Although CNET did not review the 60-inch Sony KDS-60A3000, we did review the 55-inch Sony KDS-55A3000. Judging from their spec sheets, the two Sony rear-projection HDTVs are essentially identical but for screen size, so we expect the picture quality of the 55-inch model to provide a good indication of how the 60-incher will perform. For more information, refer to the full review of the Sony KDS-55A3000.
Intro:
The Sony KDS-60A3000 is a 60-inch, rear-projection rear-projection TV.Compared to other rear-projection TVs on the market, it is midpriced at around $2,130.
Noteworthy Features:
With built-in HDTV compatibility, this unit can display images that are significantly sharper and more realistic than regular television, as long as the source is high definition.(It can easily render standard-resolution digital TV broadcasts and also depict the full resolution of widescreen DVD video.)
Weaker Features:
None noted, given available product data.
Suitability:
Made for those who want as large a screen as possible.In general, a wide aspect TV such as this one is ideal for DVD movies recorded in the popular 16:9 format, as well as high definition programming.
Value:
In general, this TV's features are in line with its price.
Suggestions:
(1) For assistance in shopping for a new HDTV, read CNET editors' Ultimate HDTV Buying Guide.(2) If donating or repurposing your old TV is not a viable option, CNET encourages households to recycle their electronics.Please explore the following website to find a recycling center in your area Electronics Take Back Coalition.
Receiving HDTV broadcast:
The three common methods to receive HDTV broadcasts are via satellite-TV set-top box, cable system set-top box, and over-the-air reception from a digital HDTV broadcast station.
True HDTV:
True HDTV programming is now available in three resolutions: 720p, 1080i, or 1080p.
Tuner options:
An HDTV-ready satellite or cable box will act as an outboard HDTV tuner for your digital HDTV or EDTV set that lacks a built-in HD tuner.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Didn't know it could look this good
I didn't know that it could look this good! I have two friends with plasma televisions they purchased this ...
I didn't know that it could look this good! I have two friends with plasma televisions they purchased this year and they both will agree that this tv blows them away. I watched Terminator 2 on Bluray with the PS3 and I thought my heart was going to explode. The tuners picked up 28 digital channels even though I currently have only standard cable. Over a dozen of them are high-definition. I have not had the tv professionaly calibrated and I don't think I will either. The 120hz Motionflow does make a noticable difference compared to the 2020 and 2000 model. To anyone who is thinking of purchasing one of those models, spend the extra $200 to $400 and get the 3000. This tv handles video formats that are not even available yet. I assume that this tv will be on the cutting edge for a long time. I have been shopping for a high-definition television for over 3 years and finally made my decision. Great investment in my opinion.
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by bobportorange (see profile) -
September 27, 2007
19 out of 19 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Great television
I think that the user who wrote this oppinion should re-evaluate the television now that he can see the set. ...
I think that the user who wrote this oppinion should re-evaluate the television now that he can see the set. The motionflow really works on ALL dvd's and Blu-ray and HD-DVD through HDMI. I think that it looks amazing, and it makes movie watching a totally different experience. Lately, I have felt that the people at CNET are getting lazy and putting out pre-thoughts to the product without ACTUALLY seeing or ACTUALLY reviewing it correctly. Just a thought...
This TV i hands down better than the previous A series televisions. If you don't believe me, see it for yourself. Go to a big box office retailer that can demo DVD, or Movie content in 24fps because that's when the tv really kicks into high gear.
BTW did I even mention the tv looks better, slimmer, hdmi 1.3 for future compatibility and it looks sexy!
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by kewball012 (see profile) -
September 19, 2007
9 out of 9 users found this user opinion helpful.
2 out of 10 - Terrible Beautiful INITIAL Picture
Basically this TV is the replacement for our 50" Sony SXRD XBR1 series. We recieved this after many months, countless ...
Basically this TV is the replacement for our 50" Sony SXRD XBR1 series. We recieved this after many months, countless hours on the phone, and 2 optical block replacements on the old tv. This was a free replacement, brand new, NOT refurbished. It has been about two months. I have just confirmed my dredful suspiscion that green tones were apearing in the screen. I watched and old black and white film and the green hues couldn't not hide any more.
Long story short Sony didn't design they're optical blocks properly. As I understand it the UV light from the bulb burns the panels. Yes this problem is so very slight compared to previous models, but it is present. And when, or at what price, is it acceptable to deliver a product that is flawed? Certianly not at the price the TVs are sold for.
