LG 50PK550R Owner's Discussion Thread

[Bublu Bhuyan]

Hi..

I had service guy visit today at my place. Trust me he did not know naything at all.. It seems I was service persn n visited his place.. He was not agreeing that Star plus logo is bleeding and Grey and blacks are not showing properly when GAMMA is LOW, and Brigtness is above 50.

Whn I turn GAMMA Medium, its fine but then picture is kinda more hurting to eyes.

At end I asked him to go to EZ adjust mode with the Service remote, and we did Increase the Contras level from 128 to around 192. Its more dark it seem now, and blacks are shown properly.

The problem is there even when you watch HD content?

 

[viveknath]

Well Shaiju, this is amazing.. atleast acknowledgment and progress on the matter.

I have sent a mail back to CS and local tech support to do this firmware update. Can you share the PUNE tech guys details, so that I can ask the Bangalore to contact them and get the right feedback and update.

As for the HD issue, damn a bummer... I was hoping to save my money on spending on HD Media players

Well in compensation.. hope this gets done -enable advanced calibration options.

 

[shaiju_o_thomas]

Forgot to mention. The July batch of PK550 will have the firmware update preinstalled.

Knowing that the greens are not there is such a relief.

The fix also explains the shortage of PK550. They wanted to release newer stocks with the updated firmware. At least that's what I was told.

As for advanced calibration options fingers crossed.

 

[chirag007]

true. I went to LG showroom @Marthahalli on last friday, and guess what they don't have it in stock in warehouse. They have not even put it on display.
I checked through LG employee to get it, but same message there ( out of stock ).

You guys have created greate buzz in supporting this model and exhibit great fight to LG to fix the problems. LG should treat you beta testers and should get some goodies to you

 

[shaiju_o_thomas]

So the LE8500 will be available in India. Check out the ToI, Mumbai. No prices for LE7500 and LE8500. They will be ridiculously priced. 47" LE5500 carries a special price of 105,000. So others are wild guesses.

If they fix the PK550 properly it will be bargain of the year from LG.

 

[shaiju_o_thomas]

You guys have created greate buzz in supporting this model and exhibit great fight to LG to fix the problems. LG should treat you beta testers and should get some goodies to you

Chirag, not a bad idea. I wish you could be the LG head and offer me free upgrades year after year

Btw, you have a PK550? Never welcomed you.

 

[mehuldil]

Hay Saiju could you please read my inputs n reply?"

 

[shaiju_o_thomas]

Mehul,

Let me verify if the update is for PJ series as well.

Even I asked for changes in contrast and brightness in service. They will have to test before making any changes. Not very sure if it be will done on individual basis. The settings have to be universal.

Know I haven't answered all your questions. What problems are you facing? Can you put it down in bullets?

 

[heynownow]

Shaiju has demonstrated a proactive consumer approach, which not only led to resolution of his own defective set, but his persistence and and never-give-up attitude will benefit other consumers who are keen on the PK550R. Electronics giants in India need to know that consumers who part with their hard earned cash for premium products, are knowledgeable technically and deserve not be ignored. Well done man!

Also kudos to LG, albeit a little late, but word of Shaiju's woes must've reached the higher echelons and its so nice to see them going the extra mile and dispatching specialists who know their stuff. I'm sure this humongous topic (PK550 owners thread) and the supporting community at large will serve as a checklist so that they are aware of the consumer expertise of their products and rectify any shortcomings in their products for present and future customers.

Shaiju could you also give the firmware version number (if possible) so that I can look out for the same when I get delivery of my PK550. And maybe if you are satisfied with your new set, you could consider removing the "horrible disclaimer" in your signature. Everyone deserves a second chance, and so does LG

 

[heynownow]

So the LE8500 will be available in India. Check out the ToI, Mumbai. No prices for LE7500 and LE8500. They will be ridiculously priced. 47" LE5500 carries a special price of 105,000. So others are wild guesses.

If they fix the PK550 properly it will be bargain of the year from LG.

I still feel that the LH90 series was their magnum opus, of course it doesnt have the bells & whistles like the newer ones (DniE, wireless, netcast etc) but in terms of LED LCD performance (deep blacks, local dimming, DCR etc) it was actually ahead of its time. Since they are ceasing the model, if anyone gets it at a bargain or clearence then he/she shouldn't let go of the opportunity.

 

[heynownow]

true. I went to LG showroom @Marthahalli on last friday, and guess what they don't have it in stock in warehouse. They have not even put it on display.
I checked through LG employee to get it, but same message there ( out of stock ).

You guys have created greate buzz in supporting this model and exhibit great fight to LG to fix the problems. LG should treat you beta testers and should get some goodies to you

Hey Chirag, The LG Store in Marathalli doesn't have the PK550, but the Homestop on the other side of the road does (EZone) which they're selling for about 67.something K. You might wanna check it out. Carry your test media on USB. The salespeople there are prized nincompoops. They seemed to be unaware of things like screen burn and the fact you cannot transport a plasma lying on its side.

