Need advice on Rear Projection TV JVC HD-61Z575

[okl62]

Hi,
I just got new 61” rear projection TV JVC HD-61Z575 with 5-year warranty. In 3:4 (regular) mode picture does not look perfect: The shape of the screen has distortion – it looks like ) ( instead of | | . I measured the difference in width at the top and center. The difference is about 5/8". This is very visible and looks like picture itself distorted the same way (strait vertical lines near the edges look bended too). I don’t know if this is a problem with my TV or all of them like this. If it is a problem should I call repair company to fix it or I can ask for exchange? Exchange policy of PC Richard says “TVs 30” and over not returnable/refundable but delivery man told me to keep carton box for 20 days in case of problems…” Is this minor defect or I can ask for exchange. I like this TV very much except this problem.
Thank you.

[Desy2820]

I'd check the menu options while in regular mode...there may be an adjustment you can make that'll take care of this....kind of like a computer monitor...also check your owner's manual, it may outline the menu adjustments for you.

[okl62]

Yea, i checked that, unfortunately TV (even this latest generation TV) is a very stupid device - not like PC monitor. No adjustments here in regular mode and no sdjustments for picture shape at all. I also found that even this TV has 'picture in picture' mode it has ONLY ONE AUDIO OUTPUT - so I can not listen audio on second chanel even using headphones... How come?
Any experts here to help me also with this problem??

Thank you

[fewalt]

Okl62,
First, I'd be on the phone asap with your dealer. I would ask the dealer what your options are.
The distortion you describe does not sound normal. Most RPLCD's can be shifted equally up/down, left/right - but it will move equally, the border will be equal the length of the edge.

Check further on the sound problem: I tried two sources on my Sony and could select which side (pic) would output the sound. Or, I could get one side out of my a/v receiver with sound from the other channel going to the TV.

fred

[kuhurdler]

I call it pincushion. Its not normal. If this is a brand new TV call the dealer you bought it from and tell them they need to fix it or send a replacement "no-charge", or they can come pick it up themselves and give you your money back. Be polite, but persistent.

Typically when you buy a TV that size, they are supposed to deliver it AND set it up for you. There are service menus that a normal consumer cannot access. That way they do all the fine-tuning measurements and it looks perfect before they leave. I personally wouldn't buy a TV from anywhere unless they agreed to that.

[okl62]

Thank you all.
I will call the dealer today.

>Re: Check further on the sound problem: I tried two sources on my Sony >and could select which side (pic) would output the sound. Or, I could get >one side out of my a/v receiver with sound from the other channel going to >the TV.
Definately this will work (probably more cables will be involved) but I thought there should be at least one output for headphones (there is no headphone output at all) and it could provide audio for "picture-in-picture" "silent" chanel at the same time.... but nothing is perfect.

[okl62]

I called the dealer. They readdressed me to the repair company that they have contract on extended warranty. the serviceman came into my house, told me that "it is the first TV of this model I see and this is a "PINCUSSION" but there is no service menu to fix it". Then he called JVC (actually he spoke to sombody he called "JVC customer service"). He made some measurements and described them the problem. Then he told me that according to JVC this is "within the specs" but did not refer to any specific specs. Now the dealer refuses to exchange the TV pointing to the Repair company that can not fix the problem. I have also Manufacturer warranty for 1 year. Can I call JVC directly and ask their representative to come and see the TV??? I don't know what to do. Can anybody tell me what can I do about this problem, please...

[zigzag]

Sorry to hear about your expierence with your new TV. This should be a lesson for everyone who is shelling out big bucks for those large screen tv's.
Do your research before you buy.
This link http://reviews.cnet.com/4505-6484_7-30925113.html tells of the
"bad" portions of this particular TV. Of which yours is included.
5/8" of an inch over that large screen size does not seem to much and indeed it could very well be in spec. Excessive pincussion where there would be a problem in the tv would be much more that 5/8th. Can you live with this minor flaw? Price vs flaw might be acceptable tradeoff.
Where I'm from they have a thing called the "lemon law" You could try to get it fixed and after 3 strikes thier out.
I think however that the old adage "CUSTOMER BEWARE" applies.
Seems your only recourse now is with the dealer and your powers of persuasion.

[kuhurdler]

How long have you had this TV? and its never worked right ? Call the DEALER and tell them, "BullShush, Come pick it up, and give me my money back". Tell them you have already notified your credit card company that you are contesting the charges. (you did use a credit card for a major purchase like this, didn't you?) Don't take this crap about a repair/warranty if it never worked right to begin with.

If that doesn't work call your local TV news station and newspaper "call for action" or whatever they call it on your local news show. They're trying to call your bluff (especially telling you its "within the specs"). Don't take no for an answer. If you have to, go to the store and start politely asking them to fix it or return it, then get louder and louder until you're satisfied.

[okl62]

Zigzag, I couldn't find anything about "pincussion" on that site (I visited it before and knew about some of the broblems before buying).

"You could try to get it fixed and after 3 strikes thier out" --- They don't even consider this as a problem, so there is nothing to repare...

Looks like I understand now the reason of this problem: the screen is not ideally flat - it is very thin and looks like it is curved towards inside the TV - (Its a sphere and I’m inside).

I used Credit card of the store (PC Richards) and did not make any payments yet and have 12 month interest-free plan from them. Should I call actual bank that finance the purchase?

Today I spoke to JVC and they promissed me to call back and asked to make digital pictures of the screen and email it to them.

Thank you all for your time. If any ideas - let me know.

[kuhurdler]

not the bank, the dealer. D.E.A.L.E.R.
I don't understand why you're calling anyone for a repair on a TV that has never worked right. RETURN IT.

[okl62]

Unfortunately I did not ask what is the return policy before buying. I expected that tv like many other stuff is returnable within 20 days. But the riciept says:

20 day Merchandise Return/Refund Policy.(Not applicablr to non-returnable/non-refundable items)
----------
"*TV's 30" or larger are not Returnable or Sold On A Trail Basis".

That is the main problem here...

Actually, I see now that even floor sample (HD52Z575 - 52" model) have the same problem - screen is not flat causing picture distortion. So if all of them like this there is no point of trying to exchange the TV, because I don't see any other problems and overall performance is pretty good.