Panasonic TH-42PZ85B - Build Quality

[admin_exported]

Hi,

Hope someone may be able to help? Had my new Panasonic TH-42PZ85B delivered last Friday, excellent picture through Sky HD, but am a bit concerned over the build quality.

Noticed straight out of the box that the shiny high gloss black surround had what could best be called four visible symetrical pressure points when viewed from an angle. Two above the screen and two below the screen. They are only visible when a light source is reflecting off the shiny surface, but they almost seem as if something internal is pushing forward from behind the facia.

Wonder if anyone else has experienced this? as I do not recall seeing anything like this on any store examples?

Many Thanks in anticipation!

 

[Anonymous]

Hi spudgun,

There have been a few people mentioning this with regard to the Pana TVs (particularly the PZ85 if I remember correctly).

Have a search on this forum through the Pana threads and you'll find more. I think many termed the issue as being overtightened screws.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi, this is a well known problem with this TV. It has been mentioned a few times on here previously. If you don't like the look of it give the retailer a call and explain the situation. After all, these plasmas are expensive, they should send someone out to examine it and hopefully replace it if your not happy. Mine is due for delivery on Friday so I am keeping my fingers crossed that mine is not affected. Let us know how it goes.

Martin

 

[SpiceWeasel]

Hi there,

I never really noticed the problem before as there wasn't much direct light on the tv. But now I have had a look for the fault mine is exactly the same. I've just sent Pany an e-mail asking about the problem and what they are going to do about it.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi All, thanks for the advice, spoken with Amazon today and they have booked in a delivery of a new replacement for me hopefully this one will be Okay, will let you know!

Thanks again.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi All, had my replacement through today, and it has the exact same problem as my current one! - Will let you know how I get on with Amazon, maybe third time lucky?!

Rob.

 

[SpiceWeasel]

1 week later and still no reply from my e-mail to Pany.

EDIT: It's a shame the manufacturers don't use this forum, E-mailing them doesn't seem to work. There's lots of questions they could answer and it would be a dam site quicker in getting help. I know the team and everyone on here can help with the majority of questions but still it would be nice to see.

 

[Anonymous]

I also have the same problem with mine. I took delivery of mine on Friday 4th July and yes I have four distortions on the edge trim. This didn't bother me too much as I sit directly in front of the screen and mine are only really visible when viewed from the side. However it was the paint being scratched off of the top thin silver line that caused me to complain!

I am waiting to hear from Sound and Vision with regard to a replacement, after all the TV was only with me for 4hrs before I contacted them.

Panasonic must really get their act together.

 

[Anonymous]

Got my TH-42PZ85B yesterday and mine has the exact same distortions you mention. I am normally a stickler for stuff like this but it seems like a general complaint of the model. I could go round the returns cycle a few times it appears and still get no guarantee the next one would be any better.

I'm going to stick with it - it's there but I'm not going to let it bug me. Watching the TV front on, you can't see them. Looking at it side on, you can see the pressure points, but I also have the (normal) natural light reflections off the black trim too, like there'd be on any other model. The pressure points don't keep screaming out to me, that's what I'm saying. Note. I only did get the set on Wednesday - I'll see in a week or two's time if it does begin to bug me.

I note Spiceweasel's comment though - he's had his TH-42PZ85B for a while and hadn't noticed it until Spudgun1 mentioned it. To me it's a bit of a nuisance, but it doesn't affect the screen picture and that's what king for me.

Fair do's to you (Spudgun1) if it's really bugging you - get it replaced. I hope you get a pristine one to your satisfaction.

As has been posted in this thread, get your act together Panasonic.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the updates, good to hear I'm not the onlu one with the problem.

Spoke with Panasonic when I got the second one through with the same problem, on hold for ages while their adviser went off to get some advice from one of their engineers, eventually came back to me and confirmed it was an issue they were aware of, but as it does not affect the function of the plasma, they would not send an engineer out to look at it.

They gave me a ticket reference to confirm they had logged it and that they would get back to me when they have a solution to the problem, felt a little like I was getting fobbed off, asked for timescales for a reply as I only have 14 days under amazon's terms and conditions to return the telly, at least at that point guy seaid it was unlikely they would have a resolution for me in that time.

Therefore both original and replacement are being returned, getting picked up next week and I've ordered a different model instead. Just feel that an item at this cost should have better build quality, would you accept a new car from the dealer with blemishes in the paintwork?

Hope you all enjoy your pany's (I've ordered another pany myself the TH-42PZ800B) or get the resolution from Pany if as I you are unhappy with it.

Cheers, Rob.

 

[Anonymous]

I guess it may be obvious (maybe not) but I have the 46"PZ85B and it does not have this issue. Maybe an option for those not happy with the 42".

I sit about 3.5m away and I nearly got the 42" due to distance, but I convinced myself that HD channels would only increase and the 46" would be better for the ongoing future. As it turns out, amazed at how quick you get used to the bigger panel, and the SD quality is excellent.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi I have a 42 PZ800B and with the glass front you don't get any of this, and the overall build quality is excellent, all metal casing very sturdy feeling much more solid than any of the other tvs I have looked at in the shops.

I am also sure that Panasonic will be aware of the problem, and I am sure they have been looking into it.