I am very happy with my Panasonic P42G25. They put in the correct panel (my last guy put in some garbage thing that looked horrible) and now all my colors are gorgeous again, and dark subjects can be distinguished in front of dark backgrounds again. Thank you Video Tech Service!
It was explained to me that the little red dots that I found that dance around on a paused movie frame at the bright spot surrounded by darkness is simply an anomaly, akin to to the imperfections in picture caused by CODEC decompression (even though I know about that), or the stair-step effect of a gradient displayed due to limitations in the color bit-depth (which I was also aware of). That's good to know...I was worried that somewhere in there was perhaps a wire or some other weak link in the chain that may, over time, cause the new panel and board to fail prematurely. It's comforting to know that all those little dancing red dots within that paused, Blu-ray image are just a natural occurrence and nothing to be concerned about, and that I basically got a new TV set.
It was in for a month and a week, but after having heard nothing for two weeks, I had gone in to put it in THX mode for them, where the problem was most apparent, so that they can identify the problem outside the photos I showed them when I took it in so that they could get the ball rolling. Two weeks later I called back to discover they were waiting on the guy to come in with the correct panel.
So sarcasm aside, I really am pleased with them having put in the correct panel. The panel that A.J. from Bar Jo, where I had taken it previously here in Roseville, put in what as I was told was "subbed out" for another panel. I mean damn! I bought the TV for its particular panel and when I picked it up from that warranty service my jaw dropped at the horrible picture - not only was it bad, but it was damaged, it just took a keen eye to see it, and that shop wouldn't make it right and he was rude like he knew what he did, so I filed a BBB complaint against him. Though I keep questioning it, I feel it was justified, every time. It's a completely different shop that did that, so don't confuse it with the shop I'm reviewing here.
Service was slower her than I expected. I wish Video Tech would have called me after one day, one week or even two to tell me "no problems so far." It really did make this already painful ownership experience more stressful to discover that they felt I was seeing things instead of calling me to ask, "now just what was it you said this thing was doing?" I assumed that was what I get for turning in a fellow technician from another shop, like it was some sworn thing among repair people or something. Hopefully not, though.
Throughout all of my inquiries, I was told before hanging up that I "...can come in and make sure it's up to my standards before taking it home." When I came to pick it up, I was given the paper to sign, which I did figuring all is well (which for the most part it is). It was still plugged in so I put it through the paces, and although the TV was fixed (meaning I got a G42 panel like it was supposed to have in the first place) I still found red dots to persist, though they were WAY harder to discover and there are FAR fewer of them; I have yet to come across them without making a deliberate attempt to do so (it takes a very bright, small spot on a fully dark screen).
I still worry that whatever is causing those little red dots to occasionally sizzle in the THX menu and on the brights may be a sign of something bad in there, but I'll settle. It's "like I got a new TV" with the new panel and "A" board, which I am not arguing - the picture's gorgeous now - I'm just hoping there isn't that one weak link in there.
The other dude doesn't need to mutter a "psh" as he passes by to go out for his cigarette either as he overhears me voicing my concern to the tech I was speaking to - I have the right to be concerned. It's like I feel like I'm the customer from hell, and that I'm just too picky or something. Congratulations though, as that got me to give up.
Perhaps I am the customer from hell; it is not my intention. I am pleased with the service and the TV looks remarkable! I finally love it again. I just worry about those little red dots. It's not like I'm unreasonably complaining that my 720p broadcast isn't coming in at 1080p. I'm not that consumer that thinks there's something wrong because there's black bars on the top or the sides of the picture. I know what things should look like. Normal compression artifacts are nowhere in the league of abnormal little red static-like dots dancing around on a paused image.
I could ramble all day, so I'll stop. I am happy with the service. I just don't understand what is with the world nowadays. Why must people pee on my leg and tell me it's raining?
Thank you for fixing my TV. read more
