Update: Panasonic does not plan fix for reported black levels increases

RB123 · 02-09-2010, 12:57 PM

Here is a Update post from Cnet:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10449939-1.html

I feel bad for every person that has this problem.

TaDa1096 · 02-09-2010, 02:04 PM

what models is this happening to? trying to figure out if is should return the tv i just got.

s2mikey · 02-09-2010, 02:12 PM

Hmmm. Thats not good news for owners of affected sets. Maybe they figured that it would cost them more to fix it than to just let the disgruntled owners buy something else next time? Not sure.

I would think in this ultra-competitve market that you'd fight like hell to keep existing customers since gaining new ones is hard to do. And, once you lose someone you rarely gain them back. Hopefully, it doesnt affect too many people although the threads and replies are mounting on various forums.

Good Luck to owners that have this problem. I would still raise hell and see if you can get somewhere with them if its really bad. Black levels are one of plasmas greatest strengths. Having them "lighten" over time is like taking the high-compression pistons out of a drag-car engine. It kills its performance!

Loves2Watch · 02-09-2010, 02:54 PM

Since it is an extremely limited number of TV's that are effected by this anomaly, this issue has been blown waaaaaaaaaaay out of proportion.

**PFC5** · 02-09-2010, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

Since it is an extremely limited number of TV's that are effected by this anomaly, this issue has been blown waaaaaaaaaaay out of proportion.

Although I agree with this, I must say I am very disappointed at how Panasonic is handling this for those who DO have a real issue. It will surely cost them in the long run IMO.

From what I have read, there are a few sets that are really bad so Panasonic SHOULD take care of those sets regardless of whether they don't think a "fix" is needed. Clear some of those are not working as "designed" so for those who do have very elevated black levels and IR, I say keep fighting and have them (Panasonic) bring a new model to compare if they think the black levels have risen so much.

I know if this happened to mine, they would NEVER hear the end of it until they satisfied my with some sort of resolution. I would even take them to small claims court and force them to send a lawyer to my local courthouse to defend themselves or lose by default if they didn't.

pearltone · 02-09-2010, 07:41 PM

it sucks when you have a company that does not stand behind their product when there is an issue.........i think in comparison to how many tv's were sold there is a small amount of people with issues but still the company should stand behind their product
i have a panny plasma which i love, looking to get another one right now, but now i have stopped looking, not sure what to to do

SantaPimp27 · 02-09-2010, 08:04 PM

im sure if you call and bitch enough they will give you a new one. since its such a small number of affected displays those people need to complain until they get new ones

mytime · 02-09-2010, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SantaPimp27

im sure if you call and bitch enough they will give you a new one. since its such a small number of affected displays those people need to complain until they get new ones

Squeak and get the grease. That's exactly what I would do.

CZsteve · 02-09-2010, 08:15 PM

Great....
Just ordered bought a Panasonic TC-50PS14 - due to arrive at the store this Thursday.

Anyone have info listing models or serial numbers affected?
How common / frequent is this problem?

mytime · 02-09-2010, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CZsteve

Great....
Just ordered bought a Panasonic TC-50PS14 - due to arrive at the store this Thursday.

Anyone have info listing models or serial numbers affected?
How common / frequent is this problem?

Chances are it's just a few bad sets. (I hope because I have a S1).

Cle. Plasma · 02-09-2010, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

Since it is an extremely limited number of TV's that are effected by this anomaly, this issue has been blown waaaaaaaaaaay out of proportion.

That seems to be the case as there are very few reports and its even harder to prove and know for sure. One must have an meter to measure black levels and actually use it at 100 and 500 hours. Then from time to time check it again. Keep in mind every make, every model has issues of some kind.

RB123 · 02-09-2010, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaDa1096

what models is this happening to? trying to figure out if is should return the tv i just got.

It's been noted from Dnice, a respected poster on avs forum, that the 11/12g of Panasonic plasmas are affected with this problem. This whole problem started with a poster from the avs forum measured his Panasonic g10 model and found out his blacks doubled. Now will it happen to yours? No one knows, only you will find out. I have the 46g10 and my blacks have turned greyish.

CZsteve · 02-10-2010, 05:02 AM

Limited concern seems to be the consensus.
But still.... I have the opportunity to change still.

I have a $900 credit at Best Buy - extended warranty on a DLP with parts on back order. Already returned DLP; just waiting on Panny to arrive.

Here's the Panasonic TC-50PS14 for $980
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Panasoni...&skuId=9708761

Or, would I be better served with a Samsung PN50B550T2F for $1400?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+...&skuId=9239399

dsskid · 02-10-2010, 06:55 AM

Only you can make the decision.

Will yours be one of the ones affected?
Do you watch a lot of programming with dark scenes and a lot of black in it?
How critical are you, would you notice lighter blacks?

Panasonic has alread stated that they will not "fix" the problem on the 11G and 12G models, as they have been "designed" to do this.

