Official 2005 Sony KDSR-50/60XBR1 SXRD Owner's Thread - Page 774

Originally Posted by james12345pt

This is my first postso I thought I would make it a goodone. Let me begin by bringing you up to date with some background information. I purchased a 60xbr1 in August 2006 with an 4 year extended warranty which expired recently. I have notice that the picture quality on my TV has been degrading over the past 4-6 months and now has yellow staining in the right edge of the TV ( total vertical length of the set and ~ 6-8 inches wide) with a mild yellow spot in the center of the TV (~1.5 to 2 feet oval in the center bottom half of the Screen) that can be detected during bright white scenes. I also have noticed that flesh tones have become mildly yellowish green and cannot be calibrated to normal. I had a TV technician come over during the holidays that confirmed that I had an Optical block issue and was directed to the Sony SXRD hotline. The technician told me that this was a chronic problem with this and other Sony models that Sony was unable to provide a long-term fix but they had implemented a trade-in program.
I contacted Sony on 12/28/2010 and discussed to some length the problems that I was having with my set and this info was put on record at that time. I was informed that I was eligible to receive a replacement set and was given the the following options: 60ex500 or a 46 inch model. I naturally would want to replace the center piece to my home theater with another 60 inch model but discuss the fact that I would prefer a better model since my TV was an $4000 flagship model at the time of purchase and I had built an home theater of similar high end components around it. I was then forwarded to another Sony Rep. by the name of Zack.
I voiced my concerns with Zack and discussed the fact that I had been on Facebook and avforum and knew that several other 60xbr1 and 60xbr2 owners were given the option the upgrade from the midlevel 60ex500 to either a 60lx900 or 60nx810 for ~ $800-900 cost difference. He then stated that "This option was not available at this time". I then asked how Sony had decided on which models were offered as replacements and I was informed that they were based on Model and availability from the warehouse. With further discussion, I was told that availability was the biggest factor and that I could call back if the particular model came available and receive the TV that I wanted. He asked me to call back within the week to see if this was the case and to also give Sony a yes or no answer at that time on the replacement model so they could move forward on the calm.
Today I was online on AVforum and two members had posted that they were recently offered a 60lx900 and 60hx810 as replacements to their TVs. With this information, I contacted Sony today and asked since the TVs are now available I would like to move forward with my Resolution claim. At this point I was transferred to another rep and after several minutes on hold she informed me that I was not eligible for this replacement because each claim is dealt with on an individual basis. We then discussed the other conversation with Zack, the postings on face book and avforum and the emails that was posted from sonylistens from Sony including the fact that you have been able to offer this resolution agreement to others yourself. None of this helped. I mentioned you by name and reiterated that other Sony reps were willing to make this offer to other XBR owners and why was I not afforded this same opportunity. She give me the same answer that it was not the policy for my model.
I am very frustrated at this point and would like to be treated equally to the other loyal Sony customers and not as a second class citizen. I am very upset about the double dealing and inconsistencies with your companies policies. I feel as though my problems and my customer loyalty are not as valued as others even though I purchased at the time what was considered your flagship models that retailed for $4000. This was an investment in your company's quality and standards. Yes, It with an investment. How people would purchase a $4000 TV set to have it fail within 4 years of purchase. The TV as of today only has 3600 hours of usage; which equates to an average of only 2 to 2.5 hours a day. I have had TVs see 6-8 hours average a day last me over 15 years. As a loyal Sony customer, I would expect higher standards from your produces and a stronger commitment from your company when these standards were not meet and your customers left holding the bag. I am happy to see that Sony is attempting that right the wrong with a trade in program; but, I don't believe that I am been unreasonable in expecting an apples for apples replacement with an prorated surcharge that others have already been offered.
I have sent this post as an email to Sarah at Sonylistens in hopes that she will be able to move things forward for me. The Sony Reps have been friendly, professional, and helpful to a certain extent but when I pressed them about the upgrade with an extra surcharge; they tend to fall back to a scripted response.

Originally Posted by Longballsd

sonylistens@am.sony.com


Just address it to Sarah

Copied & pasted from post# 23136

Originally Posted by SonyHome

As an owner of KDS-R70XBR2 that started to have this OB issue I couldn't agree with you more. I called them and they also offered me these medium to medium-low end replacement TVs for my TV that retailed for ~$6k (link). No matter what they replace my set with I'll be loosing at least 10" of viewing area and my custom made cabinet that is used to house the 70" XBR2 will be worthless as well. You'd think Sony would handle this logically and fairly taking into account $ invested by each customer and giving appropriate replacements.

I own Sony everything in my home (High end HT Projector, multiple XBR TVs, ES audio components, PS3, ect...) and I have been very loyal to Sony brand but if Sony does not handle this correctly and fairly I will really have to think about my home electronic purchase choices going forward.



It's bad enough I have to hassle with a fix/replace for a 3+ year old $5k + TV but to justify a adequate replacements for me while others with smaller and lesser value TVs are getting high end replacement is very frustrating and unfair.

Please someone let me know how I can get a hold of Sarah @ Sony.

Thank you.

Originally Posted by SonyHome

Thank you. I really hope everyone gets fair treatment from Sony and that no one abuses Sony's offer to make right of bad situation and ruin it for everyone.

