Archived Expert Review


This review is from our archive. The manufacturer has informed us that this model has been discontinued. However, it might still be available for sale. The MSRP and warranty were valid at the time the model was discontinued. We hope you'll find our other Plasma TVs reviews and pricing useful.



Expert Review
Sony KDE-42XS955 42-inch plasma HDTV

Enlarge Image




Stores Selling:
$.00 - $.00


Expert Rating:  4  (what's this?)

Expert Review

Sony KDE-42XS955 42-inch plasma HDTV

Date Published: 10/26/07

Sony's KDE-42XS955 is a 42-inch plasma WEGA HDTV that delivers a boatload of audio and video performance, with Memory Stick and CableCARD slots present to expand the functionality.

This silver monitor comes with a pedestal stand that includes a subwoofer, but the stand can be removed for wall mounting with a separately available bracket. Stereo speakers flank the wide-format screen, with control buttons located along the monitor's right edge. Easy-access inputs and the Memory Stick slot can be found within easy reach on the monitor's left side.

The internal ATSC tuner will decode over-the-air HDTV signals without an additional tuner, provided it is connected to an HD antenna. Standard analog (480i) programming is automatically up-converted to 480p.  Three picture settings make for quick video adjustments, and there are four picture format modes for use with standard 4:3 content. The addition of a second tuner enables full picture-in-picture functions.

The speakers included in the KDE-42XS955 go way beyond the usual, with a pair of 25-watt stereo speakers and a 50-watt subwoofer built in. Volume can be automatically kept at a steady level whether viewing commercials or programs, and the audio can simulate surround sound with just the internal speakers.

Up to 16 favorite channels can be saved in memory for quick access. Other convenience features include a sleep timer, settings for two on/off times per day, closed captions, and V-chip parental controls. The universal remote control provides direct access to two additional components, with glow buttons for use at night.

The rear panel offers a generous range of connectivity options for added components, with two RF inputs, two audio/video inputs, two S-video inputs, two component video inputs, and one HDMI interface, as well as a center channel input, a fixed/variable audio output, an optical digital audio output, a passive subwoofer output, and a Control S input and output.

The resolution on the Sony KDE-42XS955's plasma screen is 1,024X1,024, with excellent contrast and detail. Movies can be smoothed for video viewing using reverse 3:2 pulldown conversion.



Warranty
1 year parts and labor



Expert Rating Scale

 
   Value
   Is it appropriately priced?
   Performance
   How well does it work?
   Ease of Use
   How easy is it to operate?
   Features
   What's included?
   Overall
   What does Consumer Guide® think?




Product Specs

Width
44-7/8 in.
Depth
14-1/4 in. (with stand)
Height
29-5/8 in.
Weight
124.6 lbs.
HDTV
yes
Screen size
42 in.
Watts per channel
25 watts X2, plus 50-watt subwoofer
DVI/HDMI interface
HDMI
Nbr. of speakers
2 plus subwoofer
Parental control
yes
PIP/POP
yes (requires addition of second tuner)


Compare Prices on Plasma TVs
Sony FWD50PX2/B 50 in. Plasma TV photo
Plasma TV, 50 inch, Resolution: 1366 x 768 pixels, Brightness: 450 cd/m², Contrast Ratio: 10,000:1, Aspect Ratio: 16:9, 14:9 Enha...

Stores Selling: 2
$1200.00 -
$2686.00
Pioneer Pro-1410HD 61 in. HDTV-Ready Plasma TV photo
Plasma TV, 61 inch, HDTV-Ready Television, Resolution: 1365 x 768 pixels, Aspect Ratio: 16:9, 14:9 Enhanced, Weight: 135 lb. (61.1...

Stores Selling: 1
$5000.00 -
$5000.00
Philips 50PFP5332D 50 in. Plasma TV photo
Plasma TV, 50 inch, Resolution: 1366 x 768 pixels, Brightness: 1200 cd/m², Contrast Ratio: 10,000:1, Aspect Ratio: 16:9, 14:9 Enh...

Stores Selling: 2
$998.00 -
$1150.00



  Looking for More?


Explanations

Expert Reviews
Panasonic TH-50PX75U
Samsung PN42A450 42-inch Plasma HDTV
Panasonic TH-50PZ850U 50-inch Plasma HDTV
LG 47LB5D 47-inch LCD HDTV
Panasonic TC-32LX85 32-inch LCD HDTV

Prices
Pioneer PDP-6071HD 60 in. Plasma TV
Panasonic TH-50PZ700U 50 in. HDTV Plasma TV
Pioneer PDP-6070HD 60 in. Plasma TV
Pioneer PDP-614MX 61 in. HDTV-Ready Plasma TV
Panasonic TH-65PF9UK 65 in. Plasma TV



Price Range


Brand


Room Type


Broadcast Format Supported


Screen Size




Narrow Your Search


Price Range
Below $980 (46)
$980 - $1300 (47)
$1300 - $1800 (46)
$1800 - $2700 (47)
Above $2700 (47)

Brand
Panasonic (120)
Samsung (82)
Pioneer (24)
LG (56)
Sony (44)

Room Type
Bedroom (8)
Children's Bedroom (8)
Commercial Space (189)
Large Hall (105)
Living Room (189)

Broadcast Format Supported
720p (HDTV) (166)
1080i (HDTV) (159)
1080p (HDTV) (117)
480p (EDTV) (140)
480i (SDTV) (120)

Screen Size
61 in. and over (15)
56 - 60 in. (23)
46 - 50 in. (78)
40 - 45 in. (61)
34 - 39 in. (9)

Back to Personal Shopper







ATTENTION! We recently updated our privacy policy. The changes are effective as of Thursday, October 30, 2008.

To see the new policy, click [here]. Questions? See the policy for the contact information.

Magic Debugger

release: 8.4.3-qa1
content_id: 259536
type: review
category: l4-cp-plasma-tvs

brws title: Sony KDE-42XS955 42-inch plasma HDTV Review: Powered by ConsumerGuide and HowStuffWorks

meta d: Sony's KDE-42XS955 is a 42-inch plasma WEGA HDTV that delivers a boatload of audio and video performance. Read the full review on Consumer Guide.

url: http://shopproducts.howstuffworks.com/Panasonic-TH-65PF9UK-65-in-Plasma-TV/SF-1/PID-37143524