Sony KF42SX300 poor picture-help?

[dooper786]

Hello,
I have just acquired (free !) a Sony Grand Wega model KF42SX300. The set powers up and works ok and displays a picture which is acceptable but it does have some minor issues. Depending on the tone and colour of the picture on the screen, it is possible to see some background pink/purplish small blotches at various points on the screen. It is more visible on light/white backgrounds and barely noticeable on other background colours. I know that there is an issue with the light bulb unit on this model in that it has a limited life and need replacement at about 10000 hours and costs about £300 as well as being slightly difficult to source.

I'm just wondering though whether this is caused by another issue eg dust/dirt somehwere in the light unit/projection mechanism ??

How do i access the bulb unit?

Also,i read somewhere that the reason why the light bulb unit is hard to source/expensive is something to do with a sony price control /patent and that that agreement is soon to expire,at which time hopefully the cost will come down?

The set can be had new for just over £700 these days so a £300 lamp unit seems like a poor deal and yet it seems a great waste to chuck it out if the picture worsens...

any thoughts/advice

ta

[LV426]

The problem you describe is probably caused by dust particles in the LCD block. It's an easy fix; an aerosol clean air blower will clear it in most cases - so long as you know where to find the LCD block. And, as I'm not familiar with this exact TV, on that I can't help, except to say - I guess it will be in the middle of the set laterally, below the screen, and close to a lens....

As for a new lamp - unless you know it's already near to its lifespan, I'd forget about it unless/until it fails. You'll probably have decided to upgrade by then anyway.