Fan noise on the Sony 40XBR4 I have read a couple of posts that fan noise on the XBR4 can be distracting during quiet receptions. Before purchasing this TV, I'm wondering if others could comment on their experiences in this regard. Do you consider this a significant flaw? Fan noise on the Sony 40XBR4 I have read a couple of posts that fan noise on the XBR4 can be distracting during quiet receptions. Before purchasing this TV, I'm wondering if others could... » Read More Fan noise on the Sony 40XBR4 I have read a couple of posts that fan noise on the XBR4 can be distracting during quiet receptions. Before purchasing this TV, I'm wondering if others could comment on their experiences in this regard. Do you consider this a significant flaw? « Show Less
1677055
I finally got my 40XBR4 on Friday (1/26/08). I was worried about the "fan noise" issues I'd seen online, but I can't hear fan noise from my TV at all... I'm not using the onboard speakers at all, so I'm not sure if this has anything to do with it (I doubt it), but from my couch I can't even hear a whisper. The 40XBR4 was everything I could have hoped for... Pretty much the perfect TV for what I want to do with it. I'm really, really glad I waited for the price to come down instead of buying a lesser product 6 months ago...
1677056
Did anyone read the manual? The fan is not a defect -- it expressly says on page 47 of the XBR4 manual in the troubleshooting section... "Condition: There is a whirring noise, Explanation: This is the sound of the internal fans of the TV. It is not a malfunction."
1677057
Any word from anyone as to techs being able to quiet the noise? I also have the XBR4 and the noise is ever present.
1677058
Let me add my vote to buyers disenchanted with the fan noise on these TVs. I bought one, returned it for another and returned that one. The noise on both TVs was just too clear and annoying. It was ever-present, not an occasional distraction. There is just no excuse for it. But kudos to Amazon for taking them back.
1677059
It does state that in the manual. BUT the fact that there was a recently released firmware fix for the UK version of this set (X3000, X3500) seems to indicate that there is/was a possible issue in regards to how the software was controlling the fans in some of the sets. It might even have initially been considered "within specifications" and ended up being changed due to a good amount of user complaints.http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=602863
1677060
This fan noise complaint is absolute rubbish. Unless you watch TV at volumes lower than 5 on the TV with a sleeping baby in the room, you're unlikely to hear anything. I have had my TV for a month now and have not heard anything from the TV. Maybe it's because the fan on my PS3 or the fan on my HD-DVR are louder than the fan on the TV.
1677061
Just thought I'd let you people know I just got my 40" Sony XBR4 hooked up and I couldn't hear the fans. I watched an entire Blu-ray movie and a little bit of regular TV programming and yet still no fan noise. Then I turned the Input to an unused one so I was sure no sound would be produced from the speakers to check the fans... still, completely silent. Maybe I got lucky... or maybe Sony fixed the problem by the time I ordered mine. Dunno.
621426
I received my KDL-46XBR4 about 3 weeks ago. I have never heard any fan while watching it. And it gives an outstanding picture.
1695489
Johnny, I'm so glad you ask this question. I LOVE, LOVE,LOVE this fan. My husband is not a lover of fans because of the noise factor, but I love them because I can't sleep unless I'm cool and comfortable. This fan has made us BOTH happy. Even my husband ask me to turn it, or he will already have it on when I get in bed. The low setting is very low, so low I had to check to see if it was actually working. Of course the medium and high settings are a bit louder, but not horrible. Hope this answers your question. I WILL purchase Vornado products in the future.
24212
I just brought mine home and I did notice a slight fan noise when I had the sound turned way down. It was a little annoying, but something that I would get quickly used to. This set is so awesome I wouldn't even think about not buying it over such a nitpick.
