After reading through various posts concerning "dead pixels" on the sony sxrd TVs (or probably any other rear projection lcd), it would seem I, too, have 2 dirt specs in my display. One is darker than the other and neither can be seen more than a few feet away. I also have a couple a places that look like a piece of lint is trapped (these you can't see more than 5 or so inches from the screen - if that).

Anyway, my question is - could this condition get worse? My house is on the dusty side. Do particles of dust tend to build up over time, or is my unit adequately sealed and any current debris should be the only debris?

2nd question: The Sony manual says 1 or 2 dark spots is normal (page 59), but is cleaning the screens something unheard of - or just rare? I've read some of you have done it, but it seems to be on the involved side.

I don't want to give the impression on my 3rd post that I'm the pickiest guy in the world - I'm not at all. This is my first RPTV and I'm just a n00b who is continually worried that something is wrong when I'm hopefully seeing things that "just happen to some people".

thanks for your patience.

I would guess that how much dirt you get depends on your environment.

If you want to make sure it's only dirt and nothing more serious, you need to display a simple test pattern that fills the entire screen with each color (red, green, blue) and black. Since each color is separate, anything stuck on will show on the black screen and anything stuck off will show up on its appropriate color screen. If something shows up on all 3 colors, than either you are ridiculously unlucky or it's dirt on the screen or lens.