Panasonic 11G/12G/13G black levels have seemingly doubled overnight? - Page 126

My idea is that the tech could inspect and evaluate the TV, so see if the black level has increased and by how much, check the current voltage values. Take that information, and adjust the firmware source code accordingly, compile a custom firmware and then apply it. Sounds like a complicated process, and probably expensive to have qualified people make those repairs.

I would hope that given the increased exposure of the issue (c-net and others) would help a little in convincing panasonic to at least fix the issue for those who complain about it. But you're right, their attitude so far suggests that they will try to walk away from the issue

D-Nice,

Couple of questions in case you missed them in the flood of posts.

Q: What do you think the settling MLL will be for 58/65 panels and the smaller panels without a fix?

Q: Can the "fix" restore affected panels to good MLL levels or it can only prevent further rise?

Thanks. I'd understand if you have reasons why you can't or won't answer.

Yeah, my issue was also forwarded to a "tech" who will be calling me in 1-3 business days as well. We'll see how this goes.

OK Lads, and Lassies. Let us take stock.

Panasonic has decided to stonewall. The question is now, what are those of you who have married a Panasonic Raven Haired Beauty, only to see her turn Badger Grey, before the first wedding anniversary, going to do about it. Are you going to take it lying down or are you going to fight back?

I do not have the problem, but I was planning on purchasing three or four of their new more energy efficient 2010 models, now that my solar panels have been installed. I can tell you this, I am not going to purchase Panasonic units now, because they have just stated that they will not stand behind a serious defect, and rectify it.

Here is what I recommend you affected owners should do.

You should all contact the Federal Dept. Of Consumer Protection and register your complaints.

When you purchased your sets, you were told what the contrast levels were, and therefore you had been provided with a reasonable expectation of such a performance, at least through the one year owner warranty period, provided by the manufacturer. If they did not spell out that the black levels would fade rapidly during the first year, then they are responsible for the flaw, and must provide an acceptable solution.

Also, those of you who purchased from Big Box chains, should start to inundate them with your complaints, and let them know that if Panasonic does not provide a satisfactory solution to the problem, then you will never purchase from Panasonic, or the vendor who sold you the product, ever again.

You can also get your state consumer protection agencies involved. Also local TV consumer reporters. Companies hate bad media publicity.

I see a lot of you trying to figure out a way that Panasonic can provide a fix. That is not your problem. How much it will cost them is not your problem.

They turned out a defective product, and they must be the one who provides a satisfactory solution. Forget about how much it will cost them. They are not worrying about how much it already cost you to purchase a product that is not living up to reasonable customer expectations, based on the published performance specs. from Panasonic.

Those of you with the THX feature should look into if the rising light level has violated the certification standards. Ask THX what they are going to do about it. The more big time players you have putting pressure on Panasonic, the better chance you have of being taken care of, like you deserve to be. I am sure that Panasonic would not want to lose their THX certification, so let THX know, that if they do not get Panasonic to do the right thing, then you will no longer trust the THX certification on any product.

Use your heads. Fight back. Let Panasonic know that not doing anything, will cost them a massive loss in future sales.

Go get them.

I agree 100% with greenland.

+1

Does anyone know of a way to notify major news networks? (CNN, MSNBC, heck even Fox News) This can easily be tied into Toyota's recent misfortunes and the press loves anything that will perpetuate the beating of a dead horse. Sooner or later, they'll use it.

What about the THX fix? As far as I know, currently you can only get your THX firmware fix by calling and having a technician come install the firmware. Isn't that just as expensive? I know only a handful of people are going to actually call, but wouldn't that be the same case with the rising black levels?

Personally, I'm waiting a month for the firmware to get pushed through Viera, after that I'm calling Panny and having them send a technician. They could save themselves some money by issuing both firmwares together.

Unless of course they do plan on eventually pushing the update through Viera.

Late last night, someone was whining about people's complaints here and I responded with a post similar greenland's saying people should not just stay quiet and hope for Panny to come around. The mod deleted it somehow.

perfect.

+2

I think its time to start posting 1 star reviews on Amazon.com. Those reviews are very valuable to a large group of people. There's no need to lie, simply state the facts. Post reviews on bestbuy.com and all the major television retailers. When people see horrible reviews for these television sets, it's going to really hurt Panny.

I think Panasonic is really underestimating the power of the internet. When I bought my THX ceritified G10 I knew the color accuracy would be a bit off, I did NOT know black levels would rise to mid level LCDS.

At this point we don't even know if all sets or only a few will be affected. All we've been able to identify is that there is a problem, but that the larger sets seem to not be affected. We can only assume that all sets are affected, there's no reason to give Panasonic the benefit of the doubt at this point.

Did that weeks ago

D-Nice posted that the 58"/65" were not effected by the THX mess up as that was corrected in production.
No we are noticing that these sets (so far) are not exhibiting huge MLL jumps.
Hmmm

Again I have a 58S1 with the jump.

Panasonic finally replied regarding the black levels on my TH-46PZ800U:

REPLY #1
"Thank you for your inquiry.

