Panasonic PT-50LC13 50-Inch TheaterWide HDTV-Ready Projection LCD TV
Defective Panasonic Design -  Blown Lamp - 6 Months
Well, it seems like the rest of the reviews here are true.  I bought my PT-50LC13 6 months ago and yesterday the bulb went bad.  I called Panasonic.  The wait was about 30 minutes, but once I got someone, they were helpful.  She walked me through pulling the bulb out (very easy) and sure enough - it was blown.  She said that she was sending me a new bulb and that it was \\"new and improved.\\"  She said the bulb that I had was put in the original 2003 model of the TV and they have since improved it.  We'll see.  The bulb is supposed to be here in 3-5 days.  Much faster than previous posters indicate. <br /> <br />I asked her what recourse I have if the bulb blows outside of warranty time and she said that Panasonic will take care of me because I have a \\"case number\\" that documents the problem during warranty period.   <br /> <br />We'll see if that is true.  If not - this'll be the last Panasonic I ever buy (and I've been a dedicated customer for every TV I've bought in 12 years). <br /> <br />The TV is otherwise a great looking TV.  I think it looks better than the Sony's, but the Sony's don't have any service problems.  I read Sony reviews and if I were buying this same TV today - knowing what I know - I would buy the Sony and avoid the Panasonic headache. <br /> <br />But Panasonic service has not been as bad as some of the other reviews indicate.