Philips Plasma DEAD!

IanStephenson · #1 05-31-2008, 09:28 AM

My Philips 42" HD Plasma TV died last week... It was about 2 years old!

The local TV guy looked at, and recons it's easily fixable for about $200, but he can't get the part - apparently Philips are notoriously bad at supplying service parts, and the bit he needs is a custom philips part. Basicaly no part = no repair.

The only people who can/could fix it are Philips themselves... One of the guys at the repair place said he had exactly the same TV, and it broken a few months earlier - and of course was also unrepairabe.

They've told us the can repair it for SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS... Ouch. Now the real stinger: $600 PLUS PARTS!!!!!! (parts being unspecified in price, and basicaly at Philips discretion as they make them, and don't supply them to anyone else - so it could easily be $800 or more)

Guess I'm looking for a new TV (currently watching a 14" CRT which just isn't the same!), and it's probably not going to be a Philips...

The Samsung LCD's are looking good and cheap...

Ian

Trevorus · #2 05-31-2008, 09:32 AM

That's one of the bad things about proprietary parts and such... Especially on an item like a plasma TV. That really sucks.

Mon Rominee · #3 05-31-2008, 10:06 AM

Well I just bought a Philips LCD through Dell. We'll see as it goes. I'm really sorry to hear about your set's problems...

Sure the samsung look good and cheap, but that is becuase they are...well, cheap. Not dissing them, but I've at times found their displays rather buggy looking in fast motions. Lots of artifacts.

RWP · #4 05-31-2008, 10:18 AM

Sorry your TV died.

These days I think you have to assume that unless you can repair you own electronic stuff, it's disposable. As you can see service costs are so high it is difficult to justify the repair. That is one reason I never buy the latest and greatest of anything electronic.

peterbright · #5 05-31-2008, 10:27 AM

That's a royal pain.

DigMe · #6 05-31-2008, 10:52 AM

Next time buy it through Sam's Club. You could take it back and walk out with a new TV the same day.

bc

Mingus · #7 05-31-2008, 11:05 AM

Costco too.

DigMe · #8 05-31-2008, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mingus

Costco too.

Nope.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Consumer Reports

Costco, long known for having one of the most liberal return policies of any retailer, has tightened the reins for returns on many electronics products, including HDTVs. As a result of the new policy, which mirrors those already in place for computers, customers will now have only 90 days to return TVs, cameras, camcorders, iPods and other MP3 players, and cell phones.

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/ele...rchTerm=costco

Sam's Club warranty on TVs continues to be unlimited in time.

bc

Scarlet Fire · #9 05-31-2008, 03:24 PM

I first I was like "who's Philip Plasma?" Then I realized I can't read.

IanStephenson · #10 05-31-2008, 03:54 PM

Just ordered a Sony 40" LCD... real 1080p 24fps. Not much more than the cheaper Samsungs.

Got it online, with a three year warrenty (Normally a rippoff, but paid £30 for the extra warrenty - given the previous experience it sounded like a good deal).

Now I've just got to hope I don't get any dead pixels or I'll be even less happy.

Ian

(and apologies to Mr Philip Plasma - rumours of HIS death are greatly exagerated)

Kruton · #11 05-31-2008, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scarlet Fire

I first I was like "who's Philip Plasma?" Then I realized I can't read.

I did the exact same thing.

RIP Philip Plasma

Edit:

?

KeithBMI · #12 05-31-2008, 05:34 PM

I have a 47" Samsung LCD. The blacks could be none more blacker. Great looking TV.

wilser · #13 05-31-2008, 05:53 PM

Samsung makes great TVs ...I'm on my third one now and their service is great.

bobbykokinos · #14 05-31-2008, 11:03 PM

Another addition for the "samsung is great for the price" club.. I have a 50" Samsung 5064 plasma which I've been very happy with. Parts are readily available for them. I went through an issue which I bought a floor model which was defective. Not samsungs fault, but the store for not disclosing it until I got home. I got a huge run around from the store for 5 months but Samsung replaced the TV (which was an older, floor model) for a brand new, in box, newest version of the TV.

scottic2 · #15 06-02-2008, 07:31 AM

I had the same exact problem with a Philips tv, it was a rear-projection, this was about 5 years ago. We had constant issues with the TV, and then, magically 1 day after it was out of warranty, it went completely dead. Philips would not do anything for us, not even covering the cost of only parts or labor. We contacted a local Philips repair shop, and the technician told us that he could fix the TV for $400 plus labor, but he could only give us a 90 day warranty on the labor, not even the parts. We decided, given the history with this tv, to just dump it. Seriously. $1300 TV, 2 years old, and we just ate it. Awful customer service, terribly unreliable, and I know that we were not nearly the first people to have issues with Philips.
We bought a 40" Sony LCD tv about a year and a half ago, and I could not be more pleased. Amazing picture, great TV. needless to say, we did purchase the 5 year extended warranty, just in case...

Mon Rominee · #16 06-02-2008, 08:03 AM

Well, again I hope my LCD is a good one. I bought it on the knowledge that they make the Apple Cinema displays (and the screen I bought employs (and looks like) one...and I think the Apple displays are gorgeous.

Here's my screen:

Oddly enough, I bought it because my 5 year old Sony WEGA CRT has been buggy and problem prone since about the 2.5 year mark, and finally the tube is showing dim/bright/dim tendencies...so it was time. I can't wait to get this screen, it is teh sex.

palm grease · #17 06-02-2008, 08:37 AM

i have a 35" flat tube tv.... goin on 8yrs.... not one problem.... the tube tv in my bedroom, 32" is close to 20yrs old... again, not one issue! my grandma has a tube tv that she's had more then 25yrs.... going strong!

thousands of dollars for a headache..... oh, and a better picture..... i dont see the reason at all! do i really need to see the pores on Jeter's face? am i missing britney's mustache? does brad pitt have toe fungus? what size are jerry's jeans?

not for me!

sorry to hear though!!!!

(yes i realize all my tvs will break in the next week now!)

Mon Rominee · #18 06-02-2008, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palm grease

i have a 35" flat tube tv.... goin on 8yrs.... not one problem.... the tube tv in my bedroom, 32" is close to 20yrs old... again, not one issue! my grandma has a tube tv that she's had more then 25yrs.... going strong!

thousands of dollars for a headache..... oh, and a better picture..... i dont see the reason at all! do i really need to see the pores on Jeter's face? am i missing britney's mustache? does brad pitt have toe fungus? what size are jerry's jeans?

not for me!

sorry to hear though!!!!

(yes i realize all my tvs will break in the next week now!)

Palm, I agree with your sentiments, only now deciding to make the jump since my flat-tube crt is going down, and let's face it, CRT's are being phased out. And, to be honest to myself...the space savings are a definite plus, as my room sizes are smallish (12 x 12 living room...older house)

That said, I love the picture of a high-quality CRT, I just do. But I got this screen for a great price, and as said, loved the Apple displays (I know, Dave Grossman will be here any second calling Apple a buncha display spec liars ....kidding bro, just kidding) so I hope for the best. If it's crap, it goes back.

Mon

ROON · #19 06-02-2008, 09:13 AM

That's what you get for buying a plasma.

Muusers · #20 06-02-2008, 09:39 AM

42".....

thas one big tv, can i haz it? it still looks cool for a student to have a 42" plasma tv, even though it's dead....