Grand Wega LCD - light at the end of the tunnel

[Seared Steak]

Well it has been no surprise to many GWIII owners the issues behind the sets. It seems to be the subject of countless threads on countless forums. Many dissatisfied customers and with reason. While many, myself included, didn't thing it was a widespread issue, many felt it was. And to be honest maybe we'll never know to what extend the bulb, the buzz, or any other problem is widespread but I have good news. From very realiable sources at various Circuit City's a "confidential" email was sent recently about atleast the bulb issue. As of now a lot of them are being recalled. They just got an urgent email today about the bulb issue from Sony. While Sony will stand behind their stance and only admit it's a simple fix to a small issue, they will cover it under their warranty, as it should be. As for the future of the GWIII it's still unclear. If new sets with the most recent built days have the same issues, we'll have to wait and see. While this may not end the countless rumors, it's a small step to repair the anger a lot of GWIII owners have been going thru these past few months. Like I said it's not widely available information, you just heard it thru the grapevine but it's legit and should be used as a bargain tool to the best you can if you have such an issue. Just wanted to share some light...:cool:

[BadCamper]

Best Buy no longer carries the 42", 50" and 60" Grand Wega LCD-Rear Projection televisions due to a "shortage in supply of the product..." at least, that's what they're been asked to tell their customers.

[Seared Steak]

Yeah many have been getting all sorts of excuses from BB. Yet I know for a fact they have been doing that for years. I remember a few years back I was looking for specifc dvd player. They told me they didn't make it anymore. And once shopping I walked by a transaction and heard the rep tell the customer the manufacture couldn't keep up with their demand, so they stop selling some model. But also many reports of BB telling customers that Sony has dicountinued the GWII sets is also heard. And that is not true by my search of other chains. And while my post refers to CC, maybe other chains have the same info but not openly disclosing it to customers.

[Derek2k]

I had the 50 inch version of that TV it failed in 2 days. I returned it and never looked back. Good luck to you guys who got stuck with one of those sets and the Bulb issue.

[max]

I have had my 60 inch GWIII for about three months and it works like a dream come true, is it possible the bulb issue is only for the sets in the united states? I live in Canada and like I said my 60 inch works perfect and my friends 42 inch works just as well!!!

MAX
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Sony KF60WE610 w/Sony Stand
Scientific 3100HD
JVC Prog Scan DVD Player
Harmon Kardon AVR7200 7.1
Monster AVS2000 Voltage Stabilizer
2 sets of Cerwin Vega VS-120 LoudSpeakers
Polk Audio CSi5 Center Channel
Polk Audio FXi5 Rear Surround Speakers
Velodyne CHT-15 Subwoofer
Sony RM-AV TouchScreen Remote
Lutron Light Dimmer
Xbox
Monster THX Wires

Couldn't be happier with Sony, I think they did an excellent job on the GWIII!!!!!

Also Best Buy, Future Shop, The Sony Store and The Brick all still carry this T.V here in Canada and there is no shortage. When I baught mine in October Future Shop had 74 in stock, they sold out by Christmas and now they have just recieved a new shipment...

[Seared Steak]

Well here in the US many places still have a stortage and people still are on waiting list. The local shop I'm going with sold 40 in Dec and had 50 coming in this month. I decided to wait a little longer before I get on the list and wait till it's in stock. And yes there were a number of reports but not a clear report on how many total % sets were affected. Some have come up with a list of affected serial numbers and build dates, but I am not sure that is a clear accessment of how narrow or widespread the problem was. But if Sony issued these memos, it probably is large. However there are many happy customers with no problems. I guess time will tell on the GWIII.

[Derek2k]

There is definitely an issue with that set. Before I returned mine an BB tech told me Sony had an fix for it but the lamps were on back order. I think you should realize that you may have a set that will not have the problem show until later or you may have one that has the modification from the factory. The tech told me that any authorize servicer should have a memo that tells how to Identify if the set in questions needs the modification. He said it was determind by serial number and the month it was manufactured. For me it was just too big of a chance to take, that set cost too much money to buy it knowing it may be defective, especially when there are many other sets in that price range.

[Seared Steak]

Well just for the benefit of any new member looking for answers it's safe to say all brands have had their issues. From the Hitachi's to the Samsung DLP's. Once again who knows to what true extend. I have read of many owners getting the service done and being happy with the trouble free sets afterwards. But everyone has to make their own decision when it comes down to laying down the cash.

[bobsmi]

I've had the 50" (kf-50we610) since November and have not noticed any issues. So far, I've been impressed with the quality of the picture (especially when viewing HD broadcasts).

What should I be looking for in regards to the complaints previously discussed here?

The one thing I have noticed is that once in a while I get "square" pixels (?) as a scene transitions. Comcast (cable) told me this might be cable reception.

I've also noticed stores in my area are no longer carrying this model (which is what brought me to this forum).

