The Official Sony 2007 KDS-(XX)A2020 [NO PRICE TALK] SXRD Owner's Thread - Page 96

On my 55a2020 I've always had it plugged into a PS audio "Ultimate outlet" which filters the power and isolates it from my electrical system. I have my DVR(digital) in another circuit. I recently had to tear the room apart to put new flooring down and had the tv and dvr plugged in to the same Ultimate outlet. I noticed the pic wasn't as good. When I put the room back together and hooked everything up...wow the tv pic really popped with color and sharpness. I then realized what had happened. I no longer had the tv isolated from the digital device(dvr) when they were in the same outlet.
The point here is that everyone needs to isolate their monitor device from any digital device. PS Audio's Ultimate outlets are cheap and easily found used on sites like audiogon. I'm sure that there is a lot of info available on the net on isolating your digital devices from monitors, pre-amps etc. I guarantee you'll notice a difference. I think bulbs last longer too by having a steady filtered power supply.

your nutz

Explain

I don't buy that "clean" power enhances the picture quality of your tv
Not one bit

You are certainly entitled to your opinion. I learned about it as an audiophile when I finally got some high end stereo equipment. Most audiophiles use something to clean the power and the grunge it injects into the sound with their systems. When I got into HD TV as an early adopter, I used one of those outlets just to protect my tv. Experimenting with it allowed me to see a difference in the black level, color and depth of the pic just like I heard it with my music system. I wouldn't have believed it either if I hadn't played around with it. It's one of those things that you can't see or notice until you take it away. There is a lot of stuff out there on cleaning power for sound systems. I don't think videophiles have ever paid much attention to it and just use surge protectors with their stuff. As much as videophiles strive to get the best pic, I don't understand why they don't pay attention to this.
There is a lot of overpriced power cleaners out there but the low end PS Audio stuff does the job. Pick up a used "Ultimate outlet" and try it. You can always sell it quickly and get your money back.
Thanks for your posts on how to get into the service menu for the lamp hrs info. Used it tonight but didn't find the "E" section nor the on/off cycle counter just the lamp hrs.(1989)

Ok, so last night I changed the bulb on the TV (60A2020). I pulled the back off and there was a bit of dust (almost 2 yr) but not as much as I expected. I vacuumed as much of it as I could, especially around the fans.

The new bulb is an OSRAM xl5200 and went in with no problem. The old one had 5634 hrs on it over 22 months time. TV mfg date is June '07 not Aug '07 as I wrote in a previous post.

I powered it on and off at least 12 times and did not see any of the previous behavior - screen intermittently going blank for 20 sec every minute or two. I waited between 30 sec and 10 hours between power cycles and saw no issues at all. This problem seems to be resolved for the time being at least.

However, this new bulb comes on very slowly - much slower than the original. It starts up cold with the screen barely visible in a darkened room and takes 45-50 seconds to come up to full brightness. It does come up nice and smooth with no step increases along the way.

Once it is lit fully, it is significantly brighter than the old bulb. The color temp seems to be close to the old bulb but I will definitely have to go back in and re-setup the Brightness and Contrast using the Digital Video Essentials DVD. I think I'll wait a week or so before I do it to let the bulb "break-in" a little in order to minimize any additional shifts.

Although I can't really declare victory until it runs for a few months with no problems, it's looking good at this point.

Ever heard of the placebo effect? Sugar pills are highly rated in drug studies too.

After debating for months, I decided to call Sony today. They confirmed that the blue tint I was seeing was an optical block issue. I was also seeing some abrupt dimming and brightening but that happens very infrequently so it cannot be demonstrated on cue (or verified as fixed).

They are sending someone to take a look at it on Friday. If they find its an issue, they will replace it free of cost.

It is my first OB replacement so, wish me luck! :-)

This is a Feb 2007 build which I bought in April 2007. First bulb lasted ~ 2200 hours. Second bulb is about 10 months old.

I would encourage anybody who sees the discolorations to contact Sony and have their optical blocks replaced as soon as possible. That way, when they fail again, they may still be under the extended warranty. Many of us with older models had our optical blocks replaced, but now they have failed again, and the extended warranties have expired.

I also encourage you to ask Sony and the repair technician whether the replacement optical block is new or refurbished, and whether it is the original design or whether it has been re-engineered. At this point, it is pretty clear that Sony never did anything to successfully re-engineer their optical blocks (including extended warranty replacements), as all of them have problems (from 2002 through 2007), including the replacements. However, it would be nice to hear what they have to say, even better in writing.

Thank you sir. The only reason I waited this long was because I did not want to trade my small problem with a much bigger problem. I am well aware that the replacement OB's are just as bad and that made me try to ignore the problem.

Even now, I shudder at the thought of having my new/refurb OB die on me after June 2010 which is not that far away.

I might buy this. I had a power outage because of the storm in CT over the weekend and when the UPS came on, the picture brightend slightly. When the power came back, It dimmed. I unplugged the UPS to see it again and sure enough it brightend instantly.

Have you ever compared the difference between component video cables and hdmi? Did you see a difference?

No, none to be seen.
The only good thing about hdmi is you end up 1 cable instead of 9.

Yep, About %20.00.


nw

??

Don't get him started!

