Customer Reviews
It's starting to show its age - no HDMI or ATSC tuner 
2009-02-25
We've had this TV for about 4 years now. I think I bought it in 2004. Anyway, at the time it was a good compromise, because flat screen LCD tv's were very expensive, and plasma was a crapshoot as to quality. And DLP was the big deal then. Not anymore. So, this TV's resolution is 1024 X 848. Yes, its a strange resolution, what it really means is that its a hair taller than most widescreen TV's. But its not 1080p. Also, it has NO ATSC tuner - if you want HDTV you have to buy a standalone tuner for it. I knew this when I bought it. Cable company HDTV box will also work. It has NO HDMI connections. Only 1 DVI connector, the rest are component Y/Pb/Pr connections and RCA jacks. But at the time DVI was all the rage and HDMI didnt exist.
Now, the number one expense in this set is the lightbulb. Our first one lasted about 2 1/2 years. We are still on our second bulb, which was not made by Sony and which is not as bright, but it gets the job done. I noticed that light bulbs ( they are called PL-2100U I think) are now down to about $120 - $140. Cheaper than when I bought the first replacement bulb.
Also, standard def TV doesn't look really sharp on these sets. The flat panel LCD sets now everywhere do a better job of this I think. But, I bought this set expecting it to last 10 years, and I have 5 and a half to go, and it seems to be fine. My next set will have a built in tuner and hang on the wall. I think the next revolution in content is going to come from the internet, and you will be able to stream everything from your laptop to your TV. You can do this now easily if you have HDMI. Cable networks should beware, their days of charging a lot for content are numbered, soon we'll only need them for internet and VOIP phone.
Sony has lost a loyal customer of 15 years 
2009-02-15
This piece of f&*cking sh#t has a blue hue on the corner and middle of the screen. This is a KNOWN ISSUE with these rear projection LCDs...not just this model, but all of Sony's rear projection LCDs. Just Google "Sony Grand Wega Blue Hue" and there'll be tons of links to others who've had this problem. The TV was purchased in 2005 for $2500.
It is a very costly repair, as this is related to the "heart of the TV."
4 Year Owner 2008-11-28
Just sitting around surfing the web(black Friday deals). I ran across a review and decided to do an intensive search. Everything I found has closely described my experience. One exception! I was living in Japan when I purchased my TV.
After having my set for 6 months, the red light started flashing and the sound/picture disappeared. I coantacted SONY. Incase, you have never been to Japan, the world of customer service has a different philosophy there than it does in the US. Two days later, the rep came out and very apologetically repaired my TV. Also, he explained to me the problem(the lamp) and said that this would probally need to be replace every two years. At which time he showed me how to replace the bulb and he left my home.
Four years later, the picture is still great. Sound fantastic! I replaced the bulb in JAN 2007. I know that this is not ideal but it helps to know the problem and when to expect another. Gotta go find a TV lamp.
Happy Holidays...
Lousy Backing of Sony Inc. for this product 2008-10-22
Loved the TV because I could put the channel selection and a clock on screen that was large enough to see and it stays on. HOWEVER, I began seeing a blue blob in the upper left corner and now many many blue dots all over the screen. Called a TV repairman and he said the Engine Light was defective and Sony knows about it. Repair cost: $1,500. Called Sony for assistance with a fix, they said NO so I went higher up the chain, they were arrogant and stil said NO. They said I should have bought the warranty. I always say I don't need an extended warranty if the product is good. SONY IS NOT GOOD. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER SONY PRODUCT. I would love to find another TV that provides placing the channel selection and time of day on screen that is big print and stays on screen. Does anyone know of a TV out there like that? Also, I could not believe it when the person with Sony told me that you can only expect a TV like that to last 3 or 4 years because of the intense heat from the projection bulb. No more projection TV's for me.
KF-50WE610 Sony Terrible After Sale Support 2008-09-05
I purchased this TV new in September of 2004. I have the blue blob problem that a lot of people seem to have. So I did some research online and found this site. Someone recommended this link, becuase Sony was doing the right thing and standing behind their product. [...]
