Wick

I bought a Sharp Aquos LCD TV, about a year ago. When I got it, I had heard about banding, but I didn't really know what it is. All I knew was to look for something by the side of the TV/image, but I didn't notice any problems. The idiot that I am, I didn't do much research because my TV seemed to look fine.

Tonight, while surfing the 'net, my interest was piqued when I saw a message board post about banding on an Aquos. I have a 42" model - one that was mentioned to have banding problems. So, I checked some pictures and came to the realization that my TV definitely does have vertical banding issues. To be honest, I thought it was normal to be able to see panels or something behind the image, at a specific angle. I guess I'm just a tool, though.

Anyways, I'm going crazy worrying that I might be stuck with the set now that it's been about a year, so I figured I would ask some questions here. If you can answer any of these questions, please do, because I'd like to know if there's anything I can do. Thanks in advance.

1) A while back, I heard that Sharp would replace any sets with the banding issue, that were sold before the 'fix'. I looked that up online and I only found it on one site. Is that true? Are there specific requirements?

2) I bought a four year warranty from the electronics store where I purchased the set. Do you think the warranty would allow me to return the TV if it has a banding issue? I'm also having a weird HDMI port issue, so I would definitely like to return it for a replacement.

3) Another thing I heard is that Sharp would fix the TV if it had banding issues? Is that even possible?

Wick

So, nobody on this forum has any ideas as to the solution to this problem, or the answers to those questions...?

Spiky

You didn't list your model number, it's kinda meaningless without that. When there is a known specific problem like this, there is usually a thread over at AVS covering it. If this is that kind of problem.

1) Don't know, don't own a Sharp. However, whenever there is a "recall" like you are hoping for, it is always specific models, specific problems, sometimes specific serial numbers.

2) Banding is probably hard to sell as a fault worthy of warranty replacement. I'm guessing it isn't obvious enough to be considered a problem by a 3rd party company. But, you should definitely try. What is the HDMI issue? If it is just a sync problem, that is also probably not a warranty item because the industry is annoying.

3) Pretty sure this is the same Q as #1. And it is possible, but only within the constraints that Sharp sets. And I have no idea if or what they might be.

Wick

Thanks for the reply.

I'll just list my responses/information based on the questions to make it easier.

1) I don't have my exact model number handy, but it's a set that's about a year old. I think it was one of the models that had problems with the banding. I thought that LC-42D62U was the model number, but I guess it's not.

2) Banding problems are widespread in the old Sharp Aquos sets. I've read a lot about that online. I e-mailed Sharp and they have a couple of days to get back to me. I also called the store I bought it from and they gave me a number to contact a Sharp Technical Support Worker. I called them today and they're going to call me soon, so that they can come in to check it out.

The HDMI issue is in relation to my 360. Sometimes I don't get sound with the video image. It'll occur when I turn the 360 on/TV on, or sometimes when I've been playing and I turn the TV off for a second to go to the washroom or eat, then turn it back on.

I basically covered everything in relation to 3, I think.

Spiky

You should be able to find the model number on the TV itself. If it's attached to a wall, maybe use a little mirror and flashlight to get behind the thing and see it. I usually have no mirror, being male, but a DVD works great. I only bring it up since it would make searching the net for a recall easier.

The HDMI is probably just a typical problem, not a broken TV. Stupid HDMI.