is a 55" KDL55EX500 a reasonable replacement for 50" KDSR50XBR1?

[sea-ferry]

Greetings Digital Home experts,

I'd appreciate your opinions. What do you all think of this?

I'm being told by an extended warranty provider that a new Sony 55” LCD TV, model KDL55EX500, is a far better television than my 5-year old 50" SXRD rear projector, model KDSR50XBR1. Am I being unreasonable in expecting something better as a replacement for my SXRD-based XBR-series set?

They say, "Since having bought your Projection TV 5 years ago, the industry has evolved such that, the comparably quoted Sony 55” LCD TV, KDL55EX500, with the same features, if not more, is inherently superior in technology to your current projection TV. The way the industry has evolved, even the current low end Sony LCD TV is inherently superior to their high end projection TV from 5 years ago. The Projection TV is old technology & no longer made. This Sony 55” LCD TV quoted is a modern comparable (actually far better in technology than your projection)"

I don't want to create any bias so won't provide other details for now, but you probably won't be surprised that optical block failure is part of the equation. If I get a response to this I'll give the whole story.

Thanks, Craig