Should I buy the 40" Sony XBR? I was offered a great deal!

[mfwilson12]

Hi everybody! I have been debating for over a year about what new television to buy and I keep wavering back and forth between LCD/DLP projection or tube. It seems like from what I have been reading that if you are willing to put up with the bulk of a tube, you are going to get the best overall picture. Everybody with the projection sets seems to be having a lot of hassles.

So I have been thinking about the Sony KV40XBR800 again and decided to see if I could find a good deal on it in town. Well sure enough, I did!! I found an open box model with remote and free delivery, and they will give me a 14 day no questions asked return option. I don't wanna break the rule about price, so let's just say that the price is more than $700 off MSRP.

What is everybody's opinion of this set and is it a good buy? Is the extra money worth it for DLP/LCD projection TV's or will the picture on this XBR be as good or better? I will mainly be using it for movies and video games -- no HD feed yet but probably sometime soon.

Thanks a lot everybody!

[RobertF]

Do a search for "40XBR800" on this forum and read some of the threads.

Some people have had difficult to resolve "green globs" appear on their sets.

Others have reported no problems.

Some have had the sets for quite some time without problems only to develop the "globs" later.

It's hard to say if, from a statistical standpoint, this is a common problem.

Also, be aware that the 40XBR is an heavy TV, weighing in at over 300 lbs. Make sure that, if you do need to return it, they will also move the set.

Anyway, if you can get a troublefree 40XBR, it's one incredible piece of hardware.

Good luck!

Bob

[mfwilson12]

Thanks a lot Bob! I am really considering giving it a shot. I'll have 14 risk-free days just to make sure I like it and then then 2 year Sony warranty. I've read about the green globs and of course I hope I don't get plauged by it but it sounds like Sony has been really good about dealing with the broken sets.

Any other opinions about this set? Is just over $700 off MSRP a good price for open box? I know that since these are discontinued they are being sold pretty cheap, but it seems like most places don't have any left anymore at all.

[dbldare]

Sounds like a good deal, but be carefull. Open box could mean that it was on 12-14 hours a day for a while.....

Mike

[TH3_FRB]

Sony has discontinued the 40" tube...it's gone from the 2005 model line. You can currently find a NEW 40XBR800 for $1800 online...of course that doesn't include shipping and a return would be expensive so you're better off going local if you can find one. If you decide to try the open box, push them to drop the price more. By the time you pay tax you could have a new one including shipping from the authorized online retailer.

As for the 40" itself, depends on what you are looking for. the important question here should be...is a 37" 16"9 image big enough for you? Second question...do you have the space for a 300+lb television that will stick out 3ft from the wall? The CRT tube will give you the best blacks, most detailed dark areas, and widest viewing angles. BUT the 40" COULD give you significant color purity problems that you likely can't live with...at least I couldn't...that can only be fixed by replacing the tube. Try to get the history on the open box set and see if it was a floor model or customer return. Make sure you can return the set free of in case of a probelm and make sure it comes with the full 2-year in-home warranty from Sony.

[RandyWalters]

Originally posted by michaeldare
Sounds like a good deal, but be carefull. Open box could mean that it was on 12-14 hours a day for a while.....

It could also mean it was sitting in someone else's living room for 14 risk-free days . . . . . . then returned because of some undisclosed problem.

[mfwilson12]

Thanks for the replies everybody! I have decided to pass on this set and probably jump on the Sony Style deal for the new 36XS955 with free stand. I guess in the end I didn't want to take a chance on a set that was probably returned for some unknown reason, and the 955 series should be really nice.

[JamisonBWolsh]

Great Idea! Its a Very nice set!!!!


here it is:

[Playdrv4me]

Good. The 40XBR was admittedly pretty much an experiment that seems to have failed for Sony. Not because the set wasnt wonderful, but rather because the limitations of shipment caused lots of damage to the sets. It was NOT unusual for me to walk into my local Circuit City and see green globs (I believe from the seal on the tube being compromised or tube damage) on the set. I mean it was like a Normal occurence, whoever sold them and had one on display it usually had discolorations on it.

It was a quite an accomplishment, but one that was better left to the history books as a "we did it" accomplishment. The only other MFR I remember having a 40 inch tube was Mitsubishi and it remains a question mark in my head whether it had much success.

