Sony KF-42WE610...Has the bulb problem been fixed?

[J]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

So my fiancee and I have been researching LCD and DLP tvs for the past
few weeks and hitting all the local stores (Best Buy, Circuit City,
Ultimate Electronics..etc.etc). Today we came across the KF-42WE610
and we were both totally blown away by both the price and the picture
quality. Unfortunately, Sony is gearing up to release next years
models, so none the stores had it in stock. We immediately asked them
to order one for us and I headed home to check the reviews of this
model.
Man, I am really bummed now though. I am amazed at how many
unsatisfied customers have experienced bulbs burning out and loud fan
noises with this model. I did notice that almost all the negative
reviews were posted up until Feb 2004 and CNET added an editor's note
that the problem was remedied in January, but I'm still a little
worried. $2500 is a lot of money to me and I don't want to blow it on
a piece of junk. Does anybody know if the problem truly was remedied
and do current versions of this model operate properly?

Another concern is that I hear LCD bulbs tend to burn out every year
anyway and cost $200 to replace. Is this true? If so, I find that
absolutely ridulous.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

The bulb problem with the Sony LCD RPTV is, by all accounts, has long
been fixed. The Sony WE610s are highly regarded HD RPTVs with some pros
(no concern about the DLP rainbow effect) and cons (black levels are not
as good as the new DLP sets). However the 610s are the 2003 models and
are currently being closed out in favor of the 2004 655 sets which have
been showing up in many stores. The 655 sets do not appear to have any
major advances in the display quality, but they do add a built-in ATSC
(digital) tuner, Cablecard slot, and HDMI over the 610. I don't think
much of the all silver look, but unless you find a discount for the 610
too hard to pass up, I would recommend you get the 655 model if you want
to get one of these. The HDMI port and ATSC tuner may come in handy.

Alan


J wrote:
> So my fiancee and I have been researching LCD and DLP tvs for the past
> few weeks and hitting all the local stores (Best Buy, Circuit City,
> Ultimate Electronics..etc.etc). Today we came across the KF-42WE610
> and we were both totally blown away by both the price and the picture
> quality. Unfortunately, Sony is gearing up to release next years
> models, so none the stores had it in stock. We immediately asked them
> to order one for us and I headed home to check the reviews of this
> model.
> Man, I am really bummed now though. I am amazed at how many
> unsatisfied customers have experienced bulbs burning out and loud fan
> noises with this model. I did notice that almost all the negative
> reviews were posted up until Feb 2004 and CNET added an editor's note
> that the problem was remedied in January, but I'm still a little
> worried. $2500 is a lot of money to me and I don't want to blow it on
> a piece of junk. Does anybody know if the problem truly was remedied
> and do current versions of this model operate properly?
>
> Another concern is that I hear LCD bulbs tend to burn out every year
> anyway and cost $200 to replace. Is this true? If so, I find that
> absolutely ridulous.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

On 26 Sep 2004 16:48:55 -0700, joey@dreamtraveler.net (J) wrote:

>Another concern is that I hear LCD bulbs tend to burn out every year
>anyway and cost $200 to replace. Is this true? If so, I find that
>absolutely ridulous.

Our Sony rep told us the bulb will need to be replaced on average
about every 3-6 years depending upon how many hours per day the set is
turned on. We had the 50" on display for a year, 12 hours a day, with
no noticeable dimming of the bulb and obviously, we'd have received
one of the earlier models for demo that had a great chance of having
the faulty bulb in it. Sony had constant delays in availability of
these sets for about half of last year as they did their best to
insure nobody received one with the bulb problem once the problem
became obvious to Sony.

Like the other poster advised, wait until the new model hits the
shelves in your area before deciding to go with the closeout from last
year. Mainly, because I've noticed the closeout prices of a previous
year's model will generally be within a buck or two of the current,
upcoming model..... and this year's model will have MANY more cool
features than the '03's did.

