what a change from my mitsubishi crt. A great, great picture, but like a car, dishwasher or anything you will purchase there is a chance something will be go wrong. Technology is not perfect, so make sure you have a good waranty. Otherwise the benefit of not having to worry about burn in, like Plasma or LCD is very comforting. It's agreat buy for a great price, compare and you will save. Some of the post's I have read SLAM this product pretty hard, it makes you wonder if they get paid or work for the other guy. Don't believe everything!!!!
User Rating: 8/10
Great TV For Those In The Know
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Review: This telelvision is capable of extremely good picture quality, far beyond what the average cable or DSS service can deliver. Many of the complaints of poor picture are a result of poor input signal and / or a mis understanding of what a properly adjusted tv should look like. This tv can deliver over 3.1 million pixels of information compared to the <1 million offered by the typical broadcast station. The only other scenario would be a deftective set, which is possible from any manufactuer. This tv does require calibration to look its best (as do all high hdtv's) as it tends to shift blue in the low ire's and somewhat red in the high ire's. But once properly adjusted there are few consumer monitors that will deliver the resolution, color accuracy and three dimensional picture (with a good source of coarse)of this tv. If you are willing to invest a little time (see UMR's link to adjustments below) or a few $ to have an ISF certified tech make calibration than you will be very happy. If not you are better off with the $1899 on sale RPTV from your local BBor CC.
User Rating: 
6/10
Sony did not win in this model
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Review: I bought this TV last month after seeing it on Internet and reading the reviews. I had bad experience with the TV. The tech people from the company worked a week long with new Monster component cables to power supply and to progressive scan DVD palyers to coreect the problem, but gave no satisfactory results. I had problems with colors, pixels were scattered etc. I never got a good quality picture on TV. So the techies decided to replace with another piece and had the same issues were used with all types of cables to DVD players. I had a 300$ 27" TV side by side to check the quality of the picture and the Sony Tv never macthed to 27" TV quality. Now I have a Samsung DLP TV, which I am very much comfortable with. I am an ordonary TV viewer and expected that much only, but Sony could not deliver that too. Yes, the TV has an amazing look and style. But to me the picture quality was very poor. If Sony decide to work on and improve the picture quality, it is sure buy item none other than in the market for its price and features. But surely not on the currect one.
User Rating: 9/10
A great set for today... even better for tomorrow!
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Review: I've had my Grand Wega for about a month now. I was fortunate enough to watch the Masters (golf) in high-def and the pictures were absolutely amazing! Standard cable is just okay... Digital Cable is better... High Definition will allow this set to really shine. Many reviewers have commented on the grainy picture. Please remember the old adage: "garbage in, garbage out." The set will only reproduce the quality of the signal that is fed into it. No television (not even plasma) will magically transform a less than perfect image into a perfect image. There are some mods you can make (in the service manual) that will make standard definition broadcasts look pretty good. Bottom line: this television has all the features that will allow you to stay current with television technology for years to come. As others have mentioned, if you primarily watch standard cable or over the air broadcasts, there are other sets that will perform better. However, when high definition becomes mainstream, there are few sets out there that can perform like the Grand Wega at this price/size range.
User Rating: 8/10
Best Television On The Market ...
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Review: I've owned this set for 2 months now, along with a Sony Progressive Scan DVD and a Zenith HDV420. The set has no bad or stuck pixels, and I have not seen any of the black level problems described by others. My only gripe is that it takes the lamp about a minute to get to its full brightness and color spectrum. I've watched HDTV on ABC(9/10 quality), CBS (10/10), FOX (8/10), WB(10/10), and NBC(10/10). I was able to smooth the appearance of the analog cable out somewhat by customizing one of the DRC options graphs to 100% on both axes and selecting that option on advanced video. I watched the Masters this afternoon in HDTV on CBS <jaw drop> and can honestly say that except for the occasional bad camera, the picture quality was so good that it was just like looking through a squeaky clean window. You could read the slope of the greens and even count the blades of grass as the guys were putting out. Best 5G I ever spent ...
