Help! 50" Panasonic XT50 screen cracked!

[aku]

Hi,
Bought the TV sometime in July for 63k. Was very happy with purchase and loving the BIG screen....unfortunately managed to crack the screen about two months back ( usually happens when you throw things around !!). Got a quote for 47k for new panel from the Service centre ( damage not covered by warranty).
Tried to make do with a smaller screen...but now the wife has given an ultimatum that we HAVE to get another BIG screen or get it repaired.
Tried to order Samsung E8000 ( with Tab offer) but no stocks so dealer refused to take my order.
My dilemma is this : is the repair quote fair or do I spend some more and get a Full HD TV. My viewing is mostly Tata Sky ( both SD and HD ) and occasional movies ( mostly DVD rips but now building up my Blu Ray collection ) at a distance of about 12 to 14 feet. Would a Full HD screen make a meaningful difference with Blu Ray ? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[longshanks]

Either way it should be fine,but is the replacement panel covered under the 3 year warranty provided by Panasonic? also the check the latest price of XT50, i am guessing it will much lesser than the time you bought it.

Next time be careful and don't throw things around, we have almost had approx 14 different flat panel televisions at my home since past 7 years but never cracked the screen on one of them.

 

[rajni]

Hi,
Bought the TV sometime in July for 63k. Was very happy with purchase and loving the BIG screen....unfortunately managed to crack the screen about two months back ( usually happens when you throw things around !!). Got a quote for 47k for new panel from the Service centre ( damage not covered by warranty).
Tried to make do with a smaller screen...but now the wife has given an ultimatum that we HAVE to get another BIG screen or get it repaired.
Tried to order Samsung E8000 ( with Tab offer) but no stocks so dealer refused to take my order.
My dilemma is this : is the repair quote fair or do I spend some more and get a Full HD TV. My viewing is mostly Tata Sky ( both SD and HD ) and occasional movies ( mostly DVD rips but now building up my Blu Ray collection ) at a distance of about 12 to 14 feet. Would a Full HD screen make a meaningful difference with Blu Ray ? Any advice would be appreciated.

sorry to hear this.

 

[aku]

Either way it should be fine,but is the replacement panel covered under the 3 year warranty provided by Panasonic? also the check the latest price of XT50, i am guessing it will much lesser than the time you bought it.

Will have to check up regarding warranty on the replacement panel...had received the 3 year warranty certificate from Panasonic few days back haha!!!

 

[aku]

sorry to hear this. Did u damage it yourself by mistake or it got cracked by it's own

Managed to damage it !!!! Right in the middle of the screen. Be careful, these are not that tough!!!

 

[echo77]

Sorry to hear! How did it get damaged? What did you throw on it?

we have almost had approx 14 different flat panel televisions at my home since past 7 years but never cracked the screen on one of them.

Interesting, longshanks - did the flatscreens not last long? Or did you upgrade?

 

[longshanks]

Interesting, longshanks - did the flatscreens not last long? Or did you upgrade?

Most were upgrades but the result was not always positive. we still have 9 flat panel televisions at my home.

The older ones were given to our relatives of sold second hand, none of them ever created a problem.

We had a 42"Philips LCD which we bought in 2004 and it is still working perfectly in one of our relatives home.

 

[aku]

Sorry to hear! How did it get damaged? What did you throw on it?

That, my friend , is a question best left unanswered in the interest of domestic harmony, world peace, etc, etc.
Anyway, quite pissed at Panasonic for the high cost of repairs...had a look at other TVs...wanted to order the Samsung E8000 but no stocks were available so distributer did not place my order....had a look at Sony EX650 46"...how does it compare apart from being more expensive? Just did a brief demo so can't conclude....3D not very important...can't go below 46" in the interest of domestic harmony, world peace, etc , etc

 

[baijuxavior]

Sorry to hear your plight, but I feel the thread title is misleading to potential buyers of plasma TVs. I thought the TV cracked on its own.

 

[aku]

Sorry to hear your plight, but I feel the thread title is misleading to potential buyers of plasma TVs. I thought the TV cracked on its own.

Was'nt my intention at all....loved the TV ...sorry for any misconceptions

 

[viper08]

Hi,
unfortunately managed to crack the screen about two months back.

Now Unluckey you are!

but now the wife has given an ultimatum that we HAVE to get another BIG screen or get it repaired.

How Luckey you are!

3D not very important...can't go below 46"

Dont spend on repairs. Think about a smaller /cheaper tv and a projector. Safer for cracks and bigger as well.

 

[samy]

That, my friend , is a question best left unanswered in the interest of domestic harmony, world peace, etc, etc.
Anyway, quite pissed at Panasonic for the high cost of repairs...had a look at other TVs...wanted to order the Samsung E8000 but no stocks were available so distributer did not place my order....had a look at Sony EX650 46"...how does it compare apart from being more expensive? Just did a brief demo so can't conclude....3D not very important...can't go below 46" in the interest of domestic harmony, world peace, etc , etc

Very sorry hear that..Panasonic plasma TVs are happens to have the toughest panel in television industry..same things do happen to my household as well. My Panasonic plasma 42X20 was banged and hit many times but surprisingly the screen remains intact. I thank Panasonic a lot for this...BTW the new TVs you have mentioned there ( Samsung or Sony) they are more vulnerable than the Panny..Now you decide whether you will stick with panny or go for other brands for your mental satisfaction..

