Sony officially quits rear-projection TV production

Remember how we told you that Sony, like so many others, is quitting the rear-projection TV business? Well, they finally decided to officially announce as much today, stating that come February its three RPTV plants would quit production of the sets and the company would focus its energy henceforth on LCD and OLED (huge surprise there). Don't let the door-of-obsolecense hit your ass on the way out, RPTV.

[ck @ Dec 27th 2007 3:25AM]

They'd better be planning to drop the price on their other sets quick smart, because bang for buck, nothing beats rear projection at the moment.

[ChronoZaga @ Dec 27th 2007 3:42AM]

Precisely!

[Kax02 @ Dec 27th 2007 4:11AM]

lol I was just wondering about that. I was still in awe during black friday at frys when they had a 56" lifi for like $780.

I'm all for it if they're slashing prices with product lines though. Well as long as those contrast ratios start going a bit higher as well. >_

[Ireland @ Dec 27th 2007 11:35AM]

Not entirely sure about that, plasmas have come down a heck of a lot in price over the last couple of years, and the quality they display is better quite frankly.

[quomen @ Dec 27th 2007 4:12AM]

this is a little sad. My family has one of their rear projection televisions and I still Wouk like to believe that it's on the cutting edge right now..oh well we're nowhere near discontinuing it from our living room but I suppose one day it would male a swell fish tank

[scagnetti @ Dec 27th 2007 4:20AM]

Ooh, it's a Sony KDS-60A2000, the exact same television I have. The newer Sony KDS-A3000 line is the exact same but with a different paint job. I couldn't agree more ck, rear set are the biggest bang for the buck. That's why I got mine. I suspect it's a lot cheaper to produce LCD sets and they could a better profit margin with just manufacturing LCDs. I don't believe demand is so poor for rear projections that they would just stop production. They aren't as big as the rear units from the 80's anymore and considering all the crap, (dvd,tivo,xbox,wii,ps3,stereo receiver, etc, etc) that you put under the tv, the television's width really doesn't factor into as much. At least for me.

[Josh @ Dec 27th 2007 8:51AM]

The A3000 actually has more than just a new coat of paint. It has a new 120Hz engine for perfect, judder free 24fps movie viewing. It also interpolates frames between the 60fps frames. And it has a better contrast ratio.

[vcx @ Dec 27th 2007 9:32AM]

scagnetti: All that stuff ur calling crap is the very reason for buying hires big screen tvs. What exactly are you trying to say?

[JermTool @ Dec 27th 2007 11:50AM]

The A3000 is a completely re-done set. The only thing your model holds up to the new one is the name SXRD and Sony. The A2000 and the A2020 is the same with with a new paint job, but not the A3000. Get it straight.

[nathan @ Dec 27th 2007 5:49PM]

vcx: I think he meant depth, not width.

[Mr. S. @ Dec 27th 2007 4:21AM]

You know what this means right? The only way they woudl discontinue these models is if they feel they can make cheaper and bigger flat screens. :-)

[Small Business Marketing @ Dec 27th 2007 12:41PM]

Once they did the projections and figured out that they had saturated their target market with RPTV, they had no option but to replace then with the new breed. So now, they can develop a replacement strategy. I make a bet that anyone trading in a working RPTV gets a large discount.

[Martin @ Dec 27th 2007 4:24AM]

This in conjunction with that 3-way Panasonic, Hitachi and Canon (or whoever it was) have going could make for a good year, TV-wise.

[Jesse S @ Dec 27th 2007 4:39AM]

WHY? They have better PQ than anything else on the market. :( (Other than projectors.)

[Raia @ Dec 27th 2007 1:01PM]

Better PQ? You've got to be kidding. There are certain drawbacks to RP tech (black levels, viewing angle, contrast ratio etc.) that they still haven't overcome. Direct view can do a lot that RP can't, even a few years ago when LCD still had response time issues there were plasmas that would show up RP sets. Granted, Sony's SXRD and 3LCD RPs were great sets, and fantastic sets for the money, but they were never the absolute pinnacle of picture quality.

[Jeebus @ Dec 28th 2007 1:03PM]

I think he meant for the price/size, there's nothing better. At least I hope that's what he meant.

[Mark Z @ Dec 28th 2007 1:24PM]

If you choose to believe the reviewers at CNet, and they have a fairly good track record behind them, the Sony KDS-55a3000 is just about the best HDTV you can currently get. And, considering it's around $1000 less than the other highly rated sets, definitely a great bang-for-the-buck proposition, as well.

http://reviews.cnet.com/projection-tvs/sony-kds-55a3000/4505-6484_7-32468848.html

[Miles @ Dec 27th 2007 5:20AM]

Sony = DRM, Overpriced, Worthless

[Jesse S @ Dec 27th 2007 6:31AM]

Oh miles, how I love you. Epic.

