KD-34XBR960 reliability

RWetmore · 08-02-06, 09:55 AM

I'm trying to get a sense of the reliability of this set. If you have had problems, try to specifically identify them. Thanks.

RWetmore · 08-02-06, 10:57 PM

Feel free to post comments (this will keep the thread and the poll going!). Thanks.

RWetmore · 08-05-06, 01:59 PM

To the top

RWetmore · 08-07-06, 08:43 PM

I want to keep this going

Mathesar · 08-07-06, 10:08 PM

My first XBR960N came out of the box with a couple flaws , the contrast would bloom much earlier than it should (for example white text would start looking blury with the Picture setting at 30),it also had a noticable 'flicker' effect when viewing 720 or 1080i sources which was confirmed not normal by a sony tech visit, instead of having it worked on I returned it for another XBR960N.

The replacement looks much better in fact I can crank up the contrast to near max without any blooming (I dont leave it turned up that high tho) ,also this one doesnt have any flicker issues. The only downside is the replacement has worse geometry in the corners, especially in the bottom right corner but it hasnt been a big issue, also Ive experienced the infamous wont power on symptom which was fixed simply by unplugging it for a minute,this has only happened once in the 6 months ive had it.

mortaldivine · 08-08-06, 10:52 AM

My TV blinked/flashed every 5 min when I got my tv. Repair man had to come out and fix it. Then theres the ghosting which is really annoying, dark side of the screen , non-uniform brightness across the screen , and my tv could go for some convergence and geometry touchups. Oh and I almost forgot, the new light blue tints appearing on the corners of my screen.

nurfed

CR_Client · 08-08-06, 03:08 PM

No problems whatsoever. Or, if I've had any problems, I haven't seen them.

One or two minor geometry things that aren't worth calling a "problem", as they could easily be fixed by an ISF calibration, which I have neither the time nor money for.

Q of BanditZ · 08-08-06, 05:09 PM

Not two years yet, but so far...all good.

calguy99 · 08-08-06, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mathesar

a sony tech visit

Is a Sony tech visit covered as part of the warranty. Will they come out and calibrate your display if you are not happy with it as part of the warranty?

iamhives · 08-08-06, 05:55 PM

Flashing like Mortaldivide after the TV warmed up. whcih developed after maybe 6 months o ownership. Involved the repairman replacing the insulation with RTV 106 silicon sealer/insulation around the pins at the back of the tube. He said its a relatively common problem and basically a manufaturing problem with the insulation that causes arcing after the TV warms up enoug. Sony is very aware of this as there is a technmical service bulletin that addresses this exact symptom very specifically. Sort of annoying to have to get my neighbor to help lift the TV up/down from/to a high armoire where the TV is placed on different days.

But its fixed now and looks beautiful

epiphane · 08-09-06, 11:18 AM

My's a 910...close to 3 yrs old w/o any problems...

...as I look towards the ceiling with fingers crossed...

Cheers

CCMOO · 08-10-06, 10:14 AM

After owning my unit three weeks, I had one vertical black line that appeared one morning, disappeared after an hour, and never came back. Other than that, it's been terrific.

RWetmore · 08-15-06, 12:39 PM

Let's keep this going.

RWetmore · 08-19-06, 10:47 AM

and going....

sphinx99 · 08-19-06, 01:16 PM

Mine lasted a few weeks before it wouldn't turn on anymore. Furthermore, having gotten used to geometry and conformity conveniences of digital display devices, my '960 was chock full of geometry issues and non-uniform color. I definitely got the sense of "pushing the technology a little too far" from my experience. I also surveyed at least a dozen floor models before purchase and was surprised that every one of them had bowing, color spots, or some other malady--problems pretty much absent from all other displays I'd seen, even other, cheaper CRTs. I'd bought it anyway in spite of this, and learned my lesson...

Very confusing. I was expecting an ownership experience a little closer to the 24" computer CRTs I used to have.

Mathesar · 08-19-06, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphinx99

Mine lasted a few weeks before it wouldn't turn on anymore. Furthermore, having gotten used to geometry and conformity conveniences of digital display devices, my '960 was chock full of geometry issues and non-uniform color. I definitely got the sense of "pushing the technology a little too far" from my experience. I also surveyed at least a dozen floor models before purchase and was surprised that every one of them had bowing, color spots, or some other malady--problems pretty much absent from all other displays I'd seen, even other, cheaper CRTs. I'd bought it anyway in spite of this, and learned my lesson...

Very confusing. I was expecting an ownership experience a little closer to the 24" computer CRTs I used to have.

