kdl-52xbr4 lcd panel replacement factory

When Veronica and I were doing our addition, I researched the heck out finding a large screen LCD TV. I have always been a fan of Sony and found that, at the time, the KDL-52XBR4 was getting rave reviews for picture quality. I searched around for the best price and I pulled the trigger. The reviews were correct, the picture quality is incredible. I wish that all was well two years and a few months later (out of warranty, of course).

Every person that I saw on the forums that were out of warranty basically got the bum’s rush. It sure is making me rethink my feelings about Sony. Those that were able to get a response from Sony usually got one that said that they would need to have a technician come to the house (at a charge) and diagnose the problem. Sony considers the UB1 and the FB1 as an integral part of the LCD panel and will not replace them (or sell them) separately.  When the technicians came and assessed the problem, the clients were told that they needed new panels to the tune of $2000 or more.

Before I start, I want to state, “IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE DOING THIS KIND OF WORK, HIRE A PROFESSIONAL.” I did the work and I didn’t have many problems but this is a piece of electrical equipment and you can get hurt. My tutorial in no way encourages anyone to do this replacement. DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!

Remove the TV from the wall or stand and place it screen side down on a surface that won’t scratch the screen. I used our bed. There are screws (19) around the outer perimeter of the back side of the screen. Remove them all but remember this – some of the holes have two screws in them. One is larger than the other. Only remove the larger screws. There is no reason to remove the smaller ones. There  are also two screws on the panels that cover the inputs and two additional screws that are the same size as those around the perimeter. Make sure that you take those out. Be gentle pulling the back off and you know when you have missed a screw. Just go slow. One thing that I ran into cost me some time and that was my wall mount bracket that was secured to the TV with security screws. They take a special star tool with a hole in the center. I couldn’t find mine and had to buy one so that I could remove the bracket.

The UB1 is located under the panel that has the square black plate in the middle where the heat shield was but it can’t be removed just yet. Here is where I had trouble. I needed to remove the silver plate (UB1 secondary cover) below the heat shield and I couldn’t figure out how to do it.

They are very small Phillips head screws so you will need a small screwdriver for this. Now you can see the reason to remove the panel above the UB1. There are two connectors to the other board. They will have be be disconnected later. After the four screws are removed, gently hinge the panel up and towards the front of the TV. It is connected to the frame by a conductive tape but there is no reason to remove it. Just be careful!

This photo shows the connector on the left flipped up and the one on the right flipped down. You are looking at them upside down from the photo above this one. It was the easiest angle to get the shot. There are also two connectors on the other side of the UB1 that have to be pinched together from the outside of each connector and lifted up. There are two small screws on each side of the connector. Squeeze them together and lift up. Remove the one screw that holds the UB1 and remove the panel. Put the new panel in place and reverse the process.

I would like to warn you one more time, “IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE DOING THIS KIND OF WORK, HIRE A PROFESSIONAL.” I did it and I didn’t have many problems but this is a piece of electrical equipment and you can get hurt. My tutorial in no way encourages anyone to do this replacement. DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!

Well, if it didn’t work, why did I post this? I wanted this to be easier for anyone that undertakes the replacement than it was for me. I am also not afraid to talk about things that don’t work out as I am about the ones that do.

Sony has gone LCD in a big way. The company dropped its rear-projection sets last fall, and it’s been years since a plasma display sported a Sony badge. At its 2008 line show in February, the company announced 17 new sets. When they’re all in stores this fall, the Sony LCD model count will be 50-strong.

The BRAVIA KDL-52XBR4 is currently one step down from the top of Sony’s pecking order in sets 40 inches or larger, topped only by the XBR5 designs, which appear to be technically identical, and a

falling into a price range that gives most of us sticker shock. Is it worth it? As we’ll see, some competing sets can outscore it in one or two areas, but Sony’s current, near-flagship model can hold its own in an increasingly dog-eat-dog, flat-panel market.

The KDL-52XBR4’s frame is unusually wide, surrounded by transparent glass, creating an illusion that the screen is floating in air. The speakers for the adequate but unremarkable onboard audio system fire through perforations in the frame. The wide frame does, however, make for a large set in a market that is rapidly moving toward designs that take up less space.

More and more LCD HDTVs are designed to operate at 120 hertz. When done correctly, 120-Hz operation can minimize motion blur, an ongoing issue with LCD (but, in my opinion, not a deal breaker on most recent designs).

