Originally posted by ghostrider1
My 960 arrived last Saturday. It worked perfectly. The picture is beautiful. The problem I am having is with Time Warner Cable. Most of the time the HD and premium chanels have garbage on the screen. Anyone having problems with their cable company?

Need more info....Cable Card or what? SA or Motorola?

Originally posted by spongebob
Amybody else getting good analog PQ only from the cable input directly into the set (using built in tuner)?

bob

I'm new to this forum, so excuse me if I screw this reply up.

I've had my 960 for several days now and have been very happy with it. This positive comments on this forum was part of the reason I bought it. The nagative comments worried me, but I took a chance anyway. I figured since I bought it locally, I could always return it.

I split the cable before tthe Motorola 6800 STB, and ran it to directly to the 960 coax in. I have COMCAST digital cable, and the TV displays the non-premium channels SDTV very well, and the HDTV channels amazing. I use the 6800 component outputs to the TV for the premium channels and for the TV Guide feature my cable provides. I plan on installing an antenna to the other coax input just for fun, and for backup in case the cable goes out.

At first I thought the STB PQ was worse than the direct cable input, but it turns out that the picture settings were diffferent for each input, and after adjusting them, the PQ is equally good from the STB. I wish I could adjust the audio output level from the STB, since the volume is lower than the direct cable feed.

In summary, I'm very happy with the XBR960. I'm thinking of getting DVE or AVIA to check my calibration and to "play" some more. I think I made the right TV choice, and thanks to all for a great forum to help me with my decision.

Originally posted by HDTVFanAtic
Need more info....Cable Card or what? SA or Motorola?

It is a Scientific Atlanta Explorer 3250HD box hooked up via YPbPr connectors. Someone suggested I ask for an amplifier. The cable company is coming to take a look later this week.

In response to some queries, I think the the second or two it takes for the audio to come on with an analog audio feed is documented in the manual. The set checks the digital feed first, then switches to analog if it's not there.

I've got mine setup with the following inputs at the moment:
1. Regular UHF antenna (in the San Diego market all the DTV channels are UHF).

2. Cable feed (not yet HDTV) which I further split - one to the cable input on the TV, and the second to the cable box from which I use S-Video and stereo outs back to the TV.

3. YPbPr inputs from the Sony DVD HT system received with the set.

For audio, I come out of the TV with both analog stereo cables and the digital out to the Sony DAV FR9 HT system purchased with the TV.

First off I'd say that the set is a winner. If nothing else, it's a great TV.

The picture is amazing coming off the UHF antenna on HDTV signals. The level of detail and clarity is outstanding. One minor thing I've noticed switching between digital and analog signals. When there is a scene with a fair degree of luminance (brightness & contrast?) variance within the scene, the dark areas are often too dark to see on the digital image, but not on the analog. If I could bring up the dark end a bit without brightening up the whole screen (which can make the entire image too bright) that would help.

On regular 480P DTV signals vs. analog - they're just a bit different, but both look pretty good. The audio is cleaner on the digital signal - maybe more dynamic range as well. I only rarely get signal dropouts / pixelation.

When fed from the cable signal though the splitter direct to the TV, the analog signal isn't too bad either, but not quite as good as the antenna. It's a bit more "blobby". The feed off the splitter to the cable box - then back to the set though the S-Video cable it's even a bit more blobby, but for the most part it's certainly viewable.

Regardless of the input, there are occasional shows fed through one of the paths that are noticeably tougher to watch, but they are always more obscure and it seems like someone probably just blew it when recording the show.

I'm getting a cablecard installed next week so I'll make some longer term antenna decisions then after viewing the results.

When I first turn on the KD-34XBR960 and it's cold, it won't immediately tune digital channels - though it does fine with analog. Within a minute or two, or if the set's already warm, it's fine. Does anyone else have this issue?

souds like the problem JamisonBWolsh had. He sent his back for a new one.

Originally posted by bada
As we know, people with sets free of problems are not writing posts, but instead watching their new TVs in peace. I wonder though what the percentage is of defective sets?

Seems like a lot of sets out there being returned. Are you guys with lemons only 1% of the total market, or are we going to look back a year from now to the summer that Sony released the infamous 960 riddled with problems...

Well, as someone with a relatively problem free set, I guess I should speak up. As it were, I wrote something like this a while back, but do to a crappy browser, my session 'timed out', and w/o the cookies in place to save what I wrote it was all lost... needless to say, I didn't feel like trying to re-create my 1/2 hour or so of typing, so a shortened and condensed version of before.

As you may know, I bought from CC (hate the local one, they don't honor their own stuff a majority of the time and are jerks to boot--however, I love the one in SR, so I order through them and then have it shipped here to this one).

I left my tv on 24/7 (for burn in) until I left for a week. When I got back, I turned it back on again for another 36 hours straight, and at that point, had the 100+ hours necessary to have it calibrated.

Now, I'd just taken my HTiB out (an Onkyo set, that I must say I love), and connected the DVD player up that day, so I had not adjusted any of the settings. The ISF guy came out, modified my settings and with his first two changes, gave me about 40% more resolution.

Then he went through the long process of adjusting the set through the service menu, saving his changes along the way. My good set became a great set, and then finally an exceptional set. It was so completely worth it. He realigned the guns (as best he could from the service menu), made the blacks true, and the picture is the best I've ever seen. I've been re-watching movies on this new tv and seeing things I couldn't see on my old tv (granted my old tv is 10years old and only about 21")...

So... To all the people wondering if there are any good sets out there... Yeah, I've got one. I love it. I don't mind the SD content, because I'm the ultimate channel surfer, and now w/ PBP (Picture by Picture), I can watch one show, and as soon as it hits commercial, flick the knob to the right and either surf or watch that channel, and then go back as soon as the commercial is over.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask away.
Cheers,
-C

Originally posted by JamisonBWolsh
Im a noob as well. My previous set is 12 years old! You do have agood concept. Wethor or not its true? I dont know. As for the power issue.... I turn it on in the morning when I am not using very much power at all. I dont think it is a power issue. The 1st tv set did not show any symtoms of this. Could be a bad batch?

Yeah, I going to ask if your sets always degaussed (sp?) every time. If you turned it on, and it didn't degauss and you had problems, but when you cycle it, it does degauss and the problems went away, that 'MIGHT' be an explaination of it.

The other basic questions I'd ask would be what other power sources, wiring, cables, etc. etc. things that have metal, things that have electricity, etc. etc. are near (within 5 or 10 feet) of your tv?

Where there any time differences (eg, it only took 2 seconds to warm up the first power on, but it took 10 seconds with the cycled power on?)

Total and complete shot in the dark, but who knows?!

Best of luck to you,
-C

cad 3,

Did you have any geometry problems before getting the set calibrated, such as the vertical borders being bowed or wavy when watching standard definition channels with black borders on the side. Did calibration fix it?

Is it bad for the set to calibrate before the 100 hrs, or just a waste of time since you would have to calibrate again after the 100 hour mark?

I cant see myself waiting 100 hrs before I start playing with everything

Originally posted by cad_3
Now, I'd just taken my HTiB out (an Onkyo set, that I must say I love), and connected the DVD player up that day, so I had not adjusted any of the settings. The ISF guy came out, modified my settings and with his first two changes, gave me about 40% more resolution.



How did he give you 40% more resolution?

Originally posted by triplex
cad 3,

Did you have any geometry problems before getting the set calibrated, such as the vertical borders being bowed or wavy when watching standard definition channels with black borders on the side. Did calibration fix it?

Not really... but I'd follow with ignorance is bliss... I didn't really know what to look for. Then it was pointed out to me by the ISF guy... and it was kinda minor. He did his best given that he can't really tweak horizontal controls... and adjusting something somewhere seems to kinda mess with something on the other side... so after a while, we kinda just settled on the middle being as close to perfect as possible, with an even offset on the edges. My only real issue is at the corners, and it's really small, you have to look pretty hard and be fairly close.

His calibration took about 1 1/2 hours or so and totally worth the $325 to me. I probably could have done what he did, but it would have taken me weeks to figure it all out, and spending 100s of hours trying to get it to his level just wasn't worth it to me. I'm really happy with his work.

Sorry to be so long winded. To answer your question, I might have had very minor geometry problems, and I still think I have some even less minor problems after his fixes. I sit back some 7-8 feet though, and I don't really seem them.

Originally posted by Phantastica
How did he give you 40% more resolution?

:rolleyes:
You notice how I didn't really go into detail? Yeah, that was me trying to avoid the "I was a total and complete idiot"... :confused:

I only had RCA cables, so I used my composite connection instead of my component connections... He hooked up the component on Video 5, Big improvement.

Secondly, I had not adjusted the DVD player to play in 16:9... so it was playing my widescreen dvd's as if it were a 4:3. Second huge improvement.

Now that we've established I'm a complete n00b and didn't know what the heck I was doing... :D
Any other questions I can try and answer?

Hi cad_3,
Can you tell me more :)
Did the ISF tech use an optical compariter ?
Was the price for ALL the inputs?
Did he use an "input generator" or a DVD to do the calibration?
"Can`t do much with the horizontal problems" could you please clarify ?
Sorry to be a pest :) , But I`m looking at that set as well as the up-comming XS series and also thinking about the HS 30" .
It real is toooo BAD that Sony didn`t make a 30" XBR 960 . O-Well.
Hey!! Thanks for your help , and Congrats on getting a good (now great) 960 !!
Gary

I could be wrong but I have a feeling you would have to sit 3 feet away max from a 30 set with this res to benefit

it always takes a few seconds for the digital signal to be received, so thats normal.

as for a "30...bigger, not smaller. say it, bigger not smaller :)

the 960 is a great set, especially once you get used to the degauss.

Hi Guys,
So ya` think a 30" set would be too small ?
I think about that too, but also I think about watching DVD`s and wouldn`t be about the same on a 30" as it would on a 4 X 3 --32" ?
Anyway , I always value the input you folks give !! :D
But , if I got the 960 , I might have to modify a few things thats why I`m think`n 30" !
Gary

If you were to watch 16:9 material on a 40" TV it would be about 36.5" diagonal.

Get the 34". Alter your space to accomodate it. You will regret it if you dont.
To benefit from the 960's resolution you would have to sit way closer than you will be to appreciate it.

Hi bada,
Good point ^
I guess it looks like I`ll have a while to think about it , doesn`t look like Sony is rushing to bring out the XS series and I realy want to have a look at them before I completly lose my mind ! LOL :D
Gary

OK....the analog audio issue from through Input 7 (HDMI) is quasi solved. At this point, I believe its an issue with the other component and its DVI output putting something out that the Sony doesn't like. Thus the Sony thinks its getting digital audio from the HDMI input and not switching to analog. I can plug my DVI connector into the SA3250HD STB and it does run the analog audio.

So at this point, I am looking at the other equipment on this part of the puzzle.

However, this does concern me as there is no way to force the analog audio....and no telling what other DVI outputs will have the same issue.

Originally posted by ghostrider1
It is a Scientific Atlanta Explorer 3250HD box hooked up via YPbPr connectors. Someone suggested I ask for an amplifier. The cable company is coming to take a look later this week.

Well, that would most likely be the STB. I expected you were talking about the set's own tuner, but that's not the case.

Did your old set have the problem?

Most likely its a signal problem which either balancing the lines to your house or an amp will help.

Use the diagnostic screens on the SA3250HD to check the signal and S/N on your HDTV channels and what QAM frequency TWC has them on.

If you are hitting the low 30's S/N, you've got trouble - as discussed earlier in the thread. If the signal is varying or -7dbm or lower, the box will begin to hickup. Go below -10dbm and you'll get the effects you are describing.

the diagnostic is a nice feature :)

so far i have not used analog, but ive used hdmi to dvi, s-video, and component with no problems.

I believe they may have recalled the XBR960. If not they have clearly halted production on them. Read my thread for more info.

I believe they may have recalled the XBR960. If not they have clearly halted production on them. Read my thread for more info.

While it is true there have been some problems with some sets (including my first one that I returned) and there seems to be a supply problem with some stores, it seems to me a little hasty to say that they have recalled it or have "clearly halted production." Another explanation could be that demand is exceeding supply. If anyone has any proof of a production halt, I would be interested in hearing more.

I agree with RJB. Launch of a new product can make a mess of deliveries, especially if demand exceeds supply. And I'm still not convinced that the "problems" being discussed are so widespread as to prompt a recall or even production halt. My guess is that there are many more satisfied 960 customers than problems.

I also hesitated before buying my 960, but then I remembered that my last 27" Sony also had a problem when I got it several years ago, and had to return it for a new one.

Buying locally and getting the extended warranty are my rules when I want to purchase a new, complicated device. As an alternative, one can always wait until the dust settles to take the plunge. But for me, I wanted to see the Olympics in HD, so I went for it.

Bob

If there is a recall or a production stop then I'm glad I already got my 960 because I love it and it is working fine.

Well, I ordered my through the Sony Family Store in June and they told me six weeks for delivery. Granted it has only been five weeks.

I am still waiting :(

I was hoping to watch the Summer Olympics in HD...

I think it is irresponsible to post about a phantom recall. Even if there was a problem with the set, Sony wouldn't recall them. If you have researched the Grand Wega LCD rear projections, a lot of people had problems with the bulbs burning out after only a couple of hours. Sony replaced the bulbs under warranty. So if history repeats itself Sony would only fix TVs that are defective.

Originally posted by RJB in Phila
While it is true there have been some problems with some sets (including my first one that I returned) and there seems to be a supply problem with some stores, it seems to me a little hasty to say that they have recalled it or have "clearly halted production." Another explanation could be that demand is exceeding supply. If anyone has any proof of a production halt, I would be interested in hearing more.

The Tweeter stores in Florida alone have well over 40 in the warehouse - they will gladly sell anyone a set I bet.

So I don't know who thinks there are supply problems.

Mine arrived at the local warehouse here in Syracuse today. The delivery company left a message to schedule a delivery next week. This set was ordered directly from SonyStyle two weeks ago. If there is a recall someone needs to tell Sony.

Considering that I spent the day on the phone with the head of service for tweeter in florida trying to figure out exactly what was up with the HDMI connection (and it appears the problem isn't Sony's but with MIT's MyHD 120 Card and DVI Card) if there was a recall, I doubt he wouldn't have said something to quit wasting all of our time getting to the bottom of this issue.

Originally posted by Tigerriot
I believe they may have recalled the XBR960. If not they have clearly halted production on them. Read my thread for more info.

Actually, the way I heard it was that Sony has gone out of business.

bob

:rolleyes:

cad_3 who or what is an isp guy that calibrated your tv? I have held off along time on getting another tv for the bedroom and i really need one as my Sony 32xbr went out 2 years ago and no telling how many years i had it and loved it. It was heavy as led but was the best picture i have ever seen or had on a tv. I am thinking of getting a KD-34XBR960 or a Panasonic or Sony 42" Plasma. When i have visited CC in the last year or two, i am guessing it was the xbr910 was playing, it blew me away every time i went by it. I went to look at Plasmas but i keep looking over at that heavy crt and the picture blows me away and seems much better than the Plasma but maybe it is just me. I can't seem to get away from big heavy crt's but i like tv for picture quality. I have never had hdtv or wide screen so i wonder if i can adjust. I have read thru this whole thread and it is informative. Questions i have, if i order one thru Sony and where they say they will bring it and sit it up, can i pay one of the Sony people to calibrate the tv? I liked your post and who or whatever the isp guy is, it seems we need to get one, or atleast i do if i buy this tv.

