Official Sony XBR4/5 Owners Thread(NO PRICE TALK) - Page 395

I got my 52XBR4 4 years ago back in December of 2011 I started to experience problems with my TV. I bought the extended warranty which is up at the end of Jan 2012. Sony has offered a KDL-55BX520 as a replacement. I am currently trying to figure out if this is a comparable replacement. One thing I immediately noticed is I used 3 HDMI connections on my XBR4 and the BX520 only has two HDMI connections.

What do you guys think of the 55BX520 as a comparable replacement? Is there another model that is more comparable.
Thanks for the help.

BX is actually one of their lower end models. Technically only the HX929 is a XBR but I'm realistic haha. I would try and get at least an EX as a straight swap or if you are willing to pay, see if they will get you a higher end model by paying the difference. Or you could even try and see if they have XBR8 as many still consider that comparable to the hx models.

I got offered this same deal early this A.M.

My question to those of you who have agreed to swap tv's in the past is...do they take your old tv or do they find it useless? I'm torn because after 20-30 minutes my 46" XBR4 still has its great picture. Waiting the 20-30 minutes for it to warm up is very annoying and very embarrassing when company is over.

They kept making it seem like they were doing me a favor but I paid for a top of the line 46XBR4 back in early '08. Do you guys think I should hold out for a better deal? They keep saying this is the only possible offer they will make, but they finally relented and told me to email them a copy of my original receipt and the model number of the TV I want as a replacement.

I just took the deal. I'm in the middle of a basement remodel and don't have the money to buy a new tv so I figure a working tv is better then a tv that takes 30-40 minutes to warm up. I'm hoping the delivery guy doesn't take the XBR4 and leaves it in my possession. Its a great tv except for the waiting for a good picture part. Once the tv warms up the picture is perfect.

I'm sure they will. It would cost Sony more money to have it returned to them.

i've talked with 4 or 5 different customer service reps so far, and each one said they would take the old TV when they bring the new one. I emailed them the copy of my original receipt, but apparently it is a two day process for them to receive an email. Grrrrr.

what?? totally off topic, spam link?

Here's a picture of my KDL55EX620. It replaced my KDL46XBR4. Isn't it pretty?

[IMG][/IMG]

That looks like a toy got thrown at it. Did I get it right?

No, it came like this. It was a "White Glove" delivery. The guy setting it up said it was his first TV to ever do. He had a guy with him who wound up being his cousin he asked to come along and help. They were looking at the box at one point to see how to attach the stand. They took it away after I saw the huge cracks. Now I have to start all over again with Sony on the phone.

did they offer the EX620 to replace your XBR4?

After four years of excitement having 46XBR5 in my house, I am back to this forum with the problem: picture anomalies, horizontal lines.
Sony just called me, offered a free replacement KDL-55BX520. I rejected, it is wrong size and no way equivalent to my XBR5. Thanks to this forum already learned what to say.
I told them my XBR5 was a top of the line model; I am expecting an equivalent model.
They switched me to consumer relation department and offered to pick up a model that I like and call them back, some extra charge could apply. I told them straight - I would like XBR46HX929, they replied that XBRs are not included to replacement program, offered 46HX729 and I will need pay a bit extra or I may also choose any other model, but need to know which one by tomorrow.
Realistically, I do not believe it would be possible to get refurbished XBR8 or 9.

Would 46HX729 be close to XBR5 (only picture quality worries me, no other 3D, USB or etc. gadgets needed) ?
Would HX820 be even better?

If it is no way to get XBR, what other model would be a good choice?
Is it any of you had a success to get the XBR HX929/909 models?

Looks like only few available, narrowing down to:
HX909,929 (most likely is not possible or I need to learn how to negotiate)
HX820
EX729
HX729
Do not know if NX720 needs to be here

Please advice

Should I be "that guy" and keep demanding to talk to a supervisor? Has anyone else had any success dealing with these people? They don't understand the difference between their own high end and low end models. I swear it's like talking to robots. I take that back. Robots would be more sympathetic.

jphardy, just to clarify, did they offer you BX520 for free or for $1199?
I will wait for my tomorrow call and see what happens. HX729, 750, 820 might be interesting, if for free, that would be my goal.
Please keep posting your experience with Sony guys. I think they very clearly understand what they are doing, they want to trick their customers and give them (I mean us) the lowest cost equipment, I even believe there are some sales commissions involved.

gezzzz i knew i could not be alone but wow! i HAD a 40xbr4.i have been offered a 40ex720 and not happy with offer given amount paid and adjusted for inflation less the advancement in electronics.i settled on a 46hx820 plus 600.i called today to check on if deal was done as the money was still on debit card.i stated that i needed closure as this is i month and 6 days old.i was told that the "warehouse"dropped the ball and "my guy" would get on it tomorrow and even TRY to knock price down a bit.i will let all my fellows know what shakes out.