I thought, hey my TV is a 2004 model and Sony has committed to fix this known issue for people until Decemeber 2008. Great, I'll just give them a call and get this taken care of. NOPE! I called and apparently even though I bought my TV 9 months into 2004, it was a 2003 model. Who knew? So sony said tough luck pal we were fixing the 2003 models but we stopped doing that in June of 2008. Great I missed it by 3 months. I tried to get a supervisor and no one would take the call. Luckily for me I purchased the extended warranty from Circuit City when I bought this TV. It expires 1 week from today. Circuit City is sending someone out tomorrow to fix it. I was a huge Sony guy. No more. How can this company expect someone to pay [...] for this TV and it only lasts 4 years? I hear the repair is anywhere between [...]. I could buy a new 50" LCD projection TV for that price today, and you can bet the farm that it would not be a Sony. Someone on this site had a great idea, he was going to mail his TV to the CEO of Sony. Once mine is fixed and 2 years from now when this blue blob returns, I guarantee there will be a 50" Sony arriving at corporate headquarters. I'll never buy Sony again.
Still going strong... 
2008-06-27
Simply press POWER Brilliant images and astounding sound greet you the moment you turn on Sony's KF-50WE610 50" Grand WEGA LCD Rear Projection TV. Reap the benefits Sony's unique features offer you. The WEGA Engine system maintains the picture in the digital domain, while the Optical Engine delivers high-resolution picture corner-to-corner. Enjoy the stunning detail and clarity enabled by this television's 3.28 million dots resolution. Fixed pixel display and constant light eliminate flicker, Enhanced Memory Stick Media make images and MP3s come to life on screen, and the HDTV monitor produces outstanding picture quality. 50-inches of unprecedented performance... Experience it for yourself.
Looking for recourse! 2008-03-29
We have had this TV about 2 and half years. We have had power supply issues within 6 months, replaced our first lamp within 12 months of purchase, replaced our second lamp at about the 2 year mark, and now we have the infamous blue blob creeping across the screen (and growing daily). I agree with other posts that Sony is not the company it was, and given they have done absolutely nothing to make these issues right with consumers says even more about their company. In other words, it's not just the TV -- it is the company. This TV will cost you twice the sticker price in repairs (even with the extended warrantees), and Sony will do nothing. This ranks as one of the most wastful purchases I have ever made!
This is my last Sony product, and for those who have written good reviews, GOOD LUCK -- I fear your time is limited with this lemon too.
Excellent picture; Unit has been reliable 2008-01-25
I bought this TV in Dec 2004, so I guess that was after Sony addressed the problems with the LCD (blue pixels) and lamp failures. The unit is still going strong after more than 3 years, and I have not had to replace the lamp yet. There have been no problems with the LCD panel.
The HD picture is superb. Even at 480p resolution from a progressive scan DVD player, which is lower than the minimum defined HD resolution of 720p, the picture is outstanding.
I wish there was more than one DVI input. This severely limits the number of HD sources that can be connected to the TV. This can be worked around, however, by using an external HDMI switch box, together with a HDMI-to-DVI cable to the TV.
I plan on keeping the TV for some time. The newer HDTVs with digital HD tuners and multiple HDMI inputs are enticing. But I have quite a bit of money invested in this Sony, and I don't have a need for a digital HD tuner on the TV, since I subscribe to satellite TV.
All in all, I am very pleased with this TV.
Excellent TV - no problem with the bulb 2007-11-11
Just had to add that I've had this TV since March 2004, and still on my first bulb. 44 months and counting!
Not Happy in TN 2007-09-26
Stay away from this set.Purchased our set in Dec 2003 for $3000.Set worked fine until bulb replacement in Dec 2006.Set worked fine again until May 2007 when the dreaded "BLUE BLOB" showed up.Found online that these sets were manufactured with faulty Optical Blocks.Sony extended the warranty thru sept 2007 on 2003 models that display a squiggle line pattern,but not the "BLUE BLOB".2004 models supposedley get an extension thru 2008 for "BLUE BLOBS".Went thru Sony Executive Review Committee to get our set repaired.Some people are offered $1400-$1500 credit towards purchase of a new set thru the sony website.We were offered nothing, and told by sony that a 3 1/2 yr lifespan for a $3000 SONY T.V. is ACCEPTABLE !