1.How much does it cost to have someone calibrate the new tv?
2.What's one of the best outside antennas i can buy?(I am up about 60 feet on a tower with no antenna and to hit Nashville is about 100 miles, Memphis is 120 miles, Jackson, TN is 60 miles and Paducah, KY is 60 miles)
3.I hear some people saying that this crt hdtv wide screen doesn't play the analog channels very good and some say they do, does Panasonic or Sony plasma handle analog channels better?
4.If anyone in here uses Charter cable and this 960 Sony, how does it work on Charter? I have basic extended. I tried digital and that was the WORST NIGHTMARE EVER. They brought this box and it had a hell of a delay and flipped thru 100's of channels with nothing and then something, use abut 2 or 3 remotes and the same day i got that, i had them to come remove it. I want one remote and no dead channels and no delay. I have thought about dish but i hate to get rid of my cable internet as i love this for internet.
5.I haven't ruled out buying another great Sony analog set but i would love to move with the times.
Thanks

i was never really impressed with kirsten dunst, but after watching spiderman in widescreen 1080, i have to say i was wrong.....

..lol dizzy...it's amazing how 1080 has become the new beer goggles!

Originally posted by HDTVFanAtic
Well, that would most likely be the STB. I expected you were talking about the set's own tuner, but that's not the case.

Did your old set have the problem?

Most likely its a signal problem which either balancing the lines to your house or an amp will help.

Use the diagnostic screens on the SA3250HD to check the signal and S/N on your HDTV channels and what QAM frequency TWC has them on.

If you are hitting the low 30's S/N, you've got trouble - as discussed earlier in the thread. If the signal is varying or -7dbm or lower, the box will begin to hickup. Go below -10dbm and you'll get the effects you are describing.

Thanks HDTVFanAtic!!!

It turns out the signal was very low. An amplifier fixed the problem.

I must say this is the best HDTV picture I have ever seen. The cable tech said the same thing. I would like to join the people who love their 960.

I'm waiting for CC to deliver my second set. As I reported in an earlier thread, my current set started malfunctioing after about three hours of operation. The screen would blink on-off sporadically. I asked CC the next day to replace the set. Since then, the set's function has gotten worst, such that now after about 15 min of on-time the screen will go into a "spasm" of blinking, the Timer/Stand By light will start blinking and the set will suddenly shut down.

During the short time the set acted normally, I did not notice any other issues, e.g., geometry. My hook-ups are HD DirecTiVo-HDMI; Pioneer 563 dvd player and Pioneer 510 dvd recorder connected to Yamaha V2400 a/v rcvr. I'm currently using a basic Monster surge protector with no line conditioning. Could my set's problems be caused by dirty power/voltage fluctuations? Do I need to upgrade to something like the Monster Power Center?

your probs sound like a bad power supply, not dirty power.

if i had to have something go wrong, it would be a bad ps. pretty clear you want a replacement.

gl

Ok is it normal for the xbr960 to have the screen go blank while watching it and snap back on? This has happened maybe 3 or 4 times over the last two weeks.

if its a digital or ota signal its normal.

test: do a diagnostic and see if the signal strength, errors, etc drop/increase.
:)
now if your set is actually powering off...well lets just say thats not good.

I am seeing ALOT of problems with the 960. If your tv set doesnt have any problems, who is to say there wont be in a year or 2??? Maybe I will be safer going with the 910.. ? no problems with that set,.....

Could someone explain what all the parameters are and what they mean? Also, could low (weak) readings deteriorate the SD or analog picture? quality? I want to go back to good guys to check the horrible SD PQ and am hoping it is because of the distribution system in the store. I thought digital was either go or no-go?

thx

bob

Quick question. How drastic is the improvement of PQ compariable to the Sony KF42WE610 (LCD RPTV)?

I am thinking of buying this set instead. The 960 is just giving me too many problems.

JamisonBWolsh,

You will probably be better served asking that question in the Projection TV forum.

How do you get into the service menu on the 34XBR960?

Hit Power off then push display then 5 then volume + then power on button.

Originally posted by pt270
Hit Power off then push display then 5 then volume + then power on button.

Then get out your Bible if you don't know what you are doing :)

bob

Originally posted by pt270
Hit Power off then push display then 5 then volume + then power on button.

Interesting sequence. Are there other options as well?

Originally posted by jedi29

Did the ISF tech use an optical compariter ?
Was the price for ALL the inputs?
Did he use an "input generator" or a DVD to do the calibration?
"Can`t do much with the horizontal problems" could you please clarify ?
Sorry to be a pest :) , But I`m looking at that set as well as the up-comming XS series and also thinking about the HS 30" .


Hey Gary,

If an optical compariter is a thing-y that you tape to the center of the tv, then yes. If not, then I'm not sure.
Alas, no. From what I understand it's for just that one, and that's pretty common. In theory (if I knew what I was doing),... I could fairly easily change all the others to be the same as that one input.
He used a DVD to do the calibration.
Sony's Service menu allows the ability to make changes to the vertical lines (guns?, something)... but not the horizontal. So by giving it a plus setting, you can move the individual colors left and right but not up and down. So any geometry problems you have that are vertical and be 'eased'... but any that are horizontal, you'll just have to live with.

Don't know squat about the XS series, but this guy told me that this set was just about the best thing on the market short of spending 10k. He said that he owns 10 tvs, and just both this set as well... So, I'm exceptionally happy with it, and it looks great. And the 34" widescreen is a great size... I was originally looking at a 30" widescreen and I'm really happy I went w/ the 34". Good luck on your future purchase!

-C

Originally posted by doretta
If there is a recall or a production stop then I'm glad I already got my 960 because I love it and it is working fine.

"Ditto!"
My thoughts exactly!

Originally posted by paris_tn
cad_3 who or what is an isp guy that calibrated your tv?

ISF certified. It means they have been taught how to do the job of calibrating TVs. Now... just because they have the certificate, it doesn't mean that they'll always do a good job. The guy I went with, was recommended to me personally, by a good friend, and I got to see his work, before, during and after; so I know it's great work.


Questions i have, if i order one thru Sony and where they say they will bring it and sit it up, can i pay one of the Sony people to calibrate the tv? I liked your post and who or whatever the isp guy is, it seems we need to get one, or atleast i do if i buy this tv.


Not exactly. You should allow the tv to "settle" which I've heard from many people is about 100 hours of use. Because the ISF guy I used lives on the East Coast and was only going to be out West (where I live) for about 1 week, I left my TV on 24 hours a day because I only had about 4 1/2 days before my appointment with him.



1.How much does it cost to have someone calibrate the new tv?
2.What's one of the best outside antennas i can buy?(I am up about 60 feet on a tower with no antenna and to hit Nashville is about 100 miles, Memphis is 120 miles, Jackson, TN is 60 miles and Paducah, KY is 60 miles)
3.I hear some people saying that this crt hdtv wide screen doesn't play the analog channels very good and some say they do, does Panasonic or Sony plasma handle analog channels better?
4.If anyone in here uses Charter cable and this 960 Sony, how does it work on Charter? I have basic extended. I tried digital and that was the WORST NIGHTMARE EVER. They brought this box and it had a hell of a delay and flipped thru 100's of channels with nothing and then something, use abut 2 or 3 remotes and the same day i got that, i had them to come remove it. I want one remote and no dead channels and no delay. I have thought about dish but i hate to get rid of my cable internet as i love this for internet.
5.I haven't ruled out buying another great Sony analog set but i would love to move with the times.
Thanks

1.) Expect a couple hundred dollars. It may be a little less due to your geographic region, but here, I'd say anything from $250-350.
2.) Sorry, I can't help with this. I've heard a lot of negative things about the Terk 55 (or 44 or something like that). I use an powered indoor antenna.
3.) Subjective opinions. I like this CRT just fine.
4.) I don't have cable but I do notice a delay before they will display. Something I've done is enabled both digital and analog channels. Then when I want to surf I hit split screen, and surf on the right side, which is limited to analog only. This lets me quickly find the channel I'll jump to for digital. *LOL*... A kind of hokey work around, but I'm happy with it.
5.) I have no regrets and very quickly "adjusted" to a much larger, much nicer tv. *hehe* And the DVD are well... There was a reason I wasn't on Netflix before (20" 10 year old tv... why?)... Now w/ 6.1 DTS ES/EX surround w/ the 34" widescreen... :) I love netflix *lol*

-C

I'm planning to calibrate my new 34XBR960. Any thoughts about which calibration DVD would be the better choice for these particular sets - DVE or AVIA or something else for that matter?

And to any of you who have both, which to you like to use better, or do you always use both.

BTW - After an initial calibration, how often would you expect that it will need to be done again on a 960?

Thanks

Does anyone have any inside information on how well the KD-34XBR960 is selling? Is there a huge demand for it? I am considering purchasing it (either the KD-34XBR960, or the Hitachi 51s715 RPTV), however, I'm afraid that if it is not doing well, Sony will just completely stop producing the Trinitron (like they did in Japan) and concentrate fully on (inferior) digital display technologies like the crappy LCD. I guess I just want to have faith that Sony won't do something stupid and abandon the almighty Trinitron, one of the few things that made this company great. If I sense that it's going that direction, I'd rather invest in a company that is committed to the CRT (RPTV or direct) and its innovations.

avia took me freakin' forever...but its got plenty of tests, patterns, etc.

if i had to do it over again i'd use something shorter and faster :)

There is no need for anyone to act offended that I suggested the XBR960 may have been recalled. It appears that is not the case right now.

However, some of you may have noticed that I said they may have halted production as well. It's incredibly unlikely that Sony would recall the sets because most electronics manufacturers aren't going to admit mistakes unless they have too. However, there are clearly a lot of faulty sets talked about in this thread. Far more than the XBR910 from last year. I've owned one myself and never had a single complaint.


So, I hope I didn't ruin anyone's day with the word "recall". It is clear that there are more problems than there should be with this set so far. I still hold to my claim that Sony has halted production right now. I can't say how long but it's very likely it has happened. Yes, you can still find the tv because not every single retail store has sold out of it. That doesn't mean they haven't halted production. The fact that no one seems to be able to restock the tv however, it a sign of something and no, it's not because it's selling like hotcakes. $2500 tube tvs don't sell like that.

Originally posted by dizzyfaust
avia took me freakin' forever...but its got plenty of tests, patterns, etc.

if i had to do it over again i'd use something shorter and faster :)

Dizzy - So how do you feel about the results - worthwhile? Definitely better than not doing the calibration?

Did the calibration take so long because there was a lot to adjust, or most screens were fine and just getting through the DVD takes a heck of a lot of time? BTW - how much time are we talking about here and was this on a 960?

Have you had a chance to try an alternative like DVE? Is DVE an option for something shorter and faster?

Thanks for the good info!

Originally posted by Tigerriot
There is no need for anyone to act offended that I suggested the XBR960 may have been recalled. It appears that is not the case right now.


I am NOT offended. It -does- annoy me when people speak without proof or fact. Just because one person had it happen to them, doesn't mean it will for everyone. If you had proof (and I don't know if you did or didn't)... I would have -REALLY- appreciated you citing it. I'm not being one sided... it annoys me just the same when others (without proof or fact) say that another group is scheduled to ship, when they have no idea.

People, back up your statements. The "I talked to a Sony rep and this is what he said", is just fine!... And to all of you who already do that... my most sincere appreciation!

That stated:

I must say I'm mildly curious as to what made it the case before? You went looking for one, and couldn't find one available in stock... ergo, Sony has recalled the whole line? Or discontinued them? Or halted production? I mean come on... what is your basis for making such assertions? Basic debate, I want proof. :rolleyes:



The fact that no one seems to be able to restock the tv however, it a sign of something and no, it's not because it's selling like hotcakes. $2500 tube tvs don't sell like that.

Actually, I'd say it has much more to do with the middleman and how well they prepared for this. Those that placed larger orders have the TVs. (As is evidence of 1/2 of the stores in my area.) Those that didn't... are trying to get into the queue now. And no, $2500 tvs don't sell like hotcakes. However, $3000 tvs (You cite the 910. It was $2500. Throw in a dual tuner and the other minor improvements and that would easily be worth another $500) that are priced at $2000 (approx price of a 960) do.

Your 910 had no problems. Your happy (which leads me to wonder why you're trolling here.) Call it a day and leave it alone.

I was the 4th order for my local CC about 2 weeks before the release date. I got it in the first batch, but they were actually sold out before any got a chance to be a floor model... must have been because they halted production. <-- sarcasm in case any newbie can't tell...


Cheers and Peace,
-C

Sorry to dissapoint you but I don't have any "smoking gun" evidence to prove to you that there has been a "production halt" or something like it.

However, there is clearly a lot of circumstantial evidence to support my theory. The first big piece being that one of the biggest Sony retailers in the United States cannot get any new units for at least 6 weeks. Couple that info with numerous problems discussed in this thread and you have plenty of reason to think something odd is happening.

Also, when I asked 2 employees of this massive retailer about a "production halt" or something like it, they both replied with a "maybe" type of answer and both refused to deny it. These are people that would normally be very quick to shut down any suggestion of a problem like that. When I questioned this sales manager from that store about the GW III production halt ealier this year, he denied it up an down even though we all found out it had occured. So, the fact that he did not deny this was ample reason for me to think they have halted production for all the problems people have had with them.

ive only used avia, which is very very very through for an amateur.

i must have been really fortunate (heres to you walsh/salute) and only had a little bowing on the right lower corner. using avia i corrected it to where i cant notice it on a ticker (i.e. espn, cnn).

the colours etc were too hot, but using the xbr menu adjustment and a little fine tuning with the avia filters my picture is clearly more accurate.

as countless others have stated, i now check out travel/nature/etc in hd. amazing. to illustrate, ive never been impressed by kirsten dunst but after watching spiderman i have to say i was wrong...(see infra) as bloated corpse put it "1080 is the new beer goggles".

if i had to do calibration again id use something shorter. my set seemed pretty good out of the box. i'd also like to say my voom setup was flawless. maybe i should play the lotto this week :)

Originally posted by dizzyfaust
ive only used avia, which is very very very through for an amateur.

i must have been really fortunate (heres to you walsh/salute) and only had a little bowing on the right lower corner. using avia i corrected it to where i cant notice it on a ticker (i.e. espn, cnn).



How did you correct the bowing?

bob

hmm i was a bit unclear, i used avia to line up the corner a bit better, but i use the tilt in the menu to actually straighten up the picture.

i'd use the service menu if i had more time. its nice to know you can reset to factory specs :)

There are issues with the set and the DVI to HDMI from various sources. However, I am not 100% willing to say it's totally the set's fault. Check HTPC Thread if you want more info.

I had the local tech out here today. Took care of what we could with the Keystone in the upper left and lower right corner.

He has ordered several Sony Magnet packages which gives you more flexibility than the magnets they use on the CRT in the factory. He is convinced that will correct the rest.

You can adjust the Service Menu all you want, but there's only so much you can do without finally hitting the magnets and I 've yet to see a 910 or 960 that doesn't need it.

Would I do it again? Yes, the TV is worth it.

If it doesn't work 100% out of the box, it's fine for 95% of the untrained buyers.

I'm just more picky. If that's what I have to do to get it right, so be it.

Those two corners are badly in need of some work on my set too. Were the magents covered under your warranty? The last time I had a tech here, he said that they were.

Originally posted by Phantastica
Those two corners are badly in need of some work on my set too. Were the magents covered under your warranty? The last time I had a tech here, he said that they were.

Of course.

I am looking into getting a new TV for the football season and this Sony XBR is on my list. How satisfied are all of you with this TV? I really would like a larger screen but have heard that the PQ on this will crush any DLP/LCD pic. Is that about right? My only wants in my new tv is the Cablecard, dual tuner/w split screen, and HDMI. AS for DLP there is a very limited amount of TV's with the Cablecard. Only one I have seen yet is the Mitsubishi, and I don't think I would like their anti-glare screen. Thanks for any help you guys can provide. BTW, I talked to a local store who has this TV in stock as of today. At a great price I may add.

