HokieD

When I first got my KP-57HW40, I was distraught at the picture quality for my satellite and cable. Then I did some reading on these forums and realized that (1) pixelization occurs on satellite because of compression - certain channels are worse than others, and (2) standard quality tv does not look very clear when the image is enlarged as big screen tv's do. On a 35" or smaller tv, satellite and cable look great because the image is so small. Magnify it and presto, image degradation. If you get the 51" then you will notice it much less, but I would suggest getting the biggest tv you can - especially being a 16:9 (short and wide).

If you have a DVD player and you watch movies as much as me, then it's worth it to buy a big screen. The picture is excellent and does not reveal any of the picture quality problems of satellite and cable. You get a movie theatre feel that cannot be matched with a small tv. Add surround sound and you get sucked in.

I recently saw my KP-57HW40 as a closeout at Best Buy for $500 less than I paid. It's an excellent price and no doubt is being moved out because the new models are on the way. I don't think there is any major difference between old/new and with a little research you might know for sure.

I personally think you should pick up an older model unless there is some major innovation on the new one which I doubt. Save the $500 over the price of a "new" model and use that $500 to buy a digital satellite or over-the-air (OTA) receiver so you can watch television in HD!! You will NOT be disappointed with HD broadcasts on these Sony's. Primetime shows are great in HD, but sports is FREAKING INCREDIBLE! You will no longer complain of bad picture quality from analog (even digital) sources and long for more HD programming like everyone else in these forums.

Hope this helps.

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DirecTV HR20 HD DVR Receiver (Still laggy, lost some features I had with E86)
16:9 Sony KP-57HW40
Yamaha RX-V520
Boston Acoustics System 8000
Sony DVPNC655PB DVD Changer
ProntoNeo
XBOX 360 ( Elder Scrolls: Oblivion)

Other Experiences:
DirecTV H20 HD Receiver (Laggy, Couldn't Wait to Dump It)
Hughes E86 Platinum Receiver (More User Friendly than H20)
Scientific Atlantic Explorer 3100HD (Time Warner Digi-Cable)
Samsung SIR-T150 OTA Decoder (Excellent OTA Decoder)