I bought GFM brand 42" Plasma tv from Meijer. I am not sure if I should return or open it as I haven;t been able to find any reviews of this tv. Any one who bought and opened the tv. please share your experiance. I was seaching ober google ... some one said Sylvania is the manufacturer of this tv!!
Please help........ Should I open the box or just return it.

I bought the same TV, I am going to get it out tonight! I'll post what my review is!

I bought the same TV, I am going to get it out tonight! I'll post what my review is!

I will appreciate your feedback.
thanks

Same here, Reps await! I have it sitting in a box at my mother in law's house in Michigan. Debating on selling it, returning it or driving it back to Chicago. (Well driving the van back with it in it, the tv isn't that high tech.)

Considering the other two tv's and the Bluray onsale at Meijer's this weekend were Sylvania it would make sense that the two manufacturers were related.

I bought the 26" GFM LCD/DVD last year.
It died after a few days of use (though I had it past the 6 month warranty). Call their support, they do NOT make/sell parts for any of their products. If it dies, your screwed. However, in my experience with the LCD...

I took it apart and found that the LCD panel = the same as about 30 other (some name brand) 26" TVs. Found a broken Sharp 26" on ebay for $30 shipped, swapped LCD panels and my TV works again.

In my case the tuner/input board went bad - I could find NOWHERE to source it and no cross reference part #'s etc. All other parts, the DVD assembly, the power supply, etc were all common to other TV's, but the main AV board was not...

Other than that - I paid $299.99 for this TV last year, got my dad two for that price as well - he watches BOTH of his GFM's almost daily for hours and no problems - so maybe I left mine in storage to long! lol...

Thats my experience....

C

Finally I opened GFM 42" Plasma tv --- I am impressed with the tv and am happy I bought it. Manual sucks ... no specification --
One piece of information I found interesting is --- it says for Universal remote try LG or Goldstar codes (which tells me this may be rebagged LG or Goldstar!! or just circuits)

I am going back to meijer and see if they can sell me extended protection plan which will be 50 dollars .. I think that will be worth it!!!
I have see all LCD which meijer sells at store and this Plasma tv is much brighter and picture is really crisp...

Thanks, fromOhio I'm itching to head back out to Michigan to grab mine and get it set up. From the surprisingly little info I have been able to find on this brand, the protection plan seems like a smart way t go.

I picked up one the plasmas because I missed out on Walmart' deals. I also bought the 2 year extended protection plan.

Have it hooked up and working. Have not tried to get over the air HD signals yet though.

Works well with my SD cable box and Wii. Was suprised how well it handled the SD feeds, even using just rca cables.

Have not changed many setting to "tweak" it yet, but I do have the powersaving setting at max, because I know these draw lots of juice.

Was going to put it in bedroom know that it was not a "quality" plasma but wife wanted it in the living room.

So far so good.

I picked one up last week and opened it the next day. I've got to say for a 'no-name' brand it seems to be pretty good. I did hear that it is a repackaged Sylvania and that came from 2 higher ups at Meijer (you get to talking to people when sitting in line for 6 hours). I also bought Best Buy's 26 inch Dynex and 32 inch Dynex (both LCD 720p) as this TV is for my bedroom and I didn't know if 42 would be too big. I think the TV has a great picture on HD signals and it picks up about 40 digital channels right through the coax cable(Comcast), but I've noticed that it is a bit fuzzy on some of the regular analog channels (although that could be because it is so much bigger than my other TV, so I notice it more). The viewing angle is almost 180 degrees like a tube TV whearas the LCDs lose it around 35 degrees in either direction (including the down angle if you plan on using one in your bedroom like me). I like the remote, and it tunes in the channels quickly, which is something I can't say for the 2 Dynex TVs. I thought the manual did a decent enough job, but I guess it could have had more info. I did get a Blu-Ray to check out the 1080p picture and rented 2 copies of "The Hulk"...1 Blu-Ray and 1 regular DVD. I put them up head to head (one in my progressive scan 480p player) and while the 1080p was better, I don't think I'll be converting my library any time soon. In fact, when I played the normal DVD through the Blu-Ray player, the upconverting made the 2 pictures seem almost the same. The player I have has some problems with freezing up, but that could be the rental disk and is not the fault of the TV. I will probably return it and wait until next year or when I build a media pc I will put in a Blu-Ray disk drive. There is a slight problem with it being a bit darker, but I probably only noticed because it is set up right next to the 32 inch LCD for comparison. LCD is always brighter. The sound is very strong, although I was only using the internal speakers. I can't speak for your audiophiles out there as to the range and pitch and all that.

