| Author |
Thread: Archive through September 18, 2005 |
    
Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Tuesday, August 02, 2005 - 11:21 pm: |
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Well you can reach me at dkman610@hotmail.com because I'm frustrated with this TV myself, I'll be lucky if I can unload this thing for a quarter of the price I paid for it to help offset the cost of another new TV. I'm tired of this. We definatly have a class action suit here. |
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Relevant Product Info
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Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Tuesday, August 02, 2005 - 11:21 pm: |
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Well you can reach me at dkman610@hotmail.com because I'm frustrated with this TV myself, I'll be lucky if I can unload this thing for a quarter of the price I paid for it to help offset the cost of another new TV. I'm tired of this. We definatly have a class action suit here. |
L. Lawrence Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Wednesday, August 03, 2005 - 09:00 am: |
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I bought my Panasonic LCD HDTV mid-March 2005. Apparently, the bulb is out. I'm waiting for repair people to pick up TV now. I was told when I bought this set that "about the only thing that can go wrong is the bulb can burn out, but that won't happen for a couple of years and they are easy to replace." They failed to mention the cost, or the fact that they will go out in four months. I added my name to the Panasonic petition and I guarantee I will NOT be making any more Panasonic purchases of any kind in the future. |
Dan St Jean Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Wednesday, August 03, 2005 - 02:45 pm: |
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Well I bought my PT-45LC12 in 12/02. Bulb died in 1/04, 13 months later with well under 1000 hours of use. We only used it to watch movies for a year and even with that maybe 3 per week max. $329 down the tubes.
Bought a new bulb and less then 10 months later boom goes the ballast. Another $650. Currently the TV sits in the basement unfixed.
I go out of my way now to not buy anything Panasonic. Bought a Sony Wega so I don't have to worry about lamps, since I believe that the companies are doing this on purpose to make more money.
Will try to get something back from Panasonic. Called today but can't wait 30 minutes+. |
New member Username: Tperk100
Virginia Beach,
VA
United States
Post Number: 7
Registered: Jul-05
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| Posted on Thursday, August 04, 2005 - 05:06 pm: |
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LUCKED OUT TODAY!!!
The tech went to bat for me and Panasonic replaced both the ballast board and the lamp after 19 months at NO CHARGE to me!
Keeping my fingers crossed now. |
New member Username: Tperk100
Virginia Beach,
VA
United States
Post Number: 8
Registered: Jul-05
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| Posted on Thursday, August 04, 2005 - 05:06 pm: |
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LUCKED OUT TODAY!!!
The tech went to bat for me and Panasonic replaced both the ballast board and the lamp after 19 months at NO CHARGE to me!
Keeping my fingers crossed now. |
Andre RS Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Sunday, August 07, 2005 - 03:16 am: |
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Mine burned out an an estimated 1600 hours over around 17 months. Not exactly sure when I bought it, hopefully I can find the receipt from CC. If not they might be able to pull it. Thanks for posting the faxnumber, I'll give that a shot. |
Bronze Member Username: Cyco
Post Number: 36
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Sunday, August 07, 2005 - 10:30 pm: |
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Wow! Been busy this summer, nice to see the post still going.
Mickey-FL: Yes they refunded my lamp cost.
I've been getting emails from consumers about the petition and been trying to answer them all. I know the extension on the warranty isn't the best, but at least us complaining enough did something, it's a start. I've contacted and have been contacted by lawyers, all eager to make their millions sueing Panny. One is going as far as testing the lamps. I have not heard back from them as of yet.
Let me state this again, If your lamp blows in the first year or has blown more then once in a short time, demand a new ballast!! I'm greatful mine was only the lamp, but I would really like an updated ballast. In fact, we should all get one! This was my intentions when this whole thing started. I think if some of you have time on your hands, copy or include the link from the petition, maybe some quotes from this thread, and write Panny's legal department. State that us LC13 series owners (sorry others, this series seems to have the most problems) would like replacement ballast and an extra lamp!
