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Official Sony XBR2 (60" & 70") Owner's Thread - Page 228

post #6811 of 11971
8/31/07 at 1:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tkbr0wn View Post

I finally got my Entertainment center for my 70" xbr2 built. I thought I would show it off to you guys.... Let me know what you think...

good job.
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post #6812 of 11971
8/31/07 at 2:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tkbr0wn View Post

I finally got my Entertainment center for my 70" xbr2 built. I thought I would show it off to you guys.... Let me know what you think...

That looks great, what did you do for ventilation?
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post #6813 of 11971
8/31/07 at 2:46pm
The top part only goes back about 18 inches so it is wide open back there. The bookshelves are only 12" deep to there is another 12" behind them.
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post #6814 of 11971
9/1/07 at 5:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tkbr0wn View Post

I finally got my Entertainment center for my 70" xbr2 built. I thought I would show it off to you guys.... Let me know what you think...





Nice job and good timing for me - as I'm having our contractor finish our basement in the next couple of weeks. Did you purchase the raised panels or is it all custom made?

If you don't mind me asking how much did you spend on stock & where did you get the speaker cover material? Can you provide an estimate on the # of hours of labor you put into this? I take it the components are underneath the tele. Did you do anything for ventilation for your amp and receiver?

Thanks for posting the pictures as this gives me something I can get past the wife and pass along to the contractor as an example.

Well done! And thank you for your answers in advance
Kevin
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post #6815 of 11971
9/1/07 at 8:28am
Thanks for the compliments.
As far as cost, most of it is 3/4" MDF and I probably used less that 7 4X8 sheets.
After seeing that my router would be underpowered to sling a raised panel bit that big, I had a local door company make all six doors for $130 total. I probably only spent 40-50 hours total on it. I am definitely no expert and this is the first piece of real furniture I have made so it may be easier for others.

All together with hinges, paint, mdf, and trim, I think I have less than $600 in the whole thing ( ent center and two side bookshelves)

Yes the components are under the TV and I left it open in the back. I assumed that would be enough ventilation, but I am concerned because it does feel warm in there. The book cases only go back about 12" so there is about 10" of open space behind the bookcases. I may get a hole saw and cut holes into the main base unit and install some super quiet fans to suck the air out. I think the TV is fine because the upper section only goes back 16" and the back of the TV is completely exposed and still 4" away from the wall. I shold probably take more pictures so all that makes sense.

I got the speaker fabric from a JoAnns fabric store. It was pretty cheap and was labeled speaker cloth.
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post #6816 of 11971
9/1/07 at 10:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tkbr0wn View Post

Thanks for the compliments.
As far as cost, most of it is 3/4" MDF and I probably used less that 7 4X8 sheets.
After seeing that my router would be underpowered to sling a raised panel bit that big, I had a local door company make all six doors for $130 total. I probably only spent 40-50 hours total on it. I am definitely no expert and this is the first piece of real furniture I have made so it may be easier for others.

All together with hinges, paint, mdf, and trim, I think I have less than $600 in the whole thing ( ent center and two side bookshelves)

Yes the components are under the TV and I left it open in the back. I assumed that would be enough ventilation, but I am concerned because it does feel warm in there. The book cases only go back about 12" so there is about 10" of open space behind the bookcases. I may get a hole saw and cut holes into the main base unit and install some super quiet fans to suck the air out. I think the TV is fine because the upper section only goes back 16" and the back of the TV is completely exposed and still 4" away from the wall. I shold probably take more pictures so all that makes sense.

I got the speaker fabric from a JoAnns fabric store. It was pretty cheap and was labeled speaker cloth.

Ah so you painted the MDF - $600 that's quite impressive. For the backing in the bookshelves did you use MDF beadboard? For your first project you did a phenomenal job. I'm sure my contractor will charge me about $5000K (min) to duplicate this and I'm now toying with the idea of just doing it myself too. Although I have to say you've set the bar pretty high (as far as being able to duplicate this...) Can you let me know what the approx height is of the base of the tv? 30" or so?

Kevin
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post #6817 of 11971
9/1/07 at 11:24am
Yep, I used an oil based black paint and then just distressed it with 0000 steel wool. THe backing was a prefinished paneling that I found at Home Depot. It is a bead board that was already stained to match my floors.

The base unit is a little deceptive. The cabinet is only 20" high. The front facing is 24" high though. I did this to hide the base of the TV and to get it closer to the proper height. If I open one of the cabinet doors, the opening is only 16" high. The doors hide the false front. That is the main reason I did this myself. Most cabinets I found that I like were around 24" and I thought that was too tall for this TV. I can take more detailed picts if you would like. Just let me know.
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post #6818 of 11971
9/1/07 at 2:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tkbr0wn View Post

Yep, I used an oil based black paint and then just distressed it with 0000 steel wool. THe backing was a prefinished paneling that I found at Home Depot. It is a bead board that was already stained to match my floors.