Now to the problem: Yes the TV has a wonderful picture. After time and use the image will start to develope slight, pale green tones. The odd thing is this is only visible on certian colours. The most notable are grey, tan, beige and whites. It doesn't show in pure RGB white but will in most shades. This affects the picture, for example in the after shave of a white man in poor light, or more noticably in a black and white movie. So in the end it is very disappointing and frustrating to have such a seemingly wonder product that slowly dissolves into a problem. I am not sure about sony's other TVs but I am not going to dable in the SXRD line any further.
Updated While I could barely hear a word she said, I verified this twice after she said. Basically it is NORMAL for all of Sony's SXRD HDTV to develope some slight greenish discolouration. She said this was not an issue with this optical block but never answered what the problem is. I wonder if this is why the SXRD XBR5 tv got pooled and pushed back. The 60" was pooled, and the 70" was pushed back from Oct. 2007 to sometime now in '08 (the XBR5 was the TV we were looking to replace our XBR1 with). It's very dissapointing to hear Sony basically write off that there is a 'normal' problem with their TVs. I am seeking a refund of our original purchase amount on the SXRD XBR1, will update with more information as this unfolds.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Best 60" HDTV out there !!!!
Summary - I simply love this TV. THE PRICE IS PERFECT AND THE PICTURE HEAVENLY. I tested Pirates of the ...
Summary - I simply love this TV. THE PRICE IS PERFECT AND THE PICTURE HEAVENLY. I tested Pirates of the Carribean DEAD MAN'S CHEST BluRay using the PS3 and the movie experience was truly immersive. The details and the smooth film like quality especially when the camera pans in action scenes is breathtaking!!!
I own an older SXRD SONY TV 2005 XBR2 MODEL and the difference is quite apparent and that is saying a lot since the quality of the older SXRD was quite impressive to begin with!!!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
TV STAND : I could not find the SONY TV Stand at any of my local stores but I would like to recommend the following stand (I have a feeling you will not be disappointed):
Pinnacle Design - TV Stand for Plasma TVs Up to 70" and DLP TVs Up to 65" - Mahogany Model: TV51102 SKU: 8181674 (BESTBUY)
This stand is not only cheaper ($265 incl tax) but is very pleasing to the eye. My wife approves whole heartedly!
Reasons I like this stand over the SONY stand - [1] Dark wood and dark glass shelves makes this stand disappear even in ambient daylight from 3 windows. It is even better at night since there are no stray reflections and the TV Screen seems to float in the air
[2] Really good quality fit and finish for the price
[3] Huge savings over the SONY stand !
[4] Very nice cable management feature in the back of the stand makes this appropriate even for a high profile setting like a living room etc. It hides everything very well.
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by skurra (see profile) -
November 26, 2007
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
10 out of 10 - Perfect This is a Great 60 Inch Set With a Much Better Engine
Recently decided to step up from my 50 inch SONY KDFE-50A-10 to a 60 inch set. I initially purchased the ...
Recently decided to step up from my 50 inch SONY KDFE-50A-10 to a 60 inch set. I initially purchased the SONY A-2020 in large part based on the CNET reviewers perception that the A-2020 was just as good as the A-3000 minus a few bells and whistles and immediately noticed the lack of clarity in the picture as compared to my supposedly lower end 50 inch set. I also noticed heavy pixilation watching some football games. Part of this is the DirecTV issues that are occurring during high volume viewing hours (they don't have enough bandwidth yet) but I am not kidding whe I tell you that my wife and I could not believe how bad it looked compared to our 50 inch set. After a couple of days I decided to go back to the store I purchased the set at and take my time. I viewed the A-2020 and the A-3000 side by side with the same feed and same setting for over 45 minutes however it only took me 45 seconds to notice a substantial difference in the quality of these sets. Not only was the picture much much better but the colors were much more striking, and I don't just mean on the vivid settings that all stores use to suck us into buying. So I arranged an exchange (the price difference was about $150.00. As soon as I received the A-3000 I was back in my HD heaven. However the real test would come on Sunday when I started watching my NFL Package. Well I am happy to say that the pixilation issues that the A-2020 had were pretty much a non-issue with the A-3000. For many people who don't realize these issues can occur with a bigger TV set and HD programming, it is really an important factor as that same pixilation can also occur on action sequences in movies and TV shows. THE ENGINE ON THIS SET REALLY GETS RID OF A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF THE PIXILATION THAT OCCURS IN ACTION SCEQUENCES. The A-3000 has a much better and advanced engine the prior year's models don't have and that is the main reason to spend the extra few dollars. I would recommend this set highly.
