Hi,

I had decided to go with Kuro in Nov-Dec timeframe. However, With recent price reduction for XBR4 , I am very tempted to consider this TV.
We usually watch SD programs and lots of movies. I do not play games but maybe someday(10-15% max). My viewing distance is 10ft+ and 52" is minimum acceptable TV size.

Here is what I have figured out so far...

KDL-52XBR4

Pros:
Great looking TV.
Good Picture in HD.
Price is almost 2K+ less
Watchable in daylight.
Very bright screen with auto dimmer. (Wife has some issues with bright screen, gives her headache. Not sure if this will be the case with XBR4 though. She was fine with the brightness of XBR4 in showroom.)

Cons:
Don't know how good is SD
Size is 52" max (Although wife has now agreed to allow 52" in house)


PDP-6010FD/PRO-150FD

Pros:
Great looking TV.Although XBR4 has better look.
Good Picture in HD
60" size, more viewing area over XBR4

Cons:
Expensive compare to XBR4, over $1700-2000+

I tend to think eventually Plasma technology will be better and I can afford to buy 70"+ plasma for living room. At that time I can use XBR4 in bedroom. I think having 60" plasma will be overkill in bedroom. I intend to keep the tv for 4 years atleast.

Does anyone know how is SD on XBR4? Is there any reason I should stay away from LCD at all? I love Sony products and hence I am giving muh thought to it.
Thanks for any suggestions.

This is a no brainer. Get the pioneer, either the elite or non-elite. Much better overall. Much better on sd(once the panel is broken in and adjusted; takes 100-200 hours). LCD is terrible there. I have a 60" in my bedroom(pioneer elite 1540) and its great. The new kuros work very well in bright rooms. I have the pro 150 in my den which has floor to ceiling windows. No problem. And the 60" inch panel is almost 35% bigger in surface area, a huge difference. Thanks. Ned.