SXRD dying out!!!!! (optical block issue)........uuuugggghhhh!

[mr.hidef]

So after reading about all of the HORROR stories about the 2006 SXRD's optical blocks going out.............Mine is starting to go. Can anyone please tell me about what deals SONY is doing as far as UPGRADING their customers to V,W, or Z series flat panel LCD's?. I was told that their optical blocks are in short supply, so they are upgrading folks to flat panel LCD's..........HELP!.........

[Buddy Christ]

I have the same model what am I to expect??

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by mr.hidef

So after reading about all of the HORROR stories about the 2006 SXRD's optical blocks going out.............Mine is starting to go. Can anyone please tell me about what deals SONY is doing as far as UPGRADING their customers to V,W, or Z series flat panel LCD's?. I was told that their optical blocks are in short supply, so they are upgrading folks to flat panel LCD's..........HELP!.........

You have to call Sony - the last I heard they were offering a 52" XBR 9 as a replacement, you just have to pay about $1300.

[mr.hidef]

Originally Posted by Grand Bob

You have to call Sony - the last I heard they were offering a 52" XBR 9 as a replacement, you just have to pay about $1300.

Whaaaaa? are you insane? I paid $1800 for this TV new.....I heard it was the 52"W series LCD's and you only have to pay $350.......besides why should I have to PAY?.......Isn't this their screw up in the first place?..........also My work has the 46" XBR 9 for $1700.........where did you get these facts?

[kingofgrills]

You'll need to call Sony for a definitive answer. They did extend the warranty on all SXRD, specifically to cover the optical block, so you'll have to see what they'll do.

When you find out, please post it, because I have the exact same set as you.

[mr.hidef]

Be careful if this happens to you......Sony is now being very strict about this..........hey folks, we did nothing wrong, so don't let Sony try to persuade you to get a new block........go for the upgrade....!!!!

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by mr.hidef

Be careful if this happens to you......Sony is now being very strict about this..........hey folks, we did nothing wrong, so don't let Sony try to persuade you to get a new block........go for the upgrade....!!!!

Many owners who opt for the block replacement end up with the same problem shortly thereafter. I have a 70" XBR2 that is still OK, but I only have 3700 hours on it. I know it is just a matter of time before it fails. Absolutely love the TV so far, though; I will not be satisfied with any screen size less than 65". I keep hoping to see the major companies market something worthy that costs less than $5K.

[Josh]

I had my optical block replaced some time back, and it helped the problem, but I'm starting to see some issues pop back up. I may have Best Buy come back out, which would qualify me for the "Lemon" clause and get me some sort of replacement. Not quite willing to give up on my SXRD yet.

[Shu76]

Got my 50 SXRD in January 2006...got stolen Oct 31 2006...very good news about this model I must say!

[GAWD]

Is there a certain date or run of serial #s? How do I know if mine falls into this issue?

[GAWD]

Answered my own questions :

http://sony.ca/view/707.htm
http://sony.ca/view/Television_Bulletins.htm

[solarrdadd]

sorry to hear about the block issue. i bought my Sony RPTV from BB and one of the best things i did was to get that extended warrenty. about a year ago i had to have the optical block in mine replaced. it would have cost $1250.00 out of pocket if i had to pay myself. of course at that time sony would have reimbursed me for that cost under the terms of the class action suit regarding this exact situation.

i don't know how long the suit is good for (coverage wise) so check with sony. but, once i got the block changed and i received the new, upgraded model of the block it's been a thing of beauty! about 5 months ago, i had my lamp go out and under my same warrenty with BB, i got a free lamp change, man with that new block and the new lamp, it looks like a brand new TV, even better than when i first got it. my other lamp lasted for about 3.5yrs and i watch it a lot!

i did also seperately buy a new lamp assembly for a future replacement by myself. it will come in handy should i decide to keep the set for a long period of time or if i should want to sell it, i can advertise it as having a brand new lamp replaced or a brand new lamp available to go with it. here is the info on where to buy it at.

http://www.amatteroffax.com/itempage...ctor-lamp.html



The XL-5200 replacement lamp is designed to replace the original lamp of your Grand WEGA® A Series TV.

Replacement lamp for Grand Wega® A Series TV. Compatible with several models including the KDS-50A2000, KDS-55A2000 and KDS-60A2000.


it cost with shipping under $100.00 and i had it inside of 3 days and it's the complete assembly, unlike some other places where they show you a picture of the complete lamp assembly but just send you the lamp (bulb only) and you have to take apart the old assembly and that could lead to problems. best of luck with your block and hope the info on the bulb might be usefull to you (or any owner) in the future.

keep us posted.

