Expert: Rick Montgomery - 11/8/2009

Question
QUESTION: What is causing an arc of blue green red lines on the screen all the time? THe lines start out from the same point at the bottom left and seperate as they arc from left to right.  I have a sony model no. kp-57ws500.

ANSWER: Lou,
  As my profile reflects, I do not work on projection TV's. However, the problem you are describing is the most common of the projection TV problems. I can at least explain to you what is happening. You have 3 picture tubes in the bottom of your set, red, green and blue, one for each of the 3 primary colors of light. Each one projects it's component of the complete color picture to a mirror on the back, and then onto a screen that you watch. There is a circuit that aligns these 3 separate images, or causes them to CONVERGE into the one image you see, with all the correct colors. Your convergence drive amplifier is defective. My favorite analogy is that of a stereo with one channel shorted out. It doesn't matter where you set the volume or tone controls, until you repair the amplifier, you won't hear any sound out of that channel. Likewise, with your TV, until the convergence drive amplifier is repaired, you will not be able to achieve proper image alignment. Unfortunately, that is all the help I can give you.
regards,
Rick

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Do you have an idea of the cost for this repair?

Thanks,
Lou

Answer
Lou,
  I have explained what the problem is, but without knowing what components are needed for your set, and how many, or if a convergence Circuit Board would be necessary for your set. So I wouldn't even be able to give you a ballpark figure for the Service Center I work for.
Remember, I don't work on these, and am not involved with the pricing of the repair or the compiling of estimates. Furthermore, I would have no idea what labor would be charged by Service Centers in your area. This is a question best asked of a Service Center in your area. I would call them and you have a Sony KP-57WS500 Projection TV with a convergence problem, and ask them if they can give you a rough estimate.
regards,
Rick