Ok, I really enjoyed this machine for the first two years. But two issues now in the last few weeks and I am regretting it.

Issue #1 is the fact that I am having HDMI connectivity issues. HDMI from my Scientific Atlanta 8300HD DVR does not work. I can live with this, since I am satisfied with the component video. But it would make life easier if I had HDMI, since everything could go through my Harman Kardon AVR247.

Issue #2 This really has me irritated. The original bulb lasted two years. I had no idea I would have to spend over $100 every two years to keep this monitor working. However, the 2nd (Sony) bulb only lasted six months. I am afraid the price of bulbs will only go up as time goes on.

I paid $3500 for this, and now equivalent tvs are 1/2 what I paid. I feel ripped off and stuck with a maintenance nightmare.

Rant off.

Did you get an extended warrenty? if so it "should cover one bulb" and you can get the HDMI stuff fixed.
Search the net for bulbs the $$ varries alot.

I'm on my third bulb and I've had mine since 04. the orriginal bulb lasted A LONG TIME, but the second one that a tech replaced, was like yours. I bought one and it's doing good.

Bought mine from CC in Jan 05, and I replaced the bulb in Jan and will probably be replacing it by Oct. I bought a 4 year extended warranty that included bulb changes for the period of the warranty. It's like buying a brand new tv when the bulb is repalced.

Bought mine from CC in Jan 05, and I replaced the bulb in Jan and will probably be replacing it by Oct. I bought a 4 year extended warranty that included bulb changes for the period of the warranty. It's like buying a brand new tv when the bulb is repalced.
:) true that!!!!

I was offered an extended warranty for $600 which sounded too steep. So far, I am money ahead on the bulbs. I could buy at least three more bulbs in the next 2 years.

As far as the HDMI is concerned, the HDMI input works on my TV when connected to the H/K. It seems to be a compatability issue with the Scinetific Atlanta DVR.

Thanks for everyone's input (pun intended!), Carl

I was offered an extended warranty for $600 which sounded too steep. So far, I am money ahead on the bulbs. I could buy at least three more bulbs in the next 2 years.

As far as the HDMI is concerned, the HDMI input works on my TV when connected to the H/K. It seems to be a compatability issue with the Scinetific Atlanta DVR.

Thanks for everyone's input (pun intended!), Carl
I understand, but my one service call to get a bulb replaced came out to the cost of my warrenty. AND NOW I just got the light engine because that's getting replaced too. that part was about 12-1600 I do not remember right off hand. For a total cost of 2221.26 (give or take a few dollars.

I will ALWAYS get an extended warrenty on something like these TV's

Hey be glad you didn’t have a GWIII or the first SXRDs. Those all had far worse problems that Sony refused to acknowledge for the longest time. Check ebay for the bulbs. I have had my KDF55WF655 for two years now without any problems. I can’t say that for the GWIII TV that it replaced. I had 4 service calls on the GWIII in 1 year. After a 3 month battle they finally replaced it with the KDF55WF655 and I couldn’t be happier. I wouldn’t even trade it for a new SXRD because I know the GIV TVs are actually the most reliable of any of them.

Enjoy your TV it is a nice one. I think it is the best looking cabinet of any of them.

The HDMI issues are the cable box not the TV! I have the same box and the same TV. No problems here.