image blotchy on Sony 42 wega

We've had a Sony KDF-42WE655 for about 18 months and the picture is
starting to look blotchy. It's not always visible, but if there is a
bright background you can see several large (2 to 3 inches across)
dark areas on the screen. As far as we can tell, the blotches are not
on the surface of the screen. The blotches don't move with the
picture. This appears to be something physical, not a decoding error.

The screen doesn't look particularly dim and the colors are still
accurate, so it doesn't appear to be a bulb issue. Not sure what it
is. The TV has suffered no trauma. I don't think it's moved once
since we parked it. Any ideas?


Ron

"roc97007" wrote in message
...
We've had a Sony KDF-42WE655 for about 18 months and the picture is
starting to look blotchy. It's not always visible, but if there is a
bright background you can see several large (2 to 3 inches across)
dark areas on the screen. As far as we can tell, the blotches are not
on the surface of the screen. The blotches don't move with the
picture. This appears to be something physical, not a decoding error.

The screen doesn't look particularly dim and the colors are still
accurate, so it doesn't appear to be a bulb issue. Not sure what it
is. The TV has suffered no trauma. I don't think it's moved once
since we parked it. Any ideas?


Ron

If it was a demo, it might be dirt or bugs or if it's in a humid location,
maybe even mold on a lens or mirror in the projection system.

roc97007 wrote:
We've had a Sony KDF-42WE655 for about 18 months and the picture is
starting to look blotchy. It's not always visible, but if there is
a
bright background you can see several large (2 to 3 inches across)
dark areas on the screen. As far as we can tell, the blotches are
not
on the surface of the screen. The blotches don't move with the
picture. This appears to be something physical, not a decoding
error.

The screen doesn't look particularly dim and the colors are still
accurate, so it doesn't appear to be a bulb issue. Not sure what
it
is. The TV has suffered no trauma. I don't think it's moved once
since we parked it. Any ideas?


Ron

There _might_ be an access panel on the back to reach in to adjust
optical focus. You might be able to see something on the ouput lens or
looking into the port, someting on the inside of the screen. Doesn't
take long to check.

GG

I was looking on Amazon and people were complaining about Blue Dots on the
screen and spreading after 2 years. You may want to check out the reviews
yourself.
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-KDF-42WE6...172 06&sr=8-1

"roc97007" wrote in message
...
We've had a Sony KDF-42WE655 for about 18 months and the picture is
starting to look blotchy. It's not always visible, but if there is a
bright background you can see several large (2 to 3 inches across)
dark areas on the screen. As far as we can tell, the blotches are not
on the surface of the screen. The blotches don't move with the
picture. This appears to be something physical, not a decoding error.

The screen doesn't look particularly dim and the colors are still
accurate, so it doesn't appear to be a bulb issue. Not sure what it
is. The TV has suffered no trauma. I don't think it's moved once
since we parked it. Any ideas?


Ron

Thanks for everyone's response. Turns out Sony will fix this if you
call them before the end of 2008.

http://esupport.sony.com/perl/news-i...mdl=KDF42WE655

Ron

On Jun 5, 8:47*pm, roc97007 wrote:
We've had a Sony KDF-42WE655 for about 18 months and the picture is
starting to look blotchy. *It's not always visible, but if there is a
bright background you can see several large (2 to 3 inches across)
dark areas on the screen. *As far as we can tell, the blotches are not
on the surface of the screen. *The blotches don't move with the
picture. *This appears to be something physical, not a decoding error.

The screen doesn't look particularly dim and the colors are still
accurate, so it doesn't appear to be a bulb issue. *Not sure what it
is. *The TV has suffered no trauma. *I don't think it's moved once
since we parked it. *Any ideas?

* *Ron

Update: I called Sony support prepared to argue with them, but the
process was absolutely painless. They looked up the closest service
center and told me to call and schedule an appointment. I said I
could put the TV in the truck and just drive it there, but the sony
rep said oh no, they don't expect me to move the TV; if it really has
the described problem, they'd pay for a house call. I've never heard
of this before.

I called the shop yesterday, and they quickly scheduled a person to
come out in two days (which would be tomorrow). The only caveat is
that if the TV doesn't have this problem, I'm on the hook for a $95
house visit. But the issue is so obvious, and matches the photos on
Sony's support page so closely, that I don't think there's going to be
a problem.

I have to admit, I'm flabbergasted. I remember manhandling my
extremely heavy tube tv to the shop a couple of times all by myself in
the nineties, and getting uncaring, expensive and occasionally hostile
response from a repair center that apparently knew quite well that
they were the only game in town. Could things have changed that much
in ten years?

As said, the appointment is tomorrow. There's still time for things
to go south. Stay tuned...


Ron

On Jun 8, 3:55*pm, roc97007 wrote:
Thanks for everyone's response. *Turns outSonywill fix this if you
call them before the end of 2008.

http://esupport.sony.com/perl/news-i...mdl=KDF42WE655

* *Ron

On Jun 5, 8:47*pm, roc97007 wrote:

We've had aSonyKDF-42WE655 for about 18 months and the picture is
starting to look blotchy. *It's not always visible, but if there is a
bright background you can see several large (2 to 3 inches across)
dark areas on the screen. *As far as we can tell, the blotches are not
on the surface of the screen. *The blotches don't move with the
picture. *This appears to be something physical, not a decoding error.

