Warm?- Sony Plasma TV KDE 37XS955 - $2899 Costco

[parry]

Sony Plasma TV KDE 37XS955 -Unsure whether good deal or not..

http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasmatvpics/plasmatv/sony_kde37xs955.jpg
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Need your expert opinions..

How is Sony 37 inch Plasma model KDE-37XS955? I saw it for like $2899 at Costco

Any reviews on this one?
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Plasma Display Specifications
Screen Size 37" diagonal
Screen Aspect 16:9
Contrast Ratio [not published]
Brightness [not published]
Pixel Pitch [not published]
hSync [not published]
vSync [not published]
Color System NTSC, ATSC
Data Signals (N/A)
TV Scan Lines 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i


Input Terminals
Composite Video 3 (RCA)
S-Video 3 (4-pin mini DIN)
Component Video 2 (RCA x 3)
HDMI Interface 1
Stereo Audio In 5 (RCA L/R)
Serial Control (RS232C) 1 (9-pin mini d-Sub)


Output Terminals
Stereo Audio 1 (RCA L/R)


Plasma Monitor Accessories
Audio Amplifier 25W x 2
Speakers Built In Speakers
Mounting Options Table Stand Included


Dimensions and General Specs.
Power Supply 200-240V @ 50-60Hz
Power Consumption [not published]
Dimensions 41 3/8” x 26 3/4” x 14 1/4” (w/stand)
Weight 112.44 lbs.
FCC Class FCC Class B, Home Use



Key Features of the Sony KDE-37XS955 37" Plasma Monitor

37" HDTV plasma monitor, 1024 x 1024 native resolution
Widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio Plasma TV
ALiS panel technology (Alternate Lighting of Surfaces)
Wide 160° viewing angle
High-contrast screen with double anti-reflective coating
Advanced 3rd-generation Wega Engine System
Adjustable DRC MultiFunction V1 (upconverts NTSC signals)
CineMotion 3-2 pulldown processing
181-channel NTSC tuner
Twin View PIP (split-screen)
Built-in stereo speakers
25 watts x 2
SRS TruSurround for enhanced 2-speaker sound
Multibrand remote control
6 A/V inputs, including:
3 composite video (2 rear, 1 side)
3 S-video (2 rear, 1 side)
2 HD-compatible rear-panel component video
1 rear-panel HDMI input with HDCP copy protection
2 RF inputs for antenna/cable
Enhanced Memory Stick slot (JPEG/MP3 playback)
Energy Star compliant
Manufacturer's Warranty: 1 year parts & labor

[keyfur]

Unless you're ready to deal with burn-in (do a Google search for "plasma burn-in", I'd stay away from it. Sony (and I think Toshiba) has stopped making plasma TVs, and I have a friend who used to do tech support for Sony TVs and he told me he gots tons of calls about burn-in. There are ways to avoid burn-in, but in my mind it's not worth it. However, other people may say other things.

[stylz]

I actually owned the 50" version of this TV. It obviously a discontinued model, but was one of the premier plasmas that SONY made.

PROS
- excellent picture quality: amazing resolution, brightness (even in well lit rooms) and colors
- multiple HDMI inputs (xbox 360, DVD, HDTV can all fit)

- in your case, price.

CONS
- burn in - mine had some (store demo: never buy plasma demos, left on)
- heavy (important consideration if you are going to wall hang)
- discontinued technology for the most part...
- finite life

You can research multiple site comparing LCD vs Plasma.

I ended up getting a 45" Aquos by sharp and love it.

this is a good TV - excellent for pictures quality, just make sure you evaluate whether your needs will be better served with an LCD.

And make sure you get an extended warranty, no matter the technology.

[Jon Lai]

Wow.. I was like :| when I saw that this was a SONY PLASMA... after reading stylz's post I realized that it was a discontinued model, becuase Sony obviously doesn't make Plasmas no more.

[gerrythegreat]

I actually bought this tv at costco for 2499.99 cause of a 500.00 $ coupon in nov. I am quite happy with it but dont know much about the technology. You need to know that this tv has a subwoofer in the back and that it isnt compatible with most wallmounts.

I beleive chief http://www.chiefmfg.com/ has a specific wallmount for it. So does sony but it is 500.00$

[flame02]

two words .. BURN IN ... we had this at work and i must say its the Sh1ttIEST plasma ive ever seen ... you might as well go with the shippy names and get a better screen!

dont say we didnt warn you

[parry]

Burn in is not an issue for me as I plan to use the Break-in DVD as mentioned in this thread: http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=242610&highlight=breakin

Any other advise/tips?

[michelb]

Burn in is not an issue for me as I plan to use the Break-in DVD as mentioned in this thread: http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=242610&highlight=breakin

Any other advise/tips?

The 'burn-in' dvd might help but it certainly won't make the burn-in issue go away. As long as you use care, plasmas are fine but you still have to use care (e.g. no static images for a long period of time (e.g. don't watch the Olympics for several hours/day on the same station or you might get the station logo burned in), don't watch tons of letterbox (2.35 or 4:3) material without watching full screen as well (as long as you don't watch too much 2.35, you'll be fine if you commonly stretch your 4:3 to fill the screen), don't set the brightness excessively high, etc).

[parry]

so it looks like LCD is the way to go. I am inclined towards Sharp or Sony.

[parry]

not sure if this deal is worth $2899 for plasma?