Sony Support

Article ID : S1Q0204 / Last Modified : 06/27/2007Print

A Distortion Bar is Displayed Along the Bottom of the Television Screen

    When a television is connected via HDMI input to the DVD Player/Receiver unit of certain Sony® Home Theater systems the following symptom may occur when playing DVDs:

    A 'Distortion Bar' may appear on the bottom of the screen (see illustration below).

    NOTE: This is an error found within the DVD Player/Receiver unit and is not a problem with the television's HDMI connection.


    This symptom only occurs when all of the following conditions are true:

    • The video signal output resolution is set to 1280x720p or 1920x1080i.
    • The "HDMI CONTROL" function in the "CUSTOM SETUP" menu is set to "ON".
    • The Home Theater system and the television are powered on simultaneously using the "One-Touch Play" function.


    Affected Models

    Please consult the chart below for affected models:

      Home Theatre System     DVD Player/Receiver Unit     Affected Serial Number Range  
    DAV-HDX265 HCD-HDX265 8100001 - 8128838
    DAV-HDX266 HCD-HDX266 8100001 - 8104477
    DAV-HDX267W HCD-HDX267W 8100001 - 8102904
    DAV-HDX465 HCD-HDX465 8100001 - 8105453
    DAV-HDX500 HCD-HDX500 8100001 - 8112544
    DAV-HDX501W HCD-HDX501W All
    DAV-HDZ235 HCD-HDZ235 8100001 - 8100052




    How to Resolve the Issue

    There are three options available to owners of Sony Home Theater Systems affected by this issue:


    Option 1: Free Downloadable Firmware Update

    Download Firmware

    Sony is offering a free downloadable firmware update to owners of the affected Sony Home Theater Systems to correct the issue.
    NOTE: The downloadable firmware update must be burned to a CD using a computer capable of burning CDs.

    Please click the model number of your DVD Player/Receiver unit to download the firmware update:

    HCD-HDX265 HCD-HDX266 HCD-HDX267W
    HCD-HDX465 HCD-HDX500 HCD-HDX501W
    HCD-HDZ235  



    Option 2: Order a Firmware Update CD

    Download Firmware

    Sony will provide a free CD with the firmware update to customers who request it. Please select the model of your DVD Player/Receiver unit, and then click the "Order CD" button to order a firmware update CD.

    Model Number:  



    Option 3: Send Your DVD Player to Sony Service

    Customers who prefer not to perform the firmware update themselves can send their DVD Player/Receiver unit to Sony Service for a firmware update. Please contact Sony Support at 800-222-7669 to arrange for service.
    NOTE: Shipping to the Sony Service Center is the responsibility of the customer.