TV/HDTV Guru's, need your advice
 

My 8 month old 34" Sony HDTV Widescreen is giving me problems and my parts warranty is still good, but labor is not. Basically, the picture flashes randomly about every 30 seconds when hooked up in Video 5 or 6 via component cables. This has nothing to do with cable strength because this same problem began at my apartment about 4 months ago and I swapped HD/DVR boxes thinking it was the box but it wasn't. The problem seemed to clear up when I moved into my house but it started flashing again over the weekend.

It doesn't mute the audio when it flashes and the TV doesn't turn off, it just blinks rapidly about 8 times. I thought it was the component cables because the problem doesn't happen if I'm watching a DVD, or if the coax is plugged straight in to the TV. The weird thing is that it will flash on Analog channels and Digital channels but it won't if I'm watching a true HD channel (about 8 total).

So far I've:
*Replaced the HD DVR box
*Replaced the component cables
*Tried both available HD video inputs; 5,6
*Tried using just an S-Video cable but problem remains
*Hooked same HD DVR box up to another TV (much smaller in my bedroom) and it works fine

The Weird
*Video flashes when using the HD DVR box on Analog/Digital Channels but not HD channels
*Coax direct to TV works fine; no flashing
*DVD to TV works fine; no flashing

I even called Sony earlier and they have never seen anything like it before. They recommended a local repair shop around the corner for me but I have a feeling I'll get raped with labor costs. Plus I doubt they will be able to duplicate the problem and I'll end up paying $500 then bringing it home only to have the same unresolved issue.

Any suggestions? In the meantime, I hooked up my DVR box to a 13" TV in my room so I can still access my recordings and took the digital box that I had in there and hooked it up to the HDTV and it works fine since I had no problems with Coax In.

:dunno:

that sucks...they dont make 'em like they used to :(

I know right. I'm smacking myself now for not buying the extended warranty through Circuit City. At the time I said.."nah I'll pass, I've never had any problems with Sony". :doh:

And if you know this TV, it's heavier than a mofo. Theres no way I'm hauling it down to a repair shop where I'll be charged labor. It takes a minimum of 2 people to lift it. :(

i dont have good luck with them

damn right. i have a 27" wega, and it's a BITCH to carry. my friend bought a 36" wega and it literally weighs around 205lbs :ugh:

some places still make house calls. They know how heavy some of them are.... I sure as hell do too! :eek3:

Yea they are insane. They are pretty heavy and I've lifted heavier but it's the awkwardness of trying to lift it yourself. Especially with the weight centered toward the front of the TV, there is no way to grip it.

yeah exactly :exnbp: the worst part is that it's hard to grip

:werd: I just looked up the weight of mine...193.6 lbs of non grippable mass. :oh:

True Story but I'm sure their labor rate is higher and they may even charge an additional fee to come out. That would tack on even more repair costs that aren't covered in my warranty. :(