The Official Sony 2007 KDS-(XX)A2020 [NO PRICE TALK] SXRD Owner's Thread - Page 112

The lamp connector on the tv side is generally a part of the ballast. It's usually held by a couple of screws onto the part of the light engine that accepts the lamp housing. I don't know if it can be spliced, those are high voltage cables, and I don't know if anyone would sell just the connector/cable assembly anyway.

It would suck to have to replace a ballast to replace the connector. I would try to salvage the tv side and then see if you can transfer the still-good lamp to your old housing and get a mateable pair.

Here's a good pic of a typical Sony ballast: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SONY-BALLAST...item1c181b9b25 (not related to seller, etc.)

I'm sorry to hear about your problem. The company you bought the bulb from puts new bulbs into used (recycled) holders. If any of the connections aren't tight, they will heat up and can burn out the TV's socket. If the socket is now damaged, the only thing you can do is replace the socket on the TV with a new one. If the "new" bulb holder is also damaged, you'll need another good one to install the bulb in.

I believe you can get the connector (with wires) that connect to the ballast assembly. But one way or the other I'm certain it was a loose connection on the bulb holder that caused it to heat up. I've seen it a few times on bulbs from River Valley so I tell everyone to check the connections before they install the bulb. It's okay to use recycled holders, al long as the connector isn't oxidized and the connections are tight.

Despair lessoning, heres where I am at:

The bulb - she is definitely fused to ballast (lamp driver) connector.

Solutions: (about to spend some time on the phone)

1) Call electronics supplier about getting "Power supply block" AKA lamp driver, aka ballast.

I have 2 part numbers via sony, and their service/tech manual was no help deriving a part number either, but here they are:

1-474-012-11 (oddly enough told this was the newer version..hmm)
1-474-012-21

(anyone know of a place to source one)

I'm also going to call River Valley about the bulb, and hope that the warrantee covers it, my brother - in his infinite wisdom tossed the old bulb/ and assembly after the new assembly was installed (guess I can't fault him - who would have seen this coming?).

Via the service manual the ballast really does not look that hard to swap out. about 7 screws for the back plate, 3-4 screws to pull the fan asm back (might not even need to do that), then just one screw holding the ballast in, along with the one connector and the two high voltage wires.

looks like prices for the ballast range from 65 to 175 refurb and up to 300 new. Time to make some phone calls. Not really what I wanted to do on my monday morning after the new years - but it must be done. It's funny,a week before I left to go away for a month the bulb blows, now just a little over a week until I leave again for another month, and this?. Eh, the french have a saying - 'C'est la vie.

So the first few people I talked to said it definitely could be a defect in the bulb/housing assembly, as if the connector is worn, then over time as you turn on and turn off the tv, it will arc each time and slowly, like a time bomb, erode the connector, and eventually, can/will cause a small fire/enough heat to melt the thermoplastic.

The bulb was actually purchased through Samsung parts (AKA J&J international) out of New Jersey. Let me first by saying that it is taking every bit of energy not to rant and use foul language to describe the level of customer service I've been receiving. Its a minimum ten minute wait, almost on que, as the clock strikes ten minutes on hold a person comes on the phone, once they realize your asking about a return or exchange they pass you off to someone who isn't there and you get a voice mail. on my third call the "gentleman" who I had the "pleasure" (read: borderline verbal abuse/ runaround talk) said that it definitely isn't a bulb defect, that the warrantee is only for "blown" bulbs, and that there is nothing they will do. I demanded to speak to a manager, and was told i could only leave my number and expect a call 24-48 hours. WHAT! I'm so irritated by the lack of customer support, and their runaround tactics to help out their customers. Please steer clear from these guys as their support, service, and professionalism has been the worst of any company I've ever had to contact for a return/refund/exchange.

The new lamp driver has been ordered, and now I'm about to order a new bulb/bulb housing, because I don't expect to get anywhere with the prestigious J&J International.

Wow - tough stuff you're dealing with.... if you are able to please post some photos of the problem - I think I understand from your description but seeing images of what is melted / burned would help.

If it helps, I have always gotten my bulbs from http://www.bulbsolutions.com -- I've just always installed the bare bulb in the housing myself though...

