I have a new set just purchased last November. Within a month, an array of light mushroom-shaped spots showed up in the upper right corner of the screen. Tech said it was a problem with the light engine, and it was replaced.
A month after the replacement, a similar set of spots showed up on the left side of the screen. Again, the optical engine was replaced (just a week ago). Now it seems that another spot is beginning to show up again with the 3rd optical engine.
The spots are visible regardless of input source, and are even visible after the unit is turned off before the lamp shuts down. With all the optical engine replacements, it seems to me that maybe something else is damaging the mirror arrays, and every time the tech replaces the optical engine, the new one eventually breaks.
Has anyone seen something similar to this problem? I've uploaded photos of the spots if anyone cares to take a look:
Hi: We now live in a "plug in a new part somewhere and hope" repair world. They don't know what's wrong; their check list says "new Light Engine" and there probably isn't another item in their list and you're not reaching and engineer could think beyond the "check list". Don't ask us; insist on speaking to the supervisor. If he says "light Engine" ask for the bosses boss. The larger the company, the harder it is to locate someone who really knows anything. Frankly after three attempts, I've heard of a Lemon Rule I think you've qualified for. Try very hard to return it NOW. If you wait, you could get lost in their system, then you'd hear, "you waited too long to tell us, bla bla.....". What ever, get names, dates, of your supposed tech helper experts. You are well along the "slippery slope". Get off now!
I have the same unit since last August without any problems. I try to look at your pictures, but they are real dark. What is the serial number of your TV? What city/state do you live at? I'll will try to get some information for you if I can from Mitsubishi. If you can send other clearer picture, it will help. Are spots there with regular video or only went unit is turn off?
Hi: As a TV is developed some sets will be run for however long the development takes, a few months possibly, but this tests a very small sample of all the possible things that can go bad over time. Beyond that nothing the manufactures do prepares them to answer questions about failures after 5 running minutes, or the length of time it takes them to final test the set. Longer term, large sample testing is at the costumers expense. Certainly your set is fixable; the question is do you want wait and help finish their long term engineering test program? Realize also, that internal fiddling increases considerably the probability that something that now works will be dinged. Dump this set and start over. It's just a TV, you're not obligated to it in any way. Good Luck.
Budd, yep, I'm of the same opinion that there's something funky with the set, and it would be best to start over. I had been trying to just go through the warranty repair route, which only put me in touch with local techs. Thanks to the response from sbanuelos and a Mitsubishi email, I think they'll be contacting me sometime next week. Hopefully to switch to a new set!
sbanuelos, sorry the pictures are dark, but that's the only time you can only see the spots, and then the camera had a hard time focusing. Yes, the spots are there with regular video, but only visible in dark scenes. Of course, this is really distracting in movies when it's supposed to be black, then they really jump out at you. I will PM you the serial #, and other information you asked for, in case you may need it. Thanks for your support!
Sbanuelos:::
Where were you during my 5 months without a TV??....(extended factory warranty for sets with defective light engines).
Nice of you to join in and help though. Hopefully, people with these kinds of issues will not have to go through what I, and others, went through. I even had my extended warranty that I purchased cancelled because of how my "fix" was handled...!
sheldon
Just wanted to give everyone an update, in case anyone has to go through the same issue....
It's great that Mitsubishi is taking a direct interest, but so far I haven't been really able to get anywhere. So far, I've talked to two different parties. The first one didn't do anything but tell me that the white spots are normal, and are present in all DLPs. What!?!? Why have any kind of advertising about your deep black levels if you're going to say a grid of white spots is normal to have. The best I got out of this contact was to get a 4th optical engine put in by the same local technician if the problem crops up again.
The second call seemed a little more concerned about the issue, and was actually interested in seeing the images of the spots. I guess they're under review, and I'll try calling them back later.
So, mixed feelings about Mitsubishi - again, it's great that they're taking a more active role, but I'm disappointed that they aren't more proactively resolving the issue. As of now, I'm in the same position as if I were to call the local tech to have the engine replaced every time they fail.
By the way, spots are developing with the 3rd engine, but I'll wait until they're more pronounced before taking pictures.
I worked for Texas Instruments promoting their DLP tech. I saw people come back and get new sets b/c of the extended warranty. One of the samsung units has LED light engine, no moving color wheel and 30K viewing hour life....no lamp to replace. This is the only DLP I would buy
Went thru light engines on our 1st mits 73727 and experienced distorted pictures and the tv shutting itself down. It was replaced almost a year ago with a 73833. We had an early lamp issue that was resolved, but recently I've noticed when viewing darks there is a grainy,swirly thing ( excuse my non-technical terms) going on. Since this is not a constant thing and would be hard to recreate for repair, I have taped a movie so it can be seen. Does this sound like a light engine problem again or could it possibly be something else? I'm trying to prepare myself for the ordeal ahead. The difference between the 73727 and the 73833 is that the 73833 still has moments of greatness. Thanks again for all your helpful info.
I've noticed when viewing darks there is a grainy,swirly thing
Do you have this with all your sources? Is blu-ray one of your sources or is it just DVD? Have you done any calibration with a calibration disc to set your brightness and contrast?
Im sorry I didn't see your response sooner...since Oct. we have gone thru 4 refurbished light engines all with different issues. The 4th light engine has the same issue as the 1st(the darks are not right). The only device we are going thru is a cable box (HD/dvr)...have 1 component and 1 htmi h/u to see if that isolates the trouble. Is calibration something we can try or is that just a blu ray issue?
unknown... with out being there it is difficult to comment. It could be the nature of the product, a problem with the product, your TV service (does it happen with blu-ray or DVD?) or your HT system. Can you post that video to the internet and provide a link?
If there is a possibility of making a claim with Mits then you will have to hire a Mitsubishi Authorized Service Center to begin with.
