Panasonic Viera TC-P50G25 Problems: Flashing Red Light

The Panasonic Viera 50-inch plasma TV has received rave reviews from the media and consumers alike. Panasonic encountered problems with its plasma TVs last year, both due to degradation of the picture quality over time, which was much publicized due to a class action lawsuit filed over that defect, and for a power supply issue that was far less publicized, but for which there are many negative reviews online. So far this year, though, the reviews have been much more positive. I would like to share, however, that my experience has been less than positive in hopes of helping others who have had the same problem and in providing another viewpoint for those considering purchasing this TV.

I purchased a 2010 Panasonic Viera (TC-P50G25 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV) one week ago (November 2010) and within two hours of delivery experienced the "red lights flashing" problem that others have experienced last year and this year. After some research, I have determined that it is likely a power supply problem. It starts with a loud popping or crackling noise and then the set goes dead, except for a flashing red light on the front.

I called Panasonic and the best they could offer was a repair person in 5 days. That's because the set is, of course, still under warranty. I have found other reviews about last year's model and some reviews about this year's model having the same problems. It turns out that some people have had a difficult time getting their TV fixed. Others have had more problems pop up after their TV was fixed. Still others had the misfortune of not having this happen until after their warranty was up. It is about $500 to fix if you are paying out of pocket.

If this has happened to you and you are still under warranty, call Panasonic and get it fixed on their dime. If you do, however, be forewarned that the parts to fix this problem are often backordered and you may have to wait a long time before your TV is fixed. If you bought it from Amazon and it has not been 30 days since you bought it, you may be able to return it to Amazon for a new tv, either an exchange for a new Panasonic Viera (what I'm going to try tomorrow morning), or a return of the broken TV so you can purchase a new one (presumably different from the one you just bought). I'd like to say that upon further research I found a better plasma TV to buy, but I haven't. So I'm going to assume I received one of the "rare" lemons and hope for a home run with the next delivery.

I contacted Amazon today and they will take the TV back. It would have been a clean exchange if they had had another 50 inch Panasonic Viera in stock, but they didn't. An hour and a half later, we negotiated a 54 inch Viera for just $200 more than what we paid for the 50 inch and a complete switch out when they come to deliver the new TV (i.e. they will take the broken TV). The new TV comes in around December 10th, so I'll keep you updated as to how that goes and how the new TV fares. It is pretty much the same TV only bigger. Let's hope I don't see flashing red lights again.

By the way, I also found out that Amazon will take TVs back until January 31, 2011, so you have more than 30 days (from the date of this update, December 4, 2010) to return a TV that you've already purchased.

December 11th Update: Well, the 54-inch Viera came in yesterday and so far, so good! It's a great TV of course. Huge. Great picture. Fantastic color. Movies look great. Games look even better. No glitches with it so far. Will post if anything bad happens. We purchased the 4-year extended warranty with Amazon just in case. All in all, Amazon really came through with this exchange. It was not easy because they were out of stock on the 50-inch Viera, but we're happy with how things turned out. By the way, we called to cancel our appointment with the repair folks who are contracted with Panasonic to repair these TVs and it turns out that the parts are BACKORDERED, so they would not have been able to repair this TV for a while anyways. (That's actually what I had been reading about these TVs for the past week anyways.) So if your TV is broken and you have the option to return it, RETURN IT or you will be waiting god knows how long to have it fixed.

December 23rd Update: The new 54-inch Viera still going strong! Very happy with this TV so far.

March 28, 2011: Three months later and the Viera is still going strong!