View Full Version : Two dead pixels on Panny plasma...should I exchange?
I just found two dead (i.e. black) blue pixels on my one week old Panasonic TH-50PX60U plasma. I'm still within my return window, so the question is...should I exchange the set? That's what I'm leaning toward since it seems that dead pixels are rare among plasmas, and I have two of 'em, but I don't want to get a set that's worse.
RandyWalters
06-26-06, 07:39 PM
[QUOTE=Schwa]I just found two dead (i.e. black) blue pixels on my one week old Panasonic TH-50PX60U plasma. I'm still within my return window, so the question is...should I exchange the set? That's what I'm leaning toward since it seems that dead pixels are rare among plasmas, and I have two of 'em, but I don't want to get a set that's worse.[/QUOTE]Can you see them from anywhere near your closest viewing distance? If not, it may not be worth the trouble or risk of exchanging it . . .
assJack1
06-26-06, 07:42 PM
Two are within spec, but that being said -- if you can exchange locally at a B&M I'd do over and over and over again until I didnt get a single one.
Kampfer
06-26-06, 08:14 PM
I agree, exchange it, I prefer not having the risk of more dead pixels showing up.
grendyl
06-26-06, 09:14 PM
I didn't know plasmas could have dead pixels. Can they appear later on like LCD's?
Hothersale
06-26-06, 09:39 PM
[QUOTE=Kampfer]I agree, exchange it, I prefer not having the risk of more dead pixels showing up.[/QUOTE]
Plasmas don't really work that way, AFAIK. Plasmas either come with dead pixels or they don't. From what I understand, it's extremely rare for a pixel to die after you receive it.
Me, I had a TH-37PHD8UK that had FIVE dead pixels. Needless to say, I did NOT keep it.
Well, the dead subpixels are not that noticeable. They're only visible on blue screens and, even then, they're invisible from more than about 3-4 feet. I'd hate to get another PDP with a stuck (always on) pixel, but I thought these problems were fairly rare with plasma TVs (I've seen it many, many times on LCD rear projection sets), hence my inclination to try for an exchange. I have until Saturday to decide, so I'll have to mull it over...
jimmymac613
06-26-06, 10:53 PM
[QUOTE=assJack1]Two are within spec, but that being said -- if you can exchange locally at a B&M I'd do over and over and over again until I didnt get a single one.[/QUOTE]
What "spec" are you referring to and what is the max allowed??
JockItch
06-27-06, 01:49 AM
I'm glad I complained about mine. I was considering not even worrying about it, since I couldn't see the one stuck pixel my Samsung HPS5053 has from normal viewing distance (the stuck pixel is located at the top of the screen near the center, and is only noticeable to me when a very light background is displayed in this area and when I'm looking for it from about 5' and in. My normal viewing distance is about 8-9').
I eventually decided to call up ABT (what the hell I figured) and inquire about an exchange since I was within the 30 day window. They had a tech come out to examine it. They offered an exchange or a $325 credit (on top of an exceptional deal I already received for the PDP). I took the credit and couldn't be happier that I called in the first place.
The moral of the story is even if the stuck/dead pixel doesn't bother you, it might be worth your while to call anyways.
assJack1
06-27-06, 05:58 AM
[QUOTE=jimmymac613]What "spec" are you referring to and what is the max allowed??[/QUOTE]
Every manufacture has a number of dead/stuck pixels that are acceptable. The numbers vary (2 to 5 is the usual). Usually you can find the details in the back of the manual where.
Jonesky
06-27-06, 09:03 AM
Return it.
dsmith901
06-27-06, 09:14 AM
[QUOTE=assJack1]Every manufacture has a number of dead/stuck pixels that are acceptable. The numbers vary (2 to 5 is the usual). Usually you can find the details in the back of the manual where.[/QUOTE]
Unless those "specs" are written into some contract you signed you are not bound by them. The vendor's return policy should prevail.
assJack1
06-27-06, 09:22 AM
[QUOTE=dsmith901]Unless those "specs" are written into some contract you signed you are not bound by them. The vendor's return policy should prevail.[/QUOTE]
If he manufacture says a pixel or two is acceptable and a vendor knows this, they do not have to exchange. Almost all will, some places wont. Go to a vendors website and read up on thier dead pixel policy. For B&M, I cant imagine a store not accepting a return.