[Jeff Ray]

MFWilson,

Good decision on open box. I bought a new one and so far so good after a month but what a pain it was to get it into our apartment and onto the stand. The problem with returns, guarantees, and warranties that everyone glosses over is the pain of actually having to call on it.

Best of luck with your next choice.

Jeff in NYC

[robnalex]

Originally posted by mfwilson12
let's just say that the price is more than $700 off MSRP.

I have a 40XBR700 with the Sony stand and in PERFECT condition and under an in-home service warranty 'till 2007 that you can have for A LOT LESS than that! :) Any takers in NC?

[Q of BanditZ]

I still think this is one of the best TV's you can buy for your money. Get it!

[Ducati996]

I found this old thread and laughed hard and outloud because I own both of these giant dinosaurs and they work execellent for me !! The Sony 40XBR800 main viewer in living room and the Mitsubishi 40" which is in a bed room.
Yep I got lots of glass & strong floors that can hold I guess 600 lbs of combined heavy weights. I tell you neither set has caused me an ounce of problems, the Mit is from 1996-1997? The Sony is only a few years tops...

Funny I got both units.....I always favored Direct viewing, thats why I choose that way...I laugh even harder thinking how the heck can I discard
these monster's when they finally do fail and are not economically feasible for repair? LOL

Funny stuff

Ducati

[subysouth]

Originally posted by Playdrv4me
It was a quite an accomplishment, but one that was better left to the history books as a "we did it" accomplishment. The only other MFR I remember having a 40 inch tube was Mitsubishi and it remains a question mark in my head whether it had much success.

Yep the Mitsu was pulled due to reliability issues too. Its hard to make a crt that big and get it to a consumer and have it work well.

ss

[Mach1Man]

New here and found this thread doing a search. I own a 40xbr700 that has a green glob upper right corner since day one. TV is going to be replaced with a 52 something very soon. Question is the green glob thing a warranty item??? I have tweeter extended warranty and would love to exchange for a new set then sell.

[Q of BanditZ]

[QUOTE=Mach1Man]New here and found this thread doing a search. I own a 40xbr700 that has a green glob upper right corner since day one. TV is going to be replaced with a 52 something very soon. Question is the green glob thing a warranty item??? I have tweeter extended warranty and would love to exchange for a new set then sell.[/QUOTE]

Yup! You call that tech out right away and you get them cracking until you're satisfied. If Sony has to give you a "forced upgrade" to replace that TV, ultimately, then so be it.

[cajieboy]

[QUOTE=Mach1Man]New here and found this thread doing a search. I own a 40xbr700 that has a green glob upper right corner since day one. TV is going to be replaced with a 52 something very soon. Question is the green glob thing a warranty item??? I have tweeter extended warranty and would love to exchange for a new set then sell.[/QUOTE]

I own the 40XBR800 and experienced the "greenies" along the upper left edge of the screen after about 18 months of flawless performance. Originally, I was totally pissed & freaked out about the problem, and was all ready to attempt a swap out w/CC's (5yr Ext. Warranty) line of Plasma TV's as I was convinced this problem could not be fixed w/o tube replacement.

I pondered a few months about what to do, course of action, research, etc. until I finally contacted CC & enacted my Ext. Warranty. First visit by CC's Tech was disappointing as he seemed to barely look over my TV. A few days later, I get a CC phonecall and was told some special Sony Magnets had to be ordered, and they would contact me again once they arrived.

Sure enough, a 2nd visit was scheduled for the actual repair and I can't tell you enough how skeptical I was about the probable outcome of this 2nd Repair Visit to my home. The same CC Tech guy arrived & immediately went to work taking off the back of my 40"er. The outcome was totally miraculous! I couldn't believe my freak'in eyes. This repair totally worked in a way that simply amazed me, and has been for the last 5 months!! I've still got well over 2 years left on this Ext. Warranty, which I HOPE I won't have to use, but for now I remain completely satisfied in every way w/the 40XBR.

[Aristotle]

I noticed some slight "green globs" on the bottom left and right corners of my 40xbr800.

