I have a new KD-34XBR960 that has a dark picture! It's like looking at programs through sun glasses. I am using TimeWarner San Diego and have installed a SA8300DVR cable box. When the cable is attached directly to the TV, the analog stations come throught clear and bright - but the digital and HD stations are dark with almost no shading. When connected via the cable box, all pictures are dark with minimal or no shading. (I have tried a Pioneer cable box and a SA3250HD box, but the picture is the same.) I have also spent considerable time trying to brighten up the picture using the TV controls. A Sony tech came to my house and adjusted the geometry and increased the internal brightness level, but didn't have an explanation for the dark picture. A Time Warner tech in the home office said that they have received some other complaints regarding dark pictures - they are looking into it, but who knows what they are doing.
I am awaiting the RMA from the Sony authorized e-tailer where I purchased the unit...oh well...
Ray, I own this set and have not experienced the difficulties you mention. In my humble opinion, it produces the best HD picture available to the consumer, bar none. Have you tried a DVD player? If the technician indicates there are other complaints, it may be Time Warner and not the television. Try hooking up a DVD player to the same inputs where you now have your cable box and get back to us.
Dale, thanks for the comment. It seems that the problem is really with the broadcast channels and the cable company - sometimes the signal is great and sometimes it's terrible. I am using an HDMI to HDMI interface now. Some shows come across fine, others are too dark...some are sharp and others fuzzy. I have started adjusting the brightness from it default in the standard mode to compensate for the darkness, as well as making other adjustments when necessary - I guess that's why we have a remote and why Sony has given us so many options for adjusting the picture. I've seen the same thing with most(if not all)HDTV's in the showrooms after I adjust them from their "vivid" modes. So, it seems that the 960 is OK.
That's great news Ray. One thing about this television: if the cable or source sucks, so will the picture. I have the same problem with Adelphia. I did add an amplifier to the cable where it comes into the house and this helped some. But for HD and DVD sources, I still say it is the absolute best.