Panasonic Legal Department
One Panasonic Way
Secaucus, NJ 07094
OR
Michael Marino, JR
One Panasonic Way
Secaucus, NJ 07094
Michael Marino is the Manager of Consumer Affairs who responded to my letter.
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Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Monday, August 08, 2005 - 01:51 pm: |
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Mike K - -
I was wondering what happened to you. Good to hear from you! I would like to express my sincere thanks for all your efforts. I signed the petition and, if there is a class actions suit, I definitely want to be in on the action. I would think that this matter would be very attactive to those law offices that like to sue big companies. Anyway, as I watched the petition grow, I have been wondering how it was going to be put to use. Maybe we ought to first wait to see if there is a law firm who would want to take on this case and then they could decide how best to use it. But my guess is that Panasonic is already aware of the on-line petition and these message posts and they are hoping we will just go away. - - Andrew |
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D Vukie Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 12:59 pm: |
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InFocus had the same issues with their LP 500 video projector, however, they did the right thing by fixing the units. |
Bronze Member Username: Tombo777
Post Number: 19
Registered: Jul-05
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| Posted on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 06:14 pm: |
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Wow thanks for the information. The more I read these boards the more I realize DLP and LCD is not worth the costs to own form the initial expense to the thousands on has to spend over the life of the TV for "bulbs." Amazing.
That 52" HD RPCRT is looking better and better especially for the money and aggravation avoided.
Never pays to be on the bleeding edge of any technology unless you like paying a premium to be a beta tester........The wow factor wears off long before that first $200 bulb needs replacing...most likely in the fourth quarter |
bonghater Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 07:17 pm: |
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broken fvck'n record..... |
Bronze Member Username: Helpful_smurf
Post Number: 48
Registered: Jun-05
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| Posted on Friday, August 12, 2005 - 06:39 am: |
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Yeah, funny how similar the "tom bong"'s M.O. is to the LCD fan club president we used to have. He'd post the same thing over and over again, kind of like a broken record. Come to think of it, didn't he suddenly disappear right around the same time that this "tom bong" idiot showed up?
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Bronze Member Username: Tombo777
Post Number: 23
Registered: Jul-05
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| Posted on Friday, August 12, 2005 - 12:13 pm: |
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48 posts and you are the all knowing oif this board? Give me a break. My opinion is mine. There are those who are raving ovr and over again about the merits of the new technology. I don't apologize for my opinion even if it insults those who paid way too much for their TV's and are now stressing over the issues with the new technology.
I am no fan of LCDs or DLP technology at this moment and ironically it is those who have presented their issues on this and other boards which has helped reinforce that opinion.
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Silver Member Username: Fyi
Dallas,
Texas
Post Number: 205
Registered: May-05
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| Posted on Friday, August 12, 2005 - 02:23 pm: |
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With 23 posts you're certainly not the "all-knowing" guru of this forum.
Anyone who raves over archaic CRT technology hasn't read very much of this or any other forum.
Your opinions are insulting.
They insult your own intelligence.
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Bronze Member Username: Tombo777
Post Number: 33
Registered: Jul-05
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| Posted on Friday, August 12, 2005 - 02:47 pm: |
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I am not claiming to be, In fact one must realize that just reading this forum would (or should) turn anyone off to the issues of these digital TVs. NOTHING but thread after thread of issues!!!
I do not see many RPCRT threads here in this REAR PROJECTION forum. Which speaks volumes about the lack of issues with that "archaic" technology you so disdain.
Alll you read about is how those who got sucked in are now whining about sync issues, bulb issues, noise issues, VGame issues, strange artifacts and lines, digital noise,banding, pink hues, screen doors, rainbows, service tech reps who know nothing and on and on and on. No thanks. I hope I can save someone some headache and a lot of money in waiting a few more years. If I can do that I feel justified in my rant.
