PN50A550 Plasma HELP!!!

[DBlackGT]

I just purchased a new Samsung PN50A550 plasma tv today. I got it home and mounted it on the wall. I turned it on and everything was great! I was just starting to adjust everything and then all of a sudden the remote stoped working. I dont know what happened. I then tried to use my harmony remote and it still wouldnt work. ???

So then as im up using the manual buttons on the tv I notice that there is a dead pixel right in the middle of the screen. You can't see it from where I sit, but you get like 4 feet from it and you can.

So my question is do i take it back, get another one and the service plan?

or

Do I call Samsung and get it repaired? Do they cover dead pixels?

Thanks for any help guys.

[bkbluray]

Originally Posted by DBlackGT

I just purchased a new Samsung PN50A550 plasma tv today. I got it home and mounted it on the wall. I turned it on and everything was great! I was just starting to adjust everything and then all of a sudden the remote stoped working. I dont know what happened. I then tried to use my harmony remote and it still wouldnt work. ???

So then as im up using the manual buttons on the tv I notice that there is a dead pixel right in the middle of the screen. You can't see it from where I sit, but you get like 4 feet from it and you can.

So my question is do i take it back, get another one and the service plan?

or

Do I call Samsung and get it repaired? Do they cover dead pixels?

Thanks for any help guys.

If it's within the 30 day return period, DEFINITELY exchange it at the store and save yourself the headache of waiting on the phone. Believe me, I had to exchange an LCD for another one, and it took a LONG time and was very frustrating. Bottom line: exchange it and get a new one right away. Oh, and yes, the service plan is a good idea as well.

EDIT: I had to exchange the LCD after the return period (because I was too lazy to go exchange it at the store) and ended up making MANY phone calls and going through plenty of frustration. They ended up giving me an upgrade, but it would've been so much easier just to exchange it in the first place at the store.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by bkbluray

If it's within the 30 day return period, DEFINITELY exchange it at the store and save yourself the headache of waiting on the phone. Believe me, I had to exchange an LCD for another one, and it took a LONG time and was very frustrating. Bottom line: exchange it and get a new one right away. Oh, and yes, the service plan is a good idea as well.

I agree that you should definitely return the set for a new one, but I must respectfully disagree about getting any sort of service plan or extended warranty. These are all pretty much a waste of money on today's higher-quality displays like Panasonic, Sony, Samsung, Pioneer. If you look at at the starts, these displays have a <3% failure/problem rate. If you were buying a lower-quality brand, then you might consider one.

Overall, though, not worth it in my book. If you'd like the piece-of-mind, then get one online and NOT from the B&M stores. You'll pay a lot less and the service will be the same (they all farm-out to local techs). Check over on AVS if you are still interested in an extended warranty. There's several threads explaining where to get one, if you want it. Rule of thumb that I remember reading is you should pay no more than $5/month for the warranty ($180 for a 3-year plan).

Good luck, and take that set back today!

[Driver_King]

If you really want a warantee, don't get it from the store. Get it from Square Trade.

[My_Two_Cents]

I found the AVS thread on warranties. Several good services are linked in the thread, if you are interested.

Click Here

[Seismic]

I've absolutely had it with panasonic. I will never get another set from them. I'm on my third plasma and within a month of setting them up they all had a pixel fail. Moving to a flat screen tv has been the most frustrating experience ever. I was so excited to move from my old tube set to a high def set but have been utterly disappointed. I went through hell with a local store to exchange my first set so I decided to go to a different store. I am now on my second Panasonic plasma with them and am ready to throw in the towel on. These things are unreliable. I never would have thought that I'd experience this much headache. Where are all these rave reviews coming from? Can it be possible that I'm the only unlucky soul to get 3 bad sets in a row? Where is the fantastic picture that everyone seems to be raving about because I'm sure not seeing it with my setup. My mistake was chosng this set primarily on other people's reviews. I picked up a panasonic blu-ray player and a high end monster HDMI cable. I figured I'd sit back and prepare to be blown away by the picture but instead was disgusted. I said it before and I'll say it again, the picture on average was worse than standard dvd. The set is going back and I'm left looking at lcd's which I probably should have opted for initially. However I'm still stuck with a crappy blu-ray player too.

[arush5268d]

Originally Posted by Seismic

I've absolutely had it with panasonic. I will never get another set from them. I'm on my third plasma and within a month of setting them up they all had a pixel fail. Moving to a flat screen tv has been the most frustrating experience ever. I was so excited to move from my old tube set to a high def set but have been utterly disappointed. I went through hell with a local store to exchange my first set so I decided to go to a different store. I am now on my second Panasonic plasma with them and am ready to throw in the towel on. These things are unreliable. I never would have thought that I'd experience this much headache. Where are all these rave reviews coming from? Can it be possible that I'm the only unlucky soul to get 3 bad sets in a row? Where is the fantastic picture that everyone seems to be raving about because I'm sure not seeing it with my setup. My mistake was chosng this set primarily on other people's reviews. I picked up a panasonic blu-ray player and a high end monster HDMI cable. I figured I'd sit back and prepare to be blown away by the picture but instead was disgusted. I said it before and I'll say it again, the picture on average was worse than standard dvd. The set is going back and I'm left looking at lcd's which I probably should have opted for initially. However I'm still stuck with a crappy blu-ray player too.

