I've read scuttlebutt on the AVS forums (I read there on LCD TVs but do not post) that the next gen of 'slim bezel' Sonys are due around April-May.
I think Sony is finally getting the message that consumers don't want the huge 'artistic' glass around the screen. It has always bothered me that a typical Sony TV can be half a foot wider than others due to speakers on the side (nobody wants that) and goofy surrounding glass that adds nothing but width.
It's too soon to tell how they will stack up against the competition but Sony is usually farily competitive, though not without their problems, as none of the manufacturers have succeeded in producing an absolutely problem free TV yet...and on that note why is that in 50+ years of TV has nobody has ever succeeded in shipping a TV, of any kind, with an accurate gray scale out of the box?
I've always bought Toshiba and last year bought a 52LX177 LCD. I returned it for very minor issues and the fact that I had limited experience with LCDs and just didn't want to take a chance. After looking at other models in the stores and friend's homes, I'm convinced that Toshiba is offering the best bang for the buck. The new 40/46/52/XF550 are out and so far relatively trouble free from forum reports. I will be getting a 52 in the near future. Obviously I don't yet have personal experience with the new models but you should at least condsider them before choosing Sony or Samsung.