The base unit is a little deceptive. The cabinet is only 20" high. The front facing is 24" high though. I did this to hide the base of the TV and to get it closer to the proper height. If I open one of the cabinet doors, the opening is only 16" high. The doors hide the false front. That is the main reason I did this myself. Most cabinets I found that I like were around 24" and I thought that was too tall for this TV. I can take more detailed picts if you would like. Just let me know.

Yeah that'd be great, more pics, and perhaps you can snap a few with the doors open showing the false front. I think this is something I'll end up duplicating, well not exactly, but it's really close to what we want to do to integrate our 70" in our basement. While protecting the tv a bit from the kids who like to run around and toss toys (boys.)

I appreciate all the info you're sharing and thanks for posting the pictures!
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post #6819 of 11971
9/1/07 at 10:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tkbr0wn View Post

Yep, I used an oil based black paint and then just distressed it with 0000 steel wool. THe backing was a prefinished paneling that I found at Home Depot. It is a bead board that was already stained to match my floors.

The base unit is a little deceptive. The cabinet is only 20" high. The front facing is 24" high though. I did this to hide the base of the TV and to get it closer to the proper height. If I open one of the cabinet doors, the opening is only 16" high. The doors hide the false front. That is the main reason I did this myself. Most cabinets I found that I like were around 24" and I thought that was too tall for this TV. I can take more detailed picts if you would like. Just let me know.

Awesome job! I would love to see more pictures.
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post #6820 of 11971
9/2/07 at 8:30am
Well after reading 200+ pages of generally positive comments my wife and I bought a 60" XBR2 last night. We purchased from a local retailer and from what I can tell got a pretty good deal. Lucky for me it was in stock and should be here in a few hours. This may sound crazy but I had a hard time getting to sleep last night! It was like I was 8 years old on the night before a trip to Disneyland. Anyway...I better go get the grass cut because once the TV gets here I'll be in tweaking mode all afternoon.
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post #6821 of 11971
9/2/07 at 9:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrairieWind View Post

Many TVGOS users seek a way to clear TVGOS NVRAM and reprogram the EPG. The set-specific procedure is seldom documented, and I received no reply from SONY when I wrote them for one. But few with a umr-calibrated set would jeopardize their PQ for that. So, can anyone confirm that zrokewl24's procedure in post #6750 preserves calibrated "factory defaults"?

If anyone knows a few easily accessible Service Menu adjustments that I can make and find afterwards, I'd be more than happy to perform the 'experiment' when I return home monday or tuesday.
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post #6822 of 11971
9/2/07 at 12:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RU FASTR View Post

Well after reading 200+ pages of generally positive comments my wife and I bought a 60" XBR2 last night. We purchased from a local retailer and from what I can tell got a pretty good deal.

yep. there is definitely a different vibe in this thread compared to the XBR1 thread. congrats and enjoy your purchase.
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post #6823 of 11971
9/2/07 at 10:52pm
I have been running my XBR2 for about 16 hours a day since last October. I have always expected the XBR2's to be free of green tint type problems having been in on the original Green Glob and Yellow Tinge failure problems in the Optical Block of the XBR1's. Sony replaced my XBR1 with what has been an excellent XBR2 and my son has been doing fine with his new XBR2 since last December.

To my great surprise, last week my XBR2 developed a low level but disturbing green tinge problem on the upper left side of the screen -impacting almost the full top left quadrant.
The problem is on all inputs--color turned off - etc. and has little to do with time after the initial turn on settling so common with the XBR2.

Clearly this means some type of failure in the optical block (light engine).

I have been away from this forum for quite a while and in scanning I do not see any mention of a similar problem. Could someone let me know if this type of problem has been seen recently, and if so to what extent?
I would like to believe, and currently do believe my experience is somewhat an isolate one.

Thanks
KT
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post #6824 of 11971
9/2/07 at 11:02pm
I am considering temporary removal of the speaker covers and changing the wiring of the speakers so they are fed from an amplifier external to the XBR2 (so they will serve as the front speakers in a 5.1 Dolby Digital amplifier setup). I am a EE but have not seen the wiring used to connect the set to the speaker ears on the 60 inch sets. I understand that on the 70 inch sets there is some type of tabs -rather than wires -that make this connection.
Does anyone know if the 60 inch set has simply 2 wires running between the set and the speaker ears or is the tab setup used on the 60 inch as well?

Thanks
KT
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post #6825 of 11971
9/3/07 at 8:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by KTTV Images View Post

I have been running my XBR2 for about 16 hours a day since last October. I have always expected the XBR2's to be free of green tint type problems having been in on the original Green Glob and Yellow Tinge failure problems in the Optical Block of the XBR1's. Sony replaced my XBR1 with what has been an excellent XBR2 and my son has been doing fine with his new XBR2 since last December.

