Sony KDF-55WF655 55-Inch HD-Ready LCD Projection Television

by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [5.95mb PDF]

• Item Weight: 101.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 126 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• 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: B000666C00
• Item model number: KDF55WF655
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #224,559 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Weighing in heavy on style, features, and quality, Sony's cutting-edge, 55-inch KDF-55WF655 is nevertheless a lightweight when it comes to heft. That means the 101-pound LCD projection television is easy to position, and its relatively modest chassis--standing under 20 inches deep--won't push you out of your house. The set is also loaded with great features, from integrated NTSC and ATSC (HDTV) tuners to Sony's WEGA Engine system, digital cable readiness, and the latest digital-video interface, HDMI.

The set's 1,366 x 788 liquid-crystal display frees you from having to make convergence adjustments or having to worry about image burn-in. Instead you get incredible detail (more than 3 million pixels), high contrast, and even, corner-to-corner brightness from the set's user-replaceable 132-watt UHP (ultra high pressure) lamp.

The screen features a wide, 16:9 aspect ratio to match the dimension of most movies and HDTV broadcasts, and the KDF-55WF655 offers compatibility with standard-definition 480i, enhanced-definition 480p, and high-definition 720p and 1080i signals. Sony's Digital Reality Creation (DRC) circuitry ensures high picture resolution, while proprietary Direct Digital Circuitry increases a video signal's signal-to-noise ratio before it reaches the DRC circuit, ensuring rich, natural-looking images from any source.

Sony's CineMotion 3:2 pulldown detection and reversal is a handy feature for watching progressive-scan movie programs 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.

The set's WEGA Engine system maximizes picture performance from any video source by minimizing the number of digital-to-analog conversion processes. This full digital processing engine includes Sony's MID-X (Multi Image Driver), which maintains the integrity of a converted signal by minimizing image loss in the scaling process; and a proprietary optical engine, which employs a trio of Sony's wide-XGA, high-resolution LCD panels, 1 for each of the RGB signals (resulting in a total of 3.28 million dots of resolution).

The optical engine also features a special 11-element lens system responsible for the lightweight, ultra-slim cabinet. The lens system bends the light path, creating an ultra-short focal point while maintaining high brightness. This proprietary system delivers vivid images from the center of the screen all the way to the edges.

The set includes numerous other features.

• TwinView PIP (picture-in-picture) lets you view any 2 sources simultaneously, even at different image resolutions, while the built-in Memory Stick media slot offers ready display of both JPEG images and MPEG-1 video.
• A Memory Stick media slot (compatible with Memory Stick Pro and Memory Stick Duo media) grants convenient viewing of JPEG and MPEG-1 files. It can also display customized slide shows using MP3 files for background music.
• Channel Fix lets you select a specific TV channel (3, for example) for cable box reception. Then you can control a compatible cable box via the TV remote without inadvertently changing the TV from Channel 3.
• Authorized CableCARD ability means the set will receive digital cable television systems services directly from the cable operator without requiring a bulky, external cable box.
• Sony's exclusive S-Master 1-bit digital amplifier produces 15 watts per channel (x 2), ensuring high power for superb, clear dialog.

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a lossless, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface to link the set with any audio/video source (such as a set-top box, DVD player, or AV receiver). HDMI supports standard-definition (SD), enhanced definition (ED), or high-definition (HD) video, plus multi-channel digital audio--all using a single cable. It transmits all ATSC HDTV standards and supports up to 8-channel digital audio, with bandwidth to spare to accommodate future enhancements and requirements.

What's in the Box
TV, remote control, remote batteries, a user's manual, and warranty/registration information.

Product Description

High-Definition TV -- receives and decodes digital standard-definition and HDTV signals from over-the-air broadcasts (antenna required) and cable TV service (CableCARD required) * widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio * 1386 x 788 pixels (all signals displayed at 788p) * 125°(H) x 55°(V) viewing angle * high-contrast protective screen with anti-reflective coating *

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great set if you are an all-digital guru, November 28, 2004

By 

GenXmom (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Sony KDF-55WF655 55-Inch HD-Ready LCD Projection Television (Electronics)

A new adopter of this 55-inch set, I have a few caveats for those who are thinking of plunking down the dough. First, if you are not planning on going all-out digital with your television broadcasts, then forget buying this unit. Any non-digital/non-high-definition source will look totally grainy and pixilated on the screen. This is not the fault of the TV or of the manufacturer, SONY. Basically this type of TV, like all HDTVs, is meant for digital television viewing. Watching normal TV on this set is hard on my eyes because the image is sometimes fuzzy and sometimes pixilated, and I can see some artifacts and ghosting.

However, if you can get digital cable or HD satellite (DirecTV, Dish, Voom) then you're good to go. Mind you -- these companies also provide an antenna for "off-air" viewing, which means to get local HD television broadcasts, you must use an antenna (pointing in the right direction of course) to receive the signal, but this is free. In fact, if you want to skip digital cable or satellite, then you can buy an antenna yourself and hook it up to this unit, which has an integrated HD TV (DTV) tuner. In a major metro area like San Francisco, we can get the signal easily -- we are within 3.5 miles of a major broadcast tower.

