Sony SXRD, SXRD-XBR (LCoS, Not LCD) Optical Block Problems - Page 18 - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

AFF · 2010-04-10, 10:59 PM

mrhooie, my kds-50a2000 has a few yellow miscolourings very simular to what you describe. I have changed my bulb about 3 months ago.
Do you use hdmi or component? I notice that with hdmi you cant see it as much.

Kind of a crappy pic but you can see the yellowish along the top and left side. I would like to know what it is.
Post your tv to compare.

mrhooie · 2010-04-10, 11:07 PM

i actually didn't notice it until i was on the ps3 a few weeks ago (which is HDMI). I use the bell 9242 and 6141 with component and notice it on both.

i think its worse with the ps3

and your picture is exactly what i am getting. i will post a picture

AFF · 2010-04-10, 11:19 PM

That pic of mine is component from a Bell 9200. I have my ps3 and Dishnet 622 hooked hdmi. I dont notice it as much on the units using hdmi.

by the way, I'm in the same town as you.

stampeder · 2010-04-10, 11:29 PM

No way... 2 Yellowknifers!

Awesome!

mrhooie · 2010-04-10, 11:48 PM

and truth to the power of the "small town", after trading a PM with AFF, we know each other!!

sorry to get off topic, but it will be interesting to see where this goes with the discolouring

stampeder · 2010-04-11, 12:19 AM

Photo op!

Wires · 2010-04-11, 11:02 AM

AFF,

Thats what mine started doing. The PS3 "today" screen made it worse. The top left got super green, whereas it should have been teal.

I just sent a picture like you have to sony, with a scan of my receipt, and a pic of the serial number label on the back. That's all they required from me.

I did get my KDL60ex500 on Friday. It is a really good set once it's setup. Black blacks and richer colors than the SXRD had (better black definition as well).

My only complaint is their manual is HORRIBLE. The unit has a bunch of settings that drastically effect your video quality, but they are so poorly documented. Reminds me of your PC Bios settings ie. "cache setting - turns your cache on or off". WTF is a "cache", and why do I need to adjust this?

Even google turned up nothing.

For example:
Cinemotion. It deals with the 3:2 pull down, but they don't tell you why you'd want to use Auto1 or Auto2. Manual just says use auto1 and in special cases use 2. Not sure what the case would be.

I ended up using my DVD essentials DVD to calibrate the contrast/brightness/color and turned off all their picture modifcation settings. I'm pleased with it so far. So if you're wondering if you'll be pleased with the xxEX500 series as a replacement, I'd say "yes". It will perform better than the SXRD.

the hawk · 2010-04-11, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrhooie

Interesting to see what the offers are. Can anyone post pictures of or describe the process of picture taking? mine is noticable, but i'm interested to hear your experiences.

The easiest way is to take a picture at night, turn all the lights off in the room, set the camera to auto and turn off the flash. If you have a PS3 turn it on and use it's XMB menu to show the discolouration.....set the background colour of the PS3 XMB to white or dark blue.....both of those do a really good job of illustrating the discolouration.

This my old SXRD with the PS3 Blue XMB:

And I support Wires feelings on the 60EX500 vs SXRD........it's superior in every way to my eyes with the exception of how it handles motion. The SXRD was a little better in that area but everything else the EX500 does vastly better makes up for it.

Wires · 2010-04-11, 11:51 AM

Should have mentioned the motion. It does have more blur than the SXRD. They do have motionflow to "fix" that, but I find that makes the picture wierd and unnatural (hard to explain, really obvious when you are watching it).

