Reviewing Sony Plasma 42 HDTV Models

Many electronic product consumers will argue that Sony is the top brand in the television market. While, there are some who will dispute this, it is easy to conclude that Sony is definitely among those at the top of the list of best TV manufacturers.

Sony has rolled out a range of plasma TVs specially designed for HDTV programming. Do these new TVs perform as well as advertised ,or are they failing to continue Sony's tradition of rolling out products that are at the top of their class? In this article, we review some of Sony's best-selling 42 inch Plasma HDTV models and see what critics and experts have to say.

KDE-42XS955

One of Sony’s latest releases is the new KDE-42XS955. This 42-inch plasma TV has lagged behind other products studied by several professional review sites online. According to Ecoustics.com, the KDE-42XS955 ranked seventh overall of all TVs it tested in. The main edge of the Sony is its sound, as the output of the 25-watt integrated side speakers and rear-mounted subwoofer was exceptional.

However, the judges of Ecoustics.com were disappointed over the soft details and timid color. The “Pro” preset of the KDE-42XS955 was supposedly presented the best match to its criteria. However, the setting had muted color and there was no way to make adjustments. Selecting the “Standard” setting did not help to achieve the best results from this 42-inch plasma HD-ready TV.

Accuracy was also compromised when the color was increased. It’s sad that the KDE-42XS955 does not allow viewers to adjust primary colors individually. In terms of tweaking options, the KDE-42XS955 is a poor performer.

The KDE-42XS955 has an elegant look with its silver-and-gray cabinet design. A card reader is situated on the side panel and this allows users to view digital pictures from a camera.

However, this feature can only be used if the camera uses the Memory Stick flash media format. Because Sony tends to be highly protective of its products, using third-party components can be a daunting task. If you are using the SD Card and CompactFlash, you’re out of luck.

Sony KE-42XS910

With a list price of $5,999 the Sony 42-inch KE-42XS910 is not hard to ignore in an electronics stores. This TV along with its “bigger brother” the KDE-42XBR950 are arguably among the most attractive plasma TV models available in the market. The most noticeable parts of the KDE-42XBR950 are the blue-backlit Sony logo and its distinctive glass frame.

This Sony unit has a huge array of features and connectivity options. However, the major flaw of the KDE-42XBR950 is the rather average picture quality. Those that are not knowledgeable on tweaking TV sets will be bothered by this shortcoming, as major adjustments are required right out of the box.

Sony KDE-42XBR950

The KDE-42XBR950 is a plasma TV that can be attached to the wall. The 42-inch screen has a very solid frame that is both elegant in terms of style and design. However, its high-end looks do not necessarily translate to high-end performance. The overall look of the plasma TV is that it looks like a painting sandwiched between a pair slim speakers.

Watching HDTV programming in the KDE-42XBR950 proved to be easy on the eyes. In Watching Discovery HD’ Artic Mission: Eyes of Inuit, details were greatly highlighted in every shot. The picture quality was top notch when an Inuit was featured. Every hair on the fisherman’s mittens could be distinguished.

Reproduction of color and details is outstanding. Skin tones are also natural but somewhat pale and greenish in some scenes. In the movie Gothika, Miranda (played by Halle Berry) looked very natural and reds were surprisingly unexaggerated unlike in other displays.

The video processing of the KDE-42XBR950 is also top notch. The 2:3 pulldown was easily detected in CineMotion. Sony has also made available several Digital Reality Creation modes. However, using a standard-definition cable signal is the best option to improve picture quality.

In terms of design, the Sony KDE-42XBR950 is in a class of its own. While, the high price tag may raise a few eyebrows, the quality that it delivers makes it an excellent purchase for those that want to truly experience HDTV at its best.

Next article: In Search Of The Best TV

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