To my great surprise, last week my XBR2 developed a low level but disturbing green tinge problem on the upper left side of the screen -impacting almost the full top left quadrant.
The problem is on all inputs--color turned off - etc. and has little to do with time after the initial turn on settling so common with the XBR2.

Clearly this means some type of failure in the optical block (light engine).

I have been away from this forum for quite a while and in scanning I do not see any mention of a similar problem. Could someone let me know if this type of problem has been seen recently, and if so to what extent?
I would like to believe, and currently do believe my experience is somewhat an isolate one.

Thanks
KT

KT welcome back. i had wondered where you disappeared to. i believe i have seen maybe 2 postings with bad OB's with color issues. these posts were quite a ways back. i believe they were new sets and were exchanged. yours is the first report i have seen of an older set with green OB problems. I've been running mine about 16 hrs a day since Nov. 06 last time i checked i had 2900 hrs on the bulb and that was a few months ago. I've noticed no issues at all. i sure hope yours is an isolated occurrence. please keep us posted.

any chance this coloring could be your bulb ready to be changed?
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post #6826 of 11971
9/3/07 at 2:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by strutter View Post

KT welcome back. i had wondered where you disappeared to. i believe i have seen maybe 2 postings with bad OB's with color issues. these posts were quite a ways back. i believe they were new sets and were exchanged. yours is the first report i have seen of an older set with green OB problems. I've been running mine about 16 hrs a day since Nov. 06 last time i checked i had 2900 hrs on the bulb and that was a few months ago. I've noticed no issues at all. i sure hope yours is an isolated occurrence. please keep us posted.

any chance this coloring could be your bulb ready to be changed?

Thanks for the feedback. My bulb became dim enough that I put in a new one about 1 week before the green Ting problem began. I doubt the new bulb is connected to the Tinge.
KT
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post #6827 of 11971
9/6/07 at 2:00pm
anyone else replace a bulb yet on their sets?

i heard sony has stopped manufacturing these sets and they will quickly disappear from retail markets.

aside from kttv's distressing green comment, these puppies have been wonderful, exceptional sets. best pq for the $.

here's a toast to the xbr2 and may the green tinge stay far and long away!
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post #6828 of 11971
9/6/07 at 4:44pm
Howdy folks,

new to the forum. I own the, now infamous, model kdsr60xbr1. Famous for it's lovely failure. Had the set now for a year and 2 or 3 months now, the "Green Blob" has manifested itself.

My question if for the folks who were able to get XBR 2 replacement sets. How did you do this?? Did you have to jump thru hoops, or did they voluntarily give you a swap?
Am in the process of either getting the XBR 1 fixed or replaced. Any info would be appreciated
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post #6829 of 11971
9/7/07 at 5:08am
Being a new owner of a 70XBR2 im a little befuddled on how to set the DRC function from the auto 1 or 2 or off position, and even more so how to set the Palette...Reality and clarity...huh???

To make matters worse Im told that the setting should be different based on HD and non HD sources, however since im using my receiver as a HDMI switcher, my set is always on the same input all the time??

Any good Sony folks out there know what to do?
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post #6830 of 11971
9/7/07 at 7:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JESSIE DART View Post

Being a new owner of a 70XBR2 im a little befuddled on how to set the DRC function from the auto 1 or 2 or off position, and even more so how to set the Palette...Reality and clarity...huh???

To make matters worse Im told that the setting should be different based on HD and non HD sources, however since im using my receiver as a HDMI switcher, my set is always on the same input all the time??

Any good Sony folks out there know what to do?

since you are using the receiver as a switcher and only using 1 input on the set you wont be able to have different settings. all devices will have to have the same calibration on that input. the only way i see to have different settings for HD and SD is to have HDMI input calibrated for HD and have another connection from same device calibrated for SD.
also see the tweaks thread here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=739074
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post #6831 of 11971
9/7/07 at 8:48am
Is there a setting for the DRC Palette that works as a good base point for Both HD and Non HD ?
It will be a compromise but I have no other choice. I imagine others who have a system with a HDMI receiver are doing the same thing...Anyone?
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post #6832 of 11971
9/7/07 at 9:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JESSIE DART View Post

Is there a setting for the DRC Palette that works as a good base point for Both HD and Non HD ?
It will be a compromise but I have no other choice. I imagine others who have a system with a HDMI receiver are doing the same thing...Anyone?

i used AikenGhoti's settings from that tweaks thread that i linked above. i set it up using his HD settings. i like them for both HD, SD and upconverted DVD through my Oppo. i also used the avia disc and found his settings to be pretty close. personally i prefer to set it up optimally for HD. i can deal with SD not being perfect because it never will no matter what you do. the problem is that some of the changes you make to improve HD will have a negative effect on SD and vice versa.

