Toshiba 44HM85 Thread

[RCElectricFlyer]

Wow. Exactly the same problem here. About 60% of the left side is no longer as black as the right side. This happened fairly recently. The set is almost a year old.

I don't know what it is, but here are some thoughts:

- since everyone has the same problem, it is systemic and related to the design of the unit
- it is unlikely to be related to dust contamination because the effect is so geometrical and localized

My best guess is that there is a light seal, possibly a gasket, that is distorting as the set ages and letting light leak onto the screen.

Anywho, does anyone have a set that is not under warranty and would like to take a good look inside?

Rob

[RCElectricFlyer]

Just called a local Toshiba service centre. Someone is coming out December 29 to have a look at it.

If I learn anything useful I'll pass it on...

Rob

[84gn]

Hi guys, I have a m44hm85, warranty just ran out last month{ of course}. this week when I turn my TV on the screen is black, can barely see an image, once I switch to another input then back my lamp is on and the image is normal and stays working until I turn it off then I will have to go through the same thing when I use the TV again. Any suggestions

[ncnmra]

Hi RCElectricFlyer,

Its funny how things come in waves. In fact, I called an LG service center and am having them come out tomorrow morning. I'll let you guys know what they say. I hope to heck that they don't say "oh yeah, that's just normal", because its annoying me like crazy!

I agree with you that I don't think it is dust. I think there is some light leakage from inside also. The only way I've been able to deal with this is to lower the brightness severely. The TV still looks good on bright scenes, but dark scenes are looking very bad due to the "washed out" blacks.

Will keep you guys posted....

PS: Where in Ontario are you from? I'm in London.

[ncnmra]

Just finished with the LG service tech. He's ordering me a new light engine, so hopefully that will solve the issue. He's thinking it is a mirror displacement issue.

I've included a link to a picture of the issue. This picture was taken in a COMPLETELY dark room, without flash, so the colours are mis-represented, but you can clearly tell the difference between the two sides.

RCElectricFlyer, let me know what your Toshiba guy says!

(http://i10.tinypic.com/2qd4qja.jpg)

[RCElectricFlyer]

ncnmra.

I'm in Dundas. I went to Western though...

The picture you took shows the same problem - no doubt.

Hmmm. Light engine? I suppose it could be that about half the mirrors aren't rotating far enough to provide a good black. Seems like a more complex explanation though.

Rob

[ncnmra]

He said that the light path includes a few mirrors (not the DMD itself though), that he's seen these be displaced and refract light incorrectly. Although he said in those cases it was a clearer border between the light/dark. He said that in the case of the LG TVs, the entire assembly ("light engine") is one unit, so replacing it will in effect replace pretty much most of the guts of the TV.

I was playing a split screen video game today, and it became very apparent how different the two sides were when viewing.

It does appear to be a design problem. The part takes between 5-10 days to arrive, so sometime within the next few weeks I'll have it replaced.

Let me know how you make out with the Toshiba service call.

[RCElectricFlyer]

No conclusion yet at this end. I just got a visit and the tech didn't know what the problem was. He hasn't seen it before so he's going to call Toshiba to find out.

Rob

[ncnmra]

I'm concerned that this may be a long wait/battle. I've read on some other forums that the LG TVs are terrible for service because parts are rarely available. I know were' not alone with this issue.

PS: He did admit there is a problem though, right?

[RCElectricFlyer]

He agreed it was a problem and said it would be fixed.

I got a call back later - they are going to pick up the TV next week to take a closer look at it. I don't know if they talked to Toshiba.

Like you, I don't think it will be resolved quickly. As a minimum, replacement parts probably have to be ordered and received.

Rob

[ncnmra]

Hi Rob,

I sent you a PM with my email address. Keep in touch on this issue. I've seen other posts online of people with the same issue, so I'd say it is fairly "widespread". Frankly, I'm not impressed, but we'll see how they deal with it. It will also be curious to see how Toshiba/LG respectively react.

[thegman]

Please keep the thread updated if you can guys. I also have the 44HM85 for about a year now, no problems (knock on wood), but still would like to know what others are doing.

[ncnmra]

Just curious if you can guess how many hours you have on yours? I am curious if this issue is related to blub use. I cannot find a counter for lamp life, but on average, I would say I use mine for approx 2 hours per night.

[thegman]

If youre asking me, I would say, we easily got 2000+ hours on it so far, maybe ever 3000+. With a disabled person in the house, the tv is on quite a bit and we got it mid December last year.

[ncnmra]

Happy New Year!

If youre asking me, I would say, we easily got 2000+ hours on it so far, maybe ever 3000+. With a disabled person in the house, the tv is on quite a bit and we got it mid December last year.

Hmm, that's probably more than I have. I've been watching a lot lately, but throughout the summer it had low use. If I had to guess, I think I'd be around 1000 or so....so I think that rules out that this issue being due to lamp usage.