[Morphie]

What noice-level should one expect from a Plasma?


I was promissed that the plasma would just humm a little, but my Panasonic TH-42PW6 is giving off "tinitus"-sounds that varies in pitch with the contrast on the screen. The noise is loud enough to be heard through conversations or normal sound-output.


anyone?

 

[Jasonjo]

How far away can you hear it?

 

[MarkMSM]

Plasma buzz is one of the most discussed topics in this forum.


It really depends how you have it mounted and room acoustics. There have been some reports that wall mounting can amplify the native buzz.


I'm on my second 6UY and it buzzes just as loud as the first one.


It's audible during very quiet scenes at 10'+ if you really listen for it.


I can hear my DVD Player spinning and my VCR winding just the same from 10' if I mute the sound. I think its the changing pitch during bright/dark scenes that really draws our attention to it.


Just trying to save you the hassle of the exchange.


Most people on this forum will say "no buzz" when asked, but those with sensitve ears will pick it up.

 

[ed2day]

They vary unit-to-unit even among the same model, make no mistake about it. Plasma's dirty little secret.

 

[Malachy]

Morphie:

Also apparently high altitude--above 3,000 or so feet--contributes to significant buzzing. Zenith even has developed a high altitude version of it plasma to deal with this. Are you at a high altitude? From what I have read here at the AVS Forum what ed2day says sounds true. Some folks with the identical model plasma claim they can hear no buzzing unless they literally put their heads up against the back of the monitor with the sound off while others claim they can hear it clearly across 10 feet with the volume at normal level. While this may in part be a function of room acoustics and individual differences in hearing ability, I kind of doubt that it accounts for such a major difference. But before you call Panasonic or the dealer who sold it to you, perhaps you could experiment on a couple of friends. Maybe your hearing is unusually sensitive, though it is unlikely.

 

[Morphie]

Thanks for the feedback guys, appreciated.


I try to distinguish between the basic buzz of the unit, which I only hear if put my ear real close to the top or sides of the unit, and the high-pitch noise that changes pitch during bright/dark scenes which is the real issue here, as we have to put the sound up high to blur out it (which does not go well with babies )


I have tested it on 5 friends so far, and 4 thought it was annoying while one thought it could be endured.


Surey it must be in Panasonic's interest to replace bad units?

 

[MarkMSM]

Please let us know how it goes....

 

[timcarlson]

Quote:

Originally posted by Morphie Thanks for the feedback guys, appreciated. I try to distinguish between the basic buzz of the unit, which I only hear if put my ear real close to the top or sides of the unit, and the high-pitch noise that changes pitch during bright/dark scenes which is the real issue here, as we have to put the sound up high to blur out it (which does not go well with babies ) I have tested it on 5 friends so far, and 4 thought it was annoying while one thought it could be endured. Surey it must be in Panasonic's interest to replace bad units?

I have similar issues with my 6UY. I have it wall mounted and actually decided to place some acoustic foam around the sides. Not all the way around because I don't want to bake the plasma onto the wall Most of the high pitched sound comes from the left side of the unit. The right side seems to just have a low pitched constant hum. The foam reduced the noise level somewhat, but not as much as I would have liked.


Just wanted to make sure other people had seen/heard this problem before I talked with the company that sold me the unit.


Tim

 

[Suprfly2k]

My new 42pwd6u does not make this noise. There is a SLIGHT hum if I put my ear to the bottom left, but it is inaudible at anything more than a foot. I would be concerned.

 

[MarkMSM]

Quote:

Originally posted by timcarlson I have similar issues with my 6UY. I have it wall mounted and actually decided to place some acoustic foam around the sides. Not all the way around because I don't want to bake the plasma onto the wall Most of the high pitched sound comes from the left side of the unit. The right side seems to just have a low pitched constant hum. The foam reduced the noise level somewhat, but not as much as I would have liked. Just wanted to make sure other people had seen/heard this problem before I talked with the company that sold me the unit. Tim

I would say the noise you hear is to be expected. Wall mounting can increase the buzzing/ringing sounds during bright scenes.


I'm on my 2nd 6UY and it sounds the same as the 1st. I tried the sound barrier thing as well, but it didn't help much.

 

[timcarlson]

So did you get the first unit replaced by the vendor or Panasonic? Did they take it back with no questions asked? I'm interested to know what your experience is before making the call to my vendor. I've still got a few weeks left on my 30 day return policy. Oh.. and I am basically at sea level +300ft

 

[MarkMSM]

Quote:

Originally posted by timcarlson So did you get the first unit replaced by the vendor or Panasonic? Did they take it back with no questions asked? I'm interested to know what your experience is before making the call to my vendor. I've still got a few weeks left on my 30 day return policy. Oh.. and I am basically at sea level +300ft

Both, my vendor told me to call Pansonic Tech. Support. Panasonic Tech support said there should be no noise on the 6UY (This is BS) and authorized an "IF" (Initial Failure). I called the Vendor back with the Authorization from Panasonic and the Vendor shipped out a new unit and arranged for a pick up of the old.


When the new one was delivered, it had tipped over in the back of the truck and fell on the wheel of an unsecured, upside down dolly. The wheel punctured the outer box, but the set still worked fine. I made sure it worked before I accepted the unit. However, now I'm stuck with one that has been dropped.


I would think twice about getting a replacement. You may wind up with a noisier one than the one you have now. If it bothers you too much, you should consider the consumer model. It's more expensive but it has a plastic chassis instead of a metal one on the 6UY. I have yet to see someone complain about the noise on the Consumer Panny, but I've seen quite a few complaints about the noise on the 6UY.


Good Luck! Let us know what you decide....