Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony KP-53XBR300 53" Projection TV

This is an excellent TV with a spectacular picture. However, 4:3 sets are going the way of the dinosaur thanks to the fact that most DVD's are coming in widescreen only AND HDTV is widescreen. As a result, I returned mine after owning it for 3 weeks and replaced it with a Mitsubishi widescreen.

I just couldn't live with the fact that 16:9 images were only 18.5" tall (although technically it was a 45" picture). So, if you will be using this mostly for DVD's and HDTV, then get a widescreen. If not, then this is an outstanding purchase and I'd highly recommend it.

I've owned mine for over a year and have never experienced any problems. The resolution is FAR superior to any other 4:3 NSTC bigscreen on the market - no jitter, no blurry horizontal lines forming the picture (even up close), supersharp colors and no ghosts. I play DVDs through an S-Video input and the clarity and color is absolutely superb - about as near as HDTV as you can get without paying for it. (I think when TV broadcasts go HD, this TV will transition quite nicely with addition of a digital receiver and HD to NTSC converter box.) All PIP functions are great too - especially the split screen that allows you to watch two things at once with no distortion - this works extremely well if you have a WebTV, video game or computer hooked up to one of the four inputs so you can surf or work on your computer or play video games and watch TV at the same time! If you don't want to invest $5000 on HDTV, but still want the best picture money can buy - buy this TV! I HIGHLY recommend it!

I purchased this TV a year ago and am still impressed. The picture it produces is simply stunning. The DRC circuitry makes high quality analog sources look like HD. DVDs look like film (and I only have an interlaced DVD player).

Unless you are planning to spend more than 50% of your time viewing DVDs (in which case a widescreen set may make more sense), I HIGHLY reccomend this TV!

Get the entire Screen you paid for with this SONY 4 by 3 TV set. The current television market is in a state of flux. We keep hearing about HDTV or High Definition Television but what does it all mean to you? High Definition Television refers to a complete product and/or system with the vertical display of 1080i (interlaced) or higher lines of resolution. The aspect ratio has to be capable of displaying a 16:9 image at the minimum resolution level. (All HDTV is in the 16:9 image). The current standard for color television in the United States is called NTSC (National Television System Committee). It is based on 525 horizontal scanning lines capable of displaying a 4:3 image. Many cable companies are resisting the change to HDTV and want to carry only the NTSC standard. The FCC wants the networks to start broadcasting HDTV but they are now also resisting because they can't settle on a conversion system. Currently satellites are carrying a few HDTV signals, but they are far and few in number and show little signs of increasing. Don't forget HDTV signals have to be converted so you can watch them. Then you have Television manufactures that are getting way ahead of themselves. Many are pushing the HDTV formatted screen on most of their projection sets, which is 16:9. If you are still watching cable TV, VHS videos and Laser Discs you are in big trouble. You are only going to get a picture in the center of your 16:9 set with big black bars on the sides. The best way to go is with a 4:3 projection set, like this one, which is going to give you the full frame. You are going to get the entire screen you paid for.

Look I know alot of people are saying why pay extra $$ for the Sony XBR, well the color and quality is 2nd to none. I've looked at all of them and the only one that comes close is the... Pioneer Elite series. I don't want to spend that kind of money to see what I can see on my Sony XBR.
I've owned this TV for a year and a half now and am still impressed with it. And no, I do not work for Sony or any of it's affiliates. Add Direct TV Satellite and your looking at the best picture the industry has to offer.
Trust Me!