If you are shopping for a big-screen HDTV but don't have the budget for a flat-panel set or one of the new 1,080p projection models, the 55-inch Sony KDF-55E2000 may be the one for you. This Grand WEGA LCD projection HDTV displays high-definition programming at 720p, and it comes at a very reasonable price.

The KDF-55E2000 uses a three-LCD chip design, with each chip dedicated to presenting a primary color (red, green and blue). The three color streams are then combined to form the picture, which benefits from multiple digital processing functions and appears bright and sharp. All content is displayed at the native resolution of 1,280X720. A useful feature is Sony's Advanced Iris function, which provides five manual and two automatic settings for brightness and contrast. Overall, the picture detail won't blow you away like a 1,080p set can, but it nevertheless appears clear with very realistic colors.

The "hidden" speakers on the KDF-55E2000 are placed virtually out of sight below the screen, and they deliver 24 total watts of audio output. While the sleek design certainly makes an aesthetic statement, the audio can sound flat, although there three audio presets for adjusting the sound to your liking. The KDF-55E2000 can also simulate surround sound, and there is an optical digital audio output for routing the sound to a home theater receiver.

A noticeable omission from the KDF-55E2000's feature list is PIP. If you are a fan of split-screen or multiple-window viewing, this oversight might be a deal-breaker. On the other hand, many people never use the PIP features they already have, so you might never notice that they are not there. Other handy features include a full-screen picture freeze and channel and input labeling. The included remote control has dedicated DVD and VCR buttons, but the layout isn't very intuitive and may take some getting used to. A QAM tuner and CableCARD slot make the KDF-55E2000 digital cable-ready.

The KDF-55E2000 offers a wide selection of connection options, including a pair of HDMI digital-to-digital inputs, one of which can be used to link to a PC for surfing the internet and playing games on the big screen. The rear panel is also home to two RF inputs, two component video inputs, an S-video input, the optical digital audio output and the CableCARD slot. The side panel has another component video input and a composite video input.

While it cannot compete with the top-end rear-projection and flat-panel HDTVs, the KDF-55E2000 still offers a satisfying big-screen picture and Sony quality at a sensible price.

Pros: Clear three-LCD chip picture, attractive hidden speaker design, good price
Cons: No PIP functions, confusing remote design, lackluster audio

Warranty
1 year parts and labor, 2 years optical block