DellaFalls · 2010-04-11, 05:26 PM

SXRD 50A2000, purchased boxing day 2006. The set was turning people on the left half of the screen into Martians. It became noticeable beginning last fall, although I had been on the lookout for several years, due to this forum and AVS forum. Original warranty has long expired. Sony Canada web site pointed me to an authorized repair shop here in Victoria. I brought the set in, the first week of March, and they took pictures etc and submitted a claim to Sony, and I took the TV home to wait. In exactly 3 weeks, Sony emailed an offer of a 52EX700 for $950 plus tax. I went to a Sony Style store and didn't like the set. Picture seemed not quite as good as a (properly working) SXRD. Another strike against the EX700 was the large frame that hides the edge LEDs. We like the modest 20 mm frame on the SXRD. It makes the set less intrusive in the room, when off.

The offer from Sony included a phone number, with a live person on the line. I asked if I could get a no-charge repair instead of a replacement. Yes I could. I was surprised that he called the replacement an "upsell offer" when he confirmed I was declining it. He forwarded an authorization number to the repair shop. In two weeks, the shop called saying they had the parts and scheduled a service call for the next day.

The fellow showed up and clearly knew what he was doing. There were lots of widely scattered screws, brackets and connectors that he efficiently removed and replaced the OB in an hour and a quarter.

The repair man said he would have jumped at the upsell, but also agreed that I did not make a mistake. He has an SXRD too, and loves it.

Picture looks gorgeous again. I am gambling that I get another 3 years out of it and I'll put the $1000 towards a new set then instead of this year.

Wires · 2010-04-12, 11:27 AM

FYI,

It turns on that "video noise" I was having is caused from a bunch of the TV's settings.

Setting:
Sharpness = 0
Noise reductions = off
Black enhance=off
Live color=off

(bascially just turn off all the things adding artifical artifacts to the screen)

Makes it look fine. So it basically just has the blur over the SXRD.

Interesting. I didn't know you could opt for the repair. I am going to get the SXRD repaired anyways. It was a great set, and seems like a waste to turf it.

88Wally · 2010-04-12, 02:47 PM

Hi All,

Great forum with lots of helpful info. I have a SXRD KDS 55A2000 purchased in 2006. The screen is green almost exactly like the pictures above. I'm waiting for my letter of resolution from Sony but one thing I haven't seen discussed is TV stands. I purchased the matching stand which is made for the exact TV. If I take the offer of a new TV, I probably have to buy a new $500 stand. Looking at the proposed TVS, the base is different and my stand is silver to match the TV.

Anyone have any luck negotiating a new stand into the offer?

Thanks

Wally

VideoRat · 2010-04-12, 09:27 PM

To DellaFalls,

I have a toasted optical block in a 60 inch A2000. I think Victoria has only one authorized repair shop. Do you have any idea of the total repair cost for your TV? Was the replacement optical block new or refurbished?

DellaFalls · 2010-04-13, 09:41 PM

Video Rat:

It should be no charge to you if repaired prior to June 2010 as per the Sony web site service bulletin. http://www.sony.ca/view/613.htm.
I didn't pay a penny, although I had no warranty.

The shop I went to is Q-tel who are invoicing Sony for the "optical engine" and repair labour. I signed a form agreeing that the work had been done satisfactorily. That form said the optical engine is $1450.

No wonder Sony's opening bid is an "upsell offer."

That price, plus the very clean looking engine and packaging leads me to believe that it was new. It was a large video projector, minus electronics, bulb and housing. But I didn't ask, and didn't care, about new versus refurbishment. My reasoning is that I have read the parts that fail are dichroic colour filters. Replacing them should make it good as new. I have read of refurbishers in the states who have satisfied customers for a modest price. So I can't imagine they do much more than replace the filters.

Wires · 2010-04-14, 12:41 PM

They have to be changing more than just the filters. Mine had green images like shown above. That could have been a filter issue, but the images also had movement issues.

Best test case is watch a show like the Simpsons in HD. The thick black outlines of the characters were fine until they moved. There was a 2 second lag on the green LCD. For example, Lisa's head moved 6" across the screen, and then you could watch a green/yellow shadow line slowly spring up to the new picture location. It seemed to have about a 2 second response. Green trees were brutal. They'd smear if the picture panned quickly. That's definately a LCD panel issue. If it was just a filter problem, it would just have weird coloration.

