What They Say
LG Electronics has extended its warranty in the US on its G1 and Z1 OLED TVs to five years as a ‘limited panel warranty’, with parts and labour covered in the first year and parts only for years 2-5. The G1 sets use the ‘Evo’ brighter OLED panels and are the premium products in the firm’s range.
“LG’s five-year limited warranty program is in line with the company’s consistent communication regarding the low risk of image retention on LG OLED TVs, when used in normal viewing conditions,” a spokesperson for the company told Engadget. “As with any self-emitting display, OLED TVs may experience temporary image retention under certain conditions, but permanent image retention, or burn-in, is rare under normal viewing conditions. Image retention is not a product defect.”
What We Think
There was some confusion over whether panel burn-in was covered. Even the ‘clarification’ from LG to Engadget says that ‘Image retention is not a product defect’. On the one hand, that could mean that the problem doesn’t exist, however I would take it to mean that LG doesn’t regard it as a defect, and therefore the warranty wouldn’t apply.
I saw several references to a press release, although I couldn’t find one in the usual places. However, LG US links to this set of Ts&Cs for the sets.
LG in the UK clarified to HDTVTest that ‘normal use’ in the home would be covered. As always, the firm clearly said that static images should not be used. In practice, although the firm does sell OLEDs for professional use, sales staff are clear that this means only live video use, without static imaging.
Burn-in remains a critical point for OLEDs and as far as I know there have been no technical breakthroughs that eliminate the problem, although the differences in the materials in the EVO panels may have had some influence on product life. LG Electronics may have just decided that for its higher margin products that it can take a bit more risk.
As we see whether other set makers change their warranties or consumers fall out with LG over the terms, things will become a little clearer. (BR)