These were more noticeable after I bought a bigger subwoofer. After placing the sub further away from the tv the problem was GREATLY improved (I hardly notice any blemish - and it is non existent on 16:9)

I have seen many new "fancy" tv's (DLP's, plasmas, LCD, etc...). The 40 xbr800 is flat out better than all but the ultra expensive plasma models.

If you can do with a less sexy bulky cabinet, this tv provides an astonishing picture. Wathcing in "pro" mode, the INHD "nature" shows still blow me away...

[RobertF]

This thread lives! :)

Note that the magnet fix does not work for everyone. If you search the forum you will see many examples of that. Perhaps it's a matter of getting a well trained service tech?

Bob

[QUOTE=cajieboy]..... I get a CC phonecall and was told some special Sony Magnets had to be ordered, and they would contact me again once they arrived.

Sure enough, a 2nd visit was scheduled for the actual repair and I can't tell you enough how skeptical I was about the probable outcome of this 2nd Repair Visit to my home. The same CC Tech guy arrived & immediately went to work taking off the back of my 40"er. The outcome was totally miraculous! I couldn't believe my freak'in eyes. This repair totally worked in a way that simply amazed me, and has been for the last 5 months!! I've still got well over 2 years left on this Ext. Warranty, which I HOPE I won't have to use, but for now I remain completely satisfied in every way w/the 40XBR.[/QUOTE]

[KBI]

[QUOTE=mfwilson12]Hi everybody! I have been debating for over a year about what new television to buy and I keep wavering back and forth between LCD/DLP projection or tube. It seems like from what I have been reading that if you are willing to put up with the bulk of a tube, you are going to get the best overall picture. Everybody with the projection sets seems to be having a lot of hassles.

So I have been thinking about the Sony KV40XBR800 again and decided to see if I could find a good deal on it in town. Well sure enough, I did!! I found an open box model with remote and free delivery, and they will give me a 14 day no questions asked return option. I don't wanna break the rule about price, so let's just say that the price is more than $700 off MSRP.

What is everybody's opinion of this set and is it a good buy? Is the extra money worth it for DLP/LCD projection TV's or will the picture on this XBR be as good or better? I will mainly be using it for movies and video games -- no HD feed yet but probably sometime soon.

Thanks a lot everybody![/QUOTE]

It's been discontinued for a reason.. :) Get the XBR960 instead..

[cajieboy]

[QUOTE=RobertF]This thread lives! :)

Note that the magnet fix does not work for everyone. If you search the forum you will see many examples of that. Perhaps it's a matter of getting a well trained service tech?

Bob[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I know this and was the main reason I was so skeptical about a possible fix. I can't tell you enough how surprised & elated I became after closely examining the 40XBR after the CC Tech had completed his fix. BTW, he also tweaked the yoke a bit.

If the OP wants a larger screen than the current models, he will need to buy a 50" Plasma in order to achieve the same size 40" 4:3 screen. The 40XBR also will give you a 37" 16:9 screen when viewing HDTV or DVD (widescreen). He never did tell us his preferred viewing distance.

[briankmonkey]

craigslist has this one if you are in SF

http://www.craigslist.org/sfc/ele/84452232.html

[cajieboy]

Not a bad price at all if you're into buying a used TV, especially since I paid $3000 for my 40XBR800 model w/stand a little over 2 years ago. I know there were a few upgrades between the 700 series & 800 series XBR's but can't recall what they were just now. You can find a new one or a new refurb at a much reduced price right now, and this would be the route to go. With a new 40XBR, you'll get a 2 year Sony Warranty, and if you use the right Visa card you can add another year to that Warranty. If you still want this big boy, then that's the way I'd advise to buy it.

[Artwood]

If you don't immediately buy it you're insane!

[cajieboy]

[QUOTE=KBI]It's been discontinued for a reason.. :) Get the XBR960 instead..[/QUOTE]

In this case, and the case w/countless other great consumer electronics, "discontinued" does not mean "lemon". These huge 4:3 HDTV's definitely pushed the limits of current CRT technology by their sheer size, which were very expensive to mfg. & ship w/smaller profit margins for Sony. Competing technologies from Plasma, LCD, RP, etc. made the 40XBR an economic/business loss for Sony even though they sold boatloads of this model & their PQ was/is superior in its screen size category. If you like the CRT PQ, then this baby's got a lot of real estate to love.

