I have the same problem with my Sony KDL - 46V3000. It's only 2 years old, and now having a black shadow clouded vertically in the middle of the screen. It started off with the black shadow and went off in 30 minutes after, with such condition for 2 weeks. Then now, it came back right after and last for ever. So annoying! Any solution will be greatly appreciated!

SOURCE: Sony Bravia KDL-40V2500

The panel or TCON board has failed, the solution is the same replace the panel. Not worth the cost, get a new TV

SOURCE: Sony kdl-46xbr4 Black Horizontal Bands When I First Turn on TV

I had the exact same problem with the Sony KDL46XBR4. The problem started 11 months after I purchased the TV (Dec 2007). Luckily I placed the call to Sony just before the 1 year warranty expired and they replaced the entire front panel which is basically the whole TV except for the stand and the plastic frame. Last month the same issue started happening again (5 months since the repair). I called Sony and they say they have a 90 day warranty on the replacement part so I would need to pay out of my own pocket to first have the problem diagnosed (it's the EXACT same problem!) and then pay to have the repair done since the warranty has expired. I asked how much the front panel costs and it's $1,400! I paid $2,100 for the TV when I purchased it. Interestingly, at the time that part was back-ordered.....hmmmm, I wonder why??? Perhaps a recall is warranted here (no pun intended). Needless to say, I have sworn off Sony products due to their lack of support for this issue.

SOURCE: Sony Bravia KDL-46V3000

turm on the tv for at least 24 hours with rf signal it will automatically get ok.

SOURCE: vertical lines on sony kdl-46v3000 bravia lcd tv

i have the same problem, apparently the LCD panel needs to be replaced and this will cost more than the tv is worth... Advice is to not buy a sony again, because this is a common problem and they wont extend the warranty, even if its 2 weeks after it runs out...

SOURCE: the picture has a shadow

you're LCD panel is gone. To replace it...$1500-$2K. But there is a silver lining to this dark cloud. No pun intended. Sony has posted on the US and Canadian site they will repair the XBR4 at no cost! i have the link right here. http://www.sony.ca/view/882.htm Canadian. http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/news-item.pl?news_id=378&mdl=KDL46XBR4 USA.

It claims its the 46" but it appears to be a 40-52" problem. If you have an extended warranty it will pay for it.