As for viewing DVDs, this model really shines and happens to be a perfect compromise between the 50" and 60". I used two DVDs to test the picture when the unit arrived: Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and the 2004 edition of The Empire Strikes Back. I used Two Towers to test action sequences, shadows, and contrast. The unit performed brilliantly. I used Empire Strikes Back to test black levels. Brilliant. I had heard that black levels were problematic in LCDs, especially the previous version of this unit class, but I closely watched Darth Vader and all the space scenes to detect any flaws but there were NONE. I only got the truest of black; nothing appeared dark grey when it was supposed to be black, and the shadows were perfect, especially when watching Luke's confrontation with Vader in the carbon-freezing room. Darth Vader's shiny and matte black uniform looked exactly as it should, so I found no flaws with the blacks on this unit. In fact, both DVDs were awesome to watch, and I did sit through both to look for any kind of visual distraction.

One last note about such a large screen. If you don't have ample room between your sofa and the screen, forget about getting such a large screen TV. You need ample room because watching TV close to one of these screens hurts your eyes. I sit anywhere from 7-9 feet back, and sometimes I still want to move back a little.

I recommend this unit without hesitation to anyone who is going all digital and who is willing to pay for the necessary evils of an all-digital experience. If you can't, then I don't recommend any HDTV because you're only going to see worse-than-normal-TV images on-screen.

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars After 4 weeks and many DVDs and Comcast HDTV, December 20, 2004

By 

Kurt Hartsig (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony KDF-55WF655 55-Inch HD-Ready LCD Projection Television (Electronics)

Now that we've had this Sony 55" LCD in the house and used a great deal, I have a few comments for potential buyers.

This is my personal setup-
Comcast HD Digital Cable feed
Digital CableCard
Sony DVD with progressive scan toggled on
Component Video from DVD to HDTV
Surround Sound (5.1) from DVD player
8-12 feet from HDTV to seating area
Low lighting in room; little to no natual lighting

Overall, I am very happy with this purchase. My family, the kids and friends, really love it! Family members are so impressed with the DVD & HDTV picture quality that it's fun to hear their reaction.

The HDTV from Comcast is 1080i and very good. Some channels are better then others, so set your expectations for quality on what is broadcasted from each channel. The best quality is coming from DiscoveryHD and INHD, INHD2 for general topics. ESPN-HD is also great. Some local HD channels are mixed and quality is on/off depending upon the technology in the camera used.

I also have a SONY DVD Progressive Scan/5.1 surround sound player. DVD Component Video output to either of the two Sony HDTV Component Video-In provides the better picture. Don't go cheap on the Component Video cables.

Combined with the surround sound audio, progressive scan video to this Sony HDTV provides results that are just wonderful and entertaining. It's amazing for family and friends that have not seen or heard DVD/HDTV combo yet.

We just finished watching Lord of the Rings, Extended versions for all three movies - one each weekend. The picture quality is so very clear; action sequences are great but my most enjoyable seens are the landscapes in Return of the King. You will find yourself "looking around the HDTV", focusing on areas of the picture and noticing things never before seen or observed. The surround sound DVD player is a major component of enjoyment.

Picture quality is very sharp with recent animated DVD videos from Toy Story, Shrek, Incredibles, and others.

We just love it.

ROOM TO IMPROVE Areas:
The remote is less then friendly and logical. Buttons are too small, most used functions are spread around the unit. Lighting in dark rooms isn't there. Getting the remote pointed DIRECTLY at the HDTV is annoying. Other cautions - there is a button or more to switch between Cable and Antenna inputs!! That caused me pain solving that mystery out. If Sony could redesign the remote and keep it compatable, I'll be one of the first to buy it.

The cold power-on and warm-up time seems long. It may take 15 seconds or more to get the bright, clear picture so be patient.

At times, the picture and sound get off queue by maybe a second. This may not be the HDTV, but I've noticed it more now then with the old CRT TV set.

When using a Sony Memory Stick for pictures, the HDTV provided music is great, except when it repeats itself over and over in 15-20 second segments. Too bad Sony didn't include more lengthy music segments. Another item, why is Sony only accepting their own "picture card" and not other standards such as Compact Flash, SD Cards, etc.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars CAVEAT EMPTOR : Know what you're getting yourself into., October 27, 2009

By 

M. Thomas (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony KDF-55WF655 55-Inch HD-Ready LCD Projection Television (Electronics)

First let me say that the sound quality and the picture quality are above average for televisions made at this time. But it would be irresponsible for someone to sell you this television with telling you about the known issues associated with this model. First and foremost, the optical block will not last very long. This is the main image creating device for this model. To replace and/or fix the model will cost upwards of a thousand dollars. Also, the bulbs only last a few years if you're lucky, and those run around 150-250 a piece, depending on whether you buy factor or after-market parts, and if there is service involved.

Do a google search about the 'optical block' and 'Sony Grand WEGA' or 'kdf-55wf655' for yourself before buying this one. It's a shame because when it does work, it really has a beautiful picture.