Of course, if your TV does have an OB problem, and you didn't notice the effect I said above, I do appologize, as it will drive you nuts once you see it.

2010-04-10, 10:59 PM	#256
AFF Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 671	mrhooie, my kds-50a2000 has a few yellow miscolourings very simular to what you describe. I have changed my bulb about 3 months ago. Do you use hdmi or component? I notice that with hdmi you cant see it as much. Kind of a crappy pic but you can see the yellowish along the top and left side. I would like to know what it is. Post your tv to compare. Last edited by AFF; 2010-04-10 at 11:06 PM. Reason: added pic.

2010-04-11, 05:26 PM	#265
DellaFalls Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Victoria Posts: 18	Happy, so far with my Gamble: replaced Optical Block SXRD 50A2000, purchased boxing day 2006. The set was turning people on the left half of the screen into Martians. It became noticeable beginning last fall, although I had been on the lookout for several years, due to this forum and AVS forum. Original warranty has long expired. Sony Canada web site pointed me to an authorized repair shop here in Victoria. I brought the set in, the first week of March, and they took pictures etc and submitted a claim to Sony, and I took the TV home to wait. In exactly 3 weeks, Sony emailed an offer of a 52EX700 for $950 plus tax. I went to a Sony Style store and didn't like the set. Picture seemed not quite as good as a (properly working) SXRD. Another strike against the EX700 was the large frame that hides the edge LEDs. We like the modest 20 mm frame on the SXRD. It makes the set less intrusive in the room, when off. The offer from Sony included a phone number, with a live person on the line. I asked if I could get a no-charge repair instead of a replacement. Yes I could. I was surprised that he called the replacement an "upsell offer" when he confirmed I was declining it. He forwarded an authorization number to the repair shop. In two weeks, the shop called saying they had the parts and scheduled a service call for the next day. The fellow showed up and clearly knew what he was doing. There were lots of widely scattered screws, brackets and connectors that he efficiently removed and replaced the OB in an hour and a quarter. The repair man said he would have jumped at the upsell, but also agreed that I did not make a mistake. He has an SXRD too, and loves it. Picture looks gorgeous again. I am gambling that I get another 3 years out of it and I'll put the $1000 towards a new set then instead of this year.

2010-04-12, 02:47 PM	#267
88Wally Rookie Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1	Negotiation question Hi All, Great forum with lots of helpful info. I have a SXRD KDS 55A2000 purchased in 2006. The screen is green almost exactly like the pictures above. I'm waiting for my letter of resolution from Sony but one thing I haven't seen discussed is TV stands. I purchased the matching stand which is made for the exact TV. If I take the offer of a new TV, I probably have to buy a new $500 stand. Looking at the proposed TVS, the base is different and my stand is silver to match the TV. Anyone have any luck negotiating a new stand into the offer? Thanks Wally

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2010-04-10, 11:07 PM	#257
mrhooie Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yellowknife, NT Posts: 706	i actually didn't notice it until i was on the ps3 a few weeks ago (which is HDMI). I use the bell 9242 and 6141 with component and notice it on both. i think its worse with the ps3 and your picture is exactly what i am getting. i will post a picture

2010-04-10, 11:19 PM	#258
AFF Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 671	That pic of mine is component from a Bell 9200. I have my ps3 and Dishnet 622 hooked hdmi. I dont notice it as much on the units using hdmi. by the way, I'm in the same town as you.

2010-04-10, 11:29 PM	#259
stampeder OTA Forum Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Delta, BC (96Av x 116St) Posts: 23,338	No way... 2 Yellowknifers! Awesome!

2010-04-10, 11:48 PM	#260
mrhooie Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yellowknife, NT Posts: 706	and truth to the power of the "small town", after trading a PM with AFF, we know each other!! sorry to get off topic, but it will be interesting to see where this goes with the discolouring

2010-04-11, 12:19 AM	#261
stampeder OTA Forum Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Delta, BC (96Av x 116St) Posts: 23,338	Photo op!

