Group of Red Spots randomly appear on screen LG 42PQ60

[jsanand]

Dear Friends,

Exactly and year later (had picked up my LG 42PQ60 last year), the moment warranty got over I noticed some red spots :sad: (its like someone is pointing a red source of light on a section of screen) randomly appear in darker zones of a picture. This is easily re-producable if I use a HD source with some dark scenes. The current image setting has Contrast up at 92, Brightness 50. The issue while watching SD content on Tata SKY+ is very rare but have seen it multiple times while watching 720P content on WDTV.

Anyone else who has also faced this issue?

 

[jsanand]

Quick update - I ran the ISM - color wash for around 20 mins and the occurrence of the dancing red spots (found them to be flickering on a closer inspection) was noticeably reduced.

The issue however was present on all input modes - irrespective if there is a source connected. I was able to see a large section of red dancing dots on white sections as and when Q Menu was launched.

Anyone else with similar symptoms?

 

[jsanand]

Any one facing a similar issue or any idea of the possible solution?

 

[gobble]

Did you try anti-pimple cream?

Let me know if you need a recommendation on that one

Cheers

 

[jerry53]

try pressing it with your thumb till the red spot gets removed and for all lcd/plasma tv get a strip surger thing,ground your home properly ,if you are using wire extenders make sure you get the 3 pin one and also when not using remove the power cable from the socket and also try to invest in an stabilizer/ups.

 

[jsanand]

Did you try anti-pimple cream?

Let me know if you need a recommendation on that one

Cheers

Thanks Gobble,

Tried the local store today - could not find a pimple cream that keeps on jumping, attached to these dancing red pimples (read pixels). :lol:

Will help if you can mail me one from Bangalore as a Diwali gift

 

[jsanand]

try pressing it with your thumb till the red spot gets removed and for all lcd/plasma tv get a strip surger thing,ground your home properly ,if you are using wire extenders make sure you get the 3 pin one and also when not using remove the power cable from the socket and also try to invest in an stabilizer/ups.

Thanks Jerry,

The PQ60 has a glass overlay so pressing on the screen will not help. The issue is not stagnant red pixels but these flicker while watching some content.

I will try and pick up a UPS because the area I am staying in has lots of power outages.

 

[rshri]

I had this red dot flicker problem in dark scenes more than an year ago. I replaced the cheapie HDMI cable with a quality cable and problem disappeared.

 

[jsanand]

I had this red dot flicker problem in dark scenes more than an year ago. I replaced the cheapie HDMI cable with a quality cable and problem disappeared.

Rshri, I am having this problem with component and AV sources as well. So not sure if HDMI cable is causing it. Will anyways try changing the cable and playing the content again to see if there is any variation in intensity of these red dots.

 

[jsanand]

Just updating the status for those who may have faced similar issues with Plasmas.

Found plenty of links with information on LG Plasma panels having issues with red dot flickering (but none of them with recent models!) All the posts on AVSForum and other websites were of models sold in 2006-2008. I bought mine in 2009.

The problem of red dot flicker was quite common with LG Plasma panels then (various posts indicated majority of manufacturers were using LG Panels) and this issue was resolved with various techniques -
- Adjusting some voltage parameters (which leads to faster degradation of the panel) using some va, vs or vy and vsc adjusting knobs.
- Replacing the controller board, Z Sustain board and Y Sustain board
- Replacing the complete panel.

Had filed a complaint with LG and their technician called me today, he sounded pretty familiar with the problem and has asked me to run whitewash for the night, if that does not solves it the problem may be with the panel (he stated that some panels do have these issues but issue it self surfaces during the warranty period). I am required to revert if whitewash or colorwash has been of help. If not he may even try voltage adjustments (which others facing the problem said - further aggravates the problem whenever it hits back in a time frame of 8-10 months).

Whatever happens will keep you guys posted.

How I wish that a pimple cream could have solved it

 

[rshri]

You have run into a serious problem indeed!

 

[jsanand]

Update:

The LG Engineer showed up - I have to give a thumbs up to these guys for prompt service call response.

He told me the first step will be to check and adjust the voltage and next to be replacement of the panel :sad:

Opening the panel, he announced that voltage values currently being shown for Va and Vs were incorrect and he has corrected them, hopefully this should fix it.

He had no response to a question that invalid settings were made at LG manufacturing unit and if that is causing harm to the set why a customer should pay or suffer.

Service charge Rs. 1100-

Asked me to check the set for couple of days and if not the boards need to be replaced at around Rs. 8K or Panel replacement at around 18K.

Wow those were comforting statement - a company claims the TV panel to last 60,000 hours and it is ready to die in less than 600 hrs of usage (less than 1%). This surely is technology achievement over CRTs that lasted over a decade at minimum.

One suggestion friends - Please get extended warranties if you buy the current age television (glad that I have not sold or exchanged my old 21 inch Sony Wega).

 

[NetFreak]

Did voltage adjustment solve the problem for now?

And how did you check usage?

 

[jsanand]

Did voltage adjustment solve the problem for now?

It seems to. But as per posts on other websites the voltage adjustment is just a band-aid on a major issue, it will only delay the symptom to come back strongly.

And how did you check usage?

I have had this TV for 12 months 20 days and not used it for more than 3 hrs a day (and have been away owing to travel for 4 months) So roughly 200 days of usage for 3 hrs a day = 600 hrs (it may be even lesser)

 

[NetFreak]

Thanks, do you happen to know key sequence for opening service menu for this TV?

 

[gobble]

Thanks Gobble,

Tried the local store today - could not find a pimple cream that keeps on jumping, attached to these dancing red pimples (read pixels). :lol:

Will help if you can mail me one from Bangalore as a Diwali gift

Why you are having serious problems with your TV and financial investment, I continue to joke here ...

Since you need to get rid of spots that are visible in the black areas of the screen, use "Dark and Lovely" lotion. Guaranteed results in 3 weeks. Apply generously on panel and rotate gently in clockwise motion.

More seriously - isn't your TV covered under warranty? I think the onus should be on LG to prove that the incorrect voltages did not cause damage resulting in the need to replace the panel. Why should you - a consumer, pay for their faulty assembly procedures or mistakes by a production line technician?

Cheers

 

[jsanand]

All - The problem persists. Just noticed it while watching SD channel broadcast.

 

[cmsajith]

All - The problem persists. Just noticed it while watching SD channel broadcast.

I think its better dont do anything as it is going to cost you almost same as a new one. Use it till it works and buy another one or sell it. Also they should return the amount you had paid as the problem is not yet rectified. I think they will do the trial and error (R&D) at your cost, who knows whether the issue will be rectified even after the power supply / panel is changed?

 

[viper08]

Better get a 29" replacement CRT from them and have a piece of mind for next few years until flat panel technology gets reliable. Trust me !!!

 

[jsanand]

Another update:

Mailed Area sales representatives for Gurgaon and Delhi detailing my plight. Called up Technician's supervisor as well and he promised to look into it.

In the evening, got a call from LG, stating they will send a senior technician/specialist who will be able to pinpoint the issue and fix it (not sure of the cost aspect).

Again I am not sure of the end deliverable, but must say, LG is one company that DOES LISTEN :clapping:. Maybe LG = Listen Good.

Hoping for the best outcome tomorrow.