Panasonic VT30 green blob fault

The same fault has been reported with the GT30 tvs too, i own a 42GT30 but it doesn't show any sign of the issue. I am on my 3rd GT30 as the first two had different issues, a grey shadowy line down the left hand side of the screen on the first one and a loud buzzing coming from the second. The first one did also show signs of the green blob from the moment it was switched on but only with a grey background such as on the start up menu when the tv is switched on for the first time but it never intruded into everyday viewing, but there are reports of the issue being visible on an everyday basis.

The second tv i had was slightly better with regard to the green blob although the buzzing was a major issue and the third and final one which i have now showed absolutely no signs of the green atall which i found very strange indeed.

From what i've read though it is the VT30 models that are far worse with this issue and i've watched a few videos on youtube showing the issue but i can confirm that none of the GT30 tvs i have had seem to suffer like this, at no point is the green blob visible during day to day viewing on any source like it is on these tvs!

The problem for Panasonic will be that it's most likely a problem during manufacture and therefore the issue won't be rectified easily, i doubt any sort of repair or firmware update will see an end to the issue and may well explain their current stance by claiming it's within tolerance. From what i've seen, however, i can't see how they can claim that as it clearly is not within tolerance when a green blob can be clearly seen on the tv during normal everyday viewing?

Your only hope is with your retailer i'm afraid so some careful negotiation will be your only way forward be that a replacement tv or a refund, Panasonic customer service doesn't have the best of reputations across the many forums so i doubt any resolution will be forthcoming from them so fingers crossed you have an understanding retailer.

Sorry i couldn't be of more help.

Panasonic have told me, that due to power restrictions in the uk they are unable to drive the set with its required power. This is what causes the fault. I have noticed the fault during normal viewing and my retailer will be refunding. Are other manufactures having the same problems with power restrictions? Is this explaination plausible?

That doesn't sound like a plausible explanation to me...i am no engineer of course but if this was the case then it would raise the question as to why Panasonic were selling a tv in the first place that couldn't perform as it should in the UK due to power issues!! Surely during the drawing board stages and during testing this issue would have become apparant?

If indeed that is their official explanation then every VT30 owner would qualify for a full refund or replacement as the tv is therefore not fit for purpose under the sale of goods act in the UK, it would be interesting to see if WHF got the same explanation or if they suddenly changed the wording to cover themselves.

I have never heard of any other manufacturer having problems with power restrictions in production of tvs and it does strike me as a very strange explanation indeed and tbh i smell a rat or a customer service agent who didn't get their facts straight (or just blatantly made it up).

It's good news that your retailer is refunding you in full, what will you do next...go for a completely different tv?

Thats what I'm trying to decide. The thing is other that the green tinge I really like the tv. I don't think anything else compares this year. Thought about the Samsung 55 D8000 but I've heard it's not great with motion and 3D on LED's is not as great compared to plasma. I'd really like WHF to address the green tinge issue to see what they thought.

Agreed!

It's such a widely reported issue this year that i think many owners or prospective buyers would benefit from WHF getting involved to get some sort of official response from Panasonic on the issue as the explanation you were given makes no sense to me. The issue has been so widely reported that at some point Panasonic will be forced into action but until then just think of how many tvs are being sold on the back of the 55VT30 getting an award in WHF this year along with the positive reviews of the other sizes, and also because of positive reviews from many other publications and sites etc.

As for the Samsung 55D8000 i auditioned both the 40 and 46D8000 and 7000 tvs before i decided to get the 42GT30 and was completely discouraged due to some awful backlight bleed on all 4 tvs, it impacted into everyday viewing with clouds clearly visible in three corners of the screen and when displaying a largely black background it was far too distracting, it completely ruined the picture quality.

Overall i was of the opinion that the GT and VT plasmas this year were the clear winners although the Samsungs were slighly sharper with a little more detail on offer and had a far better online portal with superior content and apps that makes Panasonics offerings look positively stoneage in comparison, however, in every other way the GT and VT plasmas were far better.

I've looked at alot of tvs this year and nothing has got close to the Panasonics, i know it's probably not ideal for you but how about looking at a 50GT30? It's not as big as you want but at least you are far less likely to suffer from the green blob effect!

I can't really think of any other alternative that's on a par with the VT30 you are returning tbh.

Well it looks as though we have yet to reach the stage where there is a perfect design of TV available.

I have been looking for a replacement at the moment and tried to be open minded  in looking at both types but it seems that all the major players are having problems with some of their product as a quick trawl on the net will show.

Samsung and Sony LCDs still suffering from uneven backlighting and banding in some cases to an appalling degree.

Panasonic Plasmas, some with the green blob issue, quite amazing that jimmya200 has had this pronlem on two sets now on what is supposed to be Panasonics "premium" range, and still the 50hz bug does not appear to have been fixed on some sets.

I'm afraid that I am fast getting to the stage where I probably won't bother as I don't really want to act as "quality control" for major TV manufacturers.

Damm keyboard.

pronlem should read problem.

Apparently the 50" gt30's can suffer from it too!

Get yourself a second hand Kuro, still some available, just be picky and try to get one with some warranty left, then you can't go wrong.

Mine's not the top of the range, and I bought it 2nd hand, but it's fantastic, and I've never had any issues with it. 

Still a year or so's warranty left too.

I still get tempted to buy a 500A or 5090, but for now, I'm as happy as Larry with my LX508D.

Pioneer, please start making tvs again!!!

I guy from panasonic has replied on another thread. I wondered if they would like to comment on this thread. Funny how they haven't yet as the threads are next to each other.

Hi everyone

I am working my way through the posts

We have had a small number of reports from customers who are not happy with the performance of their Panasonic TV in relation to ‘Green Blobs’. We also have many customers across this and other forums that are very happy with their purchase.

If there are any customers on here that are unhappy with the performance of their set please get in contact with us using this form: www.panasonic.co.uk/email please Select ‘General Enquiries’ and Quote ‘Whathifi Forum’ in the message.

Please include your model, serial number , contact number and what problems you are having. One of our product specialists will then contact you to discuss the issues with you.

Hope this helps

Adam

So it's not down to "power restrictions" then. Being a bit tight lipped.

jimmya200,

Contact them via the email link supplied then, it will be interesting to hear what the issue actually is and what Panasonic will do about it for you. I can't see that it's a power restriction issue because, after further thought, why would some be affected and not others?

I really hope they are able to help you get the issue sorted once and for all...hopefully you will get a tv free from the fault or at least a good resolution to the situation and i look forward to hearing how you get on so keep the thread updated if you can.

I have already contacted them, before I started this thread. They told me

It was done to power restrictions!

Interestingly I have just looked at the equivalent Samsung plasma and discovered that it uses more power than the vt30!

Well my second GT30 has arrived today and it's exactly the same as the first.... you guessed it a green blob on the screen. I'll get some hours on it but it'll most likey be going back to John Lewis for a refund.

I've spoken with the Panasonic rep in John Lewis, she'd not come across this issue before. She called her manager and he denied all knowledge as well. The frustrating thing is that the GT30 in JL was fine as far as I could tell.

The picture on the GT30 is fantastic but when the missus asks why is the snow green in 'The Frozen Planet' it's just not good enough.