) for about 3 years now.
We purchased it in our prior house and placed it above the fireplace mantle.
In our current home, it is placed on it’s custom stand (which we purchased through eBay for all of $25 last year) to the left of the fireplace in our family room.
Now, about 6 weeks ago or so I noticed what seemed to be in the extreme upper left corner a light blue haze. This was only visible when the TV was displaying a picture that used all of the display area. Typically this would be watching a sporting event broadcast in HD (High Definition).
In the picture above, look closely in the upper right of the screen and you should see a light blue triangle. It almost looks like a shadow.
While much harder to see, I also started to notice what looked like a very light green band vertically along the left side of the screen. It was about the same width of the black border when the screen is displaying a non-wide screen picture. Depending on the resolution of your computer monitor you might be able to see it in the above closeup.
[We will discuss the extended warranty which we happened to purchase at the same time as the TV in tomorrow’s article.]
In using Google’s standard Internet search engine, I came across more than one home electronics discussion boards where others had my same issue. Actually, most had it worse. At least I could still see most of the TV picture. Some had not a small blue haze in the upper corner but over the majority of the picture. Another had it moving to different areas of the picture.
The bottom line is this. Apparently is is a known defect; known to Hitachi and known to many television repair shops (at least to the store who fixed our TV) . The cause is a defective part known as the light engine. This part is the guts of the TV.
Currently, Hitachi is said to be providing a replacement part at no charge. This part from what I understand is very expensive; in the range of $600 to $900. Good for Hitachi.
However, from what I read on the various Internet electronics forums Hitachi is not reimbursing the TV owner for the cost of a TV repair shop to remove the defective light engine and install it’s replacement. Hitachi executives, if you are reading this and I am incorrect, please email me or add a comment to this article below.
If this is the case, it is a policy that I do not agree with. Most home owners will need a TV repair specialist to use the replacement part to repair the TV. Replacing the light bulb, which has a limited life, in the TV is sufficiently tricky in this unit for most home owners. I know it was for me. There is no way an average or above average home owner can replace the TV’s light engine.
To repair the TV the TV repair shop said that they needed to bring the unit into their store. They agreed with what I had discovered on the Internet as the likely cause, saying that they had seen this situation time and again. They also indicated that it would take 4 to 6 business days to order and receive the part. I suggested they order the part and once they receive it in their store that they then come to pick up the TV, rather than it sitting in their store all this time; they agreed.
They called when they receive the part, picked up the TV the next day and two days later our TV was back good as new.
Actually, better than it had been in a while. Apparently, this defect also deteriorates the picture slowly over time. We had not noticed this previously. However, when the TV was returned the picture was sharper and more clear than it had been in quite a while. Now when I watch my favorite football team’s golden helmets shining in the fall afternoon sun it is quite a sight to see. You know the team to which I refer.
So, that is our experience with our wide screen television defect.
Tomorrow, we will talk about the extended warranty purchased from the retailer that sold us the unit.
To read the related article on Extended Warranties as they pertained to our above situation, simply select this link to Extended Warranties.
51 responses so far ↓
1 Service Care // Nov 28, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Wow, I’m really sorry you’re having this issue. It looks like you’re not the only one, based on a little web searching I just did.
Did you ever get it repaired?
2 Dan // Nov 28, 2008 at 7:16 pm
The above article says that we did.
Dan
3 Randy // Dec 17, 2008 at 8:34 pm
We are dealing with this issue right now, haven’t called a repair shop yet- realized last night after wondering for a while why we had a blue haze in the lower part of the screen I did an internet search and found this and other websites about the issue. Funny they don’t tell you this stuff when you buy a tv.
4 Dan // Dec 17, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Hey Randy,
We had ours for about 3 years when this happened. If your TV is not under warranty from the retailer, be sure to press your case that the light engine is not to cost you anything; however, you will need to pay for the labor, unfortunately.
I mentioned this to the repair shop we used and they knew exactly what we were talking about.
Dan
5 Tim // Apr 24, 2009 at 2:09 am
I am the owner of a 50V500A. I am on my 6th year and had purchased the warranty (5Year) from the Store. During the warranty period the main board went and it was replaced and repaired for free ($900 part). However recently I’ve noticed a decline in the quality of the picture, I have never replaced the bulb and I do not have any blue shadowing. Does Hitachi replace this defective part regardless of the age of the TV? Also knowone mentioned the cost of the labour to replace this part. Please reply
thx
6 Dan // Apr 24, 2009 at 2:48 am
Hi Tim,
Regarding your question “Does Hitachi replace this defective part regardless of the age of the TV?”, yes, that is my understanding. When I dealt with Hitatchi customer service on this they did not even ask if it was under any type of extended warranty.