This issue has been idetified as normal operation of the TV as the black levels will go down over time but we are still investigating the issue to see if a fix is needed.

We hope this information is helpful to you. Thank you for contacting Panasonic."

REPLY #2
"Thank you for your inquiry.

If a fix is needed and it requires firmware it will be in warranty.

We hope this information is helpful to you. Thank you for contacting Panasonic."

Does the S1 even have THX mode? I ask because it's one of the cheaper models so it's possible it's not up to the same QC standards as the G10/G15/V10

Gov are you talking just v series since you are using THX in the first comment. If so I guess there really was a reason to pay extra for the 58/65 v series.. D nice stated I am suppose to be at .005-.0068.. My friend told me I was at .007 on non calibrated THX mode with 1000+ hours.

Penndrag0on...how did you manage to secure a refund from panasonic?

I have had my set a little over a month and I do not want to even roll the dice on this one...but unfortunately Im beyond the return policy time frame from my retailer.

Contact CNN: http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form11b.html?1
Contact MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6348977/

What I wrote:

Headline: Japanese Manufacturer Reliability Questioned Again: First Toyota, Now Panasonic

Body:
A major flaw has been uncovered in Panasonic's consumer plasma televisions. They lose their contrast levels/ratios over time and put them into the performance class of much cheaper sets. Bob Perry, Senior Vice President of Panasonic, issued a statement saying that they will not be providing a fix for affected customers. See:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-...?tag=mncol;txt
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-...?tag=mncol;txt
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-...?tag=mncol;txt

Yes, sorry.

What about touring calibrators? Do you think they could implement the fix?



..dane

Just a suggestion - for anyone with an online Consumer Reports account, the G10 and V10 consumer reviews are pretty much glowing across the board. Perhaps some with firsthand increasing black levels experience might temper those particular reviewer ratings.

I'm an not comfortable doing that myself, both because I'm not a present owner (been an interested fence sitting consumer, sort of waiting this one out), and I'm not in any way an authority on CE products.

If I can read between the lines, I'd say that you might be implying that there will be many panny owners who won't notice the black changes (or can live with it) and they will remain quite happy with their sets. Whereas, those of a more critical nature, well...they will and are going bonkers. Boils down to the eye of the beholder.

Personally, I think I can live with it, if it happens (and, unfortunately, I'm sure it will), but I do believe that those who were looking for the best (and thought they had it in the 2009 Panny) should get together and look for a lawyer(s). Although I said I may be able to live with the black issue, I am still quite PO'd with Panny for denying a fix and certainly would be willing to join in a class action suite.

If Panny doesn't fix this, no more Panny's for me and others will hear about this failure to provide what was promised.

D-Nice -- Perhaps I am misinterpreting, but it seems that you are implying that the problem affects EVERY set but the only difference is that some notice it and care, whereas others don't. But the "human factor" explanation doesn't explain the variability -- why is the problem inconsistent with some experiencing severe cases, others experiencing mild cases, and others not?

From what I can tell it is not simply a perception issue, there seems to be some measurable data that the problem is not affecting all models. Is there an explanation for the variation?



Can I take this to mean that you believe ANY rise above the initial range is "abnormal"? I always thought some variation in MLL over the life of the set was normal....

That is irrelevant, because the people that bought Panasonic 11G and 12G plasmas, 'bargained for' a certain quality and specification of plasma TV. However, after a few hundred hours, the TVs are markedly different than what they first observed, rather than aging gradually like other plasmas (or lcds or crts); that is design flaw, and Panasonic should make it right with the consumers affected.

If they, indeed, say the TVs will correct themselves, then they should say at what hour mark the TVs will be fine, and if they aren't, customers should be entitled to a replacement with an equivalent 13G plasma (or whatever year is current at the time), regardless of warranty status, as long as they contact Panasonic within a certain number of 'TV hours', after the pre-specified correction time. Sound fair?

Yep im with you there. I don't think Panasonic realize the enthusiasts are the reason there TV's are selling so well. Word of mouth travels fast, i have persuaded 6 other people that would have bought a LED to get a Panasonic Plasma and they have got their friends to by Panasonic Plasmas too. I have even convinced quite a few people on Xbox.com to buy one. All these sales because of ONE enthusiast.

I will make it my mission to make sure no one i know ever buys a Panasonic TV again. I will also post on xbox.com telling people to stay away.

Just thought I'd post for an small FYI

The question has been asked: At what point will the panels stabilize? This fellow Bob Perry, Senior VP of Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (re: C|Net article) said that it takes more or less three years. Based on that information and statistically the average American watches 154 hours of TV per month (Neilsonwire, May 2009) it would take 5508 hours for the panel to get to that stable point. Quite a few hours...could only imagine what kind of gauntlet we'll need go through to get the excellent picture quality he's talking about if we get hit with the black level issue.

OPPO, please enter the televison market...please.

I'm still catching up with the new posts. I *THINK* this is the scan board mandatory update and if I'm not mistaken, I read somewhere that an S1 had this potential for a prob/ it occurred with someone. Check the techtraining site of Panasonic and look for your model and its updates.

Edit:

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