I bought a top of the line 55 inch MItsubishi projection TV from Sears in October of last year. Within a few months there was an image burned onto the screen that is very visible when lighter colors come on the screen. Let me say from the very beginning that this "burn in" effect is specifically not covered in the warranty of projection TV's.
The image is of QVC's banner on the left side of the screen and their banner on the bottom of the screen. My wife watches a moderate amount of QVC, perhaps an hour in the morning and another hour in the evening. We had a Mitsubishi 50 inch projection TV for eight years without this problem occuring, even though my wife has watched QVC since it's inception.
I called Sears within 4 months of the purchase, and they told me that the burn in damage wasn't covered. They told me that the cost to repair it would be over $1000 because all three picture tubes had to be replaced. I emailed Mitsubishi, and got no response. I realize that the damage is not covered by warranty by either Sears or Mitsubishi.
My complaint is with QVC because the images are clear and seem to have been a one-time occurence with a specific price of th4e product they were selling clearly visible. When I called their service department I was referred to their corporate office and eventually called back by a lawyer. I must say that they were very responsive, and sent me a letter explaining federal guidelines that they have to follow pertaining to the level of color intensity of their banners that can cause this problem. It struck me as odd that they were so prepared for my complaint, making me wonder how many others found themselves with a two hundred pound $2000 paper weight.
My suspicion is that they went over their federally mandated guidelines for a short time and damaged more sets than just mine. There are no other images burned into the screen, such as banners from the sports channels I watch, or the annoying network logos that seem to be ever more popular with broadcasters lately, as if you needed to be reminded what station you are watching.
I guess this could be filed under the caption "Buyer Beware". The possibility of "burn in" on Projection TV screens is certainly not something that is prominant in a sales display, but perhaps it should be.
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