Help! Stuck pixel on new LCD TV

Flanno · 20 Feb 2006 at 22:40

So I sold my 2405FPW and got me a LG 32LXR LCD TV...1200:1, 8ms *probably only grey to grey though*, DVI and HDMI both HDCP enabled, etc... Pretty impressed with it however windows takes some getting used to at 1300x768, but at least when the X1700 comes out it should be enough to run anything on my media center setup.

Anyway, I got one red stuck pixel right in the middle of the screen. Visible all the time except when the screen is realy dark (games, dvd's), but for browsing and general windows use, there is it. Because the res is only 1300x768 it looks quite big...at least 3 times the size of a stuck pixel you would see on a 2405fpw, and nothing will shift it. The shop I bought it from have a 7 day return policy but only have 1 of these LG's left. Should I chance it full knowing I could get stuck with a worse one ? It will mainly be used for watching TV, DivX and Xbox360 gaming, so is not noticeable then, so would not be that difficult to live with, but when you fork out so much money you expect perfection I guess.

Flanno · 20 Feb 2006 at 23:20

I will ring them tommorrow and basically tell them I am taking it back and I would like to try the other one they have in stock.

Flanno · 21 Feb 2006 at 20:03

Update : the pixel turned out to be dead not stuck.
Brought it back and they said because it was opened they wouldnt exchange unless there was a defect and 1 dead pxiel doesnt count. The only way they would replace is if I bought the warranty. So I ended up buying the warranty (about 279 euro). At least its a 3 year warranty and covers accidental damage, so at least if I was devious in 3 years time I could "upgrade" for nothing

Anyway, the replacement LG had 3 dead pixels. They had none other in stock. Tried 2 Samsungs in a row...dead pixels. Hitachi, dead pixel. Toshiba dead pixel. In the end I paid a little extra and got a Sonia Bravia....no dead pixels whatsover. The picture to be honest is superior on the Bravia compared to the other panels I trid, at least to my eyes...for TV, and my 360, but the PC plains sucks. I am using the dvi to hdmi cable (shop gave it to me for free) and in every resolution it looks like 16bit colour and the fonts are terrible. The url address bar is almost impossible to read. I am going to try the vga cable now, and if that is ok I will settle for that. Surprised the windows picture is so bad. Maybe there is a driver for this monitor as my ATI X1600 seemed to pick up the LG perfectly. Although its probably got something to do with the fact that the LG could do 1:1 pixel mapping via the DVI connector. The Sony only has DSUB and HDMI.

Flanno · 21 Feb 2006 at 21:15

I found that as well and asked them about it. They said it doesn't applly to LCD TV's retailed in their stores. I am kind of glad I got the warranty as it covers everything for 3 years, and you can bet sure I will get my free upgrade

The shop maintained LG would not deem 1 pixel an issue but if I had the shop cover it wouldn't matter.

Just tried the vga cable...max it will go to is 1280x768 (native res of tv is 13660x768) but you can stretch the screen to fill it. However stretched or 1:1 pixel there is loads of wavy lines. The LG which had DVI was perfect in this respect and outputted 1360x768 faultlessly. Anyway, I made sure speakers were plugged out, no other cables around the place, tv ariel out etc... Don't have another vga cable to try but dropping it to 1024x768 sorted it. Don't mind as only use PC now for torrents and browsing. At least it means I wont have to upgrade my video card if I want to play games

Flanno · 4 Mar 2006 at 22:29

Nope..the shop said the LG guys said no. I bought the insurance and got a Sony Bravia...no dead pixels, but later found a watermark on the panel where the bezel was clipped to tightly to the bottom edge. Plus a hell of a lot of blurring in most 360 games. Sony said no to swap, but shop took the hit and offered a swap, which they were bitter about to be honest. Swapped it out for a Sammy (a 40" actually). Have 1 dead pixel on that. Show up red under a white background, and black under a green or yellow background. Cannot see it under a blue, black or red background. Could be just lazy so running a few programs to see if I can bring it back to life. Failing that I could return it as insurance covers dead pixels. Went into shop today to discuss but sales guy was gone home and manager said he would have to check into policy. He also would not move on a small discount on a Samsung HD850 DVD/Dix player as I did not buy it the same day as TV. I ranted a bit at him after he said that, and told him I would be in contact with sales chap on Monday and I want a panel with zero dead pixels and would appreciate if they could check their stock for one. If not possible I said I would keep returning the panel till I got one that was right, seeing as the insurance covers it

Flanno · 4 Mar 2006 at 23:13

It seems to be the norm. This shop is a huge chain store in the UK and Ireland but can't say much more. I have see 3 Samsung 32"s, 2 40" models, and another 40" in one of their PC stores and they all had 1 dead pixel a piece. I have also seen a no. of LG panels and Philips panels. Same story. I got lucky with the Sony, but for gaming it was pants.

To be honest I sit a good bit back when gaming on this 40" in my bedroom

So I don't see the dead pixel in the heat of the action or even watching DVD's. But I know it's there. I guess I will tell the sales guy on Monday about it, and say there probably is not much point in returning the panel given the high percentage chance of a dead pixel unless they can find one from stock that is perfect.

Flanno · 5 Mar 2006 at 19:34

Went back to shop this afternoon.

I have 3 choices now :

1. Live with 1 dead pixel.

2. Return for refund - I paid half by credit card, other half was finance.

3. They can order another one from their warehouse direct to my house after the engineer verifies a dead pixel. The problem with this, is before they used carry a no. in stock. Since the special offer is over they are not holding stock and ordering on demand. This means it would take a week to get a new one, and seeing as 3 of them I have seen (my own and 2 in the shop) had 1 dead or lazy pixel, I guess the odds are good so will this one. And I don't want to spend weeks and weeks getting replacements. A lof of hassle.

I may go for the refund. I will visit a few shops at lunchtime tommorrow to see if they would be willing to let me try my notebook on the panel before buying. What you reckon ? Do most retailers allow this sort of thing ? I'm guessing not as it means opening the packaging.