65" BRAVIA XBR HX929 Internet HDTV

Bigger and Better

Pros: Astonishing 2D and 3D Pictures, Color, Contrast, Bightness, Clairity, Positioning of Ports on rear and side of TV

Cons: Price, but in this case you get what you pay for

After recently replacing two 2000 and 2001 vintage Sony XBR HD tube TVs with a 46EX651 and 55EX651 for my game room and bedroom, I immediately realized the significantly better pictures than my 52XBR3 that was in my den. After finding myself no longer wanting to watch the XBR3 which I purchased five years ago and previously thought had a wonderful picture, I decided to replace it with the 65HX929. Since the HX929 cost four times more than my new 55EX651, I was hesitant that it would be worth the extra expense, although I was looking forward to the larger screen size. I was going to wait a few more days to review this TV, but after three days of use, I couldn’t wait to say how impressed I am. The brightness, colors, facial tones, and contrast especially in darker scenes are almost unbelievable. I think you would need to go to an IMAX theater to see a better picture. While I am still impressed with my EX651s, the HX929 has better facial tones, color and contrast. I did not care much about 3D, but after watching a few movies and sporting events on Comcast Cable, the 3D is also impressive. I like how I can recharge the BR250 glasses by plugging them into the two USB ports on the side of the TV. None of these new TVs seem to have issues with glare as I am watching them with lots of large windows in my house all open with the sun shining brightly through. I was surprised that the 65HX929 did not take much more real estate on my Z-Line TV stand than the XBR3, since the XBR3 had a much larger boarder around the viewable screen. I have my 46 wired to Ethernet, use the Sony Wireless adapter with the 55, and of course the 65 has wireless built in. I cannot tell any difference in Internet performance among the three TVs. It is nice to have the built in Wi-Fi on the 65HX929, since the USB ports are free for charging the 3D glasses. I think it is important to remind folks that no TV will a poor video source look great. If you are watching Judge Judy on standard definition or watching an HD channel broadcast that used inferior equipment in their broadcast, this TV will not make such broadcast look great, only bigger poor quality than small screens. However, when you watch a decent HD broadcast or Blu-ray, hold on to your pants; you will not be disappointed. In summary, I could not be happier with this TV.

Unbelievable

Outstanding product. Incredible picture.

Worth Every Peny

Pros: Everything

Cons: Expensive BUT WOW

Over the years, I have enjoyed many a Sony XBR model. This one replaces a 5 year old 55" gem. The 65" extra size and added features are worth every penny. I hung this one on the wall and before turning it on it was breath-taking. It only got better when I turned it on and smiled. If you are looking for a large screen TV set, this is it if you want it all.

Best Purchase Ever

Pros: All are pros

Cons: Nune

Exelent Zony TV

65", XBR HX929

Pros: Large screen

Cons: Same picture quality as other TVs

Purchased and installed on 11 Nov 2011. Picture quality was the same as on the Panasonic and LG TVs. Had Verizon verify the FiOS service and Set Top Box were working correctly. Verizon sent out another Set Top Box and TV-to-Set Top Box cable, just to make sure, and the TV had the same average picture quality. Called Sony Tech Support, however since the TV was not "broken" no support would be provided. The Sony larger screen does not provide better picture quality, just larger. If you want a large screen, other TVs have the same quality picture at a better price. Also, there is no "paper manual" and a paper manual cannot be downloaded from the Sony Web site. The TV owner's manual is displayed on the TV by pressing the iManual button. The problem is when the iManual displayed on the TV and has several "steps" such as go to "Main, Settings, Input, ..." as soon as you go the Main Menu, the iManual display is gone, so you either have to remember all the steps or write down the steps. Not satisfied with the 65" XBR HX929.

Wow

Pros: Picture quality is insane

Cons: Expensive

If you have the money I recommend this TV completely. The picture quality is unreal.

Best XBR yet!

Pros: Deepest black levels, amazing 3d

Cons: price, no 3D glasses included...c'mon sony

This is the third XBR I have owned, XBR4 and XBR8, both in the 46 inch variety. I wanted to go larger and could not convince myself to accept a lesser model so I went for the biggest and best and it is worth every penny. Easily outperfoms the XBR8, sony's last full array local dimming model, with far deeper blacks and more accurate performance. And heck, its 65", whats not to love. Also, Sony's customer service has been a pleasure to deal with.

Pros: Excellent Picture

Cons: Heavy, but lighter than the Qualia 006 that it replaced

I have had this TV for all most a week. I have owned only Sony TVs for the last 35 years. It is a replacement for the defective $13,000 Qualia 006 that I have. It has an excellent picture with more bells and whistles than I'll ever use. Hopefully it is built to the quality standards that Sony use to be known for. So far so good.