[mr.hidef]

UPDATE: After contacting Sony, they put me in touch with a local repair shop. They will be coming out soon to replace the optical block. They (local shop) told me that they have replaced several of these and they have NEVER had a single call back with any future problems. Sony's replacement blocks are operating correctly, so any replacement should last the life of the set now.

[kingofgrills]

That's great news and very reassuring. I'm glad to hear it's getting upgraded, because it really is a great set.

So, how can you tell when the optical block starts going out? What are the symptoms that are displayed?

The extended warranty runs through June 2010, so it's closing in fast. Mine is not the primary TV, so it has really low hours on it. I'm afraid mine would go out after the extended warranty coverage expires. If I need to, I'd like to get my optical block replaced as soon as I can, if it truly is an upgraded block.

[mr.hidef]

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

That's great news and very reassuring. I'm glad to hear it's getting upgraded, because it really is a great set.

So, how can you tell when the optical block starts going out? What are the symptoms that are displayed?

The extended warranty runs through June 2010, so it's closing in fast. Mine is not the primary TV, so it has really low hours on it. I'm afraid mine would go out after the extended warranty coverage expires. If I need to, I'd like to get my optical block replaced as soon as I can, if it truly is an upgraded block.

You will know it when you start to see green splotches or areas, or the "Green Blob" .....which is a large green orb on your picture.

[quirkmanly]

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

That's great news and very reassuring. I'm glad to hear it's getting upgraded, because it really is a great set.

So, how can you tell when the optical block starts going out? What are the symptoms that are displayed?

The extended warranty runs through June 2010, so it's closing in fast. Mine is not the primary TV, so it has really low hours on it. I'm afraid mine would go out after the extended warranty coverage expires. If I need to, I'd like to get my optical block replaced as soon as I can, if it truly is an upgraded block.

For models KDS-50A3000, KDS-55A3000 and KDS-60A3000 the extended warranty is until June 2011 according to this bulletin.

[badboi]

Originally Posted by mr.hidef

UPDATE: After contacting Sony, they put me in touch with a local repair shop. They will be coming out soon to replace the optical block. They (local shop) told me that they have replaced several of these and they have NEVER had a single call back with any future problems. Sony's replacement blocks are operating correctly, so any replacement should last the life of the set now.

Don't want to pee pee in your cornflakes, BUT, I've had the OB replaced on my set twice (the last one was done 2 days ago). Sony's replacement blocks are NOT operating correctly, and believing that the replacement should last the life of the set is what Sony wants you to believe. It'll probably last about 6 months before you start seeing signs of another bad OB. They are recycling these blocks, and knowing Sony, probably aren't doing much to them other than cleaning them up and slapping them in a box to be sent out to the next person.

Mine was "fixed" again and all was good for one day. Yesterday I fired it up and now I have a black line about 1 inch thick going across the top of the screen. I see shades of green and blue in the corners, and now the remote (the factory one and my Harmony) won't operate the damn thing. The service center is coming back out this week. Good thing I have the extended warranty.

I've had 3 Sony sets. All three gave me problems. I thought when I bought this one that they'd get something right. Apparently not. Never again.

[househead]

Originally Posted by badboi

Don't want to pee pee in your cornflakes, BUT, I've had the OB replaced on my set twice (the last one was done 2 days ago). Sony's replacement blocks are NOT operating correctly, and believing that the replacement should last the life of the set is what Sony wants you to believe. It'll probably last about 6 months before you start seeing signs of another bad OB. They are recycling these blocks, and knowing Sony, probably aren't doing much to them other than cleaning them up and slapping them in a box to be sent out to the next person.

agree 100%

My sister recently had her third one put in - I told her to decline the deal on the panel because the prices were too much for what she needs. Plus she's tight on $ now. Figured it would last her another year and we could look for something else in late 2010. WRONG!

This latest one was put in right after the summer and it's already started showing a yellow haze in spots, which will eventually turn to green or purple like the last one did.

It's sad. I feel for all you guys with the problem.

[solarrdadd]

WoW, sorry to hear about the OB replacement failures. who did the installs? mine was done by BB Geek Squad under my extended warrenty and it was a year ago and so far no problems. had the same guy do my lamp replacement (my original lamp lasted 3.5 years) about 3 - 6 months ago and everythings like new. perhaps it's the installers and not the OB? mind you it could be a bad batch of OB's too!

[mr.hidef]

UPDATE:
The optical block has been replaced and all is well......whew! SXRD looks better now than it did even before the old block started to go....