Sony Grand WEGA KDF-60XS955 60 in. HDTV LCD TV

My KDF-60XS955 was manufactured (in the USA!) in November, 2004 for use at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in January, 2005. Subsequently it was sent to (a local Las Vegas) Worst Buy as a "floor model" (open-box). I purchased it 16 Jan 2005 and it was delivered on 18 Jan 2005.

I use off-the-air and DirecTV for signal acquisition. I have an antennae in the attic crawl space for the local off-air channels and an oval/triple-LNB dish for the DirecTV channels.

Initially, the delivery guys had hooked up my RG-6 coax to the "CABLE" input. After I switched it to the "UHV/VHF" input and performed the auto-tuning function, I was shocked, SHOCKED! to learn I received not only 14 analog channels but 13 HiDef channels in the Las Vegas area!!! This is because some of the local broadcasters are sending either a 1080i, 720p or 480i signal on as many as two other HD channels. Local ABC affiliate, KTNV, broadcasts NTSC on channel 13. The KDF-60XS955 also picked up a 13.1 and a 13.2. The 13.1 is the 720p HiDef version and the 13.2 looks to be a HiDef-compatible version at 480i.

Thursday (Inauguration) morning, Charlie Gibson kept mentioning that the "Good Morning America" live broadcast for the Inauguration was in HiDef. I turned on channel 13.1 and was completely blown away by the picture quality, clarity and crispness. The license plate on the Presidential limo was clearly legible as the camera followed it leaving the White House for pre-Inauguration church services.

I use WireWorld interconnects (The Cable Company, www.fatwyre.com) for the audio and video paths between the various components (2 VHS VCRs, 1 Beta VCR, 2 DVDs, RCA DSS receiver, turntable, 100-disc CD juke-box and Technics tape deck) to my Sony STR-DE777ES A/V receiver. However, the sound from the TV is quite good and I agree with one of the other reviewers that in a bedroom setting a full-blown home theatre system may be overkill with this HDTV.

The remote operates well and is easily laid out. I have already set it up to control my DSS receiver and a DVD player. Testing the various picture modes (Wide Zoom, Full, Normal, Zoom) and setting the 4:3 default size to Normal have produced the most versatile display capabilities. I can't stand that stretched-out, squished-down look usually found when viewing NTSC signals on an HDTV, but I am able to flip thru the channels and have the KDF-60XS955 automatically display the most pleasant picture, based on the type of signal it "sees".

I use all 3 of the composite/S-Video connections, both of the component connections, and have passed the TV's native sound OUT via the analog Left/Right to my A/V receiver. My DSS receiver is not component/progressive video out but is optical audio out (to the A/V receiver directly). The picture from each of the VCRs is noticeably improved from the CRT this new HDTV replaced. The DVD pictures are nothing short of stunning.

I purchased a Bell'O AVS-422T stand on which the HDTV, 3 VCRs, 2 DVDs, the RCA DSS receiver, and the A/V receiver now reside. This stand puts the HDTV at the perfect viewing height, while providing access to the various other components via the remote.

To sum up: I had been extremely reluctant to dip a toe into the HDTV waters. Lack of programming, not seeing any particular need and the substantially higher "entry" costs were the predominant reasons. I had also been looking towards a 50" HD set vs. the 60". For some reason, this unit, at this price, at this time just seemed "right". I am not regretting my decision in any way. I'm looking forward to this Sunday and the NFL playoff games to be viewed on the KDF-60XS955.

UPDATE: 16 Nov 2005: I obtained the DirecTV HD10-250 HiDef Receiver/TIVO unit in March, 2005. I have been using this device to watch and/or record HiDef channels available via the DirecTV service. Picture quality is Fantastic. Sound is generally "blue" (5.1). I have recorded several movies in HiDef and they replay as if they were "live". I also record "PERRY MASON" (older B&W) on a daily basis and even this picture is substantially better. (Perhaps due to the calibration?) I understand DirecTV has discontinued their arrangement with TIVO and will probably be releasing a similar/competitive product shortly. I also understand that DirecTV is actively launching satellites to increase the number and variety of HiDef channels deliverable to subscribers, but these will require MPEG-4 decoding. Looking forward to how DirecTV will handle those of us who jumped into the HiDef fray as "earlier adopters".

I connect the HD10-250 receiver directly to the TV via an HDMI cable for video and I use the coaxial digital connection OUT of the HD10-250 for the audio. I also use the optical audio connection OUT of the TV IN to my STR-DA777ES for any off-the-air HiDef signals which may contain 5.1 audio. Works GREAT!

I had this HDTV calibrated by an ISF Tech in February and it did make a difference. The Tech was also substantially impressed because even though it took five (5) hours (!) he said it wasn't that far "out". It was his initial experience with a KDF-60XS955.

Subsequent to this purchase, my companion has been looking to upgrade her home theater to a similar product, but when we look at the various products we both always seem to notice the "screen door" effect on many of the competing products. There is NO "screen door" effect on the KDF-60XS955!

Watching Joe Kane's "DIGITAL VIDEO ESSENTIALS" from my 1995 Sony 5-disc DVD changer via the component video, not only do you see the detail of the "skin" of the Space Shuttle, but the shadow of the Shuttle is also visible against the clouds on Earth from the spacecam. Incredible.