Panasonic PT-50LC13 50-Inch 16:9 Widescreen Projection LCD TV

Rating:
Summary: Wait to Buy this!!!!
Review: My tv was delivered 30 days ago and it has already broken!!! The bulb, which is suppossed to last 10,000 hours, has gone out. My husband did some research on-line and found lots of people complaining about this problem. The authorized repair facility is trying to find out from Panasonic if it's a problem with the bulb or a deeper problem with the tv. The picture is great and I would like to rate this a 5, but a $2700 tv that breaks after 30 days qualifies for a low score. In all fairness, I will update this once the problem is resolved. I just think we should have waited a year or two for them to resolve all issues before purchasing this item.

Rating:
Summary: Piece of Junk
Review: Purchased this, this ... "thing" in November of 2003. It took 8 months for the lamp to burn out. And from listening to others, I was fortunate to have it last so long. Store service contract (although I was told the lamp was covered when I bought the contract)does not cover replacement. It's considered a "Consumable Item" Psycho babble for something that wears out.

Panasonic only covers it for 3 months (used to be a year but so many are burning out, Panasonic reduced the coverage time). Replacement costs $400. Did you hear me? $400 for a 3 inch lamp. And that doesn't include the labor. (At least my service contract covered that).

You will get no satisfaction from Panasonic customer service, who has an "oh, we're very sorry, but too bad" attitude. Same with the store. If you buy it and the "Return for full refund date" is past, you're stuck!

If you have nothing better to do with your money, go out and buy $2800 worth of bubble gum. At the very least you'll be able to chew it.

If it were not for the lamp problem I would rate this set 3 Stars or "average." The picture is adequate and so is the sound. The best thing I can say about this set is the weight. Easy to position and move around, however, how many times do you move a TV set?

I have since changed my practice of being the "first on the block to have the latest gizmo."

Don't buy this TV, and I would also think twice about any TV that uses these high intensity lamps. If you do, make sure the lamp is covered and is not considered a "Consumable Item." Ask, and then get it in writing. And good luck!