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General discussion

Sony KDF-55XS955 vs KDF-55WF655 vs KDF-E55A20....Please Help

Jul 18, 2005 10:32PM PDT

For months I have been lurking forums, researching and looking for a big screen HDTV. I have narrowed it down to the 55 inch Sonys, and (until the new unit-KDF-E55A20-came out) had narrowed it down to the KDF-55XS955 or KDF-55WF655.
I would REALLY appreciate some of your guys comments / suggestions on which of the above three (3) I should get. Does the new model improve picure quality over the old? What are the differences?
I had about decided on the KDF-55XS955 because it has two (2) HDMI inputs---one for my HD satellite receiver and one for my upconverting DVD player---but did not know if the much higher price was justified.
Thank so much!!!

Discussion is locked

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reply
Jul 22, 2005 6:11AM PDT

well after a little research, the 55xs955 is the only model with the 2 hdmi inputs. Dvd upconversion should not be a reason for an additional hdmi input in my opinion but hd-dvd will be in the future. Besides the additional input on the xs model, you also benefit from a 100 watt built in speaker system, an anti glare screen and a bn samoother. The only model available at my end currently is the 60xs955 due to the new product line being innitiated. It is currently 3899 with 10 % off on a sears card until saturday. Email me if your interested. But, in short the A20 model is almost a clone of the wf model but the price is cheaper. a20 model retails at 2999 for the 55 in comparison to 3299 for the wf. Any other questions...contact me at your earliest convenenience.

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Are You Out Of Your Mind...You Persist....
Jul 22, 2005 11:10PM PDT

...in being a real moron, don't you. How many times do you have to be told this forum is about the exchange of ideas/information and NOT (!!!!) about your shameless self promotion.

You are a real cretin, you know that.

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Please provide information ONLY!!!
Jul 22, 2005 2:18PM PDT

I really do not appreciate your solicitation for sales on this forum, as this forum is, frankly, designed for an exchange of ideas, information, etc.
Second, if you are going to attempt to sell a product, at least you could be somewhat more knowledgeable about the product you sale.
You commented that the new A20 was a clone of the WF. This is nowhere near correct, as the A20 does not have PIP, the Sony card reader, speakers of the WF, etc.
In the future, please try to refrain from selling something and simply provide information or guidance if requested by a poster.
Thank-you!

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In the same boat
Aug 2, 2005 5:33AM PDT

I am having the very same issue, butI have now narrowed my choices to two, KDF-E55A20 and KDF-55XS955. I a leaning towards the 55XS because of the dual HDMI inputs. I did hear from a from a Sony rep that the A20 had a better picture because of a better and brighter lamp. Although she did not compare them side by side, she still said the A20 had a better picture. I guess I will wait till I can compare them both side by side before I make a final decision. The only problem with that is that the 55XS is discontinued and I am having problems trying to find one that is on display. And of course when I do go one way or another Sony will come out with another mid level entry of the A20 that will have the additional inputs.

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update
Aug 3, 2005 12:41AM PDT

I was lucky and found a local circuit city that actually had the 55XS and the A20 side by side on display. And now that I have seen them I have to report that the A20 had a much better picture, it was quite a bit brighter. So now I will have to wait until a mid-level version of the A20 is released with hopefully more inputs and hopefully a PIP feature.

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reply
Aug 8, 2005 5:46AM PDT

The A20 lamp inside the sony is the same wattage as the previous year. the reason the A20 looked better is because the lamp had very little use on the salesfloor. Consider the lamp life to be an estimated 4-6,000 hrs. If the tv is running 12 hrs a day 7 days a week.....that's over 4,000 hrs right there. The xs model had 100 watt speaker sytem, anti-glare screen, 2 hdmi inputs, and also PIP. So in short, Sony has taken shortcuts this year because they know the set will sell to the average consumer. There is much better out there for your money. Trust me I do this for a living. Wd-52527 mitsubishi with plush 720p, 2 hdmi inputs, PIP, Quickmotion technology, and the smartshutter. Check it out or email me if you have any other questions.

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Comment on Brighter Lamp
Aug 9, 2005 3:25PM PDT

I have a KDF-55WF655 and have been very satisfied. Be careful what you wish for, though - the apparent contrast of the picture in my relatively bright living room is much better using the energy saving setting (slightly dims the lamp). A brighter lamp would make the black level even less black - frankly, I'm anxious for my HID lamp to dim a bit due to age so my contrast will improve. The picture running in the energy saving mode is still very bright and clear.

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I also bought the KDF-55WF655
Aug 10, 2005 7:56AM PDT

Supposedly having a little ambient light in the room aids in perceiving more accurate black levels on LCD RP sets but I have to be honest, I don't notice a real difference in the between DLP and LCD sets. I think both look great and the decision for me came down to the clarity and crispness of the picture, which the Sony Wega sets won hands-down over the DLP sets I looked at.

I use the reduced power setting as well as tweaking the "Pro" mode to tone down the brightness some and I think the picture is just fantastic. I would recommed the Grand Wega line to anyone and don't feel like I'm missing out on anything by not having the latest Wega set (the A10 series); in fact I feel the $1000 savings I got by going with the WF model more than make up for the few features the new Wega's include. Of course, if you need 2 HDMI inputs, etc, then YMMV...

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can you wait?
Aug 10, 2005 10:40AM PDT

for about 1 1/2 months. Sony will be releasing their new 50-60 inch LCOS SXRD TV's and they will be 1080P. Since it looks like hdtvsalesman works at sears as well (which I have never met or would say represents sears) he might want to look into that as well. The new LCD models are good but will not compare to the LCoS tv's. I don't have prices as of yet but can update you as soon as I find out.

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update
Aug 10, 2005 10:54AM PDT

the new sony LCOS tv's are scheduled for MSRP of 4K for the 50" model and 60" model. Though those prices could drop between now and the end of Sept.

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Help from an owner
Aug 19, 2005 2:55AM PDT

Although now I'm tempted to wait on the new models (but I suppose I always will be) can someone who owns the KDF-55XS955 give me the measurements of the base (what sits on the tv stand) - mainly the width is my concern.

THANKS

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SXRD
Aug 29, 2005 10:53AM PDT

I just put a down payment on the new Sony 50" sxrd rplcd, priced at $33oo. I get a discount from work thru abc warehouse. I am thinking of getting the 60" for $3995.00 (sounds better than $4ooo doesn't it?)hmmmm
TommyHaka