Originally posted by HDTVFanAtic
I had the local tech out here today. Took care of what we could with the Keystone in the upper left and lower right corner.

He has ordered several Sony Magnet packages which gives you more flexibility than the magnets they use on the CRT in the factory. He is convinced that will correct the rest.


Was the local tech that you spoke of a Sony tech or someone else? I recently purchased this set and have some minor issues. I'm trying to determine if I should swap the set or have someone calibrate it.

After staunchly defending the set, I ended up returning it.

When I had the ISF guy at my house, and he inputted a 720p signal grid, there was a horrible flicker effect. It clearly was not accepting the 720p signal properly, although I could only notice it when looking at a bright white wall on a broadcast. We called Sony to inquire abou this and got very few straight answers, even after talking to a manager.

Regardless, with the geometry not being so great, this problem, and the possibility for hidden problems, I just decided it wasn't worth it for me. I am massively picky.

The picture on this TV, even the one in my house, is awesome. But for 2200 bucks and 34 inches, I would really expect near perfection.

No way I go to DLP or LCD, those are just garbage for picture. I'm just going to get a Mitsu 55613 rear projection, have it ISF calibrated, and enjoy the big screen. I have the room in my house for that size TV.

ISN'T LCD rptv (Wega IV coming out soon) good? you may want to try that one out...

Finally tracked down a 960 in town and bought it.

First impressions:

HD is unbelieveable!! I was considering the HS420, but the tube on the 960 is the best I've ever seen.

SD from cable is very good. Much much better than the cheapo HD Sanyo I was considering. It was unwatchable. The 960 is 95% as good as the 27" SD Sony it replaced for SD.

Problem:

After leaving the TV off overnight and turning it on this morning, I got a "No Signal" from the antenna. I powered it off for 15 seconds and it turned back on and worked just fine. I saw Jamison reported this problem. Anyone else??

Geometry:

People are talking about geometry problems. What exactly is meant by this? My 960's picture looks square and not distorted.

The LCD RPTVs, even the IV, which I saw demoed, are awful, in my opinion. Pixelation with movement, jagged edges. It's just bright and looks good in a store.

Bottom line, if you buy a DLP or LCD now, you will feel bad in two years when you can get a better one for less money, and it still won't be as good as a CRT.

Originally posted by ritewinger
I am looking into getting a new TV for the football season and this Sony XBR is on my list. How satisfied are all of you with this TV? I really would like a larger screen but have heard that the PQ on this will crush any DLP/LCD pic. Is that about right? My only wants in my new tv is the Cablecard, dual tuner/w split screen, and HDMI. AS for DLP there is a very limited amount of TV's with the Cablecard. Only one I have seen yet is the Mitsubishi, and I don't think I would like their anti-glare screen. Thanks for any help you guys can provide. BTW, I talked to a local store who has this TV in stock as of today. At a great price I may add.

Cablecard is over-rated at this point. VERY SLUGGISH.

Split screen does not work with 2 HDTV inputs....only HDTV on right and SD on left.

DLP won't do 1080i at this point.

HDMI is very picky - more so than the DVI issues cable companies were having with their DVIs to HDTV.

That said, this will be a good investment long term as nothing can match a CRT picture that is out today. If it becomes a bedroom TV or somewhere else, it will give years of good results.

remember, Samsung will be releasing their new "97" line of DLP's in November, with native 1080P resolution. Of course, the MSRP is $7000, but my next TV will be 1080p, ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuners with cablecard.

Sharp is also releasing a 1080p tv, but don't remember what type technology it is, just remember that it'll be 45"

Newbie here, I took the plunge and bought the tv and the dvd dream system from Circuit City. Should arrive Friday in time to watch the Olympics! Funny thing was the circuit city guy was pressuring me away from this tv and towards a Panasonic 34". He said Sony was going downhill fast.

We'll see...

CC.. and your in Sacramento?? GOOD LUCK. You share the same warehouse where I got 3 960 DUDs!!! I hope you get one that works. Examine the geometry and make sure the tuner works properly....

sales people at my cc are more a hindrance than anything else.

latest ex:
me: where's your canned air ?
cc drone: whats that ?

:)

going down hill fast, whats that exactly mean ? did he do a detailed analysis of the company/division ? or does he mean that sony has sponsored downhill ski teams in the upcoming winter olympics ?

next time a sales person tells you xxx is going downhill, ask them to explain.
scenario:
you: explain
cc drone: dood, i was taking a bong hit, and my friend told me sunny delight tastes like poo...<therefor sony is going down hill>

I have to say it one more time. I have tried to restrain from posting multiple times on the same thread.

I love this unit. I know there are a few folks here who seem to have got a bad seed but that does not mean the entire line is doomed and I am proof. While I am not "Joe HD" expert and I am probably not the best at calibration, but I think this unit is a "10". HD is about as good as it gets. NTSC really isn't that bad looking on this set. Really it isn't!! Now that I have HD, I avoid NTSC broadcast like the plague anyway.

I bought what I could afford. This was it. Yes, I want a Plasma someday. I think they are going to get better and cheaper in the next two years. This unit is going to make one hell of a bedroom unit in three to four years.

I think we should stop focusing how crappy NTSC looks and start looking to the future now and praise how friggin awesome HD/DVD looks. I work all day. When I come home at night there is plenty of HD to watch. There are more and more HD programs coming.

In my eyes, this is the best CRT you can buy today at any price. If you can afford it, buy it. If you can't, there are some other great choices that will not be as grand as this XBR but without a doubt a great TV.

I can only share my "personal" experiences with my unit but I would only trade it for a Pioneer or Fujitsu Plasma.

Going on three weeks of HD orgasim and a trouble free Sony !!

-Rick

In your use, yes..the 960 is perfect. Unless you have VOOM, the big networks only show hdtv from 8pm-11pm showing a few shows (not all the shows however). All the other times you watch tv, SD channels look horrible on this set because you have to zoom the images. If you dont, you will have black bars and possible burn in. Viewing size will be 27" I believe. HDTV wont be fully utilized for another 3-5 years IMO. After researching all I can, I realize a HDTV 4:3 set will provide what I am looking for the next 5 years. After that, I believe Technology will improve so much, the price of tv sets will decrease dramatically with an increase tech wise.

Of course I have not seen what a sd image looks like on a 36" 4:3 HDTV . However, I will be watching 33" dvd and HDTV widescreen and 36" 3:4 programming.

If you are deciding on buying the 960, please keep in mind that at this time it is a crap shoot if you get a working or problematic set.

HDTV Fanatic......how sluggish is the Cablecard system. Are you talking about changing channels? If that is the case I deal with that now with my STB. I also called Comcast and the Card is free saving me $6.95 a month on the box and HDTV will be free with the integrated tuner (as far as I understand it anyway). Please let me know what you mean by sluggish.

Also, does anyone know if the current cablecard will be upgradeable when the bidirectional ability is developed and released...ie on demand and PPV?

""After leaving the TV off overnight and turning it on this morning, I got a "No Signal" from the antenna. I powered it off for 15 seconds and it turned back on and worked just fine. I saw Jamison reported this problem. Anyone else??""

If you see this!.... go into diagnostics the last item in the menu and see what the incoming signal strengh is.
On mine I just bought a Cheapie Jensen set top Antenna and after turning the little knobbie I can get all the local stations in.
Ususally if I get the no signal its because the Tuning is unlocked due to poor signal strengh.

Has anyone found a Service code The screen adjustment seams like it 's missing horizontal Adjustemnt and mine seams to be off about 3/4" to the right everything else is fine corners etc:

That would not be it. If that was the case, why does turning it off and turning it back on "fix" the problem??? Also, why does the cable signal look horrible when you first turn it on? turning it off and then on again fixes the problem. The 960 has a run of bad tuners I believe?

Originally posted by ritewinger
HDTV Fanatic......how sluggish is the Cablecard system. Are you talking about changing channels? If that is the case I deal with that now with my STB. I also called Comcast and the Card is free saving me $6.95 a month on the box and HDTV will be free with the integrated tuner (as far as I understand it anyway). Please let me know what you mean by sluggish.

Also, does anyone know if the current cablecard will be upgradeable when the bidirectional ability is developed and released...ie on demand and PPV?

The cablecard is so much slower than a STB its not funny. I will only use it when I want to view a HD program that is scambled while recording another with the STB.

The Pace HDTV box is fast in HD, the SA slow in comparison and the cablecard is slower than watching grass grow.

AFAIK, I do not believe the 1 way cable cards sets will ever work with 2 way communications.

Originally posted by 56Oval

Problem:

After leaving the TV off overnight and turning it on this morning, I got a "No Signal" from the antenna. I powered it off for 15 seconds and it turned back on and worked just fine. I saw Jamison reported this problem. Anyone else??



I have the same problem when watching both SD or HDTV channels using built-in tuner with an analog cable. I got the TV from CC about three weeks ago. I have never had such problems with my old analog tv using the same wires.

So, is it a problem with a tv's tuner or cable signal? I am very happy with the tv otherwise.

Mikhail

If turning the tv off and then on again fixes the problem.. Its the tuner.

Originally posted by 56Oval
After leaving the TV off overnight and turning it on this morning, I got a "No Signal" from the antenna. I powered it off for 15 seconds and it turned back on and worked just fine. I saw Jamison reported this problem. Anyone else??


I have the same problem.

I've found that if I tune an analog station and then change back to digital, or alternatively if I leave it on for a minute or two and then change to another digital channel that clears the issue also.

These tuner problems seem to be running rampant. I'm surpised some of you seem to be putting up with it so far. I would be returning that sucker ASAP.

Originally posted by Bombs
The picture on this TV, even the one in my house, is awesome. But for 2200 bucks and 34 inches, I would really expect near perfection.


Sorry to hear about that. But I agree... for that price, I want the perfect tv (+ it should cook, clean, and fold my laundry). :D

Fortunately for me, I think I got that. My buddy came over last night (he has the 910 and has also paid out a couple hundred to have his set professionally calibrated. He's a really hard core Audio/Video-phile. It was funny, I put in the two towers (as it is a DVD he also has)... and he was kinda pissed, because he said my 960 was noticably better than his 910 (now for the record, I had a much harder time making that comparison (sp) and I wouldn't have said 'noticably' but rather slightly or barely.) In any event, I think it was my calibration guy, he thinks it's the tv itself. Either way, we both agree that my 960 is better than his 910.

So Bombs, I hope you can find a set that meets your needs. Good luck!

Cheers,
-C

Originally posted by JamisonBWolsh
If turning the tv off and then on again fixes the problem.. Its the tuner.

Try changing the channel instead of turning the tv off. Just channel up, then channel down. It takes less time too, and I'd bet it would work just the same.

Hi Cad3,

This morning it turned on with no HD signal from the antenna like yesterday. This time I didn't turn it off, but I just switched to the cable input and then back. HD signal came right back.

It's an annoying problem, but I'm not sure I want to swap TVs and risk getting one with bigger problems.

Does anyone have a TV that actually works perfectly? <grin>

I'm still amazed with the HD quality. It blows all the other CRTs away!

And I'm still suffering major issues not being able to use my TiVo with HD. It's sucking the life out of me.

As I get the "no signal" error with the MyHD ATSC tuners that I have, to me its always been a decoding issue with the signal not synching. I don't think its the the TV, but DTV in general as I see that with 4 other tuners.

So, HDTVFanatic. Are you saying this is normal for the HDTV tuners? They should work the bugs out before releasing this to the market....Would this also cause the sgnal for Cable TV to be garbled?

I got this info from my wife today while at work:

------------------------------------------

So, I tried turning it on again. Nothing. I get audio but no picture. I
tried hooking up the ps2. same thing. no picture. not sure about audio
though...

I get a flashing horizontal blue line
green line
red line

In that order at the top of the screen, the whole width of the screen.

Other than that, black nothingness...

Do you want me to contact tech support about it? I'm not sure what their
hours are....or do you know what the problem is and how to fix it...

I should clarify that the flashing lines only last for about 10 secs. then
they go away...

the tv worked fine this morning. I watched maybe 15-20min, checked what had
recorded and then turned it off.

-------------------------------------

I'm kinda concerned/scared about this since I got the TV via the Sony Employee
purchase program and not a retail store, ie I really don't have a course of action other
than to call tech support. Has anyone seen these symptoms before and/or know what
to try before giving Sony a call?

We too have had the tuner flakeyness before and minor geometry problems, but this
latest issue is obviously more than just an annoyance...

Thanks for any help/suggestions.

Hi there Howdog,

When did you actually place the order with the Sony Family Store?

I ordered my XBR960 on June 28th, 2004, and I am still waiting for my TV.

Did they call you before delivery, or did they just show up 'unannounced'?

Please let me know.

i am curious too since I ordered mine on Aug 3 from the culver city store.

Hi Segaboy,

I placed the order (through a friend of mine who works for Sony) sometime in May, I believe.
It was delivered the second week in July so we've had it for about three weeks or so now.

Perhaps they're doing a first-come-first-served kind of thing; yours should probably come
any time now...

Yes, they definitely called to schedule an appointment before delivering.

In spite of the issues with this set (although I'm not so sure about this latest one ;-) ), you'll
probably love it as well. It is a truly remarkable television.

Good luck with yours.

Hey JuanDixon,

Can you get me a Job at The Sony studios in culver city? Seriously....

I have read every post in this thread, and would like to officially state that I am so glad I have not followed through with my plans to go down to the US from Canada to grab this puppy.

I know that the ones without problems arent usually posting, instead they are just watching and enjoying, but...

I follow many other threads on specific models of equipment, (on the z2 for example) and I know that the number of posts regarding problems with this model is unusually high to say the least. I know its hard to let a dream die, but common this is ludicrous. I wonder if even more problems with these same sets will start to surface as the months go by...

I wanted to love this set so badly, but I have to agree, for a $2200 Sony *high end* tube, high end performance should be there 99% of the time.

Do you think the people with problems with the 960 only represent 1%?

Wouldnt it be nice to know.

every product's bugs, issues, etc are magnified in most forums. You just don't here from ALL the other guys who have absolutely no problems with their set thus they don't come online to seek help.

Originally posted by JamisonBWolsh
So, HDTVFanatic. Are you saying this is normal for the HDTV tuners? They should work the bugs out before releasing this to the market....Would this also cause the sgnal for Cable TV to be garbled?

My experience and that of others is that the ATSC tuners are really picky. A few degrees with your antenna can go from no usable signal to full signal. I've just kind of accepted that as nature of the best.

Since I am recording so many movies, I hardly turn mine off, so quite frankly, I haven't seen the cold start issues, but know the MyHD tuners will hit with no signal when first turned on even in hot computer case.

Just passing on my experience and you may have something more going on - but i've just seen that on too many ATSC tuners to think its anything but the nature of the beast.

Originally posted by juandixon
every product's bugs, issues, etc are magnified in most forums. You just don't here from ALL the other guys who have absolutely no problems with their set thus they don't come online to seek help.

I mentioned that I took that into account in my post, and yes it is true.

Originally posted by bada
I mentioned that I took that into account in my post, and yes it is true.

yeah but outside of howdog and a few others, most of the "problems" with the set is not of fault of the 960 but either poor user understanding and/or poor video sources, etc.

Cable Card install day. Very uneventful. Cable Card is SLUGGISH compared to STB as I had seen at the MSO test site...takes about 2-3 seconds to get pictures when you change channels.