What the extended Future Shop warranty did cover for us was the labour from the TV repair folks to take out old and replace the new part.
Again, that is my experience. I have no idea what the labour charge would have been. I suggest you ask these questions of Hitachi directly.
Yes, the entire picture quality improved, not just the blue and green shadows disappearing with the new part.
Dan
7 Larry // Jul 3, 2009 at 6:27 am
I am having blue haze in lines around th escreen . In trying to adjust the convergence it will not adjust. Is there anyway to go in the back of the tv and do this?
Thanks
8 Dan // Jul 3, 2009 at 9:42 am
Hi Larry,
You have got me stumped.
I wonder if this is a symptom of something more?
I suggest you call up Hitachi’s customer support directly and ask them as they would / should know their products better than I.
Good luck to you,
Dan
9 Faye Bischoff // Aug 17, 2009 at 8:58 pm
When I called Hitachi they gave me my local service repairman and when I called it would cost at least $400 to fix a 7 year old tv
10 Dan // Aug 17, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Hi Faye,
In your situation I would purchase a new one.
Prices have come way down and improved picture quality.
Dan
11 Homero // Sep 22, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Well I bought my Hitachi Ultravision 5 years ago. After 2 years the picture went bad. I read your comments and the rep said that Hitachi is not replacing the light engine at no cost. He indicated that I was badly informed.
12 Dan // Sep 22, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Hi Homero,
Well, all I can tell you is that this is what we experienced, this is what our local TV repair company told us, this is what I have seen others have experienced from other sites. As far as I know, it is a known product defect.
I would search the internet for other sources and go back to Hitachi directly. Of course, this assumes that your Hitachi is the same model as mine. It may not be the case with other models built at the same time.
Dan
13 Scott // Oct 4, 2009 at 11:26 pm
I have had a red tint on my set for some time now. Recently the blue thing started at the bottom center and has just about consumed the whole screen now. I bought this set through Sears and they told me to contact Hitachi with my issues. I was wandering if I just got a “BAD SET” or what. This set is a few years old but doesn’t have many hours on it because the picture is not worth watching. Any help with this would be greatly apreciated.
Scott
14 Dan // Oct 5, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Hi Scott,
The red tint might simply be adjusting the colour manually.
I would raise your issue up both the Sears and the Hitachi chains to get the service you deserve.
A product defect is a product defect.
However, if you cannot send them in any pictures of the issues with your TV’s picture, you might have to pay for a service call.
Or, if your blue tint in like what we experienced, feel free to reference them to the pictures in this article.
Dan
15 Carol // Oct 15, 2009 at 3:22 am
We have a nearly 4 yr. old Hitachi 57 in rear projection tv. Recently the screen has a black strip on the top and a black strip on the bottom. The picture in the middle is ’squished’ and looks about 8 inches tall now. Similar to a mirror in the funny house at the fair! I have been told it cannot be fixed…but I think that may not be correct. Could you direct me, please. Thanks
16 Dan // Oct 16, 2009 at 10:17 am
Hi Carol,
I suggest you need to contact Hitachi Customer Service directly as I have not experienced that on our set. It could be any number of things.
Sorry I can’t be more assistance,
Dan
17 Kevin // Nov 2, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Dan,
I own the 55VG825 and the light engine has been deteriorating for quite some time. I contacting Hitachi, just as my service company suggested, and Hitachi refuses to cover the cost of the part. I talked with several representatives, including managers, and they all gave me the same song and dance, out of warranty, out of luck! Very disappointed that a manufacturer’s defect is not being honored and will never buy a Hitachi again. Terrible customer service, terrible defect in TV! On to a Sony Bravia for me.
Kevin
18 Anonymous // Nov 7, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Out Hitachi UltraVision Digital TV is about 7 years old, It developed a blue line across the top, seems to be getting worse. Do you think it is the light engine? How expensive would it be to replace?
19 Dan // Nov 7, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Hi Anonymous,
Shy, aren’t you?
I am not a TV repairman or anything like that.
It could be the light engine or it could be the main bulb.
The only way to be sure is to have a qualified repairman check it out.
Dan
20 justin // Nov 9, 2009 at 3:58 pm
hi i have a 55in ultravision that keeps turning itself off after being on for approx 10 minutes. i have pulled it away from the wall thinking the vents were not getting adequate air to them but that has not worked either? any ideas other than its overheating????
21 Dan // Nov 9, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Hi Justin,
Thanks for the email. As we have stated previously, I am not a TV technician at all … just an average home owner.
However, are you sure that the fan is actually running (I know, I know…sort of like ‘is the toaster plugged in’ if one morning it is not working)?
