Has your widescreen t.v. been trouble free

Faust · 24-01-2002, 20:00

On the What Video and TV forum I have noticed a thread has been started for forum members to say if their widescreen t.v. has been trouble free, and represents value for money. It was started due to the amount of threads listing problems with these particular type of t.v.'s. Certainly from reading the horror stories concerning just about every big manufacturer of widescreen televisions I am dreading the day my ancient but trusty Sony dies on me. Perhaps it might be an idea to start a similar thread on this forum. Why are these t.v.'s so problematic?

wicket · 25-01-2002, 09:23

Hello Faust

My Sony KV32FX20 has been excellent and has developed no problems since buying in October (touch wood). We are extremely pleased with it and wouldn't go back to a 4.3 set now.

wicket

Kris · 25-01-2002, 09:44

I got a very cheap BUSH 28" Widescreen TV a couple of years ago, hoping it would last me until digital and / or plasma TVs went up in quality and down in price, and it's been great, very basic features because it was a cheap one but the picture quality has been consistantly good and as I use digital cable and DVD inputs and use my Yamaha AMP for the sound that's all I need.

It seems to handle switching from 16:9 to 4:3 and back again better than a lot I've seen

Doesn't have zoom though

Glen · 25-01-2002, 10:54

I got my JVC 28" flatscreen TV (AV28WFT1) in August and have had no problems with it at all. It has no problems with switching and the auto-zoom works really well.

After tweaking with the settings in the service menu I got the picture set really well so it looks good (there was too much overscan). [If only BBC2 showed testcards in their downtime (and not Ceefax), I could make sure the geometry is exactly to perfection.

]

MicroSmurf · 25-01-2002, 13:45

No problems at all with my 32" Grundig Xentia 100hz flatscreen since purchase apart from the geometry needing to be set up from out of the box. Since that was done by a bit of fiddling in the engineers menu it's been sweet as a nut. Great TV with space age looks and built like a tank.

sidewinder · 25-01-2002, 13:47

I've had my Panasonic TX32PK20 since March and am very pleased with it.I've had no problems with it. (finds some wood to touch!).

Simon WS · 25-01-2002, 17:29

My Sony KV32FX60 has been perfect and trouble free from day one, about 2 years ago.
Like you though, I'm dreading getting another one in the future in case it's a dud!
I'm hoping it will last until plasma screens are (more) affordable. I just installed a Panasonic 42" plasma for a (girl) friend and the picture was unexpectedly stunning, so I REALLY want one now.

Simon

Orbitalzone · 25-01-2002, 19:04

My Sony KV28FX20 has been fine for nearly a year now, after the almost compulsory geometry tweaks as with nearly every widescreen TV sold nowadays! Excellent picture and reasonable sound too. Only complaint is that it's rear cabinet is too bulky for the empty space inside... this is very common with most makes of TV.

As mentioned above, once you see a plasma screen, these widescreen TV's look so big and cumbersome!

bowler · 26-01-2002, 09:37

My Tosh widescreen TV needed a new tube after less than 3 years.

mickrick · 26-01-2002, 12:12

I have had my Toshiba 32" 100hz widescreen replaced twice in 9 months. Ended up splitting the difference with my supplier and buying a newer model.

Geometry is a bit skanky and blacks are more like dark blues but I couldn't be arsed complaining again.

Faust · 26-01-2002, 15:55

At least it is reassuring to learn that not all widescreen t.v.s are plauged by faults. Reading a lot of the complaints it seems to be the more expensive top of the range sets that are suffering. The alarming thing I find though is that when customers contact CS, appears to be Sony in particular, they fein suprise and say no one else has complained about this before - not encouraging. The other question that needs to be asked is what is happening to all the returns. Are they just shipped out again to some other poor unsuspecting mug who it is hoped will not notice, or at least not bother ot complain.

iain · 26-01-2002, 20:35

My Sony 28FX60 has been great, tho' now at the grand old age of 2.5 years, there is a very slight (only noticable when watching widescreen stuff with black bars top and bottom) curve top and bottom.

I've seen threads about thia avforums.co.uk - apparently the earths gravity causes this - there are magnets inside the tvs to counteract this - but after time they become less effective, hence the curving.

I have a 5 yr warranty on the set - so maybe I should dig those out and maybe get a brand new equivalent model. Either that or get a technician out to be told "sorry sir, the set is within *acceptable limits*"

Iain

wicket · 28-01-2002, 09:10

Just as a matter of interest, mickrick and bowler, what are the model numbers of your Toshiba tvs? My Dad has a Toshiba on his shortlist of tvs to buy.

