jsaour
01-26-09, 12:17 PM
I’m trying to decide if my Sony KDL-40Z4100 is defective and if I should return it.
The problem is a shimmering aura which spreads out from lettering which is superimposed on the picture; The problem is the same whether the lettering is stationary or moving, such as rolling credits. It is glaringly obvious when the lettering is solid white and on a light background. The aura looks like a series of squiggle lines and large dots. There is a shadow around each block of lettering also. The letters do not appear to be solidly in focus. (I have seen this same effect at Best Buy and noticed that the adjacent TV’s do not have the problem; they show the letters as unshimmering solid letters with no aura spreading into the rest of the picture. Best Buy says the problem is that 120hz is too fast for the 60hz signal/programming and that is the reason for the aura.) I had the same aura with lettering on the previews from a DVD, when the previews were viewed on Sony’s BluRay S550- the machine was connected with an HDMI cable
In addition, I notice that a person’s face goes out of focus, or appears blocky, when the face is small (around one to two inches) and near the center of the screen, about one-third down from the top. I notice this because when the face is large, there is no problem, and if there are three people in a scene, the two on either side seem more in focus. I went to a Sears store and saw similar out of focus issues on the Sony Z and Samsung 650 in the same area of the screen.
I called Sony numerous times and they told me the firmware update should resolve these problems. I downloaded the update and ran the update on my TV. I believe the size of the lettering auras have tightened up considerably, but are still shimmering and I still have the out of focus or blocky faces as described above. At first the lettering did not improve on the DVD, but I noticed that Nichole Kidman’s eyes were no longer brilliant blue. I tried the same DVD in my upconverting Sony DVD player, where the previews don’t show, and then back to the Blu Ray.
On broadcast cable television through the digital box, I see now no differences when I change the Motion Enhancer between off, standard and high. The HD programs look fabulous, but the standard definition programs and channels look worse than before. They were very good prior to the firmware upgrade.
My input is a digital cable box and I have already had the cable company check that there is nothing wrong with their cable to the house. They also tell me their cable box is fine because the clock registers the correct time – no other analysis was done on the box. The cable technician did see when the clarity of one of the broadcast channels suddenly appeared worse on the TV. I did notice a couple times that the cable signal froze and pixilated after I did the update. I’m sure it has nothing to do with the update, but am not concerned the cable technician’s assessment of the cable connection may not be accurate.
I have tried using component cables and HDMI cable, category 2. Both displayed the same resolution, clarity, etc. I’ve tried turning on and off Cinemotion and Motion Enhancer at all options available. In the house, we have the opportunity for 3 cable connections, only two are connected to televisions and only the Sony is turned on.
The problem is a shimmering aura which spreads out from lettering which is superimposed on the picture; The problem is the same whether the lettering is stationary or moving, such as rolling credits. It is glaringly obvious when the lettering is solid white and on a light background. The aura looks like a series of squiggle lines and large dots. There is a shadow around each block of lettering also. The letters do not appear to be solidly in focus. (I have seen this same effect at Best Buy and noticed that the adjacent TV’s do not have the problem; they show the letters as unshimmering solid letters with no aura spreading into the rest of the picture. Best Buy says the problem is that 120hz is too fast for the 60hz signal/programming and that is the reason for the aura.) I had the same aura with lettering on the previews from a DVD, when the previews were viewed on Sony’s BluRay S550- the machine was connected with an HDMI cable
In addition, I notice that a person’s face goes out of focus, or appears blocky, when the face is small (around one to two inches) and near the center of the screen, about one-third down from the top. I notice this because when the face is large, there is no problem, and if there are three people in a scene, the two on either side seem more in focus. I went to a Sears store and saw similar out of focus issues on the Sony Z and Samsung 650 in the same area of the screen.
I called Sony numerous times and they told me the firmware update should resolve these problems. I downloaded the update and ran the update on my TV. I believe the size of the lettering auras have tightened up considerably, but are still shimmering and I still have the out of focus or blocky faces as described above. At first the lettering did not improve on the DVD, but I noticed that Nichole Kidman’s eyes were no longer brilliant blue. I tried the same DVD in my upconverting Sony DVD player, where the previews don’t show, and then back to the Blu Ray.
On broadcast cable television through the digital box, I see now no differences when I change the Motion Enhancer between off, standard and high. The HD programs look fabulous, but the standard definition programs and channels look worse than before. They were very good prior to the firmware upgrade.
My input is a digital cable box and I have already had the cable company check that there is nothing wrong with their cable to the house. They also tell me their cable box is fine because the clock registers the correct time – no other analysis was done on the box. The cable technician did see when the clarity of one of the broadcast channels suddenly appeared worse on the TV. I did notice a couple times that the cable signal froze and pixilated after I did the update. I’m sure it has nothing to do with the update, but am not concerned the cable technician’s assessment of the cable connection may not be accurate.
I have tried using component cables and HDMI cable, category 2. Both displayed the same resolution, clarity, etc. I’ve tried turning on and off Cinemotion and Motion Enhancer at all options available. In the house, we have the opportunity for 3 cable connections, only two are connected to televisions and only the Sony is turned on.