JordyC
Auditioning
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2001
- Messages
- 6
Please bear with me - this is long - and somewhat of an angry rant - but also a plea for advice....
So...two or three weeks ago I bought the Sony WEGA KV32FS13 as part of a larger series of new gear...it was the best that my budget (weighed more heavily towards top of the line audio than video - I have no use for hdtv)....at first everything looked fantastic - properly calibrated with AVIA it looked even better - especially considering my previous set was a 1993 21 inch Panasonic TV.
Two days after it was delivered, I started to notice some serious geometry problems...when watching letterboxed films, the image would dip right and left, sometimes drastically. In fact, with brightness turned up (normally its well below 50 percent), the outer edges of the 16x9 enhanced letterbox seemed like a constant wave form - even when a film is paused.
After a few days, I figured I would eventually get an ISF calibration or something and meanwhile I would ignore it - something downright impossible.......as well, I started to notice - especially against pale or bright colored backgrounds - the sky in Fargo, any older animation - there was a thick kind of blackish line going straight across the top of the screen.
I called my dealer and asked about exchanging it, describing my problems. I figured then (as I do now) that I got stuck with a faulty model. They balked and asked me to have a Sony technician check it - telling me that Sony do a free convergence (something no one at Sony wll confirm.) I called Sony, and after spending literally a DAY on hold, I spoke to a service person, who told me that no technicians would take my call. Finally I was given the number for an authorised Sony Service Centre and a week later, my first service call was made.
I will add that the wave-form letterbox problem was getting worse and worse, and after a certain point I became unable to watch letterboxed movies given that the geometry was COMPLETELY off - and everchanging...something less (but still noticeable) on 4-3 programming.
I was told that the problems were acceptable and that there was nothing that could be done about them- the discoloration relating to purity (which was apparently within normal range - something I buy - I realize that the FS13 isnt a proffessional monirtor)...but that the geometry problems - that there was nothing to do about them and that I should not be surprised considering the price of the TV.
Now I do not know about most people but 1600 Canadian dollars is not cheap to me.
Progressively, the problem got worse, I called the dealer again - again hoping for just a quick exchange = and I was told to get a second opinion from Sony - and a week later. a different service technician...I got one - again telling me the problems were unfixable...he at least agreed with me that the geometry problems were incredibly annoying.
At this point (this past Friday) I was resolved to either replace it or replace it with another TV...this was added to upon the fact that my dealer explained that he didnèt want to order the same TV and have the same problems. Even so, these problems go far beyond anything that could be considered the norm...I presume Sony would not stay in business if all of its TVs had these problems.
The dealer would not confirm that I could replace it until he was able to speak to the service person - it is Monday and they have not spoken yet. Meanwhile I have been given the run around by Sony as to whether or not they would agree to replace it.
Now I know that this store where I bought the TV is reputable and they will exchange it. Problem is it seems that Sony is tying their hands - or am I being paranoid....also I am not sure if I should replace it with the same model, or to go with something different - I am willing to spend 500 more Canadian dollars if need be....
Any advice for a disgruntled buyer?
JLC
So...two or three weeks ago I bought the Sony WEGA KV32FS13 as part of a larger series of new gear...it was the best that my budget (weighed more heavily towards top of the line audio than video - I have no use for hdtv)....at first everything looked fantastic - properly calibrated with AVIA it looked even better - especially considering my previous set was a 1993 21 inch Panasonic TV.
Two days after it was delivered, I started to notice some serious geometry problems...when watching letterboxed films, the image would dip right and left, sometimes drastically. In fact, with brightness turned up (normally its well below 50 percent), the outer edges of the 16x9 enhanced letterbox seemed like a constant wave form - even when a film is paused.
After a few days, I figured I would eventually get an ISF calibration or something and meanwhile I would ignore it - something downright impossible.......as well, I started to notice - especially against pale or bright colored backgrounds - the sky in Fargo, any older animation - there was a thick kind of blackish line going straight across the top of the screen.
I called my dealer and asked about exchanging it, describing my problems. I figured then (as I do now) that I got stuck with a faulty model. They balked and asked me to have a Sony technician check it - telling me that Sony do a free convergence (something no one at Sony wll confirm.) I called Sony, and after spending literally a DAY on hold, I spoke to a service person, who told me that no technicians would take my call. Finally I was given the number for an authorised Sony Service Centre and a week later, my first service call was made.
I will add that the wave-form letterbox problem was getting worse and worse, and after a certain point I became unable to watch letterboxed movies given that the geometry was COMPLETELY off - and everchanging...something less (but still noticeable) on 4-3 programming.
I was told that the problems were acceptable and that there was nothing that could be done about them- the discoloration relating to purity (which was apparently within normal range - something I buy - I realize that the FS13 isnt a proffessional monirtor)...but that the geometry problems - that there was nothing to do about them and that I should not be surprised considering the price of the TV.
Now I do not know about most people but 1600 Canadian dollars is not cheap to me.
Progressively, the problem got worse, I called the dealer again - again hoping for just a quick exchange = and I was told to get a second opinion from Sony - and a week later. a different service technician...I got one - again telling me the problems were unfixable...he at least agreed with me that the geometry problems were incredibly annoying.
At this point (this past Friday) I was resolved to either replace it or replace it with another TV...this was added to upon the fact that my dealer explained that he didnèt want to order the same TV and have the same problems. Even so, these problems go far beyond anything that could be considered the norm...I presume Sony would not stay in business if all of its TVs had these problems.
The dealer would not confirm that I could replace it until he was able to speak to the service person - it is Monday and they have not spoken yet. Meanwhile I have been given the run around by Sony as to whether or not they would agree to replace it.
Now I know that this store where I bought the TV is reputable and they will exchange it. Problem is it seems that Sony is tying their hands - or am I being paranoid....also I am not sure if I should replace it with the same model, or to go with something different - I am willing to spend 500 more Canadian dollars if need be....
Any advice for a disgruntled buyer?
JLC