The screen doesn't look particularly dim and the colors are still
accurate, so it doesn't appear to be a bulb issue. *Not sure what it
is. *The TV has suffered no trauma. *I don't think it's moved once
since we parked it. *Any ideas?

* *Ron

Update: Well, I thought things were going too smoothly. Today the
other shoe dropped. The authorized Sony repair tech visited the house
today. It was his verdict that the blotches are the wrong color to be
covered by the Sony image block extended warranty. (The wrong
color??) He said it was the same part (image block) and what sounded
like the same cause (dust getting into the sealed unit) but Sony only
covered replacement of the image block if the blotches are blue. No
other color.

I called Sony technical support back and talked to their customer
relations department. "Rafael" said that the warranty has been
extended on several Sony LCD TVs, and for many colors of blotches on
other models, or any color blotch on some models, but only blue
blotches on this particular model (KDF-42WE655).

I said that doesn't make any sense. Apparently it doesn't have to.

So, I said to the Sony customer relations specialist, let's summarize
he I paid $2400 for a TV which, 6 months out of warranty, had a
major failure, requiring replacing the most expensive component (the
image block) and Sony thinks this is the normal and expected level of
quality that I should expect from Sony televisions?

Further, I said, are you really expecting me to pay in the
neighborhood of $1200 to have it fixed, which at today's prices would
buy me a new TV of comparable size with more features? Moreover, if I
must replace the TV, wouldn't it be financially irresponsible of me to
replace it with another Sony?

So what we finally came down to is that they want me to fax them the
original receipt and they'll make a decision on how this is going to
go. I'm willing to jump through that additional hoop (assuming the
receipt still exists after a year and a half) but I don't hold much
hope.

I guess the moral is, don't buy one of these things, and if you do, be
prepared to sharpen your debating skills. And for God's sake save the
receipt.

My last Sony television was a 1985 XBR ($1,100) which lasted me a
little over 20 years. Until now, I've always had a high opinion of
Sony quality. It makes me sad to see how far they've fallen.


Ron

On Jun 10, 10:00*am, roc97007 wrote:
Update: *I called Sony support prepared to argue with them, but the
process was absolutely painless. *They looked up the closest service
center and told me to call and schedule an appointment. *I said I
could put the TV in the truck and just drive it there, but the sony
rep said oh no, they don't expect me to move the TV; if it really has
the described problem, they'd pay for a house call. *I've never heard
of this before.

I called the shop yesterday, and they quickly scheduled a person to
come out in two days (which would be tomorrow). *The only caveat is
that if the TV doesn't have this problem, I'm on the hook for a $95
house visit. But the issue is so obvious, and matches the photos on
Sony's support page so closely, that I don't think there's going to be
a problem.

I have to admit, I'm flabbergasted. *I remember manhandling my
extremely heavy tube tv to the shop a couple of times all by myself in
the nineties, and getting uncaring, expensive and occasionally hostile
response from a repair center that apparently knew quite well that
they were the only game in town. *Could things have changed that much
in ten years?

As said, the appointment is tomorrow. *There's still time for things
to go south. *Stay tuned...

* *Ron

On Jun 8, 3:55*pm, roc97007 wrote:

Thanks for everyone's response. *Turns outSonywill fix this if you
call them before the end of 2008.

http://esupport.sony.com/perl/news-i...mdl=KDF42WE655

* *Ron

On Jun 5, 8:47*pm, roc97007 wrote:

We've had aSonyKDF-42WE655 for about 18 months and the picture is
starting to look blotchy. *It's not always visible, but if there is a
bright background you can see several large (2 to 3 inches across)
dark areas on the screen. *As far as we can tell, the blotches are not
on the surface of the screen. *The blotches don't move with the
picture. *This appears to be something physical, not a decoding error.

On Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:22:54 -0700 (PDT), roc97007
wrote:

I guess the moral is, don't buy one of these things, and if you do, be
prepared to sharpen your debating skills. And for God's sake save the
receipt.

As someone who has bought three HD sets, and has two of then replaced
under warranty, the moral is: buy the extended warranty.

Dave Clary
Corpus Christi, TX
http://davegetsfit.blogspot.com
Diet, Exercise, and Golf!

Or dont buy an overpriced Sony- Picture is no better than many other
brands and they are usually half the cost!!!!!!


On Jun 11, 9:48*pm, wrote:
On Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:22:54 -0700 (PDT), roc97007
wrote:

I guess the moral is, don't buy one of these things, and if you do, be
prepared to sharpen your debating skills. *And for God's sake save the
receipt.

As someone who has bought three HD sets, and has two of then replaced
under warranty, the moral is: buy the extended warranty. *

Dave Clary
Corpus Christi, TXhttp://davegetsfit.blogspot.com
Diet, Exercise, and Golf!

On Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:19:27 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

Or dont buy an overpriced Sony- Picture is no better than many other
brands and they are usually half the cost!!!!!!

No Sony's here. The one TV that's hanging in there is my JVC LCOS. I
have a Sharp Aquos that was sent to me in exchange for a Westinghouse
that died. I hope it fares better than its predecessor.

Dave Clary
Corpus Christi, TX
http://davegetsfit.blogspot.com
Diet, Exercise, and Golf!