Just returned a faulty Panasonic, what should I replace it with?

[admin_exported]

Guys

Would appreciate input from people:

Took the plunge before Xmas and bought a Panasonic TH42PZ81B, which lasted precisely 8 days before falling victim to the 'known' PSU problem (TV gives up the ghost and a blinking red light come on 7 times). I was horrified and really disappointed by that level of performance. Have rejected the telly and await a refund/pickup of same. (Its kinda weird watching my old Sony 21" CRT sitting on a big glass stand, surrounded by an AV amp, blu-ray, surround sound speakers!)

The question is: what do I replace it with? My old TV is a 15 year old Sony, which has been a great servant , Sony have had a lot of good write-ups lately, BUT, I'm worried about buying one of the Sony LCD's in case I get the dreaded clouding problem.

I originally spent £975 (inc 5 year warrantly) on the Panasonic and that included Freesat, which I quite enjoyed watching(well BBC HD anyway).

I have SKY+ (not HD, I refuse to give them £10per month) and my main uses of the telly are watching a bit of SD stuff , mainly E4, Five, Match of the day. I do watch quite a few DVD's and have bought a Sony 2400ES AV amp , Sony BD55 Blu ray and a set of Tannoy F4/F1 +centre speakers, with a BKElec Sub to follow.

So, an HD TV, 37-42", (NOT a Panasonic), any ideas?

I did think about looking for an older Sony, say a 40V4000, but neither John Lewis nor Richer Sounds are advertising tis model at the mo, dont know if its gone. I do have access to Costco, so could look there.

Appreciate any ideas, thanks in advance.

 

[matthewpiano]

Don't be put off Panasonic. Look into their other sets because they make excellent TVs. Every manufacturer has its problem models. Just don't write off the whole Pana range because of one bad set.

I've been very impressed with the Philips sets lately - well worth a look. I think they've raised their game considerably. I was looking at a 7000 series set today and thought it was absolutely superb.

On the Sony front, you could try locating a KDL-40W4000 but stocks are pretty tight now.

 

[northantsbloke34]

Replace it with the same model? surely you couldn't be that unlucky and have two faulty pana's? .We had a px70 which lasted 6 months then started turning itself off and eventually wouldn't turn on at all. Managed to get it replaced after a few angry phone calls after they failed to fix it 3 times!. Now have px80 and its been fine.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd get another panasonic. 42 inch plasma, any model will be great.

 

[Anonymous]

My 50" pana failed 48 hours out the box. Replaced and been fine for 6 months. If the panasonic "fitted your bill" I'd get another.

Most manufacturers don't really do proper QC, or test items off the production line. They let you do it for them by buying it and returning it when it fails. Get it everywhere nowadays, don't matter if it's 50p plastic component or a £50k car. Other than that most things are reliable, rule of thumb is it'll either last either ten minutes or soldier on for ten years.

 

[Anonymous]

I work for a Panasonic and Sony service centre and can assure the OP that for every poorly Panasonic set in our workshops we have just as many faulty Sony's. They are however, when compared to the other makes we repair, both generally very reliable.

 

[Dan.m]

Alsina,

Nice to have someone with inside knowledge! Looking to buy pana 37px 80 with 5 yr gar. for 499. From a relibilty point of view what do you think? Are the more expensive 42 PZ with freesat more reliable (just under a grand). Im tempted to get the px80 and buy a yamaha ysp 30d (475) for a total of £975. Are there any manufactures you would stay clear of?

 

[Anonymous]

mcdonja:

Guys

Would appreciate input from people:

Took the plunge before Xmas and bought a Panasonic TH42PZ81B, which lasted precisely 8 days before falling victim to the 'known' PSU problem (TV gives up the ghost and a blinking red light come on 7 times). I was horrified and really disappointed by that level of performance. Have rejected the telly and await a refund/pickup of same. (Its kinda weird watching my old Sony 21" CRT sitting on a big glass stand, surrounded by an AV amp, blu-ray, surround sound speakers!)

The question is: what do I replace it with? My old TV is a 15 year old Sony, which has been a great servant , Sony have had a lot of good write-ups lately, BUT, I'm worried about buying one of the Sony LCD's in case I get the dreaded clouding problem.

I originally spent £975 (inc 5 year warrantly) on the Panasonic and that included Freesat, which I quite enjoyed watching(well BBC HD anyway).

