[JulesandSand]

After having Sony TVs since the early 1980s Trinitrons (apart from a dalliance with Panasonic plasmas), I've finally had one fail on me.

Actually it's not mine, it's my in-laws' set but I got it for them and it's only 30 months old but unfortunately out of warranty.

It's a KDL 32V5810, a freesat model. I'm hoping it's economic to repair.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulesandSand

After having Sony TVs since the early 1980s Trinitrons (apart from a dalliance with Panasonic plasmas), I've finally had one fail on me.

Actually it's not mine, it's my in-laws' set but I got it for them and it's only 30 months old but unfortunately out of warranty.

It's a KDL 32V5810, a freesat model. I'm hoping it's economic to repair.

What's wrong with it?.

The vast majority of faults on Sony LCD's are panel failures (same with Panasonic as well).

[XxBlaKOuTZxX]

a Sony fail after 30 months This is the reason I always get an extended warranty on any tv I buy. Some, perhaps most see it as a waste of money but there's always a chance it could fail and it could be costly to get it repaired.

[JulesandSand]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

What's wrong with it?.

The vast majority of faults on Sony LCD's are panel failures (same with Panasonic as well).

I don't know - from the red-light flash pattern (without so far running any diagnostic tests) it is either, a PSU problem or the panel.

I'll find out later on.

It's a shame as it's a nice little set and gave them access to FTV HD satellite content. However if it does need to be replaced the replacement (Sony) will have Freeview HD.

[JulesandSand]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

What's wrong with it?.

The vast majority of faults on Sony LCD's are panel failures (same with Panasonic as well).

Am I right in thinking that if it's a panel failure it will be uneconomic to repair?

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulesandSand

Am I right in thinking that if it's a panel failure it will be uneconomic to repair?

Probably, although replacement LCD panels from Sony are the most reasonably priced of any manufacturer (usually by a LONG way) - but even at that it still costs not far off the original price of the set to replace a panel.

But how many flashes of the red LED do you have?.

[JulesandSand]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

Probably, although replacement LCD panels from Sony are the most reasonably priced of any manufacturer (usually by a LONG way) - but even at that it still costs not far off the original price of the set to replace a panel.

But how many flashes of the red LED do you have?.

I didn't see it myself but my FiL said it was 2 flashes every 2 seconds, which according to him, the manual diagnoses as 'contact your dealer' or similar.

[XxBlaKOuTZxX]

Just out of curiosity Nigel, how much would it cost, roughly, to replace a panel, say, on a 40" set ?.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulesandSand

I didn't see it myself but my FiL said it was 2 flashes every 2 seconds, which according to him, the manual diagnoses as 'contact your dealer' or similar.

2 flashes is "main power error", so 'probably' a power supply fault?.

[c4rv]

Quote:

Originally Posted by XxBlaKOuTZxX

a Sony fail after 30 months This is the reason I always get an extended warranty on any tv I buy. Some, perhaps most see it as a waste of money but there's always a chance it could fail and it could be costly to get it repaired.

how many years have you been buying extended warranties and how many times have you had to claim on one ?

[JulesandSand]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

2 flashes is "main power error", so 'probably' a power supply fault?.

That's what I was told - but was warned it could also be the panel.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by XxBlaKOuTZxX

Just out of curiosity Nigel, how much would it cost, roughly, to replace a panel, say, on a 40" set ?.

It depends entirely on the model, and on the specific panel fitted - I've just checked the price for this specific 32 inch, and it's a 'middling' price - I would charge £459.16 to replace the panel in this set (same cost for either of the two panel types fitted). Some of the Sony 32's though would only cost £280 or so to replace the panel.

Sometimes when you order a panel you're pleasantly surprised, other times you're shocked at the price!. Generally the older the TV the more expensive it is, as spares prices are derived from the original cost.

For a Sharp 32 you're looking at £1500 or more!!

[JulesandSand]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

It depends entirely on the model, and on the specific panel fitted - I've just checked the price for this specific 32 inch, and it's a 'middling' price - I would charge £459.16 to replace the panel in this set (same cost for either of the two panel types fitted). Some of the Sony 32's though would only cost £280 or so to replace the panel.

Sometimes when you order a panel you're pleasantly surprised, other times you're shocked at the price!. Generally the older the TV the more expensive it is, as spares prices are derived from the original cost.

For a Sharp 32 you're looking at £1500 or more!!

Which will make it uneconomic to repair.

[XxBlaKOuTZxX]

wow, that's a ridiculous amount of money for a Sharp panel. I don't see them as a decent make so I must be wrong surely.

[XxBlaKOuTZxX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by c4rv

how many years have you been buying extended warranties and how many times have you had to claim on one ?