[cduran01 @ Dec 27th 2007 8:34AM]

I don't know if thats necessarily anymore, as a mater of fact the PS3 has a function to actually RIP CDs into non-DRM'd MP3s or a couple of other formats which you can play anywhere (I know I've done it). Now, does that sound like something a company hell bent on DRM would do?

[wickedpheonix @ Dec 27th 2007 6:27AM]

that's stupid - they're the best bang for the buck. No consumertard cares about contrast ratios or anything like that - just slap a low price, big screen, 1080p, the proper connectors and they're set.

[DAZA @ Dec 27th 2007 7:43AM]

What about 4000hr bulbs and poor viewing angles? Not knocking rear-pro, but they have their disadvantages just like LCD & Plasma do (price).

[Jestyr @ Dec 27th 2007 8:51AM]

This is incorrect. Sony's line of Rear projection TVs has some of the best viewing angles out there. That along with the speedy 2ms response time, great blacks, and great color reproduction has led many videophiles to buy in to the SXRD lines. I will be very sad to see this line of TVs disappear.

Not everyone wants to hang a TV on their wall, especially one that has a 5-10 year life. RP TVs just need a new bulb and they look just like new.

RIP Sony RP TVs... We will miss you

[Shape @ Dec 27th 2007 8:51AM]

Even with multiple bulb replacements (every 8000 hours, btw), large RPTVs are still cheaper than equivalent sized and similar quality LCDs and Plasmas.

$1665 is what I paid for my 60" A3000.

[Sporkinum @ Dec 27th 2007 9:29AM]

Since when is 5-10 years life normal? I have a 20 year old Mitsubishi that still has a good picture.

[Warhorse @ Dec 27th 2007 10:24AM]

Well don't forget, newer TV technology is coming out now like the LED TV's from samsung or Mitsubishi is doing somthing with Laser projection. I'm not supprised to see many dropping the TV using the current light engines.

[BananaBoat @ Dec 27th 2007 7:10AM]

Without Sony's rear projection TV's, they don't offer any sets without horrible motion ghosting. Good job Sony, for letting your beautiful SXRD's die.

[JimJimBinks @ Dec 27th 2007 7:30AM]

I just purchased a KDS-60A3000 60" LCoS rear projection on Christmas Eve. It's the best TV I've owned, and it was damn cheap. I think Sony is making a big mistake getting rid of these sets.

[ZeroTech @ Dec 27th 2007 8:14AM]

They are making a mistake. Just grab one while you can.

The KDS-60A2000 was $3499 and I picked it up for $2800. Then a few months later, the KDS-60A3000 could be had for $1799 everyday at Sams Club. F Me. At any rate, if you're in the market, pick one up. They're awesome. I also own two LCDs, and they're nice but for watching movies and getting the most performance per inch/dollar, the SXRD is impossible to beat.

[Ryan @ Dec 27th 2007 4:39PM]

Sony makes such great RPTVs it's a shame they are quitting the business. I own one and I would recommend one to anyone in the market. Sony, Samsung, Mitsubishi, and JVC are about it for decent RP anyway. Sony and JVC are the only ones who use an LCD based projection technology. I actually planned on upgrading next year, but I don't know now. Maybe there will be Sony sets still floating around by then.

[Jason @ Dec 27th 2007 8:24AM]

You must be looking at the wrong sets. I have a 56" rear projection from Samsung, I use it as a monitor often, granted the resolution is only 1200 x 1024, but that suffices for my purposes. I have no issues with text, no bluryness or pixalation, other then when my fios craps out (thats another issue).

The only complaints I have are the scaling issue (you were correct here), and the rainbow effect when you look at the whites on the screen and look away fast.

[andyg8180 @ Dec 27th 2007 8:24AM]

Thats too bad... SRXD was a pretty sweet RPTV... I'm shocked they are dumping it since this is so cheap to create and so easy to sell... But who am i to talk, i bought a plasma... RPTV's can take their final bows now... Those who are ready to die, we salute you...

[strider_mt2k @ Dec 27th 2007 8:37AM]

Great news everyone!

[James @ Dec 27th 2007 8:46AM]

I guess Samsung will be getting my business soon unless Sony can bring down the price of their 70" LCD from $33k to something mere mortals can afford. In my house, the bigger, the better, and the only we way we can afford to do so is RPTV. We've loved our 60" SXRD and were hoping to step up to the 70" this year.

[dALE @ Dec 27th 2007 1:47PM]

Do you own a movie house or live in a fraternity DAMN!

[blade417 @ Dec 27th 2007 8:45AM]

I'm already searching for discounts.

[Neeko @ Dec 27th 2007 8:52AM]

My Sammy 46' DLP is looks great. HD is crisp not blurry. And my PC was hooked up to it DVI to HDMI before my 360 got upgraded to play XVID/AVI and it looked great. Maybe u just got a lemon. But yes LCD does look great but for the price i got my 46' i cant complain much.

