Faulty KDL55HX923

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).

 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.

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....

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

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.

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 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

+1

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 

 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

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!

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!!

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

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