sony has improved the digital signal processing. i just bought one and love it. the kds series is going to be more expensive. maybe by a few thousand dollars. current broadcast is 1080i and i don't see 1080p coming for ten years. it should improve dvd's when they start to distribute hi def, but that is pretty far away also, and current dvds look great. best buy has the system on-line, but not at the strores yet because they are trying to clear the old models first. best buy offers a slightly discounted price and a $200 store coupon. black levels are fine, and we can see detail we couldn't with our toshiba direct view. this set is winner, and is sony's answer to the new dlp chips from TI. the 55 inch has an 18% larger screen in area than the 50 inch, and it has a 150 watt bulb over the 100 watt in the 50 inch.