LG 50PK550R Owner's Discussion Thread

Wharfedale EVO 4.4 Floorstanding Speakers
Just read this here

"Okay, I came across something I find very interesting. Right now I have Cable TV (getting Dish HD in two weeks) that is plugged directly into the TV ,without using a cable box, and a couple days ago they changed their channel lineup. Anywhoo I had the TV re-run thru the Auto Tuning feature to pick up the channels, and low and behold, the channel that it ended on was 4:3 in format and I had black bars on the side, not gray. I hit "List" on the remote and the TV picked up some HD channels, so I selected one and picture was awesome, and looking closely at the screen, I noticed there were none of the dancing green pixels. This makes me think that the green pixels are from some setting or hardware internally. When I select a standard TV channel, the gray bars return and so do the dancing greenies."

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=18792416&postcount=2318

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1235720&page=78

And shaiju, any luck with CMS enabling option, from the avsforum ?? Do you think we can write directly to ChadB or shaddix ?
 
Thanks Vivek.

I have been through all these posts last week. Have come to a conclusion that it is a combination of hardware defect and improper settings. Some people are lucky to have better hardware tuning to start with and hence calibration solves the problem.

LG service guy tuned RGB on some internal board and I could see difference as he screwed / unscrewed some parts. However, he was not able to eliminate or minimize the greens on the picture. Had he been able to minimize to an extent that was not visible I would have kept the display and calibrated it properly. Also, as we (now) know there is no advanced picture menu and the service guy was clueless when I spoke about CMS. Feel totally cheated. I have written to LG customer service, Noida.

Don't remember but one of HFV member has been able to get into the service menu but was stuck; no idea what to do next and didn't want to harm the display.

Will get my replacement tomorrow.

I have already written to shaddix and a member from AV forums (not AVS forum). Waiting for their reply.

Btw, how's your display and experience so far? I was watching planet earth DVD today morning. Must say I am impressed with blacks, shadow detail and color accuracy. The thing I (and mom) miss is the "pop". That's because our eyes have got used to LCD.
 
Maybe I didn't write this but it upset me a lot.

Does anyone lay Plasma flat, display facing down, to unscrew the back panel? If that's not surprising then apply some pressure to undo the screw? This is exactly what the LG service guy did. I stood there numb looking at his amazing knowledge of Plasma servicing. He also imprinted a dozen full of fingerprints on to the bezel. Crazy!

After the "service" I see screen full of fluorescent greens during power on. Also running the white wash shows bunch of red/black pixels appearing randomly on left side of the screen. I almost lost it when he said his next service call is for a refrigerator. How can LG send such inept people with little know-how on Plasma? The only consolation being that I was promised a new display if problem was not solved. And for once I thanked God that it wasn't fixed.

Please please be careful when a so-called service guys land up to ruin your prized possessions.
 
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LOL..."I almost lost it when he said his next service call is for a refrigerator" .....in splits :)

I have decided to pray and put an agarbatti in front of my Pk550 every day...so as I dont have to see a LG service guy for my TV

my display and experience so far has been nice and rather a huge change when you come from a 29 inch CRT :)).....but i still need to and should something worth this TV... most viewing has been some DVD's and mostly SD....still haven't plugged by Xbox.. just trying to get this 100hrs thru ....

but i sincerely hope 2 things

1. you get a good display tomm
2. we can get into CMS settings and then use some of the gyan from
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1235720

Looks like there are many ways to enjoy this TV to the max....but the sick feeling is LG doesnt want to make our life easier...in getting there...

cant help thinking of my MBA marketing 101 lessons....." a happy customer can be your best brand ambassador"... looks like India LG guys...never went to the same lectures as me.........wonderful TV....but still manage to **** up
 
Well after reading your posts I want to share with you peeps an idea that has crept in my mind, i would appreciate your comments on this, this involves all those who want to enable the expert mode and picture wizard on our LG, why don't we get together and ask ChadB if he could help us, since he is a professional so he will have a lot of knowledge over us, and we can like pitch in (all who want these settings to be enabled ) and offer him payment as well for his troubles(because i think noone would care to do this as a favour, maybe some Moolah can motivate), i mean he ususally does a full calibration for a few hundred dollars, if we all could pitch in and a reasonable amount could be reached at unanimously and divided equally among all those who want to enable these settings via service menu, and as we can see already there are a lot of people who have bought this display, it would cost us less as well individually for the same piece of info, we can also send a pic of the service menu of the Indian sets (since they are different for US and UK, so i am guessing they will be different on Indian set as well), What's say ?


P.S --> Also i think LG is not going to be of any help in this, so there would be no point in writing to them, since it is not a priority for them. Neither have they promised any of these features to the indian customer anywhere, and knowing the corporate world in India, they are just gonna ignore such complaints or requests.
 
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I was about to have the final payment made for pk550, but now, after reading all the posts, I am confu$$$ED.

Dear owners, if given a second chance, will you still but pk550 or go for CC550...... or rather go for panasonic by spending some more.

The moment I get closer to a decision, I see some problem in that model !!!!!
 
Many Quality issues:mad: with 50pk550, also TIR and highly reflective screen, i am going for pana 42V20 even though it is an inferior model compared to the v20 sold in europe.
 
Well guys .. I wont agree to this blatant statement " Many Quality issues with 50pk550, also TIR and highly reflective screen"

The things you are seeing or reading since the PK550 owners ( including myself) are just plainly stating each and every minute thing in detail....including some details as mentioned by Shaiju/ Mannu /myself etc ( via some settings etc)

Its reflective but when you see content, you cannot really feel any difference... rather the looks of the TV are a stunner....and well its a 50 incher :)))))...

