Official Sony XBR2 (60" & 70") Owner's Thread - Page 384

My take on this is to stay away from OEM Compatible and only buy OEM lamps. It a play on words, that is why you see them sell so low.

I threw my KDS60XBR2 away and Sony replaced it. I still have a brand new lamp with the housing. If you're in the U.S. I will send it to you for $60.00, let me know if you're interested. The lamp came directly from Sony.

The "R" is part of the original model number of the TV. KDS-R60XBR2. It does not mean refurbished or replacement.

I wouldn't wait for something better, and I wouldn't expect a bigger HX929. The HX929 is not bad at all. I checked out the more expensive Sharp Elite as a replacement for my defective 60" XBR2 family room TV, because I really, really, hate (not strong enough word) to move to a 55" TV. But I much preferred the HX929 performance over the Sharp Elite for motion artifacts, uniformity, and other processing.

I only wish I could get the 65" HX929 deal because I'm pretty sure I'll be wasting money with the undersized, temporary 55" XBR. Even though I have Sony and JVC front projectors in my theater, I still want a bigger than 55" screen in the family room for casual viewing.

Based on what you've seen, do you prefer the 65" HX929 to a 65" plasma?

Also, do you know of any decent products that are at least 70" and not crazy expensive?

SDL

Let me preface by saying I've spent 95% of my reviewing time over the last 12 years or so reviewing front projectors in depth. So I don't keep track of what's happening in these smaller TVs, and only revisit them when I need to buy one for personal use. I've looked at the 60" and larger LCDs over the last couple of weeks and haven't seen anything close to the HX929. I've never been a fan of plasma (for image retention and high-voltage reasons) so I haven't really looked at them this time around.

Thanks for clarifying your perspective. If you have spent lots of time reviewing front projectors, then anything in the 65" to 75" range must look pretty small in comparison.

Have you been able to compare the Sharp Elite to the less expensive 70" Sharp that's currently selling at big box stores for a price in the mid-2K range? I'm sure that the less expensive Sharp doesn't have the very best in processing technology, but is it a reasonably good choice for the price?

SDL

We actually spend a fair amount of time watching TV in the family room (particularly sports), so I'm very particular about processing artifacts and motion artifacts of all kinds on this TV. Whereas, the front projectors are more used for 1080p movies, where I'm more highly concerned about color accuracy, contrast, image depth, resolution, etc.

In my opinion, the 70" Sharp processing I've seen isn't up to the level necessary for a 70" picture. I couldn't live with the artifacts. I'd like to, because as I said, Sony's replacement policy for the 60" XBR2 precludes them from offering me the 65" XBR.

Not sure how it works south of the border, but I declined my offer for a new NX710 and requested the HX929 instead. I was told no problem, but it would be more $$$.

I'm still waiting for the sets to be in stock.

Do you have a 60" XBR? If so, they are telling me they won't offer the 65" HX929 as a replacement. I'm very disappointed that one has to move down in size to replace Sony's former best quality (but defective) TV with Sony's current best quality TV, but they tell me that is their policy.

Yes I do have the XBR2 60".

I called today to get a replacement offer on my R60XBR2.

I was offered two choices for replacement.

1) KDL55EX500 FOR $200 plus tax - retail $1,349
2) KDL60EX720 FOR $1,000 plus tax - retail $2,600

Some would say I should be happy to get anything but this is not enough to keep me purchasing Sony products. There is no reason for the huge difference in price they are charging for the two sets other than they know the people who purchased these defective TV's would pay more for getting one the same size as the original. Twice the retail price but 5x's in their "offer".

I was told I had two weeks to make my decision but the confirmation email I received after the call said I had to accept in one. I'm thinking of buying the cheaper one, selling it on craig's list and buying another brand.

I've been lurking for years but signed up because I received the same offer. Meanwhile, two weeks ago users on here were offered the exact same TVs for 200 dollars less. It is disappointing how inconsistent Sony is with this program. I appreciate Sony's effort but they are playing games with their valued customers. Its not like the information about their offers aren't readily available. What really burns me is that I had the problem weeks ago, but Sony wanted me to verify it was on all sources and such. Sonylistens wasn't any more responsive to my situation. Lack of logic always irks me.

Your offer will only expires due to pricing changes, that's what Sony told me. If it expires they will still make another offer.

