Have any of you repaired a Plasma TV? Update post 12.

[BillSears]

My TV is starting to give me some real problems. So what do you think is it worth repairing or should I just go upgrade to a bigger and better TV?

 

[Micca]

Aw man, I'm sorry to see that Bill. Who we really need is Bicker, but I have some thoughts. How old is the tv, what brand, how big is it? I'd say if it's more than 5 years old it might be worth replacing--size matters here.

When we were growing up TVs would last 15-20 years, no problem. Now they improve tvs at such at rapid rate it's difficult to justify expensive repairs after a few years.

The upside is, 3D tvs are coming.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I have no idea about repairing TVs but when we were buying our LCD we asked about the plasmas. His response was to go with the LCD as once the plasmas break they become expensive coffee tables. He said that there were no repairs possible.
Now I have no idea if this is true or not or maybe he wanted me to buy the LCD instead.
Good luck!

 

[BillSears]

Thanks guys. Yea Bicker would be a good source of knowledge...

It's a 2 1/2 year old Panasonic TH-50PX75U. About 1 out of 3 times I watch the TV a problem occurs on the screen. Sometimes it's only a slight problem but other times it's really bad like the above photo. No matter what the severity of the problem it's always the vertical lines plus the over saturation of colors. The lightest will be very thin lines with the bright whites having color problems and the worst is as show here.

Right now I'm thinking it would be much better to just throw this TV away and buy a nice new larger set that's a 1080p. 50 was nice but 55, 58, 60 or 63 would be even better! But if I can get it repaired for under $400 or so then it's probably best to just keep the old one since I've been very happy with it.

About 80% of my viewing is done at night with semi low light, the rest is during the day with curtains closed. Mostly movies and TV shows on DVD. I sit 9 feet from the screen with other seats from 9-13 feet. So far I haven't had a problem with the 760 resolution, it looks great to me. But if I go with a larger screen I'm sure I need the 1080p.

If you recommend replacing do you have a suggested TV for under $2,000?

 

[Micca]

Bill I'm of no real help here, but I have read that Panasonic has made some very nice plasma tvs in recent years.

When you see these problems what is the source? Are you watching cable,satellite, over the air, discs???

I ask because in trouble-shooting if the problem exists at one source but not
the others, that's a sign.

Hopefully Bicker will check in. Meanwhile it couldn't *hurt" to look at some new tvs

 

[Pig Pen]

We had a 42 inch Sony LCD that started having problems after 3 years. It began as a bit of distortion in the corner and kept getting worse, eventually spreading to the bottom third of the screen. Sometimes we could jiggle the tv to get it to go away. It was going to cost $1200 to replace some kind of tube so we junked it. Now we have a 42 inch Samsung LED. The picture is awesome, but the screen is too shiny for my taste.

 

[BunsenH]

Have you tried replacing any cables?

 

[BillSears]

When you see these problems what is the source? Are you watching cable,satellite, over the air, discs???

Hopefully Bicker will check in. Meanwhile it couldn't *hurt" to look at some new tvs

It's all sources including just using an antenna. So it's definitely inside the TV.

I am looking at new TVs. I just can't decide on price, model or type. But I do know I want to go bigger then my current 50 inch.

Have you tried replacing any cables?

Yep replaced them and tried all sorts of inputs. No luck.

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

Yes - we did just fix our panasonic plasma. It is the TH-C50FD18, purchased at Costco in Nov. 2008. We were able to call Costco's extended warranty and they called Panasonic who sent someone out from a local repair firm. Took two tries, but it was the "D" board that needed to be replaced. It was free for us. Our issue was with the picture - it was flashing and dividing into four parts on the screen. I bet yours is a bad board of some kind. They tried the "A" board first as that seems to be a common issue.

I looked up the part # on the repair slip, and googled it. It came up with prices around $135 - but I am sure the repair place would have charged more and the labor cost too. But try calling Panny at 1-800-973-4390. We really like our TV and happy that it was able to be fixed. It is a 50" 1080.

 

[Micca]

Yes - we did just fix our panasonic plasma. It is the TH-C50FD18, purchased at Costco in Nov. 2008. We were able to call Costco's extended warranty and they called Panasonic who sent someone out from a local repair firm. Took two tries, but it was the "D" board that needed to be replaced. It was free for us. Our issue was with the picture - it was flashing and dividing into four parts on the screen. I bet yours is a bad board of some kind. They tried the "A" board first as that seems to be a common issue.

I looked up the part # on the repair slip, and googled it. It came up with prices around $135 - but I am sure the repair place would have charged more and the labor cost too. But try calling Panny at 1-800-973-4390. We really like our TV and happy that it was able to be fixed. It is a 50" 1080.

I KNEW IT...the DANG D Board Bill for a couple hundered bucks I'd get that tv fixed and move it to another room to make a space for the bigger
unit

 

[BillSears]

I KNEW IT...the DANG D Board Bill for a couple hundered bucks I'd get that tv fixed and move it to another room to make a space for the bigger
unit

Yea, for under $400 it'd be a repair. But the problem is it could be $300, it could be $500 or it could be $1,000. I could buy a new version of this TV for $700 so I'm still unsure.

 

[BillSears]

Percussive maintenance! It works on TVs sometimes. Someone over at the AVS forums recommended tapping around the TV set to see if anything was loose. I found a spot about 5 inches above where the power cord enters the back that fixed the TV when I tapped it. Good news is I have a working TV, bad news is I don't get to upgrade.

 

[Micca]

Well that's kinda good news/bad news isn't it? At least now you can take your time shopping for the next tv. The 3D tvs are coming soon.

 

[BunsenH]

People have been hitting TVs to fix the picture as long as TVs have existed. It's good to see that 'the old ways' are still valid!

When the upgrade bug bites again, hit the old TV somewhere else to undo your 'fix'.

 

[ilovepcot]

Good news is I have a working TV, bad news is I don't get to upgrade.

Don't sulk! I'll let you get me a new upgrade! I was hoping yours could be repaired without much trouble or expense. You're lucky. I have a 50 inch that's part of a class action lawsuit with HITACHI. We're out $3,200 and will likely have to replace it out of pocket. Isn't life grand!

 

[BillSears]

Thanks guys!

I'm going to look on the bright side. I can take the money I was going to spend on a new TV and instead take another trip to WDW!!!