I still use a 24" Sony PC CRT (GDM-FW900) and would have to agree ..If only the XBR960 could have the same near perfect geometry and convergence as one of these units ..in fact ive never seen a CRT with such straight geometry / corner to corner focus / convergence , But Im still very happy with my XBR960 and at least it doesnt suffer from any color blotch issues.. I do wish it wasnt so dark when viewing HDTV channels ..I have to really crank up the brightness to eliminate black crush on mine but this seems like a common complaint with XBR960 users, but I notice some channels are brighter than others so maybe I shouldnt blame the TV.

RWetmore · 08-19-06, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mathesar

I still use a 24" Sony PC CRT (GDM-FW900) and would have to agree ..If only the XBR960 could have the same near perfect geometry and convergence as one of these units ..in fact ive never seen a CRT with such straight geometry / corner to corner focus / convergence , But Im still very happy with my XBR960 and at least it doesnt suffer from any color blotch issues.. I do wish it wasnt so dark when viewing HDTV channels ..I have to really crank up the brightness to eliminate black crush on mine but this seems like a common complaint with XBR960 users, but I notice some channels are brighter than others so maybe I shouldnt blame the TV.

The best way I have found to eliminate the black crush is to find an accurate greyscale with the highest _DRV and _CUT settings possible. Start by putting RDRV and RCUT all the way up to 63, then just adjust BDRV, BCUT, GDRV, and GCUT keeping RDRV and RCUT at 63. The _CUT and SBRT (brightness) adjustments on my set definately have a non-linear relationship to one another (in fact virtually no relationship at all according to my test patterns) With high _DRV and _CUT values, you can achieve better shadow detail without washout.

Mathesar · 08-20-06, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWetmore

The best way I have found to eliminate the black crush is to find an accurate greyscale with the highest _DRV and _CUT settings possible. Start by putting RDRV and RCUT all the way up to 63, then just adjust BDRV, BCUT, GDRV, and GCUT keeping RDRV and RCUT at 63. The _CUT and SBRT (brightness) adjustments on my set definately have a non-linear relationship to one another (in fact virtually no relationship at all according to my test patterns) With high _DRV and _CUT values, you can achieve better shadow detail without washout.

Thanks for the tip Ill give that a try.

MotorCityJoe · 08-20-06, 09:35 PM

I just got my XBR960 about a week or so ago. No problems whatsoever.

joebxr · 08-22-06, 12:26 PM

9 months of pure pleasureable TV viewing and not a single problem. Love the look on friend's faces when they see the beautiful picture quality.

RWetmore · 08-25-06, 06:44 PM

To the top...

ncstatesman · 08-26-06, 02:44 PM

keep it going baby!

I'm looking to get the '970 as the 960's are no where to be found in some warehouse

RWetmore · 09-02-06, 09:39 PM

to the top again...

darusgrey · 09-04-06, 02:15 PM

I've had an infrequent problem with my xbr960, ussually every few months I'll turn it on and no picture will display even though theres sound, etc.

I unplug it from power, wait 10seconds, plug back in, and works.

It happens so infrequently that its not much of a concern, though its happened total of 4 times now over the almost 2yrs I've had it.

julio388 · 09-04-06, 03:21 PM

sony superfine pitch technology is known to be prone to reliability issues. Thats why sony decided to get rid of it. sorry guys if the supefine pitch was such a great technology why did sony left it out in 970 xbr. To many complaints of picture failures.

MotorCityJoe · 09-04-06, 03:29 PM

^^Dude stop trolling. Your statement is NOT consistent with this poll at all. This poll was created for XBR960 owners to state specific problems/no problems related to this model. It is NOT intended for people to come in and give their 'opinions' on why they think SFP is no longer included in newer models.

julio388 · 09-04-06, 04:52 PM

dude the truth hurts. sony super fine pitch was a failure. scraped by sony because of reliability issues. can you answer one simple question? where is the superfine pitch tube today? if sony had such a great technology, unique "superfine pitch" why would they leave it out on 970xbr. Truth the technology was not mature enough to be ready for prime time. sony rush it to the market because they was losing market share to lcd and plasma. remember 910xbr then 960 xbr sony revised the technology because of technical issues. new phosphors , new electron gun, grill, etc. but there were still reliability issues. the cost to manufacture the technology , to bring it to the market was not there. sony panic to stop the bleeding of there crt division by rushing a tecnology that was simply "not ready for my close up". the truth is out there.

RWetmore · 09-04-06, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by julio388

dude the truth hurts. sony super fine pitch was a failure. scraped by sony because of reliability issues. can you answer one simple question? where is the superfine pitch tube today? if sony had such a great technology, unique "superfine pitch" why would they leave it out on 970xbr. Truth the technology was not mature enough to be ready for prime time. sony rush it to the market because they was losing market share to lcd and plasma. remember 910xbr then 960 xbr sony revised the technology because of technical issues. new phosphors , new electron gun, grill, etc. but there were still reliability issues. the cost to manufacture the technology , to bring it to the market was not there. sony panic to stop the bleeding of there crt division by rushing a tecnology that was simply "not ready for my close up". the truth is out there.

