1080p LCD HDTV Review

• 16:9 Full HD 1080p Resolution (1920×1080p) LCD Panel
• DMex compatible; allows seamless feature upgrades
• BRAVIA Sync (Enhanced HDMI-CEC)
• BRAVIA Engine fully digital video processor
• Advanced Contrast Enhancer circuit (ACE)

Remarkable picture quality and eye-popping colors are hallmarks of this XBR 6-Series LCD HDTV. Sony’s BRAVIA engine and Advanced Contrast Enhancer dynamic backlight control combine to offer phenomenal picture quality in 52-inch screen size.

 

Sony Bravia XBR KDL-52XBR6 52-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV User Review

I purchased this TV for about 00 along with a free Sony Blu Ray BDS350 from Circuit City’s going-out-of-business sale in Jan 2009. The TV is great and I recommend it highly. HD and blu ray blew me away. I went back within the 30-day limit and bought Circuit City’s 3-year warranty for 0+, as I kept getting told that things can go wrong with these big LCD’s. I was told that the CC warranty covered more than the usual things, and that they would often simply replace the defective TV with no hassle.

On April 22, 2009, I reported Mura (clouding), which had a flashlight effect from six points on the sides of the screen. It doesn’t show during TV viewing except during very dark scenes, and became more annoying to me as time went on. I first called the Circuit City warranty guys thinking the set might just get promptly replaced, but no such luck. They immediately turned me over to Sony saying “the one-year Sony warranty is in effect.” (My receipt for the CC warranty shows it began at date of purchase and ends Jan. 2012, so apparently, in reality, I bought a 2-year warranty not a 3-year, and paid 0+.) Sony dispatched their repairman who came and looked it over on an early Sat. morning when the TV was not warmed up enough for the problem to show. He believed that, and said he would come back. He told me Sony needs proof of a problem and to try to get pics of it so, not owning a camera, I bought a drug store instant camera which did get sharp pics of the TV screen with or without flash. But it just picked up the TV with its black screen with none of the white clouding showing on the snapshots. The repairman, thankfully, did bring a “real” camera on his next visit, took pics and left with the promise that Sony would call me in about 5 business days with the verdict. By June 17, they still had not called, so I called them and was informed that they did have a new back panel on back order and would call me for an appointment when it came in. It might take weeks. Then, a few days later they called me because they had the part. They promptly came and tried to install it — taking ALL the guts out of the TV, unplugging all the wiring inside it, EVERYTHING, down to the plain black frame itself, then went to replace the panel but found they had ordered the wrong panel. They put everything back together OK, and I’m still awaiting the correct replacement panel.

I asked while they were working, “what if the new panel is the same way?” and they said “then, that’s how it will have to be I guess.” So, I think in that case I would try to go after the CC guys and threaten to make the warranty a disputed charge on my credit card unless they do something, but we’ll see.

I’ll update this review when I get the new panel.

here is my update: I got the correct new panel put in on 7/28/09 (which is actually a substitute panel for the original, which is no longer made). It worked perfectly and gorgeously the first day and I thought my problems were over. However, by the second evening, when the TV was very warmed up, there was the same problem again that I had originally reported, only with slightly different light-shapes along the sides of the screen, but just as severe as before. So, now will begin a new process of dealing with Sony and/or Circuit City Warranty people to perhaps install yet another panel, get a replacement of the TV, or get a refund of the original purchase price. I love the TV better than all others I’ve seen. I just hate the problem. If they will refund me, though, I will buy something else, perhaps I guess, plasma.

8/7/09 – I called Sony Customer Relations to inform them that the new panel did not work, but before I could say anything, the guy seemed unaware that the panel had been replaced and offered me a replacement of the same exact model 52″ XBR6, but “refurbished.” I then called Assurant Consumer Relations (they have taken over Circuit City warranties) and was run all around hell trying to talk to them about whether a replacement TV would cancel my Circuit City three-year warranty. First person: we don’t take care of that, call contract sales (I did – they have nothing to do with this problem, “Consumer Relations is supposed to help you!”). 2nd person: “No way will the warranty be in effect any more! Are you crazy or something?” I tried once more. 3rd person: A very helpful experienced-sounding guy — “No, it shouldn’t effect the warranty at all. I only have to put a note on my computer that the MANUFACTURER is replacing it with the EXACT SAME MODEL, and that I have reassured you the warranty is still in effect.” Sony had also said the same thing about their one-year coverage. So, I called Sony back and agreed to the deal. They will be delivering the new TV in several days. The helpful guy at Assurant also mentioned that the refurbished TV is probably just part of a recall for a defective part which has now been fixed and thus it is probably not used but brand new. This makes me hopeful, as maybe if it was manufactured at an earlier time, it could be a better (?) model?….??? We’ll see.

8/21/09 – The saga continues. It’s too bad that Sony isn’t producing up to par, as I’ve heard the XBR9 has the same problem. They replaced my TV with the refurbished new one, and, sure enough, the same problem showed up within 24 hours. Only a little worse, since there is at least one splotch of white cloud even in the middle of the screen. I don’t think they can fix it. A refund might be in order, but it seems they will only give a partial to account for “depreciation” even though I first reported it within 90 days of purchase, and it has taken me 4 months to get this far… I’m wishing I kept the first one with the new panel.

9/09 – Sony replaced my TV with another identical model, this time it came with an older style (but correct) remote for this TV. I guess that might mean it’s one of the first 52XBR6’s to be manufactured. There is NO MURA. It is now November 17, 2009 and still a good, black screen, with, if I am precise, the teeny-tiniest bit of mura, but no distraction at all. Now I feel I (finally) lucked out. Phew!!!