[Tony Marconi]

Went to the dump today. While I was unloading, an Asian couple backed up in a van and started to throw a SONY 42" WEGA LCD TV into the dumpster. I stopped them and asked what was wrong with the TV. In broken English they informed me "something broke on inside". I asked them if I could take it and they said yes. It is a SONY model # KL-43HDF

It is obviously a model sold in Japan. All writing is in Japanese. The only writing that was in English was the "SONY" logo and KL-43HDF. Brought it home plugged it in, the set powers on and I hear several clicks from the back. If I press some of the buttonson on the front panel (remember all writing is in Japanese so I do't know what buttons I'm pushing) I hear the clicks again. I took the back off to see if I could see anything obviously burnt. With the back off, when I press the power on button and hear the clicks I can see a component on one of the boards "glowing". The board has a High Voltage component that is labeled Lampdriver (SONY parts code: 1-473-545-13). The component that "glows" is beside two large orange capacitors marked C101 & C102 and the High Voltage component. It is labeled G100. It is a SIEMANS component and the only number on it is a 97.

Couple of questions:

If I do manage to get this set working, will there be any problem using it in this country? Even just for DVD's

Does anyone know anything about this model?

Is there a comparable US set?

Does anyone know when this model was made?

In your opinion, is it worth repairing?

Anyone know what the glowing component is?

 

[jrtalon]

I would give a sony authoried tech a call and have them look at it. If they can repair it for like even up to $1000 it would be worth it., IMO. As for compatiblity I believe Japan is 100v/50hz compared to USA 110/60hz. This may explain the problem. Perhaps theres an adjustment you can make or a convertor you can put between the outlet and the plug??

 

[IronHorse]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the Japanese TV standard totally different than ours? I've been over to Japan several times, but not since around 1997 so I'm not 100% sure. But I recall Japanese CRT TVs as being "higher definition" than US TV back in the 80's and early 90's. The Japanese set would need some sort of voltage adapter too because I don't think they use 110v.


Of course... if it's an LCD projection TV, that may throw some other monkey wrenches into the ointment.


Capt Mike

 

[TiMo Tim]

I think Japan is one of the few places that uses NTSC, like the USA.


Care to tell us where this dump is at, or where that couple lives? Might be worth another dumpster dive!


Tim

 

[Hughmc]

Where did you say you stole this tv from?


Lol...

 

[Tony Marconi]

Just from trying to research this TV, I have found that Japan uses the NTSC standard. Set is definately 110V. I think Japan uses both 50 and 60HZ though depending on the region. TV is a 1997 model. If I can't fix it or have it repaired at a reasonable price, I'll just take it back to the dump and whoever backs up next to me will probably take it and start asking the same questions on internet forums.

 

[Tony Marconi]

Quote:

Originally posted by Hughmc Where did you say you stole this tv from? Lol...

You'd think I'd have enough sense to steal one that actually worked.

 

[Hughmc]

I would also think that someone would not dump a 3000.00, tv, my guess of cost, that is maybe 2 years old at the most into the dump, even if broken. I still have a 21 inch sharp from 1975 and it still works. Now I could see dumping that. Sometimes things can get damaged while transporting. I am just giving my opinion. Good luck with it and I hope you can get it working. I do agree if all else is ok on the unit I would say it is worth putting money into if fixable. I also know that a repair tech told me there is not much to go wrong with the lcd's, not a lot of moving parts, more computer and tech related issues, so again I think it would be worth paying someone the standard search and destroy fee.

 

[Tony Marconi]

Seven years old, not two. (1997) Who knows how much they paid for it in Japan. Anyway, seems like a problem with the high voltage board.

I was just in the right place at the right time I guess.

 

[NVboy]

If anything, you could sell it to one of the PC geeks as a PC case mod.


It would definitely be worth the time of researching, phone calls, letters, whatever. If you can get it to work, you just scored a tv. That's not such a bad thing.

 

[Rich58b]

Just a quick question. You said it's LCD but haven't mentioned if it's rear projection. I'm thinking that no one was making a 42" LCD direct view that long ago, so if it is direct view it would have to be newer than 1997.

Rich

 

[Tony Marconi]

Rear Projection.

 

[Hughmc]

I believe LCD rear projections may not even have been on sale in the US in 97.

 

[JimP]

Makes you wonder what other fun technology is floating around Japan a few years before showing up in the States.

 

[Tony Marconi]

Found out the lamp is busted. Now I just have to decide if I want to spend a couple hundred dollars on a new lamp to see if that is all that is wrong with it. What worries me is that the filament in the lamp is shattered. Does anyone know if the filament will actually shatter if it just burns out or is this a sign that the display took a major jar. Not knowing the history behind the set, and the fact that component G100 on the high voltage board appears to briefly light up when power is applied makes me a little nervous. Does anyone know if this could be some kind of protection that keeps the set from damaging itself when the bulb breaks? I'm thinking perhaps someone shipped the couple this set from Japan, and the lamp broke in shipping. All they knew was that the set didn't work and rather than deal with an older display they just decided to trash it and buy a new one. But I'm just guessing. All the repair shops I've talked to so far don't want to deal with it because "they don't work on that model". I can't see any evidence that it took a hit.

Anyone have experience with broken lamps?

 

[ROMEO 1]

My guess is, they bought it with them from Japan and during the course of moving it may have been dropped hence the rattling the heard and they figured to toss it. They wouldn't bring back a 7 year old t.v. from Japan if it was crappy. My thought is to spend the money, it's a chance but I would gamble that the bulb is you only issue. Keep us informed.

 

[NVboy]

Quote:

Originally posted by Tony Marconi All the repair shops I've talked to so far don't want to deal with it because "they don't work on that model". I can't see any evidence that it took a hit. Anyone have experience with broken lamps?

Try giving Sony support a call. They should be able to tell you if anyone local can repair that particular model & if you can even get a lamp assembly for it here in the States (may be different parts than what is in use here).

 

[Tony Marconi]

The lamp that's in there now is an XL-100U.

A google search finds one for $17,690.95

 

[PanamaMike]

 KL-W9000


A well regarded set in its time. You can find the bulb for less than the 17k you posted


Mike

 

[Tony Marconi]

Not the exact same set but I guess it has the same bulb. Yeah I also found a bulb for about $210.00 at
http://www.japan-direct.com/cartitem.asp?prodid=280

I just thought the 17k was funny.


Anyone ever heard of them?