The only intellegence insulted is that of the unsuspecting shmoe who actually plucks down thousands for a TV that clearly has technological issues (As evidenced here on this board)that go beyond adjusting the color. LOL
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New member Username: Kjp04
Post Number: 4
Registered: Jul-05
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| Posted on Friday, August 12, 2005 - 04:03 pm: |
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This forum is just a tiny sample of the big picture. Only a small percentage of people who purchased LCD televisions from Panasonic appear in these discussions. The only "technological issue" is the bulb cost of replacement. True, they should last longer than they have for all customers, but I'm sure this issue can be fixed. The television overall is excellent and I don't feel that I got "sucked in" at all. |
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| Posted on Sunday, August 14, 2005 - 07:32 pm: |
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I'm sick and tired on these Panasonic products. Bought a PT-60LC13 on 06/28/04 for almost $3000. After 11 months and a half of use, the first bulb died. Got a new free lamp on 4/11/05 under the 1-yr Pan warranty, but guess what? On 8/12/05, the bulb died again after only 4 months and 1 day of use. Is that a joke or what?
Why do customers have to pay such high prices for these high technology TVs that are suppose to work fine? I guess Panasonic doesn't know the meaning of "quality".
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Bronze Member Username: Tombo777
Post Number: 100
Registered: Jul-05
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| Posted on Sunday, August 14, 2005 - 09:17 pm: |
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Well if I paid $3000 for a TV I certainly would not want to be spending $20-$300 a year to keep watching it. Yikes. A tiny sample of the big picture maybe. All forums are that. But in other user forums you don't read of so many issues with ALL the brands of the same technology. NOt in the Dell forum , the Ipod forum, The audiophile forums, etc. Seems as a percentage there are way more problems then warm and fuzzy discussions regarding the technology especially when measure against most other user forums of technological products.
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No Credibility, bong Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Sunday, August 14, 2005 - 10:04 pm: |
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Is dinner over?
I see the CRT zealot has returned.
CRT's suck!
bong came to riducule all of you. He thinks you are all fools and came to your thread to rub your misery in your faces.
He's a troll looking for victims to prove his bogus theory that analog CRT is the only valid display technology.
How pathetic! |
New member Username: Kjp04
Post Number: 5
Registered: Jul-05
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| Posted on Sunday, August 14, 2005 - 10:30 pm: |
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The only problem discussed in this forum is the short life of the bulb. Surely a simple issue like this can be fixed. When Edison invented the light bulb, did people at that time complain because it was subject to burn-outs. When the automobile was invented, did they complain about poor gas mileage? When color TV was developed, did people complain about poor color? How about the telephone, did we complain about the noisy reception??......and so on and so on!!! |
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| Posted on Monday, August 15, 2005 - 04:08 pm: |
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I'm having the same symptoms as RandyB back in June. Press power, green light blinks for a minute, then switches to red blink with lamp indicator blinking once every few seconds. I got the extended warranty with CC so I'll have to give them a call and have them check the ballast. Bought the TV in Jan '04. |
panasuckic Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Monday, August 15, 2005 - 09:26 pm: |
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Well my lamp just blew. It is 9:20pm 8/15/05, watching the Yankee game and TV just went off. Gearing up for the fight against Panasonic. Anyone wish to join me? Mike K-you seem like you were up for it... |
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| Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 11:23 pm: |
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On 8/15/05, I placed my complain at CC about the second blown TY-LA1000 lamp after calling 1-800-211-PANA and waiting 45 minutes on the phone to speak with someone. CC confirmed me that the warranty for PT60LC13 has been extended from 12 to 18 months of purchase. Today, 08/17/05, I got a new free replacement lamp with 1-yr warranty. Before the replacement lamp warranty was 90 days.
Obviously Pana is aware that these lamps are a joke.
This is the second free lamp that I got since I bought it on 06/28/04. CC told me that until now there isn't a recall on this model. But you know what... 2 Pana dealers in Miami told me that this lamp is a good business because they sell it a lot.
