KDF-50WE655 opinions?

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I'm seriously concidering the sony KDF-50WE655 as my main TV in the family room. Consumer reports and CNET rate it high. Anyone have any opinions on this model? All of the electronics stores around here only have it connected to digital HD and arent able or dont want to show it recieving analog or non HD. I can upgrade to digital cable and probably will but most shows are still not HD. How good is the picture when recieving analog signal? How good is the picture when recieving digital non HD signal? How is the picture "out of the box" before any adjustments? Please include descriptions of the picture not just good , bad. i need something to base the comparison on. :rockon:

[splinter]

I have this same tv and i think it depends how close you sit to the screen. Most analog channels dont look great if you sit within about 7-8 feet. Further than that they look a little better. If you use any of the stretch modes on 4:3 material, it makes it look worse, but in my opinion, all of this is a worthy trade off compared to the quality of HD programs and good digital SD. Out of the box, you should always make at least some simple picture adjustments to fit the environment of the room you are watching in, nothing that requires major technical adjustment though. Look at the FAQ on what you should do to your new HDTV. Overall I think this TV is great and I have no regrets at all.

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Thank you for the reply. we will be viewing from between 10 to 12 feet so that should help. any other issues you have with this TV. Does it show excessive glare on the screen? what are some things you like about it? what are some things you dont like? without being too nosy may i ask where you purchased it? what did you pay and how long you have had it? :rockon:

[MHK]

I ordered the KDF-50WE655 and it will be here in two weeks. Please post your setup experience. THANKS, MH

[splinter]

I purchased the TV at Circuit City about 6 weeks ago for about $2800. I am extremely happy with everything about it. The only minor problem in my situation is that I could use a 3rd Component input, but that will not matter once I get a DVD or STB with HDMI. The OTA tuner works great and I get a good signal all the time and I prefer to watch OTA HD rather than cable when the program is on the networks. For setup, I used a DVE DVD that I had and that worked pretty good setting the TV up. There is never really any 'excesive' glare, but I do not have any windows that face the TV. Any glare that you would have though would be manageable compared to a reflective screen guard. Another thing I love about the TV is the memory stick application. I have a Sony Camera and the pictures look great on the TV.

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When i get the set it will be connected to a Dennon DVD-900 and a Dennon AV surround AVR-683 that i currently use. It should do great. It will also be connected to our local cable company, for now, but i also want to try the over the air signal (i live in a rural area, sort of a suburb of a small town, and my house is located in a low spot with lots of trees). friend keep pushing me towards direct TV but i think i will do more reading up on whats available first. Unless something changes my mind within the next few months i wll be going with this model sony. In that price range it seems to be the best i can find. although us three seem to be the only ones transferring info about it on this site.
i will probably get it from bestbuy as i have some gift cards that will knock a big chunk out of what gets financed. their website advertises it for 2900$

when you recieve yours post here and let us know what your opinions are. :rockon:

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also , my dvd player doesnt have HDMI but it does have component. i would be very interested in hearing your picture comarison between component and HDMI, once you get a DVD or STB with HDMI. :sherlok: