Sony KDE-37XS955 37-Inch Widescreen HDTV-Ready Flat-Panel Plasma TV

by Sony

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 105 pounds
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• ASIN: B0003NNFJW
• Item model number: KDE37XS955
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #172,429 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Housed in a floating-glass design with transparent top and bottom elements, Sony's 37-inch digital-cable-ready KDE-37XS955 plasma television is a treat for the eyes whether it's on or off. The set offers analog and digital high-definition inputs, great audio features, and a suite of picture-enhancing technologies.

The set's integrated ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuner grants access to both over-air digital high-definition broadcasts and digital cable programming. Using its CableCARD port, the set will receive digital cable television systems services directly from a cable operator without requiring a bulky, external cable box. A Memory Stick media slot with JPEG, MPEG-1, and MP3 compatibility simplifies playback of digital media files, including still pictures from compatible cameras.

With a plasma screen you get vivid colors like you've never seen before, extremely wide viewing angles (wider, even, than those of most LCD screens), and easy placement due to a plasma monitor's slim profile, perfect for desk or wall mounting. You do, however, need to be cautious of image burn-in (permanent ghosting from longstanding stationary images).

Sony's 2004 WEGA Engine maximizes picture performance from virtually any video source. Multi Image Driver (MID X) circuitry, part of the WEGA Engine system, scales all incoming signals--SD or HD--to the configuration of the panel without degrading the signal. It also provides unique picture-and-picture features once impossible for fixed-pixel devices.

Working in tandem with the WEGA Engine are 3 other key technologies: V2 Digital Reality Creation MultiFunction circuitry (which digitally maps any NTSC source to create finely detailed pictures that rival high-definition images); a new Panel Driver LSI (providing more realistic colors then earlier drivers); and IFP (Image Format Processor, whose wideband Digital Texture Enhancer optimizes contrast while reducing signal noise and maintaining image sharpness).

DRC--Digital Reality Creation MultiFunction circuitry--upconverts standard interlaced (480i) video sources to 960i or progressive-scan 480p, while inputs up to 720p (720 lines, progressively scanned) are upsampled to full 1080i. DRC processes video signals in real time, creating images with 4 times the density of the original signals. Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p and 720p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional images, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts.

The KDE-37XS955 also employs CineMotion reverse 3:2 pulldown technology (often called 3:2 pulldown), a handy feature for watching progressive-scan movies in their native 24-frame format. Digital video mastering introduces a common distortion when adjusting 24 frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video; 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this distortion, removing the redundant information to display a film-frame-accurate picture.

Favorite Channel gives you 1-button access to the last 8 channels you've tuned (Auto) or 8 favorites that you've preset (Manual). These channels appear in the PIP inset, while your current program continues as the main picture.

Two high-definition component-video inputs grant optimum connection with a DTV decoder and progressive-scan DVD player, while standard composite- and S-video inputs accommodate all DVD players. The set's HDMI interface provides a digital connection with your DTV receiver. HDMI supports standard-definition (SD), enhanced definition (ED), or high-definition (HD) video, plus multichannel digital audio--all using a single cable. Choose between rear A/V inputs and a set of side AV inputs for extra convenience.

Improved proprietary audio capabilities include an S-Master digital amplifier LSI, along with a detachable 50-watt subwoofer that can be inconspicuously mounted to a wall bracket or a table-top stand, as well as two 25-watt left/right front speakers to create a complete 2.1 channel system. The set's S-Master digital audio amplifier processes clear dialog and reproduces the original sound quality while minimizing sound fragmentation or time-based distortion (jitter).

The KDE-37XS955 can also serve as a center-channel speaker in a 5.1-channel home theater, saving shelf space required for bulky stand-alone center speakers. If you don't have Dolby Pro Logic processing or a surround speaker system, the TV's SRS TruSurround will simulate surround sound through any 2 speakers.

What's in the Box
TV, a remote control (RM-Y1004), 2 AA batteries, a cleaning cloth, an AC power cord, an AC plug holder, an AC cord clamp, a cable band, a cable-band screw, a quick-start guide, a user's manual, and warranty information.

Product Description

2/8/200615-19-32...

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Trouble, April 14, 2005

By 

Christopher P. Smith - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony KDE-37XS955 37-Inch Widescreen HDTV-Ready Flat-Panel Plasma TV (Electronics)

I purchased a new Sony KDE-37XS955 37" Widescreen HDTV from Amazon, at full price, on 3/21/05. Amazon delivered the TV on 3/30/05 as promised in good packing condition. After unpacking and setting up the TV we turned the TV on. The sound was good but the picture was unrecognizable. Per Amazon policy I called Sony.

Day 1: Called Sony to report problem with TV.