Sounds like it might be a good idea to have a service tech make a call prior to my warranty expiration in NOV '04...regardless if any issues exist.

Thank you in advance for your comments.
Bob

[max]

There isn't really much to look for, One day you might try to turn on your T.V and it wont work! I have had my KF60WE610 since about the same time and it works like a dream, but you never no if it is going to have the lamp problem that others have had. I purchased the 5 year warranty{so I have plenty of time} and I also spoke with the store that sold it to me, They said if it does break down they wont even try to fix it, they will just give me a new one. Here in Canada there is no shortage and there still being carried by every major company. Sony said they fixed the problem and the stores that did take them off of the shelf will be putting the new modified ones back on very soon. The T.V's that have a manufactures date past November are suppose to be the new modified ones. Mine was made in October so I might get the problem, but it is as easy as a phone call away and a new one will be delivered the next day they assured me. If I were you I would go to the store that you baught the T.V from and check if they have heard about the problem and also see what they are willing to do for you if your T.V does break down. That's the best advice I can give you!!!

MAX

[57U]

Originally posted by bobsmi The one thing I have noticed is that once in a while I get "square" pixels (?) as a scene transitions. Macro-blocking or macro-pixellation is usually simply a consequence of the limitations of the HD MPEG decoding. HD signals are heavily compressed before broadcast (from over 1Gb/sec to 19.4 Gb/sec - a compression of over 50:1). This means that if there is a lot of movement on the screen, or transistions you will get macro-blocking. This will occur on all signals, be they OTA, Cable or SAT.

Even on pixel based TVs, appropriate setup is important - turning down the sharpness and turning off or minimizing Scan Velocity Modulation can help with the pixellation effects - they're not as visible and the picture is also better - I believe SVM is minimized in what Sony call "pro" mode, while it's maximized in "Vivid".

See the FAQ "What you need to do to your new HDTV". Some stuff is applicable only to CRT-based RPTVs, but a lot is applicable to all TVs.

[bobsmi]

Great info from my friends in Canada. I'll certainly take action on both of your recommendations.

thank you,
Bob

[rborelli]

I was also told differant stories from Best buy. They said that Sony discontinued them and also told me that they only cary the 42 inch because the 50 and 60 inch had problems that were not bulb related. I was also told that the bulb issue was taken care of. The excuse I got was that Sony asked Philips to make the bulbs and now they are not. Circuit City had a waiting list of a month for the 42 inch. I fianlly got one at another BB last week.

Bob

[Seared Steak]

In recent trips to both national chains and also to local chains, I have made the decision to support the local B&M. They seem to actually want to sell a set. ;) They gave me a better price than anyone else and straight forward answers. Plus they were not afraid to say they really didn't know the answers to some questions I asked. They even offered to find out. I can't understand why so much lies from sales reps at other stores. But to all that have gotten good results, Congrats! :cool:

[max]

rborelli,

How could the 50 inch and 60 inch have problems that the 42 inch didn't if they all have the same guts {curcuit boards, lamps and etc..} That doesn't really make any sence to me, could you have been mis-informed? A Sony Tech told me the TV's were NOT discontinued as you can see they still sell them on their websites{American and Canadian} Possibly the sales guy at Best Buy was just trying to get you to buy the one they had in-stock!!!

MAX

[rborelli]

I'm sure everything I was being fed was lies. I think it's lack of knowledge the BB sales reps have and the fact that they have to say something. I figured Sony didn't discontinue making them because they still heve them on there site and they are back ordered. When I got mine home I looked at the manufactured date and it wad DEC. 03.

[summerfun]

I was worried about the bulb issue so I called Sony before making my purchase just last week. They said they had some bad bulbs, but it was resolved now. Also the bulb is covered in the first year warranty. After that it cost $200.

They guy at the store that was trying to sell me an extended warranty said the new bulbs went out all the time and they were $400 and his extended $600 warranty covered the bulb, so I had better buy his warranty.

I bought the TV but not the warranty, I will take my chances after one year if I have to spend $200.

Very happy with the TV. Got it just in time for the Super Bowl.

[rborelli]

Wow! $600 for the E.W. That's crazy. BB had a 4 year for $250 and said the bulbs were included so I took it. I read somewhere that the average bulb life is around 3000 hours.

Bob

[summerfun]

Originally posted by rborelli
Wow! $600 for the E.W. That's crazy.


That's what I said.

For $250 I might have purchased. He did say the average life was 3000-5000 hours but he was referencing all the problems people had been having with the bulb. When Sony told me it was under warranty the first year, I felt safe.

[rwamf]

Bought my 42 in nov, started acting up in Dec, Good Guys replaced it, Quit again yesterday, called to ask were to get it fixed, said they would replace it, but were out of 42's , only paid $300 extra to upgade to the 50, love it, they said January build has the fix, lets hope so, Love the TV just wish it had an ATSC tuner built in.