Help: Lost color on Sony KDL 40ex400 TV

[Art2015]

I have a Sony KDL 40ex400 TV that now displays only black and white, no color at all.

I bought it direct from Sony (special promotion I think, so I'm wondering if they were dumping bad models ). I've only used it about twenty times (it's in a bedroom). Suddenly, it is only displaying black and white, no color.

I've checked all the connections and tried different RGB cables. I've done the factory reset as well, but nothing works.

From what I've read on the internet the problem is probably with the T-CON board and/or Main (AV) Board. So I am wondering if I should buy a used T-Con board and, perhaps, a Main Board on eBay.

They seem pretty cheap and I can strip PCs. So I expect I could install the T-CON board and the Main (AV) Board. Is this a safe assumption?

What would members suggest: 1) T-CON board only 2) T-CON Board and Main Board.

Also, does anyone have advice about a) where to buy the T-CON board and/or Main (AV) Board b) what to look out for and c) any other things I should consider?

My thanks for your help and advice in advance.

[selldoor]

Re: Help: Lost color on Sony KDL 40ex400 TV

what is the signal source for the tv tried on a different one?dvd?
Check the setting if there is one for pal/ntsc
check the color settings - these are supposed to be good
Backlight: 6
Picture: 72
Brightness: 41
Color: 64
Hue: R1
Color Temp: Warm1
Sharpness: 20
Cine-motion: Auto

Advanced Settings
Adv. Contrast Enhancer: Low
Black Corrector: Low
Gamma: 0
Clear White: Low
Live Color: Off


Is the OSD in black and white

Can you post a good clear picture of the tv with the back off.

[Moreno83]

Re: Help: Lost color on Sony KDL 40ex400 TV

Your saying you only tried RGB? Try a different input like scart with for example a dvd player.

[Art2015]

Re: Help: Lost color on Sony KDL 40ex400 TV

Hi,

Thanks for your quick responses. I very much appreciate them.

I'll reply to the detailed questions about color settings and the request for a photograph later today, but to clarify matters:

I've only used the TV to watch DVDs through a DVD player. I've tested the TV with DVDs/Blue Ray disks in a DVD player/Blue Ray players. In both cases I only got a black and white display.

Unfortunately, the only common connection between my Sony TV and these two players (DVD & Blue Ray) is RGB. I don't think it is the RGB cable because I have tested the players with two different RGB cables. Of course, the RGB connectors inside the TV could have gone bad, but I haven't checked that yet.

Right now I don't have any devices that could connect say a DVD S-Video outlet to a HDMI TV input

There is no cable outlet in the bedroom where the TV is currently housed so I've not tested if I can get color for cable TV. I'd be surprised if I could. Anyway, I only want to use the TV to watch DVDs.

I'd be surprised if it is any of the TV color settings. As I said in my original post, I reset them as per the manual to the original Factory settings. I also checked them manually and changed them to see if the changes would make a difference. None did. Everything seems to be OK as far as the settings go and as per the manual. However, I'll check them again as suggested by selldoor.

The last but one time I played a DVD, it played fine with the DVD playing in color. The very last time I tried to play a DVD, with no settings, cables changed etc, I could get no color, only black and white. To check if it was the disk, I played several DVDs/Blue Rays. For all DVDs/Blue Rays there was no color.

Given that I've tried two DVD/Blue Ray players, two RGB connectors, played several DVDs, reset the TV to the factory settings, didn't change any settings between getting color and not getting color, I can only conclude that, the problem is with whatever TV hardware component(s) control color display (which from my Internet research appears to be the T-Con panel). Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Sorry for not putting these facts in my original post.

As requested, I will check the color settings later today, open the TV and take a photograph of the inside and post the results tonight.

Thanks again for your suggestions. I very much appreciate them.

P.S. One moral of the tale: beware of SONY TVs sold at a discount at the SONY factory store in a discount mall (Riverhead Mall, Long Island) on Black Friday. I've used the TV less than twenty times!!!!!

[selldoor]

Re: Help: Lost color on Sony KDL 40ex400 TV

Any luck on a finding pal/ntsc setting? - That is sometimes the problem on dvds being black and white. When you get inside there is a cable called the lvds
that may need reseating

EDIT Also what make is the DVD player

When you take the pictures can you take one of where the rgb cable is connected WITH the cable in place.

Another thought are you selecting the correct source - perhaps it is set on auto.

[tom66]

Re: Help: Lost color on Sony KDL 40ex400 TV

I don't know that much about US law, but I thought you had a minimum 90 day warranty, and most retailers make it 12 months. Do you still have the receipt, or a credit card/bank statement you could use?

[nomoresonys]

Re: Help: Lost color on Sony KDL 40ex400 TV

maybe try hooking up an antenna/rabbit ears, scan for over the air signals, see if theyre in color.