Image Retention Burn-In

[ParishM]

Be careful leaving your tv on too much when the uverse box is in standby. the blue screen with swirling circles will definitely cause burn-in and ruin your tv ! my beautiful 70" Sony is now ruined ! they need to change the default standby to a solid color ! not a single problem after 5yrs with Dish Network and in 3 months with UVERSE it's ruined.

[hpmsrm]

Not much info. provided.  What kind of screen does your Sony have?  If it is plasma, earlier models of this type had burn in problems.  It's my understanding that newer plasmas do not suffer from burn-in.   I have a Sony 55" SXRD.  Have had it for almost 6 years.  Never had a burn-in problem. During the first couple of years Sony had problems with weird color stains showing up on the screens of the SXRD models.  The company replaced the main guts of ours 3 different times under warranty.  We've no further problem.  That was Sony's defect to deal with....not caused by U-verse.  But then we don't leave the STB on standby for extended periods of time.  In my opinion....LCD screens do not suffer from burn-in no matter how  long it sets with the same image showing.  My desktop PC with a 20" LCD screen will be turned on all day with the Windows desktop and its resident icons displaying.  Never had a burn in problem.

[SomeJoe7777 ACE - Geek]

I agree with hpmsrm -- if your Sony is an SXRD model from 2007 or earlier, this is likely the well-known Sony optical block issue.

Sony had several class-action lawsuits filed against them and they settled by extending the warranty of dozens of models for 2 additional years beyond the manufacturer warranty. During those periods, Sony would replace the optical block for free under the warranty.

However, the last of those extended warranties expired in 2011.

See the following for a large write up of the problems, warranties, and symptoms:

https://sites.google.com/site/sonylcdrptvproblems/

Edit: By the look of your TV in your picture and your statement that it is a Sony 70", I surmise the model may be the KDS-R70XBR2, which is a 2006 Grand Wega SXRD model that was indeed a model covered by these lawsuits and therefore has a questionable optical block.

[hpmsrm]

Good research, S.J.    Indeed....that extended warranty was a life saver for us.   But it has now been 3 or 4 years since our last replacement of the optical assembly and everything is still working just great.  No colorations or stains on the screen at all.  My brother-in-law and his wife have one just like ours but it was a 2007 model and they never had any problems.

We're still using our SXRD several hours a day and it is still one of the best HD pictures I've seen.  Like you....I'm convinced that proper calibration by the new owner is absolutely the best way to get the best image quality.

That photo by the OP looks like the problem the defective optical blocks were causing.  If that is the case he might as well start shopping.  That optical block was a $1,200 item and the warranty extension period has expired....as you indicated.

[SomeJoe7777 ACE - Geek]

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hpmsrm wrote:

That photo by the OP looks like the problem the defective optical blocks were causing.  If that is the case he might as well start shopping.  That optical block was a $1,200 item and the warranty extension period has expired....as you indicated.

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Fortunately for him, there is another option.

https://sites.google.com/site/sonylcdrptvproblems/sonykdf-55wf655opticalblockreplacement#TOC-Third-p...

There are at least two 3rd-party companies that will rebuild the optical block for $250 - $300.  However, that is only for rebuilding the block itself (you send them your broken one, they send you a rebuilt one).  You will have to remove and reinstall the optical block yourself, or have a repair service do it for you.  The TV will also need to be recalibrated when the new one is installed.  If you can't do all of that yourself, you're probably looking at adding $300 - $400 in labor/calibration to the cost, so a total of around $700.

Indeed, you can get a quite good quality LCD TV for that price, although it won't match the picture quality of the SXRD.

My TV is the KDS-55A3000, a 2007 Bravia SXRD model.  I have not had any issues with the optical block on mine, and indeed you hear about a lot fewer problems with the 2007 models.  I have two spare bulbs for it, and I'm going to run it until it can't run anymore, because there's no TV on the market that can approach it's picture quality.  Unfortunately, if the optical block does die on this one, the 2007 models are the ones that you have no recourse for -- the third-party rebuilders above won't rebuild 2007 model optical blocks, and new ones are impossible to find, even if you wanted to pay the outrageous pricing.  If a 2007 model goes at this point, it's done.

[BeeBeeSA ACE - Wizard]

Just received this Friday via email from Sony: (My model in red)

Notice Regarding Sony Bravia LCD TV Models KDL52Z5100 and KDL52XBR9

Dear Valued Customer:

Sony has identified a limited number of 52” BRAVIA LCD televisions (Affected Models listed above) which may develop picture anomalies on the screen related to the LCD panel.

As part of our commitment to quality, under the terms of the limited warranty included with the product, Sony will replace or exchange the panel or television for any Affected Model experiencing picture anomalies due to LCD panel failure through March 31, 2014. Please note that except as set forth in this announcement the terms of the Sony limited warranty for these products continue to apply.

In addition, customers who paid out of pocket to repair the LCD panel due to picture anomalies on one of the Affected Models prior to the date of this announcement may be eligible to be reimbursed by mail for parts and labor expenses. To receive reimbursement, please complete and submit the reimbursement claim form that can be found at http://esupport.sony.com/US/p/support-info.pl?info_id=1141 ; all claims must be postmarked by November 30, 2012. See claim form for complete terms and conditions.

Please contact Sony at (888) 649-7669 if you own one of the Affected Models, and believe that your television is experiencing the symptoms as specified above. If a panel failure is confirmed, the appropriate arrangements will be made to address the issue.



Sincerely,


Tim Brison, Senior Vice President
Post-Sales Support and Promotions
Sony Electronics, Inc.

I have no idea what picture anomalies they are referring to.  Be nice to know what they mean.  Then I guess if I haven't noticed anything I shouldn't worry?