State-Of-The-Art

Pros: Excellent harware

Cons: Mediocure software & networking

I've had my new TV for a few weeks now and I really love it. The picture quality is really excellent and the visual design is outstanding as is typical with Sony products. From a hardware perspective this product is exceptional. The only real weaknesses seem to be that from a Software and Networking perspective Sony don't seem to believe in hiring anyone with any talent in these areas. The software that drives the system is horribly slow. While this is because the CPU is too slow (a hardware problem) the underlying problem is that the software people should have pushed for better CPU performance - such as the cell processor used on the PlayStation 3. I mean, a $5,000+ device really can afford to have a faster processor. While the built-in user manual and on-screen settings are generally nice, they suffer from general ineptitude on the part of user interface design. In particular there are too many settings and it is easy to get lost in the forest, especially when trying to configure the TV with other components. I will say Sony has made a good effort at trying to make the menu system on the TV similar to that in their other products like the PlayStation 3, but there is still room for improvement. While this TV has built in WiFi - something every TV should have - the WiFi performance is not very good. For the most part it is good enough for most streaming applications, but on an actual speed test it is not any better than mobile devices such as the Sony Tablet S. Sony have an impressive number of network applications and services, however it is really clear that Sony are still thinking in the 1990's. Whenever I try streaming video their servers are abysmally slow and I spend 50% of my time waiting for their server to catch up - a problem I never have with NetFlix. Sony could have easily addressed this problem by putting a larger media buffer in the TV - as flash memory is really cheap and 8 to 16 GB would be more than enough for most purposes. This problem is a result of Sony's general ineptitude with understanding computer software, computing systems and networking systems and servers. While this review may seem harsh, the XBR65HX929 is a really excellent device, especially in terms of hardware (except for the CPU). Given that the software/firmware is upgradable on this device, there is some hope that Sony may wake up one day an hire at least one person who understands computer technology and release something more usable. While I have not done much with the 3D yet, I was really blown away with the 3D demos they have put together. Sony seems to be on the leading edge - artistically and experimentally - with respect to 3D, and I really enjoyed the music videos and 3D animation trailers for video games. There is still a general problem with all 3D - not just Sony - that gives a surreal (sort of layered appearance) to everything. But this can be minimized somewhat depending on the type of video you are using with 3D. Hopefully media artists will learn over time what works best and what does not and the 3D user experience will improve - and Sony seem well placed to drive such improvements. In short I highly recommend the XBR65HX929 to anyone considering purchasing a high-end TV, but you will have to be tolerant an patient with Sony's general shortcomings with respect to computer technology.

Mind-blowing!!!

Pros: Superb picture

Cons: Expensive, but you get what you pay for!!

The Sony HX929 65 is mind-blowing. They knocked it out of the park!!! Both in 2D or 3D, it delivers the most superb picture quality. I haven't even begun to try all the apps etc. Absolutely the best if the best. It just does not get any better.

Awesome Tv Best picture!!

Pros: Pic quality is insane

Cons: $$$ U get what u pay for

Best picture out there. I own three Sony tv's all models, The XRB 65HX929 by far the best. I hooked up a 10 series Bose surround and well you will have to do the same Wow!! P.S bought a sharp aqous 70" the week before the Sony (junk)

Love it

Pros: Crisp Image

Cons: To much power consumption

Awesome!

Sony XBR-65HX929

Pros: Picture Quality, Design, Thin Depth, Piano Black

Cons: No detailed manual., Stand allows TV to sit 1/8" canted.

I was the first person in the country to order the Sony XBR-65HX929 from a Magnolia Store. Purchased 8/3/11, Model Number Release date. Received from 1of 5 off the CA docks on 12.16.11. I took a picture with my dinosaur flip phone of a scene from the movie HEAT, where Waingro is getting into the truck with Michael Churito and text'd it to my dad. My dad ended up texting back "What's going on?" and then called and said, "Are you okay?" I said, "yeah." "Why?' He said, "who are those two people in the truck? Something doesn't look right. Are you in trouble?" I said, "No, I'm sitting here watching HEAT on my XBR." The picture was so clear even from a regular cell phone shot that he literally thot I had been standing outside being confronted by two men in a truck. It's comparable to when someone stands up in my living room and swears that it is raining outside; mistaken for my surround sound; a 13 year creation. Just becareful to shut the 'Position Sensor" "OFF", if you want to control your sound position from your receiver, otherwise, you will never get it stable because when you move about the room, the TV senses where you are and changes the sound parameters real time. My current config.; apt., lol, doesn't warrant hanging the TV, which I would prefer. This leads to the Stand which is most durable, assembled in Japan and together in the box when arriving at my place in AL. However, both my father's 55" XBR and my 65" lean an 1/8 of an inch to one side or the other; his right, mine left. You cannot tell when the picture is on, only if you compare the bottom or top of the TV to something else that is straight; a table it's on or a picture hanging straight on the wall above. We chalk this up to the fact that the TV is heavy and on the 65" can swival left and right. If the bolt connection on the stand is too tight without 'play'; may crack it. The TV is very intelligent. Scary, it updates Sony with your usage habits unless not-elected. Is it worth 6K? Yes. You pay for what you get. There's no other out there with the quality and which does not give you a headache due to the extreme brightness of colors; like the Samsung 9000 Series. Sorry Samsung, you lose. The price differentiates the best of the BEST. I recommend the piano black BDI Stand; glass capable of holding 150lbs on the bottom, 75lbs middle, 185lbs top. It's discontinued in July. There may be a few left. Oh, the manual. The level of detail provided by the on-screen i-Manual with regards to certain advanced features just doesn't get it for me. Ron S. Birmingham, AL

Good TV

Pros: Great 2D/3D picture and inside hardware architecture

Cons: Does not play all video formats, not as smart as a smart tv should be

Sony invested a lot in research over the quality of the image and the hardware improvements required to support this. As a whole the TV is a good try from Sony to offer a top of the line TV. Where this tv is lacking is in the smart tv section. More recently a TV is not just a TV: it is a media entertainment system. Sony keeps a hard stance in not playing all file formats (no Sony TV would play MKV files for example). At the same time Sony is investing more in restricting users in recording content or stream over network then in finding technologies to do so. As a result a small part of viewers that look for those features might look for something different. As a conclusion the TV is not a bad one at all. It is the best on the market in many hardware aspects and in the clarity, frequency and contrast of image SONY might have no match. On the feature rich part, on the other hand, there is another story. Overall if you want a TV for only what a TV is go for this model without hesitation.