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Planar PD7130 and PD7150 problems/issues POLL

post #1 of 35
1/8/09 at 9:38am
Thread Starter 
I wanted to help out Richum a little in his compilation of data for contacting Planar about some of the common issues many of us are experiencing with these particular projectors.

It probably goes without saying, but please don't respond to the poll if you don't have one of these particular models of projector.

On to the poll.
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post #2 of 35
1/8/09 at 11:13am
Thread Starter 
After you vote, it might be helpful to post a little message to keep this poll popping up near the top while we're trying to collect information.

Thanks!
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post #3 of 35
1/8/09 at 11:49am
Thanks naschbac for putting this up.

I have several of these issues but I would also like to make it clear to others that this pj has a beautiful picture. It is very sharp, crystal clear and HD material looks freakin great!

Planar, fix these issues and learn from it. Give us a firmware upgrade and you will find some very happy customers
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post #4 of 35
1/8/09 at 12:27pm
Thread Starter 
I completely agree about the quality of the image. It's quite spectacular. Great optics for superb sharpness, great flexibility in placement for a DLP projector, excellent color calibration from the factory, greyscale tracking is excellent as well.

Many of us got these for a very good deal I suspect. Based on the image quality I'd buy it again, despite the issues listed above (excepting flicker and fan noise). If I had paid MSRP, I'd be very disappointed, as other players (Marantz, JVC, Sharp, etc.) offer great alternatives at similar prices.

My concern is that I'll definitely be upgrading to 1080p, and based on these seemingly resolvable issues (presuming they go unresolved) I'd have a very hard time considering Planar as the manufacturer of my next purchase pending any known issues, because I'd have little faith they'd be resolved.
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post #5 of 35
1/8/09 at 3:32pm
I'll second that. The picture looks great out of the box. Best one I've owned (too bad it's not 1080p). The horizontal and vertical lens shift is worth every penny. The greyed out controls don't bother me much since it's par for the course with digital connections. The lamp flickering causes me some concern though and 1080p would be nice if it worked right.

BTW I also have a W5000 that needs a serious calibration to reach it's full potential. Wish I could take the best of both units and put them in one PJ. I'd be in PJ Nirvana.
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post #6 of 35
1/8/09 at 5:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SauceXX View Post

I'll second that. The picture looks great out of the box. Best one I've owned (too bad it's not 1080p). The horizontal and vertical lens shift is worth every penny. The greyed out controls don't bother me much since it's par for the course with digital connections. The lamp flickering causes me some concern though and 1080p would be nice if it worked right.

BTW I also have a W5000 that needs a serious calibration to reach it's full potential. Wish I could take the best of both units and put them in one PJ. I'd be in PJ Nirvana.

I put 150 hours on it my first month. The picture is very good, but when I go watch my Marantz 12S4 it makes me really appreciate what the 12S4 can do. I am viewing both projectors on the same size screen and viewing distance is with in 6" of being the same. The Planar 7130 has the advantage of being in an all black room. Best $600 projector that I have seen.
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post #7 of 35
1/9/09 at 3:52am
Thanks for you help, this is so complete and the descriptions of the issues are well stated. I think I can use this to refer Planar to after I have contacted them.
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post #8 of 35
1/9/09 at 2:57pm
Just voted in this poll...great idea!! Thanks to all who worked to put this together...and also adding my voice that this is an incredible projector (PD7130). It's making me spend more $$ on leftover HD and BD as well as DVD...
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post #9 of 35
1/10/09 at 4:29am
Looks like we have had 20 folks respond to the poll and about 5 answer the other threads with details such as firmware number ect. We should be about ready to contact planar.
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post #10 of 35
1/10/09 at 7:12am
Great job RICHUM,strength in numbers!
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post #11 of 35
1/10/09 at 10:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rjmelkon View Post

Great job RICHUM,strength in numbers!

Thanks and special thanks to naschbac for starting the Poll. I will compose an email to Planar and fire it off late Sunday afternoon.

I want to wait that long to see if we get any more issues/comments and since Planar will not read the email until Monday at the earliest it shouldn't hurt to wait. In my experience their email support is slow, meaning a week or more before I have gotten a reply.

