Dead Plasma TV - HELP!

[smokeysmoo]

My TV has packed upIt was fine this morning, switched it off before we went out earlier, came back home, switched it on and nothing. No bang, pop, hiss, smoke, nothing!
It is was a Panasonic Viera TH42PZ81B. It's under warranty as I got a 5 year one with it, but a quick Google seems to suggest it's quite common. The red light on the front just flashes constantly which apparently denotes a fault that needs deciphering by an engineer.
I'm annoyed because I was advised to get this unit by a TV engineer as they are so good, but I guess nothings 100% in todays throw away society.
The shop I bought it from has also shut down, so I readying myself for an argument reasoned discussion with Panasonic about getting it fixed.
Trouble is this was the only TV we own, (I can access Sky Go via the PC, but Mrs S is not enamored at the prospect of sitting at the PC watching Casualty later, and I've now got a 7 year old bouncing off the walls because she cant watch her programmes.
Anyhoo, any advice welcome, preferably serious advice as I'm quite raw at the moment

 

[oldfatfool]

Get down to currys whilst you still can and buy a *cheap* lcd telly to keep the family happy for the time it takes to get the other fixed/ replaced. You can pick a 32" HD for just over £200, must be worth it for peace and quiet.

 

[Nearly there]

Maybe get better help here http://www.avforums.com/forums/plasma-tvs/

 

[albion]

Just use their online service help.

Being Panasonic it should matters zero that the shop has shut.

 

[albion]

And if you have a monitor with HDMI you can probably temporarily plug in the Sky box.

PS Its a very good time to get out and about and tire those kids out. A change is as good as a rest so they say.

 

[zexel]

Sorry can't help with the plasma but......

......You have only one tele in your house!!

 

[smokeysmoo]

Thanks so far. I've emailed a couple of service agents from the Panasonic site already and I'm waiting to hear from them.
Unfortunately I can't afford to buy another TV no matter how cheap it might be at the moment, now way no how. I guess I'll have to dig in for a grim weekend of moaning and tears!

PS: yes zexel, just one, seems archaic doesn't it!

 

[ianrauk]

The kiddy can watch DVD's on your computer. The adults can read a book until you get it fixed/new tv.

 

[accountantpete]

Isn't there a local charity electrical products shop? Nice £600 retail 8 year old CRT's go for £20-30.

 

[gbb]

Bad luck Smokey...ive got a Panasonic 42 inch plasma, i think mines a PZ42 blah blah though. Jeez, it cost a fortune so i'll be nervous now. Lovely TVs...hope you get sorted.

 

[gbb]

Isn't there a local charity electrical products shop? Nice £600 retail 8 year old CRT's go for £20-30.

Harrumph
I had a philips 36 inch CRT before this plasma, it weighed almost 100kg but was top (ish) quality when new, cost more than my expensive plasma. I had to give it away in the end, 10 years old, working perfectly,...worth nothing.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Ok we have a workround, thanks albion. My PC monitor does indeed have a HDMI input. So I moved it from the PC and out in front of the Plasma. Then realised it doesn't have in built speakers. So had to move my PC speaker set up as well. Upshot is a watchable Dell monitor feeding Sky+ signal quite nicely. Really glad I upgraded to a 24' monitor a while back
Sorry Ian, nice try, but all Mrs S reads is OK magazine and similar brain drain titles.
That's a good idea accountantpete. I'll see what Panasonic/Service Agent says which I suspect will be Monday now, and if it's going to drag on I'm sure I can stretch my funds to that level.
Thanks again guys, as ever CC'ers are a versatile, adaptable and ever helpful bunch

 

[smokeysmoo]

Bad luck Smokey...ive got a Panasonic 42 inch plasma, i think mines a PZ42 blah blah though. Jeez, it cost a fortune so i'll be nervous now. Lovely TVs...hope you get sorted.

Tell me about it. Don't Google Panasonic Viera Plasma flashing red light what ever you do! I've it since 2008 so it's not even a friday afternoon model, otherwise I'm sure it would have failed sooner. Watch this space.......

 

[ColinJ]

Tell me about it. Don't Google Panasonic Viera Plasma flashing red light what ever you do! I've it since 2008 so it's not even a friday afternoon model, otherwise I'm sure it would have failed sooner. Watch this space.......

I did - blimey!

How many times does yours blink? Apparently ...

BLINKS: PROBLEM/MALFUNCTIONING PART
======================================

1 blink: STV 5v sense DG Board

2 blinks: 15v SOS D Board

3 blinks: 3.3v SOS D Board

4 blinks: Power SOS P Board

5 blinks: 5v SOS D Board

6 blinks: Driver SOS 1 SU / SD / SC Boards
(SC energy recovery circuit)

7 blinks: Driver SOS 2 SU / SD / SS Boards
(SC floating voltage area)

8 blinks: Driver SOS 3 SS Board
(SS energy recovery circuit)

9 blinks: Panel Config. SOS

10 blinks: Sub 5v SOS / Main 3v SOS DG Board
DTV 9v SOS / Tuner Power SOS

11 blinks: Fan SOS PB Board

12 blinks: Sound SOS H Board

13 blinks: Communication error DG Board
with IC8001 (Pesks Lite 2)

 

[albion]

Good move getting that 5 year warranty, assuming its a Panny warranty and not the shop!

To me anything with less than 3 years warranty on the vision front is 'don't touch with a bargepole'.