Hitachi LCD V500 Issues Thread - Page 43

Well, I got so used to the red wash that I am still thinking the image is better than when I first got the set but, now I am thinking it is definately equal, possibly slightly better but who knows. I have been dealing with this issue now for 7 months! I am just glad it is over

Smooth,
I talked Hitachi into paying for a new LE and the labor even while I was nearly a year out of the manuf. warranty and I didn't have an extended warranty. Took a while on the phone with Hit customer service but they finally agreed to pay for it.

I had the blue cloud issue and the red bloom problem. The blue cloud gradually got worse and worse (larger and larger) to the point where it was un-watchable and covered about 1/3 of the screen. After waiting about 2.5 months for a new LE I decided to get a new TV. I'm very happy with my 50" sony plasma!

Just got a call from service dept. that my 50v500 finally had the LE replaced (they took it to their shop for about 2 weeks). I'm going to give it to my parents. YES I told them to hang on to their current TV just in case the Hitachi flakes out again.

-Spike out

Smooth,
BTW, once the blue cloud started getting worse I also noticed burn in of the side bars. I used black side bars and did not stretch 4x3 material. The bars became very noticeably burnt in towards the end... I certainly hope the new LE fixed this.
-Spike

well after talking and insisting with the service center to make the repair in my home i was told that the techs that do this repair only do it in there shop so i guess i have no choice. they stated that the part is in and it would only take 1 or 2 days to get my tv back. i also stated i would be documenting the exact condition of my tv and i expect it to be returned the same way (scratchs etc.) i also told them i was concerned that they may mess up somthing else that would effect PQ they stated to me that if something else would go wrong and if i was not satisfied i could make another claim and that would count as 2 repairs out of 3 towordes replacement since they concider the LE a PQ problem

Well, thats is a pain. I do not have an easy way to move a TV as large as these are unless they come and pick it up. I still do not understand why they would not install it at home?? My tech told me its pretty basic and its all one peace, there is nothing overly difficult to it from my observations. You definately need two people as they have to lift off the screen from the Light assembly. I was very impressed with the tech's they knew exactly what there were doing. I even specifically asked if they needed to tv at there shop when I started this process and they said no, it only take about 1.5 hrs to do and there is very little to configure out of the box. I asked them to check the position in the SM and they did but that was it. They actually adjusted nothing in the SM after the install except resetting the counter on the LE.

i don't know if this particular store (P.C. Richards) has a different policy about this repair. I have delt with them in the past and its always been positive oh btw they did state they will be replacing the bulb along with the LE although it is a different part #

Just figured I post my little HATORADE story.

My brother in law and I both bought the 60V500 around the same time. Mine (thank GOD) has not had any major issues other than the lamp going after 14 months. But he had a dead pixel creep up. Well after a while dealing with CC, they came to take a look and decided it was better to just issue him full credit (after 18 months mind you) so that he can choose something else.
He ended up getting with the new 60" SONY SXRD 1080P (Sorry didn't memorize the model #). Man what a sweet TV! No Screen Door what-so-ever and the blacks look great! I am so hating on him right now... makes me want to "accidentally" mess up mine (it is under extended warranty)... Just venting.

how many dead pixels did he have? i was told that there needed to be at least 6 missing or dead pixels before they would consider it a problem.

my service center told me that 8 pixels was the minimum before they would even come out and look. I am not sure what they do, a LE swap will not cure this issue, they would have to replace the LCD panels and I am not sure what that involves. From my understanding (and I could be wrong) it is not nearly as easy a replacing the LE.

what input do you guys prefer dvi or component? on my 60v500a the dvi input generally produces better pq on all of my equipment except my dvd player, the only problem with the dvi input(1) is the lack of color saturation (as compared to the component input 2 ) have any of you noticed this? if yes is there any way to fix this in the service menu?

New to the forum and AVS, not new to the 50v500 problems. Had the "pink push" problems about a year ago. Luckily I insisted that we purchase the EW from CC. Thank god. That was easily fixed by adjustments to the service menu by the tech. Only took a few minutes. And now at about 3600 hours, the "red cloud". I have called CC and have a tech coming out on Thursday. To be honest, hope I get an exchange. I really liked the 50v500 at first, but my friend just bought the Sony SXRD 60", wow, that is nice! I am really glad this forum is here. Sort of a support system for us poor bastards who looked at the new Sony and Hitachi LCD projections a couple years ago and thought, I can't wait for the Sony (since it was out of stock) I need one of these TV's now. For anyone getting a new TV, insist on the EW! I will keep everyone informed as to the status of the repairs.

