Panasonic Plasma repair advice needed ??

Question

Hi,

My Plasma TV TH42PE-50B model has started to do a strange fault ??

The sound control does not work from the remote, I thought it was a faulty remote been dropped once too many times so I bought a new Genuine replacement

The next day the old remote is back up and running and works OK and as does the new one

Next day ,

the sound then was not able to work from either new or old remote , so I turned off TV and on again ... everthing fine

This happens now on a regular basis and the fix is on and off

Now when your watching a program for the same channel for hours the screen goes dark, and a press of the remote brightens up the screen again

I now have an intermitent BLACK ROLLING SCREEN with PANASONIC rolling down on some channels I watch

The Tv is a cracking set and picture, I just wondered if this is an internal software fault? or a cheap easy fix

Can some one help whom repairs Panasonics to find out should I be lucking to buy a new TV?

Answer 1

Take it back to the shop under the 1971 Sale Of Goods Act. There is no time limit, unlike a manufacturers warranty which may only be for a year.

Answer 2

didn,t you drop it or knock it accidently thus being able to make a ligitamate claim on your household contents insurance policy ?? or if not is warranty still current ? go with 1st one if possible

Answer 3

Does this problem occur when you are watching analogue  terrestrial TV (ie through an outdoor aerial)  - or - is it something that just happens when you are watching FreeView through the sets built in digital tv receiver ?

Or - is it happening via one of the AV inputs, because you are using a Sky box ?  I'd be really keen to try it on a DVD player, and see if the problem happens whilst a DVD is playing.

You really need to find whether its a fault that occurs regardless of the input source (analogue / digital  or av). This will help the service engineer a lot.

It could very well be a firmware issue, in which case you'd need an authorised Panasonic Digital Service Network dealer to look at it.

I'd definately get it repaired, and if the cost is going to be high, then contact Panasonic Customer Care in Bracknell, and tell them you feel let down that such an expensive and quality product has failed , when you could reasonably have expected it to last more than x years.

They are very good people to deal with, and you should find (as long as you dont loose your cool, and are polite and patient) that they will offer whats known as "repair cost assistance". This could be in the form of a contribution towards parts, or parts & labour. You'll almost certainly be required to provide a copy of the original purchase receipt, and it definately will have to be inspected first at an Authorised Panasonic DSN (their website will give you details of your nearest).

This is definately a workshop repair, and it could take a while due to the intermittent nature of the fault. If you cant take it to them, expect to pay for it to be collected by the service company. If you decide to transport it yourself, keep the set vertical at all times. Plasma sets MUST NOT be laid flat for transportation.

From what you've said, it certainly doesnt point to a defective plasma panel (which would write the set off for sure due to the cost of a new panel).

Incidentally, be wary of trying to defraud your insurance company, most employ ex-TV service engineers to validate all claims these days, and believe me (speaking from experience working as a consumer electronics claims investigator), it's dead easy to spot a fraud when it's happening.

Personally, I think these sets were the most stylish Panasonic have made in recent times, and would definately investigate the repair possibility.