MrW said:
No news, I've been incredibly lazy over the last few weeks.
I have planned on ringing JL tomorrow, but we'll have to wait and see to see if it actually happens.
I have an engineer coming out on Monday to look at my VT65's tints.
I'm not sure what to do if I reach a point where I'm permitted a refund or exchange.
Do I risk another VT65? Do I opt for a Sammy F8500? Do I ask for a refund and hunt down a GT60? (A GT60 would have no fan noise; and even if it had the same issue as my VT65, I'd have spent less money.)
The other option is LED, but I can't bring myself to buy one. I couldn't live with the picture washing out when the TV is viewed off-axis; and I couldn't live with clouding and other LED-related uniformity problems. I'd also seriously miss plasma's superior native contrast.
I'm not sure what to do if I reach a point where I'm permitted a refund or exchange.
Do I risk another VT65? Do I opt for a Sammy F8500? Do I ask for a refund and hunt down a GT60? (A GT60 would have no fan noise; and even if it had the same issue as my VT65, I'd have spent less money.)
The other option is LED, but I can't bring myself to buy one. I couldn't live with the picture washing out when the TV is viewed off-axis; and I couldn't live with clouding and other LED-related uniformity problems. I'd also seriously miss plasma's superior native contrast.
I viewed a Sony 905 the other day in JL, and the detail was fantastic. I then looked to see if the picture washed out when viewed at an angle, and to my eyes, the picture still looked excellent.
I know you don't want a LED, but it's definitely worth an audition if you get to that stage.
I know you don't want a LED, but it's definitely worth an audition if you get to that stage.
I've seen a 905 in action and it was admittedly the best LED TV I've seen.
I still can't do it, though; and I'd go for the Sammy F8500 before considering an LED TV from any manufacturer.
I know the F8500 isn't perfect. There are minor issues with floating blacks, and occasional brightness pops in 3D. The F8500's MLL isn't quite as impressive as the VT65's, though the F8500 handles 50Hz motion and standard definition content better.
I've seen a calibrated F8500 next to a calibrated 5090, VT65, and ZT65. All produced fantastic pictures. (If you recall, the F8500 won the 2013 Value Electronics Shootout on the public vote, though professional calibrators gave the nod to the VT and ZT.)
I'd love my VT65 if not for the uniformity problems, which admittedly don't notably affect much content. When the issue interferes with viewing, such as during black and white films, however, it genuinely annoys me. The tints are subtle, but they're there.
The other issue is that you can't accurately calibrate a TV when the panel isn't uniform in terms of colour reproduction. (My VT developed these issues after calibration, though the problem is in no way related to the calibration and visible on all picture modes.)
I still can't do it, though; and I'd go for the Sammy F8500 before considering an LED TV from any manufacturer.
I know the F8500 isn't perfect. There are minor issues with floating blacks, and occasional brightness pops in 3D. The F8500's MLL isn't quite as impressive as the VT65's, though the F8500 handles 50Hz motion and standard definition content better.
I've seen a calibrated F8500 next to a calibrated 5090, VT65, and ZT65. All produced fantastic pictures. (If you recall, the F8500 won the 2013 Value Electronics Shootout on the public vote, though professional calibrators gave the nod to the VT and ZT.)
I'd love my VT65 if not for the uniformity problems, which admittedly don't notably affect much content. When the issue interferes with viewing, such as during black and white films, however, it genuinely annoys me. The tints are subtle, but they're there.
The other issue is that you can't accurately calibrate a TV when the panel isn't uniform in terms of colour reproduction. (My VT developed these issues after calibration, though the problem is in no way related to the calibration and visible on all picture modes.)
Did you guys see the 55" or 46" 905? 46 isn't supposed to suffer as bad as the 55 for of axis viewing.
If I remember properly, it was the 55", and as I said, I couldn't see anything wrong with the picture off axis, but that's on shop settings, not homesettings.
For the limited time I was looking at it, it did impress me.
For the limited time I was looking at it, it did impress me.
The engineer has advised that my VT65 needs a panel replacement. This was a John Lewis engineer, who will also fit the new panel.
Of course the panel must be ordered from Panasonic, and I'm not confident Panasonic will comply. Even if a new panel is supplied, I'm far from convinced this will do the trick.
Of course the panel must be ordered from Panasonic, and I'm not confident Panasonic will comply. Even if a new panel is supplied, I'm far from convinced this will do the trick.
strapped for cash said:
Has to be good news though, they are admitting there is a fault.
