Service Care Blog

From Sony's website, here's news regarding an extension for certain Sony TV owners:

Limited Extended Warranty for Certain 2003 and 2004 Televisions Exhibiting Warping of the Lamp Access Door

Posted: 04/17/2008


* 2003 Models: KF42WE610, KF50WE610, KF60WE610, KDF60XBR950, KDF70XBR950
* 2004 Models: KF42WE620, KF50WE620, KDF42WE655, KDF50WE655


It has come to our attention that a limited number of Grand WEGA rear projection televisions (models listed above) may exhibit warping to the lamp access door. In rare cases, some additional components may also become damaged as a result.

Sony would like to assure its customers that this issue has been evaluated extensively and that there are no product safety concerns caused by this issue.

As part of our commitment to quality, Sony will reimburse owners of eligible models in the United States who paid out-of pocket expenses on or before May 9, 2008 for an estimate or repair service related to this specific lamp door issue. To receive reimbursement, please follow the exact directions on the claim form for reimbursement; all claims must be postmarked by August 31, 2008. See the claim form for complete terms and conditions.

Additionally, through March 31, 2009, Sony will repair the lamp access door and any other components damaged as a result at no charge for any of the covered televisions. Customers who experience this issue should contact Sony at (888) 649-7669 to schedule a repair. Sony will only provide free repair to covered televisions that exhibit this specific condition.

All other terms of the Sony limited warranty continue to apply. Sony utilizes a network of hundreds of qualified independent third-party servicers to perform in-home television warranty service. Sony, through its Authorized Servicer Network, will repair your set within 30 days of your initial contact. For diagnosis, warranty service, or if your set is not repaired within 30 days, please contact Sony at (888) 649-7669.

Labels: Sony, televisions, TV, warranty extension

There will undoubtedly be some people who lose television when the broadcasters all switch over to digital. But will you really be affected?

If you have cable or satellite, the cable or satellite companies are responsible for making sure you can connect. You are fine. There is no need to upgrade your television if you have cable or satellite, unless of course you'd like to dramatically improve your television picture. But if you're happy, you don't need to upgrade.

But if you are depending upon antenna, over-the-air signals (you know, rabbit ears, etc) to watch TV, you're in for a surprise if your television is older than a certain year.

If you will leave us a comment with your Brand (Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, etc) and your full model number, we at Service Care would be happy to check and see if your television is ready for the digital switchover (it's really just an issue of whether you have an analog tuner only or digital). Just leave a comment below, and we'll look it up and post it here.

Hope we can help out.

Labels: digital, Panasonic, Samsung, Service Care, Sony, televisions

Tuesday Sony made an announcement about an overhaul of their operations, and it looks like the first change will be the closing of one of their LCD TV plants. The plant manufactured LCD TVs, and provided repairs and logistics services. Sony appears to be tightening up their operations in the wake of poor economic conditions worldwide.

Labels: LCD, Sony, televisions, TV

Among the brands covered by the reader survey were Sony, LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp, Magnavox, Philips, RCA, Toshiba, Hitachi, JVC, Mitsubishi and others.

This isn't a scientific study of the actual reliability of these televisions, but a survey of owner impressions of their own experiences with these television brands.

Still, it's worth reading to get a sense of what other buyers think about the brands you might be considering for purchase.

PC World article on reliability of various television brands

Service Care was not involved in this survey, and we make no claims about which brands are more or less reliable than any others. We've included this article because our customers might find it of interest.

Labels: Hitachi, JVC, LG, Magnavox, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Philips, RCA, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, televisions, Toshiba

Critical alert, see http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/news-item.pl?mdl=KDL52XBR4&news_id=276 for more information:

2007 Model Year 52" BRAVIA® Televisions

U.S. Models: KDL-52XBR4, KDL-52W3000

It has come to our attention that a limited number of 52" BRAVIA® LCD televisions (models listed above), after a short period of operating time, might exhibit a vertical line or other fixed pattern on the LCD panel viewable when the TV is turned Off (in Standby). The cause of this issue is unique, and photo examples can be seen here:

(See Sony link above to view pictures).

As part of our commitment to quality, Sony is announcing that for any owner of these model televisions who paid out-of pocket expenses on or before November 30, 2008 for an estimate or repair service to replace the LCD Panel for this specific issue, Sony will reimburse the customer by mail for his/her parts and labor expenses. To receive reimbursement, please completely follow the directions on the claim form for reimbursement; all claims must be postmarked by January 31, 2009. See the claim form for complete terms and conditions.

In addition, for any customer who later experiences this specific issue on one of the affected models, Sony will cover the cost of the LCD panel replacement (parts and labor) at no charge through 18 months from the original date of purchase. All other terms of the Sony limited warranty continue to apply. Sony utilizes a network of hundreds of qualified independent third-party servicers to perform in-home television warranty service. Sony, through its authorized servicer network, will endeavor to repair your set within 30 days of your first contact. For diagnosis, warranty service, or if you are not provided a repair within 30 days, please contact Sony at (888) 649-7669.

If you're in Alabama and have this problem, please visit our website and contact us by phone or email so we can take care of your problem: Television Repairs in Alabama

Labels: LCD, recall notice, repairs, Sony, televisions, warranty extension

You've got to admire Sony's commitment to take care of their customers, it should be okay to post this here (after all, it's on Sony's website). If anyone has this problem in Alabama, please don't hesitate to contact Service Care for help.

From Sony's eSupport Website:


Models: KDS-50A2000, KDS-55A2000, KDS-60A2000, KDS-R60XBR2, KDS-R70XBR2

As part of the Sony commitment to quality, Sony is announcing that it is extending the limited warranty (parts and labor), in the United States, on the optical block of the above-referenced 2006 model SXRD televisions until June 30, 2010, regardless of purchase date. For any customer who requires repair of the optical block on one of the affected models, Sony will cover the cost of the optical block repair (parts and labor) at no charge through June 30, 2010. This extended warranty does not apply to the replaceable projection lamp or the other parts that may be used in the televisions.

Sony is also announcing that for any owner of these model televisions who paid out-of-pocket expenses on or before November 30, 2008 for an estimate or repair service to replace the optical block, Sony will reimburse the customer by mail for the cost of the optical block and the labor expense to replace it, subject to certain conditions. To receive reimbursement, please follow completely the directions on the claim form for reimbursement; all claims must be postmarked by January 31, 2009. See the claim form for complete terms and conditions.

All other terms of the Sony limited warranty continue to apply. Sony utilizes a network of hundreds of qualified independent third-party servicers to perform in-home television warranty service. Sony, through its authorized servicer network, will endeavor to repair your set within 30 days of your first contact. For diagnosis, warranty service, or if you are not provided a repair within 30 days, please contact Sony at (888) 649-7669.

Labels: recall notice, Sony, televisions, warranty extension