Lg50pc3d V Panasonic Th-50px600a

[divinewrite]

I'm not sure if this qualifies as a full-blown review; I couldn't find any guidelines. However, it's quite a detailed description of my VERY negative experiences as an owner of the LG50PC3D plasma.

I bought the 50PC3D mid Jan '07. From day one, I experienced picture quality problems with some standard definition signal, especially 'The Biggest Loser', 'Bondi Rescue' and 'Dancing With the Stars'. I even began to notice very subtle examples in some HD TV signal (well, I saw it once in a US program).

Also experienced similar issues with SD DVDs being upscaled by my Sony DVPNS76H upscaling DVD player. A good scene to test is Chapter 22 of the Matrix, where the Oracle sits close to the camera after lighting her cigarette. Also noticeable in Snatch in the first scene with the bare-knuckle boxer punching the bag. (Interestingly, there were no problems when upscaling using my modded original xbox with XBMC. I suspect the xbox is a much better upscaler than the Sony, and it left no upscaling work for the TV to do, whereas the Sony left a bit of upscaling cleanup - just a guess.)

I've described these problems in detail at http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?s=&...st&p=628886 , but essentially, I was seeing a shimmering/striping on the extremeties (jawline, hairline, nose) of closeup, moving facing and other large skin areas.

I tested an LG 50PB2DR with an SD TV transmission at Domayne, and it had the same issues. I also noted the same issues with SD TV signal on a couple of other LG plasma models, although I didn't take note of their model numbers. I also tested the 50PB2DR using the 'Matrix' scene discussed above, with several upscaling dvd players, including my Sony DVPNS76H, an LG DN100H and a Pioneer 490. The same problem occurred. However, when I played the same scene with the Sony DVPNS76H on a variety of other plasmas in-store, there was no problem. (Plasmas included: Panasonic TH42PV60, Sony KDL52X2000, Hitachi 50PD960DT, Samsung 50Q7HDX.)

Others on this forum also experienced the problem, and a friend of mine with the 50PC3D experienced the same problem (and is getting a refund on his display).

LG support couldn't help me; they claimed they'd never heard of the problem. I find this very hard to believe, given that I could see it so blatantly on every LG I looked at, and I'm no expert!

In any case, I decided that the unit was not reasonably fit for its purpose (given that SD viewing constitutes the majority of digital tv in Australia). As such, according to Dept of Fair Trading, I believed I was entitled to a refund. I asked JB Hi Fi Tuggerah for a refund, and the sales guy said that his manager said no, because there was no actual fault and the unit was 3 months old. He told me to take it up with LG. I called LG and they said it was JB's responsibility. Fair Trading said the same thing. So I called JB again, and again they refused. So I wrote a threatening letter to JB, telling them I was going to get an independent expert advice and ask to have the matter reviewed in session by a Tribunal Member. I told them I would be seeking a full refund + compensation for time and consultation fees from my independent expert. This got the ball rolling. They offered me a partial refund, which I accepted. I lost $500 on the transaction (purchased the display for $3100 and was refunded $2600).

Note that the manager at JB Hi Fi Tuggerah was very professional and helpful throughout.

I've since bought a Panasonic TH-50PX600a. It simply blows the LG out of the water. It's sharper, crisper and doesn't have any 'clay face'. (Although i didn't mention it above, I suspected the LG had a bit of clay face, particularly on Sunrise HD on Channel 7.) Most importantly, it doesn't exhibit any of the shimmering / striping problems common to all the LGs I've tested. Picture quality in 'The Biggest Loser' is perfect, as it is in the 'Matrix' scene cited above.

Moral to the story: Think VERY carefully before buying any of the current model LGs (as at April '07). They all do it, and it's EXTREMELY noticeable and frustrating. No matter how cheap you think you're getting the display, IMHO, it's simply not worth it. I wasted hours and hours and hours on this, not to mention the $500 I lost in the process. Just buy a Panasonic!

Cheers.

[madmax]

A big thanks to you divinewrite (and others) for taking the time to post about your problems with the LG. My turn to buy came around recently, so I avoided all LGs like the plague and bought the TH-50PX600A first up. Potential buyers heed his wise words.....

[Guest lgservicetech77]

I'm not sure if this qualifies as a full-blown review; I couldn't find any guidelines. However, it's quite a detailed description of my VERY negative experiences as an owner of the LG50PC3D plasma.

