A couple pix,.... kinda hard to see. Anyone seen anything like this before?
Is my Sony GWIII getting ready to die?
So,...I've had this Sony KF-50WE610 since Oct '03. Did not have a lot of the issues many others who bought this had,... though I am on my 3rd lamp. Recently though I have really begun to notice some red spots,... I started seeing them,... oh maybe a year ago, but usually only when there was a bright white background. Now I'm starting to see them on just about any lightly colored background.
These are translucent pinkish red spots that are about Quarter to Half-Dollar size. They started off on the right side of the screen and still are but, there are more and more everyime I turn around.
Any thoughts or ideas about what may be causing this????
These are translucent pinkish red spots that are about Quarter to Half-Dollar size. They started off on the right side of the screen and still are but, there are more and more everyime I turn around.
Any thoughts or ideas about what may be causing this????
1 - 20 of 36 Posts
Looks like dust in the optical path in the light engine. A complete dissassembly and cleaning is likely needed.
Uh huh,... so is this something a novice like me could do?
If you are the kind of person who could take a clock apart and put it back together and have it work properly, then perhaps. The optical path can be fragile, but if one is careful and diligent, there is not a lot to it other than figuring out how to take it apart and put it back together exactly as it started out.
Unless something has suddenly changed in your environment it is not likely dust could be accumulating so quickly.
Another thing you can do is remove the lamp assembly, and with clean aerosol lab air, do a few short blasts (not too close), inside the cavity, and maybe through some holes in the back of the case, using the thin nozzle supplied, and see if the spots change in location or quantity. If no difference, I would suspect the 'engine' over dust.
Another thing you can do is remove the lamp assembly, and with clean aerosol lab air, do a few short blasts (not too close), inside the cavity, and maybe through some holes in the back of the case, using the thin nozzle supplied, and see if the spots change in location or quantity. If no difference, I would suspect the 'engine' over dust.
Sony describes exactly this symptom as a result of dust. Dust accumulates constantly in all light engines. As oils from the air collect on the optical path parts, dust begins to collect more rapidly and in a manner that is not necessarily randomly distributed. There could certainly be a problem with the filters or panels in the optics block, but the first thing to look for is dust with this symptom. If you don't clean it the probability of developing a problem becomes much higher.
Don't suppose a couple blasts of compressed air would be a good idea? Though about it,...then thought better of it :scratchhead:
Compressed air does sound scary.. I was thinking something fairly low pressure just to see if there is a difference.Don't suppose a couple blasts of compressed air would be a good idea? Though about it,...then thought better of it :scratchhead:
I have the next gen display probably only about a year newer, GWIV, I imagine the 'optic path' is quite similar.
One thing I try to do on a regular basis is vacuum behind the display to keep dust from accumulating and migrating to the inside the cabinet.
I've opened mine before from the front (imagine a clamshell) to install an ND filter over the lens, but that's another story. FWIW I used some canned air around the 'area' like a light dusting. March 08 will be 4 years, and other than the silhouette of a spider I saw on occasion for about a week last summer, so far no 'dust bunnies'.
The difficulty is getting to the areas that need cleaning. You have to take the light engine out and take it apart.
Certainly, and not for the less than technically adept individuals equipped with a service manual.The difficulty is getting to the areas that need cleaning. You have to take the light engine out and take it apart.
Hmmmm,... I am usually pretty mechanically adept, but I dunno about this "light engine". Internal combustion engine? No problem.
Maybe I better just start looking around for a good service tech in my area?
Maybe I better just start looking around for a good service tech in my area?
Probably best with an authorized Sony service shop. In any event I would get 2 or 3 estimates on the 'cleaning'. If they don't know what you are talking about, you can eliminate them straight off.Hmmmm,... I am usually pretty mechanically adept, but I dunno about this "light engine". Internal combustion engine? No problem.
Maybe I better just start looking around for a good service tech in my area?
"Light Engine" is a convenient and generic description for what constitutes, the lamp, an optic block with the LCD panels, and the projection lens system.
