BobMurdoch
06-20-03, 12:48 PM
FYI,
I thought I would share my experiences with a problem I've experienced in case it has hooked anyone else. I've got a KP57WV600 which started showing symptoms of this condition about a month ago. At first I thought it was my 721 flaking out, but then I noticed that it was happening when I turned the brightness all the way up on the TV and all input devices were shut down.
http://products.sel.sony.com/SEL/service/conselec/news/flicker.shtml
PJTV "Flicker" Issue Positioning Statement and Q&A
January 17th, 2003
Sony received reports of flickering on select rear projection TV models and immediately started an investigation. Sony’s engineering team found that in a small percentage of sets (less than 1%) made with impregnated cathode CRTs, the material used to impregnate the cathode may attach itself to another section of the electron gun and cause a mild brightness fluctuation or change in hue.
Once this problem was diagnosed, Sony published a Service Fix for this issue and authorized Sony Service Centers and Authorized Service Centers to make modifications and replace all 3 CRTs in affected units at no cost to the consumer in order to resolve the issue. In addition, a change to the manufacturing line was made to ensure that current units do not experience this problem.
If a consumer is experiencing this symptom, contact Sony Call Center (800-222-SONY) to schedule a service call. Sony has extended the warranty on these models for this issue and is working with authorized service centers, providing all current information for the repair as well as assisting them in ordering the parts beforehand, so the repair can be completed in one call.
Q&A
Q1: Which models are affected with the "flicker" problem?
A1: There are 12 models in total: KDP57XBR2, KDP65XBR2, KP46WT500, KP51HW40, KP51WS500, KP57HW40, KP57WS500, KP57WV600, KP57WV700, KP65WS500, KP65WV600 and KP65WV700.
Q2: Why is this happening and what are the symptoms?
A2: In a small percentage (less than 1%) of sets made with impregnated cathode CRTs, after approximately 5 months of use, the material used to impregnate the cathode may attach itself to another section of the electron gun and cause a mild brightness fluctuation or change in hue. Sony has been using impregnated cathodes in these models since this type of cathode provide excellent benefits, such as longer CRT life and brighter pictures.
Q3: How are you addressing this problem and is there a permanent solution?
A3: Sony published a Service Fix for this issue and forwarded it to authorized Sony Service Centers and Authorized Service Centers, authorizing them to make modifications and replace all 3 CRTs to resolve this issue at no charge to customers, even if this problem arises outside of the limited warranty period.
In addition, a change to the manufacturing line was made to ensure that current units do not experience this problem. Sony has been monitoring this issue for the last few months via reports from our Customer Call Center and our Warranty Department. Also, this issue is unique in that it is self-correcting and will actually resolve the flicker over a period of time (about after 2000 hours).
Q4: What should consumers do if their sets show these symptoms?
A4: Consumers experiencing this symptom should contact the Sony Call Center to schedule a service call. Sony is working with our nationwide network of independent servicers, providing all the current information for the repair as well as assisting them in ordering the parts beforehand, so the repair can be completed in one call.
Q5: Approximately, how many sets are experiencing this problem?
A5: Our analysis showed that the total number (service calls vs. sales) of these models experiencing this problem is extremely low, well below 1%.
Q6: Will there be a recall of these models?
A6: No recall is necessary since the total number of models with this issue is very low, and any models experiencing this problem are fixed under warranty at no charge to the customer.
Q7: What if the warranty has expired? Will consumers have to pay for all or any part of the repair?
A7: Sony has extended the limited warranty on these models for repairs of the flicker issue, which will be free of charge.
END OF ARTICLE
They tried to take me through a bunch of nonsense adjustments until I cut them short and read them the "positioning statement". He quickly backed down and arranged to have a local repairman come and replace all three guns. The parts are on order and I should have them replaced next week after they come in.
I thought I would share my experiences with a problem I've experienced in case it has hooked anyone else. I've got a KP57WV600 which started showing symptoms of this condition about a month ago. At first I thought it was my 721 flaking out, but then I noticed that it was happening when I turned the brightness all the way up on the TV and all input devices were shut down.
http://products.sel.sony.com/SEL/service/conselec/news/flicker.shtml
PJTV "Flicker" Issue Positioning Statement and Q&A
January 17th, 2003
Sony received reports of flickering on select rear projection TV models and immediately started an investigation. Sony’s engineering team found that in a small percentage of sets (less than 1%) made with impregnated cathode CRTs, the material used to impregnate the cathode may attach itself to another section of the electron gun and cause a mild brightness fluctuation or change in hue.
Once this problem was diagnosed, Sony published a Service Fix for this issue and authorized Sony Service Centers and Authorized Service Centers to make modifications and replace all 3 CRTs in affected units at no cost to the consumer in order to resolve the issue. In addition, a change to the manufacturing line was made to ensure that current units do not experience this problem.
If a consumer is experiencing this symptom, contact Sony Call Center (800-222-SONY) to schedule a service call. Sony has extended the warranty on these models for this issue and is working with authorized service centers, providing all current information for the repair as well as assisting them in ordering the parts beforehand, so the repair can be completed in one call.
Q&A
Q1: Which models are affected with the "flicker" problem?
A1: There are 12 models in total: KDP57XBR2, KDP65XBR2, KP46WT500, KP51HW40, KP51WS500, KP57HW40, KP57WS500, KP57WV600, KP57WV700, KP65WS500, KP65WV600 and KP65WV700.
Q2: Why is this happening and what are the symptoms?
A2: In a small percentage (less than 1%) of sets made with impregnated cathode CRTs, after approximately 5 months of use, the material used to impregnate the cathode may attach itself to another section of the electron gun and cause a mild brightness fluctuation or change in hue. Sony has been using impregnated cathodes in these models since this type of cathode provide excellent benefits, such as longer CRT life and brighter pictures.
Q3: How are you addressing this problem and is there a permanent solution?
A3: Sony published a Service Fix for this issue and forwarded it to authorized Sony Service Centers and Authorized Service Centers, authorizing them to make modifications and replace all 3 CRTs to resolve this issue at no charge to customers, even if this problem arises outside of the limited warranty period.
In addition, a change to the manufacturing line was made to ensure that current units do not experience this problem. Sony has been monitoring this issue for the last few months via reports from our Customer Call Center and our Warranty Department. Also, this issue is unique in that it is self-correcting and will actually resolve the flicker over a period of time (about after 2000 hours).
Q4: What should consumers do if their sets show these symptoms?
A4: Consumers experiencing this symptom should contact the Sony Call Center to schedule a service call. Sony is working with our nationwide network of independent servicers, providing all the current information for the repair as well as assisting them in ordering the parts beforehand, so the repair can be completed in one call.
Q5: Approximately, how many sets are experiencing this problem?
A5: Our analysis showed that the total number (service calls vs. sales) of these models experiencing this problem is extremely low, well below 1%.
Q6: Will there be a recall of these models?
A6: No recall is necessary since the total number of models with this issue is very low, and any models experiencing this problem are fixed under warranty at no charge to the customer.
Q7: What if the warranty has expired? Will consumers have to pay for all or any part of the repair?
A7: Sony has extended the limited warranty on these models for repairs of the flicker issue, which will be free of charge.
END OF ARTICLE
They tried to take me through a bunch of nonsense adjustments until I cut them short and read them the "positioning statement". He quickly backed down and arranged to have a local repairman come and replace all three guns. The parts are on order and I should have them replaced next week after they come in.