Man...chill out. There are a whole number of possible reasons why Sony may have decided not to include the SFP in the 970. The most obvious is likely due to the simple cost/competition ratio of the current landscape. With many display technologies coming down in price significantly, the SFP tube is no longer a cheaper alternative for similar size LCD sets, and thus Sony may have concluded it wouldn't sell well. The 970 is a significantly cheaper alternative than similar sized LCD sets; the SFP is not (in many cases it would be more expensive). In the end, I suspect Sony pulled the SFP simply because there wasn't a big enough market for it, and it wasn't profitable, especially with CRT going extinct soon anyway.

Mathesar · 09-05-06, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWetmore

Man...chill out. There are a whole number of possible reasons why Sony may have decided not to include the SFP in the 970. The most obvious is likely due to the simple cost/competition ratio of the current landscape. With many display technologies coming down in price significantly, the SFP tube is no longer a cheaper alternative for similar size LCD sets, and thus Sony may have concluded it wouldn't sell well. The 970 is a significantly cheaper alternative than similar sized LCD sets; the SFP is not (in many cases it would be more expensive). In the end, I suspect Sony pulled the SFP simply because there wasn't a big enough market for it, and it wasn't profitable, especially with CRT going extinct soon anyway.

I agree 100% , Im just glad I got my hands on an XBR960 just before it was discontinued, despite minor geometry issues it has a truely amazing picture,Im still in awe when watching HDTV channels

julio388 · 09-05-06, 10:34 PM

you have been warn, sooner or later you will start to have problems. unreliable. The truth is out there.

View Poll Results: How reliable has your XBR960 been?
I have had no problems or glitches whatsoever.	62	58.49%
I have had a minor problem or glitch, but it did not repeat or happens infrequently	27	25.47%
I have had serious reoccuring problems and glitches	8	7.55%
My TV died, and needed to be replaced or repaired	9	8.49%
Voters: 106. You may not vote on this poll

08-02-06, 09:55 AM	#1 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a4ac4393' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:30&n=a4ac4393' border='0' alt=''></a>
RWetmore AVS Special Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wall Township, NJ Posts: 2,485	KD-34XBR960 reliability I'm trying to get a sense of the reliability of this set. If you have had problems, try to specifically identify them. Thanks. Last edited by RWetmore; 08-02-06 at 10:02 AM..

08-07-06, 10:08 PM	#5 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
Mathesar AVS Special Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,164	My first XBR960N came out of the box with a couple flaws , the contrast would bloom much earlier than it should (for example white text would start looking blury with the Picture setting at 30),it also had a noticable 'flicker' effect when viewing 720 or 1080i sources which was confirmed not normal by a sony tech visit, instead of having it worked on I returned it for another XBR960N. The replacement looks much better in fact I can crank up the contrast to near max without any blooming (I dont leave it turned up that high tho) ,also this one doesnt have any flicker issues. The only downside is the replacement has worse geometry in the corners, especially in the bottom right corner but it hasnt been a big issue, also Ive experienced the infamous wont power on symptom which was fixed simply by unplugging it for a minute,this has only happened once in the 6 months ive had it.

08-08-06, 05:09 PM	#8 \| Link
Q of BanditZ HD Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 15,052	Not two years yet, but so far...all good. __________________ Great ISF Job by Chad B.

08-08-06, 05:55 PM	#10 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
iamhives Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 28	Flashing like Mortaldivide after the TV warmed up. whcih developed after maybe 6 months o ownership. Involved the repairman replacing the insulation with RTV 106 silicon sealer/insulation around the pins at the back of the tube. He said its a relatively common problem and basically a manufaturing problem with the insulation that causes arcing after the TV warms up enoug. Sony is very aware of this as there is a technmical service bulletin that addresses this exact symptom very specifically. Sort of annoying to have to get my neighbor to help lift the TV up/down from/to a high armoire where the TV is placed on different days. But its fixed now and looks beautiful

08-02-06, 10:57 PM	#2 \| Link
RWetmore AVS Special Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wall Township, NJ Posts: 2,485	Feel free to post comments (this will keep the thread and the poll going!). Thanks.