Last tip I'd give is to wait for a few months after the sets first hit
your local retailers before you buy. Seems as if the prices, if
they're GOING to be falling any will be going down shortly after the
initial "boom" caused by everybody who's been chomping at the bit to
buy the new model purchasing as soon as it hits the floor. At our own
chain, this happened with about 30% of the new models this year...
within 2 or 3 months after hitting the shelves, they went down one or
two hundred dollars.

For just one example, the 46" Toshiba Theaterwide set came out at
$1599. The following month, it went on "sale" for $1499 for another 3
or 4 weeks and then went to being "on sale" for $1399 and advertised
as being "$100 off". Now the set is being advertised at being $1399
regular price and going on sale from that price sporadically and it
just hit out shelves about 3 months ago. There are numerous other
examples but this should illustrate my point... but also bear in mind
a good, 60-70% of the new sets did not drop.

Sorry to go on so long but I hope you'll find these personal
observations useful. Good luck.

 

[J]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

Thanks for the info, guys! You've helped me out a great deal.
I did check on the new 655 model and it appears that Circuit City has
it for only $100 more than the closeout model at Best Buy. I'm really
considering getting it, but can't seem to find any info on the new
features. There is a brief overview of these features on the Sony
website, but not enough to really explain why I would need or enjoy
them. Could you shed a little more light on the new features please?
I understand the digital tuner and built in HD..that's definitely a
nice bonus for over the air HD shows and worth the extra money right
there. Basically I'd just need to purchase a really good anttena to
receive over the air HD transmissions..right?
I am also mainly curious about the cablecard slot. What exactly is
that about? Would it potentially give me a better picture when using
digital cable? Is there a possibility that my local cable provider
won't have to appropriate equipment to make use of this feature?
Ok, and what is HDMI? Is this something I will be thankful later on
when I realize what it is?
Once again, I really appreciate all the help. Sometimes it's difficult
making decisions on expensive purchases like these and naturally I
want to make the best decision possible. We've already decided that we
love the picture on these Sony Wegas...just want to make sure I get
the best possible model and the most bang for the buck! Sorry for all
the questions...I just want to understand this tv a little better
before deciding if I really need these features.
Thanks again guys!
Joe



Alan Figgatt <afiggatt@comcast.net> wrote in message news:<LeCdnV0vVq_xDcrcRVn-jQ@comcast.com>...
> The bulb problem with the Sony LCD RPTV is, by all accounts, has long
> been fixed. The Sony WE610s are highly regarded HD RPTVs with some pros
> (no concern about the DLP rainbow effect) and cons (black levels are not
> as good as the new DLP sets). However the 610s are the 2003 models and
> are currently being closed out in favor of the 2004 655 sets which have
> been showing up in many stores. The 655 sets do not appear to have any
> major advances in the display quality, but they do add a built-in ATSC
> (digital) tuner, Cablecard slot, and HDMI over the 610. I don't think
> much of the all silver look, but unless you find a discount for the 610
> too hard to pass up, I would recommend you get the 655 model if you want
> to get one of these. The HDMI port and ATSC tuner may come in handy.
>
> Alan
>
>
> J wrote:
> > So my fiancee and I have been researching LCD and DLP tvs for the past
> > few weeks and hitting all the local stores (Best Buy, Circuit City,
> > Ultimate Electronics..etc.etc). Today we came across the KF-42WE610
> > and we were both totally blown away by both the price and the picture
> > quality. Unfortunately, Sony is gearing up to release next years
> > models, so none the stores had it in stock. We immediately asked them
> > to order one for us and I headed home to check the reviews of this
> > model.
> > Man, I am really bummed now though. I am amazed at how many
> > unsatisfied customers have experienced bulbs burning out and loud fan
> > noises with this model. I did notice that almost all the negative
> > reviews were posted up until Feb 2004 and CNET added an editor's note
> > that the problem was remedied in January, but I'm still a little
> > worried. $2500 is a lot of money to me and I don't want to blow it on
> > a piece of junk. Does anybody know if the problem truly was remedied
> > and do current versions of this model operate properly?
> >
> > Another concern is that I hear LCD bulbs tend to burn out every year
> > anyway and cost $200 to replace. Is this true? If so, I find that
> > absolutely ridulous.