I'm crossing my fingers to see a long life on this new lamp!!!!! |
Silver Member Username: Tombo777
Post Number: 115
Registered: Jul-05
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| Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 12:34 pm: |
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>>>>>>>The only problem discussed in this forum is the short life of the bulb. Surely a simple issue like this can be fixed. When Edison invented the light bulb, did people at that time complain because it was subject to burn-outs. When the automobile was invented, did they complain about poor gas mileage? When color TV was developed, did people complain about poor color? How about the telephone, did we complain about the noisy reception??......and so on and so on!!!<<<>
The kind of rationalization the Manufacturers of this junk want you to create as you beta test their product.
Your analogies point to giant LEAPS in technology that change the whole economy!!!. Not just a slight imporovement as in todays' "new" TV technology.
Horse to CAR? Letter to Phone? Candle to BULB etc.
This technology is not such a great leap We alrady have great color TVs. NOw they are offering the same TV with better resolution. Not exactly the LEAP that caused life and whole economic change as your "rationalized" examples.
To spend thousands of dollars on a product without the expectation that it WILL last 7 or more trouble free years like it's predeccessor is only made by one who can rationalize well.
Car quality is better, Phones are better, The electric light is BETTER! The long term reliability of TV's have gotten worse with this new technology and an extended warranty is MANDATORY. Usually EWs are only for those who will pay alot fo things like "piece of mind" or cannot sleep and generally useless to the wiser of the public. Thats the real signal this technology is not ready for prime time. |
No Credibility, bong Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 11:39 pm: |
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bong came to riducule all of you. He thinks you are all fools and came to your thread to rub your misery in your faces.
He's a troll looking for victims to prove his bogus theory that analog CRT is the only valid display technology.
How pathetic! |
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| Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 02:27 am: |
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I called CC earlier this week and they sent out a new lamp. It arrived today and I am posting this message using the TV as my computer display right now. The cost of the new lamp still doesn't quite offset the cost of the extended warranty I purchased but if the lamp (or ballast) goes out again, then I'll be ahead. I was following the instructions to replace the lamp and unfortunately I reset the lamp timer before checking how long the other one lasted. |
Pissed-Off-Customer Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 08:54 am: |
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Sunday, August 21 2005 The lamp on my 9 month old Panasonic Model PT50LC13 died.
The screen went out, and when I tried to turn the TV back on the green light flashed for a while and then red light started flashing and every 5 seconds or so the little red Lamp light started flashing.
$300 for a new lamp! Are we supposed to pay $300 a year for new lamps for this piece of s**t!
They didn't tell me that when I bought it!
We should file a class action lawsuit against Panasonic.
Hell, I'm so pissed off that I might just go ahead and set up a web site just for this. I you want me to set up a web site just for people who have fallen victim to Panasonic's low quality products let me know and I would have it online next week. I will even add a Panasonic lemon picture gallery and all! |
New member Username: Tperk100
Virginia Beach,
VA
United States
Post Number: 9
Registered: Jul-05
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| Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 11:04 am: |
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Pissed Off,
Let me know if you set up web site. I too will provide a little content. |
Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 02:17 pm: |
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Is there a class-action suit against Panasonic for the bulb issues? If there is, I will join it. Thanks. |
Andrew Lawrence Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 03:10 pm: |
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Pissed off:
I would love it if you set up a web site. The more we get the word out, the better.
Andrew |
Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 03:24 pm: |
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Pissed-Off-Customer, I would let you know that I'm interested, but your e-mail is not available. Please post back here if you get it up and running. |
Silver Member Username: Tombo777
Post Number: 176
Registered: Jul-05
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| Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 06:53 pm: |
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The makers of the crap know there will be the gotta have bunch that run out and drop thousands of dollars to "beta test" their product. Yes $300 a year for bulbs. Its a class action lawsuit only the lawyers will make out on. You guys may end up with a coupon for free popcorn and coke!!!
