Kuro Woes

[Pondosinatra]

So I've had my 5020 Kuro for almost a year - love it - no issues....until tonight.

I just finished watching a movie and when I switched it back to TV, the program was in standard def so I got the black border before it filled the screen. Well I noticed a flickering light while it was still black. So I go right up to it and notice that a 'pixel' is constantly flickering off and on.

This is kinda like the opposite of a dead pixel - but this isn't an LCD, it's a Plasma. So what the hell?

Has anyone else experienced this? If so, were you able to fix it?

Sincerly,

A very sad Kuro owner

[Pondosinatra]

<bump>

[Pondosinatra]

Seriously? No one? Buhler?

[bryce.thompson]

call Pioneer and see what they say?

[Sonny]

Try letting it run with "Snow" on the hole screen. Also believe it or not it will probably fix it's self, it's happend before. I've never had this problem with any of my plasmas, but have helped "fix" two Plasma but they were not Pio's.

[Paul.R.S]

And try the display area of AVS Forum.

[ManUtd]

Since your warranty is almost up better call Pioneer ASAP. Meanwhile, perhaps you can run the break-in disc available at AVS, it might help.

[Pondosinatra]

I'm going to call Pioneer tomorrow but I'm not hopeful. A poster on AVS with a similar issue was told it's not a warranty issue because the fault is typical of the technology and they were told it was mentioned in the manual.

The funny thing is the manual mentions a defective pixel as always being on or off - but mine is 'flickering', going through on/off cycles, and I'll have to look again but also I think different colours.

[ManUtd]

I think I missed it earlier, are you saying you can only see this flickering only when you're really up close to the screen and not from normal viewing distance? If yes then you'll probably get some resistance from them regarding your warranty claim. Nevertheless give them a call. Good luck.

[Pondosinatra]

Originally Posted by ManUtd

I think I missed it earlier, are you saying you can only see this flickering only when you're really up close to the screen and not from normal viewing distance? If yes then you'll probably get some resistance from them regarding your warranty claim. Nevertheless give them a call. Good luck.

Well I can see it from a sitting distance, but it's obviously more noticeable closer up.

[Pondosinatra]

So I called Pioneer and they told me it's not covered under warranty and essentially that's the way it goes.

So I've now added Pioneer to the list of companies I'll never buy from again (the first being Samsung).

Sad that at some point it became generally acceptable for companies to sell inferior products and to not support them.

Guess what? My Sony tube 34" XBR TV is 'old' by comparison yet it still works PERFECTLY.

[Sonny]

Have you tried running break in patterns or "snow" like I mentioned the other day? I wish I could see your problem for me self... I could be a bigger help.

[davidxiphoid]

Sorry to hear that.

Just bought a KURO myself and will be buying an extended warranty immediately. I've learned you just never know, no matter how good a brand is supposed to be, things happen. Thank god I bought the extended warranty for my Sony XBR4 that just bit the dust after less than 2 years.

It's the only reason I am able to now purchase the Kuro, otherwise it would have been almost #g's down the drain with just the manufactureres warranty.

[Pondosinatra]

Originally Posted by Sonny

Have you tried running break in patterns or "snow" like I mentioned the other day? I wish I could see your problem for me self... I could be a bigger help.

I'll try the "snow" idea later this week.

It's almost like it shows the opposite of what it should, ie when should be dark it's light and vice versa - but again it's not consistent, while fairly constant there's no pattern to it's 'flickering'.

[bryce.thompson]

Originally Posted by davidxiphoid

Sorry to hear that.

Just bought a KURO myself and will be buying an extended warranty immediately. I've learned you just never know, no matter how good a brand is supposed to be, things happen. Thank god I bought the extended warranty for my Sony XBR4 that just bit the dust after less than 2 years.

It's the only reason I am able to now purchase the Kuro, otherwise it would have been almost #g's down the drain with just the manufactureres warranty.

+1. If you're investing several thousands of dollars on a flat panel, whats another $300-$400 to spend on protection.

[ShockWave]

I say call back and push Pioneer hard, don't take no for an answer. Unfortunately sometimes you have to be a major hard butt to get things done in this system.

[ShockWave]

Originally Posted by bryce.thompson

+1. If you're investing several thousands of dollars on a flat panel, whats another $300-$400 to spend on protection.

Warranty or extended warranty doesn't matter in this case. Pioneer said it's not covered. So his 300-400 would have gone to waste in this case.

Unless he is saying his warranty expired.

[bryce.thompson]

Originally Posted by ShockWave

Warranty or extended warranty doesn't matter in this case. Pioneer said it's not covered. So his 300-400 would have gone to waste in this case.

Unless he is saying his warranty expired.

True. I don't think it's been a year.

But extended warranties from third party companies often times ofter protection on items that the manufacturers do not.

[Pondosinatra]

I'm going to wait a few months until my Pioneer warranty (which is useless) is up and the extended warranty I bought through the place selling the TV kicks in. Hopefully they'll do something about it then.

[doctorD]

Originally Posted by Pondosinatra

I'm going to wait a few months until my Pioneer warranty (which is useless) is up and the extended warranty I bought through the place selling the TV kicks in. Hopefully they'll do something about it then.

I would think you could do that now! Who did you buy it from?