I think we should change this forum thread name to "What brand to switch to once your XBR4/5 fails after 3 years of use"

I called back and registered a complain with the service I received. I'm going to take the BX520 and return it to Abt, and get a different brand. I've been a sony lifer, but that ended today. Good luck to everyone else with their return process.

just got off phone with "my guy".he said since i've had sooo much trouble with the warehouse being the weak link i was getting a 1 time offer of the 46hx820 for FREE instead of 600+tax.now if this is true it will indeed be a good deal for a 4 yr old 40xbr4.so if i get a new not refurb unit as stated great.i have been on this for 5 weeks.i like most start on the other side of the globe thinking i am in fl.i will post phone number to "my guy" when i get tracking email.i do not work so i was relentless in this matter.i started with the 40ex720 refurb then went to a new 46 hx 729 600+tax after a issue where my debit info was mishandled they had to re-write order.i insisted that i get kicked up a level due to lack of faith they could even do their job.now at this next level i was in the u.s. "my guy" shares a office with ONLY 5 others.i went off on him and believe it or not he understood and i ACTUALLY BELIEVED him.he at this point offered the upgrade to the 820 for the 729 but still 600+ tax.now i am told due to my issues with the delivery of the unit it will now be free. new 46hx820 vs.old 40xbr4 = about friggen time sony! do the next right thing and keep me as a customer.

I checked my local BBuy, 55EX723 looks not bad, I will keep this as an option, will try to switch for a larger screen as a part of negotiation.

i just got my tracking info.the unit 46hx820 ships out today.i think this is a satisfactory offer-free-for my 40xbr4.i have read the posts on here there are some crease and flashlighting issues that are a concern.now, that being said we on here are more demanding than most or we would not be reading/writing on here.i have found that most say it is a hell of a tv short of major flaws.

best of luck to all.swing for the fences you might connect.

I received my tracking number on the 3rd for my BX520. I should be getting it within the next day or 2. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

They wanted me to take a 55" KDL55BX520 for free also. After a lengthy discussion they sold me a KDL55EX620 for $300.00 + $24.00 tax. When it arrived, it was cracked all to hell. They stated they were sending another one expedited.

i just for s*%t and giggles i sent a email to sony listens after getting tracking info.i asked if they would give me a extra yr.warranty given my trials on this matter.i received a response quickly stating since it was new it came with a 1yr.warranty.i wrote back saying i new this but was "gun shy"about sony now and was hoping for a longer period of peace of mind.again, another rather quick reply stating they were going to do so.i am saying it ain't over till it is over.i never sxpected they would do this.i must add my "file" is likely thick and i think they need to put all cases to an end at some point.i think i wore them out.

my BX520 will be delivered Sunday. I just got off the phone with the delivery company.

Great job squeezing them, Lucky!

thanks Shadez, like i said i do not work(retired)so i could spend quality time with them.i do think that is a difference maker.i believe they have a set amount of man hours they want to allow for each of us with a issue.i just wish they got right with everyone.i see where 46/52 xbr owners were getting hosed.IMO so for those still out there hunker down and NEVER say die.oh,i forgot to add my tv is at the dump it crapped out 2 weeks before i got notice of problem.i spent approx.2 weeks getting them to just accept receipt.so i was able to do all this from a receipt reprint from BB.advice is ask for natl.customer rep Manila is a waste of time.they use the shell game and just move you around without moving you up.direct line they will pick up ONLY 5 ppl in this office 239-245-6475

got new 820 today + 1yr extra warranty feel good about it. do not let them wear you down.

I hate to say it but I think I may be joining this club. I am so peeved. My XBR is almost 4 years old. Around a month ago I noticed that while playing XBOX after a period of time the picture would start to shimmer and flash. This happened twice and went away on its own. Over the past week now it is happening almost every time I turn the set on. I do not think it is my HDMI cables. To verify I swapped between two inputs each on a different cable and the flashing contiunued unabated. I also thought maybe it was the receiver sending video to the TV but I have one HDMI from receiver and one from an old HD-DVD player not connected to the receiver and the flashing continues on both. So if not the cables or the receiver...it's the TV.

Anyone else seen this problem? The top and bottom of the set 'flashes' and looses color and resolution. The middle portion of the set seems better but still a bit off. It appears to go away after the set heats up for a few minutes. But it can take 1 min one day and 5 mins the next day and I assume it will just get worse. Anyone else seen this?

I'm not thrilled at the idea of calling Sony and paying some tech $150 to tell me my set needs a $1k fix. If I can't find a way to fix this I can guarantee my next purchase will not be a Sony. 4 years is way too short for a lifetime for a (at time of purchase) over $2k set.

I guess I'm feeling better and better about having jumped in with an XBR2 many years ago rather than waiting, mine has been very good to me and I still love the picture.

~gs2gf

Wanted to share my broken XBR5 changing to HX929 results.
I got my new 55HX929, it is bigger vs. 46XBR5 I had.
Spend few weeks playing with settings. I was also trying famous Imrizzo settings.
Settled now on the best per my taste, the most close I can achieve to match to my XBR5 (still works after warm up, perfect for side by side comparison).

Well, the 55HX929 is not even close by brightness-crispiness, color appearance-deepness wise. I know in fact and understand that one TV set is not equal to another TV set. And it is nothing wrong with my unit, it performs close to others I seen in retailer stores on display.

Based on what I see on the screen, on all the black levels, leaking lights, shadows and etc, it makes me thinking that HX929 LCD panel by itself has lower contrast ratio vs. XBR5 panel (I mean not looking to those electronically artificially boosted blacks, I do not care about them). In other words, my particular HX929 unit has lower grade panel vs. XBR5, period.

I read that Sony has switched from Samsung panel to someone else. Well that most likely brings lower performance at lower cost. The LCD panel on HX929 is a step back. I am talking here about my particular unit and not all TV sets that others might have, performing differently and better than others, as you may read on dedicated to HX929 thread where many loves how it performs.