Now don't get me wrong. I personally think the 34XBR960 will go down as the best 34" CRT ever built, bar none...not even a German Lowe can touch it. Sony's experienced cutting edge R&D engineers invented a fantastic Tube, which I think is their Swan Song in the 21st Century. A few tweaks here & there, but I really think this is it my friends. Sony's read the handwriting on the wall, and it spells THIN FLAT SCREEN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY'. Hell, my 40XBR weighs in more than their latest 70" Qualia 006!

There's a NEW CRT technology on the horizon called SED, that may or may not deliver us to the promised land of fantastic PQ in a large screen size. We'll see...looks promising though.

[FIVE ONE SIX]

i know the Sony 46" CRT RP HDTV dropped to $999 at CC last week, from $1499. if you have the room for it, i highly suggest this, it's bigger and weighs about half of what you want now. look into it...

[jenstall]

[QUOTE=Ducati996]I found this old thread and laughed hard and outloud because I own both of these giant dinosaurs and they work execellent for me !! The Sony 40XBR800 main viewer in living room and the Mitsubishi 40" which is in a bed room.
Yep I got lots of glass & strong floors that can hold I guess 600 lbs of combined heavy weights. I tell you neither set has caused me an ounce of problems, the Mit is from 1996-1997? The Sony is only a few years tops...

Funny I got both units.....I always favored Direct viewing, thats why I choose that way...I laugh even harder thinking how the heck can I discard
these monster's when they finally do fail and are not economically feasible for repair? LOL

Funny stuff

Ducati[/QUOTE]

This thread has made me chuckle too. I have the 40" Mitsubishi behometh. Not counting the delivery to it's first home, I have moved that thing five times. Everytime I've had to pay for an extra mover because the blasted thing is so heavy. But it is such a great television set and still has a great picture and I hate the idea of parting with it. It might only have another year or so left it in though .I think the tube might be headed for the television graveyard.

[justin case]

I have a 40XBR800 that I bought from Cambridge Soundworks at a smoking price in December. Worked great for about 3 months, but after about 6 or 7 visits from the repair man, it appears that the picture tube is no good. After about 45 minutes of viewing, horizontal white lines flicker across the screen, slowly at first, then increasing in frequency until the picture completely degrades and the set shuts off. If I turn the set on again, it repeats after about ten minutes or so.

Sony had the repair guy replace two boards, re-solder the yoke connector, replace the yoke, and re-seal the end of the tube near the yoke. Each time I had to call and advise them that the last repair hadn't worked. Repair guy had never seen this problem, and he's not willing to replace the tube, so he told me that Sony will call me to arrange replacement.

I'm waiting for a call from Sony to discuss my options. It looks like I have to mov to an LCD in order to stay at or above40" screen size, and the room I have the set in is pretty large, so I don't want to go any smaller. Has anyone been through the process with Sony? If so, how difficult/easy is it to replace a unit that's no longer made?

[cajieboy]

Sony will most likely offer you a replacement TV of equal value (MSRP). If I were you, I'd be researching Sony's TV lineup. I've also heard that Sony may accept a TV upgrade provided you pay the difference in cost. In order to achieve a 40" 4:3 screen size, you would need a 50" 16:9 display.

[dustwvl]

It's good to see some people that still have some of these sets. I own the Mits unit. I bought it when A company I worked for went out of buisness. They were using it for display purposes. They sold it to me for $350. I don't even know what they sold for new. MIne has been moved several times and it is deffinatly heavy. Is it worth having one of these sets calibrated? Wish it was a widescreen like the Sony though.

[justin case]

[QUOTE=cajieboy]Sony will most likely offer you a replacement TV of equal value (MSRP). If I were you, I'd be researching Sony's TV lineup. I've also heard that Sony may accept a TV upgrade provided you pay the difference in cost. In order to achieve a 40" 4:3 screen size, you would need a 50" 16:9 display.[/QUOTE]


Already started researching! I bought my set for half its normal retail price. MSRP would put me into a new 3LCD 50" Grand Wega, which I would be happy with, I think. My TV room has no windows, and dimmers on the recessed lights.

