Panasonic neopraví problémy svých PDP televizí

Společnost Panasonic se ústy svého senior viceprezidenta Boba Perryho nechala slyšet, že neopraví jakékoli potíže svých plazmových televizí Viera a to z toho jednoduchého důvodu, že prý žádné takové problémy nejsou.

"Since the TVs work as designed, there's nothing to fix."
(„Jelikož televize fungují jak byly navrženy, není co opravovat.“)
Celý přepis hovoru v angličtině je níže.

Tak Bob Perry reagoval na dotaz serveru CNET, kdy Panasonic vydá opravu, která by korigovala postupné šednutí plazmových obrazovek, které hlásí někteří jejich majitelé - více zde. Potvrdil, že postupné zvyšování jasu je normální, že tak mají televize pracovat a že tato funkce má korigovat přirozené tmavnutí plazmových displejů.

Serveru CNET se nepodařilo od výrobce získat další technické podrobnosti s odkazem na obchodní tajemství a ve svých dalších odpovědích viceprezident hlášené potíže bagatelizoval či zcela popíral.

Taková reakce jednoho z vrcholových manažerů společnosti je velkým zklamáním nejen pro postižené majitele televizí, ale i pro další zainteresovanou veřejnost a jistě ve výsledku nahraje zastáncům LCD televizí. Pro Panasonic je to zvláště bolestivé v době, kdy uvádí na trh své první 3D plazmové televize.

Taková odpověď firmy je o to více frustrující, že někteří jiní lidé z Panasonicu se vyjadřovali v tom smyslu, že o problému se ví a že se možná bude technicky řešit. Můžeme tak doufat, že ani aktuální vývoj není definitivní a že se Panasonic možná ještě postaví k této potíži čelem.

Celý článek serveru CNET je k přečtení zde.

Q: Is a fix planned for current TVs to address owner complaints? If so, when? If not, why not?

A: Of course, electronic display characteristics change over time. Our sophisticated Viera displays are designed to automatically adjust over time, too, to optimize their performance and reliability. Since the TVs work as designed, there's nothing to fix.

Q: At what "predetermined intervals" do the voltages increase? Hour counts? If so, what are they and how much do the increases affect black levels each time?

A: As you can understand, exactly how this works is proprietary information that we regard as a trade secret. We can't give away trade secrets.

Q: When do the materials stabilize? The statement mentioned "years," anything more specific?

A: It varies based on the assumptions you make, but it would be safe to assume that around three years, more or less, is a reasonable approximation.

Q: What is the quantitative difference between the initial black level and the "stabilized point" referred to in the statement?

A: There is no agreed-upon standard way of measuring this, making it very difficult to make meaningful comparisons. Even at the stabilized value, our models' black level performance is excellent. You can see that by comparing sets that have reached the stabilized value with new Panasonic sets and or other makers' sets. And my offer to demo that for you still stands.

Q: Which are the "newest Viera plasma HDTVs" referred to in the statement? Please provide model numbers and, if current (2009) models are affected, how can a shopper determine between old and new ones, e.g. those with and without the more-gradual increases?

A: 2010 model year Viera TVs, which are being produced now, feature a more gradual automatic adjustment process.

Q: If the voltage increases are normal and current TVs have "excellent" performance, why do the newest TVs have a more gradual change?

A: We continuously make improvements in our products every year, that's a natural part of our product development efforts and how our products evolve. As a result of design improvements in the 2010 PDP panels, the adjustment that takes place is now more gradual.

Q: Have all plasmas always lightened in terms of black level over time? Has Panasonic ever publicly addressed the long-term black level performance of its plasma TVs?

A: All displays, CRT, Projection, DLP, LCD and Plasma, have specific performance characteristics that change over time. Customer satisfaction with our Viera Plasma's has been excellent. We are confident that the long-term black level performance will continue to provide customers with an excellent picture over years of use. As for your specific question, companies in the consumer electronics business, including Panasonic, only specify the initial values of their displays and do not project those values into the future.

Q: What should owners do who are unsatisfied with the picture quality of their TVs?

A: There is no reason for dissatisfaction with a product that works as it was intended to and provides industry-leading excellent black level performance. However, customers do have access to the Panasonic Plasma Concierge Program, which can provide advice and assistance on all customer satisfaction issues.

Zdroj CNET.com.