kdl-40v3000 bravia dark lines/shadows.

[nishmalek]

i have exactly the same problem as the other people who have written about this tv model on the forum and there seems to be manty many more out thereon forums reporting the same problem that sony will not acknowledge.

there are dark lines running down my screen and a dark shadow line about an inch think on the right hand side of my screen, this was more noticable when watching football. my tv is not under warrranty anymore but is only 2 and a 1/2 years old. it seems that sony have created their screens to only last this long as lots of people have the same complaint.

i have just rang sony and i have been told that "there is no known problems with this model" that is rubbish as clearly there are a few of us just on this forum with the same pronblem. So we are paying about £1000 for a tv that will only last 2.5 years. i am disgusted with the lack of help and support from the sony call centre staff who basically said i need to get it fixed myself and i need to book it in with a service engineer. I suspect this is a problem with the panel or with the screen where a replace ment would cost you more than getting a new set. it would cost me £45 just for someone to come out and tell me that without even having it repaired. as a dedicated sony buyer over the years i cannot believe that my most expensive buy has only lasted 2.5 years.

WHY IS SONY NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM??

[Bravia55HX]

Hi,

Announcement is at the top of the forum page.

[terrac]

Great now they are a potential fire risk..   it just gets worse and worse...

got mine booked in to be collected and inspected tomorrow..   engineer says he'll have a look at the dark patches too whilst he's at it...

[terrac]

top of forum page or here:

http://support.sony-europe.com/tvhc/hotnews/hotnews.aspx?site=odw_en_GB&f=inspection_programme

page was taking a while to load when I clicked on it earlier... 

It says that "Sony’s service representative will promptly visit to check your TV" but i've been told mine has to be taken away and inspected.

[kippokid]

The website is now down

http://support.sony-europe.com/tvhc/hotnews/hotnews.aspx?site=odw_en_GB&f=inspection_programme

[terrac]

So many people accessing it most likely..    Here's what it says for those people unable to access it, it took me a while to get the page to appear...

Dear valued Sony customer,

We have recently become aware of a  potential issue affecting a very limited number of BRAVIA LCD TV models,  which have been available for purchase in Europe since June 2007.

The model numbers are:

• KDL-40D3400, KDL-40D3500, KDL-40D3550, KDL-40D3660
• KDL-40V3000, KDL-40W3000, KDL-40X3000, KDL-40X3500

The issue came to our attention through reports in  Japan that a limited number of products might contain a component  affected by a quality issue, which in a rare number of cases might  over-heat and ignite inside the television and possibly result in the  melting of the upper casing of the television

To date, there have been no reports of any damage to other property or physical injuries.

However, as part of our ongoing commitment to customer  service and satisfaction, and as a precaution, Sony is voluntarily  initiating a programme to perform a free inspection and, if necessary, a  free repair to reassure you that these products meet your expectations  of our high standards for quality and safety.

If you own one of the products mentioned above, we  invite you to contact your nearest Service Centre to arrange an  inspection of your BRAVIA TV.

Following your request, Sony’s service representative  will promptly visit to check your TV, and will repair it as promptly as  possible if it has the affected component.

Please click here to contact your nearest service centre.

Please click here if you want to get in touch with Sony support.

Important: If you own one of the products mentioned above  and if you notice any abnormality (e.g. unusual noise, unusual smell or  smoking), please turn it off immediately, unplug the power cable, stop  using the TV, and contact us.We have confirmed that this symptom does  not occur when power is switched off.

In the unlikely event that you are affected by the  issues above, we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may  cause. Sony strives to constantly improve the quality standards of our  products to thevery highest level.Your understanding and cooperation are  highly appreciated.

How to identify your BRAVIA model name

1. From the settings menu’s inside the TV:
   • Press on the Menu button on your remote control
     
     
     
     
   • Navigate to the settings menu
     
     
   • In the settings menu, please select the setup menu
     
     
     
     
   • Select product information and press ok to identify your model
2. From the label on the back of the set
   
   You can find the model label on the back of your TV set
   
   
   
   

BRAVIA model names:

• KDL-40D3400, KDL-40D3500, KDL-40D3550, KDL-40D3660
• KDL-40V3000, KDL-40W3000, KDL-40X3000, KDL-40X3500

[mstaniak]

Seems like far more than very limited number of customers is interested (read: affected) 

[kookookachoo2009]

Just had the Sony engineers out to check the safety of my KDL40V3000,   was told my t.v has a Panel fault and the the t.v also switches itself of due to overheating.. but the 59.2c temp was within sonys guidelines and not a safety issue... was told to contact the sony support team again on doing so was rudely treated and informed as m t.v was out of warranty I wouldneed to pay for any repairs (estimate at nearly £500) I can not believe sonys stance on this when it is clearly a nationwide problem.. Disgusting

[-Cass-]

Thank you for posting on the Sony Forum.

  In an effort to give a quick and correct answer to your question, one of the forums experts has escalated your post to our Technical Support team, who will provide them with the information required as quickly as possible.

You can expect one of the forum experts to get back to you with the answer very soon.

Best regards

The Sony Massive

[it9733]

I own a KDL-40V3000 bought from Greece 3 years ago for 1000 Euros, which has the usual dark lines/shadows problem.

I got a local Sony engineer visiting my house yesterday, did the safety check and found no errors. In order to have the shadows problem investigated, i had to pay 40 euros (which i didn't).

According to the stories published here, the way this goes is:

1. you pay 40 euros

2. faulty panel -> no stock left

3. they offer you a new ~500 euro tv, but you have to pay for the panel cost anyway (~500)

4. if you complain long enough you might be able to get the ~500 euro tv for a bit less

I find it funny that the W and X models have been recalled due to panel fault, but not the V series. I have also decided that i can't avoid having to pay for a new tv set, so i am asking myself:

1. Why should i spend time and money and have my tv checked by Sony, since in the end i have to pay for a new tv set anyway

2. Why should i believe that the cheaper V series panel is not faulty, while the more expensive W and X panels are

3. Why should i believe that the possible overheating component has nothing to do with panel's dark shadows

4. Why did i pay 1000 euros a year ago to buy a Sony product, that i believed at the time was the most reliable TV manufacturer

5. Why should i ever buy another Sony product again

6. I work in a software house and offer IT support in hundreds of people everyday.  When people ask me what laptop, camera, tv to buy (i get that a lot), why should i ever recommend a Sony product again?

[cardiff75]

another unhappy kdl-40v300 owner here. i bought this tv 2.5 years ago and was very happy with it until a  month ago i noticed what looked like dust on the screen, i cleaned it and saw that it was behind the screen.

just had an engineer come round to do the safety inspection and i asked him about this and was told i need a new tv!! i paid over £1000 for this and i cant afford to buy a new tv. after looking on this forum and others it would seem that i am not alone. i have always bought sony products as i think they are quality, but tv's that only last 2.5 years is taking the mick.  what's going on sony!