For Sony KDS-R50XBR1 or KDS-R60XBR1 Owners - Latest Replacement Deals

THERE IS NEW INFORMATION - PLEASE SEE 3/19 EDIT BELOW

For those whose XBR1 televisions have had the optical block mess up on them and they have a green / yellow / blue screen - Sony is willing to work with you to make you happy. This is not a new program - before they had offered extended warranty on the Optical Block - now they are simply offering discounts on new televisions. They have been offering discounts for a little bit, i believe, but in the beginning of March, they apparently have changed the offer (in case this was posted before, a search did not bring it up).

AS THE TITLE STATES - THIS IS ONLY FOR XBR1 TELEVISIONS - NOT ALL SXRD TELEVISIONS

Here is the number to call to get the SXRD Resolution Center:
888-993-7669

The following is what I was offered - but this offer has since changed - see the 3/19 edit below

KDL-55HX701 [sonystyle.ca] for $550 + tax (which is what i chose)
or
KDL-55EX501 [sonystyle.com] for $350 + tax (The link takes you to the 500 - the 501 is the same basic model, but the one that sells at Costco)
or
KDL-46VE5 [sonystyle.com] for FREE


EDIT 3/29 - SONY HAS CHANGED HOW TO GET THE OFFER

Not that they have necessarily changed the offer details itself - though they might have - they HAVE changed something in the process. No longer is only having a sticker a viable option. I suppose because of people taking advantage of this situation and simply purchasing stickers, now you must also provide a picture of your ticket number AND the television together. So if someone buys a sticker, they now need to ALSO have a television for this to work.

It appears that the offer has now changed - it's reported on page 11 that Sony is no longer offering the KDL-46VE5 for free or the 46v5100 for $50 or the KDL-55HX701 for $550. Here is what Sony is NOW offering...


KDL-46NX700 [sonystyle.com] for $160 + tax (Edge-lit LED display)

or

KDL-55EX501 [sonystyle.com] for $350 + tax (The link takes you to the 500 - the 501 is the same basic model, but the one that sells at Costco)

or

KDL-52EX701 [sonystyle.com] for $550 + tax (Edge-lit LED display, though 120 hz) - Not sure what the "1" is on the end, perhaps another Costco model like the 501 offered before.


Feel free to use the Wiki if you have any further updates.


END EDIT of 3/29


When you call - they will ask some questions concerning when and where purchased (though fortunately no receipt is necessary since i lost mine at some point) - they will ask you about the problem to verify it IS the optical block - and then they'll go right into the offer. You will simply be required to send the sticker with the model number and serial number from the back of your messed up television to their offices and they'll process your request. As much as i hate to lose my old SXRD television (INCREDIBLE picture quality up until the green screen problem), this is a great opportunity to get a nice replacement for cheap. Even if you don't like Sony's offerings, you can't discredit the value for what you pay.

Also - you keep the old television, in case you'd like to either sell it to a staging company or someone who likes screen real estate and doesn't mind the green tint - or you can just put it in your garage / den as a second television in a place you don't care what happens to it - just a thought.

I hope this helps someone out!

UPDATE: I have received a shipping notice from Sony - hopefully soon i will receive my television!

Personal Timeline for this Deal

3/5 - Friday - Found out about the replacement program and called Sony - accepted KDL-HX701 for $550 + tax
3/5 - Friday - Sent off the sticker via 1st class mail (should have thought about doing it certified or at least with delivery confirmation)
3/10 - Wednesday - Received email from Sony that sticker was received
3/10 - Wednesday - Credit Card Charged by Sony
3/19 - Friday - Received email from Sony that television is shipped with tracking number (which has yet to appear in the shipper's system)
3/20 - Saturday - Tracking number showed up in DB Schenker's system - the television is on it's way to the Chicago airport presumably to one of their hubs to then get on a truck down to St. Louis
3/23 - Tuesday - Television left Chicago and arrived in St. Louis - just waiting for a call now
3/24 - Wednesday - Called DB Schenker to see what the delay was - was able to schedule the delivery for 3/25 - Thursday
3/25 - Thursday - Received the Television!!!