First post

Second Post

Third post.

Hopefully some good folks here can help me out. I tried to include as much relevant information as possible.

WEGA KF-42WE610

Manufacturing Date: 08/2004

Purchase Date: 10/2004

Referencing information from the following link.

http://splinke.googlepages.com/sonyrearprojectionlcdtv-opticalblock

2003-2004 Grand Wega models: purple "fingerprints"

There are limited reports of this anomaly on some KF-60WE610 and KDF-50WE655 models, although it could be more widespread.

Probable cause of purple fingerprints: This problem may arise due to dust build-up in the optical block on a mirror, filter, or LCD panel. The optical block is not a sealed unit, so dust can freely enter the LCD area (see photos elsewhere). There is some evidence that this problem can be resolved by blowing compressed air into the optical block to remove the dust. However, it is more likely that the optical block will have to be replaced and then disassembled for cleaning due to the complexity.

I have a Sony WEGA KF-42WE610 model with the exact problem (2003-2004 Grand Wega models: purple "fingerprints") described in the article and shown in the attached pictures. I called Sony a few months ago, and their technical support was not sufficient to indicate the resolve the problem (They asked I unplug the television for 30 minutes, that was the extent of their troubleshooting). No big deal, they gave me the phone #'s of several authorized repair shops. After the first call, the diagnosis could not be determined over the phone and the service call would be out of pocket unless it was determined the optical block was the problem. No estimate was offered if it was a dust problem that required cleaning. Like many others, I am in difficult position to pay for expensive repairs for a set that I paid over $2700 about three years ago. I do anticipate a bulb replacement will be in the near future, but I did account for that at the time of purchase (now I am curious if the bulb is part of a new optical block replacement). My question, how do I get Sony to fix this problem, which I do feel is a manufacturing/design flaw. Could this, or should this fall into the optical block problem that Sony has acknowledged, and if so how do I communicate the information to an authorized repair service so they will be most likely fix the problem.

This is a photo of the problem. Pictures don't really describe the problem as accurately as viewing it in person. Very distracting!

Note: This is a picture of the sky, the color gradient in the sky is normal, but the blotches are not!

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/9739/sonyzq2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


FYI: I did reference this article, and read of some other problems that might be described as similar, but thought a new thread would better address the issue.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=638845&highlight=kf-42we610

Also, here is a link to the Sony e-support site

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/news-item.pl?mdl=KF42WE610&news_id=237

I have a KDF-55XS955. With one finger print as you describe. Obviously I'm concerned with the reported optical block problem. Looks like warranty goes through June of 08'. If Sony acknowledges defect shouldn't they replace regardless if there is a problem. With my luck this T.V. will take a crap this fall after the warranty period.

I have the same problem with my KDF-50WE655 and a little yellow printing at the top. I have already filed a compaint with sony but only the blue dot is covered. They took my complaint and gave me a reference number, but when I called the local sony repair rep he said I would have to pay $150.00 for his diagnosis and according to him it doesnt sound, with our problem, that it will be the blue dot syndrome covered by sonys extended warranty. He said it is not dust and that the light engine is causing the problem. Well I told him to not worry about coming to tell me this. I have read some posts in her, particularly from jehill that describes how he and his son cleaned their optical block, I think I might try that.

Sorry for not replying earlier, I am now subscribed to this thread. I am glad I am not the only one with this problem, I guess....

Has anyone else had this problem? I can count nearly a hundred small and larger "fingerprints". If you look closely at the image I posted it is obvious (this is a digital photo of the tv, not the best...). If anyone has had this problem solved by convincing Sony (or an authorized repair shop) to cover it, or even if it was fixed out of pocket by replacement or a professional cleaning, please let me know. I do think it is a design flaw, but Sony hasn't acknowledged that much to date. I guess it would be worth spending a few hundred bucks to fix. The worst part about this, in my opinion, is that the better image content, the more apparent the problem appears (i.e. HD cable and dvd's). Frustrating to say the least.

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/9739/sonyzq2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Ignore the color and gradient, but notice the spots.

I had this problem in 05 on my GWIII. It has come back again and I will try addressing it myself sometime in the next few months.
Here's a thread that I started on it the first time.
http://archive2.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?threadid=520524