[english_bob]

After reading this review, in particular the gaming comments...

Sony KDL40EX503/ KDL40EX503U/ KDL-40EX503 Review

...I will think I will pass for a while getting mine repaired until next year. Apparently they have been getting worse with input lag since the W4500, so I am changing my mind on the EX503 as mine primarily gets used for games...

To quote..."Input lag on the Sony KDL40EX503 measured at an underwhelmingly high 60ms (in GAME “scene” mode). This is actually not as bad as it sounds, and I did have some fun gaming experiences with this TV. Unfortunately, first person shooters were not as enjoyable; the lag makes precise aiming very difficult. It really is a shame that input lag is getting worse on the current crop of HDTVs, because it is a serious problem for hardcore gamers (who currently have very few options for gaming-friendly TVs)."

[Rowan146]

Had the exact same problem (46x3000) here. (Problem with Sony Bravia x3000) Problem got worse to a point where colours were not being displayed properly, motion trail and sometimes the image too dark on the right hand side. Engineer came and said it needed a new panel and so took the TV away for a repair. They rang today saying the model is too old to replace the panel so it is likely they will offer a replacement TV. My question is what TV should I expect to be offered considering its a 46X3000? Ideally one with at least the specs of the x3000 (such as 100Hz motionflow). I have read up on the current models but in a way I wish that the X3000 was repairable

[polux1331]

I'm the owner of a kld-40w4500 that started having problems 5 days ago and it becomes worse every day. I hope that sony-portugal has a fast solution for that.

[JerseySean]

Originally Posted by JerseySean

Good news, after contacting Sony direct, they have agreed to fund the repair as a goodwill gesture - the TV is out of warranty.

Next challenge I guess is whether or not the local repair agent can source the replacement part - which is the entire LCD display panel costing over £890 including fitting.

The required part was sourced and TV has now been returned after being repaired, which was funded by Sony. All well than ends well.

[martinbh]

i have this tv and it does the same as you guys i emailed sony about it including a picture the problem i have is i got it last year my parents bought it me as a gift and they cannot find the receipt i registered it when i bought it for the extended warranty online but they say they can't do anything without a receipt so i'm stuck i'm not willing to pay £400+ as it's not worth it i could get a new tv for that it's really annoying anyone any ideas if i knew someone with the same tv i'd see if i could borrow or get a copy of there receipt but i don't if anyone can help has any idea i would be very greatfull

[JerseySean]

Originally Posted by martinbh

i have this tv and it does the same as you guys i emailed sony about it including a picture the problem i have is i got it last year my parents bought it me as a gift and they cannot find the receipt i registered it when i bought it for the extended warranty online but they say they can't do anything without a receipt so i'm stuck i'm not willing to pay £400+ as it's not worth it i could get a new tv for that it's really annoying anyone any ideas if i knew someone with the same tv i'd see if i could borrow or get a copy of there receipt but i don't if anyone can help has any idea i would be very greatfull

When I contacted Sony, they asked for 2 things - a purchase receipt and a repair estimate. I got the estimate from Sony's local repair agent and as I also did not have a receipt, I contacted the retailer who was happy to email me a copy of the invoice. Are you able to contact the retailer?

[martinbh]

i think they would of paid cash so don't think i'll be able to get a copy of the receipt you don't really expect sony tv's to break this is the 4th i'v had and up until now no problems with them

[oxy]

same here having problems with the 40w4500 i got it with a 5 year warranty

so they have said they would replace it with the 40ex703

I said yes to them but im wondering would they let me pay the extra and say get the 40hx703 ?

oh well at least they are replacing it

[english_bob]

Originally Posted by oxy

so they have said they would replace it with the 40ex703

Is your 5 year warranty with Sony or Domestic and General?

[CARTER984]

the problem with these models is the t-con board not the screen, the problem is that sony only sell some tcon boards on there own. if sony dont stock it, it means a new screen which is when it becomes expensive!

and replacing a screen on a 46x3000 is a pain in the ass!

[oxy]

the warranty is with Sonex

[oxy]

BTW I did not realise I had to register my Sony TV to get the extended warranty
to make it 5 year warranty.
4 months over the 12 months was up they let me pay a £25 late registration fee.

I left it for a few weeks then put in a claim which they accepted.

[tPresto1]

I have experienced the same problem with my Bravia set which I purchased in Dec 2008. Only in recent weeks has the shading problems occurred, again down the centre of the screen and to the right hand side. I have just rung Sony and they stated that since it was outside of the 12 months then I would have to pay. After the responses I have seen then I will be opening a complaint case since I believe spending £900 on a set should mean that it lasts mor than 18 months. Should have stuck with the old CRT I think.