User Rating: 8/10
Good, Better, Best
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Review: I have had this tv for almost a month now. Have had NO issues whatsoever. I managed to find it for 3900 dollars as well. Great buy. Havent noticed the black issue, don't want to use my computer with it either. those that say that it is unwatchable are waaaaay too picky. I spent a LOT of time in Circut City, Conns, Frys and several other stores comparing pictures before I settled on this one. With a progressive scan DVD the pictures are absolutely awesome, satelitte TV is just short of excellent. I would highly recommend this TV.
User Rating: 8/10
Great set, alot of money
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Review: I have had this set for several months now. With DVD's the picture is impeccable. Regular cable tuning is OK, not great but not bad. Speakers are excellent. Easy to use menu. I am waiting for HDTV for cable. This se will truly rock when it all looks as good as the DVD's.
User Rating: 9/10
UPSCALE ELEGANCE AND PERFORMANCE
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Review: So very impressed we are that the high price set-back was never a second thought after we first saw our home-theatre screen... The picture is so well-defined (but remember to sit back at least 4-6 feet) that we found ourselves annoyed recently at a movie theatre when the picture and sound quality didn't match-up to the quality of the GRAND WEGA. Some weak points are its remote. So basic for your $5,000 investment, you'll find yourself upgrading right away. Also, the Jack Pack' connections are also weak and are exhausted with one DVD player and a HDTV receiver. Beyond that, it's S-Video. Still amazing quality!
User Rating: 10/10
Choose this TV!
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Review: I was able to buy the Samsung DLP HLM507W and the Sony KF-60xbr800. Well, having them both side by side with HD tuners, Sony won by a mile. I was told by the sales associate that the samsung had the best progressive chip (faroudja) and the DLP as being the best technology. Well, so I bought both. Here's the rundown. 1) The time it took for the samsung to turn on WILL annoy you from the start and will NEVER go away! Your friends will annoy you too when they say "is the set on?", "are you sure?" 2) the black pitch problem that many have mentioned is negligiable for both sets. It's good. Not as good as Pioneer Plasma, but still great. 3), the sony interlacer/progression is as good as Faroudja, don't let anyone tell you different. No visible difference. 4) Samsung wins the overall look/design, but sony isn't exactly a red-headed step-child either. 5) for the price to screen ratio, sony wins again. 6) I worked in a casino with million Plasma screens... they go down all the time. Burn-in, rgb splotches, and it cost a lot to repair... even if you got a service program, who wants to wait for it? 7)Sony has Smart stick bay built in! I just got the sony cybershot dsc-p9 and it's so simple to just put the smart stick in the 60" monitor and it looks great! 8) The Samsung set had massive pin-cushion problem. Like when watching a basketball game and the action pans right or left, the screen was stretched at the sides of the screen, very, very annoying. Sony didn't at all! 9) Remote control issue was not an issue at all for both sets. When you have more and more stuff to control, you can't get away from menus! 10) You cannot beat the Pioneer plasma for clearest possible picture, but for the price of a top-end Plasma, you can buy a 60" sony with great HD picture, the DSC-P9, and the DCR-PC120BT MiniDV(with all the lens and accesories). That's what I did! 11)Using a progressive scan DVD player on both sets, again sony wins. Somehow, the small microscopic mirrors seem to shine out-of-place at weird times on the Samsung. Sony had smoother picture overall. On regular digital cable channels picture was more forgiving on the sony than the samsung. What I mean is that the picture on the sony looked "softer" (good) than the semi-pixilated look of the samsung. I returned the Samsung a week later. I kept the sony. I really didn't want to like the electronic behemoth(read: GM, Microsoft, Nike), and wanted the "little guy" to win... but sony won me over by sheer goodness of their products. I'm hoping Samsung will continue to keep sony on their toes, though more research and development like the new DLP.
User Rating: 10/10
This Set ROCKS!!!!
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Review: After service and user menu adjustments this set is fabulous. Check out this thread for more information. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=196558
User Rating: 8/10
The BEST thing Going!!
