sandssik

I've been agonizing over the decision of which sony to buy; the 34, 36 ,or 40" xbr800, but along comes some really good prices on the panasonic PT 40LC12(and a free ATSC tuner if bought by 03-29-03) so now another variable thrown into the mix: Please give some advice; Is the Panasonic PT-40LC12 something you users are happy with? I've heard some bad reports on customer/warranty support; any truth there? what about lamp life? And by the way what is the warranty on the set(tried to access the panasonic site but couldn't get an answer)? If it's a lemon please tell me so, likewise if it's great, please say so. Any advice is welcome.
thanks, sandssik

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scot sanders

57U

I've seen some pretty good reviews on this unit. If the lamp is like the one in the GWIIs then it should last a few years. It costs a couple hundred to replace I think

I hear that Sony will be bringing out a 40" Grand Wega III TV soon. If you like Sony and if you have seen the 50 & 60" GWIIs you may wish to research this "new" model...

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57U - Toronto, Rogers Cable, SA8300HD, 500GB HDD & Hitachi 61UWX10B HDTV, Yamaha RX-V1 A/V Receiver, Martin Logan Speakers. Photos --> 57U's HT

SA8300HD, 250GB HDD & KDL40W3000 (Upstairs)

Please don't PM me with questions that can (and should) be asked in the forum, thanks. Personal Question? Fire away.

sandssik

Thanks for the advice; I'll keep an eye out for the sony, but my questions about the panasonic LCD still remain; sonys come out with very high prices, but from reading reviews, their service and warranty are much superior to panasonic; any thoughts on that?
Thanks again for the help.

sandssik

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scot sanders

Leth

The panasonic is a very nice unit, we are our store haven't had a single problem with the ones we have sold. The lamp will last the average person approx 2-3 years but you should always have a spare on hand is it can blow at any given moment like a light bulb. The replacement bulb is 300 dollars. The air filter must be cleaned monthly and replaced every 1 to 2 years at cost of about 12 dollars. Other than the maintenance issues the TV is excellent.

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UNF!

crawform

Any further comments on the 40lc12? I am really interested in this tv and would appreciate any comments. Would any of buy this tv over an entry level Samsung plasma, or an even cheaper Planer, etc?

Leth

Well now that i've seen the new Samsung DLPs side by side with the Panasonic LCD projector, I must definetly say that the DLP is by far superior. I haven't compared the Samsung DLP to the Sony Grand Wega yet (we haven't gotten it in yet) but i've seen them on display at other stores and they are much nicer than the panasonic unit, I just wonder how it will stack up against the DLP units.

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UNF!

spaceman_spiff

I have always had good experience with my Panasonic purchases. They sent a tech out to fix the pincushioning on my set. I noticed this problem after a month of owning it (was scared to get into the service menu). The tech came in 5 days after calling Panasonic. I have heard lot of good reviews about their customer service.
Check this site out for more Panasonic Info. Panny
Good luck

kd4ao

I have had the PT 40LC12 for about a year and a half. It still looks great with digital and HD programming, but never has been great for analog.

I have been thinking that I should be finding a new lamp before it goes out. Do any of you know of a good source for the lamp? I would think it should be available from several sources because it should be the same bulb as many of the projectors use.

Thanks

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Bob

LeeS

The part number is TY-LA1500, $299 from Pansonic. I found one hit on the web and it was 313.95, go figure. I didn't search through all the projector lamp outlets that were listed.

Lee

Derek2k

I have the Panasonic, I had the Sony 50 inch LCD RP. I like the Panasonic better. The Sony I had lamp failed in 2 days, and the lamp was on back order for 20 days. This was just last month.

I personally like the look of RP LCDs better than DLPs. I think the colors are better on the LCDs. The DLPs have better blacks, but the color seems to be some what blueish. Also I believe the LCD's handle fast moving action better. The DLPs seem to have some ghosting and pixalization when watching fast moving scenes such as sports. One of my friends that have the Samsung DLP came over to check out my Panasonic and he said if he could buy again he would do a LCD RP. Plus the RP LCD are a good bit cheaper than the DLP. If you like the DLPs you have to ask yourself if the difference is worth the price.

