Hi,
Before I close this thread, I wish to confirm you - PoisonJam have or don't have the info you need.
As I see it in response to the OP's question, ask for the serial of the TV you are looking for from the potential seller.
Then email Sony and ask them if they'll honour the warranty on it. From there you'll get it in writing in reply. I'd be very surprised if the serial isn't on a label on the outside of the box with a barcode against it.
All, if this information above is not correct, please advise me gently. The CD matter still doesn't seem to be settled, but the above method may resolve the OP's question regardless of this debated matter.
With regards to the CD's it seems an open matter that is unlikely to be proven by debating each side of things. Only if a CD is found without the serial number encoded to it would this settle this debat, so unless one is available I would suggest each to their own opinion unless proof is available either way.
Hope this sorts this out. Any of the above on this post is open to relaxed discussion.
Kind regards.
Dan.