Official Sony KDS-XXA3000 OWNERS THREAD! - Page 495

Originally Posted by burritoboy9984

Keep us updated...

Originally Posted by Mookeylama

update: Sony contacted me and will send out a tech on July 7th. problem is that now i'm not too sure that my problems are Optical block related. most photos i see of these models w/ OB problems have blue or green color problems and don't really look like mine. here's the pic that first worried me.

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it's not my pic, but one from earlier in this thread that's listed as a OB problem. my TV looks VERY similar.

here's some of my pics.

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notice how that pic ^ looks very much like the 1st pic in this post that's from someone else. same 2 splothy spots and even the streaks.


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here's couple pics of last time when it just had dust on mirror...

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everyone always thinks OB problems w/ these but the more i look at it, the more it looks very similar to a problem i had 1 1/2 years ago. i saw the shadowy streaky splotches and called my ext warranty folks Mack. i told them i thought it looked like dirt & dust in there, but they assured me it was an optical block problem. very common. well tech came out, tested OB which was fine. it turned out to just be dust with a raindrop steak-like pattern on the mirror.

now i'd love some advice here.
should i still have the tech out and if it's dust, just clean the mirror (will i have to pay?)? i mean the consensus seems to be, if ya have a good OB, DON'T get it replaced. tho w/ my luck it'll go bad in August lol. my ext bulb warranty expired 2 weeks before my bulb blew lol.

so dust or optical block? do my pics look like OB problems y'all have seen before?
any advice greatly appreciated! thank you!

Originally Posted by DavidHir

Realistically, maybe $300-400...$500 if you are lucky. There are a lot of deals on brand new 60" displays out there. I'm in the same boat as I may be selling my 60A3000 this year, as well.

I have looked into the 70" Sharp as I am not ruling it out. However, given I enjoy watching movies in a dark environment, the black levels are not very good on this display and probably just slightly better than the SXRD. A major jump in contrast level is crucial for my next display. Also, the dirty screen effect is noticeable (although maybe not bothersome to some) on light/white backgrounds.....something to consider on the Sharp if you watch hockey, for example. However, even with it's flaws, a 70" screen would incredibly enhance big screen movie viewing I imagine.

On the other hand, the plasmas I have been considering (Samsung 64D7000 and Panasonic 65VT30 and GT) have their own issues. Samsung's quality control sounds terrible this year with screen cracks, screen coating peeling like crazy, inability to display 1080p/24 properly without jacking up the black levels. The Panasonics seems to suffer from fluctuating brightness and the likelihood of rising blacks again (according to insiders - although Panasonic claims the issue is fixed). I also am not sure if I can justify paying $4K for a 65VT30 with these potential issues.

So, for me, there is no clear-cut decision to even upgrade this year unless my OB got really bad or something. On the other hand, all of these displays mentioned are definite upgrades over the SXRD according to my calibrator, Chad B who actually owns an SXRD himself. No display is perfect!

Originally Posted by Jim Clark

Thanks for the good advice David.

With the extra bulb and transferable warranty, I would hope for the $500.

One of my biggest issues is brightness for daytime viewing in my family room with LOTS of ambient light. I think plasmas would be out.

I'm not a videophile like many here who would find the slightest flaws that I would probably never see. The wow factor of a 70" would be neat.

It seems the 70" Sharp would definitely be an upgrade to my SXRD (which I have always liked).

What other 70" can compare in the price range?

Now there's the WAF. That may take some work...

Originally Posted by DavidHir

Well, I just finished cleaning out the inside of my 60A3000. I did it about two years. It was extremely clean and virtually dust free inside. Just some very, very light specs noticeable with a flashlight pointed at the mirror. I still used some lens cleaner with a microfiber to clean the mirror. In addition, I removed the lens covering. Interestingly enough, I saw there were some inherent scratches in the covering. However, hardly any dist on it or on the lens itself. On any rate, this will be the last time I'll have to go in given I plan on getting rid of the set this year or next.

Originally Posted by DavidHir

I watched a movie last night after this cleaning and perhaps the image does look a bit clearer or cleaner. It's very minimal, but there does seem to be a very small improvement. My blacks are still disappointing, however. However, there does seems to be a little less light scatter perhaps.

Originally Posted by macshee

Thanks for the report. You are lucky that your set is in an environment that doesn't require the same degree of cleaning that mine does: new york city.