Surprisingly, and don't ask me why, it scanned the whole cable system for 222 channels and 70 some analog ones in less than 5 minutes - much faster than the 50 minutes it takes first time.....dunno why.

We cannot figure out for the life of us how to get to diagnostic pages that show on a table of contents under cablecard. Every movement takes us out of the CableCard menu.

The cable channels register correctly once the cablecard was installed. For example, 628 was the HD ABC feed...fed in the clear on the cable and could be picked up by the Sony tuner without cable card - though it was 0.628 and I had to punch exactly that in. Now with the cable card in, all channels are just 628.

I used a terk 5x8 satellite multiswitch with a built in amp after installer left to get me about 4db more gain for the card and STB's which I hope will get me over the drop in signal and s/n the set seems to have.

Overall, no real issues in the install. Now if I could just get me DVI HTPC output to work properly with the HDMI input, I'd be set once the magnets/geometry are fixed.

BTW, something I wanted to pass along to those that own the 910 or this one. The tech showed me this and I confirmed it. There are slightly different circuits for Vivid, Standard, Movie and Pro inside the set. Thus if you set Standard to the same settings as Pro, you'd expect it to look the same - there are still differences though due to the circuitry.

After playing around with it, I would RECOMMEND starting in the Pro mode and ajusting from there. It comes from the factory in VIVID, which if you look at my first post - IS WAY TOO HOT. People complained about a dark set, so they made it lighter, lol.

A good starting point would be in this area.

Pro

Picture 42
Brightness 36
Color 28
Hue 0
Sharpness 31
Color Temp Warm
Clearedge VM Medium

This should get you close to the ballpark and adjust from there.

Then set one for a dark room and one brighter during the day and you'll be set.

Originally posted by juandixon
yeah but outside of howdog and a few others, most of the "problems" with the set is not of fault of the 960 but either poor user understanding and/or poor video sources, etc.
I totally disagree with your response. Most people reading these forums understands the basics of this set. Could be a mass tuner problem?

The guys from the local hi-end video/audio store delivered a 960 to me today. They told me that they didn't know when new 960's would get in, so they are letting me use the floor model for the time being before new shipment comes in. The 960 looks fantastic and seems to work perfectly. I just found out that the apartment buliding where I live, where cable & internet are understood to be free, also has free HD! Adding HD should have costed $20 more a month. HD ESPN looks awesome. Watched the Marlins vs. Cardinals. The weird thing was that we just hooked up the coaxil cable to the TV and immediately got HD - I thought that setup would be complex. I haven't used any DVE discs yet but there doesn't appear to be any geometry problems. I'm using a Momitsu DVD player with it right now. HD 1080 looks better than most of the DVD's I have.

Do you guys think that I should just keep this floor model, or should I swap it for a new one when they receive shipment?

I would keep it. It works perfectly. It has the 100 hours in use, so you can calibrate it. Is there a way to get some money back because this set is used?

hehe i watched a bit of espnhd :) ive had the signal go black or lose sound as well, changing channels has fixed it.

but here's what ive noticed. i only get this rare problem using the dish. if im running off the 960 tuner for local ota programming i do not have this problem.

im running the dish on vid 7 using a hdmi to dvi cable. the picture is excellent in hd and even the analog is good. the cable is snug but not tight in the hdmi slot.

as more history develops with this set im sure you guys with problems can expect a resolution <either in your skills getting better re hd/tuning/hardware or getting a physical defect repaired> within the 2 year warranty period :) woot!

just so you guys dont hate me 'cause im lucky, i did have to unplug the northbridge fan on my abit ic7 max because it was making a hideous noise. :) er i mean :(

not really sure my horizontal is off now as I think it's the broacast cause it serams like different channels have different amounts of sidebaring and the bar width seams to change sides one station has everything showing more bar on the left than the right then I change to a differant channel and it's fine,
then yet another channel and now its on the oposite side
Think I need to get a better Antenna.
or run a couple facing different directions.
I guess I was expecting OTA Digital to be stable but it drifts in and out all the time.

Good news! Got home and sure enough the picture wouldn't come on at all. After going through the Sony online customer support menu system and calling Sony's 800 number, they suggested unplugging it for a minute and then plugging it back in. That worked and we are back in business. Whew!

There's been a lot of negative posts about this tv. This incident was definitely scary. However, this is an amazing television, nonetheless.

Okay, back to our HDTivo ;-)

You should NOT have to unplug and replug a $2200 monitor just to get an image!

Sidenote: My AT&T GSM phone is So-Cal blows, and I have to 'reboot' my phone roughly ten times a day to continue to get a signal while driving.

Solution: Got a new phone from Verizon Wireless...Analogy: Swap your defective product for something that works the way it is suppoesed to. Don't let inadequate manufacturing techniques thwart you from a good product.

If no one raises their voice to Sony, then we as consumers are saying that it is okay to release a bogus product with the XBR label. No way!!!

Here's what I think(not that it matters):

- I'm glad I took the plunge and bought the 960 in spite of being worried due to these posts. My 960 continues to work great after 3 weeks.
- This TV is complicated. I'm a EE and I'm still discoveing new things. HDTV, digital cable, HDMI, and OTA tuning is new to many of us.
- I agree with the posting that the ASTC tuner is extremely sensitive and a slight change in antenna orientation can be the difference between no picture and beautiful picture on digital channels.
- My experience with forums is that the bad outweighs the good by at least 10:1. Doesn't matter if it's cars or TVs. People who are content do not often frequent or respond in forums.
- I'm sure many who are writing are having legit problems. I'm not surprised and I usually buy my equipment locally in case of return. I had to return my last 27" WEGA 'cause the component inputs didn't work. I accept this as the nature of the complicated equipment we are buying and the risks of being early adopters of high-tech.

Just my thoughts for whatever their worth. I still consider myself fortunate for being able to afford and worry about such trivial things as PQ on a $2k TV.

Originally posted by howdog
Good news! Got home and sure enough the picture wouldn't come on at all. After going through the Sony online customer support menu system and calling Sony's 800 number, they suggested unplugging it for a minute and then plugging it back in. That worked and we are back in business. Whew!

There's been a lot of negative posts about this tv. This incident was definitely scary. However, this is an amazing television, nonetheless.

Okay, back to our HDTivo ;-)

Did they tell you this was a one-time fix? (Or perhaps, something to do whenever this problem appears?) Or, did they say you need to do this EVERY TIME you turn the set on? Please pass along your experiences over the next few days.

On another note, I receive all my TV via an OTA antenna, and I am very pleased with this set. But I have noticed that signal strength is critical. Since I have an antenna rotator and live about 10 miles from downtown Chicago, I have adequate signal strength as long as the antenna is properly positioned, so this isn't a problem for me. But those of you with OTA antennas may need to install pre-amplifiers and/or aim your antenna carefully.

But there is hope--at least for the next-generation sets next year. DTV tuners have been an issue in the broadcast industry. At least one major group (Sinclair) had petitioned the FCC to change the modulation scheme from 8VSB to CODFM(sp?, because their tests showed CODFM has better weak-signal and ghosting performance. The newly-developed tuners, which are supposed to be available to set manufacturers around year-end, are more sensitive, and Sinclair has endorsed these and withdrawn their petition. So, if you're in a weak-signal area and are contemplating an OTA HD system, you may want to wait until the new tuners are available. (I read this in Broadcasting and Cable magazine last week, so that's a credible source. If anyone's interested, I'll post updates here if they carry any more stories about this new tuner.)

Mark

As much as Id like to,I dont have time to read through this entire garble of information currently, im looking for some quick and dirty info about this set...and Im sure this will be a good refresher point for the thread as it has grown tremendously long.

A. The price that is listed in the "Official Page" from the first post on this thread, is that realistic, do they have these sets available for that price regardless of stock? If not, is there a sponsored member or something here or someone else that has a best price. Best ive been able to do is ebay for 1999 and that is quite high.

B. The set looked very good when I saw it at Circuit City, however as always with Sony high end tubes, there was some horizontal and vertical inaccuracies, tilting the picture a bit helped, but the very corner of the image still had some pulling. What is the general consensus on the reliability of this set?

C. Are there plans for a KD-30XBR960?

Im going to be purchasing some sort of high end set here soon, and for the money I think this is still better than those nice lightweight DLPs. As much as id like to have a DLP or LCD,they still have some way to go... LCD is way to grey for my taste, and Im not wild about the bulb issues with either...

Nice to be back on AVS.

Thanks,
Ian.

what i've done so far:

1) had sony service recalibrate convergence,vpos, trapezoid,vertical bars,etc.
2) had comcast amplify 15 db signal (at cable box side of house)with +15db amplifier
3) had comcast install cablecard and split at TV with STB

960 SD signals are slightly better when amplifier was installed. there doesn't seem to be noticeable increased noise. have not connected cablecard to an OTA yet.
the HD signals are OK-i may have made it less life-like compared to the pre-amplifier image.

i've hedged my bet by asking for my dealer to replace. but overall, this HDTV PQ is as good in SD and HD as my HD-ready 32HS500 set downstairs.

i'm now 85:15 probable of keeping this TV

i have no use for firewire
the PIP is limiting-it seems
the superfine pitch doesn't seem that much better than the HS500's PQ

Since this SONY 960 is relatively new, I am wondering if ANYONE has gotten a Joe Kane ISF calibration done yet ?

My understanding is an approx 100 hour burn-in before you attempt it anyway.

Ya' think someone would come up with a better term than burn-in when you mention electronics !!!

Fire away, boys...

I think the proper term for the pre-calibration period is "BREAK-IN", not burn-in.

Originally posted by gundyrat1
I guess I was expecting OTA Digital to be stable but it drifts in and out all the time.

Yeah, I have the same experience...

I guess the reason I didn't think anything of the fact that I have No Signal when I turn it on, is that it drifts in and out all the time... so I just change the channel. And I noticed that it shifts between HD channels more slowly (going to or from HD seems to take a sec)... so I do split, and on the right side it's just the analog channels... so I can find the show I want within just a few seconds (as analog to analog is very quick for channel changing).

Then I set the left side to the high def version of the same channel. Just how I do it...

I figure I'm about 40 miles from any towers for broadcasting :( I live in the sticks! About 1/2 way between Sacramento and San Francisco... So everything is kinda weak, but using a powered anntenna has helped alot!

-C

Originally posted by Playdrv4me
As much as Id like to,I dont have time to read through this entire garble of information currently, im looking for some quick and dirty info about this set...and Im sure this will be a good refresher point for the thread as it has grown tremendously long.

Im going to be purchasing some sort of high end set here soon....

Then its your money to waste. If you don't have time to research the products, then you have no one but yourself to blame if you aren't happy.

While I could normally whole-heartedly agree with that statement, I have been a member of this forum for quite some time now and understand the need for research. I always come here and write about my own experiences with new products whenever necessary regardless of who is asking for advice or why, and Im usually here first looking for info on new products I want to purchase. I have text-book studied this set as much as is possible, and now I simply need the next bit, which is actual user feedback. That being said, I HAVE searched through many pages in this topic and at least in respect to my questions regarding the 30 inch set and especially my pricing concern, there is really nothing of relevance.

In the time that reply was written, it probably would have been easier to just formulate a one line response to one of those questions.

In any case, I do have a couple of points to make and further questions...

I noticed reading through this archive tonight, that this set does seem to be having an abnormal number of problems. While one could stick to the addage that people will only remember and bring to light issues with service or products they were DIS-satisfied with, the issues here do seem a bit excessive, and thats coming from someone who owned a JVC HM-DH30000U HD VCR at one point! It seems that Sony is trending toward the unfortunate situation of late, that begins with a superior idea, and somehow ends with a less than desirable execution. I remember I myself got to preview this set at a local CC recently and was disappointed immediately by the inaccuracies that were readily visible in the geometry of the tube. I was able to adjust some of it out with the tilt control, but an annoying pull and slight discoloration remained in one corner of the set.

With that being said, I really think that the better set for me at this point is actually the KV-30XBR910 and that brings its own series of questions.

My largest concern lies with the frustratingly increasing array of connectivity options available for HDTV sets these days. First there was firewire and Component connections, then DVI made its debut after proving popular in the PC world, then the HDCP compliant DVI standard was introduced, leaving non compliant DVI and Component essentially in the dust, as if that werent enough, now I noticed that the 960 supports new Cable-card and HDMI format connections.

Is all this really necessary? If I am going to be sticking with a simple STB from the Cable Co. arrangement, I know that sort of eliminates the immediate need for CableCard, but what about HDMI? Is it substantially different than HDCP compliant DVI? This is really my biggest concern with the 34/910 and the 30/910, which I can not believe the former of which still sells for 2379 at Circuit City with the 960 actually being cheaper.

Other than this my only other concern is a somewhat objective one regarding what I formally considered the novelty 30 inch screen size. As an apartment dweller that moves alot, I hate to say that ease of transport and movement is as important to me as size and PQ in the end. With this in perspective, the 30 inch model seems to be the best of all worlds. I just dont know if in a small apartment, 30 inches will be sufficient or not. Anyone who can give me input on this is greatly appreciated.

Sorry for the long posts, but I appreciate the variety of replies Ive seen so far.

Originally posted by Playdrv4me

Other than this my only other concern is a somewhat objective one regarding what I formally considered the novelty 30 inch screen size. As an apartment dweller that moves alot, I hate to say that ease of transport and movement is as important to me as size and PQ in the end. With this in perspective, the 30 inch model seems to be the best of all worlds. I just dont know if in a small apartment, 30 inches will be sufficient or not. Anyone who can give me input on this is greatly appreciated.

Sorry for the long posts, but I appreciate the variety of replies Ive seen so far.

As far as moving goes, you would still be moving a relatively large 30 inch set. The difference in preparation and manpower involved in moving a 34 inch set compared to the 30 is not huge.

For you to actually benefit from the resolution on the 30 inch Sony XBRs, you would basically have to have about a 3-4 foot viewing distance.
The optimal viewing distance for the 34" XBR is about 6 feet, I dont think you want to be going smaller unless its for analog viewing and the likes.

For you to actually benefit from the resolution on the 30 inch Sony XBRs, you would basically have to have about a 3-4 foot viewing distance.
The optimal viewing distance for the 34" XBR is about 6 feet, I dont think you want to be going smaller unless its for analog viewing and the likes. [/B]

How do you figure that? What is the rule for HD/16:9 sets?

bob

I've seen a few "viewing calculators." You can find them on Google. But here are a couple:

http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/ISEO-rgbtcspd/learningcenter/home/tv_faq.html


http://www.myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html


Mark

Originally posted by BTV Mark
I've seen a few "viewing calculators." You can find them on Google. But here are a couple:

http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/ISEO-rgbtcspd/learningcenter/home/tv_faq.html


http://www.myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html


Mark

Thanks Mark, I really appreciate the input. This makes the decision a little easier for me, now I just need to find the 960 somewhere at a decent price.

My XBR was picked up today, and the Mits 55613 arrived. I must say, I had my head up my rear, WAY UP my rear, on this one.

The Mits is bigger and the picture is exceptional. I'm not sure what the debate ever was.

Of course, the XBR960 was a bit sharper and more detailed, but this is pretty damn good (out of the box pre-calibration) and is much more theater like due to its size. Plus, HD is meant for a big screen, and this screen surely takes advantage of it.

For me, since I have the room, the Mits is a better choice. I can also certainly say, however, that the 960 has probably the best picture on a commerically available set that I have ever seen.

So I would say:

Not much space: XBR960
Got the space: CRT RPTV

Originally posted by Bombs

So I would say:

Not much space: XBR960
Got the space: CRT RPTV

Huh? How is a CRT RPTV the best option if you have the space? I know you're excited about your new toy, but there are better ways to fill space than with a rptv.

