Problem with Panasonic Viera TC-P54S1

[Sidster]

Hello. I am having a problem with our Panasonic Plasma that actually began this past Monday. Perfect on Sunday and this appeared when we turned on the TV Monday morning. When you first turn it on you see the screen divided into two halves, top and bottom, with vertical color lines filling the entire screen. This lasts a total of 4 minutes and then the screen looks perfect for as long as you leave the TV on. If you turn it off, say for an hour and turn it back on, it starts again and after 4 minutes, the image is again perfect. Here is a pic of what it looks like when first turned on. So basically, something does not like it when it is cold and begins working after it warms up.


I also recorded a video from the turning on to when it goes back to normal. It however is huge in size and am going to try to reduce it to be able to post it.
Has anyone encountered a problem like this? I am leaning towards the SC Board but I have never encountered such a problem finding a part for a TV that we purchased less than 4 years ago. Even the Panasonic Authorized Service Center recommended to leave it as is until it Gets Worse? I am sure before that happens that this would ruin another part. Would appreciate any input from you all. I have spent the last two days reading through your Forum and IT IS GREAT!!!
Thanks,
Sid

[dcapper]

Re: Problem with Panasonic Viera TC-P54S1

Looks like a buffer board starting to fail. I have a TC-P54G20. Don't know if it's close to the same model or not. Don't know if there is a lower and upper buffer board on it.
Get some cooling spray and spray the buffer chips when it goes away. If it comes back, you probably have a cold solder joint. You could reflow it or change the buffer.

[tom66]

Re: Problem with Panasonic Viera TC-P54S1

Just be careful when freeze spraying, it's conductive. Maybe better to get a cloth and freeze spray it, then use that to cool ICs.
Could also be a loose connector or A board failure (for the SD buffer, assuming it has one.) Or a logic IC on the buffer board.

[dcapper]

Re: Problem with Panasonic Viera TC-P54S1

Just be careful when freeze spraying, it's conductive. Maybe better to get a cloth and freeze spray it, then use that to cool ICs.
Could also be a loose connector or A board failure (for the SD buffer, assuming it has one.) Or a logic IC on the buffer board.

Tom I didn't know that! I'll have to be really careful in the future.

[Sidster]

Re: Problem with Panasonic Viera TC-P54S1

Thanks for the replies and I am going to be careful with the freeze spray and use the cloth.
The TC-P54S1 is the same as the TC-54PS14 and TC-P54G10
I think the difference between the TC-P54G10 and the TC-P54G20 was that one was THX Certified and the other wasn't. But basically the same TV.

This is what is on the TV as seen from the back.


SC TXNSC1ECUU TNPA4844 no suffix 1SC
SS TXNSS1ECUU TNPA4783 no suffix 1SS
SD TXNSD1ECUU TNPA4791 no suffix 1SD
SU TXNSU1ECUU TNPA4790 no suffix 1SU

I am planning to going back and trying the cold tomorrow and see if I can replicate the problem and its location.

Again, Thanks and will post what I find.
Sid

[Sidster]

Re: Problem with Panasonic Viera TC-P54S1

Spent the day trying the freeze spray trick on the boards. Went top to bottom starting with the SD, then the SU and last the SC. The lines appeared on the SC board when the area around the TPSC1 was cooled down. As it warmed up again, they disappeared. Repeated it 3 times and each time, same result. No other areas on any of the boards caused the issue. Also took out all 3 boards and checked them front and back. They look brand spankin new and all solder points are solid... Put them all back in, turned on the TV and like clockwork... lines... and 4 minutes later, a perfect picture...


Anyone know what this area's function is?

Going to order an SC Board Monday and hope for the best...

[tw2005]

Re: Problem with Panasonic Viera TC-P54S1

VHIZ GEN (IC792), VSET23 GEN (IC564) . No I don't know really what their functions are off the top of my head.

I must admit I was thinking SD board. I only saw 2 on Ebay. If you're jumping in spending what I expect big $ for a SC, $30 for a SD board might be good insurance just in case.

[Sidster]

Re: Problem with Panasonic Viera TC-P54S1

VHIZ GEN (IC792), VSET23 GEN (IC564) . No I don't know really what their functions are off the top of my head.

I must admit I was thinking SD board. I only saw 2 on Ebay. If you're jumping in spending what I expect big $ for a SC, $30 for a SD board might be good insurance just in case.

I saw those two IC in that area but could not find anything saying what they were for. Before coming back into the forum, I went and froze the SD board again hoping for a sign... no such luck.

I did order an SD board just to be on the safe side since the SC board is definitely big bucks... But now, the TV has to be fixed because it has been driving me nuts since it started and I have to know what is causing it. Whichever board arrives first is the first one I am trying so, we sill see.
I uploaded the 4 minute video if anyone wants to watch it out of curiosity. Went through all the inputs but... same lines. Forgive the camera moving around, could not find the tripod... When the Nebraska Furniture Mart Commercial Starts, screen is back to normal.
View My Video
Thanks!

[tw2005]

Re: Problem with Panasonic Viera TC-P54S1

I saw those two IC in that area but could not find anything saying what they were for. Before coming back into the forum, I went and froze the SD board again hoping for a sign... no such luck.

I did order an SD board just to be on the safe side since the SC board is definitely big bucks... But now, the TV has to be fixed because it has been driving me nuts since it started and I have to know what is causing it. Whichever board arrives first is the first one I am trying so, we sill see.
I uploaded the 4 minute video if anyone wants to watch it out of curiosity. Went through all the inputs but... same lines. Forgive the camera moving around, could not find the tripod... When the Nebraska Furniture Mart Commercial Starts, screen is back to normal.
View My Video
Thanks!

Looking at it, whole picture affected so you're probably right about it being SC.

[Sidster]

Re: Problem with Panasonic Viera TC-P54S1

Well, the new board arrived Friday and put it on yesterday. PERFECT Picture. Here is the first image after the TV was turned on.

So if anyone else ever has a problem like this, you know the solution.

Now here is a question? Anyone know who can repair the old board?

Thanks,
Sid

[dcapper]

Re: Problem with Panasonic Viera TC-P54S1

Well, the new board arrived Friday and put it on yesterday. PERFECT Picture. Here is the first image after the TV was turned on.

So if anyone else ever has a problem like this, you know the solution.

Now here is a question? Anyone know who can repair the old board?

Thanks,
Sid

TW2005 suggested I send my SC board on my 54" to Moduslink TV Parts. So I did. They charged me just under $70 and mailed it back for free. I just had to pay the shipped to them. The tv is working perfect now. Too bad you didn't have this problem a few weeks ago, they had a huge sale on everything.

EDIT: I just looked up your SC board $104 to repair. Mine was out of a P54G20 and it was only $69 to repair.

[Sidster]

Re: Problem with Panasonic Viera TC-P54S1

TW2005 suggested I send my SC board on my 54" to Moduslink TV Parts. So I did. They charged me just under $70 and mailed it back for free. I just had to pay the shipped to them. The tv is working perfect now. Too bad you didn't have this problem a few weeks ago, they had a huge sale on everything.

EDIT: I just looked up your SC board $104 to repair. Mine was out of a P54G20 and it was only $69 to repair.

THANKS! I am contacting them now. Wish I would have known about the sale but hey, with your info, I will have a good spare and, after this problem I definitely want a spare.
Thanks Again!
Sid