After a little consideration, it may be that the deinterlace will not be enabled unless you feed the projector with 480i signals, then again we should have all responses indicate that. There could be more explanations for grayed out menu items such as color/tint adjustments, hopefully they will comment soon.
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post #12 of 35
1/10/09 at 11:27am
Thread Starter 
Hey not a problem. I'd like to get these issues fixed like anybody else.

Two issues to note:

1) A lack of a vote does not necessarily mean the lack of an issue; as some people may have been unable to test for certain problems (1080p compatibility, etc.)

2) You're going to meet resistance in the fact that Planar claims these projectors do not have field upgradable firmware. I find that claim somewhat suspect however, given the presence of the RS-232 port.
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post #13 of 35
1/10/09 at 2:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by naschbac View Post

Hey not a problem. I'd like to get these issues fixed like anybody else.

Two issues to note:

1) A lack of a vote does not necessarily mean the lack of an issue; as some people may have been unable to test for certain problems (1080p compatibility, etc.)

2) You're going to meet resistance in the fact that Planar claims these projectors do not have field upgradable firmware. I find that claim somewhat suspect however, given the presence of the RS-232 port.

I guess we should remember that these projectors are marketed to the high end and usually through boutique dealers who also install and service. So they might be field upgradeable by professional dealer/installers. In which case Planar could provide the service through those dealers, but to be sure there would be a cost involved. Who pays?

I have every confidence that most of us could perform the flashing of the EEPROM with our computer if given adequate instructions.
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post #14 of 35
1/20/09 at 6:47am
To let everyone know, I have not yet sent the email to Planar support. I have it in draft but I want to make sure I cover all topics. I will be receiving my 7150 back from Planar tonight and I will hook it up and test with several different connections to determine for certain that I have not missed any items. After that I will complete the email and send it.

I read in 7130/7150 owners thread that someone contacted Planar and they stated that the firmware is not considered field upgradeable, because so many had been trashed even when attempted by authorized dealer techs.

It appears if they agree to issue new firmware that it will require sending the unit in. I doubt that is going to happen unless we are willing to cover the cost. Just a guess on my part.
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post #15 of 35
1/20/09 at 8:12am
My 7130 now has the high speed fan problem. I am going to have to contact Planar for repair. I get my new driver for my DIY sub today (box built, painted and ready for driver). I am going to wait a few days so that I can at least see a movie or two with my new sub.
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post #16 of 35
1/20/09 at 9:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mjg100 View Post

My 7130 now has the high speed fan problem. I am going to have to contact Planar for repair. I get my new driver for my DIY sub today (box built, painted and ready for driver). I am going to wait a few days so that I can at least see a movie or two with my new sub.

When you contact them it might be wise to see if they have a newer firmware, which I doubt, but it might get the ball rolling.

Also before you send it in, I recommend that you photograph its condition.

Mine arrived at the TSC Depot in Milpitas Calif. with some minor scratches on the case (or so they say) and they put a hold on shipment to determine if I wanted to pay for the replacement parts because of the scratches, I declined after they emailed photos and I saw how minor they were.

Once it is in the system and you want to check its status it is best done by choosing the RMA option when you call them. Usually RMA will then give you a direct number (not toll free) to the RMA department and you won't spend hours on hold, also RMA is very good about answering email.

Just my experience, as they say YMMV.
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post #17 of 35
1/20/09 at 9:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richum View Post

When you contact them it might be wise to see if they have a newer firmware, which I doubt, but it might get the ball rolling.

Also before you send it in, I recommend that you photograph its condition.

Mine arrived at the TSC Depot in Milpitas Calif. with some minor scratches on the case (or so they say) and they put a hold on shipment to determine if I wanted to pay for the replacement parts because of the scratches, I declined after they emailed photos and I saw how minor they were.

Once it is in the system and you want to check its status it is best done by choosing the RMA option when you call them. Usually RMA will then give you a direct number (not toll free) to the RMA department and you won't spend hours on hold, also RMA is very good about answering email.

Just my experience, as they say YMMV.

Thanks. I am glad that this is not my only projector. I would hate to be with out a projector for very long.
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post #18 of 35
1/20/09 at 9:39am
I sent my PD7130 in to Planar one week ago, on Tuesday. I call Planar today to check on the repair status and the lovely lady on the phone says they have NOT received the unit...

Holy crap...

I have a UPS tracking info confirming the delivery on Thursday of last week.

