Sony Grand Wega Rear-Projection 1080p TV

The settlement covers purchases of Sony Grand Wega SXRD rear-projection television models KDS-R5OXBR1 and KDS-R6OXBR1. To be eligible, you must also own a 1080p output device (Blu-Ray player, 1080p capable laptop or computer, 1080p camera, PS3, etc)

$60 voucher good for use at the Sony Stores or Sony.com

Requires serial number for your TV, plus a proof of purchase or photo of your 1080p playback device.

Required for a full claim based on actual purchases

The plaintiffs allege that certain Sony televisions were misleadingly advertised as having a 1080p display. While the resolution was indeed 1080p, the televisions could not accept 1080p input. (We aren’t making this up … this is like making a 20oz soda, but sealing half the soda in the bottle so you can only get 12oz out.) Sony denies liability, but settled the case before it was decided by the court.

We generally find settlements that provide a voucher rather than cash are rarely in the class member’s best interest. But, in cases such as this where the product is no a recurring purchase, it is particularly ridiculous. Rubbing salt into the wound is that the voucher is only $60 is too small to be useful in the Sony store (where things are already overpriced).

Add to this the requirement that you have to provide proof that you both own the Sony TV, and a 1080p device, and the inconvenience of filing far outweighs the pathetic award. We would be surprised if there are more than one hundred claims. Meanwhile, the plaintiffs attorney, who is supposed to be looking out for the class looks like they will be billing over $400,000 for their work.

This case is not the best example of the class action system at work.