3 Responses to “Sony Grand WEGA KDS-60A2000 60-Inch SXRD 1080p Rear Projection HDTV”

1. Yuichi
   October 30th, 2009 @ 10:51 pm

   This is my second HD set, and it’s much much better than what I had. Not only does this have an excellent HD 1080p, but the picture from standard def sources is the best I’ve seen. The internal scaler (which converts SD to 1080p) is among the best made.

   One thing that happens, though, is that people hook up devices that have their own (inferior) scalers and then complain about the Standard def. This happens often with “hi-def” cable boxes, where the installer sets the cable box to do all the converting before it gets to the TV. Not much the TV can do when the cable box has already mucked things up. The proper thing to do is to set up the cable box to “pass-through” mode (i.e. leave the signal alone!) so the $3000 TV’s scaler is used instead of the junk in the $80 cable box.

   When set up properly, regular TV looks like DVD used to, DVD looks hi-def, and true HD is eye-popping.

2. Mackenzie
   October 31st, 2009 @ 3:44 am

   AMAZON is the only way to purchase large screen HD-TV’s like this.
   They don’t publicize it as much as they should, but they ship all large screen TV’s with WHITE GLOVE service, at no extra charge. When you compare what all the other online retailers charge for this service, AMAZON is the LEAST EXPENSIVE. And to cap it all, they also have a no quibble/no cost return policy.

   AMAZON delivered my TV with free (White glove) shipping in 4 days.

   Unfortunately, after a few days trying to set it up for my DVD player I noticed a HORRIBLE HALO around dark objects when set against bright background.

   My immediate reaction was to RETURN the TV to AMAZON. But SONY included a notice with the TV asking that if there is any problem with the set, if I called their customer service number, they would look after me.

   So I called SONY and reported the problem. But rather than look after me as they promised they merely gave me numbers of two local TV repair firms to call – not what I call excellent service.

   I called them, and both said they could come in 10-14 days – so much for responsiveness.

   A tech came, and immediately recognized the fault. He said he needed to discuss it with SONY. He returned 10 days later with a very large circuit board. Replacing the board was no mean feat. He removed around 40 screws to remove three covers, which he pushed and pulled for two hours before getting the new board installed.

   But when he switched the TV on, NOTHING would work. The TV was now totally broken. He spent another hour putting the old board back but it was still totally broken. He then admitted it was now unrepairable.

   We both called SONY and explained the situation, and asked SONY to send a new TV.

   SONY refused – even after I escalated the issue to Customer Relations. They said it was their policy to NEVER replace TV’s, and if I wanted a new unit I would have to sue the repair tech.

   So then I called AMAZON to explain the situation. They immediately took sympathy, and even though the TV was delivered over 30 days ago, they gave me two options:
   a) To collect the TV and refund all money paid by me, including shipping, or
   b) To bring a replacement TV, and take the old one away at no additional cost to me.
   I chose the latter and the new TV arrived four days later.

   So the moral is – DO NOT TRUST SONY. If you have a problem – send it back and don’t let SONY try to fix it. They don’t have clue.

   Thank you AMAZON, your service is wonderful!

   SONY, you should be totally ashamed. Your customer service is a disgrace!

3. Vianca
   October 31st, 2009 @ 11:27 am

   I’ve owned the KDS-60A2000 since mid-October but wanted to experiment with it for a while before making any comments. My feeling is when we make a large purchase based on individual choice we tend to “justify it” initially. A little time always helps the perspective. I’ve returned enough mistakes in my life to freely admit when I have made the wrong choice.

   Firstly, I am not new to home theater or large screen television. For most of my life I have been an early adopter of both. I owned one of the first DVD players in the Kansas City area and currently have over 500 DVD’s in my library. My former main viewing setup(s) were an Infocus DLP projector (non-HD) with an 84″ screen and a 60″ Sony XBR (tube RPTV). While that does not make me an expert by any means, I am not a “newbie”. In selecting the Sony, I looked very seriously at the JVC, Toshiba, Pioneer, Samsung, and Mitsubishi. I researched all of them extensively and spent countless hours in Best Buy and Circuit City viewing each one. I looked at both 720 and 1080. Like most of you, I was limited to a price point (roughly $3,000), wanted a 60″ if possible, and probably had a bias for DLP due to the above-mentioned Infocus.

