This. Exactly this. LG, Samsung, heck even Vizio has some great quality XVT series sets that compete with the high end but at a much more affordable price.

I had a Vizio 32", then upgraded to an LG 47", and will probably soon upgrade to a 55" 3D LED backlit TV from either Vizio or Samsung. Just have to make my choice between Cinema 3D which is passive or the Full 3D which requires active shutter glasses. I'm leaning towards Cinema 3D for the cost effectiveness and better viewing angles.

Yeah but, that's the power of brand name.

The average person thinks Sony is still top of the line... when they haven't been... for a long time.  Heck, even some people who fancy themselves amaetuer experts think so.  It's why you'll see some people who own nothing but Sony products. (and paradoxily claim it's because they know they're the best.)

It's exactly why they've lost money for 8 years... to try and hold on to that brand name and prevent the secret from getting out.

My oldest uncle, he buys Sony products and won't take no for an answer.

Won't take Samsung for an answer, you mean :P

In all honesty, this sounds good. While Sony is certainly awesome in most of their efforts, Samsung makes the simply better and cheaper TV's most of the time.

Maybe it is time to scrap the loss making sink hole projects? Low to middle end of the market costs less in R&D and customers buy the low to middle range items instead of the high end of the market because the price attracts more customers. The main differences between low to middle end and high end products is the build quality and the higher prices reflect the differences in quality. You pay for what you get. Pay more = better quality product.

but Sony have the best looking tv's on the market that i've seen so far.

looks as if Sony has there work cut out for them.