Pixel Lines on Screen - only when backlight is on

Hi, I also have a slightly abnormal problem. My 5th generation ipod (which is in pretty good condition) recently got the dead pixel lines like the ones in the image, and they would also only show up when the back lit screen was up but then today the whole screen went dead. Music kept playing but I couldn't get any image to come on the screen, so I tried resetting it and now the whole thing won't come on. I've tried placing it in a Bose Ipod speaker in case of a power issue and plugging it into my macbook pro but it doesn't even register. Is this a dead pixel issue or is my ipod officially fried?

I'm having the same problem with my Ipod 5G, i noticed it a days ago and it seem everytime i see the line it's getting longer and longer:( What can be done to fix the problem?

I've experimented around with some of the LCD's that have this issue. Sometimes, it is possible to remove the screen from the iPod and rub the screen very hard in the area that the line shows. However, this does not always work, and sometimes the symptoms can return. If you are going to go to the trouble of removing the old LCD screen, it's worthwhile to spend the ~$20 that a new LCD costs.

So, in short, there isn't any solution other than replacing the LCD screen.

Come on Apple. I think we deserve a reply.

I have exactly the same problem as everyone else. and it seems as though you are just ignoring all of us. Thousands, even hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of customers.

I just picked up my iPod off my desk about a month ago, when the LCD lines of death appeared. Now its almost screwed, I'm ringing Customer support tomorrow, I think I have a few months of my extended warranty left.

but still, we deserve a reply.

Clearly, this is a very cheap shot from APPLE. Not replying to so many complains in this particular thread shows there inability to respond to defects or the so called lemon problems. My brother's 5g 30gb ipod video, started to show these signs at his ipod yesterday (take note: he takes good care of his ipod, after 2 years of using it, it still looks brand new because of the hard case wrapped around the ipod. My ipod is currently not with me so i don't know if it is affected by this widespread defect (IPOD 5th gen. Video 30gb). my suggestion is for everybody to ring the bell to let somebody from apple hear it...

If you do elect to have your iPod repaired by a third party, make sure that they replace the LCD screen with a non-SHARP brand LCD.

Apple purchased LCD screens from several suppliers when they built the 5th generation iPod. In my repair shop I have noticed that the LCD screens that fail are Sharp brand. I have never seen a non-SHARP brand LCD screen have a dead pixel line.

Some people have suggested that the issue is caused by airports or cold weather. Unfortunately, I have never surveyed my repair customers on the issue so I can't find a constant other than the fact that only SHARP LCD screens are affected.

If your iPod is still under warranty, I would imagine that it would be covered for repair by Apple.

If your iPod is out of warranty, my repair facility still offers replacement service of 5th Gen LCD screens for $65.00, including return shipping via FedEx. We do not use SHARP LCD screens (of course). I would be happy to answer any questions anyone may have about the defect, and I can even provide a few pointers if you're hoping to replace the part yourself (it is possible if you are very skilled with small electronics and up for a challenge).

Hopefully this information can be of use to someone.

Nick Fala
NF Technology Services (nftechservices.com)



Required Disclaimer: I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link in this post.

Message was edited by: nfts08

I used to have that problem 3 years ago, then I took my ipod with me to Japan and as soon as I plugged it to the electricity, it fixed itself...I have no idea why, maybe because of the different frequency of the electricity there (50 Hz) or the difference in atmospheric pressure. Now I have the same problem again and it will be a looong time till I go back to Japan... (and I’m starting to get really worried)
I hope someone is able to try this (in some country with a different frequency), also I have noticed that the lines become bigger really fast if you left the ipod in a hot place (like your car).

What is the deal? Same thing here... Where is the next Apple update? It's hard to know whether it's a software thing or a hardware thing if there's no update available. I wish there was one so maybe I could get mine fixed, too. Whatever the case, I wish Apple would respond in some way!

Just to be clear: it is definitely a hardware issue. The lines are dead pixels in a poorly manufactured LCD screen (manufacturer: Sharp)

No software update, reset, or manipulation can solve the problem.

I have a huge pile of iPod LCD screens with dead pixels in the repair shop. I'm keeping them just to see how many I accumulate. They are all Sharp-branded LCDs. No Samsung or Epson branded LCDs seem to have the issue.

Nick

My black iPod Video 60GB just ran out of Applecare in Mid-November (that's a mere 2 MONTHS AGO!). And I now have this "horizontal black lines when backlight is on" issue, just like the rest of you. I'm not sure if I want to get it serviced for a fee. The battery life is also noticeably short these days. I found this information on another site, some of you may find it useful:

"I've been doing research, and my first guess as to what this is, is something called "backlight bleeding" The entire surface of an LCD is backlit from behind by a light source (CCFL light) and the LCD blocks out the light that is not needed. Backlight bleeding occurs when this light is not 100% blocked allowing some light to "bleed" through the LCD causing spots of lighter areas on a dark or black background. Unfortunately, almost all LCDs suffer at least a small amount of backlight bleed because the opacity of LCD panels is not enough to block all light, though it only causes problems if it can be easily detected by the human eye."
- from http://forums.ilounge.com/archive/index.php/t-202812.html

I would suggest you ALWAYS get AppleCare (3-year service plan) with your products, and if ANYTHING goes wrong prior to the 3-year mark, go get it serviced! If Apple (and other companies) intentionally plan for their products to crap out at the 3-year mark, I'm sorry, that is just evil, and they should be ashamed of themselves for so many reasons.

yeah... i just got the brand new 120gb black ipod for christmas and a few days ago i noticed the same shaped lines as that photo, only a bit more to the left. then i turned it on today and there was a long line going right across the screen. the ipod itself is in super awesome condition, i mean it's brand new and i have a hard, plastic case on it all the time. i haven't even dropped it yet!

i'm really reluctant to ship it back to apple because my external hard drive has been... uh.. malfunctioning, so i don't want to lose all the music on my ipod!

advice?

Exact same problem with my 80g Classic- Only 1 year old & well looked after.

May not be relevant but started using a docking station recently & lines started to appear!?

Was tempted to buy an iphone but problems like this would make you think twice! If it is the sharp lcd's they should be recalled or replaced for free if people are having problems.

Hmmm, not sure about the docking station (wouldn't it be nice if Apple actually contributed to these queries?), but it did start on my 5G 30GB iPod this morning after I charged via USB for the first time in yrs.

I had been using a wall charger, which my wife took to Paris yesterday, so I went back to my USB. I wonder if it has anything to do with power variations causing the pixels to die?

Message was edited by: RatGeek

Ya so the warrenty on my ipod was up 5 days before this occured. There is nothing apple can do except charge you to replace the lcd screen and hope it doesnt happen again, or sell you a completely new ipod. So I decided to get a Zune instead and am much happier with it! So sorry apple, try making a more reliable product or you are gonna lose more customers...VIVA EL ZUNE!!!

a ZUNE? Are you serious? Are you getting paid by Micro$oft to post messages like that?