52″ Sony BRAVIA XBR10 Series HDTV Bows Out Of USA

xbr10

I’m surprised to announce that only after a few months of being on the market, the super thin 52″ Sony BRAVIA XBR10 (aka in Japan as the Sony BRAVIA ZX5) with wireless HD capability is no longer for general availability in the USA. While a few models are left at various brick and mortar SonyStyle stores, the official SonyStyle USA website states, “No longer available for purchase at Sony Style.” We tapped our contacts at SonyStyle who confirmed this information and stated that it was a “limited production model.” Limited production? We’re surprised at that statement, since the TV was not announced as such.

Fortunately, the 46″ XBR10 is still for sale at SonyStyle and will probably continue to be available through the holidays. But for how long? This sure seems like Sony is clearing the slate for some new BRAVIAs (e.g. XBR11, XBR12), which Sony has stated before they will bring to the market by February.

I’m not surprised that the 52″ model is being phased out, though. Sony has been slipping hard in the USA with their TV sales, falling victim to extraordinary prices, too varied of a lineup (XBR7, XBR8, XBR9, XBR10 are all for sale simultaneously), and consumers being manipulated by the phrase “LED TV.” Last time I looked Sony were tied in a distant fourth place with Toshiba, which placed them far behind Samsung, Vizio, and LG. Consumers may also be confused with the XBR9 and XBR10 line (LCD with edge-lit LCD), which many online have found inferior to the XBR8, which is a LCD with RGB backlit LED.

vizio3q2009

I still think the XBR10/ZX5 was a true marvel in Sony technology; perhaps ahead of its time (or just simply misplaced for sale in a struggling economy) with its high price, incredible design and wireless 1080P capability.

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30
Nov 2009
POSTED BY Christopher MacManus
POSTED IN

Hardware, Televisions

DISCUSSION 11 Comments
  • David

    The 40ZX1 & the EX1 Bravia range are being discontinued in Europe due to new Power consumption regulations. Perhaps it has something to do with this??

  • http://www.facebook.com/abhinavsinghai Abhinav Singhai

    few of you got to see it at least :)

  • conedreill1027

    Wonder if there is some type of defect like there was in their WEGA sets.

  • http://www.ds-r4.cn/ R4i 软件

    The XBR10-series models also deliver full 1080p wireless transmission of high definition signals from a separate media box to a receiver embedded in the TV, allowing source components to be placed out of sight.The XBR10 models also feature an Ethernet connection allowing them to directly access Sony BRAVIA Internet Video content using an existing broadband network.

  • http://www.r4i-kort.dk/ r4i software

    The XBR10 comes featured with a separate media box called the BRAVIA 1080 wireless transmission system. By using in-home broadband connection and BRAVIA HDTV remote control, one can access online content from an ever-growing list of leading providers including Netflix, Slacker Radio, YouTube, Sports Illustrated, Sony Pictures, Sony Music and Epicurious.com.

  • kanwaljitsinghbagri

    It is a good news that Sony is pulling the XBR10 from the market. It was not the perfect set which we as consumers were expecting from Sony to introduce. The XBR08 is the best in the market with only one drawback, the 120HZ speed. We have been holding back from purchasing a new TV, in hopes that the XBR10 model would have upgrades from the XBR08 model, but Sony betrayed its loyal customers by introducing an inferior model with edge-lit LED lights instead of full panel LED RGB lights and asking a premium price by making the cheap quality television sets in its Mexico plant. There are superior televisions introduced by the competitors at lower prices, i.e. sets with 240 Hertz with soon to be introduced 480HZ, full array LED, 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio, with internet hookupx, and a good quality sound system (the sound of XBR10 sucks).

    We hope Sony will learn a lesson and will stop running in the rat race of introducing the thinnest model and instead bring a model which will be superior in all fields.

    Sony has the technology of OLED with which it can produce 55-65 inch televisions and can dominate the market again.

  • Chogo

    Uhh does this have anything to do with Sharp's suit against Samsung (sourced for XBR10)?

  • Chogo

    Uhh does this have anything to do with Sharp's suit against Samsung (sourced for XBR10)?

  • http://techfused.com/ Techfused

    Interesting! I have been looking for this info for the last few hours. Keep us updated I would like to hear more!

  • http://ledtvsforsale.com/ Led TVs Reviews

    I guess the rise of 3D TVs are the main reason why Bravia is now no longer in the US market.

  • http://ledtvsforsale.com/ Led TVs Reviews

    I guess the rise of 3D TVs are the main reason why Bravia is now no longer in the US market.