One thing in the TV's favor is that I've noticed that it tunes in pay movies through my Comcast line. I'm not using a box, but apparently when someone else orders something through 'In Demand' the stream is pushed out to the system and this TV can pick it up (so did both Dynex TVs as well). This is pretty cool because you catch some newer movies, but can suck because if the person who ordered the movie pauses or stops it....guess what...your picture stops as well. As a side note on that plus, a minus would be that the tuner only locks in on channels that are autotuned in. Meaning if when you run autotune, ch 25 is off air (some cable channels are off at night), you won't get ch 25 until you run autotune again..even if you enter the channel directly on the remote. The only other complaint I have is the lack of inputs. I'd like to have had 2nd component input and an S-video on the side inputs instead of just composite as my video camera has s-video out.

Anyway, as the TV only cost $450 (assuming you got it at $499 and signed up for the Meijer credit card for 10% off) I don't see how it can be beat unless it explodes in a month or so. I plan on going back to the store this week to see if I can add the 2 year extended plan for $40 just to make sure. I've talked to a few other people who've had GFM products and apparently Meijer is very good about just swapping you out for a new unit if you have problems and are under warranty (either the 6 month or extended). I had originally planned on getting a 42 or 46 inch 1080p LCD 120hz but those are still in the 900 to 2000 range and I can't justify the difference in price for the name brand and moderately better quality.

PROS: Super low price, clear picture in HD, good tuner, good sound, cheap extended warranty, tunes in pay movies?
CONS: Unknown brand, lack of extra inputs, slightly darker picture

For now I would say it is a good buy if it stays around the $500 mark. If it were $700-$800 it might still be good, but it wouldn't be as big of a 'no-brainer' for me to keep it.

Bill

I ended up grabbing the Toshiba 40" LCD from Tigerdirect. Looks like I'll be returning the GFM. Seems to be a bunch of them in Craigs List and EBay.

Thanks for the input!

I ended up grabbing the Toshiba 40" LCD from Tigerdirect. Looks like I'll be returning the GFM. Seems to be a bunch of them in Craigs List and EBay.

Thanks for the input!

What did you get the 40' for, which model?

If you are in the Naperville IL area, I might have someone to buy that GFM off you if it is unopened rather than return it.

Bill

Hi Bill, here's a link to the thread on the Toshiba... http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=14638&t=1043897

I would sell it to your friend but the tv is in Michigan (I'm there on the weekends) and I live downtown. If they wanted to make an offer, let me know. Honestly they might be better off getting in on the Dynex deal at Best Buy or the Toshiba. Thanks.

Hi Bill, here's a link to the thread on the Toshiba... http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=14638&t=1043897

I would sell it to your friend but the tv is in Michigan (I'm there on the weekends) and I live downtown. If they wanted to make an offer, let me know. Honestly they might be better off getting in on the Dynex deal at Best Buy or the Toshiba. Thanks.

Yeah, I was going to probably sell them the 32 inch Dynex instead of taking it back to BB. I doubt they would want to offer more then the 499+tax you paid, so It's not worth hauling it from MI. I saw you had Chicago as your location and you mentioned Tiger, so I thought you were in the Naperville area where the big Tiger store is (I got to tour the back once...it's insane!). No biggie, I just thought I'd ask.

