A question for Al, or other V20 owners

[strapped for cash]

Having spent a few weeks with the V20, in almost every respect I'm delighted with the set.

Certain issues reported by other owners are present -- floating blacks etc. -- though they don't spoil general viewing and I'm can't gripe at the price I paid.

However, I'm wondering what a normal level of buzz and whine is with this TV? I appreciate that all plasmas buzz, but the high pitched whine from my V20 is constant and quite uncomfortable, even at normal listening levels. What's more, when I switch the TV off in the evening, I can still hear the whine when I go to bed, like a form of tinnitus.

You could be forgiven for thinking that I have tinnitus anyway, and this has nothing to do with the TV, but I never noticed the ringing in my ears before; and when I spent the weekend away the ringing disappeared, only to return after an evening's viewing.

Al, or other owners, I'm wondering if you've experienced anything similar? The first time I plugged the TV in it made a strange static pop, a sound I've never heard from a TV before. Maybe there's a problem with the TV's capacitors, or some other internal electrical problem? If so, this might explain why the whine from my TV sounds so obtrusive.

I thought I'd see if my experiences mirror those of other owners before deciding whether to call the retailer about this. I love the TV, I just don't think tinnitus should be a side effect of normal viewing...

 

[micks_address]

actually now that you mention it i have to noticed the ringing in my ears at night and i didnt know what to associate it with.. thought it might be a side affect of getting older! i guess we have very sensitive hear or something.. on one of the V20's i had the buzz turned into a rasping sound... which was obviously not right.. pressing the back panel on the tv would lesson the affect.. are you still running with powersave on ? i think that has helped with my set.. i am pretty much intent on changing my VT20 for a VT30 as soon as possible.. if its not cost prohibitive.. does anyone know if the back of the 2011 range is metal like last years range or plastic? I think plastic might be a better choice of material as it wouldnt amplify the buzz...

do you notice the buzz being more intense with brighter scenes on the tv? .. it gets even louder in 3d mode on my VT20 as the brightness is automatically pumped up to compensate for the darker image viewed through the glasses

Having spent a few weeks with the V20, in almost every respect I'm delighted with the set.

Certain issues reported by other owners are present -- floating blacks etc. -- though they don't spoil general viewing and I'm can't gripe at the price I paid.

However, I'm wondering what a normal level of buzz and whine is with this TV? I appreciate that all plasmas buzz, but the high pitched whine from my V20 is constant and quite uncomfortable, even at normal listening levels. What's more, when I switch the TV off in the evening, I can still hear the whine when I go to bed, like a form of tinnitus.

You could be forgiven for thinking that I have tinnitus anyway, and this has nothing to do with the TV, but I never noticed the ringing in my ears before; and when I spent the weekend away the ringing disappeared, only to return after an evening's viewing.

Al, or other owners, I'm wondering if you've experienced anything similar? The first time I plugged the TV in it made a strange static pop, a sound I've never heard from a TV before. Maybe there's a problem with the TV's capacitors, or some other internal electrical problem? If so, this might explain why the whine from my TV sounds so obtrusive.

I thought I'd see if my experiences mirror those of other owners before deciding whether to call the retailer about this. I love the TV, I just don't think tinnitus should be a side effect of normal viewing...

 

[strapped for cash]

Hi micks_address.

I'd say the ringing is an entirely separate sound to the buzz. The high pitched ringing is constant and doesn't change in intensity (i.e. it's always there and it's always uncomfortable background noise).

The buzz varies depending on the contrast of the image (i.e. it's most prominent during high contrast scenes that contain dark and bright areas simultaneously).

The buzz doesn't bother me. I'm used to it having owned a plasma before and I don't expect the TV to run silently. If the TV had the buzz but not the high pitched ringing noise, I'd be extremely happy.

I donated my old plasma to my brother and made of point of listening for a similar ringing noise when I set it up for him. The old set buzzed, but didn't ring. The fan noise was louder on the old set, but I never found this particularly distracting (and it certainly wouldn't damage my ears).

Perhaps I'm unusually sensitive to high frequency sound, or perhaps the noise my V20 emits is different from V20s owned by others? I really don't know. Sorry to keep whining on, but it's affecting my enjoyment of my new TV, which in all other regards represents a fantastic deal.

