Panasonic TX-P42G20

Stretch

Stretch

Stretch

Soldato
Joined
14 Feb 2004
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Peoples Republic of Histonia, Cambridge
I've just bought one of these TVs and whilst I'm happy with almost everything about the set I'm experiencing the dreaded buzzing issue.

Most of the time I can't hear it unless I get close however every now and then it lets off a very high pitched squeal that is audible at viewing distance. I don't think it's something I can live with which is extremely disappointing :(

Is it possible to get one that doesn’t have this issue or should I send it back and get a different model?
 
All plasmas buzz to some extent. I have a v20 and it's only barely audible when sound is off and screen is bright white. A high pitched squeal sounds like a faulty capacitor. Get it changed.
 
I'm thinking of wall mounting the TV and placing some sound absorbent material behind to soak up the buzz.

Does anyone have any experience of doing this and what material might be best to use.
 
There is a thread on AV forums where a guy has stuck carpet on the back of the TV!
 
I have seen the thread after comming up with the same idea. However I'm looking for a slightly more elegant solution.

From things round the home I've found bath towles works pretty well but I'm not keen on sticking one to my wall. I was thinking acoustic mats like the ones you can buy to put inside pc cases might do the trick but I'm not sure they'll be absorbant enough.

SpeedFreak said:
If you can hear it from normal viewing distance just get the set changed.
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from what i've read it's entirly possible I could end up with one that's worse. I bought it from john lewis last Thursday and I'd hope their exchange policy is better than most. I might give them a call in the mornng and see what they have to say.
 
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Stretch said:
Even when you stand very close to the tv?
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I experimented last night and could pick up a humming noise but only when the screen was displaying very bright colours and only when my head was right next to the television and only when i was closer to the back than the front.

I even asked the wife who is somewhat noise intolerant and she couldnt hear anything at all....especially not from 6-10 feet away which is our normal viewing distance.

I think our HTPC makes more noise and thats hidden away in a cupboard.

That said i did notice that my friends 42" LG plasma was making some funny noises when we were round there the other night.....luck of the draw it seems.
 
zootfloot said:
I experimented last night and could pick up a humming noise but only when the screen was displaying very bright colours and only when my head was right next to the television and only when i was closer to the back than the front.

I even asked the wife who is somewhat noise intolerant and she couldnt hear anything at all....especially not from 6-10 feet away which is our normal viewing distance.

I think our HTPC makes more noise and thats hidden away in a cupboard.

That said i did notice that my friends 42" LG plasma was making some funny noises when we were round there the other night.....luck of the draw it seems.
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Thanks for checking.

I can only really hear the TV from about 2-3 feet away but some seats in our living room are no more than 5 feet and I can hear it from there some of the time. Like you say it's when the TV is displaying bright colours.

I'm going to contact JL and ask about a replacement. I just hope it's an improvement.
 
JL have agreed to exchange, I'm picking it up at 7 tonight. Fingers crossed the next set is better than the last.
 
If its not just send it back again. Its a pain mate but its worth hassle to get a TV you are happy with. They aint cheap!
 
kidloco said:
If its not just send it back again. Its a pain mate but its worth hassle to get a TV you are happy with. They aint cheap!
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You're right, it's the best part of £700 and I shouldn't have to accept something less than perfect.

I'm just very glad I chose to go with JL as the have a depot about 10 mnutes drive away and I don't have to faff about carrying heavy TVs to the post office or wait around for delivery men :)
 
Just got my second unit and it has the same problem only slightly worse. Think I'm going to call it a day with the G20 and get myself an LCD/LED.
 
Just keep sending it back. JL have amazing customer service, we have returned 4 hoover in a row (over about 1/2 a year) because they just weren't up to the job/standard. JL seem to actually care about the reputation they get by selling others products, so if its not good enough for you, its not good enough for them, despite what the manufacturer might say.
 
Don't worry about sending back TV after TV, they won't hate you for it - they only want to see you happy!

Plenty more TVs for the clearance sales / outlet store to try to shift!
 
I am a bit torn. My heart says just keep sending it back and hope I get a "good" one, but my head says just trade it in for the Panasonic 42" LED which is £200 more at JL.

I really love the G20. After having for a few days and then swapping back to a 32" LCD you can really notice the difference in PQ.

I'm not sure if I'm just overly sensitive to the buzz and I'm making a fuss over something that’s “normal” and it’s not possible to get one without it. I'm not sure what is considered normal, some of the seats in my living room are only 4' away from the screen which might be the problem.

I'm thinking that once I've got it wall mounted and put some sound absorbent backing on the wall I probably won’t notice it. I've ordered a "slim" mount that holds the TV 2cm from the wall and if I get some decent backing it could be ok. However if I go to all the effort and it's still an issue it might be too late to send it back.
 
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Try one more mate. Problem is you have seen how good the pq is on the g20 now. Going to something with a lesser picture will bug you for as long as you own the set.

Just out of interest. How much extra do they want for the V20. Place I got mine from only wanted £200 for the 50" V20 than the G20.
 
I had a G20 that buzzed a bit but then I got burgled and the thieves took it.

I got the replacement through insurance and now the new one is perfect! They burgling gits almost did me a favour, they won't get this one though, not with my improved security! It is a fantastic Tv, if you are lucky enough to get one without the tinitus buzz.
 
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