It is probably the best LCD TV you can buy today.

Any idea how close your receiver is to the STR-D1090? I have that receiver, and, if all else fails, could copy that -- it would be at least a start. But here's a site that's essentially a "Sony fan site" which has a page that links to sources of manuals. You might find what you're looking for there ... (registration required) Here is a link that might be useful: Agoraquest

cheerful1, The reason why you are seeing the two horizontal black bands (one on to, one on the bottom), is because the TV is set to one of the screen modes available. read the instruction on page 21, and on page 29. First try the following (look at the remote's buttons) page 21: TV on, watch a show. Now look at the WIDE button, which is located just below the POWER button. Press and release the WIDE button repeatedly, and see what happens to the screen. (Keep in mind that if the TV is receiving a 720p or 1080i signal, Normal can't be selected). The screen should go from wide to wide zoom, normal, full, and zoom. You can also change the Screen Settings (page 29), from Wide, to Normal. See if this works for you. To change the setting to you liking, you can select "Custom." In the custom mode you have more control of the screen than on the rest to the settings. And finally, if you want to watch DVD's and provide the best signal possible from a DVD to the TV, read my post relating to signal upconverting via HDMI above. I know that digital cable is great, but to watch a DVD movie HDMI connection to the TV is the best from the following: best = HDMI, second best = component cables (red, green, and blue plugs), third = S-Video cable, worst = the yellow, white,and red cables. As the BlueRay and top of the line DVD players belome more popular, the existing DVD players/recorders (with signal upconverting via HDMI) prices will drop, and that's when I will buy one of these. But for the moment, I have a $99.00 DVD player with signal upconverting via HDMI, and the DVD movie signal quality is great. Since I don't have cable, i enjoy watching movies from this DVD player. The signal is crystal clear.

An SLR is single lens reflex, which ultimately means that what you see in the viewfinder is what will be "photographed". As opposed to cameras that use two lenses, AKA rangefinders "or the little automatic cameras), one is the viewfinder, the other is the lens which can cause a little disparity in what you shoot vs what you are seeing. The D-DSLR is just the digital version of the SLR camera. I have mostly Nikons, the D-40 which is lighter and smaller than the regular DSLRs and the D70, D100 & D200. I also buy last years model, which are perfectly fine and usually on sale. The D60 is the newer, smaller version available and often comes with a two lens package. Best thing you can do is actually do some hands on shopping. You will probably find that ultimately there won't be a whole lot of difference in quality/price between Canon & Nikon and you just have to decide and stick with it. Also you might consider buying an extra battery, an extra card, external flash and neutral density filter to protect the glass on the lens. And don't forget to backup your photos! Use DVD or external hard drive.