 

[Alec]

Sorry Strapped I've been away (and, by the by, willbe away Friday night too).

I've not given the buzz thing much thought so far. Initially I feel I'm not sure what I'm hearing all the time as I've at least 3 things that buzz a bit or make othe rnoises in the room. I'll look into it over the weekend then get back to you. Feel free to remind me in 2/3 days if you want.

 

[strapped for cash]

Thanks Al.

If you've not given the buzz much thought this suggests it's not an issue with your set.

I've spoken to Peter Tyson to discuss options. My first port of call is to ring the Panasonic Service Centre, which I'm going to do now. I'm in another room typing this and can still hear the whine of the TV. Surely this isn't normal, though I fear Panasonic will say it's within tolerance. Let's see...

My biggest problem is that I can return this set and buy another TV, but which one? One of the reasons I initially decided to keep the V20 was that I couldn't find an alternative that suited. I need the Freesat option because Freeview reception where I live is poor. Even the GT30, which has an integrated Freesat tuner, doesn't go as black as the V20, according to the review I've read elsewhere. That said, the picture on the GT30 looked almost identical to the V20 when I viewed them side by side last weekend (admittedly in shop lighting).

Any suggestions as to where I go from here are most welcome.

Clare, out of interest, is any buzz from your GT30 test model distracting? I appreciate you can't reveal much and may not have had a good look at the TV yet. The problem is, I need to decide what I'm doing quickly. Thanks.

 

[Alec]

Wow, I certainly don't have a high ptch sound i can hear from another room!

 

[micks_address]

hi strapped... have you tried pressing the back of the panel up towards the right side.. i found when i had the v20 it would change the intensity of the buzz.. its such a hit and miss issue.. i actually record mine on video it was so bad last year.. and showed it to the guys in the shop as i pretty much new that when i brought the tv back it wouldnt be nearly as bad (as was the case)

i was listening to the VT20 last night.. and it doesnt really buzz.. its more of a fizzle really... its not nearly as annoying as the floating blacks which are the main reason i'm looking to change to the VT30..

 

[strapped for cash]

Hi micks_address.

It's strange how different issues bother different owners. Floating blacks don't concern me unduly, and I consider myself quite fussy. Same with the so called "50Hz bug" -- motion isn't perfect, but perfectly acceptable the great majority of the time.

Having spoken to Peter Tyson, I can still send the TV back. I need to let them know by early next week. A big thumbs up to Peter Tyson, by the way, for a consistently professional, helpful and friendly service. My issue certainly isn't with the store; and I would thoroughly recommend them to anyone.

Let's say I decide to send the TV back. What do I replace it with? In terms of spec, the V20 is perfect for me: integrated Freesat tuner, generally fantastic picture, USB recording facility, and it looks pretty decent, too. I can't get a replacement V20 from Peter Tyson to see if it's better with the buzzing/whining issue, since they're now out of stock.

I'd shell out extra for a GT30, if buzzing/whining are at an acceptable level, though I won't really know this unless I buy one and get it home.

I can either try to live with V20 as is, and accept that I'll fall asleep to a ringing sound in my ears, or I'm back to square one and don't know what to buy...

I'd really appreciate any advice, as I think I've lost the ability to think clearly on the subject of TV purchases!

 

[Anonymous]

Strapped for cash Ive been living with this set now for two weeks and overall am very impressed with its performance. My set does buzz although its only audible if im close to the set. The buzz does increase in volume and pitch on very bright scenes but is not distracting and certainly not the whining sound you describe. My only real gripe with this set is the poor sound. Ive still not noticed any floating blacks but agree that motion, while not perfect is more than acceptable most of the time. Turning on the ifc does smooth things out, but has a strange effect with the picture, almost as if im watching an intro to a video game if that make sense? same with the 24p smooth film. Given the price I paid (just slightly more than yours) I dont think anything else on the market matches this set for picture quality, Imo.

 

[strapped for cash]

Hi Ian,

Thanks for the post. I'd be in agreement that you can't buy a better TV right now for £699, if it wasn't for the annoying panel noise on my set. I don't know if I've got a TV where buzzing/whining is more prominent than on other V20s. I'm not even certain I'll send it back.

