Sony Doesn't Want Your Money: Xbox 360 on Sony Bravia?

Well, here's an interesting one. Every issue, OXM reviews at leastone HDTV â€” as more and more gamers get HD-capable consoles, we knowthey also face a big decision: finding an HDTV to match. Stroll intoany retailer and you'll quickly be overwhelmed. Naturally, we figure ifwe can review a set each issue, we can keep people up-to-date and makethat choice a little easier.

We're currently working on our March 2008 issue, and our intrepid tech reporter David Murphyhelps scout interesting sets for review. "Have you guys done a Braviayet?" he asked. "No," I replied, "But I'd love to get one in the mag."I just bought an HDTV myself, and after looking at all the sets ondisplay, I went for a Bravia. My wife and I loved the picture, and wecould have gone cheaper, but we were willing to pay a little more forthe quality and the brand's reputation. Sony's always been at the uppertier of video displays, back to the Trinitron days, so I wasn't toosurprised that it kicked ass when I hooked up my Xbox 360 and MassEffect.
Here's where it gets weird. Murph contacted Sony's PR to request aset for review, and was told...no. It would appear that the consolewars extend further than any of us realized, but that's the reasongiven â€” we're a Microsoft-focused (but not -owned, I should point out)publication, and they are a PlayStation-creating company (but not thesame business division, I should point out), so...just no. "I have tosupport our friends over at our sister company," said therepresentative.
...What?
I wrote back and asked, as politely as I could, "Really?" I know that several readers have written in and posted on the forumsthat our reviews have helped them make HDTV decisions â€” and quiteoften, they tell us that they buy the exact model we reviewed, becausewe've recommended it. Why wouldn't you want to be included in ourcoverage? I even told him, hey, I bought one, and there are noincompatibilities between Sony sets and Microsoft games. You sure youdon't want to sell TV sets to, like, everybody?
The reply was that they were sure. "Sony is going to pass on this opportunity."
Don't know about you, but I'm pretty stunned. I just don't see what the hell the console war has to do with HDTVs.
So, we won't review Sony HDTVs, I guess. Mitsubishi, Toshiba, Sharp,Westinghouse...they're all valid options. But Sony is not interested in360 gamers using its products.
As you venture out into the stores for the big post-holiday sales,remember: Your filthy Xbox 360 cables would only mess up its beautifulBravias.
Sony is going to pass on the opportunity of getting your money.