Having a single pixel out is no big deal - and is not uncommon, regardless of who makes the panel.

If you aren't seing a fantaqstic picture on a Panasonic plasma, then you are doing something wrong. You need to calibrate it. It seems like, to me, that the problem lies between the couch and the TV...if you catch my drift.


Also....LCDs are much worse when it comes to having dead pixels. I know some companies won't repair / replace a LCD panel until several pixels are out. For some it's 3, others it may be 7 or 8.

It really seems like you need to educate yourself some - otherwise you are in for a very unhappy life. You own one of the best Blu-ray players and the best panel TV. You can't blame Panasonic for your ignorance or you being an uninformed consumer.

[DBlackGT]

Originally Posted by Seismic

I've absolutely had it with panasonic. I will never get another set from them. I'm on my third plasma and within a month of setting them up they all had a pixel fail. Moving to a flat screen tv has been the most frustrating experience ever. I was so excited to move from my old tube set to a high def set but have been utterly disappointed. I went through hell with a local store to exchange my first set so I decided to go to a different store. I am now on my second Panasonic plasma with them and am ready to throw in the towel on. These things are unreliable. I never would have thought that I'd experience this much headache. Where are all these rave reviews coming from? Can it be possible that I'm the only unlucky soul to get 3 bad sets in a row? Where is the fantastic picture that everyone seems to be raving about because I'm sure not seeing it with my setup. My mistake was chosng this set primarily on other people's reviews. I picked up a panasonic blu-ray player and a high end monster HDMI cable. I figured I'd sit back and prepare to be blown away by the picture but instead was disgusted. I said it before and I'll say it again, the picture on average was worse than standard dvd. The set is going back and I'm left looking at lcd's which I probably should have opted for initially. However I'm still stuck with a crappy blu-ray player too.

dude something is not clicking here. Panasonics and Pioneers are on another level of picture quality. What tv (model #) and bluray player did you get?

[brett_day]

i love my panasonic plasma! best tv i have ever owned...

Pansonics are regarded as some of trhe best tv's out there, second only to pioneer kuro sets.Heres some q's for you

1. How did you have your TV hooked up?
2. what model do you have?
3. how are you transporting it home? upright or flat?

believe me , lcd's are much worse when it comes to pixles dying and you definitely want to stay away from samsungs!

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by Seismic

I've absolutely had it with panasonic. I will never get another set from them. I'm on my third plasma and within a month of setting them up they all had a pixel fail. Moving to a flat screen tv has been the most frustrating experience ever. I was so excited to move from my old tube set to a high def set but have been utterly disappointed. I went through hell with a local store to exchange my first set so I decided to go to a different store. I am now on my second Panasonic plasma with them and am ready to throw in the towel on. These things are unreliable. I never would have thought that I'd experience this much headache. Where are all these rave reviews coming from? Can it be possible that I'm the only unlucky soul to get 3 bad sets in a row? Where is the fantastic picture that everyone seems to be raving about because I'm sure not seeing it with my setup. My mistake was chosng this set primarily on other people's reviews. I picked up a panasonic blu-ray player and a high end monster HDMI cable. I figured I'd sit back and prepare to be blown away by the picture but instead was disgusted. I said it before and I'll say it again, the picture on average was worse than standard dvd. The set is going back and I'm left looking at lcd's which I probably should have opted for initially. However I'm still stuck with a crappy blu-ray player too.

First: Why did you post this on a 3-month dead thread???

Second: One dead pixel? What are you doing, sticking your nose 2" from the screen and searching for it/them? All flat panel sets will have an occasional dead pixel, and as was mentioned above, you'll see more of it in LCD.

Third: As mentioned above, if you don't get a picture that blows you away when using a Pany plasma and BD player, you are doing something wrong. I'd say you have some settings incorrect somewhere. Pany plasmas are second only to Pioneer Kuros in terms of picture quality.

Forth (and most important): NEVER spend your hard-earned $$ on Monster cables again! They are NO better than inepensive cables from such places as Monoprice.

[CasualKiller]

Buy Hitachi baby. I was a total non believer at first but let me tell you, it's a very underestimated brand for plasmas.

Hands down best bang for the buck.

[arush5268d]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

First: Why did you post this on a 3-month dead thread???