That make sense, but why would you leave the TV models the same, but increase the price on the offer $200? That's the part I don't understand. If it were a different set, I would completely understand. Now, you have customers who have spent 3-4k on a set, who are the type of users that frequent avs, see that Sony is trying to squeeze an extra $200 out of them? It just doesn't look good to me. I'm not discounting the fact that Sony is doing something that they don't have to do, I'm just disappointed in the way they are handling it.

Not sure I follow.

Two weeks ago, Sony offered the KDL-55ex500 to XBR2 owners for free. Today, they are offering the kdl-55ex500 to XBR2 owners for $200. Why? What changed in two weeks? It's the same model.

I'm not sure what happen there. It could be that the tv was on sale when people were given their offers, but I'm just speculating.

Perhaps Sony is on the verge of announcing their losses for this quarter.

Sony, when they give you an offer for a replacement television, like myself, they give you from this date to this date for your answer and choice, Its normally a week, so if the time ran out from the first offer, and then you say I would like to have that television they are in there right to offer you a different offer and price. Look it is no different than buying anything with a time frame; take buying a car for example; you only have the time given to take that offer.

I don't think you're reading his comments correctly. He is saying why they would change it from one owner to the next. This is not a purchase, but a replacement program. I can totally appreciate why he's frustrated, I would be too. It's Sony's choice to do what they want, but they seem to be causing more anger in their customers than they would want.

I do understand what he is saying and asking. For this had happened with me! I called back and asked to speak with a Supervisor after the $200.00 increase on all offered TV's, and she was the one that told me what I posted here, but since I had been working with Sony while I was talking and working with my extended warranty company to see if they would help cover the cost, and have all the emails to back me up with me emailing Sony every other day with updates. Sony gave me the original offer.

Actually, I think if you look back at the forum archives, you will find that your indignation is unwarranted. A cursory scan of the offers received from Sony in the forum archives reveals a clear and consistent distinction in Sony's offers depending upon the size of the "defective" SXRD TV, when it was purchased, and whether an extended warranty had been purchased as well. In this case, you should note that the "defective" SXRD TV was only the 60" model.


Indeed.

And...


Listen, I'm a 70" XBR owner so I am in the same boat as many of you, but I've struggled to understand the indignation on display in this forum with regard to Sony's special offers. Having said that, I think the sentiment voiced above gets to the heart of the matter.

Some of you seem to have a false sense of entitlement surrounding this issue. To be clear, this is not a replacement program, and you are not actually entitled to anything beyond approximately $300 as a result of the class action settlement. Considering that, Sony's special offer program seems to be going above and beyond what they are legally required to do.

Prometheus

I do not see any proof of what you are stating. Size, yes. When purchased does not seem relevant, as much as when you have a problem occur. Sony does offer additional retribution based on an unknown bias. Some get credit for a stand purchased. Some get reductions for bulbs or service calls. However,it is inconsistent. Never was I blind to Sony's generosity, I am baffled by their inconsistency. Nor do I feel entitled. Your broad statements make it so you don't read my point. Preconceived notions of my intention or thinking are not productive in the conversation. Why is it hard to believe that people would be frustrated by a set they spent good money on die, just to see Sony seemingly play games with their program? I was merely sharing my opinion, which is why people participate in a forum. If doing so upset you, I apologize.

Nothing to apologize for, my friend. I feel your pain. Really, I do. I just approach this from a strongly-grounded pragmatic perspective. My intent was to be constructive with my point of view, not to disparage anyone's character - if I did, I apologize as well. Moreover, I recognize that you may be correct.

Hats off to you...

Cheers!

I have owned my R60XBR2 since 2007. Im still on the original Lamp, even tho its been warning me for 2 years its EOL. I finally couldnt take the worsening green haze and ordered a Sony EOM XL-5300 lamp replacement and from this thread it appears this should fix my issue. However, should it not, and forgive me for asking as i have now just found out about the class action lawsuit myself, what initial step should i take with sony to see if I qualify for a replacement unit?

I have been trying to go back through the threads here to get as much info as possible but I must be missing something. Thanks for the help in direction!

Sorry to tell you this, but your green haze is caused by a defective optical block, not a bulb. I also had the same symptom with my XBR2 on an old bulb. Changed bulb, same green haze. Your best option is to work through Sony a tv replacement. Move fast, as it is unknown when Sony will cancel the program.

+1

You should be able to get a 55" XBR for a decent price. Good luck.

888-993-7669 is the Sony Resolution number. Call and explain your problem. They will make you a replacement offer. Let us know what they offer on the R60XBR2, as it seems to be changing frequently.

Will do, thanks for the information. Ill give them a ring after work today.