Sony KDF-55/60XS955 owners thread - Page 87

I just got off the call and 60XS955 is covered and they even emailed me the list of prices. They offered me the following TVs

KDL52EX701
KDL55HX701
KDL46NX700
KDL46Z5100

I am in the process of analyzing what should I do... Definitely I have to contact jjb220 to have the 60XS955 fixed....

But in short, yes, the 60XS955 is covered in the recall.

--amburan

I did the same thing.. Ordered my new bulb.. spent $100.00 for the OSRAM bulb.. The day I put it in the picture was great and I felt back what a great TV. After the next two day, the blue color appeared in a broader range and a bigger cloud.... Playing with Vivid color takes the color little bit, but still looks as if I am watching in a 1980 TV with a blue cover on it....

What kind of prices? Were they a good deal?

Hi egruber,

I was away on a business trip....

Here is the details. I am planning to pull either 52EX701 or NX700

Kdl52ex701 $1150.00 Retail price in Costco for $1999.00, other places 2399
kdl55hx701 $1150.00 Retail price in BB around $2699
kdl46nx700 $760.00 Internet price around $1600
kdl46z5100 $640.00 Internet price around $1300

uh oh... I noticed a slight blueish discoloration at the bottom of the set, left of center (the area were the lamp is).

It's not noticeable except in the bright scenes of a black and white show or movie. I think it appeared right after messing with the Harmony remote and turning the set back on during cool-down after it was accidentally turned off.

To those that experienced this - how long did it take for the blue to "grow"? Does it gradually get worse over time, or quickly getting worse within a couple days?

If it doesn't get any worse, I'm ok living with it as it currently is. But I have a feeling it will get worse and I'll be contacting JJB220 for some repair service.

Obviously too late to help you, but I just found it on another site. Sony Part 191002393. You can search for it on the Sony Parts & Accessories site.

I've had the blue haze/fog/blob for years but didn't find out about the extended warranty until after it had expired. I was resigned to just live with it until my set refused today to turn on. 6 blinking lights. If anyone knows a way to get Sony Service Bulletin E29102171 without paying AgoraQuest.com for it, I'd appreciate the information.

I have had this set for about 5 years. The blue dots and streaks have just been getting worse. I'm looking to get it repaired and live in San Diego. What options do I have to get this fixed? Would rather fix than get a new set.
Thx mark

I highly recommend the rebuild service of jjb220 (just go back a few posts and you'll find him). I had the optical block of my 55XS955 rebuilt and it works great. Since you don't live near him you'll need to take the optical block out yourself and send it. It wasn't hard. Just take pictures along the way so you know how it goes back. Here's a link showing how:

http://sites.google.com/site/sonylcd...ockreplacement

Just send him a PM and get more information.

Chris

Thx so much Chris will do!

Mark

jjb220 pm sent for optical block repair.

Mark

the service bullitens make the tv seem more complicated than it is. 6 blinks means thermal fuse or lamp is bad.

Great site and great info!!! Help me out here guys. My Sony KDF55WF655 started showing optical block failure signs. Thanks to this site and others, I learned about the discounts Sony was offering to help mitigate my dissatisfaction. I called Sony and was offered discounts on three EX models and a KDL55HX701 for $950. I had absolutely no interest in the EX models so I opted for the KDL55HX701, gave them my credit card number and went through the process of removing the tag, taking the photos and sending it to Sony in Fort Myers Florida. This was two weeks ago. My USPS return slip shows that they received my photos and tag on 04-14-10. Today I get a call from Sony - Fort Myers and I was told that HX (or NX for that matter) is no longer available and I still had my choice of the three EX models. I told the caller that the HX models were clearly still available as I could order them on-line from several different retailers. I was told that while still available for resale, the HX was now not available as part of the replacement program. The guy was apologetic and sounded like he was in a tight spot but would (or could) not do anything to satisfy me. I asked to speak to his supervisor and he stated that there was nothing a supervisor could do and he would not provide a supervisor name for me. The call ended with me asking him to have a supervisor call me back and he stated that there were no guarantees that this would happen.

Here are my questions. Has anyone else run into this after the offer has already been made by Sony? Has anyone been offered or received an HX or NX model in the last week or so? The paranoid side of me is sensing the ol' bait-N-switch. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks!!!
Tman

Yes, I got the same phone call today to inform me that the KDL55HX701 is no longer being offered after doing all the paper work a week ago. We did the same thing by asking for a supervisor and being told no, that there was nothing they could do.
What ticks me off the most is that we are not the type of family that just has $950+tax laying around. We would be happy if they would just fix the optical block problem for free, but I just got off the phone earlier with the local tv repair service who said it would be a good $1000 to replace the optical block and no guarantees on how long it will last. Our tv is getting really bad with the blue stars and cloud.
The one thing I was a little excited about was getting the Wi-Fi ready tv in the KDL55HX701, but now it not available.
They are now offering the KDL52EX701 for the same price but disappointed it will be a smaller tv, but it does have a 3 year warranty. Or the KDL55EX501 for $750.00, which is not internet ready and has a 3 year warranty. So confused on which one to choose. We just don't have this kind of many to just throw around and buy another new tv in 4 years, or be disappointed in our choice.
Anyone have suggestions?