We all understand the frustration of the first generation LCD RPTV's. However, do not let this one experience ruin the taste for hit. The Sony's had many more issues than we are dealing with and Hit is recognized as the leader in widescreen technology. You should see the new lines, quite impressive, and I still think Hit image is sharper than Sony or any other line despite the problems with this particular set.

I have now been waiting three weeks for my light engine replacement because of the red cloud issue.

I stumbled on a pretty curious thing. I was watching something over the weekend, it was a darker scene, and the PQ was just horrible as it had no detail in the blacks at all and the red cloud was obviously apparent radiating out from the center of the screen.

I upped my brightness from 50% to about 80%. I got back my black details and the red cloud went away. My bulb has over 5000 hours on it. Is it possible that the bulb is dimming because of age and that the red cloud only becomes apparent because of a dim and failing bulb?

I am sure that others would have thought of this and ruled it out, but upping the brightness has made me enjoy my Hitachi again and has shut off that part of my brain that is constantly on the lookout for the red cloud.

It is a nice theory but I do not think the bulb is the issue. In my case, I also had this red cloud and my bulb has almost 6000hrs on it. When they replaced the LE and put the same "old" bulb back in, the red cloud was gone.
The cloud is stemming from heat burn due to lack or not enough airflow threw the LE and over the LCD panels.

My replacement light engine is on order and not expected in until May, which is three months from now!

I called Hitachi, who claims to now be expediting the delivery.

who is doing the service on your tv? i had the service man come out 2 weeks ago and in about 5 days latter the told me the le had come in, today they came and picked up my tv, they wanted to pick it up last week but today was the only day i could be home, also the guy who picked up my tv said he has seen many of these models getting the LE replaced he also stated he was getting alot of repeat replacements as well, which makes me believe that hitachi is using the same part #, if they are, its just a matter of time for the new LE to go bad

I can't believe I know as much about the light engines in these things as I do, but Hitachi actually redesigned the LE, probably because of the defect involved here. The old part number is UX22202. The new one is UX22202D. UX22202 has been discontinued and is not available from any source. The situation is probably better for the 60v version, as opposed to the 50v because there are a lot more 50s than 60s.

A local repair shop here in NY is doing the repair. They also told me that they have done a a fair number of these. They said the parts are drop shipped from Hitachi and that it is extremely rare for a delay like this to happen. I guess that there are a lot of LEs that need to be replaced! I hope that expediting the part works.

The delay (5 months for me) is due to the redesign of the LE. From my understanding every original V500 and V500A is suffering from this issue and Hit just can not keep up with the LE replacements. I kid you not, I waited over 5 months for my replacement and I can confirm the part number on the warranty service slip I had to sign (and have a copy of) list that new part number as the LE.

My tech told me he has done no less than 10 LE replacements ALL for the red cloud issue. So far though, only one re-visit after the LE replacement. I do believe that Hit has fixed the issue with the redesign. For anyone who is going to get there LE replaced, have a good look at the new vs the old LE assembly. The fan is larger and there are more vent panels to allow for airflow. Even if it doesn't fix the issue, us with the EW will just have to place another call in about 18 months and get yet another LE. I have 2 more years on my EW, in another two my TV will be about 5 yrs old and I am sure I will be itching for a newer model with built in tuner, and HDMI input. In any case, the LE was just over $900 plus $150 labour to install it in my home, my $300 EW just more than paid for itself!

PS Lawguy.....on my warranty invoice it lists the part # as UX22202DR so I am not sure if that extra "R" is yet another revamp or if you just missed the R the first time

Uwish, I believe that you got a remanufactured light engine and that the "R" at the end indicates that. That fact is further revealed by the stated cost, $900. A brand new LE costs about $1,500. Google the part number and this should be confirmed.

By the way, what makes you think that V500A's are affected as well? Mine happens to be a V500A, but I seem to be in the very small minority around here. It could just be that the V500As are now just aging enough to be affected and I could one of the first.

my unit is a V500A and the tech told me that this model also suffers from the red cloud issue. According to the hit rep I spoke with they did not get the new, redesigned LE into mass production before switching to the V525. Thus, it is fairly safe to assume that the vast majority of these set are going to suffer this effect.

Loooooooooong story short guys:
I have the 50v500a model, bought it Feb 2004. If you look at some of my previous posts, you will see more info about my BS and this set.
Here is a breakdown of my situation:

Purchase: Feb/04

Issue #1: Sept/06 - Red cloud, need LE REPLACEMENT #1, took 2 months to replace, I was without TV since they had it at the Extended warranty companies Shop.

