The launch date in Japan appears to be the 10th of October for the two top end ones, which are the Bravia KDL - 46XR1 and the 55XR1. Advance street prices are about $4800 and $6000 right now when translated into dollar terms, but I would bet that within a month they are 15% lower. To give you an idea, the new Pioneer Kuro (the 50 inch is the 'KRP-500A' in Japan) comes out near end-Oct and it is being quoted at $5300 for the 50 inch. The older version (5010HD) from a year ago is about $3400 now.
