» Sony Grand WEGA KDF-42WE655 42-Inch LCD Projection Television with Integrated HDTV Tuner

Sony Grand WEGA KDF-42WE655 42-Inch LCD Projection Television with Integrated HDTV Tuner Reviews

Customer Rating:
Summary: Avoid this piece of junk at all costs
Comment: I can't imagine why someone is selling one of these here for $1700. I wouldn't give 2 cents for this pile of junk. I sell TV's for a living and can honestly say this is one of the worst TV's I have ever seen...and after owning one I even got for FREE...I still hate it.

Takes forever to warm up, crappy picture even with HD channels and all upgraded cables, lamp is ready to go (again) and has an inherent bug that makes the high power transformers melt after 1-3 years...this is on it's 2nd one (first one was $1000 to fix-fortunately under warrantee). It's getting ready to do again-judging by the behavior of the TV. Is a known issue to Grand Wega.

Save your money, go get a Toshiba LCD 120HZ model-best bang for your $$$ there. Samsung sound stinks, and Sony is now made up of 70% Samsung parts...so avoid these at all costs...you'll be far better off.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: 4 Years 1 Blub
Comment: So far so good i have the Sony 42 rear projection.(kdf42w655) I am the type of person to fall asleep with the tv on and its been 4 years same first bulb, no blue spots and a great picture.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: This TV will most likely fail due to design flaw; Sony is no help.
Comment: Before you buy this set, search online for :
"Sony optical block problems"

Bought this set in 2004. March 2009 I notice a blue haze at the bottom of the screen. After some research I discovered that this is a very common problem and is essentially a flaw with the design that runs throughout the range of Sony Grand Wega sets;
Specifically, failing optical blocks ultimately make the set unusable, due to artifacts of many different hues and sizes to appear on your screen.
Repair runs to the order of $1000. I contacted Sony and thought that I would get this resolved as they admit that this problem is known and they indicate on their website page detailing the problem that they are resolute in their desire to maintain high quality, blah, blah etc.
On my first point of contact I indicated that I did not want to foot the bill. The Sony service rep mumbled " oh yes sir, I fully understand..."
.. eh?
I contacted a service center, and described the problem. I had to contact Sony again to verify something so this time I asked directly if Sony would pay for it.
The rep said the warranty had expired, and that the limited extended warranty that Sony put in place specifically to cover this *known* flaw had also expired, so the repair would be at my expense.
Hmmm, so they know that they have a pandemic-sized problem that shows up only after a while for which they provide a limited window of support, then close up shop leaving many of their customers with junk too costly to repair.
Even if you repair it, I understand that the design is such that the proximity of the lamp to the block is likely to again degrade the replacement part over time.
Anyways, I indicated my displeasure to the rep, pointing out that the number of people being affected by this is fast approaching one that simply can't be ignored, and that I would be adding my voice and review-writing time to the clamor.
In fairness to the poor, powerless guy on the phone, he did register my complaint, but I would be surprised if it will go anywhere.. if it does, then I'll repost here.
So at this point I'm left with limited options other than to get loud enough for them to consider me a pest..
I hate doing this because I have a life to live and work to do, and I really like to come away with nice fuzzy feelings about customer service ( check out Oppo for a great electronics company that knows how to make you happy).
Oh well.. off I go to cnet now...
then maybe avsforum, and highdefforum.. oh the list is endless..

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Terrible TV / Worse Manufacturer
Comment: We bought the 50" about 2 1/2 yrs ago, we loved the TV initially, but about three months ago a blue cloud appeared in the lower right corner of the screen, within two months it had spread over the majority of the right half of the screen. Sony's great customer service folks offered to fix it for "possibly as little as $700 for parts and $300 for labor, or maybe as much as $1200 for parts and $500 for labor". I asked if the problem had been addressed with the replacement parts, or if they were identical to the original equipment, meaning this would likely happen again in 2 to 3 years, they said they were the same.

Needless to say, that piece of garbage is now sitting in the corner of my garage collecting dust. I will never in my life buy another Sony product. The only thing more disappointing than their TV was their lack of willingness to stand behind one of their supposedly top end products.

Buy anything but a Sony, please.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Melted goo
Comment: The TV works quite well, while it works. Two years ago the second lamp went out and Sony requested that I take it in at a professional service center for checkup as the lamps kept popping due to heat. I purchased an extra set of lamps as this started to be a trend. Last night the lamp popped again. As I was about to replace the lamp I noticed that the lamp was covered by molten plastic from the TV. Right now it needs more extensive repairs and as of this writing I do not know how much this will cost. The entire lower part of the TV inside is melted. IMHO keep looking for an other more reliable TV.

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