I bought the 50PC3D mid Jan '07. From day one, I experienced picture quality problems with some standard definition signal, especially 'The Biggest Loser', 'Bondi Rescue' and 'Dancing With the Stars'. I even began to notice very subtle examples in some HD TV signal (well, I saw it once in a US program).

Also experienced similar issues with SD DVDs being upscaled by my Sony DVPNS76H upscaling DVD player. A good scene to test is Chapter 22 of the Matrix, where the Oracle sits close to the camera after lighting her cigarette. Also noticeable in Snatch in the first scene with the bare-knuckle boxer punching the bag. (Interestingly, there were no problems when upscaling using my modded original xbox with XBMC. I suspect the xbox is a much better upscaler than the Sony, and it left no upscaling work for the TV to do, whereas the Sony left a bit of upscaling cleanup - just a guess.)

I've described these problems in detail at http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?s=&...st&p=628886 , but essentially, I was seeing a shimmering/striping on the extremeties (jawline, hairline, nose) of closeup, moving facing and other large skin areas.

I tested an LG 50PB2DR with an SD TV transmission at Domayne, and it had the same issues. I also noted the same issues with SD TV signal on a couple of other LG plasma models, although I didn't take note of their model numbers. I also tested the 50PB2DR using the 'Matrix' scene discussed above, with several upscaling dvd players, including my Sony DVPNS76H, an LG DN100H and a Pioneer 490. The same problem occurred. However, when I played the same scene with the Sony DVPNS76H on a variety of other plasmas in-store, there was no problem. (Plasmas included: Panasonic TH42PV60, Sony KDL52X2000, Hitachi 50PD960DT, Samsung 50Q7HDX.)

Others on this forum also experienced the problem, and a friend of mine with the 50PC3D experienced the same problem (and is getting a refund on his display).

LG support couldn't help me; they claimed they'd never heard of the problem. I find this very hard to believe, given that I could see it so blatantly on every LG I looked at, and I'm no expert!

In any case, I decided that the unit was not reasonably fit for its purpose (given that SD viewing constitutes the majority of digital tv in Australia). As such, according to Dept of Fair Trading, I believed I was entitled to a refund. I asked JB Hi Fi Tuggerah for a refund, and the sales guy said that his manager said no, because there was no actual fault and the unit was 3 months old. He told me to take it up with LG. I called LG and they said it was JB's responsibility. Fair Trading said the same thing. So I called JB again, and again they refused. So I wrote a threatening letter to JB, telling them I was going to get an independent expert advice and ask to have the matter reviewed in session by a Tribunal Member. I told them I would be seeking a full refund + compensation for time and consultation fees from my independent expert. This got the ball rolling. They offered me a partial refund, which I accepted. I lost $500 on the transaction (purchased the display for $3100 and was refunded $2600).

Note that the manager at JB Hi Fi Tuggerah was very professional and helpful throughout.

I've since bought a Panasonic TH-50PX600a. It simply blows the LG out of the water. It's sharper, crisper and doesn't have any 'clay face'. (Although i didn't mention it above, I suspected the LG had a bit of clay face, particularly on Sunrise HD on Channel 7.) Most importantly, it doesn't exhibit any of the shimmering / striping problems common to all the LGs I've tested. Picture quality in 'The Biggest Loser' is perfect, as it is in the 'Matrix' scene cited above.

Moral to the story: Think VERY carefully before buying any of the current model LGs (as at April '07). They all do it, and it's EXTREMELY noticeable and frustrating. No matter how cheap you think you're getting the display, IMHO, it's simply not worth it. I wasted hours and hours and hours on this, not to mention the $500 I lost in the process. Just buy a Panasonic!

Cheers.

The LG product had undergone the software upgrades as required. Generally speaking the Panasonic is a great product, but, from my experience, i hope you bought a decent surge protection board. When these sets go bang in the power supply, prepared to pay $$$. The software issue for freezing on LG is the main problem, i have also seen the software cause poor picuture. With the new version, it tends to sort it out and they will generally get competitive in picture quality when set up correctly. When LG power supply fails. (I think i've changed 4 in the last twelve months - three for being noisy but working & one for lightening strike) the power supply is changed & never any other problems. Unfortunately, all these TV products are fairly new to the market and for the most part, people try to compare them to their old 15 year old set and you just can't. Whatever you choose to purchase, buy the extra warranty with the cash you save in bartering the deal. It has saved people a lot of money.

