Blue Blobs Block Out TV

OLATHE, Kan. --Television sets across the country are turning blue and their owners are red with anger over this expensive repair.

Newer television sets display vivid pictures and color. So, imagine how distracting it is when those colors get distorted.

Tony Otrosko never expected to make the news. He just likes watching it. That's why he built a custom cabinet for his $3,700 LCD projection set.

His investment is fizzling out after just four years.

"I expected this thing to last until I was well to a point where I couldn't see," Otrosko said.

It's not his sight that's going, but the TV optical block is fading. It's causing blue dots and blue lines to pop onto the screen. As more and more dots appear, Otrosko finds himself counting dots rather than focusing on his favorite TV program.

"I'm at the point where I tape my newscasts because I miss most of the news watching the silly dots appear all over the place," Otrosko said.

It's a problem happening all over the United States.

Web sites are full of consumer complaints about blue and green blobs for all kinds of Sony makes and models. When the blobs and complaints began popping up, so did class action lawsuits.

Sony temporarily extended the warranty on some sets, but Otrosko's isn't covered right now.

Sony's offered him a few deals on other sized sets, but Otrosko has refused their offers leaving him with a $1m000 dollar repair bill.

"I would have a big hole in here unless I recreate the woodwork around it and I'm not ready to surrender this one. It's only four years how can you throw away a TV set after four years?" Otrosko asks.

We called Sony Electronics, and the company is willing to pay for 100 percent of the repairs and Otrosko accepted this offer.

"I was lucky enough to ask for your help," Otrosko said.