TSC is not part of Planar, it is an outside company, right Richum?
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post #19 of 35
1/20/09 at 10:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jumbo11 View Post

I sent my PD7130 in to Planar one week ago, on Tuesday. I call Planar today to check on the repair status and the lovely lady on the phone says they have NOT received the unit...

Holy crap...

I have a UPS tracking info confirming the delivery on Thursday of last week.

TSC is not part of Planar, it is an outside company, right Richum?

This is what it said when I searched the address:

Technical Service Corp
(Optoma Technology)
725 Sycamore Dr, Milpitas, CA 95035-7411

It looks like this projector is an Optoma after all. I called today to send it back in because the unit would power up, show the logo screen, then I would get about 30 seconds of TV, then it would go black.
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post #20 of 35
1/20/09 at 10:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richum View Post

To let everyone know, I have not yet sent the email to Planar support. I have it in draft but I want to make sure I cover all topics. I will be receiving my 7150 back from Planar tonight and I will hook it up and test with several different connections to determine for certain that I have not missed any items. After that I will complete the email and send it.

I read in 7130/7150 owners thread that someone contacted Planar and they stated that the firmware is not considered field upgradeable, because so many had been trashed even when attempted by authorized dealer techs.

It appears if they agree to issue new firmware that it will require sending the unit in. I doubt that is going to happen unless we are willing to cover the cost. Just a guess on my part.

They don't even pay return shipping for warranty repairs.
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post #21 of 35
1/20/09 at 1:39pm
Nah, it's definitely not an Optoma. The x130/x150 have an advanced light path like no other.

TSC is a repair jobber, subcontracted by the design firms.
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post #22 of 35
1/24/09 at 9:11am
Well? Richum? How's your PJ? Any word back? Or are you watching TV...

My firmware is 260.11.157. How about others?
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post #23 of 35
1/24/09 at 9:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by quantumstate View Post

Well? Richum? How's your PJ? Any word back? Or are you watching TV...

My firmware is 260.11.157. How about others?

So far so good. Fan speed problem is fixed, I have a problem with my Comcast Cable box recognizing the PD7150 and I have to boot to my HD DVD drive and then switch to cable after to get it to work. It is probably more the cable box than the projector. I am going to start trying different connections to see if it changes any of the selectable menu items, such as color/tint that are now not usable with HDMI/DVI.
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post #24 of 35
1/24/09 at 9:43am
Firmware rev?
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post #25 of 35
1/24/09 at 12:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by quantumstate View Post

Firmware rev?

Is was the same as yours before I sent it in, but I will check this evening when I get in from work to see if it has changed.
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post #26 of 35
2/25/09 at 3:36am
For those interested, I have sent an email to Planar Support listing of the various issues, its been two weeks and no reply. I just sent the email again.....maybe this time they will respond, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
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post #27 of 35
2/25/09 at 4:46pm
hmmm my 7150 is in for service with the jet engine fan noise and the lamp can take up to 7-8 minutes to strike up. I should know something tomorrow. I also asked them to check my firmware for an upgrade...will see. They have been very easy to work with though I will say that.
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post #28 of 35
2/25/09 at 8:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by scooterdog View Post

hmmm my 7150 is in for service with the jet engine fan noise and the lamp can take up to 7-8 minutes to strike up. I should know something tomorrow. I also asked them to check my firmware for an upgrade...will see. They have been very easy to work with though I will say that.

I have noticed that the high speed fan is some how related to the cold weather. We are warming up here in Houston and on warm days the problems just seem to go away.

If the projector sits all night in a cold room it will start up at high speed and not slow down. I can cycle it off for a few minutes and when I turn it on again it operates normally.

It was sent in and had the fan speed controller board replaced, so it may be a design flaw or run of poorly made circuit boards causing the problems. I also have on occasions the slow lamp start up issue, but is rare.

It produces an outstanding picture and I hope the problems will be resolved sooner or later. As it stands, I can't see myself buying any Planar product again. They seem so unreliable.
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post #29 of 35
2/26/09 at 8:29am
Hey, I used to own an Optoma, and this is a walk in the park compared with that.
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post #30 of 35
2/26/09 at 9:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by quantumstate View Post

Hey, I used to own an Optoma, and this is a walk in the park compared with that.

Thanks, Optoma is now off the list as well.
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