Dear Tin Pushrer:

The lamp went out on my 50V500 about a month ago. I replaced it with the OE Hitachi lamp, new in a box (purchased on eBay).

I carefully installed as directed and and all was well for a week or two, but now I have a swirling blue cloud growing in the middle of my screen, that sounds like what your describing.

How did you get yours fixed? 

                                                        Thanks,

                                                                   Doob

MOtvGuy-

Thanks for the update,  I was beginning to think there was only a "tunnel at the end of the light"!!

I'll call my local authorized service center tomorrow. 

Hitachi now says if it's the light engine, they will send one at no charge to my local authorized tech service to install, but are still insisting that I pay for service call and labor.  We'll see, but I'm not about to give in on that one. I'll keep you updated.

The 'resistance" is Hitachi  insisting I pay for the first diagnostic service call (and the actual repair call) when the Service Center, Hitachi,  and everyone else on the planet knows it's their defective light engine with this model. (i.e. the whole TV is hosed). The Service Center is trying to get them to authorize out of the gate, we'll see how that goes.

I would say if someone has one of these sets they need to bug the hell out of Hitachi till they make good on all of the costs of repair. That's my plan.

yep, bad light engine.

"Those who do not know their opponet's arguments, do not completely understand their own".

I am having the same problem with my Hitachi 50V500. This is actually the third issue I have had relating to this product and the light engine. I will call Hitachi tomorrow and see what I can get from them. Any suggestions for courses of action or arguments to use? Thanks in advance.