I'm really, really tempted by the Sony Wega TVs, but I've checked a lot of online comments about them, and I keep getting the impression that Sony stuff just isn't that reliable. On this board, on Audio Review, and other places, I keep seeing complaints about TVs that just don't perform properly out of the box and sometimes take forever to get fixed.

Is this really the case? Or is it just because Wegas are selling in such big quantities that the number of defective units is going to normally be higher than the competition, and we're going to hear about it online?

I have a Sony Dolby Digital receiver and it's been a champ, absolutely no problems at all, and other, smaller Sony electronics (CD player, etc.) have never had problems. But with such a big, heavy, expensive component, I want to be careful.

Opinions? Facts?

Jeff

I've got a KV-32FV16 Wega and haven't had any problems. I've always had excellent experiences with Sony.

A friend saw mine in action last week and bought the same unit along with Definitive Technology speaker system the next day.

Saintsfan

I have the 27FS12 and have a few problems. First of all, there is a long, white-ish cloud that soemtimes appears when I'm watching cable. Also, the 16 x 9 enhanced mode squeezes a little too much. No big deal, I just stretched the picture slightly in the service menu. The 16 x 9 does look quite amazing.

I've had a 27" Wega since August and I've had no problems with it. I've owned a ton of sony stuff and it's all been great. I think we just see more sony complaints online because sony sales in greater numbers than other companies.

I too agree with that. Sony is the #1 selling brand, so with mass production techniques today there are sure to be more defects.....

That begin said, I DID get a bad WEGA, but my shop(Tweeter) took it back and gave me a new one, no problems since.

I love my WEGA.

I have to be honest, I've had mine (27") a year now, and I've never had a problem. It's an amazing TV, especially with the 16:9 widescreen enhanced mode. Sony is a great company. If you do have a problem, it will be rectified. Great TV.

a friend of mine is a repair man for a sony authorized dealer and he said lately theirs been alot of problems with the 32 and 36inch wegas.

mmm, sounds very familiar, sony isn't what it used to be, Also here in europe i hear nothing but trouble with those bigger wega's (widescreens). Also they tempt to break down within a year.

I have had a 36XBR400 since 11/2000--no problems

I have had a 27XBR250 since 03/1994--no problems

I have had a 19" Sony since 11/1980--no problems.

And I've been using a 27" XBR for over a year with absolutely no problems at all. Excellent picture when adjusted correctly (use Avia), lots of "stuff" in the back, and the kids like the PIP.

I've had a 27FV16 for just under a year with (knock on wood) no problems at all.

I have owned a 36"XBR400 for about 7 months now. No problems except for a little picture centering needed by the service menu. I think if you stick to the XBR line for last years models you can not go wrong. I would bet any of the lines for this years models would be great as well. The picture on this set using the 16:9 mode is absolutely spectacular! Worth every penny.

I was also worried about the Wega's when I was first deciding to purchase one because of audiorevew.

10months later I am SOOOO glad i got the wega. The 16x9 mode makes watching DVDS sooo much better. Dont let those idiots from audiorevew deter you away from the Sony.

Same here, no problem and very pleased with Sony.

Thanks for all the input! I appreciate it.

Jeff

I wouldn't put alot of faith into AudioReview.com. People normally go on there to vent their disgust with a product. Also, people go on there and review it as soon as they get home, so of course they will give the TV they just spent $2000 on a great review. Very skewed perspectives over there if you ask me.

I own Sony Vega 36" almost two years already.
I do not have any problems what so ever.

I had the 27FV16, and it died on me within a month. It very well may have been a bad set; I didn't want to risk it though, so I got a Panasonic instead, with no problems yet.

just bought a 36" xbr 450 and i just noticed last night that there was like a dirt inside the tube, but when i looked closer... it was a dead pixel....
so now it annoys the hell out of me every time i watch my new tv....

i've also noticed that everytime i get the 16:9
squeeze there is about an inch of blue line on the upper right corner and another inch of red line on the left corner. this is on any widescreen dvd movie.

i know i'm getting a bit anal here but after spending $2000
on a top of the line model you would expect nothing less than a perfect tube!






[Edited by BENTLY on 07-02-01 at 06:34 AM]

Take it back or send it back. You need a replacement, no questions asked.

I have a 27 inch sony wega. Get the extended warranty on 27 inchers or higher. I didn't. I should of.

Out of the box I had a issue with the tv antenna hook up. I couldn't get a picture I took it back to circuit city and they issued me a new one and verified the issue. DVD worked fine tho.

Then 8 months later I started hearing a vibrating/humming sound emenating from the picture tube. I had a technician come out and take a look. He said its a bad yoke. To visit they charge $69.99 which can be applied to the repair bill. Part is free. But to put a yoke in costs $200. A part of me wants to put a yoke. $200 to put a yoke in I feel kinda taken. I've never had an issue with a Sony TV until this one.

I bought this within 2-3 months street date.

it's like murphy's law....
you don't buy the plan....you get hit with a repair bill
when you do buy the plan...everythings perfect until your warranty expires...then your tv starts acting up....


[Edited by BENTLY on 07-04-01 at 08:59 AM]

I just got my Wega 36 and when I turn it on, there is a momentary loud noise from the unit (not from the speakers). Is this usual? Has anyone else experienced this?

I don't know about you guys but my family has had nothing but problems with sony, about 10 years down the line (right when your extended warranty goes out). They seem to have bad soldering which develop cracks that cause it to stop working. But the picture is great so we kept on getting them. 3 for 3 so far which has turned me off to them....

1990 (K27XBR15 or so) Tuner/board went out around 1999(blank screen, no sound) didn't fix.

1990. 13"er (KV13 something) Tuner went bad in 1998(can't hold a channel, just keeps cycling through the numbers) didn't fix.

1999 53XBR300: Blank screen after 6 months, has sound. under warranty, so they came to pick it up and fix it. They replaced A and B Main board whatever that means, but that took a week plus scheduling for a pick up etc. looks like it's OK now... but for how long?


Ray