Thanks

wicket

resonator · 28-01-2002, 13:14

My Sony KV28FQ75 is excellent. Had it about 15 months now. Picture is hard to fault, although there is a little bit of the screen bowing in at the extreme top of the picture in 14:9 mode. Not really a problem, though and I'm sure it could be tweaked out with the service menu controls.

The bass was a bit weedy in comparison with my ex-Panasonic TX-21" nicam, until I got into the service menu and maxed out the volume on the sub-woofer... sounds great now!

Steve

bowler · 28-01-2002, 14:07

Quote:

Originally posted by wicket
Just as a matter of interest, mickrick and bowler, what are the model numbers of your Toshiba tvs? My Dad has a Toshiba on his shortlist of tvs to buy.

Thanks

wicket

My Toshiba is the 28W8DB.

Fortunately my extended warranty covered the replacement tube.

Incidentally the original tube was a Philips.

wicket · 28-01-2002, 14:17

Thanks bowler, this isn't the model he is looking at. Are all Toshiba's tubes made by Phillips? Would you still go for another Toshiba or would you look at another brand?

bowler · 28-01-2002, 19:36

Quote:

Originally posted by wicket
Thanks bowler, this isn't the model he is looking at. Are all Toshiba's tubes made by Phillips? Would you still go for another Toshiba or would you look at another brand?

I think I would try another brand and look for at least a 3 year warranty. ASDA include this in their prices but choice is limited.

I dont know if Toshiba use other tubes.

wicket · 29-01-2002, 10:08

Thanks again bowler, it doesn't say much for Toshiba tvs.

Fudge · 29-01-2002, 10:36

My brother bought a Toshiba 32" wide/flat 100Hz Dolby Digital set last year (can't remember the model number) and it had to be returned as the picture was really bowed at the edges and the installer couldn't correct it. The replacement is much better, but still not what I'd expect for that kind of money.

MSS · 29-01-2002, 13:58

Currently on my 3rd Sony KV36FS70 in just over a year.

First very quickly developed a yellow colour stain & after a month the dealer agreed to replace. Second set was damaged on delivery. Third (touch wood) has been perfect !

All required the compulsory geometry tweaks to which the dealer claimed to have no knowledge on how to acheive.

Neil Arrowsmith · 03-02-2002, 17:27

I have a Panasonic 32PF10. Picture quality is very, very good.I've had no problems with it at all, but saying that will probably tempt fate! (I'm touching wood now!!!)
I think that the picture is a lot better than the Sonys with DRC.
Cheers, Neil

bibble · 04-02-2002, 00:49

Had a Panny TX32PF10 for 18 months now. Once I''d got the engineer out to position the picture properly (and to give me a chance to scribble down the engineer codes!) it's been splendid. Occasional 100hz jerkiness on r-l scrolling titles but that aside the image is just spot on. My only slight criticism is it doesn't seem to have a 14:9 mode - which I gather others use to watch 4:3 broadcasts on w/s telly. I find the auto-justified setting just a bit too s-t-retch-e-d at the sides.

Incidentally - a mate's thinking of getting a Tosh 32Z17B. I cant find a similar spec (but better) prologic telly for the price. Any thoughts? tia

Pyara · 01-03-2002, 08:59

I've got a 36PW9525 widescreen with some slight geometry problems, does anyone know how to assist???

Neil Arrowsmith · 10-03-2002, 15:18

I've got a Panasonic 32PF10. I've had it for just over 2 years. I'ts been totally excellent!!!

Ta, Neil

MicroSmurf · 10-03-2002, 18:30

Quote:

Originally posted by Neil Arrowsmith
I've got a Panasonic 32PF10. I've had it for just over 2 years. I'ts been totally excellent!!!
Ta, Neil

It must be so good you thought you would come back and tell us again , thats twice now

24-01-2002, 20:00	#1
Faust Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: UK Posts: 8,103	Has your widescreen t.v. been trouble free On the What Video and TV forum I have noticed a thread has been started for forum members to say if their widescreen t.v. has been trouble free, and represents value for money. It was started due to the amount of threads listing problems with these particular type of t.v.'s. Certainly from reading the horror stories concerning just about every big manufacturer of widescreen televisions I am dreading the day my ancient but trusty Sony dies on me. Perhaps it might be an idea to start a similar thread on this forum. Why are these t.v.'s so problematic?