2010-04-11, 11:02 AM	#262
Wires Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 283	AFF, Thats what mine started doing. The PS3 "today" screen made it worse. The top left got super green, whereas it should have been teal. I just sent a picture like you have to sony, with a scan of my receipt, and a pic of the serial number label on the back. That's all they required from me. I did get my KDL60ex500 on Friday. It is a really good set once it's setup. Black blacks and richer colors than the SXRD had (better black definition as well). My only complaint is their manual is HORRIBLE. The unit has a bunch of settings that drastically effect your video quality, but they are so poorly documented. Reminds me of your PC Bios settings ie. "cache setting - turns your cache on or off". WTF is a "cache", and why do I need to adjust this? Even google turned up nothing. For example: Cinemotion. It deals with the 3:2 pull down, but they don't tell you why you'd want to use Auto1 or Auto2. Manual just says use auto1 and in special cases use 2. Not sure what the case would be. I ended up using my DVD essentials DVD to calibrate the contrast/brightness/color and turned off all their picture modifcation settings. I'm pleased with it so far. So if you're wondering if you'll be pleased with the xxEX500 series as a replacement, I'd say "yes". It will perform better than the SXRD.

2010-04-11, 11:51 AM	#264
Wires Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 283	Should have mentioned the motion. It does have more blur than the SXRD. They do have motionflow to "fix" that, but I find that makes the picture wierd and unnatural (hard to explain, really obvious when you are watching it).

2010-04-12, 11:27 AM	#266
Wires Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 283	FYI, It turns on that "video noise" I was having is caused from a bunch of the TV's settings. Setting: Sharpness = 0 Noise reductions = off Black enhance=off Live color=off (bascially just turn off all the things adding artifical artifacts to the screen) Makes it look fine. So it basically just has the blur over the SXRD. Interesting. I didn't know you could opt for the repair. I am going to get the SXRD repaired anyways. It was a great set, and seems like a waste to turf it.

2010-04-12, 09:27 PM	#268
VideoRat Rookie Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 5	To DellaFalls, I have a toasted optical block in a 60 inch A2000. I think Victoria has only one authorized repair shop. Do you have any idea of the total repair cost for your TV? Was the replacement optical block new or refurbished?

2010-04-13, 09:41 PM	#269
DellaFalls Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Victoria Posts: 18	Video Rat: It should be no charge to you if repaired prior to June 2010 as per the Sony web site service bulletin. http://www.sony.ca/view/613.htm. I didn't pay a penny, although I had no warranty. The shop I went to is Q-tel who are invoicing Sony for the "optical engine" and repair labour. I signed a form agreeing that the work had been done satisfactorily. That form said the optical engine is $1450. No wonder Sony's opening bid is an "upsell offer." That price, plus the very clean looking engine and packaging leads me to believe that it was new. It was a large video projector, minus electronics, bulb and housing. But I didn't ask, and didn't care, about new versus refurbishment. My reasoning is that I have read the parts that fail are dichroic colour filters. Replacing them should make it good as new. I have read of refurbishers in the states who have satisfied customers for a modest price. So I can't imagine they do much more than replace the filters.

2010-04-14, 12:41 PM	#270
Wires Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 283	They have to be changing more than just the filters. Mine had green images like shown above. That could have been a filter issue, but the images also had movement issues. Best test case is watch a show like the Simpsons in HD. The thick black outlines of the characters were fine until they moved. There was a 2 second lag on the green LCD. For example, Lisa's head moved 6" across the screen, and then you could watch a green/yellow shadow line slowly spring up to the new picture location. It seemed to have about a 2 second response. Green trees were brutal. They'd smear if the picture panned quickly. That's definately a LCD panel issue. If it was just a filter problem, it would just have weird coloration. Of course, if your TV does have an OB problem, and you didn't notice the effect I said above, I do appologize, as it will drive you nuts once you see it.