Retailers Point To Picture, Cosmetics

New York — A one-two punch of outstanding picture performance and an appealing contemporary styled ergonomic design made Sony's KV-36XBR450 a clear winner on showroom floors, several XBR dealers told TWICE.

"I just like the way that model looks, all around," said Tom Campbell, spokesman and advisor to West Coast specialty retail chain Ken Cranes. "It has a winning combination of ergonomics and picture performance. The color and contrast are phenomenal."

John LaRegina, senior buyer for New York-area TV/appliance chain P.C. Richard and Son agreed: "Cosmetically it was perfect. The picture performance was the best on the floor. The price was right, and even though it was a 4:3 set, it handled 16:9 images very, very well."

Noah Herschman, Tweeter marketing VP, pointed to the cachet of the Sony XBR brand and image as a leading factor for the product.

"It has a slightly better picture when you look at it next to other brands, but it has a better story, and the guys are more comfortable telling the story. That's what it is really all about. It's a top-end product, it has a bright picture and high resolution, and a flat, flat screen," Herschman added.

"The Sony Wega has been a real success story because it is not the lowest priced direct view product and yet it sells very well," said Ken Crane's Campbell. "Not everyone has to have a 16:9 screen right now, as evidenced by that Sony [model], but they do want a digital chassis to be able to play progressive scan DVD."