Second: One dead pixel? What are you doing, sticking your nose 2" from the screen and searching for it/them? All flat panel sets will have an occasional dead pixel, and as was mentioned above, you'll see more of it in LCD.

Third: As mentioned above, if you don't get a picture that blows you away when using a Pany plasma and BD player, you are doing something wrong. I'd say you have some settings incorrect somewhere. Pany plasmas are second only to Pioneer Kuros in terms of picture quality.

Forth (and most important): NEVER spend your hard-earned $$ on Monster cables again! They are NO better than inepensive cables from such places as Monoprice.

I can't believe I missed the Monster part. +1 e-karma for you!

[arush5268d]

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

Buy Hitachi baby. I was a total non believer at first but let me tell you, it's a very underestimated brand for plasmas.

Hands down best bang for the buck.

Please take your blasphemy elsewhere!

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by arush5268d

I can't believe I missed the Monster part. +1 e-karma for you!

Heh, heh. Yeah, I was wondering the same thing, especially being in the "mood" you are in today.

[Seismic]

Are you kidding? How is three bad sets in a row NOT a big deal. How am I ignorant. With all do rescpect you may have plenty of money to throw away on defective products but I'm sure I speak for many when I say I don't! What's worse is that I ran into a guy with last years panny pz77 and he also had a dead pixel. I walked into a local future shop and noticed 2 display models each with failed pixels. You tell me how this is acceptable for a company that's been making these panels this long. I won't deny that I don't know a great deal about this technology but I don't think it takes a genius to realize that there's clearly something wrong here.

[Seismic]

Brett

My set is hooked up to a Panny BD30 player via monster HDMI. My model is 42PZ85 and I transported it upright of course

[DBlackGT]

Originally Posted by Seismic

Are you kidding? How is three bad sets in a row NOT a big deal. How am I ignorant. With all do rescpect you may have plenty of money to throw away on defective products but I'm sure I speak for many when I say I don't! What's worse is that I ran into a guy with last years panny pz77 and he also had a dead pixel. I walked into a local future shop and noticed 2 display models each with failed pixels. You tell me how this is acceptable for a company that's been making these panels this long. I won't deny that I don't know a great deal about this technology but I don't think it takes a genius to realize that there's clearly something wrong here.

dude its honestly not that bad, sometimes stuff just doesnt go right. I have the exact same tv as you except the 50inch version and I went through 2 of them before I found a good one. I also went through 5 Samsung A550 plasmas before I went to the Panasonic I have now. And it wasn't like I was doing anything wrong either because me and the Best Buy store manager opened up all 5 of the samsung plasmas and the 2 Panasonic plasmas in store and he witnessed all the problems with the tvs. So sometimes you just get bad luck . But don't give up...in the end it will work out. But as far as your picture being bad, something is probably wrong because this tv is amazing. Home Theater Magazine called it "plasma perfection" and rated it the 3rd best tv of 08'

[brett_day]

Originally Posted by Seismic

Brett

My set is hooked up to a Panny BD30 player via monster HDMI. My model is 42PZ85 and I transported it upright of course

cool benas. well i know dead pixels are a pain in the rear. fortunately though i have never had this issue and i like you would be mad about it after 3 sets, unfortunately the companies that make them state that 1 dead pixel out of millions the tv has is not an issue

take it back to the store. request a refund or exchange it for another brand. I have a personal hatred for all things samsung after they screwed me over in a bad way, so i would say stay clear of samsung.

Panasonic plasmas are amazing. I have no dead pixels and i have 4 friends that also have the same set s me and thy have nver had dead pixels either. either way i hope oucn get his sorted out!

[arush5268d]

Originally Posted by Seismic

Are you kidding? How is three bad sets in a row NOT a big deal. How am I ignorant. With all do rescpect you may have plenty of money to throw away on defective products but I'm sure I speak for many when I say I don't! What's worse is that I ran into a guy with last years panny pz77 and he also had a dead pixel. I walked into a local future shop and noticed 2 display models each with failed pixels. You tell me how this is acceptable for a company that's been making these panels this long. I won't deny that I don't know a great deal about this technology but I don't think it takes a genius to realize that there's clearly something wrong here.

You do realize that your new HDTV has over 2 MILLION pixels in it, right? So for ONE to be out...your looking at less than 0.001% failure.

/thread

[Kryptron]

You do realize that your new HDTV has over 2 MILLION pixels in it, right? So for ONE to be out...your looking at less than 0.001% failure.

/thread

Dead pixels are annoying as hell, even if it's just one or a couple out of two million.
I think Seismic should return it to the store and maybe try a different store. If you've already gone through more then two sets in under 30 days move to a different store.

When you saw the set in the store did you like how it looked? was it a blind buy?
When you go in to return the bad set, take your time and look at each set, ask for the remote, play with the settings and buy what you like best.