Faulty KDL55HX923

[Anonymous]

.....I would definitely LOVE to see the magazine do a feature with this title:

"Looking for a High End TV? Got £2500 or more to spend...is there anything out there actually worth it?"

the number of issues with ALL tv's in this price bracket is ridiculous I'm really starting to think the money i've got set aside for my next TV is better of being spent elsewhere and i may as well just go buy a mid-range model, then if it has minor issues i can probably live with them if i've only spent £1500 or less.

i'd love to see What Hifi group the so called high end TV's together and not just review them but also include for each a realistic review of owner feedback, return rates etc etc at the moment i'm now considering (after discounting the HX923 after two faulty sets, discounting the D8000 due to horrendous banding and clouding and discounting the VT30 due to the masses of owner reports talking about flicker and buzzing...)...the following...all of which are still to be released:

- LG 980

- Philips 9000 series

- Loewe Compose Individual (means pushing the boat out a bit more...)

is there anything else??? are any of these actually quality high end sets with excellent build and picture quality? the famous brands so far seem to be letting us down and thinking if the TV looks sexy (switched off) and has a feature list as long as your arm then that qualifies a high price regardless of can it do simple things like produce a consistent high quality 2D image.

 

[Clare Newsome]

All good feedback - thanks

 

[Clare Newsome]

OK, now we've finished getting the next issue of the magazine safely to the printers (one way or another it was a pretty manic day yesterday...), we've had time to sit down and discuss the issue in more detail.

We'd already agreed that the HX923 sets would be ineligible for any TV Award this year, but in light of Sony's confirmation yesterday afternoon that this could potentially affect any set in the range, we've downgraded our review to four stars, and added a clear note at the head of the online review, in addition to the note already existing at the end of the review, and the previously amended review-summary text.

Doubtless there are flawless and near-flawless HX923 sets out there that some TV buyers may be willing to hunt down - it remains a set capable of stunning performance - but as previously stated, we can't wholeheartedly back a product with such confirmed potential for problems.

 

[Anonymous]

...i think this is a fair reflection of the current situation with this model range. As a long standing Sony customer i don't like to see the review downgraded but based on my own HX923 adventure i totally agree. Ironic thing is i'll still try and track down a good one soon as the next batch arrive but now I'm also going to consider the LG 980, Philips 9606 and possibly the Loewe 55" Compose if I can convice myself its worth the money.

any chance of getting the Loewe model tested in your dream kit (cannot recall exact feature name as I'm at work and magazine is at home) feature you have in the magazine each month???

 

[Andrew Everard]

any chance of getting the Loewe model tested in your dream kit (cannot recall exact feature name as I'm at work and magazine is at home) feature you have in the magazine each month???

Temptations – and I'll make sure the idea is flagged up to those responsible...

 

[andy_s]

Hi,

has anyone actually informed Sony of this decision to downgrade and to remove from any award this year?, What Hi Fi really need to e mail them at the very least as they should be made very aware of this..

Sony's lack of commitment to its customers is disappointing to say the very least.

 

[Clare Newsome]

Rest assured - our reasoning is being made very clear to Sony on the HX923, just as it was in 2009 when we chose to give Sony no TV Awards because of widespread reported backlight/clouding issues across several ranges (including review sets we had in from the company).

 

[Deleted member 2457]

I'm starting to think I should seriously reconsider my nomination for the readers' award this year, the problem is though like JD I don't have anything else to vote for. So it is either stick with my vote or not vote at all, so I might else well stick with my vote. I'm guessing lots of the readers might be having similar problems to know what to vote for as well, because I'm guessing you guys do have more than 117 readers (I certainly hope so) but for some reason they don't seem to be voting.

 

[D3CYPH3R]

It seems odd that Sony get singled out for this, the D8000 has numerous recorded problems as does the VT30 and last years VT20 yet nothing was ever done about that. Not that i'm condoning the quality of these sets as the pictures clearly show faults, just seems very odd that only Sony face such a backlash.

 

[Clare Newsome]

It seems odd that Sony get singled out for this, the D8000 has numerous recorded problems as does the VT30 and last years VT20 yet nothing was ever done about that. Not that i'm condoning the quality of these sets as the pictures clearly show faults, just seems very odd that only Sony face such a backlash.

It hasn't just been Sony - when we encounter a product where longer-term testing has revealed an issue (such as the Arcam AVR-600), or when the company makes an admission (as in this case) of potential consistency problems, we have adjusted ratings accordingly.

The Panasonic sets you mention are/were either four-star reviews or beaten in Group Tests, so not ever going to be considered for an Award: before we knew about the issues with the HX923, the Sony set was in consideration, as being the best 'flagship' set we'd seen to date.

Meanwhile, you'll have to see what we say about the Samsung 55D8000 in our next issue, out later this month....

 

[Deleted member 2457]

It seems odd that Sony get singled out for this, the D8000 has numerous recorded problems as does the VT30 and last years VT20 yet nothing was ever done about that. Not that i'm condoning the quality of these sets as the pictures clearly show faults, just seems very odd that only Sony face such a backlash.

Fair point - especially considering the 50Hz bug surrounding the Panasonic.

 

[Clare Newsome]

We've hosted numerous threads about the 50Hz 'issue' - and gained comment from Panasonic on the matter, including from the company's engineers in Japan - but still feel this is a source issue as much as a 'bug' with the sets. We have otherwise covered concerns on contrasts/colours on those sets as/when they've arisen.

