We bought a 62" Toshiba DLP 62HM95 from Best Buy in June 2006. My first lamp went out during the one year manufacturer warranty and Toshiba replaced it for free.
I then started to research this television and quickly learned it had a very bad reputation. (Even see several posts in this forum after searching "toshiba dlp") Recently Toshiba lost a class action lawsuit in reference to this and other DLP televisions ( http://www.topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/open-lawsuit-settlements/139-toshiba-dlp-lamp-cla... ). Ok, so I'm an idiot for not properly researching this model before purchasing it. But I did have the sense to purchase an extended warranty at Best Buy. (Which I forgot I had bought).
This bulb lasted several months then it blew. I called Toshiba and they said they will only replace the one bulb. Due to having forgotten about my extended warranty by this time, I ordered one from another retailer. It arrived and worked well for a few more months before blowing. I then purchased another bulb earlier this year, again at my expense.
In between bulbs blowing out, I had developed another problem. The audio out's quit working. These were needed to run audio out to my surround sound system. (Yes, I have an inexpensive HTiB that only has one audio input). So, since my audio outs don't work anymore I can only use my surround system to listen to DVD's and one other device. I have a PS3, Roku, sat HD DVR that all need access to the surround sound. To make things so bad, I normally only watch Blu-Rays movies, but now have to listen to them out of the tv speakers, which are horrible. I keep the sat HD DVR box plugged into the surround sound.
Anyway, now the television has started a very loud buzzing noise. No, I'm not being an oversensitive audiophile, I mean it is loud enough to be heard in other rooms. I searched avsforums to see if any of the other disgruntled owners have had this problem and quickly learned several have. Their solutions have ranged anywhere from needing a new fan, new color wheel, or new light engine. I then search the Best Buy forums and learn that several people have had problems with their Toshiba DLP's. They also seem to have problems with getting them fixed.
Well, luckily I remembered we purchased the PSP plan with our tv. We went to Best Buy and got a copy of our receipt. Then I called the 866-BestBuy number and they were very helpful and scheduled a technician to come to my house two days later. The service company called the next day to confirm the appointment. They arrived today, on time. The people were very nice and asked what the problems were. They said they had never heard of the problem with the bulbs, so I showed him a copy of the class action lawsuit. He was interested and said he would be sure to pass the information on to the other techs.
Everything going ok so far for such a tragic situation (Spend lots of money on a television that the whole line of is known to have defects; I spend several hundred dollars replacing bulbs, during which time I was unable to watch television for up to 10-days each time due to waiting for bulbs to arrive, suffering through Blu-ray movies via tv speakers, now this horrendous buzzing noise.)
Then the techs unplug everything from my television and load it into their truck. (So much for in-home service I was expecting, but later read that in-home wasn't guaranteed by Best Buy). I then ask if they will call me with the diagnosis. He says, "no". They are too busy. They will contact the warranty company. After I talk to him some more, he says I can call and check on it in 6 business days. I then ask how long it will take to get fixed. He said they will need 6 business days to diagnose it, then call the warranty company who will take 3-5 business days to approve the repairs, then they will wait for the parts to come in, then they will repair it. Once repaired they will "hook it up to the computer" to verify it is working. Then they will leave it running for 24 hrs in a clean room. I asked him what the typical turn around time is and he said 6 - 15 business days if the parts are in stock.
I was floored. That could end up being a long time without my television. (6 business days will be next Thursday, 15 business days will be 3 full weeks from today) I wish they could have diagnosed it here then picked it up once they got the parts. I wouldn't be so upset if the tv wasn't working at all. But, I could still watch it, even with the annoying buzz. We are homebodies. We work, then relax in the afternoon watching television. We will go absolutely nuts. I tried to hook up an old 27" CRT television we had just sitting around our office, but it won't work. It only has coax input and our Sat HD DVR box has no coax out.
That is my story so far. As you can guess I'm not a very happy person right now. Yes, some of my anger is directed towards myself for purchasing a television that is very low rated and known for its defects. It was a spur of the moment purchase, which will never happen again on this expensive of an item. I have been happy so far with the Best Buy people I have spoke to. I just hope I get my television back soon. I feel as though I've paid enough for my mistake.
Elizabeth-BBY
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