As i'm only on my 3rd tv (bought by myself) then Iv'e paid for 3 diff warranties and had to call them out twice in that time, once was for my second set (a Sony LCD) when it wouldn't come on out off SB. I understand that i'm paying out for something that's, hopefully not going to be used, but it's peace of mind isn't it. Although I was shocked at the cost of the latest one but as it's a Samsung and knowing they have had issues in the past, I had to get it and iv'e already had them out to look at this model.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by XxBlaKOuTZxX

wow, that's a ridiculous amount of money for a Sharp panel. I don't see them as a decent make so I must be wrong surely.

Sharp have always been crazy on prices for LCD panels and for CRT's - I suspect it's simply a cheap way of meeting their obligations to keep spare parts.

My reasoning is this:

By only keeping a very small number of CRT's and LCD panels in stock, they meet their legal requirements about maintaining a source of spare parts. The fact that they never sell any because they cost the trade probably double the retail price of the original set just means they don't need to store very many, saving them money.

Incidently, every few years the CRT's for the bolder sets used to be taken out and crushed to get rid of them, presumably once their obligation had run out.

If an LCD panel fails under warranty, even the Sharp service people (Sharpserv) aren't allowed to replace it - and Sharp replace the entire TV with a current similar model.

As for Sharp being a 'decent make', they used to be so many years back - and were in fact number three in the rankings (behind Sony and Panasonic) for a long time. However, a growing reputation for unreliability and some bizarre marketing decisions meant the trade dropped them in droves, leaving them now as a very small player in the UK.

[jjne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

It depends entirely on the model, and on the specific panel fitted - I've just checked the price for this specific 32 inch, and it's a 'middling' price - I would charge £459.16 to replace the panel in this set (same cost for either of the two panel types fitted). Some of the Sony 32's though would only cost £280 or so to replace the panel.

Sometimes when you order a panel you're pleasantly surprised, other times you're shocked at the price!. Generally the older the TV the more expensive it is, as spares prices are derived from the original cost.

For a Sharp 32 you're looking at £1500 or more!!

Surely the cost of the panel is related to who made the panel, rather than the badge on the front?

I was under the impression that most Sony TVs use Samsung panels -- meaning you just buy in the cheapest compatible unit.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjne

Surely the cost of the panel is related to who made the panel, rather than the badge on the front?

I was under the impression that most Sony TVs use Samsung panels -- meaning you just buy in the cheapest compatible unit.

No, most Sony TV's use (do used to use) S-LCD panels, but there would various other makes used as well.

But even among the S-LCD panels there are multiple types, it's EXTREMELY difficult to find compatible LCD panels - and where Sony use multiple types you need to reprogram the sets software to use the particular type of panel.

But as Sony are generally the cheapest source of panels, why would you want to look elsewhere?.

[JulesandSand]

Nigel - I have a 55HX923 - can you tell me what it theoretically cost to replace the panel in that?

[jjne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

No, most Sony TV's use (do used to use) S-LCD panels, but there would various other makes used as well.

But even among the S-LCD panels there are multiple types, it's EXTREMELY difficult to find compatible LCD panels - and where Sony use multiple types you need to reprogram the sets software to use the particular type of panel.

But as Sony are generally the cheapest source of panels, why would you want to look elsewhere?.

Something I've never been able to understand ... when computer monitors are more or less standardised, panels are cheap, and an LCD TV is little more than a computer monitor with a bit of extra electronics these days, why the expense?

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulesandSand

Nigel - I have a 55HX923 - can you tell me what it theoretically cost to replace the panel in that?

That's a dear one

I would charge you £1790.60 to replace the panel.

I suppose it's slightly cheaper than the set?.

[JulesandSand]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

That's a dear one

I would charge you £1790.60 to replace the panel.

I suppose it's slightly cheaper than the set?.

Yes by about £300 these days.

It has a 5 year warranty so, in practical terms, after that it would be uneconomic to to replace the panel.

Of course, at the risk of upsetting some people on here, if it's still working at 5 years old I might replace it with an OLED TV if they've become affordable by then.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulesandSand

Yes by about £300 these days.

It has a 5 year warranty so, in practical terms, after that it would be uneconomic to to replace the panel.

Assuming it's an official Sony warranty, then if the panel failed during the five years then the panel would be replaced.

If it's an insurance based warranty, it's likely the set would be written off - as just like a car they devalue the set as time goes by, and if the value is less than the repiar they write it off.

[JulesandSand]

It was bought from a Sony Centre so I'm hoping it's a manufacturer-backed warranty.

With the insurance-backed ones if a set is written off - do they replace the set with an equivalent new one?

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulesandSand

It was bought from a Sony Centre so I'm hoping it's a manufacturer-backed warranty.

Any which came from an official Sony dealer in the last few years will have a Sony warranty - but you can simply check on your warranty registration, which will have come through the post and contain a registration number. If it's insurance backed it will have D&G's name on it.

Quote:

With the insurance-backed ones if a set is written off - do they replace the set with an equivalent new one?

No, just like a car they pay you the current market value of the set.