Panasonic Plasma (42") died after 18 months

Approximately eighteen months ago, I purchased a 42 inch plasma Panasonic television from Sears (model number: 42pz77u). The picture quality was fantastic, and the television performed flawlessly.

On Saturday morning, the television displayed the infamous "seven blinking red lights of death" and died. When we attempt to turn on the unit, the only thing that happens is that the red light on the front of the television blinks seven times. We have swapped out power cords and switched the television to different outlets, but nothing has worked. The unit is dead.

After consulting Google for several hours, I determined that this particular line of Panasonic plasma sets is prone to power supply failures. Even if one acknowledges a 3% failure rate for most television sets, there are an unusually high number of complaints about the Panasonic plasma units purchased in 2007 and 2008. In fact, if one searches Google with the phrase "My plasma television will not turn on," most of the top-level search results are from people who have had problems with these Panasonic models.

Apparently, these sets are notorious for being released with faulty power management. The "back-light inverter board" is said to be the source of the problem. Unfortunately, it's not easy to track down and replace the problematic board. When one factors in parts and labor, it almost makes sense to buy a new television set.

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my panasonic TH-PZ80U 42 inch plasma died about a week ago. We had it for 12 months and 9 days. The tv repairman just left and I have the problem with the power supply failing as well. Its going to cost $635 to repair it. This is ridiculous that a TV would die in 1 year. We paid $1300 of our hard earned money on this TV and barely got to even enjoy it. We just received a Panasonic 32in LCD as a wedding gift....if I get no resolution from Panasonic, then this new TV is being returned. I've lost my faith in the manufacturer