08-05-06, 01:59 PM	#3 \| Link
RWetmore AVS Special Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wall Township, NJ Posts: 2,485	To the top

08-07-06, 08:43 PM	#4 \| Link
RWetmore AVS Special Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wall Township, NJ Posts: 2,485	I want to keep this going

08-08-06, 10:52 AM	#6 \| Link
mortaldivine Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 132	My TV blinked/flashed every 5 min when I got my tv. Repair man had to come out and fix it. Then theres the ghosting which is really annoying, dark side of the screen , non-uniform brightness across the screen , and my tv could go for some convergence and geometry touchups. Oh and I almost forgot, the new light blue tints appearing on the corners of my screen. nurfed

08-08-06, 03:08 PM	#7 \| Link
CR_Client Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NE Cedar Rapids, IA (but closer to downtown) Posts: 301	No problems whatsoever. Or, if I've had any problems, I haven't seen them. One or two minor geometry things that aren't worth calling a "problem", as they could easily be fixed by an ISF calibration, which I have neither the time nor money for.

08-09-06, 11:18 AM	#11 \| Link
epiphane Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: CA,usa Posts: 80	My's a 910...close to 3 yrs old w/o any problems... ...as I look towards the ceiling with fingers crossed... Cheers

08-10-06, 10:14 AM	#12 \| Link
CCMOO Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 160	After owning my unit three weeks, I had one vertical black line that appeared one morning, disappeared after an hour, and never came back. Other than that, it's been terrific.

08-15-06, 12:39 PM	#13 \| Link
RWetmore AVS Special Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wall Township, NJ Posts: 2,485	Let's keep this going.

08-19-06, 10:47 AM	#14 \| Link
RWetmore AVS Special Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wall Township, NJ Posts: 2,485	and going....

08-19-06, 01:16 PM	#15 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
sphinx99 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 323	Mine lasted a few weeks before it wouldn't turn on anymore. Furthermore, having gotten used to geometry and conformity conveniences of digital display devices, my '960 was chock full of geometry issues and non-uniform color. I definitely got the sense of "pushing the technology a little too far" from my experience. I also surveyed at least a dozen floor models before purchase and was surprised that every one of them had bowing, color spots, or some other malady--problems pretty much absent from all other displays I'd seen, even other, cheaper CRTs. I'd bought it anyway in spite of this, and learned my lesson... Very confusing. I was expecting an ownership experience a little closer to the 24" computer CRTs I used to have.

08-20-06, 09:35 PM	#19 \| Link
MotorCityJoe Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 49	I just got my XBR960 about a week or so ago. No problems whatsoever.

08-22-06, 12:26 PM	#20 \| Link
joebxr Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 179	9 months of pure pleasureable TV viewing and not a single problem. Love the look on friend's faces when they see the beautiful picture quality.

08-25-06, 06:44 PM	#21 \| Link
RWetmore AVS Special Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wall Township, NJ Posts: 2,485	To the top...

08-26-06, 02:44 PM	#22 \| Link
ncstatesman Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 32	keep it going baby! I'm looking to get the '970 as the 960's are no where to be found in some warehouse

09-02-06, 09:39 PM	#23 \| Link
RWetmore AVS Special Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wall Township, NJ Posts: 2,485	to the top again...

09-04-06, 02:15 PM	#24 \| Link
darusgrey Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 193	I've had an infrequent problem with my xbr960, ussually every few months I'll turn it on and no picture will display even though theres sound, etc. I unplug it from power, wait 10seconds, plug back in, and works. It happens so infrequently that its not much of a concern, though its happened total of 4 times now over the almost 2yrs I've had it.

09-04-06, 03:21 PM	#25 \| Link
julio388 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 269	sony superfine pitch technology is known to be prone to reliability issues. Thats why sony decided to get rid of it. sorry guys if the supefine pitch was such a great technology why did sony left it out in 970 xbr. To many complaints of picture failures.

09-04-06, 03:29 PM	#26 \| Link
MotorCityJoe Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 49	^^Dude stop trolling. Your statement is NOT consistent with this poll at all. This poll was created for XBR960 owners to state specific problems/no problems related to this model. It is NOT intended for people to come in and give their 'opinions' on why they think SFP is no longer included in newer models.

09-04-06, 04:52 PM	#27 \| Link
julio388 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 269	dude the truth hurts. sony super fine pitch was a failure. scraped by sony because of reliability issues. can you answer one simple question? where is the superfine pitch tube today? if sony had such a great technology, unique "superfine pitch" why would they leave it out on 970xbr. Truth the technology was not mature enough to be ready for prime time. sony rush it to the market because they was losing market share to lcd and plasma. remember 910xbr then 960 xbr sony revised the technology because of technical issues. new phosphors , new electron gun, grill, etc. but there were still reliability issues. the cost to manufacture the technology , to bring it to the market was not there. sony panic to stop the bleeding of there crt division by rushing a tecnology that was simply "not ready for my close up". the truth is out there.

09-05-06, 10:34 PM	#30 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
julio388 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 269	you have been warn, sooner or later you will start to have problems. unreliable. The truth is out there.