[Jimmy Connors]

I don't know how to explain this clearly, but when I am watching my LCD TV and the picture (camera) moves fast it is as if there's a black cloud on the screen (momentarily)

Does anybody know what I am talking about? The TV (42inch Sharp) is not yet 3 years old. It happens on freeview, analogue and even DVD so I am not sure what's up.

The TV is guaranteed for 5 years, so just wondered if I should drag them out - or is there something I am doing wrong?

I only noticed it a few weeks ago and have not changed any settings prior to this happening.

Surely the TV is not packing up. It's like the screen is dirty (it isn't) and happens when the screen is very bright or moving fast.

[Jimmy Connors]

Somebody has told me it's called 'banding'

Does anyone know what this is?

[frasera]

take a picture of this happening.

[Chris Frost]

Banding I associate as a lack of colour depth. It's usually seen as a stepping effect on a graduated background.

[fastest finger]

It happens on a lot of Sharps.

If I recall, it was something to do with dirty rollers contaminating the panels on the production line.

[Jimmy Connors]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastest finger

It happens on a lot of Sharps.

If I recall, it was something to do with dirty rollers contaminating the panels on the production line.

That's what it looks like. Like someone has rolled something across the screen. It's only faint - but I notice it now.

What's the likely outcome if I phone John Lewis and tell them? Can such a thing be repaired?

Thanks for replying (all)

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Connors

That's what it looks like. Like someone has rolled something across the screen. It's only faint - but I notice it now.

What's the likely outcome if I phone John Lewis and tell them? Can such a thing be repaired?

Yes it can, but not at a viable price - Sharp deliberately price their replacement panels at two to three times the price of the entire set. Under the manufacturers 12 months guarantee Sharp replace the set with a new one - you would need to contact John Lewis to see what they do. Bear in mind the set been replaced voids your original five year warranty.

[Jimmy Connors]

Thank you Nigel. Looks like I should get in touch with JL then.

How annoying that such a relatively new TV should have this happen. Sharp Aquos are not exactly Alba.

[Jimmy Connors]

Update.

Just to say that I went into John Lewis and the response I got was not very encouraging.

They told me if the engineer looks at the TV and says there is nothing wrong with it I have to pay £45 call out. Also, they can take it away for up to 5 weeks to repair it. That'll be 5 weeks without a TV.

Does all of this sound par for the course?

What if I dis-agree with the engineer? (which I will of course if they say it's fine) I have asked 4 friends to look at the picture and 3 of them noticed a problem (like looking through a dirty lense) and one said they could not notice anything wrong.

TBH I am at a loss as to what to do. Sod's law they will say there's nothing wrong with and I'll not have a leg to stand on.

The TV was £920--- Should I throw it and buy another after just 2.5 years?

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Connors

Update.

Just to say that I went into John Lewis and the response I got was not very encouraging.

They told me if the engineer looks at the TV and says there is nothing wrong with it I have to pay £45 call out. Also, they can take it away for up to 5 weeks to repair it. That'll be 5 weeks without a TV.

Does all of this sound par for the course?

Probably for John Lewis!.

Any decent company would loan you a set while your's is away - but any decent company wouldn't take five weeks either!.

Quote:

What if I dis-agree with the engineer? (which I will of course if they say it's fine) I have asked 4 friends to look at the picture and 3 of them noticed a problem (like looking through a dirty lense) and one said they could not notice anything wrong.

Take a picture of it, so you can show the engineer.

Quote:

TBH I am at a loss as to what to do. Sod's law they will say there's nothing wrong with and I'll not have a leg to stand on.

If you've got a photo, then you have proof - but in any case, it's your opinion against his, and any decent engineer is likely to be fully aware of such problems anyway.

[Jimmy Connors]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

Probably for John Lewis!.

Any decent company would loan you a set while your's is away - but any decent company wouldn't take five weeks either!.



Take a picture of it, so you can show the engineer.



If you've got a photo, then you have proof - but in any case, it's your opinion against his, and any decent engineer is likely to be fully aware of such problems anyway.

Thank you Nigel.

Yes, I like the picture idea. I shall do that.

I always buy from John Lewis because of their 5 year thingy. I am certainly going to look around in future and most definitely will not be getting a SHARP telly again.

Appreciate your advice, thanks Nigel.

[Jimmy Connors]

I need some more advice please.

The man from John Lewis came yesterday, took one look and noticed the problem immediately. I made a mistake in post 1. The TV is only 18 months old, not nearly 3.

Anyway the TV has been taken away. The guy said JL will contact me about it in due course. It may need a new panel or have something to do with the 'backlight'

If they do not repair it, will JL have to replace it with the same model (Sharp -LC42B20E - not sure that is available) or will they offer me a like for like? Will they let me choose another up to the price I paid? (£940) Not sure I want another Sharp tbh.

