but which one. Consumer reports rates the SOny Grand Wega 50in the best. I was looking at getting the Grand Wega 55 already but now don't know if I should go back to the 50.

Also does anyone know how important or good or bad is it to have a built in HD tuner? The 55 has one but the 50 does not.

Should I be looking at somthing other then sony? My budget is between 1800-2900ish so this is a wide range of tv's. My requirements are simple:

HD ready/built in
At least 50 inches
LCD rear projection
Must have good warrenty

I don't think I am asking to much. But anyone who has this tv or had it please can I get a review....

Thanks,
Jim

50in Sony Grand Wega
<img src="http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2004/158/h15850WE655-f_MT-J.jpeg">

vs.

55in Sony Grand Wega
<img src="http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2004/158/h15855WF655-o_MT1.jpeg">

DLP, Digital Light Processing. A technology from Texas Insturments....this has the 3rd Gen Chip...also a DNiE Defenition enhancing chip. Also a Dark chip for better blacks.


Interesting story...I walked into best buy, like you....WANTING Sony.......the whole time I was there the Sammy DLP was right next to it...and I kept noticing it...both where on ESPNHD. I tried to block it out.....I measured the Sony and due to the speakers on the side, it was too wide....The Sammy made it in the opening I had for it with 1/8th yes 1/8th! to spare on either side. Looks like a custom build. Very very happy, and I got the TV with the better picture that I was trying to ignore.

Not the best environment.

The TV can be tweaked to make one look better than the other (either on purpose or by accident - and the factory setting are not the best way to review any TV)

I always read the technical reviews in the magazines first when I spend that amount of money

Built in tuner - It will depend on you and what you plan to do. I think the new tuners in the Sony are designed to work with cable reception and not need the cable boxes (I could be wrong)
Personally I just need monitors - as I have Directv and the Sat receivers also have OTA inputs - so I only use the receiver to take care of all the functions My guess is that the optical engine is the same for both. My brother has a 60". Also might want to check out this Sony Forum - they have discount - and I have bought my sat receiver from them several years ago and was quite satisfied.<ul><li><a href="http://www.agoraquest.com/">Sony Forum</a></li></ul>

KDF50WE655 is the latest Sony 50" GW. The 'D' is for decoder. It features a Cable card HD tuner and an off-air tuner. They are of no use if you want to use satellite (recommended) or Tivo (a must if you watch more than 5 hours TV/week).
All the LCDs are decent sets, as are most DLPs (I have my reservation about Samsung as their reliability was poor when I sold them at Tweeter last year) and in particular JVC's I-DLA.
You can't go wrong with any of them.

DLP is superior.

I mostly rely on reading the magazines to make my final decisions. I subscribe to most of them and when you read them regularly you can read betweent the lines to know what they really think of a model and one gets to know the bias of the reviewers to factor into the choice.

<center><img src="http://www.foodspan.co.uk/images/product-weetabix.jpg"></center><p>OT: what is Weetabix and where is the quote from?

Best bought at Trader Joes for lowest price ($2.20). Great stuff.

If you are going to pay for digital cable or satellite, then you don't need it a built-in tuner.

I set up an antennae (old fashioned) and now get free digital and high-def broacast (networks).