Panasonic TC-P50UT50

Pros: Good Picture Quality, Easy Set-Up

Cons: 8 blink failure.

Summary: We bought Panasonic TC-P50UT50 from Best Buy on July 4th, 2012. At the time of purchase, the Best Buy customer service tried their best to sell us the three years maintenance contract which we refused. Our argument was that the maintenance contract was not needed for the manufacturers like Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, etc.

The TV was easy to set up, picture quality was good, and everyone was happy. BUT,

After 45 days and approximately 90 hours of operation, the TV switched off one morning with the front red light blinking intermittently. We first thought that the power tripped, though we were not worried about the surge because the TV was connected through a new surge protector. We switch off the TV for ten minutes and then powered it back on. It started working and we forgot about it. The same day afternoon, it happened again. We suspected the wall outlet and plugged the TV through surge protector to another wall outlet. It started working fine.

After three days, TV switched off again. Our purchase was more than 30 days old, so there was no point in calling Best Buy. I called Panasonic and reported the problem. The TV has one year manufacturer's warranty. The warranty rep wanted to know the number of time the red light blinks. At that point, we realized the problem with the TV. We had not noted down the number of blinks. I took the case number and told the rep that we would get back to them after it happens again and we note down the number of blinks.

It happened again after two days - 8 blinks, pause, 8 blinks, pause, and it repeats. I called the warranty support and let them know. They said that the TV needs to be repaired. It was Thursday. They schedules for the service next week on Wednesday. The gentleman came, opened the back of the TV, and checked in consultation with the Panasonic technical support over phone. Finally, he told me that one of the boards needs to be replaced. Panasonic was going to send the board by over night shipment. He will call me once he received the board and schedule the time for replacement. He said that it would happen on Friday or latest by Monday (that was yesterday). No calls. I received the call today and he informed that he had just heard from Panasonic. The board to be replaced is on back order. It may take 2-3 days or 2-3 weeks for the board to arrive and then he would schedule a time for the replacement.

So, now you get the whole story. My question is : this TV has hardly been used. Why Panasonic would not replace the TV with a new one if the new TV is in the store and the board is on back order ?. I will definitely give a week time and then follow up on this. But, I am definitely inclined to suggest not to buy this TV and definitely not rely on old brand's manufacturing warranty.

Updated on Oct 24, 2012

UPDATE: October 24, 2012

Panasonic resolved this issue satisfactorily and we should thank Chris and his colleagues at Panasonic. They first replaced the board which lasted 10 minutes. The TV shut down after 10 minutes with the same 8 blinks. It was clear that there was something wrong with this particular piece we bought. Panasonic exchanged the TV yesterday with the new one which is working fine. With this experience, I must summarize that:

1. Since this piece turned out faulty, the above review may not apply to this model or to Panasonic in general. Rather, trust your instinct about the brand name and it will come true.

2. Panasonic should consider providing more detailed and updated information about the warranty / repair cases online. This will save lot of time in follow-up if the need arises.

At the end, We have used Panasonic appliances for a long time and will buy again.