Any advise anyone can give would be appreciated since I did not take out any additional cover since one would think that if no problems have been experienced within 1 year then the liklihood is reduced somewhat, clearly not!

[Mrb1972]

I have the same problem on my W4500, it went back under warranty for repair and was told the panel needs replacing but there is no stock or ETA when stock is available.

Im pushing for a replacement new set, just waiting for a call back..

[tPresto1]

Thanks MLB, I am waiting on a cost estimate for repair, but if there are no panels available, I will also be looking for a replacement.

[Mrb1972]

Ok here it the latest, I have been offered a new tv (I dont know what model yet), but even though its a new TV Sony wont offer any warranty on it, not even the standard manufactuers 1 year warranty...

Anyone else had this?

[phorenzik]

Surely they would have to offer at least 90 days warranty on an exchanged product?

I'm sure someone on here knows.......

[Mrb1972]

Originally Posted by phorenzik

Surely they would have to offer at least 90 days warranty on an exchanged product?

I'm sure someone on here knows.......

i dont know why they dont give you a full manufactures warranty as its a new product.. im not happy about it but what can you do?

[phorenzik]

Annoyingly, legally, I don't think they have to offer a 12 month warranty.

I think exchanged products have to be covered for the length of warranty time remaining of the item they replace, or be covered for 90 days if the item was replaced out of a warranty.

It stinks really, as it seems like they have no faith in their own product's reliability and are scared to offer a full warranty in case it breaks.

It doesn't exactly instil the customer (who has already suffered the annoyance of a faulty product) with much confidence in the Sony brand does it?

What's to stop them fobbing you off with a dodgy returned TV that they have lying around the warehouse?

I hope it all goes well for you though mate

[Mrb1972]

Originally Posted by phorenzik

Annoyingly, legally, I don't think they have to offer a 12 month warranty.

I think exchanged products have to be covered for the length of warranty time remaining of the item they replace, or be covered for 90 days if the item was replaced out of a warranty.

It stinks really, as it seems like they have no faith in their own product's reliability and are scared to offer a full warranty in case it breaks.

It doesn't exactly instil the customer (who has already suffered the annoyance of a faulty product) with much confidence in the Sony brand does it?

What's to stop them fobbing you off with a dodgy returned TV that they have lying around the warehouse?

I hope it all goes well for you though mate

OK they have offered a KDL40EX503, a quick scout around the reviews, its seems like an ok TV, would prefer a 703 but i cant see that happening

[Shark10]

I believe the KDL-40W4XXX is somewhat of a counterpart of the KDL-40Z4100 so I'd like to explain my situation here rather than make a new thread. I've had my set for about 16-17 months now, and recently experienced problems with it.

Once I try to turn it on, the red standby LED blinks twice after I try to turn it on, I've read on a couple websites that this means there's an issue with the power supply (although the information seemed to differ on whether the power supply was underfeeding or overfeeding the TV) I also contacted a technician certified by Sony who gave me the same answer: power supply is kaput. He gave me an estimate of what replacing the part might cost, roughly $200 (bearing in mind I don't live in the U.S so I'm getting charged for income tax and whatnot)

My questions are: Am I getting a fair deal on the part? (additional charges not included) And for that matter, IS the power supply the root of the problem?

I'll add that ever since I got the TV, it's always been connected to a battery backup suited for a 40" screen. Any answers would be greatly appreciated.

[english_bob]

Originally Posted by Mrb1972

OK they have offered a KDL40EX503, a quick scout around the reviews, its seems like an ok TV, would prefer a 703 but i cant see that happening

Its a good set, but the Gaming mode ms delay has put me right off it.

Sony KDL40EX503/ KDL40EX503U/ KDL-40EX503 Review

[mogs]

Originally Posted by dni73

My 40w4500 is currently in the process of being investigated by the repair shop. At 14 months old it started developing the same problem as your screenshots. I phoned the warranty company 4 weeks ago and a whole new panel has been ordered. It has got a lot worse in the last 2 weeks. Sometimes it can take up to an hour to clear and at times it is unwatchable. Apparently the part is coming from America and is delayed. Presumably to do with the fact that Sony USA have issued a notice on their site about identical problems with 2 models which they are repairing free of charge. Sony eSupport - KDL-46XBR4 - News & Alerts

There appears to be a problem for a few different Sony models that I've read about. According to my engineer some people have had their sets replaced by Sony.
There is another thread worth reading here. Picture Distortion on Bravia 40W4500

I'm having exactly the same problems as dicussed on here. I have emailed Sony UK describing the problem and pointed out that there are several people on this forum with the same problem, I attached copies of email correspondance of the tv purchase from Teleworld and copies of Visa statements as I can't find the original receipt. Sony has responded with the following:

"In response to your e-mail, I can confirm that I have discussed this further with a member of our escalation team. Regrettably, the attached documents will not qualify as a proof of purchase. A VAT receipt or invoice is required, which contains all of the relevant details relating to the purchase.

