Well to console myself after all of my mental anguish, I just went to Future Shop & picked up a new Sony KDL55HX850. Because they are mostly sold out everywhere, including the entire USA, I thought that I'd better grab one before they are all gone:

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/s...e173caba266en02

It's the one with the Gorilla Glass & one step below the very expensive XBRs. It seems to be very highly rated in all of the reviews that I've read & it looked really good in the store - mind you, they all do these days. It's the end of the model year so it is about $800 off the original retail price - plus there is FS's 30-day price match guarantee.

My old Sony 50" XBR RP LCD from 2003 (on its second bulb) is about to be retired after over 10 years of flawless service. I paid $7000 with a stand & required a pickup truck to bring it home whereas this one just slid into the back of my Venza. I'll miss the old girl...

TAM