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Review: At first, I was leaning toward the Hitachi 57SWX20 series or the Pioneer Elite and after months of research and viewing in stores, decided to bring along the decision maker (wife) for some side by side comparisions. She saw the sexy and trim GWII 60" and from that moment,she was sold. Granted it cost 2x as much as the big box CRTs but after testing the Sony against the other models, the GWII won hnads down for clarity and picture quality. WE LOVE IT!!
User Rating: 7/10
tomorrows technology today
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Review: Look, here's the deal. This TV is meant to shine via a HD signal and/or progressive scan dvd player. (Movie's like Monster's Inc. look absolutly stunning) It's true that anolog cable looks so so at best. It's also true that the black levels are so so at best.But,If you arm this TV with the proper equipment, cables, connections, etc. it is a super performer for the money. Oh sure you can spend $7,000-$10,000 on a HD plasma but why? This set delivers a good bang for the buck. It has a generous assortment of connection options in the back that will keep the set current and ready for the future, its built in audio performs very well, and being able to change the "opticle engine" (light bulb) is a big plus. P.S. I highly recommend purchasing the matching TV stand. (it complements the set beautifully, and provides special mechanisms to stabalize the TV )
User Rating: 7/10
Great Set, If you do a little research
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Review: Anyone who buys this set to predominantly view cable and regular satellite signals will be disappointed. Those same people will be disappointed in any large screen set, whether rear projection CRT, Plasma, LCD, DLP...etc. The best bet for viewing 480i signals on a large screen is a rear projection CRT based TV, since they will mask some of the shortcomings of the signal. On the other hand, if one is watching HDTV programming and movies via progressive scan (can't wait for HD DVD), then this set is far superior to rear projections sets of similar price.
User Rating: 8/10
Follow-up after 3 months use
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Review: After three months use: my son and pals plenty of Playstation, very high DVD use. Hitched up to DirecTV and found standard stations very acceptable (HD great). Using a Samsung HD receiver so assume problems others have is due to less than optimum receiver. Very basic adjustments made black levels excellent. No dead or stuck pixels. An amazing set for the money.
User Rating: 6/10
Not computer friendly
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Review: My next TV set must permit me to net surf and net game. I like everything about this set except that it isn't computer friendly. I really wonder why it isn't. Anyway, I'll have to consider the other chip-based alternatives like the DLPs or the Toshiba LCOS instead. Too bad because I liked it otherwise. For those not interested in using it as a computer monitor as well as for TV, it looks good.
User Rating: 6/10
Nice TV, But Can Get Expensive
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Review: I wrote a pretty negative review when I first purchased this TV. I want to take back a lot of what I said. In order to make this TV what it is meant to be, you will have to invest in some more expensive equipment (unless you already have it): Progressive Scan DVD, nice quality component cables, HDTV tuner box, etc. I pretty much kept a diary of my findings here: http://www.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/2/960.html I recommend anyone who purchased this TV to read it as it will help you fine tune this set. We watched the NFL playoffs in High Definition this past weekend and all I can say is - AMAZING. As for the dead pixel - I have the same thing in the upper-left hand corner. Seems like something on most of the sets.
User Rating: 
5/10
Having quality issues with TV
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Review: My picture is really grainy. Pretty much unbearable to watch a basketball game on. I keep reading people advising to tweak things in the service manual, but Sony said if you go into the service menu I will void my warranty. Any advice.
User Rating: 9/10
Sony 60XBR800 Delivers!!!
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Review: I purchased this tv x-mas 2002. This is my first rear Projection Television, and although I may be a novice to digital, this tv has thouroughly impressed me. Out of the box wathing analog cable was good, yet after hooking up my Onkyo Progressive Scan DVD, the picture was fabulous. Watched Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which has alot of very dark sceens, and did not notice any problems with black levels. In my opinion the picture is comparable to plasma. I feel very overwhelmed though at all of the video (menu's and options) on this tv, but the advice at www.avsforum.com was helpful. Also make sure there is plenty of room (8ft or more) between you and this 60inch tv, or u may suffer eye fatigue.
