Sony SXRD, SXRD-XBR (LCoS, Not LCD) Optical Block Problems

[couch3]

I was surprised to find this thread today as I was merely looking around to hear how people are enjoying their sony rptv's and to get a feeler for how long your lamps are lasting before requiring replacing

I bought a kf42e200a in feb 07 and it hasnt given me any problems as of yet

I noticed it is included in this product alert memo though so I guess I'm covered until june 2010

http://esupport.sony.com/CA/perl/new...00&news_id=293

Is the OB getting fried inevitable ?
I know the bulb is .

doesnt seem fair to people who are ''light'' users of their t.v that they wont be covered past 2010 though -the ext. warranty should take hours of use into consideration

[Berty]

And in the same vein, I come home from a date, turn on my 2020 and it decides to produce a camouflage pattern of yellow blobs.

Switched inputs from PVR to DVD same pattern. Shut the TV off for 10min., tried again and no blobs. Yeah!

Could this be the infamous OB problem?

This TV is a couple months short of 2yrs old bought from the local Sony Store.
It's my understanding the OB is covered for two years so I'm still safe for a bit. There was NO extended warranty bought.

I'd appreciate any insight.

Thanks!

[zyad]

Well I think it's starting to happen to my 55" projection set. (KDF–55E2000)
A blue band about 1.5 inches thick along the entire width of the bottom of the screen. Present on all channels and inputs.

FYI for everybody else here: It looks like the extended warranty has been extended to June 30 2010: http://sony.ca/view/707.htm

For other models and issues: http://sony.ca/view/Television_Bulletins.htm

Edit: Just noticed a red band along the top too.

[zyad]

OK so I'm going to call the Sony 1-800 number tomorrow.

Just want to know before I call if anyone else has called and what outcome they had.
I've read elsewhere online that there is a shortage of replacement optical blocks in some areas, and that Sony is offering people 50% off their inflated official Sony price LCD TV's.
I'm not interested in buying a 52" to replace my TV right now, I am holding out for a 55" or bigger LED set (full backlighting. not edge), in the future. So I just want my 55" repaired.
Anyone in Canada have any problems getting their optical block replaced recently?

[BCScott]

I had my OB replaced 3 times, then they gave me a 52" XBR4. That was April 2008. They've since replaced the full panel and 2 main boards on the XBR4. It works really well now.

[zyad]

That too bad Scott. Sorry to hear that.
I haven't called them yet (been too busy with work. I still don't know what to expect once I call. I'll keep everyone posted once I do.
If anyone else has any update on the extended warranty program, please let me know.

[reidw]

Bcscott, have you considered that there may be something wrong with the electrical supply into/in your home? That is an awful lot of electronics going bad in just a couple of years.

[BCScott]

The only problem has been with my main tvs, nothing else. I use a UPS for it. I think the problem is cutting edge tech. My first tv to go sour, after we had lived here for 10 years with a 27" RCA CRT was a 40" Sony CRT (KV40XBR800). It developed green fringing at the edges, a known problem that affected about 10% of them. Next was the first SXRDXBR1 given as a replacement for the KV40. It lasted <6 months and the OB went. It developed yellow lines along the 4:3 edges. They replaced it with a new SXRDXBR1 and it developed the green blob after a year or so. The OB was replaced twice, both times to less than successful results. Finally, they gave me a new XBR4 LCD which never measured up to the SXRD's picture. We began to notice discolouration in the whites during the hockey playoffs last year. They replaced the main board, even though the tech they sent out said the main board would not fix the problem. It didn't, so they ordered a replacement panel. One day after the main board replacement, the balast control board stopped working and the TV went black. They then took the TV and replaced the balast board and the main panel. The picture is now much better than when the LCD first arrived, on par with the SXRDs (except the motion blur)

No, I don't think we have any power issues, just a combination of new tech, a picky owner that feels that a $5,000 TV should work properly, a wealth of info from this site to compare my problems to others', and a 5 year extended warranty form Sony! I'm sure glad it's been Sony that I've been dealing with, as I'm not too confident many of the top tier mfgs would have stuck with us, let alone the bargain brands.