I opened one of the "portholes" to inspect the mirror about 2 months ago, about a year after the last cleaning. I was shocked at how much "film" had accumulated on the mirror.

After a thorough cleaning, the image on screen was so dramatically improved that I actually had to tweak the picture a bit.

I also finished the cleaning project with a full color convergence in the service menu. That also helps the overall PQ.

When both an optical cleaning is combined with color convergence, the SXRD can produce a picture that is absolutely fantastic: awesome color, contrast and very deep blacks.

It's a pain in neck to do both of these, but the end result is worth the effort.

Originally Posted by DavidHir

Jim,

There's always the Mits DLPs ranging from 73", 82", and 92". However, ChadB said the 70" Sharp is a bit step above these. For a bright room, I think the 70" Sharp would probably be a very good option.

I was thinking how 70" would really open up the experience. I was looking at my display last night thinking of 10" more diagonally envisioning just how large of a screen that really is!

Originally Posted by macshee

It looks like a dirty mirror, and maybe some dust on the inside of the diffuser (viewing screen).

In fact, it looks like the tech who (I assume) cleaned your mirror 1.5 years ago, didn't remove some residue from the mirror. That residue will become more "visible' over time.

Either way, OB problem or not, you have to remove the screen and when you do you should be able to see mirror "clouds" right away.

If you can't remove the screen yourself and DIY, have the tech thoroughly clean the lens and mirror. Only after the mirror and lens are fully cleaned will you be able to see or assess OB problems anyway. You wouldn't take an eye test with dirty eyeglasses, right?

07-02-11 06:26 AM
pnguye70 I notice the extended warranty for A3000 models has expired by 6/30/2011 in the settlement program. Does Sony still offer repair for the optical block or another tv replacement?

Originally Posted by Jim Clark

When I bought the SXRD, I looked at DLP's (single chip?) in the 60" range. Lots of picture "noise" to a point where they hurt my eyes, longer viewing would probably give a headache. Also, no more rear projectors for me. Plasma is out due to my bright room, front projection has the same problem unless you get a projector with 10k lumens.

Saw the Sharp 733/732 at Sam's and Best Buy yesterday. Sam's had it on a shelf 10' off the floor and the feed was a useless Tron 2 trailer. Looked way better at Best Buy and I actually spent some time with a salesman who knew what he was talking about (amazing).

I want the set, but there's the wife to deal with...

Originally Posted by pnguye70

I notice the extended warranty for A3000 models has expired by 6/30/2011 in the settlement program. Does Sony still offer repair for the optical block or another tv replacement?

Originally Posted by Mookeylama

hmm. now i'm seeing something i never did before. just since i replaced the bulb week or 2 ago. it's like a ghost image or something. when someone moves quickly across the screen, close to the camera and on a light background, i'll see like another ghost version of them moving just a split second behind them. reminds me of a bionic slo-mo effect or when a comic artist conveys motion using drawn lines. i'm sorry if i'm explaining it badly. mostly see it on blu-rays (Mad Men).

never saw it til recently. could this be an OB problem? thanks!

Originally Posted by snash22

I would post on the facebook page - "I have a defective SONY TV".

They just worked with me over the last 2 weeks to replace mine. same size/model.

Originally Posted by Audiodork

Hello,
It really does seem that the Facebook Page and Sony Listens are the best way of getting anything done in respect to getting an LCD Replacement.

I still cannot believe I got a free KDL-55EX500 a month after they replaced the Optical Block 5 Months ago. When the OB failed, it was actually the second in 10 months and I called countless times getting nowhere with CS in terms of offering a Replacement instead of doing another OB swap.

It could not have worked out better in that I now have a perfectly working 55A3000 and a 55EX500. However, it was a late night Email to Sony Listens that finally got something done instead of the hours I wasted calling Sony.
Cheers,
AD

Originally Posted by DavidHir

How do you like the LCD compared to your SXRD?

Originally Posted by bdrex28

I've had my 60A3000 since pretty much when it came out. I believe it was September 3rd of 2008 I got it. I know it was opening day of college football when they were introduced. Picked it up that day before heading to the OU football game.

I love it, never had any issues and never replaced the bulb.

I probably need to however. Any quick link on a good place to buy a bulb?