I agree is sounds like something is overheating.
Perhaps, however, it is just a symptom of something wrong with the internal components / wiring. You might consider contacting a Hitachi customer service representative for their thoughts.
Do let us know how things turn out for you.
Dan
22 Rob // Nov 11, 2009 at 11:41 pm
I have an ultravision too. This morning it shut itself off. Now when I try to turn it back on, it tries but NOTHING and it turns itself off again.
23 Scott // Nov 13, 2009 at 6:35 pm
This symptom is typical of a power supply problem. This often occurs during a power outage or when there is a power spike. Depending on the design and warranty status, it can be relatively easy and inexpensive to repair or cost more than the TV is worth. Only a repair center can tell you for sure and you’ll be charged a fee if you choose not to repair it.
Scott
24 shane // Nov 21, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Having difficuty hookng up bell express vue to tv. Does it only require the cable from the express vue box or do i have to also have it hooked to an input?
25 Dan // Nov 21, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Hi Shane,
I don’t remember having to use any extra cables to hook it up, but it was a while ago now.
Dan
26 twaan // Dec 5, 2009 at 5:48 am
where could i buy a power supply for a hitachi 50v500a this unit has givin me trouble for quite some time!!!!
27 Dan // Dec 5, 2009 at 11:10 am
Twaan,
You might try contacting Hitachi’s customer service group; I would think they would know.
Failing that, your local TV repair shops, or possibly eBay.
Dan
28 Mary // Dec 15, 2009 at 12:15 am
I have a 42″ Ultra Vision that is less than 5 years old. The bulb went out during the 4 year extended warranty, and was replaced at no charge. Now that the warranty is up, I have a large yellow circle in the center of the screen, all the way to the bottom. Could this be the same defect you talked of earlier? Is this something Hitachi will take care of, or should I get a new TV.
29 Dan // Dec 15, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Hi Mary,
We did not see any yellow; however, when a light engine starts to fail I have seen from others that it can project different colours in different areas of the screen.
My suggestion would be to call the company who would service your TV, ask them and then take it from there. Depending on how much they say it would cost to repair, with prices dropping on TV’s these days you might be better off purchasing a new one.
I hope that helps,
Dan
30 Kevin // Dec 20, 2009 at 2:26 am
I also have the same Hitachi 50V500A Ultravision rear projection LCD TV and it has the creeping blue screen mentioned in the above article. It was made in december of 2004 making it 5 years old or so.
My wife just purchased a flat panel tv as our christmas gift to ourselves and I was planning on giving the Hitachi to my brother and his family. At least I hope I am able to after reading this.
His father-in-law repairs and builds computers, home theater systems, and also tv’s at his electronics shop. After talking to him tonight and explaining to him the creeping blue-screen issue, he is sure he can get the parts and fix it. My fingers are crossed!
31 Dan // Dec 20, 2009 at 2:32 am
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for the note. I hope our father-in-law can get a deal on Hitachi parts as some of the more recent comments above indicate that Hitachi is no longer providing a replacement for the acknowledged defective part.
Keep us posted!
Dan
32 Leon // Jan 11, 2010 at 1:59 am
Our tv is the same model as yours. It is approximately 4-1/2 years old and began to develope a read haze in the center of the picture. At first is was very small but has not progressed to 80% of the screen over the last 3 months. The extended warranty expired on 8/4/09. The tech said the problem is with a part similar to the old picture tube and will cost appproxmiatley $700 to replace.
33 Dan // Jan 11, 2010 at 11:30 am
Hi Leon,
If you can’t get the part free from Hitachi, assuming it is the same defective light engine issue that we had, I’d suggest buying a new TV altogether.
Dan
34 john // Jan 19, 2010 at 2:39 am
have exhausted Hitachi on trying to get a light engine for my 50v500a set. THEY WILL NOT and further told me they are out of the LCD business. This set I have is am absolute design nightmare - It has a screen filter on the fan unit that gets clogged (can’t service it) and then overheats the optical engines filters and RGB lenses. NEVER BUY HITACHI AGAIN, John
35 Dan // Jan 19, 2010 at 2:46 am
Very dissapointing to hear, John.
Thanks for the update.
Dan
36 Steve // Jan 24, 2010 at 9:48 pm
I also have a hitacji ultravision 50v500 and have replaced the bulb 4 times now had the repair shop out 3 times to adjust for shadows and the light engine has also been replaced… now the light engine is going again…. I was fortunate to have had all previous repairs done un der warrenty but now it is out of warrenty and I don’t think this tv is worht that kind of investment… I will definately NOT be buying another Hitachi
Steve
37 Miguel // Feb 5, 2010 at 5:29 am
I have a Hitachi 60A500V and have a major red glow and tint due to faulty light engine. I called Hitachi last year when I first noticed and they would not help. Now I am done with it and planning to buy a new set. But before I do I will give Hitachi one last chance to repair their reputation. If they fail, they will pay ten-fold because I will spend the next 10 years telling the story and warning others to stay away from anything Hitachi.
