Amazon.com Sony XBR55X800B 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz Smart LED TV (2014 Model) ElectronicsTeleRead is a site for booklovers, but plenty of us are movie-lovers, too.

So here’s something on Amazon to check out—a well-reviewed Sony 55″ 4K Ultra HD 120Hz TV on sale for $1,200, or half off. It has Netflix and Amazon Instant Video built in, among other goodies. Yes, this could be a nifty e-book display in some cases, as well as a productivity tool for writers who like to scoot back and forth between different windows. Delivery is typically free.

We’re pointing you to this Amazon Affiliate link as part of our TeleRead Store feature, our way of saying, “Hey, here is how you can help our writers even if you’re using an ad blocker.” TeleRead is a free site. We’d prefer to stay free. At the same time we love the idea of better paying our hard-working regulars.

Not in the market for a TV/monitor, especially one this expensive? Well, you can also use TeleRead‘s link to Amazon’s search bar and buy other items immediately rather than going to other sites. That way, TeleRead will get credit for your buy. If you really, really like us, you can even bookmark the search link (which we’ll feature more prominently when we switch to a better WordPress template).

Again, this is a damned pricey purchase, and as you’ll see from the reviews, not everyone not everyone loves the Sony XBR55X800B 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz Smart LED TV (2014 Model). Some people reported getting lemons. But they’re a minority (not to mention that you can always send the sucker back). Amazon buyers gave the Sony 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Pros:

1. 4K content is still limited, but you’ll be seeing a lot more in the future. What’s more, the quality of transmission on Netflix and Amazon will improve.

2. If you’re a full-strength movie buff and like to watch the details up close—if nothing else, to see how Walter White‘s beard is coming along—then this one is for you.

3. We haven’t tried the Sony out (please don’t confuse TeleRead Store items with reviewed ones), but the set could be great for text, photo and video editing, not just actual writing and e-book reading.

As noted, imagine all the windows you can display on the screen. Great for pasting in material, or comparing it! Yes, a monitor is a writing tool, not just a viewing one. If you can’t see, you can’t edit.

One of our people owns a different brand of large 4K TV and actually spends 8X more time using it for work than for movie and TV watching. For the well-disciplined, an ultra-high-def television can actually be a phenomenal productivity tool—offering more for the money than dedicated a computer monitors. YMMV, of course.

Use a comfortable recliner or other chair with a footstool, put the keyboard on your lap, and laze back. Nope, not everyone will go for this. But many will if they give it a try.

The Sony has four HDMI ports, so, even with one devoted to your computer, you’ll still have three for other uses such as with a BlueRay player.

4. The price is less scary if you remember that if you own the TV/monitor five years, the cost will work out to $240 per year for the set itself.  Still not small change. But this is a multi-use device and the $240 is only twice the price of a Paperwhite.

5. You get 30 days of free tech support to help you set up the Sony just right.

5. You can stream PS3 games directly to the Sony via a Dualshock controller.

Cons:

1. If you’re less picky, you can still get a fine 4K set for much less, especially a house brand from an outfit like Best Buy. Also search elsewhere on Amazon. Vizio sets, 4K and otherwise, are often praised as good buys.

2. 4K TV prices are sure to decline, and Sony wants to move these 2014 sets to make room for the latest and greatest.

3. Speaking of latest and greatest, the tech will be getting still better. The new generation of 4K sets will offer enhanced contrast, for example, at least on programs broadcast with such refinements in place.

4. If you’re going to own the Sony set for a long time, you may want a service contract if you don’t want to gamble quite so much. Then again, a lot of people feel that these contracts are a rip-off. We’ll leave it to you to decide.

5. More movie time and other TV watching could mean less reading time. Text remains our favorite medium. Of course, the other side of the argument is that programs like Breaking Bad—available in 4K on Netflix—actually are much bitter as literature than the typical bestseller. And meanwhile here’s a news flash for big book-publishers. If you keep jacking up prices—all the time while outrageously underpaying writers!—more and more people are going to invest their money in other forms of recreation.

6. We still dislike Sony’s DRM-centric ways just as much as ever. Same for those of many other companies.

Anyone own an XBR55X800B already? What’s your opinion, pro or con? And regardless of the standard ergonomic wisdom, have you tried the Sony or another big-screen set as a display for text while lazing back in a recliner? We’re also curious if you’ve used a laptop the same way, for writing or editing.

(Time stamp changed within WordPress—to keep this post at about the right location on the page.)

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