Sony usually takes a different approach to things.  The world wanted HD-DVD, they sold Blu-Ray.  The world wanted cassette players, and they sold Sony Walkman.  The world wanted MP3, Sony sold ATRAC3.

With Sony’s record of being different, it should come to no surprise that the same is true with their optical block assemblies.  See optical blocks in WEGAland are the same as light engines for the rest of the manufacturers that make DLP televisions.  There are lots of people reporting problems with the picture of their WEGA televisions and while the lamp is the cheapest thing to replace, it isn’t necessarily the solution to the problem.

Sony, realizing the error of their ways like other manufactures (ex. Mitsubishi, see here), they’ve decided to extend the warranties on these kinds of parts hoping that people don’t decide to stop buying their product anymore.  Depending on when you purchased your set, you may have until 2008/2009 to get everything straightened out.  If you’re looking for more information, you should check here.

So, if you’re experiencing blue dots on your WEGA television, you shouldn’t be surprised when you here it’s the optical block that needs to be replaced.

On June 23, 2007, Sony issued 2004 Grand WEGA Additional Service Coverage on the optical blocks of the following models: KDF-42WE655, KDF-50WE655, KDF-55WF655, KDF-60WF655, KDF-55XS955, KDF-60XS955, KF-42WE620, and KF-50WE620. This coverage is based on what Sony describes as a “blue dot” or “blue star” pattern (also called “blue haze,” “blue blob,” and other names by some owners). Sony has posted sample pictures of the blue spot problem at the above link. One of them is from my TV (see pictures below). The location and intensity of the blue anomalies can change, tending to get progressively worse. Some users have reported that, over time, increasing numbers of bright blue or white spots appear within the anomalies, which presumably represent pixels stuck in an “activated” state. Colors other than blue have also been reported. The additional service coverage is good through December 31, 2008 regardless of the original purchase date, and owners who have already had their TVs repaired at their own expense will be reimbursed. The page linked above contains links to instructions and a claim form.

Although owners of the 2003 Grand WEGA models were reporting these same blue anomalies, Sony originally chose not to cover these older models. However, on December 11, 2007, they issued a 2003 Grand WEGA Additional Service Coverage on the optical blocks of the following models: KF-42WE610, KF-50WE610, KF-60WE610, KDF-60XBR950, and KDF-70XBR950. It is important to note that this additional service coverage is good only through June 30, 2008. This is six months before the expiration on the 2004 models, even though the coverage was issued about six months later. This provides a relatively short six-month window for claims. The coverage applies regardless of the original purchase date, and owners who have already had their TVs repaired at their own expense will be reimbursed.

You may be wondering why a service bulletin was never distributed publicly for this.  Thankfully better late than never.

For those of you that are curious, you can find the Sony claim form here: http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/support-info.pl?template_id=1&info_id=316&mdl=KDF55WF655