1399725
I'm not sure. Our tv was not making any noise. It simply would shut off. After looking online at different forums, I was able to determine I needed a fan replacement by the number of times the red light near power button would blink. The fan fixed our problem and tv does not shut off anymore. If your buzzing noise is coming from back of the set and not speakers, it most likely is the fan. There are forums that say u can use compressed air to try and clean out the debris...but we found it was only a temporary solution and buying the fan was worth it! I recommend you Google "sony buzzing noise" to see what others say. Hope this helps! I'm not sure. Our tv was not making any noise. It simply would shut off. After looking online at different forums, I was able to determine I needed a fan replacement by the number of times the red light near power button would blink. The fan fixed our problem and tv does not shut off anymore. If your buzzing noise is coming from back of the set and not speakers, it most likely is the fan. There are forums that say u can use compressed air to try and clean out the debris...but we found it was only a temporary solution and buying the fan was worth it! I recommend you Google "sony buzzing... » Read More I'm not sure. Our tv was not making any noise. It simply would shut off. After looking online at different forums, I was able to determine I needed a fan replacement by the number of times the red light near power button would blink. The fan fixed our problem and tv does not shut off anymore. If your buzzing noise is coming from back of the set and not speakers, it most likely is the fan. There are forums that say u can use compressed air to try and clean out the debris...but we found it was only a temporary solution and buying the fan was worth it! I recommend you Google "sony buzzing noise" to see what others say. Hope this helps! « Show Less
1420897
I have a Sony XBR5 no problems at all, perfect set. I watch a lot of sports the set is fantastic. Samsung is a great set also, but at the store I did see some issues with it. I have heard and read about the clouding problem in the past, but not on the new sets, it has been solved to my knowledge. XBR4/5 same great set. Sony and Samsung went on a joint venture with their panels, this means that both company's have the same panels (8th gen. panels). The only difference is the engine, I think in my opinion the Sony has more detail than the Samsung. At the same time we are nit picking, which ever one you like go with it and don't look back. Be happy with your choice, because there will always be a better set. FYI if you go with Samsung be sure it has the updated firmware, on the settings menu it should say "Oct2007". If it doesn't you can not update it, you will have to find another set that does. Check with Samsung for the current firmware update. Samsung "81 series" is the only set that I know of that you can update the firmware via the internet when available, this is a plus. Most company's don't guarantee blown pixals, some will say you need to have certain amount of pixals blown before they can exchange for a new one. Check out the extended coverage, make sure they cover blown pixals. Some people have had blown pixal problems, at the store they had a few sets with this problem including Sony and Samsung. I have read that a lot of people had customer service problems with Samsung less with Sony. I never had a problem with Sony's customer service in the past or their products. Pick the best set you like and forget everybody else, it's your set. ****HOPE THIS HELPS, GOOD LUCK****
2112346
I purchased this TV specifically based on Amazon's description that indicated 120 hz. I've run into the same conflicting information that you found and unfortunately (especially for me), it appears that the refresh rate is in fact 6ohz. I spent several days trying to find the 120hz switch in all of the settings and couldn't find it. Finally, I checked in the manual and it says the XBR series of Sony TVs doesn't come with Motionflow (their name for 120hz). I'm still hanging on to the tiniest bit of hope that I'm wrong but I don't think so. If you've seen a 1080p tv play a blueray or hd material with the 120hz on, then you'll know why I'm bummed. It's a truly amazing effect. It doesn't look 3d, but almost like you're watching a play. It's not an effect that would appeal to everyone, but I've seen movies like Spiderman 3, terminator 2 and Pirates of the Carribean and I was blown away. My one bit of hope (and confusion) come from the fact that the previous model (KDL 32XBR4) is described on the Sony website as having Motionflow/120hz but that model was only 720p. I haven't seen what that type of combination looks like, but I'm curious if it still provides the same effect that I've seen on the 1080p models. I spoke to both Circuit City and Best buy reps and both said that there aren't ANY 32" and smaller TVs with 120hz. The smallest it is offered on is 40". Not sure if this helped any but my last bit of research is calling Sony directly and asking them. I'll write back and keep you posted.
