Hi, I purchased a PSP from my local MVC store on the 2nd september and as soon as I took it out the box and switched it on I noticed the dead pixels, I have 2 dead on mine, I took it back to MVC today and they are happy to replace but do not have any stock or a delivery date for new stock (could be 3 months :( ).

They advised I call the Sony Customer care line (insert word 'dont') and so I did!!

They are refusing point blank to replace the unit as they say 'Due to the high precision nature of the screen, a number of dead pixels can be expected' I suggested that they were obviously not very 'high precision' if they have dead pixels.

The guy then said he had 5 dead pixels on his so mine could have been worse, so I told him he needed to get his replaced, I asked if Sony gave a t*ss about their customers and was repeated the high precision line. I told him that it simply wasn't good enough and that when I pay

They are refusing point blank to replace the unit as they say 'Due to the high precision nature of the screen, a number of dead pixels can be expected' I suggested that they were obviously not very 'high precision' if they have dead pixels.

Unfortunately as with any LCD screen in this catergory there is an 'acceptable' limit on dead pixels before the unit can be classed as faulty.

It is usually 5 dead sub pixels (stuck on green, blue or red) or 3 dead pixels (black).

Anything below that and it's within spec.

It isn't sonys fault its a drawback of the manufacuring process of LCD screens and you get the same warning when buying a LCD monitor. LCD monitors of a different class that are garuanteed to have NO dead (sub)pixels are very expensive indeed.

Does anyone own a PSP with no dead pixels?

Yes i'm one of the lucky ones, but if i had one i wouldn't be bothered as i was aware of the technical limitations of LCD before buying it anyway. My monitor has two dead sub-pixels and don't notice them anymore.

There is no warning anywhere on the packaging so how are people supposed to know before they buy?

My 2 dead pixels are bright white by the way!

I'm sorry but I just think its unacceptable, do dead pixels still spread like they used to?

My LCD monitor has one dead sub pixel, which you can only spot under certain conditions. My phone has one too.

Funny that, I bought a Sony Cybershot a year ago and it had a dead pixel on the LCD screen, when I took it back the same day they told me that they would change it but their policy was to only replace it is a certain amount of pixels where dead.

TBH it seem that sony seem to have alot of issues with their screen.

dead pixels don't or shouldn't spread no.

And there will be a note about dead pixels in the garauntee bumph at the back.

It's not limited to sony or the PSP, certain manufacturers offer a ZERO dead pixel tolerance but not many and they're stuff is often very costly.

There are a few different types of LCD which are good at certain things. Some offer very good colour reproduction but have a low response time, some have a good reponse time but aren't visible from any viewing angle other than dead on and others offer inbetween good response time, good colour reproduction and a decent viewing angle.

Given the PSPs use there was no choice in what type of LCD to use, a high response time would kill it, games would be unplayable and DVDs would look aweful, it also needs to be viewable from a wider range otherwise you'd be very limited to the position you could hold it.

The drawback is that some processes are produce a better zero dead pixel yield than others, the most favourable process for the PSP puts it in the 5/3 catergory. The only other alternative would have been to through away none perfect screens and then the cost of the PSP would have doubled.

I know you're ****ed off but unfortunately it really isn't sony's fault, it's merely a limitation of the technology. It is exactly the same for the DS (I think that uses LCDs), LCD TVs, LCD monitors etc.

Bright white would be classed as a sub pixel (as it's all colours stuck to on) and so i think you'd need 5 or more to be able to claim under warranty.

the 5 sub and 3 full dead pixels has been accepted standard for a while now. A few more companies are starting to push out zero dead pixel tolerances as the process of making LCDs improves.

PSP here - no dead pixels

Sony reckon <10 is acceptable.

If its not viewable, chuck it at the managers head.

I remember from when I worked at Tiny, the TFT monitors were pants but we had a general policy for replacing them. Any in the centre was replaced, and over 5 round the outside was replaced. However a white one can **** you off more than a black one.

I'd return it, get a refund and go to the shop next door.

I have a psp with no dead pixels. I think if they are central on othe screen then you have more chance of getting them replaced, but it's a bit of a lottery. Get a refund and buy it from game. Game do a 10 dayno quible return policy so I would buy it from them and have no worries. Keep buying and returning until you get a good one.

Also my TFT monitor is perfect too, but I have a viewsonic who will replace it if it ever gets one. One of the main reasons I bought it as they are one of very few companies that have this policy

Also dont take **** from people on the phone. Call again and complain about them. sounds like he has a rude attitude and shouldnt be able to refuse to put you through to their supervisor

i have a dead pixel on my laptop(always green)don't even notice it now.

my car stereo has a dead pixel too and don't that notice that one either.

Cheers guys, sounds like there is a good chance of getting one without dead pixels, the guys at MVC said i've got 28 days in which I can return it anyway so I think i'll do that, get a refund and try elsewhere - shame really as they've been very helpfull at MVC just they dont know when they are getting more stock!

I wish there was a truely viable alternative though, Sony have really peeed me off!!

Aside from the dead pixels though it is an awesome piece of kit

Cheers guys' date=' sounds like there is a good chance of getting one without dead pixels, the guys at MVC said i've got 28 days in which I can return it anyway so I think i'll do that, get a refund and try elsewhere - shame really as they've been very helpfull at MVC just they dont know when they are getting more stock!

I wish there was a truely viable alternative though, Sony have really peeed me off!!

Aside from the dead pixels though it is an awesome piece of kit [/quote']

IIRC if its white, i think it means its stuck..

there is a app on t'internet that will rapidly flash the screen different colours.. people have said this can sometimes un-stick the pixels if left on all night or so.. worth a try?

I have 1 stuck pixel on my Laptop screen (green) and 1 stuck on my PSP too (luckilly right on the edge of the screen.

A dead pixel is black iirc... Stuck pixels display one solid colour.

Either way, they're a pain in the ***.

Apple have a similar policy too. A couple of years ago I went into John Lewis with a friend who bought a 15" Powerbook. According to Apple, its allowed to have 5 dead pixels before it can be returned and his had just one that was stuck on Red. After a week he went back to the shop where they swapped it without any issue. Last year, I got my 12" from the same place - its just nice to have that kind of customer service.

Plus, it costs the same as if I bought it elsewhere. And they give you a 2yr warranty instead of the standard 1yr. I wouldn't buy an Apple or Sony computer from anywhere else.

Ok guys, have been into town today and got a refund on my PSP.

Have now purchased one from another store and it is perfect

I would STRONGLY advise anyone who has a PSP with dodgy pixels to return it to where you purchased from and get either a replacement or refund, it's the only way Sony will take any notice, and I'd do it quickly before they start telling shops not to replace for dodgy pixels.

I find it totaly unacceptable that they or any company supply products with dead pixels, I couldn't give a t*ss about manufacturing processes etc, the bottom line as far as i'm concerned is - if you cant produce a product that is functionaly perfect - dont bother.

Nintendo dont have this problem so I dont see why it should be accepted from Sony, I have contacted BBC's Watchdog - probably a waste of time, but if enough people complain Sony will be forced to take action.

On a side note, how easy would it have been to stitch up MVC?! when I returned my original PSP they didn't even open the box to check the PSP was inside let alone any of the accessories!! :confused:

Yes same here two dead pixals but not a problem when playing a game so i am not too worried.