[Al58]

Havent cruised here in a while, but this thread is making me feel better about not taking delivery of a Sony A2000 some 3 years ago and instead getting my JVC(junk very cheap) set.

Good to see Sony is trying to take care of most of you guys with issues.

[zyad]

Don't feel too good about that:

The entire reason for me having this Sony set in my living room in the first place is that my JVC HD-ILA crapped out on me and FS gave me the Sony as part of the warranty coverage.

[JKR1963]

Hopefully my green blobs will be fixed on my 60A2020!

http://sony.ca/view/849.htm

[caper1]

Here is the answer I recived from Sony to the fix for the problem with KDF55E2000 Optical Block

Sony of Canada Ltd. (“Sony”) is pleased to provide you with this letter of resolution.
Sony’s offer to you is as follows:
Sony is prepared to provide you with a new SONY 55” BRAVIA series LCD television, model nuber KDL-55V5100 (the “Replacement”) at a cost of $750.00 plus tax (5% GST), for a total of
$787.50. The Replacement will come with a one year manufacturer’s warranty.
The Replacement will be delivered to your home address at no additional charge. You will be
responsible for the setup and assembly if required. Typical delivery time may take approximately
7 to 14 business days from time of order placement, depending upon your location and inventory
availability. Our delivery company will contact you 1 to 2 days before the expected delivery date.
Please refrain from contacting the Customer Information Centre for delivery status before the
expiry of the 14-day time frame.
By accepting this offer, first you release and discharge Sony and its affiliated companies,
including but not limited to Sony Electronics Inc. and Sony Corporation (collectively, the “Sony
Group”), from any claim or action you have, or may in the future have, in respect of the Product.
Second, you acknowledge the Product continues to be in your possession and that the release
and discharge referred to above applies notwithstanding your continued possession and use of
the Product.
Third, you acknowledge and agree that Sony has no responsibility whatsoever in connection with
the Product, and that no warranties and conditions, however arising, are applicable to the
Product.
Fourth, you will indemnify and hold harmless the Sony Group against any claims or actions
asserted against any of them, and against any costs and expenses incurred by any of them,
arising out of or in relation to the Product. This indemnification would continue to apply in the
event that you sell or dispose of the Product in any way and includes indemnification against
bodily injury or tangible property damage.
Finally, you authorize Sony to process a payment, in the total purchase amount set out above,
against the credit card account that you provide in the attached authorization form.
2
This offer of settlement is being made as a one-time offer of goodwill and without admission of
liability.
Please signify your acceptance of this offer by signing a copy of this letter below and having it
witnessed, and by completing the attached credit card authorization form. Return both by
facsimile at (416) 499-9266 or by sending a scanned copy by e-mail to cic@sony.ca . The
facsimile or scanned copies will be considered the original execution copies. Please retain a
second copy for your records.
This offer is valid for a period of seven business days from the date of this letter. Because
the offer will expire on November 27, 2009, we look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
<name removed>
Case Resolution Team
Service and Engineering Division

[Luis_A51]

Ughhh thats a pretty terrible solution. Im not sure if that LCD has better specs than your current tv, but regardless thats still $800 for a "free" repair. Ouch

Are there any other options available? Or are they basically saying, "take it or leave it but we arent fixing the optical block"?

EDIT: Can they do that? Their press release clearly states they'll fix the OB for FREE up until June 2010

[stampeder]

I made a phone call to Sony about my SXRD regarding a fan problem, and when I voiced some concerns about the OB I was offered the same "upsell" deal. I turned it down for now since my OB is still good.

[Luis_A51]

My OB is screwy. I get the blue band on the top left edge of the screen, and the yellowish image retention in the bottom right quarter of the screen.

No way am I paying money for a smaller screen. Havent contacted Sony yet, but ill post my experience when I do.