It might be I decide to live with it, for a while at least. I'll have a look at other TVs over the weekend to see if anything floats my boat. At least I'll be making an informed decision about what to do next. The only thing I know for certain is that I don't want to be without a TV altogether!

 

[markyd]

I'd agree that you DEFINITELY cannot buy a set with a better picture for £700, but there does seem to be some batch inconsistency. Your freesat requirement narrows the options even further.

My one hasn't been completely flawless (what set is?) - but the problems have not ever been distracting to the point of wanting to send it back.

Is it possible they could just send you a different V20?

 

[strapped for cash]

According to Peter Tyson, they've no more V20s in stock, though strangely they're still selling them online. I'm sure the best scenario from the retailers perspective would be that I keep the set and live with the problem.

It would be unreasonable to demand flawless performance for £700, and I don't. But I need to live with my purchase. Others have noticed the buzzing/whining, but my father couldn't hear it at all (admittedly his hearing's not great, so that appraisal should be taken with a pinch of salt).

I auditioned a few TVs this morning. The only thing I learned is that I can't find a TV for sale right now that matches the V20 for picture performance. In other words, I know what I want: I want a V20 that doesn't give me tinnitus.

Upon close inspection, the GT30 picture quality is almost identical to the V20, but not quite as good. On the THX preset there was a slight green tinge to blacks, which was noticeable in a side-by-side comparison between the two sets.

I also had a look at the G30, which couldn't match the black depth of the V20.

I can get around the Freesat issue by buying a Humax PVR, but even then, what TV do I go for? I've considered buying an older model (the Philips 40PFL9704), which got stunning reviews at the start of 2010. Problem is, I can't audition it, so I'd be buying blind again, and this set's performance may not be up to scratch now. If anyone can comment on how this TV compares with newer models that would be extremely helpful.

I can send the V20 back and buy another in the hope it's OK, but it's a lot of hassle and I may be no better off.

If I'd never started this, I'd have saved forumites the trouble of reading endlessly about my gripes, so apologies to all on that count...

 

[Alec]

I certainly think you can expect not to have these problems after spending any amount of money. Remember that you may have paid much more or it.

Still not totally happy with mine, there's still a weird colour/smudge/blur thing happenning with a fair bit of material. Seems less with BluRays, I think, than with DVDs, SD TV and even HD TV.

 

[markyd]

I did A LOT of research and evaluation of TV's prior to getting the V20. Philips 9704 included, the Panasonic had the best picture - bar none.

For the record I also own a Humax HDR freesat box and never use the built in tuner. Basically I bought it before deciding on the v20 - but Im glad I have it as I get the impression the 1/2 a PVR thing on the V20 is a bit rubbish compared to the real thing. Also I don't use the built in speakers, not because they are particularly bad, because I have NEVER heard any that are acceptable to me.

If peter tyson are flexible, perhaps when you send your v20 back, you can get them to open another box and check that the one they are sending to replace doesnt have the same problem, before wasting everyones time?

To hear any unit noise on my V20, you need to be standing less than a meter from it and in silence. I really dont think the noise you are getting is normal or acceptable.

 

[strapped for cash]

Cheers for the replys.

I'll have another chat with Peter Tyson tomorrow and see what they say.

I'm so confused by it all now. I've spent the weekend trying to find an alternative I'd be happy with, but it's proven a fruitless search. Maybe I have the hearing of a dog. It's not that the high pitched noise is very loud, but it is audible at normal volume levels, and feels more uncomfortable the more I watch. It sounds nitpicky, but it's enough of an issue to spoil my viewing; and I never experienced this problem with my old plasma.

I'm prepared to up the budget, but even then I can't find a 40-46" TV that offers excellent 2D performance with minimal input lag (I'm not a hardcore gamer, but I do play games and I'd like to be free of this annoying issue). On that subject, it would be great if WHF could comment on a TV's performance with games in their reviews. Since a large proportion of the population are gamers, it would be a useful aspect of performance to read about.

I might have to accept that I'll be without a TV for while.

On a positive note, I'll get more work done.