25-01-2002, 10:54	#4
Glen Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Inverness Posts: 11,726	I got my JVC 28" flatscreen TV (AV28WFT1) in August and have had no problems with it at all. It has no problems with switching and the auto-zoom works really well. After tweaking with the settings in the service menu I got the picture set really well so it looks good (there was too much overscan). [If only BBC2 showed testcards in their downtime (and not Ceefax), I could make sure the geometry is exactly to perfection.]

25-01-2002, 09:23	#2
wicket Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: NE England Posts: 3,096	Hello Faust My Sony KV32FX20 has been excellent and has developed no problems since buying in October (touch wood). We are extremely pleased with it and wouldn't go back to a 4.3 set now. wicket

25-01-2002, 09:44	#3
Kris Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Hitchin, Herts. Posts: 384	I got a very cheap BUSH 28" Widescreen TV a couple of years ago, hoping it would last me until digital and / or plasma TVs went up in quality and down in price, and it's been great, very basic features because it was a cheap one but the picture quality has been consistantly good and as I use digital cable and DVD inputs and use my Yamaha AMP for the sound that's all I need. It seems to handle switching from 16:9 to 4:3 and back again better than a lot I've seen Doesn't have zoom though

25-01-2002, 13:45	#5
MicroSmurf Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Peterborough Posts: 1,177	No problems at all with my 32" Grundig Xentia 100hz flatscreen since purchase apart from the geometry needing to be set up from out of the box. Since that was done by a bit of fiddling in the engineers menu it's been sweet as a nut. Great TV with space age looks and built like a tank.

25-01-2002, 13:47	#6
sidewinder Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Luton Posts: 234	I've had my Panasonic TX32PK20 since March and am very pleased with it.I've had no problems with it. (finds some wood to touch!).

25-01-2002, 17:29	#7
Simon WS Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kent Posts: 85	My Sony KV32FX60 has been perfect and trouble free from day one, about 2 years ago. Like you though, I'm dreading getting another one in the future in case it's a dud! I'm hoping it will last until plasma screens are (more) affordable. I just installed a Panasonic 42" plasma for a (girl) friend and the picture was unexpectedly stunning, so I REALLY want one now. Simon

25-01-2002, 19:04	#8
Orbitalzone Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sussex Posts: 12,173	My Sony KV28FX20 has been fine for nearly a year now, after the almost compulsory geometry tweaks as with nearly every widescreen TV sold nowadays! Excellent picture and reasonable sound too. Only complaint is that it's rear cabinet is too bulky for the empty space inside... this is very common with most makes of TV. As mentioned above, once you see a plasma screen, these widescreen TV's look so big and cumbersome!

26-01-2002, 09:37	#9
bowler Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 113	My Tosh widescreen TV needed a new tube after less than 3 years.

26-01-2002, 12:12	#10
mickrick Banned User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Under the bridge, near those 3 billy goats. Posts: 702	I have had my Toshiba 32" 100hz widescreen replaced twice in 9 months. Ended up splitting the difference with my supplier and buying a newer model. Geometry is a bit skanky and blacks are more like dark blues but I couldn't be arsed complaining again.

26-01-2002, 15:55	#11
Faust Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: UK Posts: 8,103	At least it is reassuring to learn that not all widescreen t.v.s are plauged by faults. Reading a lot of the complaints it seems to be the more expensive top of the range sets that are suffering. The alarming thing I find though is that when customers contact CS, appears to be Sony in particular, they fein suprise and say no one else has complained about this before - not encouraging. The other question that needs to be asked is what is happening to all the returns. Are they just shipped out again to some other poor unsuspecting mug who it is hoped will not notice, or at least not bother ot complain.