Do you think a replacement panel will fix the fan noise? :?
strapped for cash said:
was it a John Lewis engineer or a local engineer out sourced by John Lewis?
im curious as it seems those referring specifically to a John Lewis engineer rather than a third party engineer outsourced by John Lewis seem to be getting better results from their visit?
strapped for cash said:
Panasonic will only release a panel when there is clear photographic evidence of the fault, and I'm presuming that the photographic evidence must be recorded by the engineer, and not by yourself Strapped.
I'm presuming they've taken the tv away, will they be supplying you with a replacement for the duration of the repair process?
gel said:
Though this doesn't mean I'll ultimately be any better off. Excuse the negativity, but I don't have much faith in a replacement panel, assuming the TV is repaired.
gel said:
I haven't been offered a replacement at the moment. If/when the TV goes away for reair, I'll ask for the foam fix to be installed.
Fan noise is a secondary issue. It's mildly distracting at times. If it can be reduced I'll be happier.
rocketrazor said:
The latter. (I should have been clearer.) At least it wasn't a Panasonic engineer.
BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW said:
I discussed this with the engineer. He advised that the problem should show up in photographs.
The TV's still here at the moment. A replacement TV will be supplied while my VT65 is away.
My VT's being collected tomorrow, with a new panel and fan noise fix planned.
I'm taking bets on whether I'll end up with blobs, bands, both, or even a uniform screen. Perhaps nothing will be done at all.
I'm taking bets on whether I'll end up with blobs, bands, both, or even a uniform screen. Perhaps nothing will be done at all.
strapped for cash said:
Fan noise has become an issue on mine too, do you think they would sort mine out too?
gel said:
I think your TV had the fix pre-installed. You should be able to see foam installed around the fans by looking through the vents on the rear panel.
If the serial number is later than FE there's nothing else you can do, unless you buy magnetic dust filters. These might cause your TV to overheat, however, and are certainly not Panasonic approved.
If your TV hasn't had the fix applied, Panasonic will do this free of charge. John Lewis should arrange for an engineer to come out. Based on what I've read, it's a quick and easy job and can be done in your home.
strapped for cash said:
:cheers:
My serial number is FE, it is strange because I never used to hear anything but now I do.
Mine's an FE. I'm pretty sure none of the FE models have the fix installed.
John Lewis they should be able to sort this out quickly. You don't even need to send the TV away.
Be sure your TV doesn't already have foam surrounding the fans, however. It'd be embarrassing if an engineer turned up for no reason.
There are varying reports as to how much the fix helps. The worst that can happen is the fan noise is the same; it might be much quieter.
Then get your TV calibrated!
John Lewis they should be able to sort this out quickly. You don't even need to send the TV away.
Be sure your TV doesn't already have foam surrounding the fans, however. It'd be embarrassing if an engineer turned up for no reason.
There are varying reports as to how much the fix helps. The worst that can happen is the fan noise is the same; it might be much quieter.
Then get your TV calibrated!
strapped for cash said:Mine's an FE. I'm pretty sure none of the FE models have the fix installed.
John Lewis they should be able to sort this out quickly. You don't even need to send the TV away.
Be sure your TV doesn't already have foam surrounding the fans, however. It'd be embarrassing if an engineer turned up for no reason.
There are varying reports as to how much the fix helps. The worst that can happen is the fan noise is the same; it might be much quieter.
Then get your TV calibrated!
:cheers: Strapped very helpful. Right then I will call them this afternoon, if worse comes to worse I can do embarrassing.
beater
Well-known member
I will be interested to see how you get on gel, as my vt65 has a serial number starting with FE, and I find my fans very noisy.
beater said:
I will let you know. The guy on the phone seemed to think it was a fault, so I have had a good start.
beater said:
If you don't mind me asking, Beater, does your VT65 have any screen uniformity problems?
If you're using the onboard Panasonic tuner, you should be able to tell very quickly.
Simply pull up the programme guide and press the "i" key to display full program details. Aside from the text displayed, the screen should be white all the way across. Mine isn't.
It'd also be helpful if you could advise how many hours the TV has clocked up.
You can access this information by pressing "Menu," then "Help," then "System Information." The number of hours is displayed in "Status 4," after the letter A, B, or C. (Apologies for the walk-through if you already know how to do this.)
Thanks.
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