I have had my Hitachi LCD unit for over 2years. I am beginning to notice the gradual presence of a red spot growing and becoming visible on the screen. It is more noticeable when the picture light level and content is low. When the picture has alot of color and light content the problem is not as apparent. So what is behind this gradual degradation?
Harrison
email: [email protected]
We took in a 60v500a with the same problem, Customer bought a new set. We took hers apart. Here is what we found.
1 there is a squril cage blower and a small air duct that cools the lcd screens and polarizer lenses. Yes there are 3 polarizer lenses one in front of each LCD screen.
These start to overheat and discolor. Maybe the filter for the fan clogs up.
Don't really know.
You can pull the LE and vaccum the filter clean every 3-6 month.
You can remove the lenses and maybe the tv will look ok maybe not. I have read where some have had there repaired and now they see vertical lines in the screen. This seems to be a quike fix by removing the melted lens. Cool A.
Here I show you the inside bits that get to hot. There is a way you can remove your LE and mark a cutout on bottom of set to access the filter to clean it every so often.
Even if you get a reman LE the problem will return if the filter cloggs. So if it was me I would make the access by cutting a 3" square hole in the bottom of the plastic case.
Oh if anyone wants I have 1 clear Polerizer lense available.
The blue color melts first and give a red haze. The red turns a green color.
More images
http://www.gloucesterlistings.com/hitach...
Also the Light Engines are remans and are not $810. More like $300+ and your old one. Install takes a few hours and needs to be done with care.
If I had this Out of warranty I would request Hit send me a 15 year supply op lenses and Blowers and setup a service to clean the filter every 6 months ....Yeah Right.
If its broke take it apart!!!!!!! :)
It's all Common Since Boy's
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You have the infamous "red cloud" as they call it and no matter what you personally do to the TV, it will not resolve the problem. The problem is you have a defective light engine and Hitachi is aware of the problem. We started noticing the red cloud in the middle of our TV (we have the 60v500) about 2 months ago and it got worse. After LOTS of online research, we were convinced it was the light engine. When we called Hitachi, they claimed to know nothing about it but THEY DO! They did give us the names of two certified Hitachi dealers in our area and when the tech came out, he could tell within one minute that we had a bad light engine.
I then called Hitachi back and told them that the tech confirmed that we had a bad light engine and all of a sudden, they knew about the problem...imagine that! They told us that they would call the dealer we used and confirm this with them. They did call the dealer and within 2 days, the dealer had a brand new light engine, sent to themby Hitachi, and they came out and installed it...TV is like brand new.
Here's the kicker...there's always a kicker. If your TV is not still under warranty (ours is 3+ years old so ours is not) Hitachi will cover the part...around $1500 but they ask you to cover the install by the dealer. Our install was $400 and they did the install in our home...they did not have to take the TV into their shop. We felt like paying $400 for a $3600 TV (price we paid when we bought it) was worth it!
One last thing, deal only with the Hitachi Customer Relations Department...NOT CUSTOMER SERVICE. Their regular customer service folks will have you chasing your tail...so to speak. The Customer Relations Number is 800-654-7013. If you're TV is not under warranty and you're willing to spring for the install, it's well worth it. Don't let any dealer tell you that you will have to buy this $1500 part. Hitachi will send it directly to them and you should only pay for the install. Good Luck!
Chris,
I'm so glad you had a good experience with Hitachi. I'm trying to let as many customers know about this as possible so that they won't run out and buy a new TV thinking that their TV cannot be fixed or will cost a lot to fix. This is a Hitachi issue and it does appear that Hitachi is trying to help correct it. Glad it worked out for you and thanks for the post. Varian
I have the same issue on our 7+ year old Hitachi 50" PTV. I called their customer relations department and they will absolutely not cover the part (even if we cover the repair). A local service center quoted us over $2,000 for the part plus installation - looks like I'm getting a new TV. I guess I can't complain, since a new LED flat panel in a slightly larger size will cost me less than the repair (and less than half as much as the original price of the unit).
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The light engines that Hitachi is sending out are not the same as the originals. The originals had a very small circular opening for cooling that would clog up fairly easily. The new light engines have 2 rectangular openings about 5 inches long with a different filter material that does not clog as easily. They seem to have corrected the initial flaw in the design. Although the light engine that I just had installed only lasted about 3 hours until it developed a red shadowing problem. I am awaiting another light engine.
Thanks Varian!
Your Best Solution was excactly right, and the phone number to Hitachi Cust. Relations (1-800-654-7013) was terrific info. They answer within moments. I informed them of my red cloud and fading picture and that I knew from the internet that they were well aware of it. As you said. And they said to have the technician speak to them while he was here at the house. So Sear's, came out the next day and I called Hitachi and they agreed to send the part to us directly for free and Sear's credited us the diagnostic fee of $105 and then charged us $242 total for the installation. Should have the part in a few days and Sear's will come out and install it the day after it arrives. Nice experience for a bad deal, thanks to www.fixya.com . Sear's technician also told us that the light bulb will be next and that it costs about $330 from them. But he showed us how to install ourselves. Hitachi also said they would walk us through that self installation if it happen or when it happened and they said it was cheaper through a distributor than a service dept. Probably about $189 to $239. Just good info for the future.