Plasmas are definitely TVs (as are all major TV purchases, to be fair) ones to view before you buy, and to take extra care calibrating after-purchase. Some people seem partcularly sensitive to aspects of plasma performance (eg 'phosphur trails') that others are oblvious to. See also DLP projectors, where some people report seeing a 'rainbow effect' and others just see a superb picture - you've got to audition these products and find out if you're going to be happy with them. Or at the very least get a relationship with an understanding dealer who's going to swap them out for an alternative if you get problems in use.

 

[Anonymous]

Regarding the Panasonic and Samsung D8000 you need to remember this "thread" is all about the HX923 and was created by a reader not by the what hifi team in their defence.

there is nothing to stop a reader creating a similar thread for the d8000 and VT30's

not sure why noone has created a thread on this site

i've posted on this thread a few times and i'm a long term sony customer and whilst i appreciate this thread isn't exactly doing them any favours it is honest and i've personally had two of the 55" HX923's in my house...and then sent them back again, all of which has cost me my own time and has been a real disappointment as i really want this set and had hoped sony would hold their hands up and just fixt the production process instead it seems they are just going to hide behind the unbelievable "un-uniformity" characteristic didn't see that one on the feature sheet :read: and you can bet your last £1 the feature will be deprecated on the 2012 models

if you're reading this Sony....the backlash if we call if that is not malicious we (your customers) just hoped for more from you

 

[andy_s]

+1

 

[Anonymous]

Having just come back from Sony Centre and looked at the tv I want one. Everyone has been trying to get me to go Panasonic Plasma but I prefer the LCD sharpness.

So, do I buy one if they have this problem? Chap in shop was honest about it, they had their 2nd batch 46" on the wall and said first batch were alot worse

I purchased an 8000 series 46" samsung 2 years ago, the LED one, and sick of it darkening the screen when not much action, drives me crazy.

Ready with wallet, is there anything else I should look at first?

Cheers all

 

[Anonymous]

well there's a bunch of us out here with about £3K burning a hole in our respective pockets waiting for a decent HX923....i've had two bad ones and as they say third times the charm. If I got for a 3rd set i will definitely view the actual set i'm about to buy instore rather than have any more hassle setting it up at home and messing up the lounge.

EDITED BY MODS - please don't incite posters to break House Rules

 

[sonycentre]

Sorry to break the party up,as im only trying to be helpfull but i have had a few post's go missing.i have read the house rules and as stated on my last post on the tvs i mentioned that i could not give a location to where i work as this may break house rules.Im getting frustrated with posts going missing.

 

[Anonymous]

well there's a bunch of us out here with about £3K burning a hole in our respective pockets waiting for a decent HX923....i've had two bad ones and as they say third times the charm. If I got for a 3rd set i will definitely view the actual set i'm about to buy instore rather than have any more hassle setting it up at home and messing up the lounge.

EDITED BY MODS - please don't incite posters to break House Rules

my fault.....had not read them!

 

[Deleted member 2457]

The thing I am disappointed about is the awards and the Sony and I was really looking forward to reading the 55in group test in the mag. It was definitely going to be the first thing I read - perhaps you can still mention which TV would've won if the Sony did not have this issue. After all I've read three reviews now and they all read great and the one I saw really was very impressive - no issues, but I do understand why you have to do this and fair enough.

With the Panasonic I was talking about the review in the mag - most people know it still has slight issues and like you say some people will find it great, I personally find it difficult to watch still and would very much like Panasonic to get rid of these slight issues altogether. Perhaps next time you will mention these issues in your reviews - two other reviews I read did, and I definitely found them more useful than yours. I'm normally very happy reading the reviews in the mag but that was one issue I felt needed to be talked about.

As regards to feedback in the mag a black level measurement reading would be great.

Thanks

 

[andy_s]

Does anyone know if the IF product design gold award given to this tv applies only when the set is switched off !!!

not only got the IF award but now has an EISA as well :?

all What Hi Fi needs to do now is top it with a tv of the year award!! :rofl:

 

[Clare Newsome]

Except in our case, as previously stated, that ain't ever going to happen

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Does anyone know if the IF product design gold award given to this tv applies only when the set is switched off !!!

not only got the IF award but now has an EISA as well :?

all What Hi Fi needs to do now is top it with a tv of the year award!! :rofl:

What is going on with you now Andy, are you still waiting for a new one? Or have you now given up and are going to buy another one instead?

Cheers

 

[Anonymous]

Hi i think so many people giving sony such a bad name when theres other 3d tvs has got as much problems as sony but still think when comes to 3d tv leds sony is the best and im hoping to buy 46hx923 this week and very much looking forword to having it having great 3d times with it!!! :dance:

think job well done 4 sony

 

[andy_s]

Does anyone know if the IF product design gold award given to this tv applies only when the set is switched off !!!

not only got the IF award but now has an EISA as well :?

all What Hi Fi needs to do now is top it with a tv of the year award!! :rofl:

What is going on with you now Andy, are you still waiting for a new one? Or have you now given up and are going to buy another one instead?

Cheers

Gel

nope not going for something else just holding out for sept batch (dealers idea) i still want this tv i was just taking the mickey with the awards as im very surprised after Sony's official latest on " un-uniformity" stance,

proves they cant all be the same, i will get a good one and i will enjoy it!

 

[Anonymous]

Just be in to the Sony Shop in Bournemouth where they have both the 46" and the 55" on display. Neither of them show any signs of this fault. :dance: So hopefully a clean batch is starting to make its way into the stores.