What I meant was the space to sit farther away.

You know what drives me CRAZY???

I have been waiting for SEVEN weeks for this monitor and others are refusing them and returning in excess of three of them...JB...

ARRRGHGHH!!!

thats what happens when you use a source to save lots of money!

Hi all,

I'm new to this thread and this is my first post.

I purchased an XBR960 today to take advantage of the Massachusetts tax-free holiday along with Tweeter's 10-20% off private sale. I was able to save 10% on the TV ($219) along with 5% in sales tax ($109). I will be getting Comcast HDTV within the next couple weeks (the TV is being delivered on the 24th) to take advantage of all this TV has to offer.

While I was in the store, the sales guy wanted me to buy a DVI to DVI cable for the Motorola cable box he showed me (6200, the same one I'd be getting from Comcast) to connect to the 960. I declined it, figuring I didn't want to leave there knowing he got me to buy more than I needed at that moment.

I then got home and found the user's manual for the TV online. Much to my schock, there was no DVI input on the back of the TV. The only video inputs were HDMI, component, and S-video. For some reason, I believe the 960 had DVI input. Is it true that the 960 has no DVI input?

To get to the point, would you recommend a DVI-to-HDMI cable to go from the 6200 cable box to the 960 or a component cable instead? I'm looking to get the best picture between the TV and the cable box. I found a 1 meter DVI to HDMI cable online but it was roughly $200!

Thanks.

You can use the DVI to HDMI if you want to. It carries the same video signal as a straight DVI cable.

As a side note, I think there is a lot of confusion about the utility of a DVI/HDMI cable in these CRT sets. Since they ultimately require an analog conversion to display the picture, using a DVI really adds nothing over a well adjusted/calibrated component, in some respects I would say the picture is inferior (and DVI takes away many of the benefits of entering the service menu).

DVI/HDMI is only fully optimal in the setting of a fully digital display. I would just go with a very nice set of M500v component cables.

don't worry segaboy we will get our sets soon and assuming they are of a later production date will have less bugs and more patches +D

patience is a virtue

Originally posted by JamisonBWolsh
thats what happens when you use a source to save lots of money!

Agreed. With large screen TVs I just cant see the advantage of mail and internet over landing a decent deal at the big name stores. You know another curious thing, Sony's high end TVs seem to be a situation where I actually find myself WANTING to purchase their display models that I see have no problems, rather than waiting for a surprise in a box from the store or via Mail.

Bombs, Im not sure if the 55613 is the Diamond series, but if it is OMG I MUST agree with you about the picture, the Diamond Series 55 inch is an absolute frieken NO BRAINER if you have space for it, I unfortunately dont, however I can tell you there would be a Diamond in my living room this INSTANT if I was in a house. For the money, its about as good as it gets, especially when I COULD get them through a high end store's discount Demo program here.

For now however, I have narrowed the choice to two sets and one trailing behind.

Keep in mind the top factors here are not only PQ, but size and convenience as well.

So far its:

KD-34XBR960... Best for my budget, Best features, Best PQ, best connectivity, WORST size.

KE-32TS2... Worst for the budget, decent PQ, decent Feature set, cool Plasma of course, and best for the convenience by far.

Sharp LC-32HV4U... In reserve.

CORRECTION - The Sharp should be LC-32G4U

Its a Gold Plus. If you take the shield off, and get it calibrated, the picture is outstanding. In terms of picture quality, a calibrated 613 vs. a diamond is basically indistinguishable...the Diamond does come in a much nicer case however.

Originally posted by Playdrv4me
[B]Agreed. With large screen TVs I just cant see the advantage of mail and internet over landing a decent deal at the big name stores. You know another curious thing, Sony's high end TVs seem to be a situation where I actually find myself WANTING to purchase their display models that I see have no problems, rather than waiting for a surprise in a box from the store or via Mail.


actually we are purchasing directly from sony warehouse itself so it doesn't go thru the hands of a 3rd party vendor such as CC or GG. and it does get shipped directly to your home with phone verification. no surprises here. just we have to wait a lil longer than most but in the end it might be worth it. ;p

I just had my xbr960 delivered today. WOW! I'm just a newbie but this screen blows me away. I know it has a 100 hour break in period, which will be the easiest 100 hours I've ever spent watching a tv. Watched Moulin Rouge and Toy Story 2, it was unbelievable!

thanks to this forum for educating me about the wonders of this set!

Originally posted by Playdrv4me

So far its:

KD-34XBR960... Best for my budget, Best features, Best PQ, best connectivity, WORST size.

KE-32TS2... Worst for the budget, decent PQ, decent Feature set, cool Plasma of course, and best for the convenience by far.

Sharp LC-32HV4U... In reserve.


Why dont you add the KD-36XS955 .. Msrp is 1699 with a free stand and free delivery. The tv set is almost exactly like the 960 except its 4:3. and you save $$$

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=ZpQyKY4iFRIyRM89AfY4IsEvupwOaKiskB8=?CategoryName= tv_36%22to40%22TVs&Dept=tv&TemplateName=item%2fsy_item_b&ProductSKU=KD36XS955KIT

As far as I can see, only difference is the lack of PIP and 2nd generation resolution. It does include a built in tuner.

Originally posted by JamisonBWolsh
Why dont you add the KD-36XS955 .. Msrp is 1699 with a free stand and free delivery. The tv set is almost exactly like the 960 except its 4:3. and you save $$$

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=ZpQyKY4iFRIyRM89AfY4IsEvupwOaKiskB8=?CategoryName= tv_36%22to40%22TVs&Dept=tv&TemplateName=item%2fsy_item_b&ProductSKU=KD36XS955KIT

As far as I can see, only difference is the lack of PIP and 2nd generation resolution. It does include a built in tuner.

Not too mention he'll lose about an inch in 16:9, and size is the feature that bothers him the most about the 960.

Also I dont think the xs955 models have firewire.

He loses ONLY 1 inch of widescreen so 33" instead of 34". HOWEVER he will gain almost 10" in 4:3 programming. 36" instead of 27". AND since most programming today is still 4:3, this set is a bonus. He will have to replace the set when everything is 16:9, but that wont be for at least 5 years from now. Its only like 30lbs more, the same length, and taller.

Originally posted by JamisonBWolsh
He loses ONLY 1 inch of widescreen so 33" instead of 34". HOWEVER he will gain almost 10" in 4:3 programming. 36" instead of 27". AND since most programming today is still 4:3, this set is a bonus. He will have to replace the set when everything is 16:9, but that wont be for at least 5 years from now. Its only like 30lbs more, the same length, and taller.

At least another 5 years? Damn, didnt think it was that long.

Figured I would point out that he loses an inch in 16:9, since he already finds the set too small.

Also, no firewire in the 955 could be a dealbreaker for some.

What exactly is fire wire...

Allows you to record HD to hdd or D-VHS, but most HD tuners in the US have firewire anyway.

If you were to buy in the US as I was going to, and import back to Canada, this would be more of a plus, as I dont beleive the firewire ports are enabled on HD tuners here.

"Firewire" is a communications and networking protocol developed about 10 years ago by Apple computer. Sony calls it i-Link. It is also known as IEEE-1394.

It is a high-speed interfacing method using a single "plug and play" cable. It can connect computers with various types of high-speed devices, such as external hard drives and digital camcorders. It carries data (audio, video, and control signals) at 400 mb/sec.

For '960 TV owners, it's most common use today is probably to connect a mini-DV camcorder. In the future, it appears there will be many Firewire devices for us to have fun with.

Mark

Originally posted by JamisonBWolsh
Why dont you add the KD-36XS955 .. Msrp is 1699 with a free stand and free delivery. The tv set is almost exactly like the 960 except its 4:3. and you save $$$

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=ZpQyKY4iFRIyRM89AfY4IsEvupwOaKiskB8=?CategoryName= tv_36%22to40%22TVs&Dept=tv&TemplateName=item%2fsy_item_b&ProductSKU=KD36XS955KIT

As far as I can see, only difference is the lack of PIP and 2nd generation resolution. It does include a built in tuner.

Is this available yet?

bob

Not until Sept:22 I just bought it at a sony style store. Rgis is what i got:

KD-36XS955- 1699.00 msrp
Free stand
Free delivery (stand is going to be delivered first)
12 months no payments no interest
Free remote (programmable)
$119 5 year warranty

Great deal. This almost the EXACT tv set of the 960. It also includes an HDMI hookup...

Originally posted by BTV Mark
"Firewire" is a communications and networking protocol developed about 10 years ago by Apple computer. Sony calls it i-Link. It is also known as IEEE-1394.

It is a high-speed interfacing method using a single "plug and play" cable. It can connect computers with various types of high-speed devices, such as external hard drives and digital camcorders. It carries data (audio, video, and control signals) at 400 mb/sec.

For '960 TV owners, it's most common use today is probably to connect a mini-DV camcorder. In the future, it appears there will be many Firewire devices for us to have fun with.

Mark

Yep, and theres alot of exciting changes coming to the standard too... Apple already has doubled the standards current speed to 800Mbps with Firewire 800, and development is underway for Firewire 1600. Thats right, 1.6 Gbit throughput in optimal circumstances.

Can anyone here who has the TV confirm if you are able to record from the digital tuner to a D-VHS deck through firewire?

This is the only reason why I would want to buy the XBR over the XS. Our digital cable boxes up here don't have firewire, so I would have used a cablecard TV with firewire as a workaround to be able to record (once our cable company start supporting cablecards)

I'm going to be buying a JVC 40000 D-VHS and want to be sure I'll be able to use it to record off my 34XBR960.

Bada: Do you still want to go through with the XBR purchase in VT or not? Let me know.

Sometimes I get different picture quality depending on whether I use a Pioneer HDTV tuner vs the built in one. Some channels that appear snowy in the Sony look clearer when going throught the Pioneer. One funny thing I have noticed is when there is text displayed on the screen in 4:3 format the left vertical edge bulges on the same horizontal axis as where the text is. When the text goes away the little bulge also disappears. So if there are 4 lines of text I have four little bulges and the left vertical border looks wavy. I wonder if this is a geometry issue or if this happens on all TVs, or maybe it is just an issue with my Time Warner signal.

I believe I read in perfect vision magazine about a month or two ago that there is a law that says cable providers must offer a firewire capable HDTV box. When I called Time Warner the rep says they didn't have one, and then he asked around and found out they have one made by Scientific Atlanta. But I have read here that if you use a firewire connection you lose the channel guide features of the cable box.

Triplex: Thats a geometry issue. follow a line across the screen and you will notice it curve upwards or downwards.... there is a answer to this thhough. I was talking to an employee at sony style and he said to fix this issue, one must call a tech and have then "degauss" the set with a large magnet.

My replacement XBR960 finally came in on Friday. Circuit City where I live has never had the set on general sale yet, it's still a special order item here (they had to special order the replacement set!). It only took about a week for the special order to come in though, so they've got the sets somewhere. This new one was manufactured in July.

This one's geometry is very good, along with the horizontal convergence (that was the real problem with the old one, the red horizontal convergence was way off down the left side). The vertical convergence is a little bit off on each size, but nothing that can't be cleaned up in the service menu. I seem to have gotten a set with one of the funky tuner that people have mentioned here though. I didn't do the auto-setup at first (I don't know if that's a factor; I didn't want to wait the 50+ minutes and checked the picture out with the Dish 811 hooked up through HDMI). When I did an auto-program later it couldn't find any of the digital channels (off-air or over cable) and the analog channels looked like complete garbage. However, after turning the tv off and back on they look fabulous and the auto-program found them all. I've had problems once since then when turning on the TV and it couldn't tune in either the off-air or cable HD channels. Turning off the tv and back on fixed it though. If this continues to happen then I'll call Sony up to have them come look at it.

All in all, I'm much happier with the replacement TV; the picture looks great...just in time for the Olympics! =)

SNClawson,

Same EXACT thing happened to me! The 2nd set had NEAR perfect geometry, but had a tuner problem. The 3rd set had almost bad geometry (vertically) and the tuner problem. The question you have to ask yourself is this: What happens if you turn it off and then turn it back on, and it does not fix it. About the tech: they are MORONS!!!!! I argued with one for 45 minutes saying it the tv set and they said: its the cable, equipment, antenna, power and whatever else. My advice: buy the 36XS955. It will look probably just as good and is only 1 inch smaller (33"). Of course, the tuners they use in these sets will probably be the same as the 960's....

And remember..its not all tuners. Some work, some do not. My 1st 960 tuner did not show any problems...

what you should do is ask for everyone's 960 serial number and whether their set worked or not. Maybe the early batches had a bug in them. Or a certain range of models had some sort of manufactoring defect. It would be interesting to see if the higher serial numbers have less problems.

all products whether its tv or an os will have bugs, especially early in their version life. who knows it could just well be a firmware bug in the tv set itself that needs a simple patch.

remember this set is very very new even though its an upgrade from 910 look how much bugs win2k had over win95 on its "upgrade".

i do hope everyone gets their set worked out :cool:

also in regards to the tuner problem, are you running through a powered indoor ant or outdoor antenna? i think OTA is the most unreliable source for obvious reasons, and it seems like most ppl's problems are with related with OTA.

The antenna has NOTHING to do with it. If it does, why does turning it on and off again fix the problem?

the antenna could be sharing a bad power source with the tv assuming its powered. also you power could be dirty. not enough juice or too much juice getting into ur tv thus the power fluctiations. i know my computers are very sensitive to power i don't see why a tv set with a mobo isn't much different.

Originally posted by bada
At least another 5 years? Damn, didnt think it was that long.

Figured I would point out that he loses an inch in 16:9, since he already finds the set too small.

Also, no firewire in the 955 could be a dealbreaker for some.

These are good points. I think the XS955 is a great set, but I really want the Wide screen, Cable Card, Firewire and oddly enough... something thats not mentioned frequently... the 32 Bit Menus.

I think im going to have to buckle down and give this set a try. I am going to wait a couple of more weeks to see if I can land the KE-32TS2 Plasma for around 2000.00 shipped, but if not I will be purchasing the KD.

Ian.

Originally posted by juandixon
also in regards to the tuner problem, are you running through a powered indoor ant or outdoor antenna? i think OTA is the most unreliable source for obvious reasons, and it seems like most ppl's problems are with related with OTA.

It's an unpowered indoor antenna; I had the same problem with HD on cable connection too though (also without any amplification). This is exactly the same configuration that I had running for 2 1/2 weeks with the previous XBR960 (which had zero problems with the tuner), so it's definetely the new TV.

Originally posted by snclawson


I seem to have gotten a set with one of the funky tuner that people have mentioned here though. I didn't do the auto-setup at first (I don't know if that's a factor; I didn't want to wait the 50+ minutes and checked the picture out with the Dish 811 hooked up through HDMI). When I did an auto-program later it couldn't find any of the digital channels (off-air or over cable) and the analog channels looked like complete garbage. However, after turning the tv off and back on they look fabulous and the auto-program found them all. I've had problems once since then when turning on the TV and it couldn't tune in either the off-air or cable HD channels. Turning off the tv and back on fixed it though. If this continues to happen then I'll call Sony up to have them come look at it.

All in all, I'm much happier with the replacement TV; the picture looks great...just in time for the Olympics! =)

Hi there,

My set sounds like a twin of yours. Good geometry, but messed tuner.

I'm trying to figure out what range is serial numbers have this problem (if we can track it down)

My serial is: 80002135

What's yours? I wonder if they're close?

What is the higest serial number anyone has? I'm guessing from the number that I have set #2135 built.

Anyone with good geometry (like mine) but with a good tuner? What's your serial?