   To make a long story short, it came down to the Mitsubishi 65″ DLP (WD65731) and the Sony. It was simply a result of the various reviews, recommendations of friends in the industry, personal past experience, and a lot of in-store viewing and tweaking. I won’t offer negative comments on the others. The six color wheel line of Mitsubishi’s and the Sony SXRD line offered the absolute best picture for the money. I probably could have live with either but in the end I was unable to resolve a “blue shift” in the Mitsubishi (could have been unique to that particular sample). The Sony on the other hand offered complete control over every picture characteristic. Same price, less size, more control, and in my opinion, a slightly better picture.

   I currently have the Sony connected to Direct TV, a Winegard off-air HD antenna, and a Sony NS75H DVD player (up converts to 720/1080). All video connections to the Sony are through the two HDMI connections. I do have a lot of control over the light in the room.

   The standard definition picture from Direct TV is great. I can’t speak to the comments made in some reviews regarding mediocre 480 performances except to say that I have several relatives with HDTV’s connected to cable (Cox) and their picture is NOT even close to good on non-digital / non-HD channels. I suspect the culprit is analog in nature, or just lousy performance from the cable company. High-Definition (720p and 1080i) pictures on the Sony are simply stunning. The off-air transmissions especially are unbelievable (and free). Hopefully, unless the FCC caves in again, all broadcasts will be in HD by February 2009 (editorial comment). Up-converted DVD’s at 1080i are a real plus and I highly recommend the Sony NS75H as a perfect match for this TV.

   Having said all that, I do have a couple of small items that Sony could improve. The remote does not have direct inputs so you are forced to cycle through each input (unless bypassed in the setup menu). The codes exist so there’s no reason why Sony couldn’t have included them on the remote. If you have a programmable remote like a Pronto or Home Theater Master you can download the direct input codes. Changing inputs takes longer than it should. I know the electronics have to sense the input type/resolution and configure the display but it shouldn’t take 5 or 6 seconds. Another consideration (for some) is the lack of any real “sound processing”. The basic two speaker stereo setup could be improved considering this is a $3,500 piece of electronics. There are both analog and digital outputs on the TV however the digital output will not convert or pass through analog. I recommend just running the sound through a surround sound system and bypassing the TV altogether. Lastly, the manual is typical Sony so count on the Internet for any real information on the myriad settings and their meaning / impact (see below).

   The above small complaints aside, I’m extremely happy with this TV. In the final analysis, it is “all about the picture” and the Sony KDS-60A2000 delivers. Family, friends, and neighbors are amazed at the picture, even standard resolution from Direct TV. Two family members have purchased it already and one is considering replacing his plasma.

   As for the settings, I found the out-of-the-box settings to be typical but inadequate. You really owe it to yourself to adjust them. I do understand that different people have different opinions about what a pleasing picture is (I’m not a slave to the NTSC guidelines). There are three basic groups of settings (Vivid, Standard, and Custom) controllable from the Picture setting button on the remote and in the setup menu. Vivid is a joke and should be avoided by everyone (sorry Best Buy and Circuit City). It should only be used if the TV is located on the middle of a beach. Standard is better but best used in a room with a lot of conflicting light. This TV can generate a BRIGHT picture and Standard mode is still a little too bright for my tastes. I occasionally use Standard for casual daytime viewing when all the blinds and windows are open. Custom is the “personal favorite” mode and is the one I have applied the below settings to. It’s a good starting point for someone trying to get used to the “approved standard” but it does imply some level of light control. My settings are the result of tweaking recommendations from several “experts” with far more expensive test equipment than I will ever have (CNET, Sound and Vision, etc.). Still, I know what I like. It may not be what you like. These settings are for a dark or fairly dark viewing environment.

   Settings for Picture Mode CUSTOM
   Advanced Iris = Min
   Picture = 84
   Brightness = 56
   Color = 41
   Hue = 0
   Color Temp = Warm1
   Sharpness = 65
   Noise Reduction = Off
   DRC Mode = High Density (applies to 480i only)
   Advanced Settings
   Black Corrector = Low
   Gamma = Off
   Clear White = Off
   Live Color = Off
   White Balance = See Below
   Detail Enhancer = Low
   Edge Enhancer = Off

   White Balance
   R-Gain = -4
   G-Gain = -4
   B-Gain = 0
   R-Bias = 0
   G-Bias = -2
   B-Bias = -1

   Hope this helps you in your buying decision.

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