KTTV also has posted settings that alot of people like.
try them both and see what you like.

i've stopped messing with mine and am awaiting UMR to calibrate in Oct.
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post #6833 of 11971
9/8/07 at 5:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JESSIE DART View Post

Being a new owner of a 70XBR2 im a little befuddled on how to set the DRC function from the auto 1 or 2 or off position, and even more so how to set the Palette...Reality and clarity...huh???

To make matters worse Im told that the setting should be different based on HD and non HD sources, however since im using my receiver as a HDMI switcher, my set is always on the same input all the time??

Any good Sony folks out there know what to do?

Under Setup/picture/picture mode, you can have 3 different setups for each input by selecting Vivid, Standard or Custom. For HDMI, I set up Custom for HD source and Standard for 480 source. When I am using my HDMI input, I select the picture mode I want by using the picture mode button on the remote controller. In practice, I leave it set for HD (Custom picture mode) and seldom change it).
The role of Mode, Reality/Clarity, and Cinemotion controls for scaling, deinterlacing, and 3:2 pull down is very confusing, especially for 1080i inputs.
LCM
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post #6834 of 11971
9/8/07 at 9:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JESSIE DART View Post

Being a new owner of a 70XBR2 im a little befuddled on how to set the DRC function from the auto 1 or 2 or off position, and even more so how to set the Palette...Reality and clarity...huh???

To make matters worse Im told that the setting should be different based on HD and non HD sources, however since im using my receiver as a HDMI switcher, my set is always on the same input all the time??

Any good Sony folks out there know what to do?

After having my set calibrated by UMR, it was decided that my 70XBR2 was best with the DRC function turned OFF. It turns out that with this option turned OFF, it infact is not off but kind of like an auto mode. Very strange terminology used by Sony, in which Jeff and I had a conversation over.

I never experimented with this setting, always thinking I was not taking advantage of the sets capability. But switching it back and forth, I can definitely see the improvement. Give it a shot and see what looks best to you.
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post #6835 of 11971
9/8/07 at 9:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by gvg45 View Post

After having my set calibrated by UMR, it was decided that my 70XBR2 was best with the DRC function turned OFF. It turns out that with this option turned OFF, it infact is not off but kind of like an auto mode. Very strange terminology used by Sony, in which Jeff and I had a conversation over.

I never experimented with this setting, always thinking I was not taking advantage of the sets capability. But switching it back and forth, I can definitely see the improvement. Give it a shot and see what looks best to you.

You can definitely see the improvement when it's on or when it's off?
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post #6836 of 11971
9/8/07 at 9:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by HappyFunBoater View Post

You can definitely see the improvement when it's on or when it's off?

DRC=OFF
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post #6837 of 11971
9/8/07 at 11:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by gvg45 View Post

After having my set calibrated by UMR, it was decided that my 70XBR2 was best with the DRC function turned OFF. It turns out that with this option turned OFF, it infact is not off but kind of like an auto mode. Very strange terminology used by Sony, in which Jeff and I had a conversation over.

If you write a post about your calibration done by UMR, I'm sure that others would be interested.

I would like to include your calibration report in the list of owner's reports that is linked at the bottom of my post.
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post #6838 of 11971
9/8/07 at 1:40pm
My Sept 2006 delivery XBR2 died yesterday. It turns on but immediately turns off. The red power LED flashes 4 times. Sony service said that means some type of inadequate power condition. Maybe the power supply? Has anybody else had this happen? I've owned many Sony TV's, all excellent. I can't believe this is dead after less than 1 year.
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post #6839 of 11971
9/8/07 at 2:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by htwaits View Post

If you write a post about your calibration done by UMR, I'm sure that others would be interested.

I would like to include your calibration report in the list of owner's reports that is linked at the bottom of my post.

Yes, I know I have dropped the ball on writing a report on my calibration. Truth is, I have not have too much time. I will do my best to get to it this week.

BTW, you have done a great job keeping up with post cal reports. Its a great service to this forum and something I think should not go unnoticed. Thank you.
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post #6840 of 11971
9/8/07 at 2:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rscholl View Post

My Sept 2006 delivery XBR2 died yesterday. It turns on but immediately turns off. The red power LED flashes 4 times. Sony service said that means some type of inadequate power condition. Maybe the power supply? Has anybody else had this happen? I've owned many Sony TV's, all excellent. I can't believe this is dead after less than 1 year.

Four red blinks= Bad fan.



I have read in the XBR1 thread of people replacing their own fans when they fail. If you do not have any extended warranty, you might want to check it out.

If you plan on doing the work yourself, I would suggest replacing all fans (4 I think in total) while your in there.


edit....one other thing you might want to try to get you though until you get service is to tap on the back of the set. Sometimes that will get the stalled fan working for a little while.
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