Day 2: Sony repairman shows up to diagnose and make repairs. Repairman tells me
that Sony has instructed him get and replace 2 parts.

Day 3: Repairman calls to inform me that the parts are backordered and it could be
a week.

Day 7: Called repairman to check on part. Repairman says Sony tells him it could
be another week.

Day 14: Called repairman to check on part. Repairman says he still waiting on part
and just does not know when it will be in.

Day 15: Still no word on part. Call Sony and get representative that says he will
look into my problem and have someone call me in 24 hours.

Day 16: I do not receive a call so I call Sony. Representative says that they should
have informed me that a response could be 24 to 48 hours. They also
informed they did work weekends and would call me the next day.

Day 17: I do not receive a call so I again call Sony. Representative informs me that
my file has moved to "the next level" and that "those people" do not work
weekends and they would call me on Monday.

Day 19: Monday 5:00pm ET still no call. I call Sony again and demand to speak
with someone who can help me. Sony puts a supervisor on the phone who
takes my information and tells me they will call me back.

Day 20: Sony calls me back for the first time. They tell me the part is in and will
be out tomorrow to do the repair.

Day 21: Repairman comes out to do repair. Part does NOT fix problem. I call Sony. They inform me they will call me back.

Day 22: Repairman calls to arrange pickup for TV. They want to take it in to the shop for testing and repairs. This is the 3rd time I have had to take off work to meet someone.

Day 23: Repairman picks up TV. I email Amazon for the forth time for help. They email back to say that they are unable to do anything. I exercise my right and dispute the charge on my credit card with Bank of America. I file a complaint with State of Florida Dept. of Consumer Services.

Day 29: No response from Sony or Amazon. If this were a new car, the State of Florida would have declared it a "Lemon" and made the seller refund the purchase price.

What I have is a real expensive paperweight, that I paid for a month ago, that neither Sony nor Amazon will fix or replace.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sophisticated and gorgeous flat screen: 4 & 1/2 stars, February 6, 2005

By 

D. Kim (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony KDE-37XS955 37-Inch Widescreen HDTV-Ready Flat-Panel Plasma TV (Electronics)

Ok, i've owned this absolutely sexy and modern plasma screen tv for 2 weeks and my early impressions are WOW! Every single time i walk into the living room and look at this tv (on and even off) i get that extra deep feeling inside. You guys know what i'm talking about, that strange, almost primal instinct to stare lovingly in it's direction.

First off, I've just upgraded my cable signal to HDTV and the results are incredible. I've seen the future and the future is GOOD! I can only receive 10 HDTV stations at the moment and i've been considering purchasing VOOM satellite since they offer thirty-some-odd HDTV channels, but this monitor makes me wish that all signals were broadcast in HDTV...I can't wait.

Picture quality is superb. Absolutely the best on the market. This third generation plasma by Sony upgrades all signals to produce the best quality picture available. Standard tv, dvd, even vcr signals are all upgraded to "fill in" the resolution to optimize the performance. DVDs transmitted via component cables are incredibly crisp and life like. The signal via cable HDTV box (check your local cablel or satellite retailer) is so beautiful it makes me verge on tears. I am not kidding, Discovery channel is so realistic some people twitch at the sight of reptiles and insects so lovingly reproduced.

My only complaint is the lack of HDTV channels available and as such I worry about burn and leave the tv in zoom mode to prevent the sidebar burn-in common with plasma screens. The zoom mode seems to decrease the picture quality, not by much, but noticable, i've decided to live with it since the picture quality in HDTV full screen mode is so absolutely incredible.

Sound quality is reproduced realistically. The speakers are sufficient for most applications with 25 watt fronts and 50 watt rear mounted sub-woofer speakers. Guests have commented on the power of the speakers. The rear sub-woofer is detachable to allow wall mounting and form a true 2.1 speaker system. Kind of cool.

This machine is a work of art. I'm still not sure exactly how this technology works, but this tv is both beautiful and modern with it's floating glass design. The power light "floats" without any means of support, so impressive. The most impressive fact about this monitor is that it is made in Japan. Don't get me wrong, i'm as patriot as most Americans, but the quality of products coming out of Japan now (Sony products are outsourced and mostly produced in Mexico, China, and Indonesia) are first rate.

I have to deduct 1/4 a star since it is a pain to worry about burn-in. So decide right now if plasmas are worth it. DLPs offer almost the same quality without the extreme cost but lack the viewing angle and resolution of montiors such as these. This sony is almost 1500 more than than most plasma so i have to deduct another 1/4 star. I purchased this tv for 900 less retail out the door after bargaining, so be wary of e-retailers offering the tv for less than 3500. Overall, a superb HDTV monitor and well worth the cost.