The Panasonic is also more aestheticly pleasing especially if you get the matching stand.

kd4ao

Just switched from the Hughes E86 to the Samsung SIRTS360.
What a difference, can now try all of the various resolutions, 480I/P, 720P, and 1080I. I have never seen ABC HD so good and even plain old analog is also better than before.

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Bob

Matt_382

I have the PT-40LC12 TV. The red light is now burning on the tv indicating that the lamp is about to go out.. My question is: (sorry if this has been answered somewhere else) How do you replace the lamp (TY-LA1500)?

Could someone point me toward some detailed instructions on how to replace the lamp in this unit.. Thanks

57U

I would start with your operating manual?

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57U - Toronto, Rogers Cable, SA8300HD, 500GB HDD & Hitachi 61UWX10B HDTV, Yamaha RX-V1 A/V Receiver, Martin Logan Speakers. Photos --> 57U's HT

SA8300HD, 250GB HDD & KDL40W3000 (Upstairs)

Please don't PM me with questions that can (and should) be asked in the forum, thanks. Personal Question? Fire away.

oman321

My owners manual for another Panny (PT50LC14) does not have the instructions on how to do this. I believe that once you order the replacement lamp Matt that they will send you the instructions with it. If not Panasonic will be able to walk you through it over the phone. See a similar thread under Panasonic with "burnout" in the title. Best of luck.

Matt_382

57U: Of course I did start with the owners manual.. Thats why I am asking in this forum.

Yep.. the owners manual doesnt give any instructions on HOW to replace the lamp.. I did read that first. It doesn't even tell you how to locate the lamp.

Thanks Oman 321 for your help. I will wait until I get the new lamp and see if it has instructions.. If not I will call Panasonic.

Blaster

from the Panasonic Operating Manual-model # PT-43LC14/PT-50LC14/PT-60LC14
TY-LA1000
Lamp unit replacement period
The Lamp is a consumable item and it’s life varies based on individual usage.
Panasonic warranties the original Lamp for a period of 1 year from the date of
purchase.
• The unit will detect when the Lamp’s end of life is approaching and the following message
will be displayed.
• The LAMP indicator light will be lit when the Lamp’s end of life is approaching.

THE LAMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED,
AND THE LAMP HOUR METER NEEDS TO BE RESET.

Refer to the instructions enclosed with the lamp unit (Part No.: TY-LA1000) when replacing the lamp.

• Please wait more than one hour for lamp replacement.
[ If you need to replace the lamp more urgently ]
• The projection display has a forced cooling feature. After the POWER button is turned OFF, and sometime during about the
first minute of the normal cooling fan operation, press the VOL+ button on the projection display and the ▲ button on the
Remote control at same time for more than 5 seconds. The cooling fan operates for about 10 minutes.

had some time to kill so I looked it up
strange like you said it does not even show ya where the bulb is
must be some good instuctions that come with said bulb...

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Adelphia cable-DCT 6200
XBOX HD , 5.1
Harmony 676

oman321

They probably dont want us to mess with it till we have to. On the thread that I mentioned "burnout" it says it is under a front panel held by two screws, seemed pretty straight forward and easy to do. That thread refers to the models that you listed Blaster so it might be slightly different for Matt. I hope if mine goes it goes within the first year, those things are expensive. My luck it will probably go in 12 months and 1 day. Then i'll have to jack my buddy's who has the same set HAHA.

Blaster

ha ha Hi-jack your buddy's
then give him your old one and say " here, got you a present " (for being such a good friend)

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Sony KP-51WS510
Adelphia cable-DCT 6200
XBOX HD , 5.1
Harmony 676

Sally447

I am getting the message on my TV that says to reset the Lamp Hour Meter. I replaced the lamp about three weeks ago and I did not reset the meter. Does anyone know how? TIA