Price Paid:  $5500.00 from Sound Track

Summary:
The set blew out completely after a year and a half. Sound Track's warranty company, Warrantek (sp?) squirmed for two weeks then decided to replace it with a new one, the KE-42TS2. Strongly advise getting an extended warranty on these.

Strengths:
Excellent picture

Weaknesses:
Lack of inputs so needed expensive interconnects.

Similar Products Used:
None similar.

Price Paid:  $5350.00 from NYC Barnett's Comput

Summary:
This plasma display, when in high-definition, is spectacular. There are no local stores that are correctly showing true high-definition television. I also have Sony's progressive DVD player and the DVD's are: some really good, and most are so-so. Regular satelite pictures are NOT as good as a CRT television.

Strengths:
Evenly lit screen, very impressive

Weaknesses:
It really needs to be in a slightly darkened room to get best view----but, so do all rear-projection sets.

Similar Products Used:
I have a CRT 32" JVC (old-type television) which was very good.

Price Paid:  $6200.00 from proactive

Summary:
Here are the weaknesses :-(

1. Fan noises: make night viewing, typically with lower sound volume very annoying experience. It's louder than the Bosch dish washer machine when running thus an expensive/hi-end audio system would be a waste for the audible difference.

2. Input selections: need to accommodate existing/std equipments. The Sony input selection is so weak, they should have included the 3RCA (component) to VGA cable for DVD, and RCA to composite for TV with the package. Additional effort to get the specialize cables after having spent almost $7K is not good marketing for Sony.

3. Wall mounting bracket: needs to accommodate different stud width and mounting situations. Also, the bracket I ordered is very heavy. The 2 screws to anchor the bracket to the back of the plasma is too small for the Sony plasma.

4. w/o TV tuner built-in: need a SVHS player or a Satelite HDTV receiver. Most HDTV receivers on the market are not perfect. Sony's has fan noise while the Toshiba DST3000 has sidebars.

5. Built in amplifiers for speakers: an advantage to have
but they would be extra for folks with hi-end theater system.

Otherwise, here are strengths of Sony comparing to other
plasmas...

6. Remote control: have chroma, sharpness, contrast, aspect adjustments. Very simple and logical!

7. Brightness, sharpness, contrast adjustments: While most review has rated the Sony blackness as "Hazy" black; I found temporary remedy by tweaking sharpness/ contrast/ brightness. My favorite setting is sharpness=MED; contrast=92; brightness= -12. The Panasonic RP91 cures this haziness well.

8. Built in scan converter: makes it true HDTV. Both 480p and 1080i sources are stunning on this plasma.

9. Look: the Sony brushed silver is an artwork, having
thin edge with slope like a modern picture frame. I found no distraction from the sleek metalic frame when viewing. But the tilt-wall mount added few more inches to the thickness. Having it mounted above the fireplace, one have to look up to view. Not sure how to minimize heat and fumes coming from fireplace yet? The 42" plasma doesn't seem bigger than the conventional 36" thus it is not considered an upgrade in size.

10. Maintenance/Warrantee: How long does it last? Who
provide the services. Price: $6200, $110 VGA to 3RCA cable, $250 mounting bracket.

Strengths:
An artwork. Simple to use/operate. Excellent brightness and contrast but black is hazy.

Weaknesses:
Limited input selections which required special cables. Fan noise.

Similar Products Used:
Saw display of other plasma: Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips, etc.