So I noticed something recently on my lovely Sony 36" Direct View set. In 480p mode (and only in 480p mode), there seems to be a bright bar across the bottom 1/8 of the screen. Its not even all the way across, mostly in the middle. Its just like the picture is brighter in the area. I assumed it was burn in, but it simply isn't there in 480i mode, and not in 1080i either(although I don't think that part of the screen is active with the vertical squeeze on).

Anyways can anyone give me some suggestions? Is it just burn in and I am screwed? Or is something the matter with my 480p mode? I love this set and I have tried to take care of it... I am not even sure where the burn in would have come from.

Shameless self bump here. I apologize if my description was too colloquial, but this is a big deal for me :( . If more description is needed please let me know. If anyone can at least point me in the right direction that would be a huge help, thanks!

Did you try some Google searches with you model number and some terms describing the symptoms?

You might also post this over at the Agoraquest.com Television Troubleshooting forum:

http://agoraquest.com/viewforum.php?forum=34

Good luck!

What is your source for 480p? I wouldn't rule out the 480p source as the problem, until you've tried a second one.