I have SKY+ (not HD, I refuse to give them £10per month) and my main uses of the telly are watching a bit of SD stuff , mainly E4, Five, Match of the day. I do watch quite a few DVD's and have bought a Sony 2400ES AV amp , Sony BD55 Blu ray and a set of Tannoy F4/F1 +centre speakers, with a BKElec Sub to follow.

So, an HD TV, 37-42", (NOT a Panasonic), any ideas?

I did think about looking for an older Sony, say a 40V4000, but neither John Lewis nor Richer Sounds are advertising tis model at the mo, dont know if its gone. I do have access to Costco, so could look there.

Appreciate any ideas, thanks in advance.

I would suggest you are really limiting your options by not looking at the new sonys or any panasonics. Any TV can have issues, just make sure you have reliable dealer who will exchange/refund if you get a faulty set. If this requirement is an absolute deal breaker I would be looking at the pioneer 37v if I was you or the phillips ranges in 42" - the 7603 gives you some change from your original budget, or go higher specced if you can. Go view the philips I think you may like what you see.

I think the 40v4000 is on its way out - v4500/5100 on the way??

 

[matthewpiano]

I am sure Alsina will be along with some more valuable info shortly, but from my conversations with the authorised repairer we use I'd steer clear of the budget brands such as Bush, Wharfedale etc. It seems parts for quite recent sets can be very difficult to get hold of and many of these end up going back to retailers un-repaired.

 

[matthewpiano]

SG79:mcdonja:

Guys

Would appreciate input from people:

Took the plunge before Xmas and bought a Panasonic TH42PZ81B, which lasted precisely 8 days before falling victim to the 'known' PSU problem (TV gives up the ghost and a blinking red light come on 7 times). I was horrified and really disappointed by that level of performance. Have rejected the telly and await a refund/pickup of same. (Its kinda weird watching my old Sony 21" CRT sitting on a big glass stand, surrounded by an AV amp, blu-ray, surround sound speakers!)

The question is: what do I replace it with? My old TV is a 15 year old Sony, which has been a great servant , Sony have had a lot of good write-ups lately, BUT, I'm worried about buying one of the Sony LCD's in case I get the dreaded clouding problem.

I originally spent £975 (inc 5 year warrantly) on the Panasonic and that included Freesat, which I quite enjoyed watching(well BBC HD anyway).

I have SKY+ (not HD, I refuse to give them £10per month) and my main uses of the telly are watching a bit of SD stuff , mainly E4, Five, Match of the day. I do watch quite a few DVD's and have bought a Sony 2400ES AV amp , Sony BD55 Blu ray and a set of Tannoy F4/F1 +centre speakers, with a BKElec Sub to follow.

So, an HD TV, 37-42", (NOT a Panasonic), any ideas?

I did think about looking for an older Sony, say a 40V4000, but neither John Lewis nor Richer Sounds are advertising tis model at the mo, dont know if its gone. I do have access to Costco, so could look there.

Appreciate any ideas, thanks in advance.

I would suggest you are really limiting your options by not looking at the new sonys or any panasonics. Any TV can have issues, just make sure you have reliable dealer who will exchange/refund if you get a faulty set. If this requirement is an absolute deal breaker I would be looking at the pioneer 37v if I was you or the phillips ranges in 42" - the 7603 gives you some change from your original budget, or go higher specced if you can. Go view the philips I think you may like what you see.

I think the 40v4000 is on its way out - v4500/5100 on the way??

V4500 is already here (and has been for some time) in the 26, 32, and 37 inch sizes and is exclusive to Sony Centres. Adds Bravia Engine 2, USB/Picture Frame Mode, and Cross Media Bar menus. No 40" in this model. The V4000 is still current at the moment though watch out for new models in the not too distant future.

 

[Anonymous]

Dan.m:

Alsina,

Nice to have someone with inside knowledge! Looking to buy pana 37px 80 with 5 yr gar. for 499. From a relibilty point of view what do you think? Are the more expensive 42 PZ with freesat more reliable (just under a grand). Im tempted to get the px80 and buy a yamaha ysp 30d (475) for a total of £975. Are there any manufactures you would stay clear of?

I'd personally go for one of the PX80 models as these easily have the best picture quality when the set is being used as a tv. Reliability between the models is very similar from what we see, but the HD Ready sets have been around for a good few years now so perhaps the technology is more proven than the Full HD sets, but I wouldn't read too much into that.

Personally I wouldn't want to buy a Philips or an LG set....

 

[Big Aura]

the "dreaded" clouding only affected the 46" Sonys, didn't it?