This is what I purchased:

Panasonic 42" Plasma Widescreen EDTV Monitor w/NTSC Tuner, 2-Tuner PIP and DVI/PC Inputs

Model: TH-42PA20U

I did not buy their warranty for $899.99, they said I have 30 days to come back and buy it. Do you think I will need it? Has anyone had any problems from their plasmas (this model in particular if possible)? Thanks in advance.

 

Plasma models burn out or whatever the technical name for it is. They last about 3-5 years depending on usage. Some warrantees provide for a replacement if this happens. That would be the only time I would purchase one.

Congrats though... couple it with HDTV programming and you're set!

 

I would buy the warranty, unless the store you buy it from will work with you if a problem appears in the future.

It is not specific to your model and newer models are probably greatly improved.

This is just one situation and may not represent the vast majority of plasma screens. My parents have had horrible experience with plasma. They had two plasma TVs in the past six years since they came out. One started fading big time after two years (a first gen model). Another after three (the replacement). With the money that was spent on the TVs that was not good. My parents were told part of the problem was altitude. They live in Reno/Incline Village area. The store wanted their continued business so they replaced the first TV and threw in a five year warranty on the second, from what I understand. They were also told by the techs that the plasma starts to "burn out" in 5 years and that a lot of pioneering owners were coming back upset. They said the life span of plasma is rated at 30,000 hours at sea level. So when the second TV started going out the store recommended they replace the plasma with an LCD tv. They have had it for a couple months now.

 

This is an absolute myth that was started and proliferated by people who don't know any better. Plasma tv's have their faults, but burning out in 3-5yrs is definitely not one of them. Because of the high cost of repair "IF" it needs it, an extended warranty makes sense. The only problems related to plasma tv's is "burn-in" and some are affected by high altitude. Plasma tv's should last as long as a normal tv which is considered by many to be 10-15yrs with "normal" use. Good luck and enjoy your new "Toy"

 

I'm sorry, I went the wrong direction with my "burn!" The fact remains that while the picture is sweet initially, many have been returned. Until their longevity is ironed out, I'll just stick with my 2 yr old 53"Pioneer(non-Elite... not rich!) HDTV. Would I like to have a plasma? You bet. I'm sure improvements have been made over the years and my family room isn't the largest!

Have fun!

 

They told me under normal use, they should last 25-30 years (I am in Georgia, close to sea-level). I don't know if this is true or not, but whatever. The reason I did not buy the 3 year warranty is because I thought to myself this: If the TV breaks in 6 months I will be pissed, if it breaks in 3 years and 6 months, I will probably be just as pissed. And I also get a 1 year warranty from the company I bought it from as well. I think I am going to pocket the 900 bucks and just try my luck! Thanks for the info everyone.

 

They make a horrible hum up here at 9000 feet. Hope that gets figured out, I'll wait until it does!

How heavy are those suckers?!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by FF2Skip
Plasma models burn out or whatever the technical name for it is.

 

Amen, this is what I was looking for to make me feel good about declining it. It is about 25% of the cost of the TV. This is like an extended warranty on our s2k's that cost 7500 bucks!

 

Just my $0.02 here:

Plasma's don't suffer from "burn out" but they do suffer from "burn in" so you need to be extremely careful if you watch a lot of 4:3 programming without stretching it. That and the fact that they are prone to picture brightness fade over time that can't be reversed are their biggest "drawback" other than cost.

A typical price to pay for an extended warranty on big screen TV's is 10% of the purchase price so if you paid $5K for your TV you should have paid approx $500 for a warranty. You were right to decline but now you are left with a VERY expensive TV and a VERY short warranty (usually 12-18 months). One service call/repair can easily cost you $500 to repair a set like this. I would look around and try and get one from another source if I were you. Perhaps even go back to the dealer and and see if they would negotiate a lower more reasonable price with you, usually they will.

As for the humming sound on plasma's at high altitude, that is "normal" unfortunately due to lower atmospheric pressure at high altitude. We live at 7000 feet and they hum like crazy as well in the stores. Some stores refuse to sell an extended warranty if you live above a certain elevation. The increased stress on the electronic components may cause them to fail at a higher rate and they still don't have a lot of data yet on the failure rate at high altitude.