Good luck with it all and keep the updates coming.

almost feel bad waiting for my unit to be returned from Optical Block repair on Sony's dime... should be here any day now.

So, on the bright side, the bulb has no signs of damage, apart from being strapped into the damaged housing....so - what if I just get a new housing? What are some things I should do look for, apart from the obvious. Upon thorough inspection there are no dark spots, burn marks, or defects in the glass, the reflective oxide coating, the inner electrode, or anywhere I can see. If the wires committing suicide saved the bulb- then maybe theres cause for optimism? Anyone have any bulb housings lying around that I can rescue? For a price of course.

The lamp driver is ordered, and the tv is in the "shop" which is in a corner out of the way for now until the parts come and I can crack into the patient. Pictures of the burnt bulb connector to come.

Just ordered a bulb/housing from Bulb solutions, this way after I instal the new lamp driver, I can instal the new bulb and housing and eliminate any extra variables while testing out the repair. then, when this bulb goes I'll save the old (perfectly fine most likely) bulb and do a bulb transplant. For 135 bucks it was worth it to eliminate extra variables keeping me from a successful repair.

Looks like all the parts should be here in 2 days - fingers crossed. In the mean time I've been helping my brother instal a new projector/screen combo in the living room.

You know, it's just two guys, trying to ah, rule the empire. (stewie griffin voice)

Oh, and if you can't tell my brothers the "one-upper". I get a 50" sony sxrd, he sets up a 92" elite cinetension screen paired to a Sony vpl-hw10 sxrd projector.

I called Sony right now about an OB replacement and this week, their replacement option is a brand new 60ex700 for $525 shipped. I currently have a 55a2020. Any thoughts on this offer? This doesn't seem bad but I have yet to research this set and go and see it in person.

The internet and DLNA capabilities make this a great option - 500 is a lot to part with, but I would probably be inclined to go for it myself if they had given it to me as a choice and I have the cash laying around. i guess they consider how easyy it is to repair (i.e. what authorized repairers are in your area when making these offers??? or maybe its what department you reach and talk to? I dont know... but if I were you I'd go with the newer technology (its a nice unit based on what Im seeing) and the only negative I see is the stuipd sensor that detects if youre "in the room" and if it thinks you're not it goes in standby mode. the person who thought of that should be fired.

I am also thinking of maybe selling the new 60ex700 and my 55a2020 and getting a new sammy or panny plasma, that is If I can sell the 60ex700. I think I will try and sell it for $500 less then the normal places.

Are you within an extended warranty or did they just offer that to you because you called in?

I contacted Sarah Kepler on Facebook who in turn gave me a Sony email address. I emailed them with two pictures of my bluish screen and she gave me an Event number to call into Sony with. They then gave me this offer. I could also have taken a 46" for free and possibly had my OB replaced as well.

Anyone think I could sell the 60ex700 on the classifieds here for $1800?

Those that have gotten remedy from Sony from blue-ish blacks, how does mine look? Worth asking them about it? The picture is taken with one of the video inputs set to a device that is off.

On a side note, how do you adjust the blue level? I can't seem to find a setting anywhere...

Its hard to tell because you are overexposing the picture. You should be able to read the input label on the tv and on yours its all white and overexposed so its hard to tell what the actual black level is.

Hey Tom. I am also getting a 60ex700. You might want to reconsider.
Read this...
http://reviews.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/...00-review.html
And then take a look at the Ex700 owners thread. This tv looks like a real gem.
Owners of XBr2's have said this TV blows theirs away for what its worth.

I read that review and that was mainly the reason to go through with this. If I can't sell it, I might end up keeping it, but I really want one of the new 2011 samsung/panasonic plasmas. I really like the picture better on those when I compared them at Best Buy. I also received $800 from Mack warranties and if I can sell my 55a2020 for $500 and the 60ex700 for $1800, I'll have $3100 to spend on a new tv. There is only one seat in my living room that can sit deadon center to the tv and everyone else is off center and I did notice a difference at the store with viewing angles. I'll keep the ex700 in the box at my place for a few weeks and if I can't sell it, I'll try ebay with a reserve and if that doesn't go, I'll keep it.