Yeah, I'm leaning toward exchanging the set. The B&M I bought from has agreed to exchange; I just have to wait for them to get more PDPs in stock. If it were only one pixel, I'd probably live with it, but I think I can do better than two.
kentgbr
06-27-06, 03:16 PM
I exchanged a TH42PX60U with one dead pixel at a local B&M store. It was near the center of the panel and visible on light backgrounds out to about 6ft. If it was close to the bottom edge I might have let it go. There's no way could I tolerate more than one.
Hedonist
06-27-06, 04:17 PM
Schwa, You should lean all the way until you fall over!
Go and exchange that PDP and like someone else posted...keep doing so until you get a set that is perfect. You should get what you paid for, after all. :D
HiDefDon
06-27-06, 06:10 PM
I just bought a Pioneer 5060 and it has 2 dead red pixels, no dead blue pixels, and no dead green pixels. The two red pixels are about 9" apart on the left-most vertical quadrant of the panel. I am using all-red, all-green, and all-blue test "patterns" with a MyHD tuner card. The two dead pixels are only visible at a distance less than 3 to 4 feet. Since I will never need such a close viewing distance, I am not going to pack the whole thing up and ship it back to "Satellite and Sound".
DonP
High Gear
06-27-06, 07:55 PM
I had three stuck (on red) pixels right in the center of my TH-42PX60U. Panasonic did warranty it. As another poster said, the TV usually comes with that way and I have not heard of them becoming stuck after use. If it was me and the pixels were off to outer edges and not that noticable, I would keep the TV and see if I could get some money back. It's just a pain to repack everything and making the return. Stuck pixels are just the nature of the beast with plasmas. To me plasmas give the best picture out of all the technologys and is worth the chance of getting a few stuck pixels.
[QUOTE=Schwa]I just found two dead (i.e. black) blue pixels on my one week old Panasonic TH-50PX60U plasma. I'm still within my return window, so the question is...should I exchange the set? That's what I'm leaning toward since it seems that dead pixels are rare among plasmas, and I have two of 'em, but I don't want to get a set that's worse.[/QUOTE]
The more I read, the more it seems like I might get a set with a stuck (on) pixel rather than one with no dead/stuck pixels at all. I'd be PISSED if I got one with a stuck pixel, so I'm still up in the air over what to do! I'd bet that a significant number of those who claim to have no dead pixels probably just haven't looked that closely. Not that that's a bad idea at all; heck, I'd never spotted these if I hadn't searched for them. Regardless, now that I know they're there, they'll probably drive me crazy, but if I exchange for one that has stuck pixels, I'll be livid. What to do, what to do? Again, these are only visible when that area of the screen is blue, and even then they disappear at about 4 feet or so, even if you know where to look.
HiDefDon
06-28-06, 01:49 PM
[QUOTE=Schwa]The more I read, the more it seems like I might get a set with a stuck (on) pixel rather than one with no dead/stuck pixels at all. I'd be PISSED if I got one with a stuck pixel, so I'm still up in the air over what to do! I'd bet that a significant number of those who claim to have no dead pixels probably just haven't looked that closely. Not that that's a bad idea at all; heck, I'd never spotted these if I hadn't searched for them. Regardless, now that I know they're there, they'll probably drive me crazy, but if I exchange for one that has stuck pixels, I'll be livid. What to do, what to do? Again, these are only visible when that area of the screen is blue, and even then they disappear at about 4 feet or so, even if you know where to look.[/QUOTE]
Schwa, I think you indeed do have a high risk of finding more dead/stuck pixels if you swap TVs. For me it's just is not worth the hassle of repacking the panel and then still have good chance the replacement panel will be no better. Life is short and I have other priorities for my time.
I think you are quite correct that most people don't even notice. I have actually spent a lot of time (too much time) at Best Buy trying to spot dead/stuck pixels on the demo plasma TVs there. I have felt a bit self conscious while staring at a plasma TV for a long time and then noticing people giving me strange looks. Anyway, after all this time I have yet to spot any bad pixels at the store. Some of the demo TVs must have bad pixels so they are obviously very hard to spot when the picture is constantly changing.