Just from my experiences

Hope it helps

[Dr. Zachary Smith]

LG: EEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeck!!! If I told you the story of my months-long battle with LG and their attitude to my complaints you'd shake your head in disbelief! I'd love to see a J.D. Powers type of quality survey on consumer electronics in Australia like Powers does with car brands in the US. That would sort out the cheese from the chaff, for sure.

[divinewrite]

The software issue for freezing on LG is the main problem, i have also seen the software cause poor picuture. With the new version, it tends to sort it out and they will generally get competitive in picture quality when set up correctly.

Thanks lgservicetech77. If it's true that the software was responsible for the poor picture quality as outlined in my email, it certainly would have been nice if someone at LG knew something about this! I spoke to numerous people in support and, not only did they know nothing about the cause, they claimed to know nothing about the symptom!

It seems to me that the above is due to one of two things:

1) dishonesty

2) inept support

I don't care which it was, but I'd be very very VERY reluctant to buy a big ticket LG item ever again. I want to know that I'm getting a decent product and that it's backed by decent support. My LG TV was neither.

Changing from the LG to the Panasonic has been the best move I've made in a LONG time. It's heaps better in every way. And yes, I've got decent surge protection.

[surge]

hi all.....l I have recently (last 2 months) up graded my old 42' LG rear projection tv with the LG 50pb4d plasma, i have owned LG tv's since upgrading my old trusty hitachi 51cm tv 10years ago and have never had a problem with any LG product (fridge, microwave)i have owned, i was told with the rear projection it would need a new bulb within 6 months well 4 years on its still going strong, the plasma has done its job as expected (average probably 8+ hours each day of viewing ) in the time i have had it no issues with it apart from a little image retention in the first few hours and the dreded impulse interferance.

at the end of the day it comes down to personal preference i know a few people who have now owned the panasonic 50' plasma (model unknown) samsung 42' who have annoying plasma buzz which is very noticable and the panasonic has had to be repaired 3 times in the four months they have owned it.

so i give LG products 2 thumbs up, will buy again now and into the future even if one of my products breaks down all you can do with any product you buy is spend the extra $$ and get the extended warrenty because one persons experience will not be the same as anothers regardless of what model type the get

thats my 2cents

[Blown]

I purchased the LG 50PX5D in early 06 which probably makes it the previous model to the one mentioned in the original post. All I can say is that I have been extremely happy with it. I tested the scenes on the dvds mentioned on the original posts and I dont get any of the symtoms mentioned. This unit is on usually min of 12hrs a day and has never missed a beat. My only gripe with it is that it doent have a digital out so I can record digital tv to an external recorder and that it doesn't have a button on the remote to switch between inputs ie components and HDMI, which can become annoying to flick through the lot each time. I also have a sony bravia 42" lcd purchased in 06 aswell an its picture quality has nothing on the LG.

[diesel]

I don't think you will even find any TVs today that have digital out for video - the whole digital copyright/making a perfect copy of the original argument. Digital audio out is more common (optical).

There are more TVs with monitor out/AV out but these are still only composite connections (as in the PX600).

Good enough to feed into a VCR or DVDR for recording shows, but if your going to be doing it alot, then you are better of getting a DVDR with SD tuner or SD/HD PVR.

[Blown]

I don't think you will even find any TVs today that have digital out for video - the whole digital copyright/making a perfect copy of the original argument. Digital audio out is more common (optical).

There are more TVs with monitor out/AV out but these are still only composite connections (as in the PX600).

Good enough to feed into a VCR or DVDR for recording shows, but if your going to be doing it alot, then you are better of getting a DVDR with SD tuner or SD/HD PVR.

Yes, this is something that I didnt figure out until I had it at home trying to connect it all up. I had a HDD dvd that I only got because I wanted to record digital tv with but could only get analogue out from the tv which was crappy reception. I didnt make sense to me that the TV had a built in set top box but didnt have an out for you to be able to record tv.

[diesel]

On the PX600, you can record content from the digital tuner. It sends this out via the Monitor/AV Out, but is downscaled and converted to analogue signal via the AV Out. It is far better than trying to record the analogue tuner picture. The only problem is the TV needs to be left on and switched to the channel you want to record, thereby rendering the TV useless for anything else.

Can you not record the digital channels through the AV Out on the LG?