[cajieboy]

[QUOTE=dustwvl]It's good to see some people that still have some of these sets. I own the Mits unit. I bought it when A company I worked for went out of buisness. They were using it for display purposes. They sold it to me for $350. I don't even know what they sold for new. MIne has been moved several times and it is deffinatly heavy. Is it worth having one of these sets calibrated? Wish it was a widescreen like the Sony though.[/QUOTE]

Your company gave you the DEAL OF THE CENTURY. If my memory serves me well, your Mits was a commercial CRT Display marketed as "MegaVision", and sold for an astronomical price of around $8000!

[dustwvl]

[QUOTE=cajieboy]Your company gave you the DEAL OF THE CENTURY. If my memory serves me well, your Mits was a commercial CRT Display marketed as "MegaVision", and sold for an astronomical price of around $8000![/QUOTE]



I will have to look up the model number and see what unit it is. I still have the manual.

[justin case]

I got tired of waiting for Sony to call in regards to my defective XBR, so I called them today. I was told that my "accomodation request" had been approved, and that I should get a call in the next 48 hours to discuss the process. I am guessing that "accomodation" means that I'll get somethign new instead of a replacement XBR, but I'll post more when I know.

[justin case]

Spoke to a Sony rep this afternoon. I have to fax my receipt to them, along with which TV I want as a replacement, and they will subtract a "differential" based upon how long I've had it. I only paid $1700 for the set, so I'm going to push hard (irritation factor, several months without HDTV even though I was paying for HD signal, Net Flix subscription running every month, lack of ablility to maintian an erection due to lack of HDTV, etc.) for an even-up trade for a 42" 3LCD. I saw the 55" version at Sears today, and it had a good picture, even in a brightly lit display room.

[Mach1Man]

I've got my Tweeter extended warranty service coming next Tuesday to fix my gleen globed 40xbr700 that is gonna be sold; have an E50A10 on order.

What I'm hoping is to get some $$$$ if they give me **** and say they can't fix. Think this will work???? I have printouts of all posts about the green glob isuue even one that references a sony tech bulletin number to fix this known defect.

Any successful fixes please post your experiences so I can have more ammo for next week.

Thanks.

[cajieboy]

I did not have the "globs" on my 40XBR800, but rather the "greenies" along the upper left edge & lower right edges of the screen about 2" in length...drove me freak'in crazy and P.O.'d to the max. Well, I'm all smiles again as the problem was totally fixed. I had owned the TV a little over 2 years before the problem occurred. I enacted my CC 5yr. Extended Warranty, and the CC Tech used some placement of special Sony magnets as well as tweaked the yoke a bit. Worked like a charm, and surprised the hell out of me! I was all ready freddy to upgrade to a 50+" Plasma, w/me paying the difference in cost to CC. Now I'm back to "PLAN A", whereby I hold on to my 40XBR as a main viewer at least until the 5yr Warranty is expired, and jump on a 60+" Plasma w/1080p or SED or whatever for my next HT upgrade.

[justin case]

After playing phone tag with the Sony guy on Friday, I spoke to him today on the phone about my defective TV. He offered me three exchange options:

1. a refurbished 40" XBR, if he could find one;
2. a 42" 3LCD;
3. a 50" 3LCD.

I chose the 50" Grand Wega, since it should offer a comparable 4:3 picture size.

The bad news is that it will take two or three weeks to be delivered. The good news is that the swap includes delivery, set-up to my satisfaction, and removal of the XBR, all at no additional charge to me.

I was prepared to haggle hard to get the 42" LCD, and was pleasantly surprised to have the options, all at no cost.

[Mach1Man]

Justin just sent you a PM. Please read.

[Whatsamattau4477]

I'd stay far away from the 40"

I have one, and having a tech (CC now) come out and fix the problems

I first had the green blobs, (Still do) and sony put their special magnets all around and problem subsided till now

When I turn on the tv, it makes a ratteling noise like something is loose or something

My DVI, input made things too black, 1st gen of DVI card in the KV-40xbr800, sony replaced that with a newer version, now my 6412 box doesnt work off of the DVI input it shows picture for 2 seconds then nothing.

This TV has been nothing but a headache, from moving it in to getting someone to service it, (and when you call service they say they want the tv so it can be easily accessiable...)

