Great TV with many nice features, October 7, 2010

Ok, I’ve been through 5 (yes five) TV’s in the past 3 weeks since our original Sony rear projection died. We originally purchased a Sony EX700 series TV to replace the dead TV, however due to extremely poor viewing angles we returned it. We then had two Samsungs (UN55C6300) which were both defective so I decided to go back to Sony and get this TV (KDL52NX800). Here’s my thoughts:

The Good:

The TV is absolutely beautiful to look at, when it’s turned off. The “monolithic” design of the TV is very appealing and looks great. The picture quality is also very good on this set, although you can do better than what this set offers. The screen is fronted with a pane of glass, which adds to it’s appearance as well. Internet widgets work great and a recent firmware update (automatic) made Netflix perfect. The menus are intuitive to use as well. The TV offers a vast array of inputs (4xHDMI) along with a blue-backlit remote control to control it all. Colors are awesome on this set and far superior to two Samsungs we’ve had prior to this set. The great colors are due to Sony’s factory settings that are closer to THX than Samsung’s.

The Bad:

This is my second Sony in as many weeks. We started off with an EX700 series but with it’s rediculously narrow viewing angle we returned it and then went to Samsung. However, after two defective Samsungs we’re back at Sony – this NX800 series. While the Samsung has a much wider viewing angle we gave up on the brand after receiving two defective units. The viewing angle on this Sony NX800 is similar to the EX700 – very narrow. At about about ~20 degrees off center things start to wash out. Also, the picture quality is not quite as sharp as the Samsung that we had however, after some adjustments the PQ can be improved. The remote control includes a cool blue backlight, but unfortunately the buttons are black plastic so you cannot read any labels (though you can see button layout). Lastly, the pane of glass on the front of this screen acts more like a mirror sometimes than it does glass. We’ve become accustomed to closing blinds and dimming lights while watching TV to overcome the reflections.

In general, we’re quite happy with this set despite it’s major drawback which is narrow viewing angle. You’ll see the same complaint on most LCD’s today – especially larger ones – however, the Sony seems to be the worst of the bunch. We’ll live with it. Out of the box required very little color alteration to get it looking good unlike the Samsung which took me hours due to their “hot” color scheme. We did turn off MotionPlus to get rid of the “soap opera effect” that the new 120hz and 240hz TV’s have so that was easy to overcome.

Having spent hours researching TV’s I think Sony may be a better choice than other manufacturers despite their narrow angles. So much of this TV “just worked” right out of the box – including getting it working with Media Center (which was a serious PAIN with the Samsung). These sets are discontinued (last years model, replaced with NX810) so they can be had at pretty good pricing on the web and also at your local retailer.

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Pretty outside, Major problem inside., April 29, 2010

I’ve purchased this TV around end of March (manufactured date January 2010). Noticed a unusual distribution of back lighting in the form of vertical lines. Two in the lower quarter portion of the screen and one in the center top portion of the screen. After Sony authorized repair shop guy verified the problem they proceed to replace the video panel. Where I’ve discovered that “Sharp” video panel was in this TV model (previous Sony TVs used Sony/Samsung video panel). Addition to replaced video panel showing the same symptom, now I have dust all over the interior of TV screen. Because this model has glass frame covering the actual video panel, once you open the unit dust get trapped inside. My TV went through three different video panels (which did not correct the problem but merely improved), and two failed cleaning attempts. It just didn’t make any sense why Sony is wasting their resources replacing the same parts numerous times while creating additional problems. It seems so logical to swap the problem TV with the replacement. Repair shop on the other hand was happy to keep working on the problem TV since they get paid each time they do the job. By looking at the other reviews I’m not the only one with these problems.

In addition to the problems I’ve mentioned earlier are; mysterious cracking/clicking noise, inadequate speakers, and poor finish (bad plastic molding and dented TV stand). All which Sony deny there is any issue and unwilling to accept the cosmetic defects. So if you have scratches and dent on the unit but it displays pictures then you are out of luck. As a loyal patron to Sony, this one really hits me below the belt. And because of my experience with Sony, they lost half a dozen customers (friends and family member), who were also eyeing on this model but moved on to different brand’s 3D TV.

UPDATE:

Finally a light at the end of the tunnel. After another cleaning attempt failed miserably Sony finally decided to do the logical thing, exchange the the whole unit. After three months of ordeal now I have a problem-free new unit (Manufactured date April, 2010). I hope others learned from my experience. If you are faced with similar situation where you have to open the unit up…DON’T!!! Insist Sony on other options and talk to higher level tech support. I change the rating from 1 star to 3 stars since the main problem got resolved but I’m still upset I have Sharp TV.

Sony did not say why TV makes clicking noise but I found out when you turn off the TV, it’s not really off. Networking and other features are still on. If you press i/o button on the back of the remote you can hear another click even your TV screen is off.

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Simply amazing!, April 26, 2010

By 

J. Brown (Los Angeles) – See all my reviews

  

UPDATE: I have started to get the popping and clicking noises as well. I have seen it mentioned several other places as well. It sounds like old monitors when they turn on. It does it for about an hour after I turn it on and about an hour after I turn it off. Very annoying.

This tv is incredible! The design is very sleek and understated. It has a much more expensive feel than all of those Samsung TV’s with their plastic see through bezels. Those come off as kinda cheap looking to me. And the picture is just stunning. Very rich colors and dark blacks. It does have a glass face, so in super dark scenes (where the picture is almost black) you can see some reflections if the lights are on. But otherwise I don’t see any reflections at all. The only other thing I can say about the picture is that at extreme off angles, the picture does get pretty light. But I wouldn’t be watching from that angle anyways as it is basically completely to the side of the TV.

The other cool thing about the TV is all of the internet connectivity. It has built in wifi (no need to buy a dongle!), so it is easy to connect. It has tons of content providers: youtube, pandora, netflix, amazon rentals, slacker radio, podcasts, etc. etc.. The youtube client was actually very nice and useful. I wish I had a netflix account so I could try out that service. But it looks cool. There was also a library of Michael Jackson videos loaded onto the TV. A nice little tribute to the man.

There are some widgets for things like weather, stocks, facebook, twitter, etc.. I think the only one of those that I’d really use would be the weather widget, but who knows. At least it is there.

All in all, I don’t think you can get a better TV right now. I am extremely satisfied and impressed.

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