I actually just got an email from Sony 5 minutes ago saying that they received my serial number package from my a2020 and they were going through with the shipping process of the 60ex700. Yippee!

Quick update fof all.... ok, after a week of dealing with snow and ice (down south we arent equipped for it)....

The optical block replacement looks awesome..... my son and I spent the first hour just looking at the clarity the SAME way we did when we got the unit. blues, blacks etc -- all looks great. will spend more time this evening getting all my settings back in place to have it look even better...

I do see what looks like a speck of dust (really small) thats on the screen (INSIDE) or i guess it could be on the OB itself and just projecting on the screen... but seriously, im thinking about NOT even bothering to call about it.... but then again maybe i should... just hate to think about the unit being gone a few days just for a small speck of dust....

I think I may just live with it.... i wonder if could be resolved by a visit and done in-home to get rid of the speck?

oh well... time to callibrate!

Well I got my OB replacement installed. The blacks look great! My only complaint now is that there seems to be a greenish halo in the center of the screen when there is no video input. There also appears to be a streak of dust down the side of screen on the lower right hand side. Should I call the repair guys and get them back out?!

FYI - I have a buyer for my 60ex700 today for $1550. The recent price cut by Sony didn't help, but thats still a good chuck of change.

Oh most definitely if it were me... want to make sure i understand... so when you go to an input with NO connection, the screen is black with some sort of greenish are in center? mine is solid grey (on my xbox 360 input)... pure black on all others.

the streak of dust on side is another big issue ... could be dust on the OB? or simply inside the screen... either way, if sony shells out to the repair center for the OB replacement, it needs to come back to you in GREAT shape or they (sony) needs to do more to satisfy you.

problem is now you might have to send it BACK to this same shop to re-repair??? and they obviously didnt do that good of a job if they didnt take the care to notice the issues you raised. i too had one issue, a small speck of dust on mine when it came back from OB repair, but i just live with it, its about a millimeter or two and very very light in contrast luckily.

it was last weekend of nfl playoffs and i really didnt want to be without the unit even longer ... and the picture is amazing, so i just take it with a grain of salt... your situation though, I would be fuming mad and wouldnt have signed for it on delivery.

let us know how it works out for you.

I bought my 55A2020 in July 2007 iirc. Now, I didn't know about this class action, never got an email, letter, notice, etc. Apparently what little extended warranty they decided to put on it is now done.

So, what happens if I do experience issues soon? Just bend over and buy a new TV? Is there ANY recourse left? I didn't want to be part of that class-action, but I guess I'm automatically "opted-in" which is BS.

FB Sarah Kepler, you should be okay

I'm not on facebook, if that's what you're telling me to do.

No need to do anything with FB. Just email your problem to SonyListens@am.sony.com

They will send you a reference number and tell you what you have to submit to them. They are offering the same deals to EVERYONE. What they offer you depends on what model and size TV you have.

Thanks, that's good to know. I checked the bulb hours (original bulb) and I'm at like 2868 or something. I guess I haven't used the TV that much. I might not even see the OB failure for years. I guess if I get ~7-8 years out of it, that's ok.

See, this is only thing I get, a green blob, oval in shape when there's no picture sometimes (I think after the set has been on a while). It's pretty faint though and I see no discoloration at any other time. It's been there over a year at least and hasn't become any worse in that time, but it still worries me a little.

I'm not on Facebook either, but that's the email I got from the Facebook page to process my tv. It was pretty painless, from first email to tv delivered was 15 days.

Well I had my second OB replacement installed last Thursday and the TV looks worse than it did with the original OB. Now I have a sweet green tinted screen with a very distinct green oval in the center. It makes everything look like the matrix movies , but really, I am not too happy with it. I contacted Sony and they said they do not want to send out another OB because it will basically fail is what they told me. So they offered me a KDL-55NX810 for a very low price. Anyone else get this offer and what do you all think of this TV? I am having a hard time because I really like my rear projection TV and I do not want to get rid of it, I just want it fixed!! Let me know what you all think. Thanks everyone!

What price?