Here's a good source of tech info that is moderated by real TV techs and calibration experts. You might get additional advice there. Let us know your experience!
http://www.keohi.com/keohihdtv/
Well, the boys came and picked it up day before yesterday. Have not heard anything from them yet. Then yesterday the wife and I decided to get a couple movies (one for the kids - Underdog, and one for us - 3:10 to Yuma). Didn't dawn on me till she got home with them,... I ain't got my Sony to watch 'em on. :hissyfit: Pulled the old 32" 4:3 Panny CRT out of the bedroom, but have not been able to bring myself to watch a movie on it,....yet. I did break out Avia and set it up. Suprisingly nice picture when watching HD content even though it is only a 480i set (though it does have component inputs), it really suprised me with the quality of the picture. Looks like it has a really weak power supply or some other issue. There is a noticable bend in verticle lines and settin white level is about impossible. Can't even see the moving black bars no matter what the Picture or Brightness settings.
Well, Superbowl Sunday is upon us,.... and no word on the GWIII :foottap:
Too bad I don't have another big screen, or even HD. Ah well, what's a guy to do. At least the old Panny does have a good picture.
Too bad I don't have another big screen, or even HD. Ah well, what's a guy to do. At least the old Panny does have a good picture.
Update: Been almost three weeks, it is a light engine problem and not just dust. The hold up appears to be the shop,...apparently they are in discussions (and trying to persuade Sony to cover the repairs). Dunno exactly what the problem is as I called a couple minutes before they closed and was unable to speak to a tech. I'll have to keep my fingers crossed that Sony will cover it, or I'll be shopping for a replacement.
Anyone know off hand what I could expect to pay if Sony doesn't come through? I'm thinking anything more than $300-$400 I'll just live with it or buy something new. Looks like I can get a new Sony equivalent (KDS-50A3000) for about 1/2 ($1499) of what I paid for this one ($3199) plus get 1080p, a built in HD tuner, HDMI and a number of other features.
Anyone know off hand what I could expect to pay if Sony doesn't come through? I'm thinking anything more than $300-$400 I'll just live with it or buy something new. Looks like I can get a new Sony equivalent (KDS-50A3000) for about 1/2 ($1499) of what I paid for this one ($3199) plus get 1080p, a built in HD tuner, HDMI and a number of other features.
Sony said no :crying: Got an estimate for repairs,.... $900 :sad: Personally I don't think it's worth fixing for that kinda cash. Picture is getting dim also,.... anyone with any tip or tricks to help this thing last a little longer? Service menu tweaks?
An aged bulb is the most likely reason for the 'dimness'.
that's easy enough to fix yourself.
About $200 unless you find one cheaper online..(usually around $160-170).
Of course, you can apply that to a new display along with the $900. At $1400 you would only need a couple of hundred to make up the difference for what you would have spent to fix the old one.
But keep in mind, Sony is getting out of the rear-projection market. Mostly LCDs from now on.
that's easy enough to fix yourself.
About $200 unless you find one cheaper online..(usually around $160-170).
Of course, you can apply that to a new display along with the $900. At $1400 you would only need a couple of hundred to make up the difference for what you would have spent to fix the old one.
But keep in mind, Sony is getting out of the rear-projection market. Mostly LCDs from now on.
Yup, (I'm already on my third lamp) but I hate to spend ~$200 for a new lamp,... I'd imagine it would just make the red spot problem that much more noticeable plus I may as well just add that cash to the new TV fund :yay:
Though I gotta say I'm a bit disappointed $3200 and it barely made it 4 years :sad2:
Though I gotta say I'm a bit disappointed $3200 and it barely made it 4 years :sad2:
Hmmm,.... been a year since I started this thread and it still has not died yet. Picture is getting dimmer. It is also getting blurry, that is new,... HD has been excellent on this set but now,... not so great.
Maybe I'll get to buy a new set,... one of these days.
raying:
Maybe I'll get to buy a new set,... one of these days.
raying:1 - 20 of 36 Posts
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