Panasonic PT53WX42 Burnout

What you describe would be typical of virtually any CRT based RPTV set to
factory presets.  What do you think is defective?  Unless there is something
wrong that is causing excessive beam current your unit is likely operating
within "spec".  IIRC there is a circuit in you unit that limits beam current
and will shut the unit down if there is such a malfunction.  I had a client
recently who had noticeable burn on a Mitsubishi left on CNN by a guest at
full contrast for about 4 days x 24 hours.

The only thing that is defective is likely the communication of the
potential for this problem from Matsushita via your dealer to you the user.

What recommended specs are you setting it to?  If you used Avia or Video
Essentials procedures, which are generally considered to be the best
calibration that a consumer can do, you would likely have had no problem.
IF you used the factory presets your problem is expected.

Leonard Caillouet

Well, I have to disagree about the "nothing defective" part.

I have other TV sets, including RPTVs that have been used in a similar
fashion for over 15 years with no signs of burnout.

I have never used a game machine in this unit, just tuned into a specific
news channel for about 200 hours total in the last seven and a half months,
and I get significant  burnout. This means that the burnout rate for the
tubes is very high, as the dramatic differential burnout in such a short
period of time can attest. The life of this unit is going to be very short
and dim, and I am setting intensity and contrast as per recomended specs.

Frank

Clearly, all the warranties exclude burn-in and make it the responsibility
of the user.  Fault is another matter.  While there is likely nothing in the
design of the set that is defective, the manufacturers do preset nearly all
sets to beam current levels that will result in burn-in rather quickly.  One
could argue that the manufacturers are negligent in doing so or by not
making the instructions to turn down the contrast as obvious as the
disclaimers.  Sometimes a manufacturer can be coaxed into covering an issue
like this under at least parts warranty (usually through the consumer
relations dept, as opposed to service) to avoid an unhappy customer or the
possibility to their responsibility being tested in the courts.

It only takes a few days of leaving the same channel on at full contrast for
long periods to result in differential burn-in on most CRT based RPTVs.
While it is pretty easy to eliminate the problem, people who buy a box and
press the power button and expect to have no problems do need to be
educated.  The issue may be "plain and simple" to you, but many people have
no idea what phosphor burn means when they buy a set.  Dealers and
manufacturers could do a much better job of educating customers on the
matter.  The manufacturers know that as soon as one of them does, however,
they will get a rep for sensitivity to burn-in an thousands of idiot
salesmen at Sears, Best Buy, et al will be relating stories about their sets
and  the "buzz" on the newsgroups and forums won't be much better.

The most realistic solution to this and many other mis-understandings in
consumer electronics is for dealers to better educate the consumer and for
the consumer to do more homework on their purchases.  Consumers should seek
out better dealers who understand the service and application issues related
to their products better.  It is also helpful for those with some knowledge
on forums like this one to help to educate people and better explain the
matter as opposed to over-simplifying it.

Leonard

Sorry, but ANY burn in is the viewers fault. Plain and simple. If you read
the warranty supplied by Panasonic or any manufacture, it states that.

Scott

If he's watching Fox News for only 2-2.5 hours a week, then there's no way
that logo should have burned in. I wouldn't consider that normal unless
that's all he watches and the TV is off otherwise.

I surprised that the manufacture is letting it get fixed for something that
is your fault. What else are you watching?

Scott