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by fmtsolutions (see profile) -
November 24, 2007
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
10 out of 10 - Perfect Outstanding HDTV!!! Get it NOW if you can find one!
This is a great TV. I have two A3000s, the 55" and the 60". As of May 2008, it was ...
This is a great TV. I have two A3000s, the 55" and the 60". As of May 2008, it was far and away the best deal for a large screen that has Full 1080P on HDMI, Component, and RGB computer imputs. The black levels are dark and inky, greyscale is very defined, whites will blind you, and colors are very natural or in vivid mode can really pop. Great shadow detail. On a solid HD source, the detail will almost look 3D. Very smooth picture with smooth panning. Great geometry meaning lines are very straight vertically and horizontally.
I got my 55" for $1230 at Sears. The 60" for $190 more back in May 2008. The 55" was brand new, the 60" was a floor model at Circuit City with 3300 hours on it from Sept 2007. It looks great and I have had not one issue in the month I have used it. It is on 12 hours a day too.
Sony has discontinued their Rear Projection TVs, so if you can find one, jump on it.
Get the CNET firmware update "T" from Sony to maximize this TV. Bulb replacement needed approximately every 8000 hours, which is very easy for owner to do and cost only $100-150 online. A3000 will be like new again!
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by SDwinder (see profile) -
June 24, 2008
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular SIMPLY AWESOME!!!
We bought this tv for an excellent price in December. The picture is AMAZING!!! This TV has performed far beyond ...
We bought this tv for an excellent price in December. The picture is AMAZING!!! This TV has performed far beyond our expectations. The 120hz refresh rate makes for an excellent 3d-like look to all HD sources. The only tv that compared to the quality of this picture was the Samsung LCD (also with 120hz). The Samsung had excess glare. No glare with this TV, even in a bright room. We cannot find anything about this tv which is not exceeding our expectations. We ran out of HDMI inputs after we bought the HD TiVo, HD Comcast DVR, an HD DVD player AND a PS3 with BluRay player. All settings for the different inputs (including a d-sub PC input for watching movies from the PC) are customizable indivdually. The blacks are truly black. Non-HD sources occasionally cause flucuations, but not any more than you'd get with any other HDTV. The remote is easy to use. The menues are easy to navigate. We did a lot of research. CNET rated this tv as best for the year in the category. They really nailed it with this one. Forget the smaller hang-on-the-wall plasma or LCD and get the Sony if you want all the same qualities at a lot lower price with 12 sq feet of TV viewing space. I would buy it again, especially at only $1599. Best TV I've ever owned!
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by garester (see profile) -
January 30, 2008
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
10 out of 10 - Perfect The Best Picture I have ever seen!!! You won't be disappointed
If you can get a Sony KDS-60A3000 for $2000.00 and under you will be miles ahead of the competition. ...
If you can get a Sony KDS-60A3000 for $2000.00 and under you will be miles ahead of the competition. By the way the Blue Ray Disc Player on this TV will blow your mind. It is like you are in the movie, also Playstaion Three is XXXXXXX awesome I am 38 years old, and I researched for 6 months before I bought. I am so impressed! That's why I feel like I will be a Sony fan forever.
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by Sony Guy (see profile) -
January 30, 2008
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Really 9.5
I am very happy with this TV (I was able to get it from CC for $1899.99- plus if ...
I am very happy with this TV (I was able to get it from CC for $1899.99- plus if it drops farther closer to Christmas- I am covered since they said they would match Best Buy's 60 day price match). My old 55" Mitsubishi HDTV had such glare issues in my family room because of the sky lights- I couldn't get the room dark enough during the day to enjoy watching TV- it was a 55" mirror. This TV has a nice anti-glare screen that allows me to watch a very dark scene (in the middle of a bright sunny day) without seeing my reflection. Because I was so happy with the TV I went out an purchased the 40 gb PS3 mainly for the Blu ray player and the picture quality is amazing- it made Spiderman 3 enjoyable to watch- that's saying a lot. I only wish I didn't need to replace the bulb every so many years....
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by Toddgabweg (see profile) -
November 13, 2007
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I am 38 years old, and I researched for 6 months before I bought. I am so impressed! That's why I feel like I will be a Sony fan forever.
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