Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8

Product summary

The good: Reproduces the deepest black levels of any LCD we've tested; highly accurate primary color points and grayscale tracking; best-in-class bright-room viewing characteristics; scads of video processing options including superior dejudder capabilities; numerous picture controls; comprehensive complement of inputs including four HDMI and one PC; optional different-colored speaker grilles; unique styling; energy efficient.

The bad: Mind-bogglingly expensive; image quality fades when seen from off-angle; minor blooming in some high-contrast areas; some dejudder modes produce artifacts; nonremovable speakers protrude to either side.

The bottom line: Although not quite the best HDTV we've tested so far, the wallet-busting, LED-powered Sony KDL-55XBR8 comes mighty close.

Specifications: Product type: LCD TV ; Diagonal size: 55 in ; Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 1000000:1