I did go out to scope Craigslist though, there are people listing that GFM TV for $750. I hope no one is paying that because I could have bought 2 and would definately sold the extra one for that amount! Stupid thing is that they are listing it as a 1080i and it is 1080p. I already checked it out with the Blu-Ray and 1080p is what comes up.

Later,
Bill

PS. That toshiba link now says the CB is only 10% back (as of 12/3/08)

Interesting that it comes up as 1080p, I thought all the specs list it as 1080i...

As for the Crig's List ads, nobody's responding... LOL!

Interesting that it comes up as 1080p, I thought all the specs list it as 1080i...

As for the Crig's List ads, nobody's responding... LOL!

The screen banner shows 1080p when Blu-Ray is put in on HDMI. Wierd. I also thought I remembered seeing 1080p in the newspaper ad, but I've pitched it by now. Anyway, it does say 1080i on the box, so I guess that is the best indicator.

I'll double check it in the morning and report, but I'm sure it said 1080p....famous last words right, 'I'm sure'. Maybe I got the 1 unit out of the thousands they sold that was secretly upgraded.....probably not.

Bill

I'll double check it in the morning and report, but I'm sure it said 1080p....famous last words right, 'I'm sure'. Maybe I got the 1 unit out of the thousands they sold that was secretly upgraded.....probably not.

Bill

Ok, I just checked it. It shows on the TV as 1080p. I was using a Sylvania Blu-Ray with an upconverted disk (I don't have a Blu-Ray on hand) through HDMI. It seems insane, but apparently the website, box, manual and everyone else in the world is wrong and I am right.

I was starting to think that one of the things I bought on BF was CRACK and I'd been smoking it.

Can anyone else who has this TV up and running confirm?

Bill

Hey Everyone,

Just like all of you I recently bought a GFM 42" Plasma on Black Friday. I'll be honest I'm pretty surprised by the quality so far. One thing though, tonight I watached my first blue ray DVD on it, using a PS3. When I was done I noticed the main menu of the playstaion somewhat burned into the screen. Has anyone else had this problem yet? I'm a bit scared to try any games or play anymore movies. Doing some research, everything seems to say to turn down the contrast during the first 200 hours and check your manual for a "screen cleaning process." As you all know the manual is zero help, and I cant find any websites from GFM. I'm wondering if this something covered under the 6 month thing, and if they would exchange it. Anyone else got a burned image?

When I was done I noticed the main menu of the playstaion somewhat burned into the screen. Has anyone else had this problem yet? I'm a bit scared to try any games or play anymore movies........ I'm wondering if this something covered under the 6 month thing, and if they would exchange it. Anyone else got a burned image?

One question, is the menu you suspect burned in on constantly during the game, like a status bar or point counter? If it is the Playstation menu and you have burn in from a few hours of play, cycling between menu and game, that's a serious flaw with this TV. (assuming you didn't fall asleep for 40 or so hours with the menu screen up) Burn in should take days, not hours.

I haven't had anything burn in yet, but I haven't had anything with a static menu up on the screen up for too long. I was a bit worried about the "TLC" banner in the bottom corner since that is all my wife watches, but nothing from that yet. Yes, that would fall under the warranty, and as it is a '100% Satisfaction Guarantee' I would say that burn in qualifys as not being satisfied. I don't know anything about a screen cleaning and didn't find anything in the menu about it, but I know I've seen things on other TVs that were on secret menus that you have to know a service code and where to enter it. It might be worth looking into info on Sylvania or Goldstar(someone else mentions the TV might use those UV remote codes) and see if their sites mention a service menu for plasmas.

