Don't bother to buy this product. I already spent
around $500 on repairs. Sony covers only 1 yr warranty.
Problems pop up only after a year.

Best set available for NTSC signals.
Excellent set for DVD signals.

Uneven brightness.

I've had this set a month and I am still amazed at the picture quality evey time I turn it on. Most of my television viewing (60 - 70%)is NTSC cable broadcast and this is the best set available for NTSC signals. As someone mention earlier the colors are incredible. And it's the subtle colors that really amaze me. The color detail in darker shades and shadows gives the picture a 3D quality. I've seen that old chair (Fazier father's) on the "Frazier Show" many times but only since getting this set have I really noticed the texture, color scheme and duct tape patches. High quality signals like the "Late Show" or "Tonight Show" put you right in the audience.
And if you want to watch a movie put on your favorite anamorphic disc and enjoy a near DTV quality image. I originally had a Toshida 36X81 on hold but changed my mind before it was delivered because I decided the Sony does a better job of entertaining me with the signals/materials that I have available to me. And not having the squeeze feature on the Toshiba, just throws away some of the benefit of the progressive signal anyway. When better quality signals become available, I know that the picture quality from the Sony will be even better.
The only draw back is the uneven brightness which is noticeable on a totally black or medium grey colored screen but not during program material. How could Sony let that slip??? Otherwise my set would rate 6+ stars.

Similar Products Used:

Panasonic 27 GAOO

I just got this delivered yesterday and I must say that it looks every bit as good as it does in the store.The picture is amazing and I dont seem to find anything wrong with the tube. I'll post more about it if the tube goes on the blink, but for now. I couldnt be any happier.
I'd give it a 5 but the price tag warrants a discount on the stars.

I heard of all the problems with the 200, and was slightly nervous buying this one. Anyway, I've had it for a week, and its simply amazing.
I'm not sure if any television is worth 1,900, but the picture is beautiful.

I hope its not obsolete in 2 years with HDTV. Anybody have any ideas about
that???

Anyway, The tv is great (some extras like in depth PIP features were removed)
but who uses pip that much anyway.

Take care.

Got my XBR250 yesterday and I must say I am impressed. The 16:9 mode picture is great. Very Sweet! The color seems to very good although I need to run the Video Essentials disc on it. The infared headphones are a nice bonus.
I have no noticable geometry problems.


atadams

Have tried this TV now for a good two weeks and all I have to say is that the picture is AMAZING! I have to admit that I took the plunge big time into the home theatre arena and went straight for the jugular so my comparisons are bit weighted since I didn't fool around with other TV sets. But from what I have seen from showrooms and shopping around, this has the best quality by far. My cable feed isn't the best but the TV still manages to make the picture top notch.
Now playing DVD's from my Sony 7700 is even more amazing. The picture quality is something to behold and I'm still only using an S-Video connection. I did try to use a Monster Component Video Cable but I got this weird color banding in every DVD I played but not with the S-Video. So I concluded that it was the Monster cable that was causing the problem and returned that.

And the wireless headphones is a very nice touch. Someone could be watching and listening to the main screen while someone can do the same with the PIP in conjunction with the headphones - nice!!

Simply put - 5 Stars!!!

I've had mine a week and I love it. The picture is incredibly clear - I haven't seen any other tubes (well, maybe that $8000 Sony HD 'thang') which possess equivalent definition. The menus are laid out well and their navigation path is quite logical. Signal routing paths and control (via the menus) are also set up well. I haven't played with the IR headphones yet - too busy screwing around with my Sony 550D DVD player. The SRS Audio effect is kind of cool. BTW, I have a stronger background in audio than video, so you may want to take that into consideration.
I hooked up my DVD with video component Monster cables and am having no problems (see 'Bim' below).

I bought my set a week ago. The picture is spectacular. I ran Video Essentials and calibrated the picture. Anamorphic DVD's are incredible! It looks like Sony got it right with this model. There are no geometry problems! I love this TV...
I have to give this set a 5. It should carry me thru until HDTV is mainstream. If I do have problems in the future I will post back here.

I guess this TV is really well-built yet the picture quality is not as good as the previous model, xbr200. You can see scan lines so clearly that your eyes get tired after a few hours. I am replacing mine with the true-flat screen Panasonic TV set from a japansese electronics importer. For those who are planning on buying this TV set, please go see it again and make sure if you really want one.

I've lived with this set for a month, and it is truly outstanding. I can rave on and on, but suffice to say, this is the best NTSC picture on the market today, bar none.
The reason, IMO, that this costs more than the FV15: Vertical Compression. Being able to view 16x9 DVD in full resolution DEFINITELY adds to the visual experience. Using this feature couldn't be easier: set your player to 16x9, and leave it. 4x3, LBX, and 16x9 titles are all displayed correctly.

DVD via the component inputs is truly stunning (Try "A Bug's Life" in 4x3 or "Shakespeare in Love" in 16x9). The color richness and picture clarity simply cannot be matched by any other direct view set. Even over-the-air broadcasts look good.

I had some minor geometry issues out of the box (mainly because I wanted perfection), but I was able to correct all of them with minor adjustments via the Service Menu. The picture geometry is arrow-straight.

As mentioned below, I also use the Canare cables for component video, and find them to be remarkable for the price (at any price, actually).

As for the feature set, it is good, but was relatively unimportant to me. The wireless headphones, and their flexibility of use, is a nice bonus, though.

What was important was picture quality, and this set delivers, in spades!!