Maxent Plasma TVs and why not to buy
Folks, I’m not foolish enough to think that the electronics we purchase will last forever. Nor am I under the assumption that most tech support people are trying to “shuck and jive” me. But…
In November of 2006 I bought a 50″ Maxent plasma tv (product name: mx-50×3, model number: p500150×3, manufactured May 2006) . I really liked it. It was enough screen real estate to make my movie viewing a true experience. And, for 11 glorious months I enjoyed pristine pictures on my tv.
Then, about October 15th of 2007 something strange happened to my TV. I fired it up saturday to watch a Star Wars flick (yup, I’m a geek) and there was something wrong. Pixels were shifted off to the side and there were these large distorted areas where whole blocks of pixels were swapped. It’s kinda hard to describe except that it looked something like a portion of The Matrix was viewable on my TV. In any case, the picture was unwatchable.
Hoping this was a minor glitch in the system (and would soon go away) I took a few snapshots. I figured these might help diagnose the problem later on if it did come back. Well, it never went away.
So, I did what anyone in my position would have done. I looked online for some FAQ of how to reset the system -there wasn’t any. Next I called 1-888-373-4368 number for technical support found at Maxent’s website. After wading through a few automated messages I ended up talking with someone named Desire.
I explained the situation and let her know that while I couldn’t explain it fully I did have pictures.As a former tech support person I explained the steps I had taken:
• shutting down overnight
• unplugging the unit for more than 5 minutes
• changing inputs (composite, component, HDMI, Y/C)
• changing sources
She explained that there was nobody for me to talk with on a saturday so I should send all the information directly to herI did just that. And waited. And waited. I finally got fed up and bought another TV while the Maxent sits in my home office unused, lonely and with this debilitating issue.
So, if anyone out there wants to help me out and contact someone you know (or think you know at Maxent / Regent USA) I’d be in your debt to the tune of a TV. Yup, you read that right. If you help get it fixed…it’s yours! All 50 amazing inches of pixels can be yours for some simple legwork.
Help me help you.
Kenny Gay on 16 Feb 2008 at 7:21 pm #
Wow!
I bought a Maxent Plasma on eBay for a bargain. I had never heard of the brand before in my life but at the price I had to buy it. When it showed up, however, it didn’t even turn on. I paid for shipping insurance but couldn’t find a damn person in Middle TN to fix it so…
I opened it up, spent 8 quality hours making sure every thing was plugged in on the boards and I actually fixed it. I sent a $200 bill for labor to the shipping company which turned my already bargain price plasma to nearly dirt cheap.
But it sounds like your problem isn’t that simple, but I’d be more than happy to attempt it.
Amy on 16 Feb 2008 at 9:56 pm #
You should send your story to The Consumerist. Strangely, after a story appears on their site, the offending company always seems to go to extraordinary lengths to rectify any and all problems. Maybe it will work for you too!
http://consumerist.com/
Michel on 17 Feb 2008 at 4:32 pm #
I’ve been hearing strange things about PLASMA set in general. Now I’m not sure what to think about them. Brought a 40″ LCD and have been pretty happy.
Louis Natole on 26 Jun 2008 at 12:18 pm #
I purchased a 50″ Maxent Plazma TV August 2006. Less than 2 years into it the TV is completely shot. I have tried to call the customer service number offered on their website, to no avail. I just wish I could get a return phone call. I don’t think that is too much to ask for.
Miguel on 29 Aug 2008 at 3:25 pm #
J. Curtis……I will get your TV fixed contact me at Qban@aol.com