All televisions have a small display unit of the screen called a pixel; a pixel is the smallest picture element on the screen.  It will produce a number of colors with varying intensity, comprised of three primary colors red, green, and blue. Take a magnifying glass and get real close to your tv and you can see the three separate colors that form a pixel. On the older crt type of televisions an electron beam was scanned across a set of pixels to illuminate the pixel. The pixel was made up of  a phosphor coating that illuminated each of the three pixel elements at different intensities generating the color for that spot.  In all of the new modern displays each pixel is a separate electronic component, independent from the pixel next to it. Because each pixel is on its own, it is possible for just one of these pixels to become defective over time.  It will do one of three things, it will stick on (always emitting light) or stick off (always black) or intermittently stick on or off.  There is no way that a technician can remove the defective pixel and replace it with a good one. If this problem occurs the whole display will have to be changed, The cost of the display is almost equal to the cost of the television when it was new.

        If while your tv is in warranty you develop a pixel problem. The technician does not have free ability to replace your display.  According to the manufacturers a few stuck pixels are acceptable.  The replacement of the screen is determined by complex set of rules.  We have to call the company and they will ask us questions about the problem and determine if it is bad enough to replace the panel. The manufacturers don't tell you about this policy when it comes to display malfunctions, but your screen is divided up into zones, the center being the most sensitive zone.  If the pixel is stuck "on" in the center of the picture where it is emitting a pin prick of light, you are more likely to get it replaced in warranty than if it is stuck off. Based on my experience, I believe it was up to 5 pixels can be stuck off in the center of the picture before replacement is authorized.  More are allowed in the sections not affecting main viewing, with the corners allowed to have the most defective pixels.   DLP types are also prone to this philosophy and problem as well, even though It is a tiny mechanical mirror moving, that mirror can become stuck on or off causing a tiny distortion in the picture that customers will notice. 

                The customer with this problem is usually very upset to find out about this policy.  Arguing with the servicer about this problem will not get you anywhere.  As a rule the customer can get a better response if they complain to the manufacturer themselves.  I am not defending their actions; I am simply stating facts as they are today.  I will let you make your own opinion about this kind of policy. Normally this information only comes to light after your TV has this problem. That is true about most issues with electronic equipment.  Stay tuned to my blog, I will bring you other useful information from the dark side of electronics.

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