 

[shaiju_o_thomas]

@heynownow, appreciate the support.

Not sure if Indian LCD/LEDs launches have all the goodies the US and EU models enjoy. If they are present then good for consumers.

With Plasmas they should have launched variants; PK550 and (maybe) PK560 with additional features. I expressed this to the technical personnel yesterday.

Btw, these are suggestions/feedback. How of much it is implemented is up to LG's business plans, feasibility and other constraints.

On the green pixel problem, it is still there at some brightness points but ever so faintly and more controlled. I am not bothered as much as before and pictures (SD and HD) are less noisy.

Also noticed that there is very little banding and hardly any noticeable line bleed. Now I am tempted to find out the versions released and fixes they have done. Think the last set was running on 3.14 or 3.24.

Come on LG good job so far. Now enable those advanced picture settings and improve this display.

To anyone looking to purchase PK550 I would suggest go in for July stock. LG says all July sets will ship with updated firmware. Do not take my posts as final; always check with dealers. I write as much as I know from interactions with LG. I was wrong with LE8500 India launch.

Regarding the disclaimer - will let it be for now. I want to make sure it was a miscommunication and no one darts off such emails without proper understanding of the concerns raised.

PS: Isn't it time to compare C550, V20 with PK550? No, I don't mean online reviews but owners visiting each other. Too far fetched(?) but interesting! Anyone wanting to visit my place for a demo - always welcome.

 

[heynownow]

Cool..is there an info screen which says which firmware version it is ?
I am hoping the model we get in India (ATR) will at least adhere to the specs mentioned on the hong kong website :

50PK550R Television TV/Audio/Video

They really should have a common format for specs across countries. The Indian spec sheet for the PK550 is as empty as a theater playing a Govinda movie. Also notice the power requirement in the Indian site says 202w, while the hong kong one says 249w. WTH?? Any ideas about power consumption?

 

[shaiju_o_thomas]

Paying 67K for PK550 is a bit steep considering many got it for much less. In Mumbai some one (Mehul?) said it is available for 57-58K.

Agree that the LH90 was one of the best last year. Only the bulky bezel was killing. Personally I found it quite ugly.

 

[shaiju_o_thomas]

Some videos. Forgive my Samsung mobile for the shabby video. I was just testing it.

YouTube - LG PK550 and TataSky HD P1
YouTube - LG PK550 and TataSky HD P2
YouTube - LG PK550 and TataSky HD P3

 

[dotMac]

PS: 60" PK950 will not have advanced calibration features. For 60" flagship Plasma it is a MUST. I would say no otherwise. One area where I hope specifications change without prior notice

Who knows? Indians might be getting a stripped down variant of the flashship plasma and would be named 60PK950R :lol:

 

[dotMac]

@Shaiju

Thanks a lot for your effort. Happy about the outcome. Great job. :clapping:

Though this issue was not bothering me much, I am now relieved. :yahoo:

Thanks again.

 

[shaiju_o_thomas]

now no one know this problem in thailand even seller, dealer i will call to LG again on workday because today in Thailand is long weekend (4Days)
it might be a big problem if i tell the dealer or shop about the problem. they may return all of this 50pk550r to LG. I want LG to return and change a new TVmodel(not pk550r) for me.i can pay more for them if the new model is more expensive.is it possible for you to do this in India. i think this is not fair for customers cause we buy this full HD quite expensive and we must expect good and high quality.

my friend tell me to ignore it, watch it and don't change brightness.........ToT

Drop an online complaint to LG through their local website. You can wait for the firmware update to be released soon. Ask LG about the update.

In India we can opt for a full refund if not satisfied with the product. If you want another model then ask you dealer for the procedure. Call LG and make sure you get a good price.

I agree with you on the quality as PK550 is 50" full HD. People who buy such huge full HD screen will have multiple sources and will surely require advanced picture adjustments.

Why do you want to change the PK550 for another model? What is it that you don't like about it?

 

[mehuldil]

here is what I am facing:

1. Star plus n Star one Logos bleeding at the Edge: They are moving Logos, can someone confirm if that is issue.

2. I could not find any DivX option in Service Menu.

3. Ever since I have increase Subcontrast in Service Menu, it seems looking bit more dark, and I can see pictures though Contrast is 30, do you suggest I should increase Subbrightns too?

4. Where can I find the firmware version?

5. DO we have known best settings that we can go and change in EZ adjst mode? I can ask Service guy to come n check n do it.

 

[harry10]

In India we can opt for a full refund if not satisfied with the product. If you want another model then ask you dealer for the procedure. Call LG and make sure you get a good price.

Why do you want to change the PK550 for another model? What is it that you don't like about it?

Is this refund part true only with LG or all tv brands?