Estimates of labor and parts to fix color of Sony HDTV

[edong]

Our almost 8 year old Sony 57" projection console HDTV(XBR) suddenly became green and blue only. Local repair shops won't give estimates over the phone even though I describe to them the problem. Except for its big size, we are pretty much satisfied with it.

If you guys have any idea how much it will cost to repair, it would help me to decide whether to donate it (if they will accept) or pay for the fix. I'm thinking if it's more than $400, it may not be worth it. If it's the red lamp, I'm also concerned about the other lamps which may fail anytime.

I saw an ad for 50" 1080p for $1300 and 720p for $900. The wife wants the same size as the Sony but the price difference is huge for the 1080p. I live in So. CA. Thanks.

[redwudz]

Would that be a in-home repair or in their shop? Transportation charges to move it may apply. Home repair would be much higher. I would guess they won't even look at it for less than $100, even if you transport it to them.

They should give you a minimum estimate to look at it. Then when they get into it and figure out the cause of the problem, they should call you back with an full estimate. If it's only a projection bulb, maybe not too bad. Most I have seen have a single white bulb and a color wheel for the different colors. If so, the problem may not just be the bulb. But I don't keep up on projection TVs.

For me, $400 or more would tell me it's better to replace it because of it's age.

[Number Six]

You are correct that the problem is in the Red Circuitry, but it is not a lamp - it is a dedicated Red Picture Tube. The problem can be something as simple as a blown fuse, or as complicated as a dead Flyback Transformer or Red Picture Tube. The Red usually dies first in any CRT based TV set - especially in single tube direct view models.

All 3 color circuits have the same amount of hours on them, so you have to decide how much you want to take a chance on having it repaired. Does this set have a lot of use on it over the 8 years that you have owned it? I am quite sure that any TV repair person would quote a very high price, due to the fact of it's size and age.

[jman98]

TV repairs basically require you to bring the TV to the shop and let them examine it in person before they will tell you what it will cost. They will also charge you for this examination and may not necessarily apply that fee against a repair. While you may be right about the cause, they don't really trust non-professionals to do correct diagnosis and if they tell you a certain price based on your explanation and it turns out that something else is also wrong, some customers would flip out and say "But you said it would only cost X and now you say it will cost X+Y". We may have a few people here who can provide some sort of estimate, assuming your diagnosis is the only problem.

Note that it's now Friday night in the eastern US and a lot of people don't read the forums on weekends. If you don't get a response, post again to this thread on Monday morning and just say "bump" in your post. That will make it shoot up to the top of the current video topics lists and hopefully you'll get a response then.

If you decide to get a new TV, get the 1080p. You may regret the 720p in a few years when EVERYBODY you know has 1080p TVs. The industry is moving that way. And you might consider Samsung instead of Sony. Everybody in my circle of friends who has seen my Samsung 1080p LCD has raved about it and even the people I know who have HDTVs think my Samsung is better than theirs.

[jagabo]

Sony will likely charge $1000 for a new red tube. Throw the TV away and get a new one. HDTV has progressed a lot in the last 8 years. Whatever you get will be far superior.

[Megahurts]

Without the model number and being 8yrs old, I'm assuming it's a CRT projection TV.

If so and the red CRT is bad, the price of the CRT is about $500 if still avialable (many art not available). If it is replaced, it is usually impossible to get good color tracking unless all three CRTs are replaced because of the age of the other CRTs.

Since it went out suddenly, it could be something in the red drive circuit which would cost less.

I have to agree with redwudz jagabo and replace it because of it's age.

[edong]

Thanks, guys.

The model number is KP-57XBR10W. The first time it was serviced for color adjustments years ago, the technician opened the back and I saw three separate lamp-looking bulbs and a big mirror.

Maybe it's time to replace. This TV is always on for more than 10 hours everyday so we already got our money's worth. I am inclined to get the plasma instead of the LCD. Any thoughts from owners of plasmas and LCDs?

[jagabo]

Your tv is a rear projection CRT. It uses three small CRTs (red, green, blue) to project a picture onto the big screen (via the mirror).

[edong]

I just noticed now that if I used the other non-HD connections (composite, S-video and the other component port-DTV 4) there is red color. So the problem might have been the HD connection which is DTV 5. Thanks.

[Number Six]

Were you using the RGB inputs before?

[jagabo]

That's good news. Maybe the cable was bad or loose?

[edong]

From yesterday until today everything seems to be back to normal on our HDTV. I did not touch anything. I do not know for how long it will stay that way but I already postpone buying the Panasonic 50" 1080p plasma from Amazon for $1296 (free shipping and no sales tax). I think it is a very good deal for this size. Thanks.