What's the likelyhood they will replace the 'backlight'? As Nigel said in post 7 replacing the panel is surely too expensive

Sorry for all the questions, but I wasn't expecting to even use the warranty - let alone use it after only 18 months.

In the meantime I am using my 11 year old CRT as a replacement (they offered a loan telly, but I didn't want to take another day off whilst they delivered it) The CRT is a mighty comedown

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Connors

What's the likelyhood they will replace the 'backlight'? As Nigel said in post 7 replacing the panel is surely too expensive

They won't replace the LCD panel, as it costs a number of times what the original TV cost.

They will swap the set, possibly consulting you first - but they may not. You also need to confirm the warranty after you get the new set, does it continue from where the old set left off, does it start a new five year warranty - or does the warranty end with the replacement (just like a car, a write-off voids the insurance). Make sure you get it in writing.

[Jimmy Connors]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

They won't replace the LCD panel, as it costs a number of times what the original TV cost.

They will swap the set, possibly consulting you first - but they may not. You also need to confirm the warranty after you get the new set, does it continue from where the old set left off, does it start a new five year warranty - or does the warranty end with the replacement (just like a car, a write-off voids the insurance). Make sure you get it in writing.

Thank you Nigel. I will ask them about the warranty. I asked them today what happens if they decide not to fix the TV. I was told I'd get a like for like. A TV with all the features mine had. That may well be a £500 LG or Samsung - even though I paid over £900 for mine. They say TV's have 'come down in price' in the past 18 months. I didn't realise they'd come down so much.

They also told me there's little chance of getting another Sharp as Sharp are phasing out TV's Is that true, do you know? I have not heard that.

I will make a point of asking about the warranty. That's a good point. Thanks again, Nigel.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Connors

They also told me there's little chance of getting another Sharp as Sharp are phasing out TV's Is that true, do you know? I have not heard that.

Not as far as I know, I presume what he meant is that John Lewis are stopping selling Sharp. A good idea if you'e giving away 5 year warranties.

[Jimmy Connors]

The panel had gone. You were right Nigel - John Lewis just phoned and they said it's too expensive to replace the panel, so they are going to replace the TV with a brand new one (exactly the same TV) Delivered Monday, next week.

They were surprised (as I was) that an 18 month old TV developed such a problem. But there we are.

Thanks for your help and advice Nigel (and everyone else) It's very much appreciated.

Edited to add: They are going to continue the warranty for 5 years from the original date of purchase.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Connors

The panel had gone. You were right Nigel - John Lewis just phoned and they said it's too expensive to replace the panel, so they are going to replace the TV with a brand new one (exactly the same TV) Delivered Monday, next week.

Sharp's spare parts policy is crazy - how can they charge three times the original price of the set for a new panel?.

Under the initial manufacturers warranty, if the panel goes faulty they send out a new set.

I wonder what they do with all the old ones?.

Quote:

They were surprised (as I was) that an 18 month old TV developed such a problem. But there we are.

Thanks for your help and advice Nigel (and everyone else) It's very much appreciated.

Edited to add: They are going to continue the warranty for 5 years from the original date of purchase.

That's good to know.

[Jimmy Connors]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

Sharp's spare parts policy is crazy - how can they charge three times the original price of the set for a new panel?.

Under the initial manufacturers warranty, if the panel goes faulty they send out a new set.

I wonder what they do with all the old ones?.

This is the very reason John Lewis are phasing out Sharp TV's from their shops (so I was told today) It just doesn't make any sense to charge 3 times the TV price for a panel - so they will not be selling them much longer.

I just hope the new one I am getting lasts longer than 18 months.

[Jimmy Connors]

.... sorry to drag up an old thread.

After roughly 11 months the same problem is happening again. What is it with Sharp TV's? Are they really this crap?

I just can't be bothered any more and will insist on a different make, when they inevitably replace the bloody thing.

I thought Sharp was a fairly good make. Obviously not (and it's built in Japan)

Sony I presume are more reliable? Even if I have to pay more - I'll ask John Lewis to replace it with a Sony.

Surely TV's should be lasting longer than this.

[AidanLunn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

Sharp's spare parts policy is crazy - how can they charge three times the original price of the set for a new panel?

Surely it must have dawned on them that if they charge that much more for parts than replacement sets, then they're going to be loss-making pretty quickly? As the set is two to three times lower than the cost of the parts that go into it. No wonder they've gone crap!!!

Sharp 14" TV bought in 1992/1993 (obviously a CRT) used in a kitchen for all it's life, it's never been cleaned out or broken down, it's battled against steam and smoke and got knows what else. Never had a problem apart from when the remote had wine spilt onto it. And even then it still worked after I dried that out!