26-01-2002, 20:35	#12
iain Guest Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 62,990	My Sony 28FX60 has been great, tho' now at the grand old age of 2.5 years, there is a very slight (only noticable when watching widescreen stuff with black bars top and bottom) curve top and bottom. I've seen threads about thia avforums.co.uk - apparently the earths gravity causes this - there are magnets inside the tvs to counteract this - but after time they become less effective, hence the curving. I have a 5 yr warranty on the set - so maybe I should dig those out and maybe get a brand new equivalent model. Either that or get a technician out to be told "sorry sir, the set is within acceptable limits" Iain

28-01-2002, 09:10	#13
wicket Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: NE England Posts: 3,096	Just as a matter of interest, mickrick and bowler, what are the model numbers of your Toshiba tvs? My Dad has a Toshiba on his shortlist of tvs to buy. Thanks wicket

28-01-2002, 13:14	#14
resonator Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Portchester, Hants Posts: 32	My Sony KV28FQ75 is excellent. Had it about 15 months now. Picture is hard to fault, although there is a little bit of the screen bowing in at the extreme top of the picture in 14:9 mode. Not really a problem, though and I'm sure it could be tweaked out with the service menu controls. The bass was a bit weedy in comparison with my ex-Panasonic TX-21" nicam, until I got into the service menu and maxed out the volume on the sub-woofer... sounds great now! Steve

28-01-2002, 14:07	#15
bowler Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 113	Quote: Originally posted by wicket Just as a matter of interest, mickrick and bowler, what are the model numbers of your Toshiba tvs? My Dad has a Toshiba on his shortlist of tvs to buy. Thanks wicket My Toshiba is the 28W8DB. Fortunately my extended warranty covered the replacement tube. Incidentally the original tube was a Philips.

28-01-2002, 14:17	#16
wicket Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: NE England Posts: 3,096	Thanks bowler, this isn't the model he is looking at. Are all Toshiba's tubes made by Phillips? Would you still go for another Toshiba or would you look at another brand?

28-01-2002, 19:36	#17
bowler Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 113	Quote: Originally posted by wicket Thanks bowler, this isn't the model he is looking at. Are all Toshiba's tubes made by Phillips? Would you still go for another Toshiba or would you look at another brand? I think I would try another brand and look for at least a 3 year warranty. ASDA include this in their prices but choice is limited. I dont know if Toshiba use other tubes.

29-01-2002, 10:08	#18
wicket Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: NE England Posts: 3,096	Thanks again bowler, it doesn't say much for Toshiba tvs.

29-01-2002, 10:36	#19
Fudge Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Birmingham Posts: 1,510	My brother bought a Toshiba 32" wide/flat 100Hz Dolby Digital set last year (can't remember the model number) and it had to be returned as the picture was really bowed at the edges and the installer couldn't correct it. The replacement is much better, but still not what I'd expect for that kind of money.

29-01-2002, 13:58	#20
MSS Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wiltshire, UK Posts: 58	Currently on my 3rd Sony KV36FS70 in just over a year. First very quickly developed a yellow colour stain & after a month the dealer agreed to replace. Second set was damaged on delivery. Third (touch wood) has been perfect ! All required the compulsory geometry tweaks to which the dealer claimed to have no knowledge on how to acheive.

03-02-2002, 17:27	#21
Neil Arrowsmith Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: LEIGH, Lancs Posts: 111	I have a Panasonic 32PF10. Picture quality is very, very good.I've had no problems with it at all, but saying that will probably tempt fate! (I'm touching wood now!!!) I think that the picture is a lot better than the Sonys with DRC. Cheers, Neil

04-02-2002, 00:49	#22
bibble Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: a squeaky chair Posts: 218	Had a Panny TX32PF10 for 18 months now. Once I''d got the engineer out to position the picture properly (and to give me a chance to scribble down the engineer codes!) it's been splendid. Occasional 100hz jerkiness on r-l scrolling titles but that aside the image is just spot on. My only slight criticism is it doesn't seem to have a 14:9 mode - which I gather others use to watch 4:3 broadcasts on w/s telly. I find the auto-justified setting just a bit too s-t-retch-e-d at the sides. Incidentally - a mate's thinking of getting a Tosh 32Z17B. I cant find a similar spec (but better) prologic telly for the price. Any thoughts? tia

DS Forums

Has your widescreen t.v. been trouble free

01-03-2002, 08:59	#23
Pyara Forum Member Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 450	I've got a 36PW9525 widescreen with some slight geometry problems, does anyone know how to assist???

10-03-2002, 15:18	#24
Neil Arrowsmith Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: LEIGH, Lancs Posts: 111	I've got a Panasonic 32PF10. I've had it for just over 2 years. I'ts been totally excellent!!! Ta, Neil

10-03-2002, 18:30	#25
MicroSmurf Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Peterborough Posts: 1,177	Quote: Originally posted by Neil Arrowsmith I've got a Panasonic 32PF10. I've had it for just over 2 years. I'ts been totally excellent!!! Ta, Neil It must be so good you thought you would come back and tell us again , thats twice now