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Panasonic Plasma Cracked Screen Internally
keicar
Posts: 2,082 Forum Member
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A bit of a long shot, but a family friend yesterday got home turned on his 42" Panasonic plasma for it to spark and a crack appear on the screen internally.
Has anyone experienced similar? There are instances of it happening with Samsung plasmas, are Panasonic screens manufactured by Samsung??
Thanks in advance!
Has anyone experienced similar? There are instances of it happening with Samsung plasmas, are Panasonic screens manufactured by Samsung??
Thanks in advance!
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No, Panasonic manufacture their own - as do LG.
Those are the only three left now.
I would suggest the set was actually physically damaged, causing the fault, rather than it just happening - it sounds VERY unlikely, as a service engineer I've never heard of it happening.
It's now almost as easy to damage newer plasma's as an LCD. Older plasma's had a small air gap between the plasma panel (PDP) and the UV screen. To reduce unwanted reflections the UV filter is now bonded directly onto the PDP.
The PDP is glass and the UV filter is probably some polycarbonate material which does not crack unless hit very hard, now being bonded directly the shock of an impact to the front is transfered directly to the glass PDP which will crack much more readily.
See here
The Panasonic agents report to Panasonic UK 'we have examined the set and can confirm this is no signs of impact and the set is in first class condition.............'
Panasonic reply was that 'Cracks like this are often not manufacture defect'
Panasonic have refused to repair the TV despite it being 4 months old, this effectively write off the £999 TV as it now sells for £799 and the repair would be in excess of £650.
OFTEN seems an interesting choice of words??
To anybody interested I repeat I KNOW 1000% THIS HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED, HIT OR DAMAGED. This TV puts out a huge amount of heat I wonder if this is a factor?? I am finding more and more people via Google who are experiencing the same or similar problem I will not give up on this and will let you know how it goes.
Is it possible it was "pre-cracked" before and then gave up the ghost later when the TV heated up?
I'm not suggesting this was the case as I really don't know, I'm just asking if that is a possibility?
This type of damage (the spider web) I have only seen on the newer type panels with the bonded UV screen, and these later types run much cooler than earlier panels so I very much doubt it's a heat issue.
I'm not saying it couldn't happen only a materials expert could answer that one.
I was alerted that some Fujitsu/Hitachi panels could suffer cracks several years ago but I never saw one. This took the form of a characteristic L shaped tear.
As bobcar says the orignal impact could have happened earlier. I've certainly seen cracked panels work OK only to give up the ghost days or weeks later.
Well as you could NEVER possibly know even 100% that nothing has hit it, I don't see how exaggerating at 1000% helps your cause?.
It's even possible that the damage was done before the crack appeared, and only cracked as the glass warned up - rather like a chip in a windscreen.
All your rights are against the dealer you purchased the set from - you need to be arguing with them, not Panasonic or their service agents.
I was about to mention that but you beat me to it
As said before there could have been a hair line crack on the screen and the heat has made the crack even bigger. If you bought it from a Panasonic Dealer and you have a 5 year warranty you could get it replaced/repaired but I think that only covers internal failure.
Warranties cover 'manufacturing defects', not damage - I imagine the set is under warranty?, and that's his complaint - that the service agent won't do it under warranty. I can see their point, their are obliged to stick to the rules - plus Panasonic wouldn't pay the claim, and they would be £100's out of pocket.
I see, I guess someone will have to pay.
I also see Panasonic's point. They are the best for support so if it was their fault they would more than likely fix it.
Can you not claim off the house insurance, seeing has it happened in the house accidently.
I just wanted to emphasise that between the TV working perfectly (in HD with perfect picture) and me coming back into the room (about 45-60 minutes) I know nothing hit it as there was nothing or nobody to hit it.
I mentioned earlier about the heat generated from the TV - It generated so much heat that you could feel it on the palm of your hand 6" from the screen like a radiator and even hotter from the top. So much so that we would turn off the heat in the room if the TV was on. I went to Currys this evening and none of their Panasonic neo plasma 42" or 50" TV's put out anything like the heat that mine did. I can't help wondering if this could be a factor? Also the TV would switch itself off whilst you were watching it and automatically come back on after a few seconds like some kind of thermal cut out?
With regards to claiming off the insurance - my home insurance covers accidental damage but there hasnt been any accidental damage, I'm not prepared to lie to them I would rather get to the truth of what's happened and for Panasonic to live up to their warranty.
I would keep your powder dry on that option at the moment, and keep that as a "last resort" if you get no satisfaction from your dealer.
I have tried to call the company in Hampshire but there is a message they are moving premises and cant answer the phone.
Will keep trying and let you guys know how I get on.
Thanks again
Paul
Should have gone to Richersounds.
Were you initially told it had been physically damaged?.