Pioneer 4280 dead pixel :(

[admin_exported]

Hello

In May 2008 I purchased the Pioneer PDP-4280XD after months of research and have been blown away by the picture and performance, that is until last night. Whilst cleaning the screen I noticed a black square or dead pixel in the middle of the screen horizontally and approx 1-2" vertically and yes it's driving me up the wall now.

I've done a quick search in the forums here and no-one seems to have had this problem before with the 4280 or 428. Is that true?

The TV was purchased from Dixons and spoke to them this morning and they said what I was expecting.. "That one pixel is not classed as a fault" but the BIG question is: will it get worse over time? especially as the TV is only 5-6 months old.

Any thoughts or help would be much appreciated!!

Thanks

 

[matthewpiano]

Can you see the dead pixel(s) from your normal viewing position without straining to find it? If you can I would recommend contacting Pioneer directly to see what their view on it is. I'm not saying they will do anything but it has got to be worth a try. Alternatively find out who the approved Pioneer repair agent is in your area and ask them to see what they can negotiate with Pioneer. You don't HAVE to deal through Currys!

Manufacturer policies on dead pixels always seem so vague. There are guidelines (which Currys are clearly following) but then I've known a manufacturer accept claims within so-called acceptable limits when it has impaired the day-to-day viewing of the set. There isn't any consistency but its worth giving Pioneer a chance to put it right. At least then you'll know you've tried.

 

[matthewpiano]

Oh, and there is no reason why the problem should get worse. Dead pixels aren't infectious!

 

[Anonymous]

A friend of mine had a dead pixel on his 428 and the dealer swapped the box for a new one.

Those Dixons boys, you can hear their spurs clinking, what do they mean it isn't a fault?!?! Your TV is no longer fully working. What would they do if a wheel dropped off their car and the guy in the garage said, "well it still goes..."

I wouldn't stand for that!

Good luck.

 

[D.J.KRIME]

As anoying as it maybe 1 dead pixel does not equate to a faulty set.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for replying!!

I was considering contacting Pioneer direct but in the past I bought something from Super-Fi, contacted the manufacturing direct and got into a proper pickle. It is indeed it's all very vague and I can see the dead pixel at 2.5m. I'll call Pioneer tomorrow.

matthewpiano:Oh, and there is no reason why the problem should get worse. Dead pixels aren't infectious!

Haha I wasn't thinkin that but with the money I'd spent I was expecting the TV to last for years. With one pixel going after 5-6 months in 5 years what will the screen be like then

groberton:A friend of mine had a dead pixel on his 428 and the dealer swapped the box for a new one.

Those Dixons boys, you can hear their spurs clinking, what do they mean it isn't a fault?!?! Your TV is no longer fully working. What would they do if a wheel dropped off their car and the guy in the garage said, "well it still goes..."

I wouldn't stand for that!

Good luck.

I completly agree with you there but in the past Dixons have been good with faulty items.

Thanks for your time

 

[PJPro]

Excuse my ignorance, but can a dead pixel be fixed? If not, what could Pioneer offer, especially as the 4280 is no longer available to purchase.

I'd be interested to hear how you get on. I have the same TV. No problems yet, fingers crossed.

 

[matthewpiano]

The usual (if the manufacturer accepts a warranty claim) would be to replace the panel inside the television. I've known it happen on the odd occasion.

 

[Anonymous]

Here's the update:

I spoke to Pioneer this morning and no surprise one dead pixel is not classed as a fault. Even though I'm annoyed and disappointed with what I call a quality issue, there's nothing I can do expect monitor and consider taking out an extended warranty.br

 

[PJPro]

SimonHarrison:Here's the update:

I spoke to Pioneer this morning and no surprise one dead pixel is not classed as a fault. Even though I'm annoyed and disappointed with what I call a quality issue, there's nothing I can do expect monitor and consider taking out an extended warranty.br
How many dead pixels do you need before it is considered a fault?

 

[Anonymous]

Personally I would say 'not fit for purpose'.

So what would be the difference with an extended warranty? Anything? What would one of these Domestic & General companies do if you tried to claim for one dead pixel?

 

[Alsone]

Pioneer are a bunch of w*nkers on this (my opinion).

I had a fluorescent green pixel stuck on my brand new 428XD and they wouldn't budge. Polite but extremely awkward / unhelpful / obsturnate is how I would describe their technical help person.

Luckily my dealer, Moorgate Acoutstics eventually agreed to replace the tv off their own back even though they weren't legally obliged to do so.

Shows the value of going to a top notch dealer.

I personally wouldn't buy Pioneer again after my experience now matter how good their sets are. My new set is excellent but I wouldn't risk a large sum of money again on a product where the support doesn't in my opinion live up to what I'd expect having payed such a premium. Given the premium over other manufacturers, I'd have expected them to be falling over themselves to help me, not being awkard and unhelpful just saying we don't regard it as a fault so we won't replace it at every turn.

 

[Anonymous]

I've no idea how many dead pixels are required before they class it as a fault. Maybe someone can enlighten us?

An extended warranty might cover me if the situation got worse over time. If it goes over the "magic number", maybe they will replace then

As mentioned by Alsone the people at Dixons were much more helpful than the Pioneer... not good for the price you pay for their stuff.

 

[Anonymous]

We have one dead pixel in ours as well this is what the warrantysays:

This warranty is not applicable in cases
other than defects in materials or workmanship and, in particular,
does not cover:

* Periodic check-ups, adjustments,
maintenance or conversions as well as replacement of parts due to wear and
tear

resulting from abnormal
usage;

* Removal of the product where it has been
permanently affixed to property or built-in or where access has
been

otherwise restricted. If the product is
embedded in the property or otherwise built-in and removal causes
damage,

Pioneer will not be responsible for
reinstatement or making good any such damage;

* Damage resulting
from:

* incorrect installation outside of
Pioneer's guidelines and specification as detailed in the
manual;

* misuse including but not limited to using
the product otherwise than for its normal purpose or failing to operate
in

accordance with Pioneer's instructions on
proper use and maintenance;

* burn-in on the screen, and/or
in-active or over-active pixels that are less than 99.999% of
the total number

of pixels;

 

[gregch]

I used to work for a well-known US maker of computers, mp3 players and phones, and the policy was the same... there had to be a certain number of faulty pixels, or the faulty pixel(s) had to be in certain areas, to be technically covered. ÿNevertheless, we also had total discretion and would always replace, even for one stuck pixel right in the corner. ÿIt seems the same now, because I recently bought a display with a single stuck pixel in the corner and they replaced it immediately, no quibbles at all. Unfortunately the replacement also had a stuck pixel - but a dark sub-pixel, right in the corner, so I can live with it. Plus, it's a display, not a TV, so you're not looking at the whole screen all the time.

Luckily our 428 is fine (touches wood) but I feel for anyone whose isn't, they're not cheap and should be perfect. Their margin should cover wastage on panels (not like the old days when defect-free yields were much lower). I'd keep on at them, and speak to trading standards and all the usual, FWIW.ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

Does anyone from the What Hifi team have more advise/help?

Thanks