Sony KFE42A10...red line at bottom of screen - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

Geeq · 2007-06-11, 10:12 PM

Recently, I"ve noticed that my Grand Wega has a red line at the bottom of the screen. It shows up whenever the set is on (i.e. when watching TV, SD or HD, or a DVD). It's kind of a transluscent red line about 3/4" thick or high.

Wondering if anyone has had experience with this and what I should do? My set is almost a year old, and I didn't buy an extended warranty.

Should I call Sony for service? Or, do I call Best Buy (where I bought the set)? Is there something I can do to try and fix it? I'm not sure how to remove the lamp/bulb for cleaning, but would that help?

Really appreciate any advice!

57 · 2007-06-12, 12:04 AM

Some HDTVs have an "image height" setting, where you can raise or lower the image in the user menu. Is it possible that you have "raised" the image too far? It doesn't sound like it, but I just wanted to check first, otherwise you'll likely need to call for service. The manufacturer's warranty should come into play if it's less than a year old, but don't dawdle. Call BB first, they may direct you to Sony.

Geeq · 2007-06-12, 09:52 AM

I haven't done any height adjustments of the screen. The red line just showed up one day recently.

Should I call the BB store where I bought the unit, or is there some kind of corporate product service number I should look for?

Thanks very much for the help.

Geeq · 2007-06-12, 06:53 PM

Just to update - I called BB and they referred me to Sony customer service. They, in turn, informed of their local service contractor (e-Link in Etobicoke) and I've booked an appt for them to come take a look. Hopefully, they can service the set on site (Sony said this was likely). TV's still under warranty so everything should be covered (more like, it'd better be).

Just noticed that there's a green line the same size as the red one, but at the top of the screen. I hope it's not a serious issue...

gdewar · 2007-06-12, 07:35 PM

You might also want to check with Sony Canada - if I'm not mistaken, you can buy the extended warranty up to one year after purchase. Might be a good investment...

Geeq · 2007-06-18, 10:27 AM

Further update - the repair guy came in, looked at the problem for a couple of minutes, and then told me he had to come back. He said it is an "optical block" problem, and he needs to replace some parts.

Apparently, he's seen and done the repair before (said it could take an hour, barring any major problems - he mentioned it can be "a little tricky"..?), so right off, he said he had to order the parts in and then he'll come back to replace them.

Does that sound right? The problem again, is a red bar at the very bottom edge of the screen, about 3/4" high. I'm now noticing there's also a green bar at the very top edge of the screen, that's about 1/2" high.

I don't know anything really about the hardware in these LCD RPTV's, but he seemed pretty confident about what the problem was.

57 · 2007-06-18, 10:33 AM

It certainly could be an optical block (light engine) issue. Either something is wrong with the block itself, or it's out of alignment.

Do you see any colour fringing around white lettering for example, as though the convergence were off (convergence is usually only associated with CRT-based RPTVs)?

Geeq · 2007-06-18, 05:33 PM

Hmm...I'm not really sure what you mean by colour fringing. But, if you mean, do I see colours seeping into white letters, then I can't say for sure - haven't looked that closely. To me, the picture, with the exception of the red and green bars, looks fine.

I'll check the colour fringing thing tonight.

Thanks for the advice!

2007-06-11, 10:12 PM	#1
Geeq Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 27	Sony KFE42A10...red line at bottom of screen Recently, I"ve noticed that my Grand Wega has a red line at the bottom of the screen. It shows up whenever the set is on (i.e. when watching TV, SD or HD, or a DVD). It's kind of a transluscent red line about 3/4" thick or high. Wondering if anyone has had experience with this and what I should do? My set is almost a year old, and I didn't buy an extended warranty. Should I call Sony for service? Or, do I call Best Buy (where I bought the set)? Is there something I can do to try and fix it? I'm not sure how to remove the lamp/bulb for cleaning, but would that help? Really appreciate any advice!

2007-06-12, 12:04 AM	#2
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,301	Some HDTVs have an "image height" setting, where you can raise or lower the image in the user menu. Is it possible that you have "raised" the image too far? It doesn't sound like it, but I just wanted to check first, otherwise you'll likely need to call for service. The manufacturer's warranty should come into play if it's less than a year old, but don't dawdle. Call BB first, they may direct you to Sony. __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

2007-06-12, 07:35 PM	#5
gdewar Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Edmonton Posts: 215	You might also want to check with Sony Canada - if I'm not mistaken, you can buy the extended warranty up to one year after purchase. Might be a good investment... __________________ SD 630

2007-06-18, 10:33 AM	#7
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,301	It certainly could be an optical block (light engine) issue. Either something is wrong with the block itself, or it's out of alignment. Do you see any colour fringing around white lettering for example, as though the convergence were off (convergence is usually only associated with CRT-based RPTVs)? __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

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2007-06-12, 09:52 AM	#3
Geeq Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 27	I haven't done any height adjustments of the screen. The red line just showed up one day recently. Should I call the BB store where I bought the unit, or is there some kind of corporate product service number I should look for? Thanks very much for the help.

2007-06-12, 06:53 PM	#4
Geeq Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 27	Just to update - I called BB and they referred me to Sony customer service. They, in turn, informed of their local service contractor (e-Link in Etobicoke) and I've booked an appt for them to come take a look. Hopefully, they can service the set on site (Sony said this was likely). TV's still under warranty so everything should be covered (more like, it'd better be). Just noticed that there's a green line the same size as the red one, but at the top of the screen. I hope it's not a serious issue...

2007-06-18, 10:27 AM	#6
Geeq Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 27	Further update - the repair guy came in, looked at the problem for a couple of minutes, and then told me he had to come back. He said it is an "optical block" problem, and he needs to replace some parts. Apparently, he's seen and done the repair before (said it could take an hour, barring any major problems - he mentioned it can be "a little tricky"..?), so right off, he said he had to order the parts in and then he'll come back to replace them. Does that sound right? The problem again, is a red bar at the very bottom edge of the screen, about 3/4" high. I'm now noticing there's also a green bar at the very top edge of the screen, that's about 1/2" high. I don't know anything really about the hardware in these LCD RPTV's, but he seemed pretty confident about what the problem was.

2007-06-18, 05:33 PM	#8
Geeq Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 27	Hmm...I'm not really sure what you mean by colour fringing. But, if you mean, do I see colours seeping into white letters, then I can't say for sure - haven't looked that closely. To me, the picture, with the exception of the red and green bars, looks fine. I'll check the colour fringing thing tonight. Thanks for the advice!