User Rating: 5/10
Not the set for HTPC users
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Review: I was split between this set and the Samsung Tantus DLPs. Everything was great except for my biggest need -- one to one pixel usage with a PC for use as a large monitor. No matter what you do this TV will rescale your computer screen or refuse to synch to common resolutions like 1024x768 at all. At least the Samsungs could display its full resolution. Gamers who want higher res than XBOX look elsewhere...
User Rating: 8/10
Great tv but expensive
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Review: This review is actually based on my 50" model. The tv is great. Very bright, much brighter than crt based sets. Bright enough to watch with the blinds open or all the living room lights on. And speaking of lights the anti-glare rating of this set is far superior to any crt based set I've seen. The only set that had better anti-glare was the Samsung hlm507w dlp based set. Black levels are not an issue if you are willing to adjust some settings. If you go to the AVS forum www.avsforum.com you will find a wealth of info that makes this tv really rock, even with standard cable the picture is more than watchable, in fact it looks quite good. Highly recommend
User Rating: 5/10
Having some serious issues with set
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Review: I just got my set three days ago and as sexy as it looks, I'm having some major picture quality issues. I hope it's something I can fix by tinkering with the settings some more but so far, no luck. First: There are some confusing settings which I have no idea what they exactly do. 1. DRC matrix ("reality" vs "clarity"?) 2. Cinemotion ON or OFF 3. Image Revision Auto or 0-3 Even though they are explained in the guide, it is still confusing. I played with them but they didn't improve quality. Second: I now have to invest in a PROGRESSIVE SCAN DVD player since my normal DVD player (even with Monster component cables) isn't exactly the quality I would expect from a set like this. Third: So far, watching regular cable TV is worse than I could have ever imagined. When I shrink the size of the screen down to about half (30" or so), the quality is perfect. But once you go full screen (60"), the quality is so deteriorated that it's almost depressing. Do I need to invest another $600 for an HDTV converter box? Something I really am not interested in doing. Fourth: Playing Playstation2 on this set is nice but again, quality issues. I'm hoping that investing in Monster Component cables made specifically for the PS2 will do the trick but I won't know for a few more days. Fifth: I noticed a bright, flourescent green dot (small) near the upper-right hand corner. The manual says this is normal and nothing to worry about. Problem is, it's noticable and doesn't look normal - especially when I spent approx. $4500 after tax for this set! I have the cable company coming on Friday. Maybe they can switch our current cable box with an updated one with component outputs (if there is such a thing?) to improve picture quality when watching TV. Not sure if this will do the trick but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. If anyone has any suggestions on how I can make watching regular cable television much more enjoyable, please e-mail me at: webmaster@undergroundhiphop.com. Your help would be more than appreciated. My suggestion: This television is sexy - super sexy and will make your mouth drop. However, before you purchase it I would ask to see a NORMAL CABLE BROADCAST through this television to see what the picture quality will be like (rather than watching a progressive scan dvd player picture, which is what I saw which made me purchase this)! If I can't improve the quality of watching normal cable TV, this TV might have to get returned for something different which is the last thing I want to deal with.
User Rating: 8/10
Finally, a CRT alternative that can compete with plasmas!
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Review: Sony also makes this set in a 50" model, and that is the one that I have. I researched a new TV for TWELVE MONTHS before I decided on this model, and have now owned it for just about 2 months. I love it, and just as importantly, my wife loves it as well, because it looks good and is so minimal in size. Actually, we both initially wanted a plasma. I loved the look, picture quality, size, and novelty of a plasma. But hated the price, lack of DVI connection (whatever TV I purchased, a DVI-HDCP connection was mandatory - I wanted it to be as future proof as possible and be able to get a pure digital signal) and most of all, the FEAR OF BURN-IN! No way I was paying over $5K for something that could be permanently damaged by something as ridiculous as a CNN symbol at the bottom of your screen! Liked the pq of a few CRT's, but couldn't stand the amount of space and the weight of the nicer 34 and 36 inchers available. Would YOU really want a 36" 200 lb TV when you could have one that's at least 14" bigger in terms of screen size, still takes up less space, and weighs less than half that? RPTV's? Forget it. I want a TV, not a piece of furniture to rival my sofas in terms of size... When friends come over, they fail to notice it at first, because when they walk in all they can see is the direct profile at 10 feet away. This should give you an idea of how thin the 50" is. It's actually thinner than my old 20" that rested on top of the same table. As any visitors walk in though, you should see their eyes bulge at how they could fail to notice such a large TV! 
