It would be hard to call the Sony KDS-60A2020 a small TV, but then again it would be hard to call any 60-inch widescreen set small. Despite this fact, the new design of the KDS-60A2020 actually does make for a set that seems far from overwhelming. From the front it has a very tight profile, and while about 20 inches deep the set has a bigger footprint than rival rear projection sets, notably those using DLP technology. But over all, this isn't the massive set that you might otherwise expect.

The large 60-inch screen is about all you'll see, thanks to the thin black frame casing. And unlike the Sony KDS-R60XBR2, which has its love-it-or-hate-it "Dumbo Ears" side-mounted speakers (which are removable however), the KDS-60A2020 has the speakers mounted below the screen. Designed to mount on a TV stand, this set makes for a dramatic center to any home theater.

As with other Sony rear projection sets, the KDS-60A2020 features SXRD (Silicon Xtal Reflective Display or Silicon Crystal Reflective Display), which is their own version and re-branding of LCoS. It utilizes the same three-chip processing along with mirrors and an optical lens to cast the very large, and very wide image from inside of the TV. We found the picture results to be simply spectacular with deep blacks, rich colors and over all very clear and free of any noticeable digital artifacts.

The set also features numerous picture controls, with discrete settings for brightness, contrast and other video options, and each of these can be saved accordingly. More impressive is that the various presets can be adjusted for each input, so brightness settings can be adjusted for your different sources, and even lighting conditions. This way you can have presets for daytime and nighttime viewing. There are three color-temperature presets, multiple noise reduction settings and even controls for Sony's video processing technology. All of this can be adjusted by the slim remote control, which can also take command of up to three other devices. That's a reasonable number, but it seems to come up a little short considering all the various devices that you might want to hook up. Additionally, we were not impressed by the lack of illumination on the remote, which can make using it at night or in other low-light situations all a little frustrating.

What impressed us more were the connectivity options with the KDS-60A2020. This includes a front HDMI along with composite A/V in the front, while in the rear there are two additional HDMI inputs, as well as twin component A/V inputs. In total there are five analog audio inputs, plus a stereo analog output, along with digital audio optical output. There is also a single S-Video plus a VGA RGB PC input and cable RF/antenna inputs.

With a recent price cut, the KDS-60A2020 is a very large set that provides a good picture, and offers a plethora of advanced features for a reasonable--if not exactly a bargain basement--price.


Pros: 1080p, three chip SXRD Light Engine, three HDMI inputs
Cons: No illumination on the remote, remote can only control up to three up other devices

Warranty
1-year limited