Panasonic Plasma 7 blink failure

A couple of months ago, Panasonic notified authorized service centers of a warranty extension on SC board replacement for Panasonic Plasmas that have a 7 blink failure. I have spent several hours now searching the internet for notice of the recall and have come up with nothing, including on Panasonic's site. I must tell you, I am more than a little shocked. I have found many complaints, many threats to start a class action lawsuit, but no one that claims to know about the warranty extension.

 Panasonic made the lofty claim that their plasma televisions would last for 40,000 to 60,000 hours of life. Owner's of the 2007-2009 models have found that 2,000 to 5,000 hours would have been more realistic. A common cause of "death" is the 7 blink failure.

The problem is with one, both, or all of the following boards: SC board, SD board, and SU board. Most commonly, the SC board is the culprit. Panasonic has received enough complaints that they have decided to issue a voluntary warranty extension to replace the SC board. However, they have chosen not to publicize it.

 So your Panasonic Plasma has no picture or sound and the standby light is blinking 7 times, what next?

The first thing you need to do is call the Panasonic VIERA Concierge Hotline at 877-95-VIERA. Let them know what the problem with your tv is and that your are aware of the SC board warranty extension. They will issue you a customer case number and refer you to an authorized service center. When you speak to the service center give them your case number and tell them you would like them to arrive with the SC board.

Now, here comes the part that will make most of you unhappy. If it turns out that the SC board was not the problem, you are then responsible for paying the servicer their trip charge and diagnostic time. If the SC board resolves it, you are home free and the servicer should not charge you anything.