Had my third OB installed today. First one lasted about 8 months. Second OB lasted two days. This one is no better than the last two. In fact, the picture is all soft and blurry. Letters appear fuzzy around the edges, and doesn't look anything like what it did before all the OB replacements. Will wait a day or two and adjust the settings and see if this helps.

On white or gray backgrounds, still have yellow shadows on left hand side of screen, pinkish colored shadow across the top two or three inches of the screen and blue tints on the right bottoms side. I pointed this out to the installer today and he said this was normal on these sets. I told him I didn't think so and if things don't improve (which I doubt they will), they'll get another call for repairs. I think the 4th time around is when they do the refund process.

Oh yeah, the tech who came to the house was a real dick. Told me that if the colors and spots bothered me that I should sit at an angle while watching tv and that quite frankly I was expecting too much from this technology. Told him to get the hell out of my house and have a good holiday.

Edit: Sorry, just realized this is the A2020 thread. I have the A2000. But since they are the same thing other than one being all black and one being black/silver, it shouldn't matter. Both are basically crap regardless of the model number.

Don't feel too bad, i'm going for number 7. I'll have them replace the thing every two weeks as long as it's green. The last repair company threw in the towel, they refuse to replace it anymore for service net or sony.

Is that 20% or $20?

Should have been $20.00

I just had my OB replaced for the second time.

Like badboi, mine looks fuzzy around the edges.
Tech was here and my first reaction looking at the guide on the screen was "its fuzzy". Of course he had two or three reasons it was not the block.
Stated it could be the light; he didn't push that when I stated the old block that was just removed was not fuzzy.
Of course, I'm thinking I'm just looking closer because of the word just done, so I'm not pushing it. From my seat now (12 ft) I can't state without a doubt, that it is fuzzier.

It did fix the blacks and got rid of a yellow stain that had developed.
In fact, I was glad to see the yellow stain cause blue blacks were more subjective, the yellow stain was not.

Clock is ticking on this new bloack, but I did buy the Mack 3 yr warrente so I guess I have one more changeout before this one goes to the game room and LG or Samsung takes its place.

No more Sonys.

Don''t keep turning the unit on and off so many times. The on and off cycle shortens the bulb life more than running it for hours. These high pressure lamps work similar to xenon bulbs. The main difference is that xenon bulbs don't go out, they just become more and more unstable until they either won't strike or become too dark to use. The turning on and off causes the anode and cathode to become pitted, which then causes the gas ball to move all over, resulting in flicker or turning off and re-striking by itself.

I have well over 8K hours on my 60A2020 and it isn't even dark enough to replace yet.

While I agree with you that it's BS, you don't have to get nasty about it.

the picture on my sony is not vivid anymore, looks washed out is there any settings to fix this, it was on standard since i bought it in 2007 never really played with any settings, i used with hdmi and it is in a brighter room also my lamp has 5000 hours

Try a new lamp.

it looks kind of grainy, hard to explain , i have to make a little video and post it on here!!!


is there any advanced settings in the secret menu to make it brighter until the lamp goes completely out, also i just noticed this, when there is a complete white screen on the left side there is a quarter size blackish spot

need a new OB, my 2nd OB is dooing the same thing.

i just got off the chat with sony, tried to get a replacement tv, no go!! he gave me this address : http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/new...mdl=KDS60A2020

Certain 2007 Model Year SXRD® Television Extended Warranty Information — Optical Block

Posted: 10/23/2009


Models: KDS-50A2020, KDS-55A2020, KDS-60A2020

As part of the Sony commitment to quality, Sony is announcing that it is extending the limited warranty (parts and labor), in the United States, on the optical block of the above-referenced 2007 model SXRD televisions until June 30, 2010, regardless of purchase date. For any customer who requires repair of the optical block on one of the affected models, Sony will cover the cost of the optical block repair (parts and labor) at no charge through June 30, 2010. This extended warranty does not apply to the replaceable projection lamp or the other parts that may be used in the televisions.

Sony is also announcing that for any owner of these model televisions who paid out-of-pocket expenses on or before December 31, 2009 for an estimate or repair service to replace the optical block, Sony will reimburse the customer by mail for the cost of the optical block and the labor expense to replace it, subject to certain conditions. To receive reimbursement, please follow completely the directions on the claim form for reimbursement; all claims must be postmarked by January 31, 2010. See the claim form for complete terms and conditions.

All other terms of the Sony limited warranty continue to apply. Sony utilizes a network of hundreds of qualified independent third-party servicers to perform in-home television warranty service. Sony, through its authorized servicer network, will endeavor to repair your set within 30 days of your first contact. For diagnosis, warranty service, or if you are not provided a repair within 30 days, please contact Sony at (888) 649-7669.

called them and they dont have a tech in my area, they gave me some local number but the guy said his store/shop is busy, he will give me a call when he has time , also the the person on the phone said he doesn't think that the black bluish spot and grainy picture are from a ob, what should i do next?

Sounds more like dust to me. In your situation, I'd try a new lamp and cleaning first (how to clean, I have no idea). Mine was quite dim even at 4000 hrs. With OB replacement you risk ending up worse than you started. Best you can do in the mean time is crank up the brightness and contrast and turn off power save.