Issue #2: Nov/06 Get the TV back, right away I see Vertical Banding across screen, tech called, visits........ advises: need LE REPLACEMENT #2
I wait another month or so, THIS time TV REMAINED in my home unitl part arrived

Issue #3 Feb/06 Second LE part arrives, techs visit, install, takes 3 hrs, they leave, I watch TV for a couple days, THEN notice Vertical banding again on TV, this time fainter, but also narrower, but noticeable enough to warrant ..........hey........ you guessed it! tech came back out....... for LE REPLACEMENT #3 ! I am now awaiting to see if I can forgo ONE more major defect and get the TV replaced NOW. I have been speaking with the Manager of purchase place.
My Lemon clause states that on the 4th major part to be considered needing to be replaced, AND within 3 yrs, a replacement will be done, no questions asked. My problem is, this is the 3rd, but still ridiculous!

For all who wonder, the SENIOR Tech that came out this last time to look at the banding did have some interesting information. He was pretty straight-forward when he said "Ya, the only thing I can recommend is an LE replacement, or a complete TV Replacement" and that "Too bad they don't make these LE's anymore for THESE TV's, all the LE's are REFURBISHED, and this is why you are very well may experience and in your case HAVE experienced a continuing problem. Luck of the draw really to get one in fantastic condition since so many have gone bad"
........... WOW! this is what he said! I questioned him, and of course he told me that they DO NOT make BRAND new LE's for this outdated Televisions, the newer models have a different assembly and CANNOT be used for the v500 series..

So there you go, believe it or not........ I DO
After what I have been through, there is no other explanation better than that of this tech.
GOOD LUCK to everyone
I will keep you posted as to whether I will in fact get my replacement 1 repair ahead of the 'lemon' clause

i got a call from my service center and they scheduled to return my tv tuesday 3/7 so that will be only 1 week they will have my tv. i talked to a tech, he told me they were using a rebuilt LE, i told him of my concerns, if they are using the same LE, i would expect im going to have the same problem down the road. the tech was very friendly he told me that there were some minor improvements but its essentially the same part, he also told me some people are having good results after replacement but most aren't he said the co. policy is 3 major repairs for replacement of the tv but since this particular issue with hitachi LE, the co has been replacing some tvs after two repairs

I think that new LEs are still being made. They are in stock and can be ordered from here:

http://www.tritronicsinc.com/cgi-bin...2D++++++++++++

Most warranty companies probably want to go with refurb parts because they are much CHEAPER - less than half the price of new. I guess that this should come as no surprise.

I can only imagine the frustration with multiple LE replacements, so for my "new" LE that was replaced about two weeks ago is great. I notice no artifacts and the image quaility is back to the way it was when I first bought this set.

im fustrated already and im only going through my first LE replacement. im skeptical that i will see any improvement for very long, i started to experience the red cloud only about three months after i received my tv but i didn't think it was as big of a problem as it was, i got somewhat use to it even though it got worse over time. thanks to this forum i finally called for service. in reality i don't mind if the LE goes bad again it just brings me closer to replacement. i think the v500a has very good pq but, imo its not up to par with some of todays displays eg sony sxrd models

And I totally agree with you however, you are comparing a first gen LCDRPTV to a 4th generation RPTV which I do not think is totally fair. If I goto any store and look at the current LCDRPTV etc the PQ is supirior to the V500 and I would hope it is. I have seen the V8xx series next to the Sony and the Samsung and I am still of the opinion that the Hit image is better. Again that is subjective and totally personal.

i have had a bias toward hitachi pq i have owned them for the last 15 years but given the option today im leaning to the sxrd i feel since hitachi doesn't offer a 1080p display, i feel going with hit(720). is a step backward

I will be calling again for my second replacement here fairly soon. The problem with this current replacement light engine really became apparent while watching the winter Olympics in hi-def. With all the light colored background, I noticed that the snow looked, for lack of a better word, "dirty." Then I came to realize that there was uneven, brownish discoloration across various portions of the screen, along with a bright band visible along the lower third of the screen and also rising up along the left hand portion of the screen. And, of course, there's still vertical banding.

Hitachi came through and expedited the shipment of my replacement LE.

The service shop does pick ups only on Saturday and they claim it will take a week to fix. They gave me some story about it being impossible to replace these in the customer house because it is too complicated, etc. I didn't want to get them angry before they fix my set so I didn't argue.


Looks like I will be without my baby for the premiere of the Sopranos this Sunday.

thats pretty much what they told me, they stated on hitachi the job is more difficult then other brands mine is coming back tomorrow that will be exactly one week ill post tomorrow to let you guys how it turned ont