Sony to offer service solution for resolution issue affecting early KDS-60A2000 HDTVs

As detailed in the lengthy editor's note that appeared in the of the review, we encountered a small anomaly when reviewing the Sony KDS-60A2000: unlike its predecessor, the KDS-R60XBR1, Sony's 2006 SXRD model couldn't seem to resolve the finest details in a 1080i test pattern. Sony engineers quickly issued us instructions to modify the TV's service menu to address the issue, and--after the fix--the same KDS-60A2000 was able to display the test pattern normally; that is, showing every pixel of its 1920x1080p resolution.

When we initially posted our review, Sony stated it wasn't sure whether the issue affected only a handful of early review units for the press (such as ours), or whether it also extended to the initial units purchased by customers. The company has now confirmed that an unspecified number of sets sold to end-users also have the same issue, and it plans to assist affected customers who want to make the same fix we did during our testing. The company's latest statement is as follows:

Since Sony's original response to the 1080i HDMI signal issue reported on the KDS-60A2000 preproduction sample, we have confirmed that production of A2000 models features the optimized setting addressing the issue you observed.

However, a limited number of early production units were manufactured with the filter setting engaged, preventing the specific test pattern from being fully displayed. For these early production sets, as CNET indicated in its review, normal television viewing or picture quality is not affected. Nevertheless, to be responsive to CNET and other inquiries, Sony will be offering a service solution to consumers who purchase one of the early production sets and would like to bypass the filter. Information regarding the service change or other details regarding the SXRD television may be obtained by contacting Sony at the number provided in the television Operating Instructions.

So, to summarize: some of the early KDS-60A2000s that have already been sold may suffer from the resolution problem, but Sony will be offering a free fix to the owners of these sets upon their request.

It's worth reiterating that CNET was unable to detect any discernible difference in resolution when viewing regular program material (HD-DVD and Blu-ray movies at 1080i and 1080p resolutions, respectively). But that assurance will be of little comfort to the video-enthusiast community, for whom wringing every last pixel of detail from an HDTV is of the utmost importance. And after spending $3,700 for a new HDTV, those impassioned videophiles want--and deserve--nothing short of perfection, even if the benefit is more theoretical than actual.