Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8

Pros: Outstanding LCD TV with all the latest bells and whistles, that looked great in both light and dark conditions.

Cons: Still cant watch a hockey game without getting a "motion headache". Non-detachable speakers are a design "faux pas" IMO.

Summary: it seems that current LCD technology is going down the same path as microsoft PC technology. it definitely gets better, but a little more cluttered with more patches and fixes and cover ups to get the most out of it. I am sure that will change very soon. I have been a Sony XBR owner since 86, and after 5 different sets, I always thought they produced the best picture in any TV category........ until I had the chance to demo the XBR8 and the Pioneer elite in an almost side by side comparison. Truth be told, the Pioneer outshines the Sony where it matters to me most which is fast action Hockey games, movies , etc. I can actually watch the game without any motion-blur-dizzy-sickness I get from my XBR1, and to a much smaller degree, the XBR8. Further, the overall colour representation and sheer clarity on the pioneer is almost spooky..... I kid you not. I am not dissing Sony or it's TV as it is one hell of a product, and many will go for it... and they should. Its tomato and tomaato as far as i am concerned. But at this price point, and if you have a discerning eye, check out the two top dogs before dropping your hard earned, federal-reserve-approved-promissory-notes, and no matter if you choose the Sony, or the Pioneer, or you take the $$$ and go to St Tropez for a month, at least you'll know you looked at the two best technological marvels as of November 23, 2008. Now, if they could just get rid of those silly, non-detachable speakers...