MW

Originally posted by juandixon
the antenna could be sharing a bad power source with the tv assuming its powered. also you power could be dirty. not enough juice or too much juice getting into ur tv thus the power fluctiations. i know my computers are very sensitive to power i don't see why a tv set with a mobo isn't much different.

My set does it too.

It powers up about half the time with no HD reception (ATSC tuner). It takes a complete power off and back on to fix it.

My antenna is not powered. My TV is hooked to a 600W UPS. It's not a problem with the power source.

It is a problem with the set. I'm trying to find out the serial number of other TV's with the same problem. Mine is 80002135.

MW

56Oval,

The new TV's serial is 800458X (good picture, bad tuner). The old one (bad geometry, good tuner) was 800353X.

The main difference between the two when I set them up was that on the second set I didn't do the initial auto-program. I noticed that JBW had the same issue with his sets (bad tuner on sets that he didn't do the initial auto-program). How about you? It could just be a coincidence.

I did reset the TV last night (p45 of the manual; turn the TV on, hold down reset on the remote then turn the TV off (on the TV), wait for a bit and then release reset on the remote). This dosen't seem to affect the service menu settings at all, but it does let you run the initial setup again. So I had it auto-program this time. So far I haven't had any problems with the tuner flaking out, but I've only turned the TV on a couple times this morning.

I tried that as well. Reset it, then ran the auto program. That will not fix the problem. In fact, the tuner could not pick up HDTV signals through the auto program. I had to turn it off, then on again to get it to auto program... So what are you going to do people? Keep the set or exchange it for a working one? I decided to actually go the 36XS955 route...

Originally posted by JamisonBWolsh
I tried that as well. Reset it, then ran the auto program. That will not fix the problem. In fact, the tuner could not pick up HDTV signals through the auto program. I had to turn it off, then on again to get it to auto program... So what are you going to do people? Keep the set or exchange it for a working one? I decided to actually go the 36XS955 route...

Hi Jamison,

I see you preaching the 36XS955 all the time. You said you even have one pre-ordered. I don't have any problem with that, and I myself have even considered the 955 for larger viewing of SD programming.

But my question is: What makes you so sure the 955 won't suffer similar "new model" issues as the 960 does?

You seem to be preaching the 955 as a solution to the problems of the 960. I don't see how this is the case at all.

Perhaps the 955 will have some major problems with the brand new 4:3 tube, or the electronics? Maybe it won't. Dollars to doughnuts it will use the _exact_ same HD tuner, and could suffer the exact same problem.

I just don't think replying to messages about the 960 with "buy the new unreleased unproven 955" is the right message to send.

I think the 955 should be recommended if someone is questioning whether to buy a high-end 4:3 or 16:9 TV.

Not trying to be a jerk, just an observation.

MW

Originally posted by snclawson
56Oval,

The new TV's serial is 800458X (good picture, bad tuner). The old one (bad geometry, good tuner) was 800353X.

The main difference between the two when I set them up was that on the second set I didn't do the initial auto-program. I noticed that JBW had the same issue with his sets (bad tuner on sets that he didn't do the initial auto-program). How about you? It could just be a coincidence.




I aborted the initial auto-setup on my TV when I first turned it on because I didn't have the antenna hooked to it.

I then later ran the auto-program once I had it hooked up.

Let us know how your re-setup goes. That would be sweet if it fixes it all. But I guess that I would be surprised if this would be fix the problem. It seems like some electrical/signal issue with the tuner chip. :-(

MW

So far so good, but then again it wasn't like it was _always_ bad when I'd turn it on, although it does seem to happen mainly after the set had been off for a while. Then again, I've only had it since Saturday afternoon, so I haven't had all that much time with it yet.

Whatever it is, I'll be fixing it through Sony though, as Circuit City dosen't seem interested in helping me out after I returned their overpriced `5-year' service agreement...and of course I'm now past their `30 day' return window (ordered (and paid for!) the set on the 13th of July, but it took until the 27th before they had it in...).

Actually, my recent experience with Circuit City almost was annoying enough to just return the TV and HTIB there and wait out the month and a half until the 36xs955 comes out, but my Fiance would kill me and we're back to the original reason I got the XBR960...it's available now. =) (and the Olympics are on...even with that uber-annoying Sony commercial). I really hope that the 36XS955 dosen't have the same problems as the XBR960, but I'd be inclined to think that it would have _more_ problems, not less. The guts of the TV are probably essentially identical to the XBR960 (ie. new for this year), but the tube is also new. At least I haven't seen a 4:3 super fine pitch tube on Sony Japanese site, so I'm assuming that it's a new tube.

Actually, that brings up another question. Just what is the Japanese model equivalent of the XBR960? Is it the KD-36HR500? I really wish that they sold the KD-36HD900 here. It looks like the old 34" XBR800/HS510, but with a Super Fine Pitch tube.

Seeing that the tuners are a common problem, I am exchanging the tv I got from the CC for another unit. Hopefully this will fix the tuner issues but keep the picture as good as my current one.

As to CC 30-days policy, I was told today that the period starts whenever you get the tv (In my case I paid on 7/17 and got the unit delivered on 7/19). I originally thought of going with their repair service (I got 3 years extended warranty), but at the end decided to exchange it. Try the customer service at the CC you bought the TV.

Mikhail

Originally posted by snclawson
So far so good, but then again it wasn't like it was _always_ bad when I'd turn it on, although it does seem to happen mainly after the set had been off for a while. Then again, I've only had it since Saturday afternoon, so I haven't had all that much time with it yet.

Whatever it is, I'll be fixing it through Sony though, as Circuit City dosen't seem interested in helping me out after I returned their overpriced `5-year' service agreement...and of course I'm now past their `30 day' return window (ordered (and paid for!) the set on the 13th of July, but it took until the 27th before they had it in...).

Actually, my recent experience with Circuit City almost was annoying enough to just return the TV and HTIB there and wait out the month and a half until the 36xs955 comes out, but my Fiance would kill me and we're back to the original reason I got the XBR960...it's available now. =) (and the Olympics are on...even with that uber-annoying Sony commercial). I really hope that the 36XS955 dosen't have the same problems as the XBR960, but I'd be inclined to think that it would have _more_ problems, not less. The guts of the TV are probably essentially identical to the XBR960 (ie. new for this year), but the tube is also new. At least I haven't seen a 4:3 super fine pitch tube on Sony Japanese site, so I'm assuming that it's a new tube.

Actually, that brings up another question. Just what is the Japanese model equivalent of the XBR960? Is it the KD-36HR500? I really wish that they sold the KD-36HD900 here. It looks like the old 34" XBR800/HS510, but with a Super Fine Pitch tube.

Oh well, so much for my theory. I came home tonight, turned the TV on and `No Signal.' Off and back on and it's perfect. Sigh. It actually seems to be more sensitive than the other XBR960 I had, when it does work, which is just bizzare.

Oh well, as far as it goes, I'd much rather have this one that looks great, but requires me to turn it on twice than one that has it's convergence all jacked up. The only thing that scares me is the thought of the Sony tech screwing up the tube if they come in to replace/fix the tuner.

As for Circuit City, I'm sure that I could argue that I never got the TV until the 27th, but since I've already exchanged the TV once and returned the extended warranty, they were considerably less friendly when I picked up the replacement unit and didn't seem interested in helping me out at all. =( I'm sure it didn't help that both the original and replacement unit had to be special ordered.

Oh, at least for the special order, everyone that I talked to at Circuit City claimed that the 30 days starts the day you order the product.

SNCLAWSON, talk to the regional manager. If you keep this set, how do you know the tuner will not "break down" at a later date? If they do a 3rd exchange, make sure you get across that you would like to extend the 30 days. Thats what i did....

Jamison's mention of the 955 made me think about something that I am curious about concerning 16:9 and 4:3 sets.

Ignoring all zoom/stretch modes and viewing 16:9 and 4:3 content in their native mode...

If the 955 has the same 1400 line display as the 960, doesn't that mean that when viewing 16:9 content on the 4:3 monitor you are viewing it on only about 1000 of those lines? The rest are blanked out with the top and bottom bars. (If viewing 4:3 material on a the 4:3 955 set you would of course get all 1400 lines.)

But if viewing 4:3 material on the 16:9 960 monitor (in 4:3 mode), you aren't losing any lines because the 4:3 still fills up all 1400 vertial lines.

Does this sound right to everyone?

Very good question.....basically you are saying that viewing 16:9 material on a 4:3 reduces the quality over that of the 16:9 widescreen set? Good question... someone should answer this question.

re: the 1000 line vs. 1400 line question mentioned earlier, on my 27 trinitron (non-hd), there is a mode called 16:9 enhanced. What that does is change the raster of the gun from 4:3 to 16:9, so perhaps the 955 would have this feature, enabling it to draw the 1400 lines in a 16:9 window...

The 1400 lines is the horizontal resolution, not the vertical resolution. The enhanced mode just squeezes in the vertical direction, so there's no difference between the two sets there. The XBR960 shows the full 1080 vertical resolution for 1080i. The XS955 will still be displaying the same 1080 lines vertically, just compressed into the 16:9 part of the set. With the way the Trinitron aperture grill is designed, there's not really a set vertical resolution for the set (ok, to a point...but the set it made up of vertical slits for Red, Green and Blue), so assuming that the phosphors are the same general size (height) as the XBR960, it should be able to resolve all 1080 lines, since the 16:9 area is pretty similar between the two sets.

Now for 4:3 material, the 36XS955 should have a ridiculous resolution advantage over the 34" sets. Of course you'd have to have a PC hooked up to actually generate a 4:3 signal with that much information. =)

More bad news with my 34XBR960 today. I've noticed a dark patch on the left hand side of the screen about 1/3 the way up the screen. It looks like it's about an inch or two large and it comes out about just as much. It noticeably darkens the screen in that area. I don't think it was there a week ago. I keep my brightness/picture turned down and am constantly viewing a mix of material, so I really don't think it's any sort of burn in.

first of all - sorry about my rudimentary terminology - I'm fairly new in the world of hi def tv.

Can anyone tell me what 'bad geometry' looks like? I'm not sure if this falls under this category, but I notice that, when viewing 4:3 materials in regular mode, i.e. with vertical black bars on both sides of the pictures, the bars do not appear to be straight. They seem to bow slightly on top.

Also, I notice that when the picture is showing letters or words on screen, there appears to be a thin line that bounds each letter (almost looks like a ghost img or shadow).

Other than that, I cant really complain. I cant check the OTA tuner because of my location (we're on the first floor of a multistory condominium and we're surrounded by other tall buildings). And the DVD pic, I must say, looks incredible (I have a plain ol' Toshiba SD2109 - interlaced pic). For example, I no longer notice any shimmering when viewing images that have cross hatches (e.g. like screen doors).

thx

D

I've had my 960 since July 10. Serial number 8002689. Tuner has worked fine. No problems at all. I bought an HDtivo last week so I'm now using the tivo's OTA tuner and the HDMI input. The 960's tuner has a slightly sharper/cleaner picture then the Tivo's but I'll take that tradeoff for the HD recording capabilities.

I had some geometry issues that could really only be noticed on a 4:3 picture. The right top corner kind of curved. I also noticed that I wasn't getting much overscan. The logo on HDNET was cut off at the "T". I'm no ISF tech, but I went into the service menu yesterday and patched both problems with the geometry settings.

Been watching the olympics and preseason football in 16x9 HD...awesome. Looking forward to watching my Rams in HD on NFL Ticket this season.

Originally posted by Acksull
I've had my 960 since July 10. Serial number 8002689. Tuner has worked fine. No problems at all. I bought an HDtivo last week so I'm now using the tivo's OTA tuner and the HDMI input. The 960's tuner has a slightly sharper/cleaner picture then the Tivo's but I'll take that tradeoff for the HD recording capabilities.


Hi Acksull,

Tell me about your HDTivo!! Is it the $1000 DirectTV model with the OTA tuner?

My wife doesn't buy into the whole new HDTV because there is no Tivo functionality. And it hurts me to watch stuff recorded on the Tivo in SD.

Anyhow, sounds like there is no obvious patten to bad tuners. I guess that's good news. I'll start exchanging sets until I get a winner. It's just hauling a 200lb. TV back to the store isn't my idea of fun!

Originally posted by JamisonBWolsh
I tried that as well. Reset it, then ran the auto program. That will not fix the problem. In fact, the tuner could not pick up HDTV signals through the auto program. I had to turn it off, then on again to get it to auto program... So what are you going to do people? Keep the set or exchange it for a working one? I decided to actually go the 36XS955 route...

Man, I feel really really lucky to have one that has both good geometry and a good tuner. This morning, I turned on my set, and normally I don't have enough signal strength for the HD stations... But it came in crystal clear this morning... right from start up... HD Olympics :)

I do used an indoor powered antenna, but I'm more than 40 miles from any towers...

I'm keeping it... (and drooling alot)... Tossed in Nemo for the first time last night... and the colors from the coral are incredible. Basic HD Olympics from the swimming pool are outstanding! I knew this was going to happen... now that I have that damn tv, my tv watching time has increased, practically doubled! :P :(

-C

Originally posted by snclawson
(and the Olympics are on...even with that uber-annoying Sony commercial).

Thank you! I thought I was the only one going to go postal since they show that commercial... that very same commercial every 10 minutes... I'm going nuts! I actually turn to another channel to not have to even hear it anymore.

SONY! If you're listening. Mix it up! Get a second Damn commercial! :P
-C

if you don't mind posting ur serial number maybe u have a later batch?

Originally posted by daumier
first of all - sorry about my rudimentary terminology - I'm fairly new in the world of hi def tv.

Can anyone tell me what 'bad geometry' looks like? I'm not sure if this falls under this category, but I notice that, when viewing 4:3 materials in regular mode, i.e. with vertical black bars on both sides of the pictures, the bars do not appear to be straight. They seem to bow slightly on top.

Also, I notice that when the picture is showing letters or words on screen, there appears to be a thin line that bounds each letter (almost looks like a ghost img or shadow).


Hey D,

If you can afford it, I cannot recommend strongly enough, get a professional calibrator (sp?). It'll run between $200-$350. I'd ask around to make sure you're getting a really good one.

If you cannot afford it (hey, after blowing ~2k on a TV, maybe now is not that best time to start throwing a few hundred more out the door)... then get a calibration disc, sit down and do it yourself. It'll take a long time but you can clear the ghosting and tighen up the bowing on your own... in the service menu.

I paid, and let me tell you, I'm glad I did. The picture is even better than out of the box (and it was darn good then)...
-C

Originally posted by juandixon
if you don't mind posting ur serial number maybe u have a later batch?

I don't mind posting it, but I don't have a later batch. I was the one of the first to get it in the Bay Area. If anything, I've an earlier batch, and have had it for quiet a while now :)

-C

i believe and hope ur situation is the norm and not the exception. really looking forward on getting this set.

my only complaint is the rather dismal OTA SD reception
on most channels. this just may be my set top Antenna also.
It's watchable but sometimes fuzzy.
As for the Olympics I have been using twin view a lot placing the Hd channel on the left side and the SD channel of the dish on the right side,

and toggle back anf forth Especially when that Stupid Comercial comes on.

The SD feed on a plain jane Directv box is more of a True 480i
there is a marked improvement switching from OTA SD to Dish Fed SD

I Ordered a 6 foot optical From C.....Lt for the Digtial out feed to the reciever. I've just about run out of Digital Audio inputs.
Switching back and forth from the OTA to the dish sometimes gets confusing.
Kinda disapointed the remote doesn't recognize my Sony SAT-A1 DirecTV
vintage 96
without manually reprogramming it.

Kinda disapointed the remote doesn't recognize my Sony SAT-A1 DirecTV
vintage 96
without manually reprogramming it.