TIR - plasma tech inherent feature....and not something that bothers anyway...just follow...use the basic inbuilt features of the TV and you will never face any grave issues....

and BTW PQ...esp HD content is AWESOME......even regular SD content is pretty much ok.... and as the usage is increasing.. I can surely say with honesty the PQ gets better.....I have been using the TV for last 10 days or so....

and well rest is your own choice...views...eyes... and liking....after all its your moolaheee:)
 
Its reflective but when you see content, you cannot really feel any difference... rather the looks of the TV are a stunner....and well its a 50 incher :)))))...

In this video considerable amount of reflection even though it is playing,

YouTube - LG 50PK550 Blu-ray movie

may be need better control of lighting in the room, but will be difficult practically
 
well i second that opinion, u cannot buy a TV based on what others are feeling about it, i mean we are only sharing our experience. In the end the decision has to based on other factors, it is no way a bad set, according to me it's the best VFM (value for money) set out there, no one can beat it in that department for now atleast (the last statement is my view only so don't flame).
 
Kapil,

I would still recommend the LG over Samsung. LG has TIR, reflection. So does the Samsung. IMO Samsung C550 has much more weakness as compared to PK550.

As Vivek and Mannu correctly pointed out this is the owner's thread and we discuss / share every details of our new purchase. That was the purpose of starting this thread.

There are other owners who have not come across issues I face. My bad luck that I got a bad egg in first instance.

Btw, the LG service guy thingy is an Indian phenomenon. I did not write to scare you guys from LG but to highlight the pathetic ride consumers are often taken for. Should thank our stars if we come across real skilled professionals in this country in terms of services. Every service is all fart and no shit be it Vodafone, Airtel, Tata Sky, LG, Croma, eZone, et al.

The other day I visited Croma to check the green pixel on their display. There was a 50" PQ just above a 50" PK series. I asked him what the difference is. Without a blink he said "PQ is 1 mega pixel" and "PK is 2 mega pixels". WTF? Sorry, I don't use crass words but seriously, what was that from Croma salesman? The beauty is people will still buy into the crap for lack of knowledge.

Next to me was another salesman selling Croma branded LCD to a family. Worst TV my eyes have ever seen. Blacks and colors faded even if you moved 2 degrees from the sweet-spot. The salesman nonetheless managed to convince the dad.

Ok, enough stories at 2:00 am IST. Point is, seems like with PK550 you sometimes miss but then it IS fine value. Panasonic V20 is an awesome set. 42" full HD would be injustice at the price. 50" is what you should be looking for if you have the money to spend. Else settle without regret for the PK550.

How I wish CMS and Expert modes magically appear on the LG.

borg, (you have a name?)

42" Panasonic V20 does nothing much earth shattering better than the LG in terms of value. It's the 50" V20 that is worth every paisa (read bomb). Then again it's your money, size preference and personal tastes that really matter. Go for anything you like. Rule of thumb - audition your wishlist.

PS: All who own the 42" V20 - great choice! I have no intention on murder. Just my opinion. In fact if my LG replacement does not work out I have the V20 in mind.
 
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"why don't we get together and ask ChadB if he could help us, since he is a professional so he will have a lot of knowledge over us, and we can like pitch in (all who want these settings to be enabled ) and offer him payment as well for his troubles(because i think noone would care to do this as a favour, maybe some Moolah can motivate),"

Mannu/ Shaiju,

Whats the harm in asking parallely, while we try and reach LG India for a better solution ?

I am with you on this ...lets get some number/money terms from ChadB and way to do this over phone/ emails. If it suits the budgets... we can surely give a shot.
 
shaiju_o_thomas said:
I would still recommend the LG over Samsung. LG has TIR, reflection. So does the Samsung. IMO Samsung C550 has much more weakness as compared to PK550.
Click to expand...

LG has finishing problems especially in plasmas. The TV would not behave "mature" and give problems where we least expect and where there is less chance of fixing (eg: PQ). Ownership experience of samsung/panasonic is like, you know what to expect while buying them.


shaiju_o_thomas said:
42" Panasonic V20 does nothing much earth shattering better than the LG in terms of value. It's the 50" V20 that is worth every paisa (read bomb).
Click to expand...

What? 50" V20 is one of the most non-VFM models around. Even considering its 42" sibling.
 
BLASTO,

Yes, I agree with you that LG has quality control (QC) issues. Never imagined myself buying a LG Plasma. I was (and am to an extent) a Samsung faithful. However, PK550 is VFM and LG shines in some worthy departments (like looks, PQ, price) with this display.

Now on to the Panasonic 50" V20. Again, agree with you on the VFM angle. It may be non-VFM but worth the spend. What I meant is compare 42" V20 with 50" PK550. Which one is VFM? If your budget allows consider the 50" V20 for high-end. For high-end stuff VFM plays very little role.

Hope we are in agreement now.
 
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I agree with shaiju.

Even though it has its problems. PQ of this set is just amazing. I love watching Football in Tatasky HD with this Set. Even the English movie channels(Star movies, HBO etc) look amazing. This is truly a VFM TV.

Guys how are you planning to contact Chad B. Count me in if you are planning to do this together.

Also any plans in contacting LG requesting for a firmware which would enable the extended calibration settings?
 
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