Panasonic Plasma TH 58PZ700U - Purple bar

regman · Post by **regman** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 8:51 pm

My Panasonic plasma TH 58PZ700U just developed a weird and annoying problem. There is a translucent, 3 1/4" wide, purple bar that extends from the top down, on the right hand side 14" and 10" from the edge of the screen. It even does it with photo SD cards so I know that it's not system related. It is especially obvious when there is a blue screen. I took a good close look and it is also occuring in every other line of vertical pixels (within the purple bar). The set is 2 years old, sees relatively light use (I have a second HDTV system), no gaming and mainly used for movies and HD digital content. Forunately I purchased an extended 5 year warranty. It is configured as a monitor with only HDMI1 being used

Anyone experience a similar problem?

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 12:34 pm

This is a common problem that can occur with any plasma product. Either you have a bad drive board (highly unlikely), bad ribbon connection (slightly possible), or bad panel (most common result).

This is one case where you will be happy you have an extended warranty. Call them and get the process rolling. More than likely the product will end up replaced rather than replace the panel. If so, the extended warranty becomes void but you will have the manufacturers warranty on the new replacement product. You can buy another extended warranty for the replacement if you desire.

Good Luck!

regman · Post by **regman** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 6:09 pm

Thanks for the heads up Richard. One little glitch was that i was supposed to register the TV with the waranty people within 30 days. The little black folder the warranty came in was stapled to the invoice and the sticker instructing me to do so was on the back side. I didn't notice it until the set had a problem that couldn't be resolved by the Viera concierge service techs. I bought the warranty because the set was shipped from Brooklyn NY andf I figured there was a possibility of shipping damage. Makes me feel warm & fuzzy about plasma now - so much for the so-called 100,000 hr life span. This set hasn't seen heavy use either. More often then not I still use my technics direct view 34" crt set (which always works perfect). It cost more than the plasma...

Was this the real reason the Pioneer bailed out of the plasma business?

regman · Post by **regman** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:46 pm

And while we're on the subject of potential replacement TV's what the heck is a 14x9 aspect ratio?

akirby · Post by **akirby** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:46 am

It's either a typo or a TV you don't want.

regman · Post by **regman** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 7:58 am

Now after watching the purple bar for over a week it has vanished and the picture is perfect again.

The story gets even better. The company I bought it from is no longer in business and the warranty company - Repairtech - has a class action suit against it for fraud. Anyone have experience with Repairtech?

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 10:35 am

One little glitch was that i was supposed to register the TV with the waranty people within 30 days.

Hmm... Not sure if that alone can void the service that you paid money for? I know with a brick and mortar store they are likely entering product information when they sell the warranty. Lots of people forget they even bought an extended warranty. And the plot thickens; many manufacturers have access to extended warranty providers data bases and can look up if a TV is under extended warranty which comes into play when an owner is upset at the manufacturer over a product and they get to pull their release of liability out of their hat; you have an extended warranty on your product, get it fixed or get it replaced under that but it