SAT-A1= Great receiver, awesome video quality compared to modern IRD's :)

bob

Well, I took back serial #8002135 (great Geom, bad tuner) tonight and got the only other one they had in stock, #8002210.

Upon turning it on I allowed it to auto program itself. Guess what??? It didn't find a single Digial Channel.

So I powered it off. Did a factory reset and sure enough after auto programming itself again, it has found 159 channels as of 20 minutes into the search.

So I am pretty positive I am going to have the same problem on this one. And I'm very positive that I'll pull my 27" SD Sony back out of the closet, and this will be my last 960 until around the end of the year or when they have a new production batch out and have fixed the bug.

I bet a lot of people don't report the problem because they aren't doing OTA HD. They're probably just hooking it to a satellite reciever or something via HDMI.

I think I am going to cry. I just want to give Sony a couple thousand dollars and have a TV that works properly. Is that too much to ask?!? </end rant>

Thats what I been saying all along. For a top of the line sony tv set, one should expect it to work properly. As more and more people are buying this set, I notice MANY poeple are now having this problem. And this is a problem.

I have decided to jump ship from the 960 to the 955 (not released yet). Do you know the saying 3 chances and your out? Well, the 960 struck out for me.

I am sort of happy that happened because I realized that 16:9 hdtv is not the best thing yet. MOst shows are still SD and everything wont be changed over for another 5 years. Watching SD is Horrible on this set. Eithor have a 4:3 27" with black bars or do a wide zoom with portions of the pic cut off (also degrading the pQ) I am going to buy i set that I will be happy with for the next 5 years. I just hope this new set wont have the same problems the 960 shows.....

I got my xbr960 isf calibrated last weekend and it's made an incredible improvement. It was definitely worth it. The colors seem perfect and brightness levels etc, likewise. I had tried working with the AVIA disk myself but I didn't think I knew what I was doing to be frank. The calibration included necessary service menu tweaks that I definitely wouldn't have attempted anyway.

I've taken to watching standard directv through s-video and HD programming through the HDMI input. All the inputs were calibrated independently, including dvd.

It's very cool to be able to get OTA SD/DT channels right into the tv. You can use the Twin View function and have 2 live programs goin at once (albeit only 1 scrambled channel in this setup). I need to get my antenna tweaked or swapped to get a couple other stations coming in but the tv tuner seems fine. It easily switches channels and when I toggle between inputs or on air/off air, there's no hiccup at all.

I thought I’d stop back in here and comment.

I have ’960 S/N 8003116. I’m using it exclusively OTA—no cable, no satellite. I live in one of the close-in Chicago suburbs, so there are a lot of OTA signals.

I am very pleased with this set. It’s performance on OTA analog is fair, but I am very impressed with SD digital. And, of course, it’s excellent on HDTV. Maybe I got lucky, but I have not had any problems with this set. The only thing I would change is to be able to see digital channels in the “index” mode. (And, it would be nice if you could store freeze frames on a memory card.)

I am still trying to get more information on the recommended minimum signal strength. My diagnostic panel indicates from 27 S/N (85 signal strength) to 34 S/N (98 signal strength) on the various channels. I went back to the store where I bought it, and checked their readings—almost the same as mine! So I asked the salesman. He said check with Service. I asked at the Service desk. He didn’t have a clue. But he did patch me through to their service manager. He wasn’t sure what I was talking about. I told him I could show him on their floor sample, so he came down and looked. His response? “Wow. They didn’t tell us about this.” He suggested I’m fine, and I should stop worrying and enjoy the set. I suppose he’s right.

But I still want to know more about Sony’s recommended signal strength. I want to know what Sony speficies as the minimum value for their set to operate properly. Does anyone have the service manual, maybe this would have more information.

Mark

Buying a XBR960 is like playing Roulette...... You dont know if the tv set your buying is the chamber with the bullet. If your mind is set in buying this set. Wait a year...

Jamison,

No offense, but you are becoming a complete downer to this thread. Your problems with the 960 have been well documented and your position on it is clear by now. Could you please cease with the negative remarks or at least take them somewhere else; some of us are still enthusiastic about the set.

agreed i know a few guys who are absolutely estatic about their set. :D

bad geometry can always be fixed. bad tuner probably means u need a better ota signal. also just because one gets a good ota sd signal doesn't mean their ota hd signal is gonna be good too. and sadly lotta ppl who think that just because they have an hdtv that they will automatically get ota hd are wrong. signal strength and clarity and other factors are involved much more so than sd ota.

also since the 955 and 960 are similar in specs then what makes you think that you won't get the same problems? they probably share very similar tuner technology if not the same tuner...

Jamison,
No offense, but you are becoming a complete downer to this thread.


I second that. Chill out dude. I have been 100% happy with my 960. I haven't posted in awhile because I have been happily enjoying the Olympics, preseason football, PBS, etc! I think every major product has the chance to have something wrong with it (cars, electronics etc.) Its part of life. You are lucky enough to have been able to return three sets with only the annoyance of having to have someone come out and pick them up. I agree with you that there is a bug in these sets but it will all work out. Just relax man. Enjoy life. Focus all this negative energy on something positive!:)

on a side note, is anyone using VOOM with your 960? How is the reception (OTA) compared to the 960's onboard tuner? Do you get any pixelization on the VOOM HD channels?

Originally posted by cad_3
Hey D,

If you can afford it, I cannot recommend strongly enough, get a professional calibrator (sp?). It'll run between $200-$350. I'd ask around to make sure you're getting a really good one.

If you cannot afford it (hey, after blowing ~2k on a TV, maybe now is not that best time to start throwing a few hundred more out the door)... then get a calibration disc, sit down and do it yourself. It'll take a long time but you can clear the ghosting and tighen up the bowing on your own... in the service menu.

I paid, and let me tell you, I'm glad I did. The picture is even better than out of the box (and it was darn good then)...
-C

I am actually quite interested in getting an ISF calibration. However, I have never gotten a definitive answer whether or not such calibration would void the warranty. Any thoughts? comments? experience? thx! D

JuanDixon:

Actually I don't think it's lack of signal. I have a whopper of an antenna and get great numbers. There is a minor problem on my set with the tuner startup when it's cold. However it only happens on digital OTA, and within a minute or so of warming up - or if I tune a different analog channel first, it fixes itself. It's really just a minor nuisance.

As for the bashing:
I too am quite sorry that Jamison has continued to complain. I hope he soon purchases, and is able to keep, another set. And for the sake of some other respectable thread out there, I really hope he gets the best damn set ever made, that it is perfect in every way and the best value ever!

Let all of us who have purchased and are happy with our 960's live in peace, forever more.

i am very curious to see how the 960 hd tuner compares with other hd tuners on the same ota hd source.

I live in Plano, TX and I've been on the waiting list for over a month to get this set from a national chain store here. Last time I talked to the sales guy he told me that Sony has stopped production on this set until further notice. Can anyone confirm or deny this? There has to be someone out there that works for sony, or knows someone that does that can answer that.

Thanks

i talked to a sony store rep and said that no production halt, its just that the set is so new with so much orders that its hard to fill demand. frankly i don't trust anything sales tell me especially from gg,cc,bb, etc.

So you believe a rep from a sony store. The sony store is owned by sony. Sony does not want poeple to know there is a halt on production. Hmmmmm... do you think SONY would tell ITS OWN workers to tell its customers there is a halt in production? I dont think so... I WOULD believe a rep from BB, CC, or GG over a sony rep any day... Now I am not saying there IS a halt in production, I am just saying be carefull WHO you believe...

"I WOULD believe a rep from BB, CC, or GG over a sony rep any day" :D

i bet in silvertone's situation, that he was told a production halt as a way to get his mind off of a set that they probably didn't have any stock of, AND therefore sell him a set that they did have stock of. lol typical sale's trick. i know i WAS IN SALES LOLOLOLOLOL

abc on sales: always be closing, preorders suck cuz your not getting the full monty plus the customer can always change their mind later.

As for the negative comments. You got a good set! Great, I am happy for you! However, when I have to go through HELL 3 different times on 3 different weekends, you would be mad! I can see a problem with 1 set, ok, fine that happens.... BUT 3 times in a row? AND everytime, having to FIGHT with the delivery people saying its the tuner, not the cables/antenna/equipment. I will not "calm down" or let it be. There IS a PROBLEM with these sets. People must be warned so this does not happen to them. Should I not say anything? I dont think so. If sony delivered a working set, i would not be making these comments. Think about.

just curious jb if you had any another hdtv set(outside of 960) work properly on ur current ota source?

I thought we already discussed this at length? Its a tuner problem inside the tv set. Not THE ANTENNA! my first xbr960 tuner worked wonderfully.

your not answering my question, have you ever tried another hdtv set besides the kd34xbr960?

again i am not saying ur wrong, just trying to follow a logical process of elimination.

also after ur first set, is it possible that any damage may have occurred to ur antenna, cables, etc maybe during transition to the new set?

I live in an apartment complex that has an $$$ antenna of their own. (BTW, the cc manager got into a fight with me saying that apartment buildings no longer have antennas- go figure). There is only one connection for the antenna and that is one cable running from the wall to the antenna input on the set. The cable is fine and the antenna is not powered because of the SHEER size of it. I can get all hdtv signals from every station broadcasted in my area.

As for trying another set besides the 960 (first one- tuner worked), I have not. Not many sets out there that has a tuner integrated. I dont need to get into this discussion again. Its a tuner issue as proven by other members and owners

Originally posted by gundyrat1
As for the Olympics I have been using twin view a lot placing the Hd channel on the left side and the SD channel of the dish on the right side,


*LOL* I see I'm not the only one.


and toggle back anf forth Especially when that Stupid Comercial comes on.


Yup!
As for optical audio... I messed up and only got a 3' one! :( So, now I have to wait until I build my stand this weekend and then I can make sure it's close enough to plug in. I'm just worried it'll be a tight fit. Worse, I can't seem to make the optical 1 input work w/ the reciever. Input #2 works just fine, so I might have 1 extra unusable cable.

Anyone ever try to get a company to fix an input you'd never used before beyond the 30 trial period? I've had the set for about 2-3 months, I've just never used Optical 1 before. It's an Onkyo receiver for what it's worth...
-C

Originally posted by daumier
I am actually quite interested in getting an ISF calibration. However, I have never gotten a definitive answer whether or not such calibration would void the warranty. Any thoughts? comments? experience? thx! D

No, it doesn't void the warranty. They don't open up the box or anything. Just attach a device to the screen attached to a laptop. Pull up the outputs on a laptop, and fix it so that it's dead on. Then they'll go into your service menu and align the RGB so they are also dead on (hence crisp picture).

If you have any questions, talk w/ the guy before hand and let me know. For me, if I was unhappy, I could undo everything he did by reseting it to the factory defaults (no way in hell... but technically I -could- do that).

Cheers mate,

-C

Just want to chime in here...I've had my xbr960 for about 5 days now and I love it! My wife also watches the HD NBC broadcast side by side with the SD version. I've been checking in the Sacramento area for ISF calibration and have been quoted estimates from $250 to $425. But they said wait for 1-2 months before having it done.

My two cents on the tuner problem, since my replacement set has a bad tuner that behaves in exactly the same manner as the other's have reported.

I get a `No signal' on digital channels when the TV has been off for a while, both the on-air and cable connections. Checking the diagnostics page shows exactly this, that the tuner dosen't believe it's getting a signal! Turning off the tv and then back on (so far) has always fixed the problem and I get a great picture. This is exactly the same setup that I used with the previous 960 with zero problems. As a further data point, it's also the setup that worked flawlessly with my Dish 811 and it's off-air tuner, along with an LG ATSC/QAM tuner.

The amazing thing about the whiners here is that there could easily be something simple like a cold solder or something on the antenna input that would keep them from getting a good signal until the set warms up.

If they simply did as I did, GET THE SET FIXED instead of playing Russian Roulette, they would most likely have a working TV by now.

So you have to have them work on it....whoopee.....do you want a working set or just to complain? Is it easier to get it repaired or lug TVs back and forth from the store.

Maybe you like going into the store with returns. But it appears its likely that you just want to complain.

If you want a perfect set out the box, I guess you shouldn't need an ICF calibration should you? That eliminates about 100% of the sets sold.

Give it a rest.

Originally posted by HDTVFanAtic
The amazing thing about the whiners here is that there could easily be something simple like a cold solder or something on the antenna input that would keep them from getting a good signal until the set warms up.

If they simply did as I did, GET THE SET FIXED instead of playing Russian Roulette, they would most likely have a working TV by now.

So you have to have them work on it....whoopee.....do you want a working set or just to complain? Is it easier to get it repaired or lug TVs back and forth from the store.

Maybe you like going into the store with returns. But it appears its likely that you just want to complain.

If you want a perfect set out the box, I guess you shouldn't need an ICF calibration should you? That eliminates about 100% of the sets sold.

Give it a rest.


This tuner problem is a real problem and not an antenna problem like some are suggesting.

My set #2 was a bust. Tuner is even worse than the first. The TV has to be warmed up for about two minutes. Then turned off, then turned back on to get any HD signal reception (OTA and cable sources) Perhaps it is a solder joint or something trivial. Maybe something more sinister <grin>. If the TV is off for more than about a hour it has to be warmed up again to get reception.

I agree. Lugging a TV back and forth for exchange it no solution to the problem. So, I opened a ticket with Sony. They said the TV needs to get mailed to San Diego to get repaired by Sony themselves, or through a local repair place. I called a local shop and they reported that there aren't even parts in the channel to repair the 960 yet. <hehe> So am I going to spend $2000 on a TV to let it go sit at a repair place? <grin> I don't think so.

So I'm going back one last time to exhange it. I'm going to make the Retailer open the box of the new one and plug the TV in and hook up the OTA antenna in the store. If it doesn't detect any digital signal on first power up, I'll try another one until I get on that does. :-)

And if all that fails, I'll take a little vacation from the 960 for a few months until they fix these initial production problems.

It is the most incredible HD set I've ever seen. I'm still rabidly in love with my set, but am just looking for one that works every time I turn it on. That's not too much to ask, right?

But I hope sharing my story will go to help others in dealing with the same problem and won't be seen as bashing the TV. It is an incredible set.

MW

..nicely put MW. I'm an owner that's been up and down with this set. I love the HD picture, and trying to work out the geometry thru tech visits or possibly a return is not something I look forward to, but after trying to live with it, it just drove me too nuts (as well as my wife, who I'm sure will leaved me after how anal I've been over this tv), so now I'm awaiting a fix. I'm willing to go through the hoops for this one, but could I or should I endorse this set....I don't know...I'm not maniacally bitter, but I do feel a little weary after three 34HS510's and now a 960 with a beautiful, albeit flawed picture. Let's be honest, this TV obviously has some impressive attributes, but will it be remembered for it's stunning display, or it's broken promises.

sometimes i wonder if the peeps with signal/tuner issues <not all> ever read the reception/programming forum, or visit satellite guys.

my 960 is sweet, and any burps my reception/tuner etc have had has turned out to be:
1. digital signal loss caused by weather,
2. older bios on the VOOM motorola stb;
3. microstutter, etc, momentary sound/picture loss/channel delay is a characteristic of some digital broadcasts. read.

all issues are either fixed or go away.

i enjoy widescreen anamorphic <super 8 bit>, the olympics in hd, and i even get bob spants in clear and crisp.

go voom :)
my .02us

My first XBR960 had a tuner problem as I've previously reported here. The second one has worked flawlessly for the past few weeks. Since the cable wiring and connections didn't change, it must have been a tuner problem on the first set. So I think that there really is a tuner problem on some (probably a small percentage) of these sets.