Good afternoon everyone...

I have the KDF60WF655 unit with the defective Optical Block.... I tried and pleaded with them on seeing if they offer a 60in in the replacment program but after 5 calls and 3 emails no luck at all... here is the offer they provided me with:
KDL52EX700 $725.00 + local sales tax
KDL55EX500 $625.00 + local sales tax
KDL46EX700 $400.00 + local sales tax
KDL46V5100 $280.00 + local sales tax

After speaking with the rep in stating that there are other offers for the same model at a lower price he indicated that they take several factors into consideration when the offer the discounted price such as which model you currently have that is being replaced.

I do know that the XBR was more $$$ than the WF series so I guess you all that have the very nice low discounted price congrats... I will have to choke it up and settle for the $625.00 (KDL55EX500) as this being the best offer for the size in my paticular situation...

It totally sucks that they don't offer the 60in units in this program.... I had to decide within 1 week or the offer expires for my case #....

Ok, so I've been down at Best Buy for 3 hours. Not taking this replacement tv lightly, but only have 5 more days to decide.
Just for your info...the replacement KDL55EX501/500 is an LCD.
The KDL52EX700/701 is an LED *(new technology that is wonderful). EVERYONE says to take the LED, even though it is a few inches smaller, the picture quality is far better. Plus, it is supposed to last longer.
I think you should go down and view these 2 tv's personally.
Plus, the 52EX701 is internet ready, which is pretty cool, even though we have the PS3 to go through.
Just don't let Sony pull a fast one again. This is going to be the last time I buy Sony.
I've had many people tell me to get this new tv and sell it on ebay and buy the new Samsung. Sony can't beat it with anything they have.
Well, I just learned all this today so please do your homework before you buy from Sony.

They are both LCD TVs. LCD is the display type. LED is the lighting type used in the 700/701. The 500/501 has a CCFL (fluorescent) backlight.

The 700/701 TVs use edge-lit LED technology that has little effect on picture quality. When people talk about LED TVs looking far better than CCFL TVs, they're most often talking about true backlit LED TVs (also called "local-dimming LED", "organic LED" or "dynamic LED"). LED in general is more economic and healthier than CCFL, though.

Sorry, forgot to add the the LED is more energy sufficient, like 40%, I believe. Another thing to add I thought.

Thanks Hale!! I'm just learning today all this different stuff and have to take a crash course because they want my choice in less than 7 days total.
So, if you had the choice between the KDL55EX501 or the KDL52EX701, which would you choose?

the 701 has a newer image processor, so it probably does have better picture quality, and it uses less than half the power of the 501. 701 also has more software and network/internet features

for only a $100 difference, I'd go with the 701, too.

Add me to the list of those with the blue blob 60XS955. Does anyone know if these offers Sony is giving apply to those in Canada?

I just received my new Sony KDL52EX701. Lets hope this one will last more than 4 or 5 years. It does have a beautiful picture so far. Love the internet option.
For those of you with the blue blob and stars...call Sony (800) 225-5229...they are not so very nice or apologetic at all. Very cold personalities, I talked to about 10 different people and all are the same. But they at least are offering a big discount. Better than a kick in the butt...I guess. I also recommend trying to get the old one fixed. I'm working with JJB220 to try and get our KDF55 fixed. I know it won't be fixed forever but maybe get a couple more years out of it.

that number doesn't seem to be going into Sony. At least the recorded message doesn't mention I have called Sony. Can someone please verify the number?

I had to repalce the optical block on my KDF-55XS955 about 6 months ago.
Now all I get is a flashing light.
Any idea what Sony's policy is for offering a discounted replacement for a set that's no longer operational?

Maybe you just need a new bulb?

or...go to Facebook and search Sarah Kepler, Arica Cooper, or Brooke Hurley. They work for Sony. Send them a message. They are very nice and will assist people who have optical block issues.

Can someone tell me if the KDF-55XS955 has a digital tuner for over the air antenna reception, I'm not have any luck trying to figure it out?

Yes, it does.

I am connected to the vhf input jack but I can't figure out how to change the settings to access over air reception. Can someone give me detailed instructions?

There are two RF (VHF-type) inputs in the rear, one is for Cable, the other for an antenna.

If you're using the cbale input, the TV channel displayed in the upper right will say something like [C4] or [C10.1].

If you're using the antenna input, you'll see only numbers: [10.2] or [27.1].

To switch between the two, use the original remote that came with the set and press the ANT button above and to the right of the CH UP button.

Once you're sure you're in the antenna mode, make sure an antenna is connected and do a channel scan. (Look in MENU > CHANNEL > SCAN to start it.

Once that's done, if you've got strong enough signals, you'll have some digital TV stations to look at, many or at least some in true High Def.

Harry