The KDL-52XBR4 also includes Sony’s Digital Media Extender, or DMex, Sony’s proprietary digital port. This may be used with the company’s BRAVIA Internet Video Link, which can stream Internet video content for viewing on the set without the need for a computer. The DMex can also perform as a service port (XBR sets have no RS-232, Ethernet, or USB connections). Sony has announced other Link modules, including the HDMI Wireless Link, HDMI Extender Link, and DVD Link.

If one thing instantly defines the KDL-52XBR4’s picture, it’s detail. Images from HD sources on this Sony are as sharp—and at the same time natural looking—as those from any flat-panel display I’ve seen to date. But use restraint with the sharpness control. Most settings between 10 and 40 will work fine with 1080i/p, but settings below 20 were best with other resolutions. If you don’t like to fiddle, just set it to 15 or so for everything unless you feel a need to change it on some sources—and it’s unlikely that you will.

Elizabeth: The Golden Age (HD DVD) may not be a great film (its prequel, Elizabeth, was far better) or even a great transfer overall. It’s plagued by uneven and often elevated black levels and some overblown whites. But it’s loaded with exceptional detail. I seriously doubt that the real historical characters dressed this well—or lived in such ornate surroundings, but after you watch this disc on the KDL-52XBR4, you’re sure to be humming from the scenery and costumes as you watch the end credits—even if you find the historically suspect plot strictly thrift-shop.

The Sony also provided good viewing over a wide seating area. While it looked best at seating positions near the center, it was watchable up to about 45 degrees off axis. It can’t equal the consistency of a plasma set at different viewing angles, but it’s far better in this respect than most LCDs.

The Achilles heel of nearly all LCD displays is black level. Deep, rich blacks form the foundation of every image, light or dark, giving it depth and a compelling sense of looking-out-the-window realism. Apart from LCDs with LED backlighting and local dimming—currently a very rare breed but sure to multiply before the year is out—no LCD flat panel I’ve yet seen can do this as well as the best plasma displays and video projectors.

That limitation applies to the KDL-52XBR4 as well. I spent a lot of time tweaking the various picture adjustments that affect blacks and shadow detail—Brightness, Picture (contrast), Backlight, Black Corrector, Advanced C.E., and Gamma—to get a picture with a reasonably believable balance on both dark and bright scenes. In the end, the Sony’s blacks were satisfactory on all but the very darkest scenes, though little more, and its shadow detail was never better than middle of the road. If these qualities are at the top of your priority list, you’ll have to look elsewhere and, for now at least, bring more money.

Despite a few weaknesses it shares with most sets on the market, the KDL-52XBR4 has plenty of pop to recommend it. You won’t find a set with better subjective color and detail, at least on high-definition sources. Its video processing has some limitations (see the measurements), but they rarely distracted me on real program material—and not at all if I used a good outboard upconverting source, as needed, to feed the set 1080p over HDMI. The KDL-52XBR4 also has more than a few controls to fiddle with that are definitely useful in getting the best out of the set.

Again, after much back-and-forth, he offered me 2 things: 1) a refurbished TV for $200 with a 90 day warranty or 2) he would take a new LCD panel off of a TV and send it to me for the cost of shipping. Now, I don"t know anything about TV"s and I was convinced through my research that I needed a "t-con" part, not an LCD panel. I asked him why couldn"t he replace the part that I knew (or thought) was the problem? His reply was, "This is the best I can offer you." Well, it turned out that his "best" was exactly what I needed, a new LCD panel. So, I faxed over the estimate and called to follow up. Now, out of the two options offered me, which one do you think was conveniently left out of this person"s notes on Sony"s end? Yep! The free LCD panel.

I purchased a Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR4 in January 2008 for the extravagant price, but going rate of $3400. Three days ago, the horizontal lines appeared. Each day it takes a little longer for them to disappear as the set warms up. After reading the accounts of other consumers, I am sickened by where this is heading.

After purchasing an LCD Bravia 52", the power kept kicking the screen into standby and shutting off. I contacted Sony several times to have it repaired. I was told that a tech would call me with a date and time several times. Each time I called, they conveniently had no record of me calling. Finally when I was conveniently outside of my warranty, they wanted to help.

