Customer Rating:
Summary: good picture bad lamps system
Comment: this tv is great to watch movies on or games but the problem is the lamp keeps blowing out and every year this thing blows a bulb and the bulbs arnt cheap there about 200 each and i have replace the bulb 3 times already i wouldnt recomend this tv at all.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great for about 18 months, then screen went blotchy
Comment: For about a year and a half this TV performed very well. It had a crisp, brilliant picture and more than justified the cost. Then blue blotches started to appear on the screen. I checked the Sony service website, which said that that there would be extended coverage for problems with a blotchy picture, but only certain *kinds* of blotches.
There are apparently two design defects with this unit. The first defect has something to do with a defect in the LCD array itself, which caused picture elements to bleed into each other, and the second defect is that the sealing fails on the image box, allowing dust into the unit where it bonds with the LCD and creates a blotchy effect.
The first defect (I'm told) is covered by Sony extended warranty. The second is not. After paying $100 for an "evaluation" which took less than a minute, we were told that the issue with our TV was not covered. We were then given an estimate to fix the unit that was slightly more than the cost to replace it with a better TV.
If I'm reading the Sony service notice correctly, the image box problems apply to all Sony Grand WEGA televisions, so I'd have to recommend that you avoid any of this line of TVs.
What's more upsetting is Sony's refusal to own up to what is clearly a design defect in these units. Anyone can make a mistake, but the real test of a company's ethics is how they deal with it, and Sony seems to have really dropped the ball on this one.
We were early adopters of many Sony products -- the Beta video format, the Sony Discman, (I still have a D7 and it still works) the 8mm format, memory stick devices, the Sony XBR line of televisions, and Sony stereo components. At $2,499, this TV was the biggest ticket item we have ever purchased from Sony, and they let us down. Perhaps Sony is not the company they used to be.
We are currently looking for a replacement TV, but we are not considering Sony, as it would be financially irresponsible to throw good money after bad.
The other thing that bothers me is that this 18-month-old TV, being junk, not worth fixing, is destined to become landfill, along with countless other Sony Grand WEGA televisions that died long before expected, are not covered and cost more to fix than to replace. That is very unfortunate.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Blue Dots after 2 years but there is help-READ on!
Comment: My tv just started getting those blue streaks on the tv. If you HAVE A 2004 model of several of these tv models they will fix the optical block and repair free of cost. I'm not sure if they'll cover the diagnosis but its on sony's website.
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Models: KDF-42WE655, KDF-50WE655, KDF-55WF655, KDF-60WF655, KDF-55XS955, KDF-60XS955, KF-42WE620, and KF-50WE620
As technology evolves, Sony continually looks to stand behind the reliability of its televisions. It has come to our attention that a limited number of Grand WEGA rear projection televisions (models listed above), after a period of time, exhibit blue dot or star pattern on the screen.
In addition, for any customer who later experiences this issue on one of the affected models, Sony will cover the cost of the optical block repair (parts and labor) at no charge through December 31, 2008. All other terms of the Sony limited warranty continue to apply. Sony utilizes a network of hundreds of qualified independent third-party servicers to perform in-home television warranty service. Sony, through its authorized servicer network, will endeavor to repair your set within 30 days of your first contact. For diagnosis, warranty service, or if you are not provided a repair within 30 days, please contact Sony at (888) 649-7669.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good for about 2 years, then blotches all over the screen
Comment: My last Sony TV was a 1985 XBR which lasted until just past 2005. Thus my expectations were set when we started shopping for a new TV.
The KDF-42WE655 had a beautiful picture for a little over 2 years, and then blotches began to appear. The screen is now unwatchable, and the cost to repair is about the same as buying a new TV. Avoid this TV.
I am astonished that Sony would not stand behind their product for what is clearly a design defect. Sony is apparently not the company they once were. We will be looking elsewhere for a replacement.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Unreliable - "Blue Haze" Strikes Again
Comment: This was the greatest TV for three years (which appears to be a long life for this TV [kdf42we655]). About 3 months ago, blue dots began to appear, followed by blue haze areas on the right hand side of the television. I almost bought a replacement bulb (thinking that was the problem), but evidently the problem is caused by an optical device that costs as "little" as $700 and as much as $1,200. The repair bill would another $300. If a recall was ever needed, it's on this TV and the other model that has the same problems. It really pains me, that Sony is taking their unhelpful approach, because this TV was incredible for the price for almost three years! Even though tube-tv's are bulky, they did last for twenty years. Reliability will always be better than thinness. Do not buy this TV.
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