Originally Posted by jtmbtech

itsmeseventhseal
they are offering different prices because of the model you own. the xbr owners get the 60ex500 for 150 the a2000 owners have to pay more. see my prevois posts for what i was offered. i decided on the 55ex710 for $225. sent my pictures out today!

Originally Posted by Longballsd

That's why I'm trying to decide if my 60XBR2 has any problems or not. I've tried a couple of times to access the service menu using some old posts I found but haven't been able to get in. I'm just curious how many hours my bulb has on it. It's the original purchased in 11/26/2006.

My picture doesn't have the green blob or the yellow stain and I won't ask for a replacement if my TV is in fact still good.

It has suffered a big loss in color and detail so I am just thinking about replacing the bulb and see how the picture looks. I'd still like to know the hours on the original bulb before I replace it though.

Any help telling me how to access the service menu to view my bulb hours is appreciated.

Originally Posted by SonyHome

It sounds like your bulb is almost dead. Also it seems the green blob/staining issue is accelerated after a bulb change although I'm still on my first bulb and just started getting this green blob. I'm not sure if the 60" XBR2 also comes with spare bulb like the 70" XBR2 but if you do have one I would go ahead and change it out. I do remember someone posting in the XBR2 owner's thread service access procedure but I can't remember it off hand where it would be.

For your reference this is what my TV looks like with this green blob issue. It seems to be worst at upper right corner but there are issues all along the top and right edge as well.

Originally Posted by jimed1

Exactly. Those of us with XBR's paid a lot more for our tv's than those who bought the A2000's. Therefore, we are offered the replacement sets at a lower price.

Originally Posted by Longballsd

That's why I'm trying to decide if my 60XBR2 has any problems or not. I've tried a couple of times to access the service menu using some old posts I found but haven't been able to get in. I'm just curious how many hours my bulb has on it. It's the original purchased in 11/26/2006. My picture doesn't have the green blob or the yellow stain and I won't ask for a replacement if my TV is in fact still good.

Originally Posted by C-Dub006

If you want unfair, try spending $13,000+ tax for Sony's flagship 70" Qualia 006 in 2005 and be told it would last "at least 15 years", only to see it fail in 5 (or a lot less for many others Q owners) and then have Sony offer you a $4500 replacement for free and try and call it even.

Originally Posted by jimed1

Longballsd,

With the TV OFF.. press Display, 5, Vol+, Power. When the tv comes on it will be in the service menu.

If you screw something up while you are in there, turn the TV off and wait about 5 minutes before you power it back up. Any changes will go back to the previous settings.

It sounds to me like your set needs grayscale adjustments more than a new bulb. My colors were off pretty bad on mine, and a grayscale calibration made it look very close to as good as it did when it was new. My bulb has about 8500 hours on it. I am not going to change bulbs because some who have changed bulbs have experienced severe green tint issues within a few days or weeks.


By the way, my set has the green tint in the lower left corner and upper right corner. And I am in the process of taking Sony up on the replacement offer. I chose the 60EX500 for $150. With cost averaging, I will have paid about $1800 each for the XBR1 and the EX500.

I think I am going to have the optical block repaired in my XBR1 by TriState Module and move it to a room where it will not be used often. It should last several more years if it is not my primary tv.

Originally Posted by ca1ore

I sympathize. It is an unfortunate consequence of being an early adopter. I had considered buying the Sony front projector (Qualia 04?), but held off until the VW100 as I was leery of first gen technology. I would, however, try to forget about what you paid - it is, afterall sunk cost - and consider that as time has marched on, the new set probably gives you a superior picture (even if it is a bit smaller).

Originally Posted by Longballsd

jimed1,

I did what you said, TV off..Display..5..Vol + Power and I get a blank screen still. No service menu.

Some other posts say after this to hit jump 3 times but when I do this it still doesn't work so I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

When I did this I did get a message at the bottom of the screen that says the life of the bulb is ending and that I should change the bulb......duh, I already knew that.

Maybe one last attempt to get into the service menu with your help before I change the bulb out.

Thanks for the help.

Originally Posted by jimed1

I think I am going to have the optical block repaired in my XBR1 by TriState Module and move it to a room where it will not be used often. It should last several more years if it is not my primary tv.

Originally Posted by psyence37

I haven't done much research because I just can't find the time, but would any body be nice enough to tell what wound be a better over all tv the kdl 55hx800 or kdl 55nx810 any or maybe another tv the same size. Any help would be appricated.

Originally Posted by Kdbing

Then NX810 Hands down, its newer, local dimming, actually visually better then the lx900 and if you actually buy the 3d components, they are the best setup you can get.

Kevin

Originally Posted by cragsleeper

...I say that as a cynic who is shocked to have a company actually do something besides tell me to f*ck off after buying a faulty product.

Originally Posted by itsmeseventhseal

If you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for the 52HX909 upgrade? I elected the 55HX800 as I thought the price of the full array 52HX909 would be too high from what I saw as a retail and on the web.

Originally Posted by splinke

Keep in mind that Sony basically did tell many, many of its customers over several years to F#$! off. After a multitude of complaints and lawsuits, they are starting to do the right thing...at least for customers who are resourceful enough to find the right contacts within Sony. And first-line support is still not consistently revealing the offers. In any event, I am glad that some people are receiving satisfaction.

Originally Posted by cragsleeper

I paid $575+tax for the 52HX909