Research and wating is a great thing for new technology. Thanks for the heads up! |
New member Username: Gjb85705
Tucson,
AZ
U:SA
Post Number: 2
Registered: Aug-05
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| Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 11:57 am: |
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TV psychic you need A.A. (attitude adjustment) |
New member Username: Gjb85705
Tucson,
AZ
U:SA
Post Number: 3
Registered: Aug-05
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| Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 12:48 pm: |
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All you folks with problems with the pt-50lc13 let me know of webpages law suits etc. We need to fight Panasonic on this. |
Silver Member Username: Tombo777
Post Number: 190
Registered: Jul-05
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| Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 10:41 pm: |
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Aint gonna happen. As those in the "know" on this board keep telling me.
You guys only represent a fraction and vocal minority of owners.(Happy customers don't post).
The majority evidently are not shring your issue so you are out of luck. Panasonic will not admit to a faultly bulb! You are pizzing in the wind on this one. |
New member Username: Tperk100
Virginia Beach,
VA
United States
Post Number: 10
Registered: Jul-05
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| Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 11:40 pm: |
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Interestingly, after 19 months with no extended warranty, Panasonic, without me even talking with them, replaced both the lamp and the ballast board in my PLT-50-LC13 AT NO CHARGE. This was my first failure. I commend Panasonic for this, but I suspect that this means they know they have a problem with this model.
Based on what I read on boards like this, I am fearful for what the future holds. However, I have spoken with the top 2 Panny service centers in our area, and they tell me they have had very few problems with this model. There has to be some truth to the premise that we are only hearing from dissatisfied customers and not satisfied ones. We probably ARE a small minority.
In spite of this, if there is any sort of legal action taken I do hope to be part of it (kind of like insurance for me). I also agree with the poster that said a successful law suit would probably win us just about nothing....maybe a coupon for $100 toward the purchase of any $1000 Panny product, if that.
I really think what this is going to boil down to is that we will simply have to take our lumps and go on. I consider myself very lucky at this point. |
tigerox Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - 05:03 pm: |
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I am another unfortunate newby to this board. I bought a 60-LC-14 in April and had my first lamp burn out last week. The good news is that all of your work has helped the process. I have to say that Panasonic handled things very well and made it easy. I got through to the 800 number right away. My TV is under warranty (now extended for 18 months for the lamp thanks to you all). The tech on the phone quickly walked me through an easy procedure to take out the lamp and check it while I was talking to him. They gave me a case number. I faxed the receipt w/ case number to the number they gave me. They shipped that day and I recieved two business days later. I popped it in and I am up and running. I just returned the old lamp unit in the same box via prepaid UPS. HOWEVER, I did buy this product expecting the lamp to work for many years. This does stink. I am glad panasonic is not giving us the complete run around. However, I think they should ship all of us a spare lamp so we can keep up and running. I also think they should make sure the warranty on the replacement lamps is continuous for as long as we own the TV. We should never have to pay for a lamp which burns out in less than 2 years or so. I also think they should come up with a lower cost way of replacing the lamps. It does look like they recycle the unit and just replace the bulb. I think a class action lawsuit is not going to help any of us. However, some pressure for Panasonic to do the right thing on the spare, lower cost replacement part, and warranty extensions is valid. I was SO HAPPY with my TV until this happened and I found out my problem was not a fluke via this message board. Oh well. |
Disappointed Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - 05:32 pm: |
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I think we should try to figure out how to buy just the bulb. Many 100W HID bulbs can be purchased at a much more reasonable prices. We could certainly disassemble the unit and replace just the bulb if we could find a supplier. I noticed that my deceased bulb had a number on the side of the bulb of 430102604. Unfortunately, a quick search on the internet for "HID lamp 430102604" resulted in nothing. Perhaps someone else has a suggestion as to finding a potential supplier? I myself would be much less angry if I knew I could get the bulb for $100 or less.
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brianslatt Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Saturday, August 27, 2005 - 03:58 pm: |
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mike,
i personally would like to thank you for everything you did to help everyone with problems with the lc series. my set went out today after 12 months, and i have you to thank for letting people know that it has been extended for 18 months.
sincerely,
brian |
jeff in encinitas Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Saturday, August 27, 2005 - 04:01 pm: |
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Well, I got 5112 hours out of the first bulb. I guess that's better than some but it still sucks to spend $300 to fix a $3000 TV set.
