Issue with Sony Rear projection TV

[Vintage Pete]

I have a Sony KDS-50A2000 50" Rear projection TV, I've had just over 4 years. In recent weeks I've noticed a sort of greenish-brown tint in the picture, which is mostly noticeable when viewing Black and White programs. It is present on a blank screen with no input signal as well. It doesn't cover the whole screen, but a significant percentage of it. I've tried playing with the picture controls, to no avail. I mostly use Video 4 input (McIntosh MVP 841) and Video 6 (HDMI; Integra Blu-Ray player). The issue seems more prevelant in the Video 4 input, but is present in both. (I haven't checked all of the inputs, but I'm kind of assuming if I have it in 2 inputs, it is likely across the board, to some extent at least). On the HDMI input, with no signal and blank screen, you don't see it. But put in a B/W disc, and it is there, though seemingly not as bad as in the video 4 input. On color programs (discs) it is not so much an issue as it is with B/W (though more noticeable on a colr program in video 4). With Blu-Ray discs on HDMI, I don't see the issue at all. I've tried disconnecting the Red/Blue/Green signal interconnects from the video 4 input and looked at the blank screen, and it is there, so I believe the issue is with the TV and not with source components.

Any thoughts on this? Could this be a problem with the projection lamp? I just replaced the lamp in March 2010. I only began to notice this issue maybe a couple of weeks ago. Anyone else have this problem or have any ideas?

Pete

[chessman]

Pete,

Is this a Sony SXRD rear projection model? They were famous for a "green blob" failure, but it usually manifested immediately.

The other potential is magnetic interference. Is there an unshielded speaker near where the green is showing?

[chessman]

Pete,

This link may be useful. I am not vouching for it, since I did not read much of it, but it looks pretty informative.

Sony LCD Rear Projection TV Problems

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by chessman

Pete,

Is this a Sony SXRD rear projection model? They were famous for a "green blob" failure, but it usually manifested immediately.

The other potential is magnetic interference. Is there an unshielded speaker near where the green is showing?

Randy,

Yes, the TV is an SXRD model. The "green blob failure" you mentioned would be a failure of what component part of the TV? It may well have manifested immediately, I may not have noticed it immediately.

There is a large loudspeaker nearby the TV....but I never had this problem until recently. See photo for speaker/TV proximity.

Pete

[TommyC]

Time to get a new TV

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by TommyC

Time to get a new TV

No can do

Pete

[chessman]

Pete,

The link mentioned an "optical block" failure. I do not know what that means, but it sounds like a serious failure.

From the same link, here are some phone numbers:

Sony Customer Service/Relations
Initial support options

* The primary purpose of the following email/chat options seems to be for initial technical support only, so once your situation turns into a dispute, they will probably refer you to Customer Service telephone support (below). The Sony Listens email may be an exception to this. These are good options if you want a written record of early support interactions:
o Sony Support Email form
o eSupport Live Chat Support
o Sony Listens Email
* Sony Customer Service:
o Main Customer Service: 800.222.7669
+ This is number will most likely connect you to a foreign call center. You may be transferred from "Customer Service" to "Customer Relations" once your optical block issue has been identified, but the Customer Relations representatives may also be in the foreign call center, and they typically deny that there are any supervisors above them to further escalate your call.
o Priority Service: 239.768.7547
+ Sony seems to be pushing the usage of this toll number to Fort Myers, Florida (the location of Sony's US customer service headquarters) for follow-up "priority service" by Customer Relations. However, it is unclear whether calling this number assures speaking to a US representative and obtaining "priority service" relative to the toll-free number, or whether it is primarily a cost-cutting measure by having customers foot the bill for the sometimes lengthy support calls.
o SXRD Resolution Center: 888.993.7669
+ This number is apparently for resolution of optical problems on SXRD models, particularly XBR1s.
o QUALIA Support: 877.782.5423
+ This number is apparently specifically for support on Q006 models.
o "Sony Listens" Optical Block Support: 800.554.6908
+ The Sony Listens team, which includes Sarah Kepler and at least a half dozen others, seem to provide much better offers than representatives on the regular or priority customer service lines.
+ If you post your problem on the Facebook I Have a Defective Sony TV wall, someone from this Sony Listens team will likely contact you.

[AudioNut]

Pete, I guess you have read the bad news in the posts that precede mine.

I had the dreaded green blob problem on a 60" Sony SXRD model KDS-R60XBR1 set that I own. - Apparently Sony experienced such a high volume of such problems that a class action suit was filed, with the result that Sony extended the warranty on my set for two additional years. Sony repaired some of the problem sets, and replaced others with updated models.

The problem was with the Optical Block (whatever that is) and mine was replaced under the extended warranty at no cost to me. I understand that the replacement would have cost around $1,000 if not done under the warranty.

I have read that refurbished optical blocks are available and can be "user installed". Apparently Sony had quality control problems with the SXRD sets which led to the failures.

When the SXRD sets are working properly, they are incredibly good sets, in fact, The Absolute Sound (Perfect Vision) rated the XBR-1 set that I bought as the best HD television available in the year I purchased it.

Mine is "fixed" and continues to be a superb television set, with HD picture superior to later model Plasma and LCD (Sony, Vizio, and Samsung) sets that I also own. I'm holding my breath in hopes that it doesn't happen again.

[Vintage Pete]

Many thanks gentlemen...I'm not sure where this will leave me, but it's a place to start. I agree with Julian, the set is a superb set when working properly. Hopefully I can get the "optical block" replaced (or the set). Since there is no way I can spring for a new set now, I'll have to start calling these numbers and start rattling cages.

Thanks guys! I'll keep you posted.


Pete

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by jprice

Pete, I guess you have read the bad news in the posts that precede mine.

I had the dreaded green blob problem on a 60" Sony SXRD model KDS-R60XBR1 set that I own. - Apparently Sony experienced such a high volume of such problems that a class action suit was filed, with the result that Sony extended the warranty on my set for two additional years. Sony repaired some of the problem sets, and replaced others with updated models.

The problem was with the Optical Block (whatever that is) and mine was replaced under the extended warranty at no cost to me. I understand that the replacement would have cost around $1,000 if not done under the warranty.

I have read that refurbished optical blocks are available and can be "user installed". Apparently Sony had quality control problems with the SXRD sets which led to the failures.

When the SXRD sets are working properly, they are incredibly good sets, in fact, The Absolute Sound (Perfect Vision) rated the XBR-1 set that I bought as the best HD television available in the year I purchased it.

Mine is "fixed" and continues to be a superb television set, with HD picture superior to later model Plasma and LCD (Sony, Vizio, and Samsung) sets that I also own. I'm holding my breath in hopes that it doesn't happen again.

From what I see so far with the date timelines for extended warranty service on this issue, I may be out of luck. But, I will try-you never know. I would really like this issue resolved.

Pete