My Bravia KDL-46VL1600 got half dark and distorted color on the left LCD. I purchased it in Oct 2009 and just passed warranty. I believe this is a defective product after reading so many complaints and Sony refuses to admit. No use to call Sony since either they will ask you to pay a huge amount to fix or get you falling into the replacement trap.

I have the same problem with my Sony Bravia KDL-52Z5100. I approached Sony with the problem and was told that I needed to have a Sony authorized repair person come and look at my TV. It was $74.95 for them to tell me that the LCD was bad, which I had already knew this was the problem since there have been many postings and even YouTube videos of the problem. I am going to post my video. It would be $2700 for the TV to be repaired.

I purchased a Sony KDL52-XBR4 TV from Circuit City in August 2008. Few months ago, the TV"s screen started to go dark in middle. I contacted a local services repair center, as well as Sony technical support, and was informed that it was a defective panel that would need to be replaced. I was told to contact Sony Customer Service.

I contacted Sony customer service, and was told that the only way to get a resolution, is to get a certified Sony tech come out, and take a look at the set, and it would cost me $100+. I told them that it has already been diagnosed as having a bad panel, but they stated that they need their tech to state that. The tech came out and looked at the set, and stated that it was the panel that needed replacement. He was actually surprised that he was sent out even after Sony tech stated that it was the panel that is causing the problem.

I called Sony customer service again after couple of days, and was informed that they can not do anything because the panel is out of warranty, but can offer me another refurbished TV for reduced price. The prices quoted were exactly same as what you could have gotten the TV for in retail, so I declined the offer.

I have 52" Sony LCD with the same problem as most the others. The screen will not light up after you turn it on but 30 to 45 minutes later it will come on. Most of the time the right side of the screen is wavy, blurry, or has lines thru it but will eventually clear up. Does anyone know what to do about this?

I have a 40 inches Sony Bravia LCD, model # kdl-40s4100. It broke on 11/4/2011. I bought the TV about 2 years ago. When I was to turn it on Friday, the screen would not turn on. The power’s up and has a green light but there’s no picture or sound. I called Sony and the representative said it was a new problem they have never heard of. I was out of warranty and I had to pay to get it fix at a shop or I could buy a new TV from them that was refurbished for $329 plus tax. I spent $1,100 for a brand new TV.

Based on the experience of others, I expect total failure before long. And based on the comments of others, I assume it is hopeless to contact Sony, since the warranty expired in 2009. I assume I will have to begin shopping for a Samsung or Panasonic replacement soon.Read full review

I have a SONY Bravia KDL-52XBRA9 TV. After year and a half the TV began flickering on the left side of screen, the image was blurred and the center of the screen went dark. It takes 30 minutes to clear up. When I called SONY"s Technical Support & Customer Relations, I was told that nothing could be done until an authorized SONY repair service inspected the TV. They gave me the name of an authorized SONY repair service and I had them inspect the TV. I was told that the LCD panel would have to be replaced - cost $2,795.79. He also said the problem is typical of SONY TVs. I called SONY"s Technical Support & Customer Relations and faxed the repair estimate.

I bought a Sony LCD from Bangkok 10 months back but I have lost the bill for the same and I brought it to India New Delhi. But now the LCD has stopped working. Where should I complain now?

I bought a Sony LCD from Bangkok 10 months back but I have lost the bill for the same and I brought it to India New Delhi. But now the LCD has stopped working now. Where should I complain now?

I purchased a Sony Bravia NX852 LED on Black Friday of 2010. About two months ago, the TV just turned off all of a sudden and the red light was blinking twice. I called Sony and they referred me to a repair shop. They determined it was the panel, but for whatever reason they couldn"t order for another two weeks. I am moving cross country and will not see my TV again until after the warranty expires. I called Sony and they said that they were going to send my case to some people with more authority and they were going to call me in a couple of business days with a solution. I have not heard from them yet, but I will post when they call me with an answer. Also, the repair shop told me that as of January, Sony was not going to fix TV’s anymore, instead they are just going to replace it. Hopefully, they will replace my TV. If not I will raise hell until they do.

I purchased a Sony Bravia LCD TV model number KDL-52XBR9 in December of 2009. By August 2011, it is no longer functional. The Sony-certified repairman that Sony referred me to has diagnosed the issue as a defective LCD Panel and informed me that the part cost alone for repair was $2,400. In addition, he informed me that this is a well-known and wide spread problem and that I should contact Sony directly to remedy this issue.