Sony BRVIA A series SXRD KDS-55A3000 55 in. HDTV TV

Ok so you waited for Sonys latest line of big screen TVs. Good for you it was worth the wait. The new sets shipped in August although you will find many retailers still pushing last years models. Some local outlets get in smaller size sets first and the larger Sonys later for some strange reason and Sams Club seems the last to get the newest models for some strange reason. LCD sets are expensive in large sizes (above 52 inch) so if you want a 55 or 60 inch consider Sonys KDS55A3000 55 inch set. This is a highly technical purchase folks so be prepared to roll up your sleeves and do your homework. Sales people have LIMITED KNOWLEDGE so DONT DEPEND ON THEM.
Heres what I found in my own living room.
Picture Quality is tremendous with vivid colors. Home cinema mode mutes colors so you will probably not use it much. Stand delivered with set had hardware that did NOT match. THanks R.C. Willey for that oversight! The first thing to do with this set is physically secure it to the stand. Dont let it fall forward on junior. Take your time and secure it to the CORRECT STAND!
Remote is slim standard Sony remote that works ok. You will change inputs with it more than anything else. TURN ON MOTION CONTROL as it vastly improves the picture quality and set it on HIGH. STEADY SOUND keeps the commercial sound at steady levels from the set speakers. If you still use the optical input to your sound processor you should be just fine. THe set uses a bulb folks so when you turn the set ON it will slowly ramp up the picture brightness to full viewing. Dont be surprised as it saves bulb life. R.C. Willey claims ONE BULB is included in warranty and should be about 6000 hours away to change time. YOU have to change the bulb yourself and I COULD NOT find it in writing in the warranty. Go out and BUY THE HDMI CONNECTION CABLES it DOES make for a better picture on my Dish 622 STB feed and Sony DVD player. Fantastic DVD pictures!
1080I is great and local DTV stations come through clear. Dishnetwork HD sources (like Discovery) work best through the HDMI port on Dishnetworks 622 DVR so dont hesitate to upgrade your Dishnetwork set top box. The Tv also has component inputs that work well but not as well as the HDMI inputs. YES I could see the difference between the two. HDMI cables at Sams Club were $24.95 for 12 feet. If you want to buy Monster Cable HDMI for $99.00 go ahead its your money. The Belkins at SAMS work just great. I rated the TV as GOOD and not EXCELLENT because of the bulb issue. I would like to encourage Sony to find better light sources that last longer. Otherwise you WILL NOT regret this purchase and you will probably save thousands over a similar large size LCD set. REMEMBER you can buy a lot of bulbs for the huge price difference between modern projection (no color wheel like this set) and the modern LCD set cost.
I think spending more than $3000.00 on a Big screen tv is too much. However, thats just one guy on a budgets opinion. If you sit down and watch both technologys on Sonys 2007 sets I dont think you will spring for the big bucks for the LCD. Its just not that much difference.
For a good tutorial on big screen tecnologys try crutchfield. THey really explain how these hightech beasts work internally with prisms to divide the colors and NOT color wheels. There is a internal cooling fan and you probably wont hear it unless you stick your head next to it. No fan noise problem.
Warranty was about $250 for 5 years. May 08 update- 6months no problems