Sony is the best

First of all before you buy this TV you have to make sure to paint your room in a nice relaxing color, buy some nice rich looking furniture and get rid of any TV stands. Make sure your room is big enough too. Get a nice 4 poster bed and a dresser with huge mirror. In other words you dont wanna put this beautiful TV set in a shabby old room. Deal? Ok now you ready.

Here is what you do. Go to the store buy a brand new Sony Bravia KDL-46XBR2. Whichever size you like: 40, 46 or 52 inches. Those are pretty much more or less affordable especially with no interest 18 month payment plans. Size is up to you, I bought 46" and very happy. 40" would be too small for my bedroom. 52" wouldn't fit between bathroom and closet doors. 46" TV because of its unique large bezel measures 50 inches in width. Get your measuring tape.

Pedestal that comes with TV is sturdy and nice but it looks MUCH better on the wall. Because this TV looks like a painting.

Now let me tell you how to chose the best TV and the best brand. You cant do it because in the store they all look the same and they all look great and shiny. Thats why everybody buys Samsung and Vizio. They have great black "piano finish" design. Dont be fooled. Thats not what you are looking for. You need a great picture on your TV. And thats where comes the brand and its history.

I forgot to mention that I am a satellite technician. I've been installing HDTV systems for the past year and a half and seen probably a few hundreed new TV set. Just from the store. As soon as customers buy a new TV they call to upgrade their service to High Definition. Thats where I come. I was impressed with Vizio because that was one of the first flat panel TVs I've seen. Then I saw Hitachis, Toshibas, Philips, Panasonic and of course Samsung. They all look pretty good on HD stations but very grainy and fuzzy on standard channels. Some are better some are worse. Usually depends on price you get what you paying for. But I always noticed sharp bright vivid picture on Sony TVs even old big tube kind. When I saw first XBR Bravia (it was 40") I noticed the difference for the first time and it was both picture quality on HD and standard channels and of course the design on the unit.

Then it was a time for me to buy a new TV and I start doing same thing everybody else was doing: reading reviews online and comparing TV set in the stores. To tell you the truth and I am sure most people will agree with me this is a very frustrating and upsetting waste of time. After comparing all the brands you understand that you are even more confused and its harder than it was just an hour ago to make a choice. Once you learn the difference between plasma, lcd and DLP you get more confused. Therefore my advice: go with 1} The brand and 2} your budget. If you have 3000 to spend and like Sony then buy this TV. If you have 1000 then buy something else and you probably will be satisfied because its better than what you have right now anyway.

Here is some little details I discovered about this TV:

It has a lot of settings and adjustments (big difference between expensive set and cheap walmart brand). You can adjust picture, sound, format but what we really look for in a TV is the picture and here Sony gives you plenty of options to play with. Great job Sony engineers. Also easy to navigate (well for me it is).

When you go to sleep at night you can dim or completely shut down the picture but leave the sound. Awesome feature I love it. Then even more you can turn down the volume and all you have is the nice relaxing white light shining at the Sony logo on the bottom. Kind of a night light enough to see the bathroom door and not to trip over your wife's bathrobe. Those are little things but when you are working all day your TV is the last thing you see before falling asleep and its nice to look at something relaxing.

When you go to Best Buy or Circuit City dont forget to buy that Blu Ray player, they will knock 100 dollars off and you will be able to enjoy full 1080P resolution that is not available on satellite and cable boxes.

1080i looks awesome as well as 1080p. Any HD channel looks amazing. Standard channels do look fuzzy but you dont have to stand right in front of the TV. Make sure you far enough and then you will not notice pixelation as much. Besides newer shows have better picture anyway even in Standard resolution.

I cant tell you much about sound because I am not as obsessed with quality sound as some folks so I am happy as long as I can hear it. Once again TV is for picture and Sony absolutely perfected it. Sound is something you can add with a stereo system. And you have plenty of choices to make there (I wouldnt be able to advise though).

There are 9 inputs more than enought for all your TV, HDTV, game console, Blu Ray/DVD, VCR(?), even computer. I hooked computer up and picture is great as good as regular monitor just bigger. Unfortunately you have to sit closer when you are using a computer comparing to just watching TV.

Range. My room is 17 feet wall to wall and It looks great I was worried about size of the TV and was considering 60" DLPs for such a big room but again my job helped I was able to look at the TVs in customers homes and do some measurement considerations. 46" for TV viewing (on this particular TV) is plenty. 52" is probably better as long as you have enough room to fit it and extra money to spend.

Weight and size is something to worry about before you get a right vehicle to transport from the store and especially before you unpack. Make sure you have two guys. Follow easy instructions how to carry. DO NOT lift by the glass bezel. Bad. It looks sturdy but dont try. Besides you'll leave fingerprints.

Mounting on the wall of course has to be done only if you know what you are doing. If you cant just leave it on the pedestal on your TV table. It still looks great. Weight again is of concern you dont want 100 pound unit fall on the floor. I am praying it wont happen to mine. Screw holes on the back on the TV look way too small for its size but I am just hoping Sony people know what they are doing.

The only thing that stopped me from buying Sony earlier was PIP (Picture in Picture) option that is absent on this and many other new Sonys. I dont know why this is, Sony must've had a reason, but I made my choice and decided to make one sacrifice and I do not regret about it.

And in conclusion let me just tell you what made me chose at the end amoung so many great TVs. Sony difference is its vivid bright picture. Not just sharp or smooth but very bright in both lighted room and dark room. I do like that, I dont like flesh tones, I like bright colors. Its my preference. Now its up to you to make your choice I hope my review helps.