Official Sony XBR4/5 Owners Thread(NO PRICE TALK) - Page 399

How are these XBR4's holding up?

If that was a general question, just fine. I have a 52' XBR4 that I got in Dec. 2007. Other than an HDMI handshake problem with my Denon AVR (solved by putting a Monoprice splitter between them), I've had no problems at all. Still has a great picture.

Interesting that you had handshake issues; can you elaborate?

I have the Denon AVR-3311ci and am on my second (Sony-provided refurb) 46XBR5, and I have had no significant handshake issues with either TV. Yes, occasionally the Denon GUI does not overlay when I am watching CTV via my HDMI-connected TiVo; but that is easily rectified by simply reselecting the input (via quick select button).

I have a Denon 3808. Back in 2008 there was a lot of discussion of this ussue on both the 3808 and XBR4/5 forums. The problem would vary quite a bit from setup to setup. In my case the interruption would consist of loss of video and most often (but not always) audio for about 2-3 seconds. Frequency would vary from as often as every couple of hours to every 3rd to 4th day. Some people had this much worse getting to the point where their systems sounded to be almost unwatchable. I believe I also found some references to similar issues with some Samsung and Sharp units. I'm not sure if anyone ever definitively determined if it was primarily a Denon problem or what.

The splitter trick was discovered by one of the guys from Canada. I tried it after he had no problems for a couple of weeks and it took care of the issue for me. I've been without any handshake issues for over 4 years now.

was supposed to get my 46xbr5 replacement on monday BUT I live in nyc so who knows whne i will be able to reschedule a delivery

was supposed to get my 46xbr5 replacement on monday BUT I live in nyc so who knows whne i will be able to reschedule a delivery

My 52xbr4 Nov 07 build is just as new with great picture and not a single problem so far.

That's encouraging. My 46XBR5 (Jan 08) was beautiful and just starting to show some minor, occasional picture anomalies when I let Sony swap it out for a refurb in September.

The refurb (Nov 07) had a brand-new panel with zero errors and zero user hours when I got it. No dead or stuck pixels and the same gorgeous PQ of my first set.

+1 - Mine is a 12/2007 unit but is just fine. I don't think the 52's had as many screen issues as the 46's.

so far so good. the refurb tv looks fine. how do u find out how many user hrs are on it

To perform a "self-check" with the TV plugged in and the power off, press the following sequence of buttons on the remote:

"DISPLAY" + "5" + "VOL DOWN" + "POWER"

You will see a diagnostics screen showing any errors ("00" indicates no errors for that particular line item). At the bottom of the screen are three numbers showing (1) operating hours, (2) boot count (number of times the set has been powered on), (3) and panel hours.

To return to normal operation, power the set off and then power on again in normal fashion.

My 40" XBR4 that I worked so hard to get from Sony has been worth the effort - no issues at all.

So after finding your post today I decided to try the self check on my 52XBR4. here were my results. Anyone care to break these down for me? Looks like everything is running fine for the most part. Owned since Jan2008,never have had any issues.

Everything looks fine except that 1 error. Mine was the same error and the number was 37 times. What I could do to replicate it was leave the TV on for more that 20 minutes and turn it off and immediately try and power it back up. The red light would blink 5 times and I would have to wait 45 minutes for the TV to cool down before it would turn back on. I found out later that you HAVE to let the LED blink the 5 times for the code to register otherwise it would not increase in value.

If you have a warranty, I would start calling now.

OK I lost you there...

Here is my pic before I called and started the warranty replacement:

TV 3582k .jpg file

So in order to give the accurate number of errors you had to do that whole process before you got the actual number?

A DTT_WDT error is a watchdog timer error that occurs when one or more of the microprocessors within the set are not communicating with another. I am not a tech, but unless you are having noticeable issues with your TV I wouldn't worry about this single error code. On the other hand, you might want to do a periodic self-check (say, once a month) to see whether the error count increases over time.

Given the high panel hours, I wouldn't be too concerned about minor anomalies in the diagnostics.

52XBR4 bought in Dec '07 and have not had any problems with it at all. Recently hooked it up to Pioneer Elite vsx-53 AVR and have had no problems, including any HDMI handshake issues that seems to be a fairly common problem with AVR's. My only complaint is it is quite heavy. We just moved to a new home but it handled the move just fine.

My 52XBR4 has over 10,000 hours on it and shows only one DDT_WDT error. Darn thing is going to last forever. I was hoping it would blow up so I could get a new one.

HA heavy indeed! Mine has handled many moves since I got it in Jan 08. I think its been through about 6 or 7 moves so far, two across state(TX), and one up three stories .

Well I took a chance and found someone letting go of an xbr3. Took it home and checked the display info. It was all zeroes on the check, but could not understand why I only had two sets of numbers for panel life. 1617-56127. otherwise so far so good. I miss my xbr4, but this 46 xbr3 will have to do.

Enjoyed reading thru the forum as it has alot of information. What I couldnt find is if the 40" xbr4 is covered under the replacment? Mine no longer comes on.. no video or sound. The green light comes on but no standby light.

If mine is covered.. do I call the 1-239-245-6475 number and I dont have the reciept. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

I am unaware of a warranty extension program for the KDL-40XBR4, but there may very well have been one if the panel was from the same production facility as the 46" XBR4/5 models. At any rate, I believe the extended warranty period for the 2007 model year panel anomalies expired in November 2012 (see attachment); and, even more to the point, without a sales receipt you are unlikely to get very far with Sony's warranty service.

I would contact Sony anyway (1-800-222-SONY) and see what you can get them to do for you. Be aware that your issue may be entirely unrelated to the issues covered by any warranty extension program (such as a bad power supply). KDL-46XBR5 Warranty Extension.pdf 558k .pdf file

I couldn't get service for my failing panel with receipt only days after the extension lapsed. So I highly doubt it will happen this far out.

Right, but YMMV depending on a host of factors, not the least of which are the competence and level of the CSR's you talk to and your degree of persistence and persuasiveness.

It never hurts to try, but again without a sales receipt you're dealing from a weak position.

I thought it might be the power supply and ordered one Tuesday and then came across this forum the next morning. Hope this works.. if not I probably go ahead and try to call Sony anyways... but then TVs are so cheap now compared what we paid for these 5 yrs ago ;-).

Instead of hanging it back up on the wall mount, I would like to put the stand back on but that has been misplaced and will have to look for one.

So it was Nov 2012 the expiration.. mine went out October... oh well.

As for reciepts.. am not good abt keeping them.. I have since purchased 3 Samsungs.. dont keep reciepts but it looks like I really should.

Cheers

I was offered a replacement for Sony 52XBR4 with a new TV for 825$. Do they take away the older tv ? Can you confirm?

If you're referring to a Sony extended warranty replacement, then yes, they will typically take your 52XBR4 (in addition to the $825) in exchange for the replacement set.

What was the issue you had with the old set and what model are you getting in exchange?

I have a Sony KDL52XBR4. I bought it around April 2008. The TV developed issues with pictures within first 3 months. Sony came and replaced the LCD panel then. Recently I started seeing fuzzy pics, double triple images on the right side, with occasional lines going horizontal. I was told I am covered with extended warranty. But they did offer me KDL55EX640 new for $825 + tax. Earlier they offerred me a replacement refurb 52XBR4 for $699 which I refused to accept.

Is it a good deal and also will they take away the old TV. The problem happens sometimes and most of the time it looks fine.