Bill

I bought this TV and I'm still trying to decide whether or not to keep it. The reviews I've seen look pretty good, so I'm leaning towards getting the extended warranty (if that's still possible) and keeping it.:nod:
Bill, I'm guessing that your upconvert DVD player is "putting out" 1080P, which is probably what you have it set up to do. However, this TV is not capable of 1080P display, so what you're seeing on the screen is either 1080i or 720p, probably whichever the TV defaults to. Does the TV have a menu where you can select the display type? I would be surprised if it doesn't, but then again, with it being a cheaper set, it may not. I have a 37" Magnavox LCD capable of 720p/1080i but not 1080p. On that set, 1080i looks much better than 720p and is perfectly fine for my use, and I would expect the same from this TV. If I do decide to keep it, I'll hook up my Xbox360 to see the possible displays (it doesn't allow selection of output resolutions the TV isn't capable of).
Thank you to everyone else for your reviews!

....Bill, I'm guessing that your upconvert DVD player is "putting out" 1080P, which is probably what you have it set up to do.....

I'm down with that assessment, except that the TV does show "1080p" on the display info on the screen(1080p - 5.1 Digital). I have no way of 'seeing' the difference really, other than it did look smoother than the picture on the 720p TV I hooked it to right next to it. Why would the TV even have 1080p as an option in that field of the display bar? Plus when I hooked the HDMI up to the 720p TV it showed as 720p...not 1080p. I also hooked it up downstairs on my other HDTV and it came up as 1080i, that TV's max resolution. (which I will also agree looks better than 720p). I didn't see a spot on the menu to 'choose' a resolution, but it appears that the Blu-Ray player was putting out whatever the max resolution of the TV is. I guess it could just be 'saying' 1080p, when really it is 1080i or 720p, but again, why would 1080p even be in the programming to display on the info bar? That and I totally remember seeing 1080p somewhere in the ad or in-store.

Either way, the picture is clear in whatever resolution it is. Fine, 1080p would be better, but for $450 bucks and 42 inch plasma (as I said in the review) the TV would have to just totally suck or burst into flames to be that bad.

Bill

PS. Wow, looking up at what I just typed, that is a lot of 720-1080s....whew!

Either way, the picture is clear in whatever resolution it is. Fine, 1080p would be better, but for $450 bucks and 42 inch plasma (as I said in the review) the TV would have to just totally suck or burst into flames to be that bad.


That's pretty much what I'm thinking, which is why I'm leaning towards keeping it. Thanks for the info, and like I said, if I do decide to keep it, I'll see what happens when I hook up my 360 to it. Hopefully no flames!! ;)

Hey guys,
If you look up the ad or still have the paper copy you will notice that the TV is advertised as having "1080i resolution." 1080i resolution as defined on wikipedia is 1920x1080 or at least a scaled down 1366 x 768pixels. However, this TV has a maximum resolution of 1024x768... which isn't really even 720p. I bought this for use with my PC and I have to say it really sucks. I bought a TV expecting it to have 1080i resolution and i get 1024x768 at 60 hz. This resolution and refresh rate if you have tried it, hurts my eyes. I want the TV that I paid for :(

Anyway,
So I went back and complained and they said that they still had the magical Toshiba one. You know that one extra one that they had for this sale in case they ran out. The sale had a minimum 40 per store and a lot of them like mine could only get 39, so they bought a toshiba for that extra one. Well they figured they'd make me happy giving me the Toshiba. So I went through hell packing it back up and returning it and getting the Toshiba only to find that it's an LCD. mind you it's a 1080p full res lcd but an lcd none theless After they guy assured me it was also plasma
Well... I have a fireplace, and last I heard you can't put an LCD over a fireplace.
So I get to go back again tomarrow... :mad:

Hey guys,
If you look up the ad or still have the paper copy you will notice that the TV is advertised as having "1080i resolution." 1080i resolution as defined on wikipedia is 1920x1080...I bought this for use with my PC and I have to say it really sucks. I bought a TV expecting it to have 1080i resolution and i get 1024x768 at 60 hz.....