In order to look into this matter further, a valid proof of purchase is required, in addition to a detailed engineers report and repair quote from an authorised service agent.

What you are describing is not a known issue; such issues would be documented within the support section of our website: www.sony.co.uk. Therefore, an engineers report including an analysis of the issue that you are experiencing, in addition to the details of the parts involved and a repair estimate is essential for this to be investigated further.

Once you have the relevant documentation, please forward this to our Basingstoke office along with a covering letter explaining what has occurred. The full postal details for our Basingstoke office can be found below:

Sony United Kingdom Limited
Customer Information Centre
Jays Close
Viables
Basingstoke
RG22 4SB"


Seems a bit strange to me that they haven't heard of this issue before, is it possible to have a survey of how many people have had this issue (and in the thread above) and reported it to Sony?


Thanks

[SteveParkyn]

Having very similar problems with Sony myself. Have a Sony 40W4500 having the same picture distortion problems as detailed in these posts, told by Sony to contact a local repair centre, who on coming to pick up the television didn't need to switch it on to see the problem, thats how common the fault is with this television set.

Was told that it needed a new panel at a cost of roughly 600 pounds, but there was an indefinate wait for the part and that we should contact Sony directly.

Sony were very unhelpful and did not believe that it was a common fault, even though other people have detailed exactly the same fault on this forum. Was told that there was no history of such a fault and it was NOT a known fault. In the end had to contact the Sony Centre where we bought the t.v. and it was only by chance a woman there is very helpful and seems quite keen to help us out. Still in limbo if the televison will be fixed or a replacement offered.

[tony9]

I have a Sony KDL40X350 less than 3 years old purchased in Bath from the Sony Centre.

I experienced the same problem as you have after about 18 months and Sony changed the screen. Now coming up to 3 years the problem came back again and it has gone back to Sony for (guess what!) another new screen.

I have talked at length with the Sony people as I cannot believe the problem can stem from the screen as I will now be on my 3rd. I think the problem is coming from the input voltages with perhaps too much heat being generated. Sony have said if it happens again (I think it will) they will give me a new set.

I wouldn't have bought a Sony if I had imagined it would be so much trouble as why not spend a fraction of the cost and get a (reliable) LG. I thank my lucky stars that when i bought the set it came with the special offer of a 5 year warranty; don't buy a Sony set without this essential piece of paper!

I suspect my expensive Sony will end up in the skip when my warranty runs out and I will get an LG

Good luck

[Rowan146]

So we are being offered the 46ex703 to replace the broken x3000, but having seen the TV in Comet it looks a bit of a mess. The edges are a bit lighter than elsewhere as a bright patch in the middle, this was easily viewable on a black screen. Along with that the viewing angle was atrocious. Not to forget the pushy sales assistant desperate for a sale, suggesting that LED is the latest best technology, and the fact that 200Hz on the HX is just a gimmick. We were told to look around to see which TV we preferred and felt the 46HX703 would be perfect as we saw the 40" version in Costco. (including fact its CCFL) however we are now being told the TV has to be sold in Argos or Comet which is really annoying considering they don't sell the HX series. Also, we arn't too keen on the EX403 or EX503, heard the 503 has issues of their own? What do you think we can do?

[mattclarkie]

In the X3000/3500 we found 3 of us with this fault, sets purchased end of 2007 to start of 2008. They are the same XBR4 in the US, so why haven't Sony admitted the fault in the UK.

Still looking for our 5 year warranty details (free when we bought the TV), not good to know it is so expensive to fix and such a widespread issue.

[mogs]

Anyone else with this issue on their 40w4500 & reported it to Sony (thanks english bob I'd forgotten how to count)??

[english_bob]

Originally Posted by mogs

Anyone else with this issue on their 40w4500??

Yes, this thread is only 2 pages long. Click page 1

[TheBomb]

Sorry guys, but here a dutchman with the problems as described on my 40W4500. TV was picked up by ASP and told to contact retailer. Retailer was willing to refund € 689 from the € 1250 it originaly cost.
I can choose from different models.

No contact with Sony sofar but consider to put my laywer on it.

Should i escalate it, complain at Sony or take the money?