Im hopin this my 3rd time of services decommissiones this beast, and I'll get a plasma/lcd. Too bad I bought this when i was an employee and paied 1500 brand new for the TV and 2.50 for the stand... :(

Anyone else out there w/this tv have the issues I have??? Espically w/the DVI?

[justin case]

[QUOTE=Whatsamattau4477]I'd stay far away from the 40"

I have one, and having a tech (CC now) come out and fix the problems

I first had the green blobs, (Still do) and sony put their special magnets all around and problem subsided till now

When I turn on the tv, it makes a ratteling noise like something is loose or something

My DVI, input made things too black, 1st gen of DVI card in the KV-40xbr800, sony replaced that with a newer version, now my 6412 box doesnt work off of the DVI input it shows picture for 2 seconds then nothing.

This TV has been nothing but a headache, from moving it in to getting someone to service it, (and when you call service they say they want the tv so it can be easily accessiable...)

Im hopin this my 3rd time of services decommissiones this beast, and I'll get a plasma/lcd. Too bad I bought this when i was an employee and paied 1500 brand new for the TV and 2.50 for the stand... :(

Anyone else out there w/this tv have the issues I have??? Espically w/the DVI?[/QUOTE]

My set was still under factory warranty. As posted above, the repair guys (local sub, not factory guys) took about 6 or 7 whacks at my problem, at Sony's direction, before the set was declared dead. I'm not sure how far CC will go in attempting to fix the set before succumbing to the inevitable.

If the XBR were not a discontinued model, I actually would have considered swapping for another one, but it appears they are, as a group, somewhat like a lumbering giant, done in by the very thing that made them so appealing: a huge picture tube, with all of its inherent clumsiness. Having said that, I think it's the best picture I've ever seen (when it's working properly), at least in HD. I'm sure I'm gonna love the GW, but the picture isn't as incredibly sharp as the one on the XBR, at least not on any of the floor models I've seen (which is really only about three or four). The first time I saw the XBR picture in HD my jaw actually went slack.

[Whatsamattau4477]

The Sony guy came 3x already to "fix" the issues with it, he said he didnt want to put any more magnets on the tube because it will mess with the picture, yet I still have Large green splotches going down the entire right side (only noticiable on white background) yet still annoying.

Of all the HDTVs I've seen I'd say the XBR is at the top of the list when in proper working order..

The only other quark I have with it is that it isn't true 16:9 when watching HD,and by what I mean by that is: Turn on FOX HD, (in mycase fox chicago) in the lower right you see their logo almost exactly in the bottom right corner. When you watch this same station on a 16:9 screen you get an inch/inch and a half more picture.

Circuit City is coming the 11th... I'll see what they'll do then.

If you do end up getting the TV, get a good warranty. The XBR warranty is 2 years.. but since its floor model I dont know if you'll qualify.

[cajieboy]

justin, you said a mouthful. HD on this 40XBR is incredible, and tonight's Hall Of Fame Game in HD is no exception. All of what you say is true, including all the pros & cons. I am just happy as a pig in sh*t that my Baby Huey was properly repaired, and that I can continue w/PLAN A for my next HT upgrade. I've even got a nice retirement home/place all picked out for the big fella when the day comes!:D...I think I'll go over & give'em a big pet now.

[justin case]

[QUOTE=cajieboy]justin, you said a mouthful. HD on this 40XBR is incredible, and tonight's Hall Of Fame Game in HD is no exception. All of what you say is true, including all the pros & cons. I am just happy as a pig in sh*t that my Baby Huey was properly repaired, and that I can continue w/PLAN A for my next HT upgrade. I've even got a nice retirement home/place all picked out for the big fella when the day comes!:D...I think I'll go over & give'em a big pet now.[/QUOTE]


Step slowly away from the TV set........ ;)

[Jeff Ray]

Good to keep this thread alive. Thanks cajieboy and justincase. I am finishing year one on plan A having gotten a huge discount off a new box when the beast was discontinued. It hasn't budged an inch since the three man install. Good to know I have another year under the warranty.

Hm, good question cajieboy, where does this fella go next? If we sell the place, I was going to leave it for the next owner.

Jeff in NYC

[Mach1Man]

Mine on sale on ebay

Search = 40xbr700