Sony has a new rear-projection TV boasting this feature. Those interested should read the link to the article on our front page.

If it doesn't explode, we can drool without fear.

LOL @ kgevilboy! I finally got your reference!

Funny, but at the same time is a sad reminder of a preventable disaster Sony's lithium-ion batteries did not have to be.

It was suggested I post the remainder of my original article here, as there may be some discussion it stimulates, since I am not certain if this would do the same as a reaction on the main page (as was suggested to me also). As my writing style and emphasis seek to extrapolate problems and propose solutions where possible (because of Sony's 'hit-and-miss' approach to quality, where it seems to succeed with TVs, but curiously doesn't focus the same way in other departments), because I approach things from the standpoint of a consumer with limited funds: if someone makes a great product but has a shoddy past record, I'll praise them for succeeding with that one product, *but* I will raise the question "why couldn't this have been done in the past, and will it be done in the future?" I approach it from the standpoint that the buyer should 'be aware and informed' *before* buying something strictly on brand name or past reputation, as I know I'm not the only person that realizes one can no longer rely on these as a guide for finding 'quality items.'

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While Sony’s TV line appears to be a boon for Sony, it has not taken equal interest in developing other product lines to the same level of ‘wow’ this TV seems to promise. What is also interesting is that Sony claims the display technology as proprietary, meaning Sony also planned its development and obviously brought it to a possibly eye-popping result. Of course, this begs the following questions: since Sony can produce quality merchandise that is well-reviewed (another item being the SLV-D370P VCR/DVD combo player), why has it taken such a nonchalant approach with PS3 development and why does it DVD media (assumed to be proprietary), but by results is outclassed by the likes of Taiyo Yuden and Verbatim, even being handily beaten in some cases by certain Optodisc, Moser Baer India mids and a close to no-name brand such as Gigastorage? Given the obvious conclusion Sony is doing many things timely and correctly with its television line, why was project planning, management and execution so absent to the point Sony rushed the PS3 into the market (likely because of the Xbox introduction) without achieving so many of its goals? Also, why was the same—plus a total lack of quality control and relevant manufacturing oversight—absent in the 5.9 million lithium-ion notebook batteries that were recalled and it produced for 2 years before they caused laptops to burst into flames? Given these facts, it is clear Sony should implement some kind of top-to-bottom review of those involved with the manufacturing, project development and quality control/assurance in these areas it is failing in. Also, the CEO should be taking heat for this, but also being the one leading the charge to set things straight, as it is the CEO’s responsibility to work his ‘magic’ to make the company’s stock as attractive as possible, as well as the company itself as profitable and efficient as possible. Although seemingly a little unlikely, given the very poor decisions or lack thereof in the PS3 and lithium-ion battery production, it may signal some lack of recruiting the necessary talent required and a definite lack of reviewing employee performance in a standardized fashion to have changed these outcomes. It definitely means Sony needs appropriate infusions of ‘new blood’ to properly plan and supervise projects and products in these areas. Does this ‘bash’ Sony? Absolutely not! This merely points out obvious problems based on the reported facts, in concert with the results or lack thereof. This simply highlights the fact since Sony can succeed with its TV line, that it should seriously examine and change those areas named as shortcomings—and expeditiously—as these are correctable oversights Sony can change. How quickly it modifies its approach and stops shooting itself in the foot are things clearly up to Sony.

Sony TV's have always been generating "Wow" factor, but unfortunately it's mostly hype and very little substance. It'd be great if these new HD sets were an exception, but I doubt it. It's never been too difficult to find other sets at far lower prices that perform as well or better than Sonys.

Considering that 99% of the available content is at 480i/p, or lower resolution, it's far more important how well a set can display that than it is how it does with 1080i/p. Many people won't see any difference at all between the Sony and any one of the fine 720p sets that are available, even if they are looking at true HD content.

Wow! (sorry for the indirect pun, CDan.) Can you name some brands and models that are lower priced, but would be excellent buys in your experience?

I don't know for sure how it compares but this one has been recieving good reviews as of late and is significantly less expensive then what is being quoted by that article. It's smaller but still a decent sized display (42").

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16889234002

It's nice to see some T.V.'s with a 1080p res. and is smaller than 60" as I have been looking for these sizes. HDMI is that usb type of connection right?

1080p is pure hype, nobody, and I mean nobody, can see the difference between 1080i an 1080p, except maybe on a 200" screen. Many people may actually prefer the slightly "softer" interlaced picture anyway, which is why 1080i was developed that way.

The JVC and Hitachi DLP projection sets are very nice, and priced well too. Just be sure to get a true 1080 set, as opposed to 720p. Although, I still say most people wont see any difference at 720p.

then if no one could tell the difference between the two resolutions (1080i/1080p), then it would appear to be all hype.

Which models on the JVC and Hitachi DLP projection sets? Or do they have just one model each in DLP?

Well my inquiry was on LCD / Plasma not DLP but sorry I got off topic if this is the case. Honestly I think there isn't a huge differance in 180i or 1080p....or am I wrong here?

The issue that I see isn't a case of 1080p really being better as more just an issue of "futureproofing." Let's face it, if we are going to spend over $1K on a TV I don't think we would want it to be outdated in 2-3 years. I realize that networks still aren't anywhere near being 1080p on a regular basis and there are only a couple of peices of electronics (ie PS3) that will actually support 1080p in the near future but that could easily change in that time span. I am holding off to see what happens in the next few months. I spent $223 on a regular 27" Zenith 6 years ago and it will still probably be a useful TV for the next few years, either way I have gotten my money's worth out of the thing.

The one catch is that it doesn't have a built-in tuner and I imagine an HDTV tuner that fully supports 1080p is gonna be pretty expensive. Either way, still a hell of alot cheaper than what is listed above. BTW they actually have a few 1080p models that are as small as 37". I believe that they require seperate tuners as well though. Incidentally I found this pretty useful as it has price comparisons and virtually every TV that supports 1080p res out there:

http://www.nextag.com/1080p-tv/search-html

I don't keep up on all the new models, but JVC was offering several of the 720p models and a couple 1080i models too. I'd get a 60" if I was buying one today.

JVC True HD Looks like they are all 1080p now

JVC 720p

Lower price, yes. Better picture quality, I doubt it. I searched Best Buy, Bernies, Tweeter, Circuit City and others for months before picking up my 50" Sony HDTV. The only thing that had better picture quality was the Pioneer Elite at twice the price. Most others didn't really compare. I don't know why you don't like Sony but they are amongst the best if not the best.

The Sonys have a sharp picture quality to be sure but they are also among the most expensive. I was comparing a couple of 32" LCD monitors the other day, one from Sony and the other from Samsung. The Sony was a hair better for picture quality but it was also about $200-$300 more. Not worth it for that small of a difference IMHO.