Sony XBR-4..I Think it's dying. please look

[davidxiphoid]

Hi everyone,

So I have a Sony XBR-4 that is less than 2 years old . 22 months to be exact. Yesterday morning I turned it on and noticed dark bands across half the screen and flickering. I assumed it was the Dish HD acting crazy, turned everything off and back on again with no issues.

THIS morning same thing, except I now think it's the TV because I have my Dish dvr hooked up with component, and two different PS3's hooked up by HDMI and all 3 are giving me the same result. I'll post pictures below. It's especially noticeable in photo 2 which is an HD station from my Dish DVRm

Anyone have any ideas on what is wrong and what I have to do or call to correct this?? Is my TV in fact dying? Thanks in advance guys...

[Moefiz]

Make that phone call to Sony, see if they can send a tech out to look at it.

[davidxiphoid]

Just placed the call. Supposed to call me back within 4 hrs to set up an appt.

Thank god for extended warrantys. Funny thing is I have NEVER purchased the extended warranty for anything I buy. but for what I paid for this thing when I bought it, I figured an extra $225 for 4 years was worth it, but never assumed I would ever actually have use for it. Really glad I had that second thought. I can't imagine how livid I would be without one. it also figures I just made the last payment on it 2 weeks ago. Live and learn.

[davidxiphoid]

so much for that stellar sony customer service. Originally I was told I would only have to wait 4-5 hrs for a call back for someone to schedule an appt.

SO I wait 5 hrs.. No call. I call back just minutes ago and was told "oh that was a mistake, that's how it used to be but it's now 2-3 business days. I don't know why that 5 hr thing is still in the system" GREAT... so know I have a blown out TV that I have to wait up to 3 days for someone to call just to make an appt to LOOK at the tv, then god knows how long for it to actually be fixed.

Anyone have previous experience with Sony and their warrantys ? How long in reality am I looking to go without a tv? a month? Longer?

[blarneyrubble]

I use to sell these TV's and have seen more than one do the same thing. It was a store display and I would do a reset on it and it would go away until the next morning when we turned it on again. The display was never worked on and it finally died.

Good thing you got that warranty!

[Blu Ballz]

this can happens when u have video input hooked up wrong for a long period of time.

[davidxiphoid]

Well as far as video inputs I only have my 2 ps3's hooked using hdmi and my dish HD hooked up via component. Can't imagine I messed that up

[spcamaj]

Sorry to hear that.... Look at the bright side Sony is coming out with the XBR10 this month.

[SDBlu]

That bites bro! Keep us posted on how the process goes for your repair. I have the same tv and got it around the same time as you. Luckily mine is still working perfect.

[mike79]

I had problems with an XBR2 and all I can say is keep calling. After a month of fighting they sent me a new one.

[davidxiphoid]

UPDATE: STILL no call from Sony, But the good news is my TV started working again last night right in time for hockey. after leaving it on for 20 min it just corrected itself automatically. Turned it on this morning and no problems.

Still thats a bad sign right? I'm wondering if I should even deal with having someone come out and take a look until it starts doing what it was doing again. I've heard that most techs will literally turn it on and if it's working corrctly, despite any phot or video evidence ( I taped the problem with my camcorder last night before it corrected itself) will just say "nothing I can do"

[SDBlu]

Well, hopefully it doesn't mess up again, but I would still set up the appointment. Have the tech come out and show him your pics and footage. Can't hurt.

GOOD LUCK

[milner828]

I have the same tv please keep us posted on this one......I haven't had any troubles yet (knock on wood) but I love this tv....would like to get a new one but as of right now mine is still kicking a**

[davidxiphoid]

Originally Posted by milner828

I have the same tv please keep us posted on this one......I haven't had any troubles yet (knock on wood) but I love this tv....would like to get a new one but as of right now mine is still kicking a**

I love the TV too which is why I freaked out when weird things started happeneing. SO far so good though. I did finally get a call from the tech/repair service and they seemed really cool about the whole thing.

I also did a BBB search on the company and they have an 'A' rating and 99% glowing customer reviews. Owner said they would prefer to come out when the TV is actually on the fritz and said they would put my name and repair order # from Sony in their system so that when, and if, my TV does start freaking out again, I can call them directly and not go through Sony's hassle.

I'll update if I need to. Keep your fingers crossed!

[franklinpross]

I'm sorry you have this problem. my XBR 2 has been a dream for two and a half years . .I did not chose to buy ANY warranties . .so if it goes Ka-Pooey
I'l shed a tear and move on to the XBR 10 or XBR 11.. probably 3 months later.

Did you buy it originally at a dealer? or ONLINE? .. or what?. Before I purchased mine I checked EVERYTHING including serial numbers and BUILD DATES and ASSEMBLY LOCATIONS . . . who's to say if it helped or not..
but I (thank GOD) have not had a day of aggravation. (yet)
Once I do , I'll give it to a hospital, let THEM fix it and let them display it in a waiting room somewhere.

I just can't toss it out. I'll go visit it when I get sick.

GOOD LUCK!!!!! and don't fret the small stuff . . .hammer it to death

[edubb5]

Man I had the SONY XBR4 for a year until I sold it and went to a plasma. You should put it up for sale! Someone will buy it.. And get you a new one. Sorry for that man!!

[milner828]

Originally Posted by edubb5

Man I had the SONY XBR4 for a year until I sold it and went to a plasma. You should put it up for sale! Someone will buy it.. And get you a new one. Sorry for that man!!

Curious to know how much you got for your tv? if you don't mind

[franklinpross]

any new word from SONY yet. Did they set up an appoinment ?

A subcontracter will take the call. They are affiliated with SONY. Please report
how they treated you.

Thanks.

[DeeChizzle]

Originally Posted by edubb5

Man I had the SONY XBR4 for a year until I sold it and went to a plasma. You should put it up for sale! Someone will buy it.. And get you a new one. Sorry for that man!!

Exactly why I warn all my friends not to buy used TV's on craiglists.

[davidxiphoid]

SO I finally got a tech to come out and look at it. Took longer than expected because it was so intermittent a problem and the tech said it would be best to see it in person (makes sense i guess). Literally stopped having a problem for about 10 days, then last week started doing it on a daily basis once more.

This time I also took video of it as well as more pics just in case it stopped doing it yet again. Well it didn't act up at all yesterday, tech appt was for today. I turned on the TV for the first time all day as the tech was standing right in front of it and it fired up regularly. Luckily within a minute of him starng at it, it did decide to go crazy.

Tech immediately called it on having a bad panel (panels)? and said it def needed to be replaced. He said he had to place a call to SONY and let them know what needed to be done and then 1 0f 2 things will happen.

1. They ok the repair, he orders new panels and replaces them, which he says takes about an hour.

or

2. They deem the repair too expensive and have them write a check for me to get a new TV.

So now I wait. Should know within a few days what is to be done.