DonP
Stephanie M
06-28-06, 01:56 PM
I would exchange it, especially if you are still within a decent time frame and they agree to swap it out for you.
Think about it this way, you are going to have this set for a couple years at least...even though at this point they may not be very noticeable imagine if they get stuck on another color because of a slightly elevated charge....imagine getting stuck on bright green. :eek:
My opinion: exchange it
Stephanie, from what I've read, the presence of two dead pixels doesn't indicate that there is a greater risk of those pixels (or any others) getting worse. Am I wrong?
newguy2
06-28-06, 05:16 PM
I'd keep it if I couldn't notice it at normal viewing distances (and I can't). Why? 1. I agreed to the product spec (including X stuck pixels) when I bought it and so I would keep my part of the bargain. 2. Returning it only makes the product more expensive for everyone (including me when I buy my next plasma). 3. I can't notice it, so I don't care that it is there.
newguy2, are you saying you have a PDP with dead/stuck pixels? Misery loves company, after all. :)
newguy2
06-29-06, 03:49 PM
Schwa- I reread my post and couldn't see anywhere I said that. No, I don't have any on my Fujitsu, but would not return it if I had a few that I couldn't see from my viewing position. When I bought my panel I was aware that there could be some according to published specs. Since you've been around this board for 6 years, you should be well aware that panels may contain dead/stuck pixels according to their manufacturers. Why does it surprise you to actually see it on yours? NG2
[QUOTE=Schwa]Stephanie, from what I've read, the presence of two dead pixels doesn't indicate that there is a greater risk of those pixels (or any others) getting worse. Am I wrong?[/QUOTE]
Yes, you run the risk of the pixels spreading. Chances are, since you have observed this many pixels on your unit within the first 30 days you are most likely going to see more. I'd suggest to return it for your protection, or exchange it.
This is one reason why our company offers AVS that extra level protection with the "pixel" program. After spending that much on a set, and your manufacturer not protecting it, it's better to play it safe vs. being sorry. I'd return it while you can.
Good luck on your pixel problem,
Cambryn
Yep, it's going back. In fact, my dealer's allowed me to take delivery of another set and "inspect" it in my home for a few days before I accept it. Hopefully the second one will be free of defects.
Thanks for the help!
For those who care, I just got my replacement plasma today, and I've already found one dead red pxiel, which, although not bad, is substantially easier to see than the dead blue pixels on my first set. What's weird is that the dead red pixel didn't show up when I searched for it using a red color field. Instead, I noticed it by accident as a green dot on someone's face when I happened to be close to the TV.
Anyway, I've got a week to decide which TV to keep, and I'm leaning toward the first one with the dead blue pixels. I've never noticed them at all in an active picture. I'll just see whether the red pixel on the new set fixes itself in the next few days.
Ha...just found a dead red pixel on my first plasma that's exactly like the one I found on the new set. Now I'm leaning toward keeping the new set, but I need to double-check it for more red dead pixels on it...what a pain!
kentgbr
07-17-06, 06:26 PM
Ha...just found a dead red pixel on my first plasma that's exactly like the one I found on the new set. Now I'm leaning toward keeping the new set, but I need to double-check it for more red dead pixels on it...what a pain!
I was lucky enough not to find any dead pixels on my replacement set, the original had one near center screen. Given the same number of bad pixels, I'd pick the PDP that has them farthest from the main viewing area, preferrably near the lower edges of the panel.
Given the same number of bad pixels, I'd pick the PDP that has them farthest from the main viewing area, preferrably near the lower edges of the panel.
That's the trouble...the first set has three dead pixels, all fairly close to the bottom edges of the viewing area. The replacement only has one dead pixel, but it's fairly close to the center of the screen. However, it's a "flasher," so it's not dead all the time. I still have a week to decide..perhaps the "flasher" will fix itself in that time (but I doubt it). I'll see whether I notice it in regular viewing; if not, I'll keep the second set.
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