Thanks to the web and fixya for getting us through the ugly "red cloud".
Chris
Research at www.HitachiServiceUSA.com ......T.
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I have this exact same TV and problem. It had been present for some time at a bearable level. But, recently, it has brightened significantly and when the picture would naturaly have read in that portion of the screen, it takes over to become a red blur in my picture.
We also have the same problem. We have had our Hitachi TV 60 LCD for 4 years and the color is gradually fading. We have noticed a big red circle on our screen especially when the light is low. When the picture has alot of color & light the problem is not as noticeable. However it is gradually getting worse. We have heard that it could be related to the "light engine or processor" and quite expensive.
jonny
I too have the same problem.Our Hitachi is about 3 years old. I've noticed a red spot in the middle of the screen.
We have had our Hitachi for 3 years. There is a red spot that covers most of the screen now. It shows up more when the picture is dark. We called the Hitachi Help Line, and the representative stated to us," You have a serious problem." He offered a repair phone number in our area.
I have had a small red spot in the middle of my screen as well as a couple yellow spots, one near the center and another in the lower middle of the screen. I just recently noticed another small red spot beside the origninal. I can only see them when the picture is a light color like white or yellow.
I have had my Hitachi LCD unit for over 2years. I am beginning to notice the gradual presence of a red spot growing and becoming visible on the screen. It is more noticeable when the picture
light level and content is low. When the picture has alot of color and light content the problem is not as apparent. So what is behind this gradual degradation
I have the same problem. Technician claims that the part required for replacement is $810 plus labor. Trying to find if Hitachi will stand behind their products. I paid $2,300 for this - only four years ago.
Red cloud growing in the middle of the 50" LCD screen - about 3 years old. Sears didn't even have to come to the house. They told me that they knew exactly what it was and it would cost $810 plus installation. Glad I checked on-line - thanks for posting your experience and for the information.
Don't waste your time on the following:
Cleaning dust on the optics or an optics filter or replacing the lamp.
The optics cooling path is poorly engineered, there is approximately a 2-3 inch opening in the bottom of the TV for air intake to cool the optics engine, the new style engine has two 3-4 inch openings.
Bottom line.....replace the optics engine (hope you have an extended warranty)
Regards,
Jehsse
I have had my Hitachi LCD
unit for over 2years. I am beginning to notice the gradual presence of a red spot growing and becoming visible on the screen. It is more noticeable when the picture light level and content is low. When the picture has alot of color and light content the problem is not as apparent. So what is behind this gradual degradation?
Installed new lamp, but that did not help. Picture was brighter but resd
cloud was still there.
We have the exact same problem..have had for a while now..we were going to clean the tubes but I guess that's not the solution. Thanks for the help.
their is a white, blue spot in the middle of the screen
same problem. red spot in the middle of the screen. replaced bulb, seems to be getting worse.
I have a 50V500 with precisely the same growing red spot. TV is four years old.
my tv is also suffering the red glow in the middle
SAME EXACT PROBLEM. HAVE HAD MY TV SINCE 01. PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 2-3 YRS AGO AND SLOWLY GETTING WORSE
We bought out TV about 4 years ago and are now having the same problem. Large red glow in the middle of the screen. Much more visible when the picture is dark. We were told Hitachi is offering to replace the parts for free because they are worried about a Class-action Law suit.
to mutch red in picture
ya i have the same problem. i also have 3 green lines stretching across the tv seperated by about 2 inches each and a little smudge on the center right of the tv. what the hell
large red splotch developing over the last month or so, 2
previous post indicated the following
"The Customer Relations Number is 800-654-7013.
If you're TV is not under warranty and you're willing to spring for the install, it's well worth it. Hitachi will send it directly to them and you should only
pay for the install. Good Luck!
they were right called number above and they immediatly acknowledged that we should have their recommended service store come and verify
the proble - luckily I was able to get an appointment within 24 hours
technician looked and 5 seconds later said the light engine is defective"
Hitachi called the service people to verify and the light engine is in Transit as we speak - my TV is 4 1/2 years old so I will be willing to to pay the $250.00 service diagnostic, and install -
i have hitachi 60V500A big red spot just right of center of screen. called cust. serv. they gave me authorized tv service no.# to call in my area to confirm problem but did not commit to anything.
I have this same picture of red as every one
i have the same problem
my baby was having one red small spot on her back side when she was born and day by day it is growing,plz suggest me what I will do next and what will be my next step. plz give me the answer in urgent basis.
please do the needful at earliest.
Same problem as everyone else. Same model of TV.
Called repair and they verified the problem. Called Hitachi and they refused to send a part - the guy at Customer Relations just kept telling me how old my TV is and how he has no idea what Hitachi has sent to other people.
I'll try to call again. But if I have to buy a new engine, I'll probably get a new TV and know what make it won't be.
Red (Pinkish Purple, Magenta) shodow arround light colored parts of the picture on a dark background (i.e. white text on black background)
THANKS - MY SPOT IS ABOUT 12 X 15 " STARTED ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO
bought in 2003
will pursue
robinwood
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