Sony KDL-52W4100 Panel Problems - Read before you buy Sony

Bought the TV last October (2008).

If you are considering this tv, DONT. It worked great for a while, I even put up with its cloudy/backlight bleeding issues, and got used to it by adjusting it properly, (otherwise picture is perfect, it is sharp and vivid, I wish it lasted longer..) but recently I noticed a green line a few inches from left, appear when first turned on, last about 40 minutes to 1 hour, and then slowly disappear.



OK, I called sony service they came and said "yeah it is the panel" they showed up 3 days later with the panel and new board, tried to fix it at home, they couldn't because Sony sent wrong board, which did not match the panel (or so they told me) they hauled the TV away and came back 1 week later, tv seemed to work at first, but next day when I turn it on it had bunch of lines, and had purplish hue.

For the rest, refer to the pictures, and my agony. The lines seem to disappear 1 hour or so after turning it on.




More pictures:

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/1613/capture3k.jpg
http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/523/capture4z.jpg
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/3589/dsc02362i.jpg
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/8266/dsc02365b.jpg

And then this is what it looks like after about one hour when viewed closely:
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/1456/dsc02372.jpg


This TV is driving me crazy.

Oh, and after I got the TV back, there was a new addition to the menu, diagnostics picture with the sun-flower field.. I did not have this before, and also Serial No. and Model No has also disappeared from Support menu, it says see back of the TV.

I think sony tvs just work most of the time, it is probably why their support department fail so badly at diagnostics or at dispatching correct parts, or even responding consumers.. It may have been the case before, where they did not need to excel at customer service & technical support, but times have changed. Sony really needs to get their act together and invest in some good technicians and better service centers.

Don't get me wrong, I am a sony fan, every major electronic I own is a SONY, but my opinion is that they are not equipped to handle this case of cases. They would rather pay technicians, parts, shipping, etc.. spend all that time, and yet still have the same issue.
Keep in mind, the panel was replaced. This is a brand new panel. So even if it was a bad batch, only thing that's the same on this TV is the bezel, stand and the buttons..

I was told that Sony will replace the TV. It has been 9 days since the confirmation was submitted to Sony, I am waiting for them to call me back with arrangement.

I am sorry that I neglected this topic, sony immediately replaced the TV with another one (either new or refurbished, but it came in a new box) and I have been enjoying the replacement without the dreadful lines.

At this stage, sony products are still great, but their service/customer relations dept really needs HUGE improvement.

Ranger, what was the problem you faced with your W4100? They tried to replace the board, panel, etc.. everything they did would not be enough to fix it, finally they replaced the TV. Good luck.

I used Sony Card to buy mine, I doubt there is any extended warranty. I hope this replacement doesn't go bad like the original one did.
Did anyone try upgrading the firmware using a USB stick?