Luxury, look, and feel aside though, if you are like Quadrunner and Guru, who wanted to see the set improve the quality of their standard definition cable/dish, then I would suggest a plain old CRT instead. Why? This set works by displaying 768 lines of resolution. A standard definition signal only contains 480 lines, and depending on where you are, the reception of this signal can be really bad. So in effect, instead of hiding any errors in standard def pq, the set will magnify them, and the picture will look that much worse. Conclusion: Don't expect this set to perform miracles and turn your standard def into high-def. It is only a signal displayer, not a signal improver. Only a better signal strength, a better set top box, or better wiring will improve your standard definition picture quality. But take heart that as signal strength and digital broadcasting continue to improve, and as high definition broadcasts continue to increase (super bowl in high def!), your set will look better and better over time. Also, like others have mentioned, spend a little extra time giving it some TLC, and this set will perform to all of your expectations. If you're still not convinced and you want to see where this TV really shines...throw on a movie from a progressive scan DVD player, or watch a few minutes of high definition. In my opinion, the GW's strengths (size, color detail and brightness, no burn-in, style) far outnumber its faults (black levels, price, soft picture). For my wife and I, it was as close to a perfect fit as possible. PS Didn't rate "Support" because I've yet to have any technical difficulties or service issues with this TV. Research how many Plasma & DLP owners have had the same experience... 
Luxury, look, and feel aside though, if you are like Quadrunner and Guru, who wanted to see the set improve the quality of their standard definition cable/dish, then I would suggest a plain old CRT instead. Why? This set works by displaying 768 lines of resolution. A standard definition signal only contains 480 lines, and depending on where you are, the reception of this signal can be really bad. So in effect, instead of hiding any errors in standard def pq, the set will magnify them, and the picture will look that much worse. Conclusion: Don't expect this set to perform miracles and turn your standard def into high-def. It is only a signal displayer, not a signal improver. Only a better signal strength, a better set top box, or better wiring will improve your standard definition picture quality. But take heart that as signal strength and digital broadcasting continue to improve, and as high definition broadcasts continue to increase (super bowl in high def!), your set will look better and better over time. Also, like others have mentioned, spend a little extra time giving it some TLC, and this set will perform to all of your expectations. If you're still not convinced and you want to see where this TV really shines...throw on a movie from a progressive scan DVD player, or watch a few minutes of high definition. In my opinion, the GW's strengths (size, color detail and brightness, no burn-in, style) far outnumber its faults (black levels, price, soft picture). For my wife and I, it was as close to a perfect fit as possible. PS Didn't rate "Support" because I've yet to have any technical difficulties or service issues with this TV. Research how many Plasma & DLP owners have had the same experience... User Rating: 7/10
Cheap compared to a Plasma
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Review: This TV seems expensive compared to a CRT RPTV, However it is a bargin compared to a plasma and doesn't suffer from burn in. Dark scenes are this TVs weak point but for brighter scenes I found the image quality superior to CRT base RPTs. The picture has more detail than a CRT based RPT and sceen geometery is much better. Screen brightness is higher and the screen is more evenly lit.
User Rating: 5/10
Poor black level performance
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Review: Horrible picture on standard definition satellite channels. This set does not have acceptable blacks. Picture is very flat, 2 dimensional.
User Rating: 9/10
Right now, best there is.
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Review: I looked at everything and it came down to a choice between this set or one with DLP technology. Most plasma sets do not compare. I will not buy Mitsubishi for political reasons (their DLP wasn't as good as the Sony anyway) so that left DLPs by Hitachi, Panasonic and Samsung. Only Samsung makes a set big enough for my needs. But after comparing their smaller DLPs (60" not available) the Sony was the winner. The picture is phenomenal and unlike plasma has no burn-in issues so my son can play video games on it. Only time will tell if LCD projectors have "dead pixel" issues.