[flex727 @ Dec 27th 2007 9:49AM]

OmG obviously doesn't know what DLP is and is making crap up. DLP sets are unaffected by magnets and computer text & HD images are sharp and clear.

[MosquitoControl @ Dec 27th 2007 10:19AM]

Can someone recommend a good 40someoddinch RPTV? My parents need a new TV. It'll be caddycornered, so it can't be wall mounted. My mom, like most consumers, is swayed by flat panels, but there's absolutely no need for one. Why make sacrifices for flat if it's still going to be several feet from a wall?
It's also in a bedroom, so anything over 37"-42" is likely too big.

RPTVs don't seem to have gone down in price since I bought mine two years ago, though.

[Speddy @ Dec 27th 2007 10:50AM]

Yeah. I mean my Sammy 56" LED is superbright, doesn't have the issue with startup that lamps have, no noisey fan or colorwheel, and 1080P. However, you have to view it head on; too high or too low and the image fades out (like all RPTV).
Until we have the contrast/blacklevels of a plasma, the efficiency of LED, the sharpness and weight of LCD, and pricing of STD, we'll have to settle for what we see and can afford. Or wait. Long live SED!

[Zak @ Dec 27th 2007 11:44AM]

Samsung makes awesome RPHDTVs, I expect they'll be picking up Sony's RPTV business, assuming Samsung doesn't also decide to cancel their RPTVs. RPHDTVs in general are absolutely the best bang for the buck, it seems stupid for Sony to stop making them. Oh well, more business for Samsung.

[victor @ Dec 27th 2007 12:07PM]

i am on my second Sony RPTV (went from 42" to 60") and this is disappointing because I love these sets - especially for gaming. BTW - have any of you tried the motion enhancer set to high while watching the Wizard of Oz DVD? During the color scenes, it's like watching the stage show. It looks like it's 3D.

[customjmn @ Dec 27th 2007 12:21PM]

Holy crap! Neeko has a 46 foot DLP!?

[Joe @ Dec 27th 2007 12:53PM]

I'm on my 3rd Sony RPTV. The first two are older twins, both 53XBR 4:3 from the late '90's. The new babe is the 70SXRD (basically I waited until they made a 53" wide screen --- I didn't want to DOWNSIZE c'mon). Let me tell you there are no words to describe the beauty and the colors of a 70" tv. The blacks are black with definition, clarity, and detail. You have never seen CSI until you see the colors on display in 70" in its full glory. So my advice, buy the 70" on discount (I paid $5000 at best buy in nor cali, a thousand off list price, last xmas) and make sure you adjust the picture controls using a home theatre set-up dvd --- it makes a HUGE difference. Good Luck, you won't be disappointed...

[Bjarke Andersen @ Dec 27th 2007 2:20PM]

hmmmm I got a 50" Sony Rear Projection 3LCD TV, incl 5 years insurance with no write-off, meaning if it breaks and they cannot repair or deliver similar, I get full refund or at least I will get a true flat LCD.

[mattydread @ Dec 27th 2007 2:41PM]

RE to Speddy -

That's the same TV I'm currently looking to buy. It's the best bang for the buck compared to any TV technology in the 50" - 60" range IMO. I was put off by DLP for a couple reasons, but they have since resolved many of their problems with LED lighting instead of the old color wheels.

[umm....hello??? @ Dec 27th 2007 6:44PM]

so....question....I have a 60" sxrd xbr-1 (unfortunately not the xbr2 which takes 1080P inputs). anyways, these replacement bulbs--how long will they be available?? I've had my TV for about 2 years now, and since Sony obviously isn't quitting making their front projection sets which ALSO require bulb replacements, do I even need to be worried??

[Goldyfan @ Dec 27th 2007 11:12PM]

I think this stinks! I spent considerable time researching TV options and landed on the 70" SXRD as the best value in that size range. I subsequently designed an entire lower level of our house around this tv that was supposed to be avail in Jan 08 (originally planned for Fall 07 -- I should have read the writing on the wall!). I now have a big hole for this tv that will never be made and have to try to find another one that I will be happy with at a reasonable price. Sony allowed dealers to order this TV -- they should follow through and deliver on those orders. I'm a long time Sony customer but pulling the rug out on customers like this will likely cause met to change my brand loyalty. Any suggestions for other tv's in this size and price range?

See ya Sony!!

[Jeebus @ Dec 28th 2007 1:04PM]

You should look into Samsung LED DLP. I'll be very surprised if they won't be releasing a 70" in 2008. Fantastic picture and thin bezel.

[J@ssim @ Dec 28th 2007 12:12AM]

Thank god I bought 3 extra lamps for my 70" SXRD before, better get them before production stops of them too.