2 x LG 42PC1D/A - red speckles on screen

[E Parton]

Hi friends ..
I have 2 LG X3 panels showing the same fault ..
These are not repairs but are in fact 2 plasma TV's owned by myself and my father
He has the 42PC1D and I have the DA version .
The sets are less than 2 years old ..and were bought from 2 different sources within a month of each other.
The problem is that there are red speckles appearing on screen particularly noticeable in dark areas of the image .
I also use my mine as a pc monitor on my HTPC .
Typically these speckles can appear to 'follow' the mouse curser as it moves ...leaving a trail of red speckles in its wake ..
..these then gradually subside..
The area of the sceen most affected is top and middle of the dispayed image....one both plasmas.
I've done a bit of digging on the net ..and it appears this is a very common problem and some claim to have improved the situation by pot treaking on the drive boards.
I suspect this is a plasma panel showing signs of ageing ...but at 2 years old it certainly isn't much of a recommendation for LG.
I believe the correct terminology for this 'effect' is mal-discharge ...and Im also informed that it can be disguised though not cured ..by writing new firmware to the control board .
However this would require specialised equipment not generally available ..even to the trade (unless you are an agent that is)
I must confess I feel a bit cheated by LG ...and of course I have no comeback as ...being trade...I didn't extend the basic warranty beyond the statutary 12 months ..
Has anyone else had this problem ...and solved it ?
Any info on this issue would be greatly appreciated.
rgds
Evan

[brainstorm]

Hi Evan,
I think you are right in everything you say and unless you can find a LG agent then you will have to try changing the control board, and im afraid its a question of buying one and hoping it will cure your problem
 In my experience changing the board usually cures the problem.

Good luck

Brian

[E Parton]

Thanks for the reply Brian ...
I guess the problem is that ..even if I manage to find control boards (and I need 2 of 'em) ...there is no guarantee this firmware upgrade has already been performed ...
..not even guaranteed on a new one ex stock from LG ...
You would think that since this problem is so widespread and is ultimately LG's responsibility ...that some sort of control board exchange service with one of their agents would have been set up ..
Not neccessarily a free service ..but at a nominal cost for turning the board round ..
In the past manufacturers have chosen to accept some resonsibility for unforseen future problems on their products ..
A couple that come to mind for example :-
The SCM module on the 100hz Toshibas ...where Tosh offered 1 free replacement per set..
Philips 28 inch CRTs ..which were known to go s/c heater cathode ...and for a limited time outside the normal guarantee period ...a free replacement was available via an agent.
This double 42PC1D issue ..has certainly coloured my view of LG plasma products ....and as a result my next one certainly _wont_ be LG.
cheers m8
Evan

[brainstorm]

I quite agree, when I have changed the control board I havent had a problem though.
Don't buy Korean!
Buy a Panasonic with a free 5 year guarantee!

Regards
Brian