38 Bev // Feb 21, 2010 at 5:21 pm
I have the 50V500 and first had a problem about 2 years ago (TV was 2 years old). Bought it at Sears. Their repairman said the problem is the light engine overheats. He had a repair/replacement kit and installed it. Cost me $200 labor but problem was cleared up. Now I have the blue screen problem. If the replacement light doesn’t correct the problem I’m junking the set.
39 michael // Mar 16, 2010 at 2:04 am
dear dan,
iv got the same problem with my 57 inch hitachi tv and i was considering scraping it, could you tell me any reasonable price that i might get for the screen and anyother parts?
that would be greatly appreciated thanks
40 Dan // Mar 16, 2010 at 10:21 am
Hi Michael,
I’m not ‘in the business’ … I only write about my own experiences or what I know about.
I have never had to try and sell any TV for parts, etc. so I have no idea.
However, you might try seeing what is out on Craig’s List (not that I recommend Craig’s List), of Kijiji, or even eBay just to get an idea.
For information which is more local to you, you might want to call a few of the TV repair shops in your area.
I hope that helps,
Dan
41 Randy // Mar 19, 2010 at 10:55 am
I have a Hitachi 62VS69A that I’ve replaced 4 bulbs in and about a year ago had a blue tint on the left side of the screen.Now as of about a week ago all but about a foot circle in the middle of the screen has the blue tint.I called a service rep who was a total a/hole to say the least.I know there are several class action lawsuits as this was a known issue and Hitachi continued to sell defective units.After speaking with the tech and the treatment I received I plan to pursue this if it hair lips the govener.In fact I’m thinking maybe a boycott website may get thier attention or at least save several people (maybe several thousand people) some bucks and not be duped as many of us were.Just for starters.I know they(Hitachi) pay huge bucks to be represented so some payback may be the order of the day here.
42 HG // Mar 28, 2010 at 9:33 pm
My son’s 5 yr old rear screen projection Hitachi has had the creeping blues from the lower corners but all of a sudden today the screen has 5 inch wide vertical green yellow and blue stripes. If you look between the yellow and green stripes you can see some of the image. What a disappointment!
43 Dan // Mar 28, 2010 at 10:04 pm
Hi HG,
Sounds like its the light engine to me.
Dan
44 PeteC // Apr 1, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Anybody know if this can be replaced without any special equipment. I’ve fixed a lot of TVs in my day.
45 javier // Apr 11, 2010 at 2:04 pm
hitachi ultravision 50″ rear projection tv has been a bad 6 year experience for me… (multiple bulbs, blue screen.. ect. had had it all.) now looking for a nother set… and it will definately not hitachi.
46 K. Berry // Apr 22, 2010 at 4:44 pm
I have a Hitachi model #50V500A and have a defect in my light engine. I just got off the phone with Hitachi who said Oh I’m so sorry you will have to write to the appeals commitee. (A committee in California) who will respond in a few months. (What?) I am livid and am trying to join a class action lawsuit against this company. Hope you all follow.
47 Ned // May 5, 2010 at 4:17 am
I Have the same Hitachi Ultra vision Silver 50 inch.And the problem is it doesn’t turn on anymore.When you turn it on the 3 lights are blinking constantly and then it turns of by him self.No idea what is going on.Can you please give me some advise or help me.
48 Dan // May 9, 2010 at 11:43 pm
Hi Ned,
Personally, I have no idea as this has not happened to our unit…. yet
Did you check the owner’s manual or contact Hitachi directly?
Dan
49 Ned // May 15, 2010 at 4:25 am
Yea i contact it the Hitachi and their costumer service sucks big time.Ill never gonna buy Hitachi anymore.By the way thanks for the replay.Take care Dan
50 Mike // Jun 6, 2010 at 10:38 pm
I to have had to send my case to Hitachi appeals board been over a month and no word. Hitachi will never get another dime from me ever! If I look at anything for sale with the Hitachi name one it that’s an automatic NO! as to if i am interested in buying it.
51 Hollis Galloway // Aug 10, 2010 at 3:38 pm
My 60″ Hitachi Ultravision Picture Is Going Bad About 6″ Down From Top. Picture Cut Off Top Of People Head & Can Not Make Out Anything Need Help. Thank Hollis Galloway hollisgalloway@cox.net 504-394-5730
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