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"I was satisified --not now!" on
Pros: Looks good
Cons: Doesn't work after 1 month. I wrote a review 1 month ago--a lot can happen in 30 days! When I turned on the TV a long line of pixels suddenly stopped working. I called Dell and all I demanded was an upgrade(for free) to their warranty to 4 years and a re
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"Returned for Refund. Too many issues. Careful of 21 day return window" on by gbrunton
Pros: Reasonable price; Lots of Inputs; Looks Good. Picture is Above Average.
Cons: Screen Locks up on HDMI input; Buzz is very annoying; ATSC tuner didn't work; Customer Support less than helpful
Summary: I bought this model at the end of April. Problems arose as soon as set up. There were two fundamental problems which forced me to return the set for a refund:
1. The DVD input via HDMI sporadically caused the display to malfunction (screen started blinking on and off, at the same time the DVI input also malfunctioned). The only way to resolve the problem was to pull the power on the display and reboot the TV. The TV remote also became non-responsive at the same time.
2. The buzzing/humming from the set was far too loud. I understand that large electronic appliances buzz/hum but this was excessive. I sit approximately 15 feet from the display and during dialogue the buzz/hum would be all I could hear.
Dell had no resolution to issue number 1. Their response to issue 2 was that they were issuing Power Conditioners to reduce the buzz by 3db (which in no way would reduce the buzz to an acceptable level imho). I indicated that my system already had a monster power conditioner setup and their response was 'Oh'!
They had intended to replace the brand new set with a refurbished model to 'try' and resolve the issues however after researching the issues both through the Dell Community Support formus and the AVS forums these two issues still appear unresolved even with the replacement sets (some customers have had up to 6 replacement sets all with the same issues). As Dell has a 21 day return window (from order date) for refund I decided to refuse the replacement attempt and instead return the set for a refund (as most others with the same issues have also done, as documented on the Dell Community support forums).
I really loved the picture on the set so I am sorry to see it go, however until Dell admits the hardware design flaws and addresses them appropriately (rather than trying to cover them up) I cannot recommend this set.Updated
Anyone interested in this set is best advised to check out Dell Outlet first. At last looking they had 80+ refurbished W4200HD sets for $2099 (over one third reduction over MSRP!). If this doesn't signify something about the quality of these sets, and Dell's belief that they can resolve the issues, I don't know what does!Updated
The problems with these sets are worryingly prolific. Be sure to check out Dell's own community forums and AVS forums before deciding on this plasma. I'm glad I returned mine for a Panasonic TH-42PX50U. The differences are astounding!
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board?board.id=dce_W1700LCD
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=468403 -
"Still Has Issues" on by MELZERHW
Pros: Great Value, Superb Picture
Cons: Lines Showed Up after a Month of Use
Summary: The W4200 is a great value and before lines showing up I couldn't sing Dell's praises enough. Owning 2 Inspiron laptops, 2 axims and an XPS desktop (as well as having purchased equipment for my entire family) I had always been extremely satisfied with the quality of Dell's product as well as their customer service.
Not after this whole T.V. fiasco. It started with 1, 6" line that was approximately 1 pixel wide. Within a week the line ran from top to bottom and 3 other lines had appeared that ran half the width of the television. I proceeded to contact Dell (on February 7) and had wonderful costomer service from the telephone rep who told me they were going to next day a new W4200 television to the local installation company that they use who would in turn install it for free.
Well that was almost 1 month ago. I have called Dell multiple times since then only to get the run around. Some service reps tell me that my original service number does not exist and others tell me that the matter is out of their hands because they already shipped the replacement set yet they have no clue where it is and can not track it. Does anyone at Dell have a clue? If I shipped a $3000 + package I would definitely want to track it. If this goes on any longer I am going to find a way to return the set I already have.
MY RECOMMENDATION, wait a year until the bugs are ironed out before purchasing. -
"Two broken machines -- can't return" on by daln
Pros: Great when it worked
Cons: Unrealiable, system locks, can't return
Summary: Received the machine -- HDMI didn't work, some functions on remote didn't work, and made a buzzing sound. Spoke to customer support and they sent out a new TV. Less than 24 hours later, the control on the machine started locking up -- couldn't change volume, or even turn off tv without unplugging it from the wall. Spoke to DELL to return, and they will not take back the product, citing that it was 21 days after I placed the order (only becuase they took over two weeks to bring the replacement TV). Now they want to send a refurb. I'd stay away from this product -- unrealiable and bad customer service.
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"Be sure to read the Dell Community and AVS forums before buying!" on by yobdab
Pros: Nice Picture, Nice Looks
Cons: Buzz, HDMI Lockup/Blinking, Customer Service (or complete and utter lack of it)
Summary: Before considering purchasing this TV your best two resources for honest user opinions are Dell's own community forums and AVS forums (links below). My main grips are not really the Cons above but the complete denial by Dell that the issues exist. I personally spent over 24 hours on the phone returning my W4200HD for a refund, most of the time getting the runaround. I am very glad to be rid of the set.
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board?board.id=dce_W1700LCD
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=468403
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