I bought this TV in May 2003. It was brand new. I bought it because of the picture quality, the small cabinet size and the fact that DLP TVs do not burn in and there is not that much HDTV available so you still need to watch 4:3 TV for many more years.

The lamp failed under Panasonic warrantee after 6 months. Ok, it was free. The lamp failed again after 1 year. I did not buy the extended warrantee so it cost me $75 service charge and $491 for the lamp. Yup, over $500. The lamp just failed again after less than 2 1/2 years of service. The price on the lamp is now $542 plus $10.95 slow shipping.

I complained the Panasonic the second time it failed. Their response was that there is no problem with this TV and basically "screw you". Great customer service. Not!

Unless I have a lemon in this TV, Panasonic has a big problem with reliability here. You purchase a great TV for $5000 and it's going to cost you over $500 per year to run the thing? Something is wrong with this picture.

I have a choice of buying yet another lamp or trashing this one and buying a new TV altogether. I think I'll get a new TV and take this to the dump where it belongs.

As for Panasonic standing behind their products? Forget it. They won't admit a mistake or even help you. I'm never buying a Panasonic "anything" again.