By the way (and I didn't see it on this thread), to find out how many hours you have, press VOL- on the TV and TV/VIDEO on the remote with the TV OFF. After about 10 seconds, the TV will power on. I don't know if it is possible to screw anything up in this service menu but be careful all the same.
I noticed some dust on what I suppose is a lens that the bulb shines through. Anyone know how to access that side to clean it? |
rob in colorado Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Monday, August 29, 2005 - 11:30 pm: |
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Well... we just lost our second bulb on our PT50LC13 in as many years. Not at all happy about it. From what I've read here, the unit is owner replaceable... a good thing because it appears this will be an annual event at approximately $300 plus S&H. The cost to replace the lamp the first time was $553.75 but I know a whole lot more now thanks to this site and my short lamp life.
I've got to admit, the picture is absolutely gorgeous when the lamp is operating. However, Panasonic's estimated 10k hour lamp life is an outright lie (closer to 3K hours) and reduces my overall customer satisfaction SIGNIFICANTLY. |
New member Username: Jareks1234
Post Number: 1
Registered: Aug-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 11:46 pm: |
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siemanko chlopaki
enybody know adres the place where i can buy this 30$ bulb? and do you know somethink about how to make instalation? i've got the same problem two years 5h/day and now my tv "calling somewere" (trying turn on, make some sound) and not turn on or maybe it's not lamp  ? |
Depack C. Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 02:10 pm: |
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I attached a 12v computer fan to the side of the TV that the bulb resides. I run the fan during normal use and let it run for about 10min after I turn off the unit. Before I installed the fan the bulb used to make snapping sounds when the tv was turned off. My first bulb died (exploded) from overheating so the fan was my solution |
B Fisher Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Friday, September 02, 2005 - 08:19 pm: |
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Well I just joined the club and the petition. Petition is up to 1082 people. 15 months, average use-maybe 2-3000 hours tops. I will be raising holy hell tomorrow morning. Model is PT50LC13.
If there is a lawsuit or any other new news please post. They should have to provide lamps for us until we reach 10,000 hours. It is what i will demand. And I will be sending letters to their legal team, consumer affairs rep, and i will fax and email them until they send me a lifetime supply of lamps. I bought their dvd surround system too. I love their products. But this lamp issue is total crap. I agree completely-they should drop the lamp cost down to $50.00. Then we wouldn't be so pissed about this. And I'm sure Panasonic wouldnt go broke. |
TY-LA$300-A-YEAR Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 11:05 am: |
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I'm now on my second (PBB) Panasorry bulb burnout
just want a replacement bulb that is reasonable. I can live with my set costing me $30.00 a year but not $300.00. I Swear I will not buy panasorry again. WHO HAS THE CHEAPEST BULB?