Another alternative would be to research other brands to see what their issues are, and then choose the lesser of two evils (Panasonic issue or those of the other Brands).

If you could, I would hold the credit and wait for the Panasonic 12G models to hit the shelves, since they were supposedly "redesigned" to have the black levels rise slower, and more gradual, and supposedly are incorporating some of the Kuro technology (known for impressive blacks).

But ultimately, the decision is up to you.

RDB · 02-10-2010, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

Since it is an extremely limited number of TV's that are effected by this anomaly, this issue has been blown waaaaaaaaaaay out of proportion.

I agree L2W.

02-09-2010, 12:57 PM	#1
RB123 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 55	Update: Panasonic does not plan fix for reported black levels increases Here is a Update post from Cnet: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10449939-1.html I feel bad for every person that has this problem.

02-09-2010, 02:04 PM	#2
TaDa1096 TC-P54G10 Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 20	what models is this happening to? trying to figure out if is should return the tv i just got. __________________

02-09-2010, 02:12 PM	#3
s2mikey Flat Panel Luvr Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Upstate, NY Posts: 1,287	Hmmm. Thats not good news for owners of affected sets. Maybe they figured that it would cost them more to fix it than to just let the disgruntled owners buy something else next time? Not sure. I would think in this ultra-competitve market that you'd fight like hell to keep existing customers since gaining new ones is hard to do. And, once you lose someone you rarely gain them back. Hopefully, it doesnt affect too many people although the threads and replies are mounting on various forums. Good Luck to owners that have this problem. I would still raise hell and see if you can get somewhere with them if its really bad. Black levels are one of plasmas greatest strengths. Having them "lighten" over time is like taking the high-compression pistons out of a drag-car engine. It kills its performance! __________________ Pioneer KURO 5080HD Sharp LC32D4U Toshiba A30 & A2 Sony BDP-S360, PS3 80gb Sony STRDG810/All Polk Speakers Harmony 510 remote Antennas Direct DB4

02-09-2010, 02:54 PM	#4
Loves2Watch Natures Beauty Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Evermore Posts: 18,432	Since it is an extremely limited number of TV's that are effected by this anomaly, this issue has been blown waaaaaaaaaaay out of proportion. __________________ Friends don't let friends buy Korean brand TV's or Blu-ray players. Main HT Room TV, Projector, Receiver, Speakers, Blu-ray player, HD DVD player, Dish Network HD DVR, 300 Disc CD Changer and so on.

02-09-2010, 08:15 PM	#9
CZsteve High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 62	What models affected? Great.... Just ordered bought a Panasonic TC-50PS14 - due to arrive at the store this Thursday. Anyone have info listing models or serial numbers affected? How common / frequent is this problem? __________________ Thanks, Steve

02-09-2010, 07:41 PM	#6
pearltone High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 178	it sucks when you have a company that does not stand behind their product when there is an issue.........i think in comparison to how many tv's were sold there is a small amount of people with issues but still the company should stand behind their product i have a panny plasma which i love, looking to get another one right now, but now i have stopped looking, not sure what to to do

02-09-2010, 08:04 PM	#7
SantaPimp27 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 888	im sure if you call and bitch enough they will give you a new one. since its such a small number of affected displays those people need to complain until they get new ones

02-10-2010, 05:02 AM	#13
CZsteve High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 62	Limited concern seems to be the consensus. But still.... I have the opportunity to change still. I have a $900 credit at Best Buy - extended warranty on a DLP with parts on back order. Already returned DLP; just waiting on Panny to arrive. Here's the Panasonic TC-50PS14 for $980 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Panasoni...&skuId=9708761 Or, would I be better served with a Samsung PN50B550T2F for $1400? http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+...&skuId=9239399 __________________ Thanks, Steve

02-10-2010, 06:55 AM	#14
dsskid ISF Calibrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Age: 46 Posts: 2,692	Only you can make the decision. Will yours be one of the ones affected? Do you watch a lot of programming with dark scenes and a lot of black in it? How critical are you, would you notice lighter blacks? Panasonic has alread stated that they will not "fix" the problem on the 11G and 12G models, as they have been "designed" to do this. Another alternative would be to research other brands to see what their issues are, and then choose the lesser of two evils (Panasonic issue or those of the other Brands). If you could, I would hold the credit and wait for the Panasonic 12G models to hit the shelves, since they were supposedly "redesigned" to have the black levels rise slower, and more gradual, and supposedly are incorporating some of the Kuro technology (known for impressive blacks). But ultimately, the decision is up to you. __________________ There is no one perfect display. Read as many professional reviews as possible on the models you are interested in, and then go to the store and actually view them before making your final decision. Living Room - Panasonic TH58PZ700U, Panasonic DMP-BD55AK Man-Cave (Den) - Sony KDL-46Z5100, Sony S360