Fifty-three inches is about midway up the screen-size ladder, and Sony's KP-53V80 is about midway up the rear-projection TV feature ladder. It's got plenty of resolution for DVD and satellite sources, plus a bunch of picture enhancements. Its comb filter, a 3D-YC version, is the best of its kind at reducing cross-color and other types of artifacts that plague big-screen sets. Sony provides selectable color temperatures. The protective high-contrast screen is great for shielding the TV from harm but doesn't enhance picture quality. Fortunately, it can be removed.For convenience buffs, Sony's dual-tuner PIP (picture-in-picture) lets you view two programs at once in a variety of ways. The two channels can appear at the same size, side by side. Or you can choose the more traditional configuration of one small window within a larger one. The small box can be moved anywhere around the screen. The KP-53V80 lets you label up to eight of your favorite channels. The remote control, which is preprogrammed to operate other Sony gear and many brands of cable boxes, includes both backlighting and a joystick. S-Link jacks enable communication with other similarly equipped Sony components. An audio system with 20 watts x 2 channels and simulated surround sound completes the feature package.

This 53-inch projection TV boasts picture-and-picture, a DAC two-way speaker system with 40 watts (20 watts x 2), and TruSurround sound. Also included is Steady Sound automatic volume control with BBE audio enhancement, a new video processor, a discrete video output circuit, front panel menu control, two component video inputs, V-chip parental control, and a luminous universal joystick remote control.