 

[arnprasad]

Sorry to hear your plight, but I feel the thread title is misleading to potential buyers of plasma TVs. I thought the TV cracked on its own.

Yeah I too thought the same and got scared as I have one

 

[just4kix]

Hi,
Bought the TV sometime in July for 63k. Was very happy with purchase and loving the BIG screen....unfortunately managed to crack the screen about two months back ( usually happens when you throw things around !!). Got a quote for 47k for new panel from the Service centre ( damage not covered by warranty).

For a moment, like others here, I too thought that the plasma panel cracked on its own. There have been instances when the plasma panel cracked from inside while the outer glass was intact (known as spider-web cracks). People have been denied replacements in this case also, even though it is fairly clear and certain that the damage was caused by defective manufacturing and low quality and not external factors. The 47K spend on a new panel does not seem justified because memebers like arnprasad have purchased the 50XT50 for as low as 50K, but that was in Bangalore's Metro Cash and Carry.

Tried to make do with a smaller screen...but now the wife has given an ultimatum that we HAVE to get another BIG screen or get it repaired.

As viper08 said, you are quite lucky to have a spouse who says get me another big flat screen. My own would have said, "no more spending, we can do without a TV". I would say, in continuation of above, check the salvage value of the damaged piece. It may not be much. Panasonic will be likely to give you best price if you dangle the carrot of another unit purchase from them. If short of cash, then take the panel replacement route.

Tried to order Samsung E8000 ( with Tab offer) but no stocks so dealer refused to take my order.

That is fine. But what will you do with the damaged unit? It will clutter your home.

My dilemma is this : is the repair quote fair or do I spend some more and get a Full HD TV. My viewing is mostly Tata Sky ( both SD and HD ) and occasional movies ( mostly DVD rips but now building up my Blu Ray collection ) at a distance of about 12 to 14 feet. Would a Full HD screen make a meaningful difference with Blu Ray ? Any advice would be appreciated.

At longer distances (> 12 feet), FHD or HDR will not make a lot of difference, even with blu-ray. As I said, panel replacement cost seems to be very heavy but then economics of each city/location is different. Since you live in Nagaland, the transportation cost may be higher. Prices have come down since July. The XT50 (assuming 50") that costed 63K in July, may be retailing at 58k now. Check new prices and balance out - new panel or new TV.

 

[aku]

The 47K spend on a new panel does not seem justified because memebers like arnprasad have purchased the 50XT50 for as low as 50K, but that was in Bangalore's Metro Cash and Carry.


As viper08 said, you are quite lucky to have a spouse who says get me another big flat screen. My own would have said, "no more spending, we can do without a TV". I would say, in continuation of above, check the salvage value of the damaged piece. It may not be much. Panasonic will be likely to give you best price if you dangle the carrot of another unit purchase from them. If short of cash, then take the panel replacement route.

At longer distances (> 12 feet), FHD or HDR will not make a lot of difference, even with blu-ray. As I said, panel replacement cost seems to be very heavy but then economics of each city/location is different. Since you live in Nagaland, the transportation cost may be higher. Prices have come down since July. The XT50 (assuming 50") that costed 63K in July, may be retailing at 58k now. Check new prices and balance out - new panel or new TV.

Thanks for the detailed post. Will try to check what I can get for the damaged piece and dangle the carrot of another purchase. Best advice yet.
By the way, not in Nagaland anymore but now in Siliguri, West Bengal. Will have to change my profile address I guess.
Dealer still quoting similar prices. Bangalore Metro prices seem to be from another country!!!

 

[aku]

BTW the new TVs you have mentioned there ( Samsung or Sony) they are more vulnerable than the Panny..Now you decide whether you will stick with panny or go for other brands for your mental satisfaction..

Will probably stick with Panasonic if I can get a decent deal....love the picture quality of their plasmas and that 3 year warranty....even though I did'nt benefit

 

[aku]

Yeah I too thought the same and got scared as I have one

Sorry for the scare. Its was your exhaustive user reviews of the TV that convinced me to buy it in the first place.

 

[Dushie]

Very sorry hear that..Panasonic plasma TVs are happens to have the toughest panel in television industry..same things do happen to my household as well. My Panasonic plasma 42X20 was banged and hit many times but surprisingly the screen remains intact. I thank Panasonic a lot for this...BTW the new TVs you have mentioned there ( Samsung or Sony) they are more vulnerable than the Panny..Now you decide whether you will stick with panny or go for other brands for your mental satisfaction..

This is really amusing, pardon my ignorance, buying a tv looking so that you can bang and the panel does not break. U don't bang tv's , they are meant to be installed and used. I am sorry, but i do not see stress test happening on panels, to see when they would crack.

If you are buying a piece of equipment you should take care of it properly, and on top of that you are stating panny panels are tougher than the rest. People don't bang panels to test durability, they are meant for viewing not banging.

Also no where it states that Panny panels are superior and would not get damaged when hit. Also they charge a premium for their plasmas while sammy gives a bang for the buck, with more features at lower pricing. Also i do not see any issue with buying any particular brand, Just go for what suits your eye and buy what you like, simple.

 

[echo77]

That, my friend , is a question best left unanswered in the interest of domestic harmony, world peace, etc, etc.

LOL

peace!