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New member Username: Iamasucker
Mesa,
AZ
USA
Post Number: 1
Registered: Sep-05
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| Posted on Monday, September 05, 2005 - 10:44 am: |
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I bought my PT-45LC12 from ultimate electronics on 11/5/202 for $3600. That included a 5 year warranty. My first bulb went out around 18 months. I found out that the extended warrantee didn't cover the bulb. The ultimate service guy was gracious enough to replace the bulb at no charge. Ten months later, here I sit on labor-day with no TV (burnt bulb). Even if they continue coming out replacing my bulbs every 10 months for the next five years, the aggravation factor alone makes me consider dumping the thing in the land fill. I cannot spend $300 for a bulb that lasts only 10 months. From an investment consideration alone, I could buy a new decent TV for $1000 (like the Sony I’ve had for 12 years), 300/1000=30%. That's a great return on investment to dump this thing and invest in another brand even according to wall-street standards. Even if they come fix it, I’m going to have to have a backup TV to watch for the two weeks a year that I’m out a TV (what’s the point of this?). So I spent $370 for an extended warranty on a TV that I will only get 2 ½ years out of because technically, the TV is okay, just too expensive and aggravating for me to own. I mostly blame Panasonic for this miserable experience, but I also blame Ultimate because I paid for a 5-year warranty and expected to have a TV for 5-years. At this point, I am ready to take the $3600 loss and chalk this one up to experience and never do business with either of these two companies again. |
New member Username: Delta308
Rocklin,
California
United States
Post Number: 1
Registered: Sep-05
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| Posted on Monday, September 05, 2005 - 04:28 pm: |
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I bought my PT-43LC14 on 4/09/2005 for $2300.00 I just had the lamp replaced 2 days ago. I agree with Tom Westbrook about considering a purchase of a real HDTV with a flat tube like the Sony 34-Inch FD Trinitron® WEGA® Hi-Scan® Widescreen HDTV-Ready* Television from Best Buy. If my lamps continue to burn out every 5 to 10 months I can pay for a real HDTV with good old fashion tube in just 5 lamp replacements. I personally will never buy any Panasonic products again! I believe that a large company like Panasonic could do well without stealing from the hard working americans who are just looking for the best product for their hard earned money. Panasonic should disclose this horrendous flaw in their design and stop misrepresenting their products by claiming a lamp life of 10,000 hrs.
My lamp was replaced with only 1,086 hrs. of use.
This in my opinion is gross product misrepresentation.
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| Posted on Monday, September 05, 2005 - 10:51 pm: |
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My lamp went out on my PT-50LCX63 in 12 months and 2 weeks. Based on the earlier posts here, I called Panasonic, and after finally getting through to the Customer Service in the evening, they quickly verified while I was on the phone that I had a blown lamp, gave me reference number, that I put on my original purchase bill of sale, that I faxed to them. That was Monday night, and a new replacement lamp arrived on Thrursday. I have to ship the old one back pre-paid by DHL, otherwise they will charge me for it. It is my understanding that Panasonic extended the original warranty to 18 months, and 12 months on the replacement lamp. I recommend taking advantage of that.
Couple more recommendations. While waiting for the replacement lamp to arrive, I noticed that I had an accumulation of dust on the lower inside of the window through which the lamp shines. With a bent plastic Q-tip, and a vacuum, I was able to reach the dust and clean it through the small rectangular opening without disassembling anything. After putting the replacement lamp in, the display is noticeably brighter. I plan to repeat the procedure at next 6 months.
Couple of commentaries. I believe that if you unplug the display for a longer time (such as 3 weeks that I did when I went on vacation), the internal lamp clock (accessible with TV off, press hold Vol- on TV and TV/Video on remote)is reset to zero. My display thus indicated only 200 hours of use after more than a year. Not likely. Recalculating for when I returned from vacation indicates about 30 hour/week rate, which would make it for the year about 1500 hours. That's still too short when Panasonic indicated life beyond 10,000 hours. I think that Panasonics somewhere missed the lamp life by a decimal point. I appears that they took great care to build in a circuit and an indicator to show when the lamp should be replaced. I suspect that this was out of concern of safety. Perhaps their concern was that the lamp could burst and release the poisonous Mercury vapor into your family room. Apparently that is now happening more often than they calculated. Perhaps this is why they want the old lamp back. A lawyer could probably use this as evidence. |
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| Posted on Monday, September 05, 2005 - 10:56 pm: |
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My lamp went out on my PT-50LCX63 in 12 months and 2 weeks. Based on the earlier posts here, I called Panasonic, and after finally getting through to the Customer Service in the evening, they quickly verified while I was on the phone that I had a blown lamp, gave me reference number, that I put on my original purchase bill of sale, that I faxed to them. That was Monday night, and a new replacement lamp arrived on Thrursday. I have to ship the old one back pre-paid by DHL, otherwise they will charge me for it. It is my understanding that Panasonic extended the original warranty to 18 months, and 12 months on the replacement lamp. I recommend taking advantage of that.
Couple more recommendations. While waiting for the replacement lamp to arrive, I noticed that I had an accumulation of dust on t |