However, I am still glad I ordered the set despite the problems with the first, since the picture quality on HDTV and DVD's is fantastic and SD is just fine. My daughter was watching a DVD last night on our older 27" Panasonic and I was shocked at how poor the picture quality looked in comparison to the XBR960. I said "how can you watch that thing!"

Hey guys,

I placed an order with CC for my KD-34XBR960 but they do not have it in stock, and neither does their warehouse.

My first question is, for the 30 day money back guarantee, when does that start? Is it when I get my tv, or when I placed the order. The salesperson says he guesses it will be two weeks before they receive more, and having only one week to return it if necessary is cutting it a little close.

The other thing I am wondering about is the tuner. It seems certain people have had bad luck with the tuner. Right now I am just using analog cable, but down the road I will probably be upgrading to either digital cable or satelitte, and possibley some HD in the line-up. If I get digital cable and use the cable card, and find out a year from now my tuner is bust, then what?

I have no OTA HD available in my area, so I can't test things out that way.

I was told that the 30 day money-back guarantee (or even for exchanges!) started the day you ordered your set. This particular stance goes against both customer service in general and the spirit of the `30 day guarantee' in particular, but that's what they said. Personally I think that it's a crock. At least their service agreements start the day you actually get your TV.

Anyway, as for the tuner. You say that you've got cable? and that they offer digital cable in your area? In that case you should be able t o get some channels using the digital tuner in the XBR and try it out immediately. They just have to be unscrambled. In my area this includes the local channels in HD, but also a couple other cheesy channels like the Golf network. When the tuner isn't working you just don't pick up any digital channels, they don't have to be HD.

Originally posted by TennBikeBerk
Hey guys,

I placed an order with CC for my KD-34XBR960 but they do not have it in stock, and neither does their warehouse.

My first question is, for the 30 day money back guarantee, when does that start? Is it when I get my tv, or when I placed the order. The salesperson says he guesses it will be two weeks before they receive more, and having only one week to return it if necessary is cutting it a little close.

The other thing I am wondering about is the tuner. It seems certain people have had bad luck with the tuner. Right now I am just using analog cable, but down the road I will probably be upgrading to either digital cable or satelitte, and possibley some HD in the line-up. If I get digital cable and use the cable card, and find out a year from now my tuner is bust, then what?

I have no OTA HD available in my area, so I can't test things out that way.

The CC return issue has come up before. My recollection was the CC salesman assured me the 30 days started only once it was delivered but the sales slip said 30 days from the order date. In my case, it was delivered fairly quickly so it wasn't an issue, but I would make sure you either get it in writing that it is 30 days from delivery OR threaten to cancel the order unless they extend the 30 day return period in writing. And of course you could cancel it before the 30 days is up and then re-order it to start the 30 day period again if necessary.

My tuner problems were with both the SD and HD channels and I do not have the STB or satellite. I am just paying for standard analog cable, even though I guess I have a digital connection and I can access some of the digital channels. So I'm not sure if the tuner problems were just with digital cable. My guess is at least my tuner problems were not limited to digital cable.

I just purchased a Sony KD-34XBR960 yesterday (S/N: 8004571) . Hooked it up last night straight to Comcast Cable. PQ for SD looks great. Will be getting a CableCARD next Friday, so I'll have to wait for PQ on HD till then. But I really like what I see so far, this is a great TV.

nice just curious where did u purchase urs at? i know most places are backordered.

the 30 day has to be from the time you receive it. if you endorse an express agreement for otherwise then its what your agreement stipulates.

my thinking:
A lives next to the warehouse/dropship and orders his set the day they get in a shipment. he has 30 days to work with.

B lives in 29 palms, and the day he orders the warehouse is clean out. then hurricane jamison hits :) he ends up getting his set 31 days later.

both paid the same amount from the same store, yet one is disadvantaged. inequitable. and i'd sue no problem :)

none. in fact i live three miles from a district courthouse :)
my .02us

Originally posted by juandixon
nice just curious where did u purchase urs at? i know most places are backordered.

Abt Electronics in Glenview, IL http://www.**************.com

Silly question for you all:

My 960 is being delivered this Saturday, 3 days before I was actually expecting it. The delivery is going to be easy for the guys since there's an elevator in my building.

I was wondering, though, how big the *box* is that the TV comes in. I want to see if they will be able to bring the box all the way into the apartment before setting it up.

Thanks!

For my delivery last Saturday, the CC guys left the box in the truck and just delivered the tv straight into my house. I didn't see the box at all.

i don't think the box will fit thru most standard doors :D

Just took delivery today...

XBR960 box size -> 44"w x 30"d x 31 1/2"h

If you didn't see, there is a HUGE ARTICLE in USA Today 8/19/2004, Page 3B....bottom 1/3rd of Page "High definition: It's must-see TV worth the wait"

The TV. (can you guess?), the Sony KD-34XBR960.

Quotes include....

I made it to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games last week, only I never actually left U.S. soil. At least I felt like I was in Athens, watching the pyrotechnic pageantry on a 34-inch Sony Wega high-definition television.
I've experienced the splendor of HDTV on massive screens at trade shows and (envious sigh) at friends' and relatives' houses. But this was the first time I've soaked in high def in my own family room. Before the arrival of the Wega, and even briefly afterward, I wondered if HDTV at chez Baig was as elusive as a gold medal.

..................

Until recently, the chief factors holding back most mainstream consumers from glitzy TV have been sky-high prices, a paltry supply of programming, and not least, confusion. The confusion part still exists. I wonder if people who buy "HD-ready TVs" understand they'll need a separate tuner. I also imagine most folks still don't know that while HDTV is a digital television, not all digital TVs are HDTVs. Basically, HDTVs are the best of digital televisions.

HDTVs don't carry bargain prices as do some of their analog counterparts. But prices are falling. The Sony Wega (model: KD-34XBR960) I've been testing has a reasonable list price of $2,200; I found online merchants peddling it for less than $1,700.

You might come across smaller screen HD-ready monitors (without tuners) for under $500, though you'll usually pay more. The sexiest of the thin LCD and plasma flat-panel models are still aimed at people who can afford yachts and second homes.

The "direct-view" Sony is based on old-fashioned picture tube technology. That's one of the reasons — along with bulk and modest screen size — that it's cheaper than, say, large-screen plasmas. There's nothing cheap about its stunning color picture, arguably better than sets that cost a lot more. The TV boasts widescreen cinematic "16-by-9"display capabilities, ideal for movies or viewing the entire Olympic swimming pool. Most regular TVs, and some entry-level HDTV models, only display the more squarish 4-by-3 format. (These "aspect ratios" reflect the proportion of how wide an image is compared with its height.)

The flat-screen Wega is a good choice for anyone constrained by room or cabinet size; as it was, the 196-pound TV barely squeezed into my wall unit.

................................

The gorgeous detail and surround sound that make up an HD signal raises the bar on must-see TV, within limits. I found myself marveling at how sharp the high-def feed of the CBS soap The Young and the Restless was compared with the fuzzy analog version.

As sterling as most of the pictures have been most of the time, I detected annoying pixilation watching divers, gymnasts and other athletes in action. Perhaps the HD feed remains a work in progress. For now, I'm forgiving such blemishes. High definition has been definitely worth the wait.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/edwardbaig/2004-08-18-baig_x.htm

This is a newbie question-


Had a question on the OTA HDTV Tuner in the TV,

I currently do not suscribe to cable and no satelite service, so I get all my local Houston channels over an installed attic TV antenna.

When I buy the 34XBR, do I just take the coaxial cable from the antenna run and hook it up to the TV and the TV should recognize the HDTV signal (if the program is in HD) from the local Houston network affiliates. If so, is the coaxial cable the best way to hook up the antenna??

Brian

Yes, Brian. Just hook up the coaxial cable, and then run the auto-setup process. Just like analog TV's, the set will find all the available stations.
It will also "group" the digital channels with the "parent" channel. For example, here in Chicago the local ABC affiliate is on channel 7. The Sony groups ABC's digital channels and shows them as 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3, even though the actual digital channel is somewhere in the UHF band. Slick!

I have a rotatable UHF/VHF OTA antenna. I found the tuning is a little more critical on the digital channels, but now I know where to point the antenna and everything's great. (It seems you need to have a stronger signal for the digital channels to work properly. There's a diagnostic menu that shows you signal strength and signal-to-noise ratio, but there no information in the manual on what the numbers mean!) So you may need a pre-amplifier on the antenna. But perhaps not. Just connect the set when you get it and see.

It's a great TV--enjoy!

Mark

Brian,

There are two RF inputs on the back of the monitor, one is labeled 'antenna' and the other is labeled 'cable TV'.

Just connect the feed from the antenna in the roof to the 'antenna' input on the back of the monitor, run the auto setup (it may take upwards of an hour) and enjoy HD and SD broadcasts for free.

hey sega u got it? :)

So, I'm a bit ticked right now.

When I purchased my XBR960 last Saturday, the 14th, at Tweeter in Boston, I was told the TV would not be arriving in their warehouse until the 23rd and that delivery would be made on the 24th. Fine, I said to myself. It's a popular TV, and I only need to wait about a week.

Yesterday, the 19th, I got a voicemail at home from their home delivery people saying the TV was arriving today (the 20th) and that they would like to schedule delivery for this Saturday (the 21st).

So I called them to set up a time for this Saturday. They then told me nothing arrived yet today and that they were now not expecting this TV until the *27th* and would not be able to deliver it until at least the *31st*.

I have a feeling this date is just going to keep being pushed back and back and back.

ha i ordered mine on early aug but won't get it till late sept lol

juandixon,

I have NOT received a call from the Sony Family Store, nor have I received my monitor.

Although, I did just purchase eight D-Theater titles to go with my brand new JVC 40k D-Theater deck.

My ISF calibrator is emailing me asking when the monitor will be here, and I have resorted to studying the schematics of the XBR960 that come with the service manual that I ordered and received from Sony.

I must be going nuts...what do you think?

i assume its been around 6-7 weeks already, they told me 4-8 weeks when I ordered mine in early aug. but yeah there is definitely a shortage. sonystyle store says its shipping in 5-7 days so that means maybe a new batch will come in next week. did u order the stand too?

I am trying to decide whether to purchase the 34XBR960 in town (CC - Houston) have them in stock in the warehouse, or buy from Crutchfield over the Net.

Both places have the same price, but at CC I have to pay sales tax which is $186.00 extra. No sales tax at Crutchfield and no-charge delivery.

If the TV is received from Crutchfield and it is defective then I have to deal with Sony. Crutchfield does not take returns on this large of a TV.

CC has the 30 day return policy, so if TV is defective it is not much of a hassle to return to CC.

What do you guys think?? In your opinion better to buy from CC or crutchfield on a TV of this size.

Thanks,

Brian

Well, it's your decision, but...

I decided to buy my set from a local vendor. (ABT in Glenview, Il). They delivered the set, carried it down the basement steps, assembled the stand, and put the TV on the stand for me. They also connected my coax cable, and stayed while the set went through the "auto-program" routine. They didn't leave until I was satisfied the set was working. That was worth a lot to me. (I have a lot of confidence in Sony, but if the set had been "DOA," it wouldn't have been my problem. They would have taken it back right then.) And I know I can get local service for it if necessary.

I have ordered may electronic items via the mail--including some computers. But this baby weighs in at almost 200 pounds, so I didn't want to put myself in a position of having to ship it anywhere.

Mark

PS I wish I had asked the delivery guys to carry the old 27" XBR upstairs--it was a job my wife and I could barely handle!

Could anyone snap a few pictures(960) with their digital camera showing a hdtv picture being played and also a picture from sd? I know it will not acomplish alot but i would sure like to see what the picture looks like hd and also sd over the computer. It is not a cc or bb close to me and will be a little while untill i can get to a cc or bb that has one. If anyone knows of pictures that has already been snapped or shown, please give me the link.
Thanks,

Here's a screen shot of a 34XBR960. Is this worth fixing in the service menu or just return it? I was wondering how this compares to others.

Also on the same set, the HDMI connector is very sensitive to movement. If you barely touch the connector, the signal is lost on the TV.

Screen Shot (http://www.tabsoftware.com/download/xbr/geom3.jpg)

Photo placed in link to minimize bandwidth.

..definitely call sony service. Your geometry should be improved by a tech or your set should be replaced.

Thanks tko, i am not sure of the questions as i have not got one but was thinking about getting a new set. I hope to see more pictures also and maybe it will help you seeing some screen shots of others as well. The blacks really look nice and black and the colors stand out and look good.

Paris,

Note the screen shot is of SD materia. I picked SD to show the terrible geometry.

Originally posted by TKO
Paris,

Note the screen shot is of SD materia. I picked SD to show the terrible geometry.

Better calibrate that set.

Does this only happen in sd? Is it a work around to have someone tune the set and fix the geometry? Do you have the same geometry in hdtv or only in sd? If the problems can all be fixed with someone professinally tuneing these sets, it would be well worth it but i am not sure if this is the case. It would be interesting to see if anyone has had a professional come calibrate their set and them still not like it or have problems.
Thanks again

This is why I posted the picture. I don't know if my set is way out of norm vs. others or I should accept the geometry and waste time/money on correcting it.

Right now if the HDMI connector doesn't function better, the set will probably go back on that reason.

I have not messed around with Avia yet.

It would be good if others would post a sceen shot of the olympics at this time and show you their set. I hope others are on now and will post some pics and advice back to you. I agree if you knew it was just a geometry problem and a calibrater could fix it, pay the money and do it but if it is the sets problem, you do not want to throw money away.

i ordered my set through sonystyle and dont see what benefit i lose.

if the set is defective or has issues within 2 years i either get it replaced or serviced by a sony auth <local> tech.

its in house service and you dont pay for it. so whats the issue ? the sony delivery contractor <forget the name now> is professional. imo a better choice than a b&m drop off.

just my .02

tko maybe you have bad geometry, ill take your word. using a field track to show curvature/bowing isnt what i'd use. you have avia, why dont you use it ? should take you 10 min.

assuming it is bowing, thats not a horrible bow and i've seen worse fixed. but clearly if you <or a tech> cant fix it, replace it. email sony but imo that sort of service falls under the inhouse warranty.

either way, gl to you

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dizzyfaust
[B]i ordered my set through sonystyle and dont see what benefit i lose.

if the set is defective or has issues within 2 years i either get it replaced or serviced by a sony auth <local> tech.

its in house service and you dont pay for it. so whats the issue ? the sony delivery contractor <forget the name now> is professional. imo a better choice than a b&m drop off.

The issue is that you usually get a bozo that makes the set worse than when he showed up!

bob

Originally posted by BloatedCorpse
..definitely call sony service. Your geometry should be improved by a tech or your set should be replaced.

TKO
i had a good korean sony service tech and he reduced the same geometry issue with my 960.while he did not totally eliminate it, i'm satisfied that it is the best they could do and will not return my unit,just for that anayway.

by the way, my side vertical bars are black-how did you make them light gray?
eblue

So, if you do get a 960 with slight geometry issues, could a Sony technician actually fix it under warranty?

Once I get my 960 (it was pushed back from this Saturday to the 31st), I was considering having any issues fixed by an ISF-certified technician (after a 100+ hour burn-in). The cost was $300.

Would a Sony technician be able to do as good a job for free (or even better) as an ISF technician would for $300?

Thanks.

TKO,

You have the same geometry issue I have in the upper corners and slight bend on bottom, but yours looks more extreme. For some reason on my set the geometry issue is not noticeable when watching 16:9 HDTV.

The time when the Geometry looks absoulutley the worst is on CBS-HD with the gray sidebars. The bars bow in at the top and bow out at the bottom. I don't really notice geometry problems any other time.

1000!!! yippee hehe