1934849
Again, buyer beware and do your research. This issue has confused a lot of people who expected the XBR series to continue with this feature into the next model year. This is also why the xbr4 costs generally more than the xbr6 in the same size. (For those interested in 120hz, be darned sure to read the fine print if you are looking at LG's Scarlets: 120hz is NOT available in all size models.) Amazon should set a high standard for website shopping and correct the info in their Sony chart. That kind of reliability and integrity would attract more customers who do not want to spend hours bouncing from site to site trying to confirm info at less reliable sites. Again, buyer beware and do your research. This issue has confused a lot of people who expected the XBR series to continue with this feature into the next model year. This is also why the xbr4 costs generally more than the xbr6 in the same size. (For those interested in 120hz, be darned sure to read the fine print if you are looking at LG's Scarlets: 120hz is NOT available in all size models.) Amazon should set a high standard for website shopping and correct the info in their Sony chart. That kind of reliability and integrity would attract more customers who do not want to spend hours... » Read More Again, buyer beware and do your research. This issue has confused a lot of people who expected the XBR series to continue with this feature into the next model year. This is also why the xbr4 costs generally more than the xbr6 in the same size. (For those interested in 120hz, be darned sure to read the fine print if you are looking at LG's Scarlets: 120hz is NOT available in all size models.) Amazon should set a high standard for website shopping and correct the info in their Sony chart. That kind of reliability and integrity would attract more customers who do not want to spend hours bouncing from site to site trying to confirm info at less reliable sites. « Show Less
417740
S. Edelman, Fan Noise?...There is NO Fan Noise, You won't even know it's sitting there. And as far as Voltage Drops below a certain Voltage the fan being LOUD,ABSOLUTELY FALSE !!! HOPE THIS HELPED...HAVE-A-GREAT-DAY! Sincerely, Mario.ABSOLUTELY FALSE
947432
I have had the Bravia EX400 for about a week and love it. But alas, it does not have variable audio output, only one fixed audio out. This is suprising given all the other options this TV offers. I resorted to using the fixed audio output to my Yamaha receiver. I control the volume with my Yamaha remote. This is definitely worth doing since the TV's speakers have subpar sound quality.I agree with you R. Illingworth-variable audio output should be a standard feature. (Sony does have variable output in more expensive models.)
1398588
I have mine in the playroom and away from anywhere we sit to watch tv. Noise for me is not an issue.
2113486
That is a surprising question as I can't answer it. I've often sat behind the projector during our computer club meetings where we talk about what we have showing on the screen and I've never noticed the fan noise. If it has noise it hasn't been objectionable or distractive.
1357547
I haven't experienced that phenomenon yet but I will be on the lookout for it game day. I am not too thrilled with the sound though. I have hooked up to the surround sound but the noise affects are much louder than the dialogue. Over all I love the picture and I think I made a solid purchase.
238907
I might just be so used to it running all the time that I just don't notice it but I would compare it to a regular fan on low. It not 'noisy' at all. It doesn't bother me or distract me from what's on tv, I don't need to turn the volume up on the tv when it's on. Hope that helps.
236024
Yes, the TV sound is normal for anyone else watching. Having said this, I still think the Sony is far better.
327631
I bought the 40" XBR4 based on my great experience with my 52" XBR4. The fan noise was really bad for me on the 40", but it may not bother others, especially if the tv in installed in an enclosure. Interestingly enough, the 52" uses no fans, but heat sinks, so it is dead quiet. In my case on the 40", I returned it and got another one, but still the same fan noise. I also had a Sony authorized tech come out and replace the fans, but still no improvement. So the 2nd tv is going back as well. I didn't want to fiddle with replacing the fans with quieter ones due to warranty issues. Plus, my wife thought I was nuts to pay that much for a 40" tv and then have to tinker with it to get it quiet. As usual, she's right. The fan noise is really unfortunate, because everything else about this tv is fantastic.
24217
I have the XBR4 40" and must admit I sometimes watch with low volumein the late hrs and the fan noise does annoy me. I guess I've gotten used toit. I also realize that if it didn't have the cooling fans, the life of the set would be shorter.