Sony responds to pixel problems; Exchanges offered

Paul Sinclair • Mar 27, 2005 • Comments (7)

Sony has responded to the widespread reports of dead pixel issues, stating that defective units can be exchanged. A Sony representative told GameSpot that affected PSP owners should use their PSP "for a week or two" to see if the...

Sony has responded to the widespread reports of dead pixel issues, stating that defective units can be exchanged. A Sony representative told GameSpot that affected PSP owners should use their PSP "for a week or two" to see if the pixel problems continue to bother them. "If you find the spots are interfering with gameplay/video viewing during this period, we will support the various elements of the PSP warranty." If a PSP is "determined to be defective" by Sony, the company will see to the "repair or replacement of this product with a new or refurbished product at SCEA's option."

According to a technical support associate, PSP owners who are still unhappy with the device's screen should contact Sony's customer service line (1-800-345-7669) for instructions on how to exchange their PSP. The process will have gamers mail their PSPs in to Sony and receive units with new screens. It is unclear whether PSP owners would receive an all-new unit or their old unit with a new LCD screen.

Comments

Ryan

- March 27, 2005 4:36 PM

I think Sony made a bad idea on thier part to do this. Every person out there who has even a single dead pixel will send their PSP to Sony. Also, this would be bad for users with worse problems than just one pixel because they're gonna have to wait months to get their PSP back since it is going to take Sony a while to fix every PSP sent in.

John Tylko

- March 27, 2005 7:37 PM

Yeah...maybe a system like Apple's...Apple states if their are more than 10 then its replaceable...10s probably to high a number, but maybe like 5 or something...They definitely need some way to filter the ones that don't qualify for a replacement.

Carl

- March 28, 2005 11:08 AM

No one should have to live with dead pixels on a screen that small and on a new product.

Ryan

- March 28, 2005 12:41 PM

A small screen??? If you have seen the PSP, trust me, one dead pixel really won't make a difference compared to the entire screen.

Brett

- March 28, 2005 3:16 PM

Ryan's right, the PSP's screen is freakin high-res and one or two dead pixels aren't too bad, unless they are bright green or red. Mine has one that's stuck on gray, close to the edge, so it's okay for me. If it had been worse, I'd have taken it to my local Sony store and demanded a refund -- I live in Massachusetts which has very liberal pro-consumer laws to protect my rights. Each state is different in this aspect.

Chris

- March 28, 2005 6:14 PM

Sony needs to do their own product testing and quality control. But why should they when all us morons (to them anyway) will pay over $250 to do it for them. I have bought and returned 2 PSP's not because of pixel probs, but because of major dust particles sandwiched between the LCD and Screen. They must be assembling them in the saharha desert in a tent or something. Have you ever heard of a clean room sony? You've done bad first hardware runs with all 3 of your system debuts now. I waited 2 years for the PSP only to be massively dissappointed. I'll be waiting a long time before I purchase one this time. Thanks for the great quality digital cameras (I own 2) but NO THANKS for the crummy hardware. It may look cool but falls far short of perfection. I can get dust on any of my LCD's for free at the beach. I don't need to pay $250 for it. I've told all my friends to pass on the PSP for a while until you (Sony) can get your act together. They are listening to me too. From a 28 year old gamer with a grip of cash to blow on Nintendo products now.

Dave

- March 30, 2005 3:56 PM

I agree that customers should not have to live with dead or always on pixels. I returned my PSP to Best Buy and the swapped it for a new one with no hassle. Going to try and replace my son's PSP tonight to EBGames, we'll see how that goes. Its not that they are that big of a deal, but if I buy a new product, I expect it to be 100% working. Sony obviously needs better QC before these units leave the factory. Also, for those that have experience the pixel issues, once you know where it is, your eyes are always drawn back to it, gets very annoying. Other than that however, I love the PSP and I'm looking forward to more functionality as new software is released for it.

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