Ok, just an update, and I'm not a shill for GFM or anything....the TV does support PC 1920x1080 THROUGH HDMI. I also wanted this TV for HTPC use and bought a video card that supports HDMI for that purpose. I don't know what the max resolution is through the VGA input, but the TV itself will go to 1920x1080 as that is the resolution I have my PC running at through HDMI. Now granted, if they didn't make it clear that the VGA input was limited to 1024x768, you are right and should return it, but the TV will support 1080 through HDMI, Component input and tuner (assuming the station is 1080 broadcast).

The question is still out there is the 1080p that is showing on my screen really 1080p? I did force my video card into 1080p resolution and it did still show on the screen, so ??? I still dont know.... but 6 weeks after purchase and the TV is still working great, and that's with my wife leaving it on HGTV from about 8PM to 2 or 3AM every night.

Bill

I bought this tv on black friday too and I had a couple of concerns/questions too. First is the 1080p thing. I have my PS3 hooked up and it automatically sets the resolution to 1080p in the menu and then the tv says it's displaying 1080p in the upper right corner.. so my guess is that this tv DOES display 1080p and that they got the specs wrong on the box (or both the playstation 3 and the tv are lying to me, which i find hard to believe).

My concerns:

When the tv is on it emmits a fairly annoying buzzing sound (it's not coming from the speakers), anyone else have this?

Image retention is HORRIBLE. I can have a menu or static image on for 1 minute, sometimes less, and have retention. It's always noticeable after playing games or watching tv for even a half hour and then switching back to the playstation menu or just having the tv on with nothing up. Is the retention this bad on your units?

I'm thinking about returning it for a replacement since they have the 6 month 100% satisfaction thing. But I'd like to know how everyone elses is working.

....
My concerns:

When the tv is on it emmits a fairly annoying buzzing sound (it's not coming from the speakers), anyone else have this?

Image retention is HORRIBLE. I can have a menu or static image on for 1 minute, sometimes less, and have retention. It's always noticeable after playing games or watching tv for even a half hour and then switching back to the playstation menu or just having the tv on with nothing up. Is the retention this bad on your units?

I'm thinking about returning it for a replacement since they have the 6 month 100% satisfaction thing. But I'd like to know how everyone elses is working.

If you have a buzzing, It's probably the speakers. Can you run the audio out to external speakers and kill the internals to test? Either way, if the speakers are bad or an input is bad, I'd say try and return it. My sound is clear and I don't think anyone else mentioned bad sound so you've probably got a bad one. As far as image retention, I never see it in a picture, but do notice that the black left and right bars can be seen after turning off a picture that was in 4:3 format. I never see these bars if I switch to something that goes full screen, and haven't noticed any other 'shadows' of text or lines on the screen. I'm usually pretty picky about that stuff too. If you are only seeing it in a black screen or while it is switching back and forth between inputs, I doubt it is permanent burn-in. Try putting in a DVD where the background is solid color for a period (I've got a few kid's 'Baby Einstein' videos for that purpose...they all start with a bright white background that is unforgiving of dark spots on the TV) and see if you notice any shadows there. I have not.

The speakers would be a big concern though...Can't have buzzing. One problem with the return thing is that as of the other night, they don't have this model in stock anymore, at least not at my Meijer. I think it was only brought in for BF. They might send out for a new one though.

Bill

If you have a buzzing, It's probably the speakers. Can you run the audio out to external speakers and kill the internals to test? Either way, if the speakers are bad or an input is bad, I'd say try and return it. My sound is clear and I don't think anyone else mentioned bad sound so you've probably got a bad one. As far as image retention, I never see it in a picture, but do notice that the black left and right bars can be seen after turning off a picture that was in 4:3 format. I never see these bars if I switch to something that goes full screen, and haven't noticed any other 'shadows' of text or lines on the screen. I'm usually pretty picky about that stuff too. If you are only seeing it in a black screen or while it is switching back and forth between inputs, I doubt it is permanent burn-in. Try putting in a DVD where the background is solid color for a period (I've got a few kid's 'Baby Einstein' videos for that purpose...they all start with a bright white background that is unforgiving of dark spots on the TV) and see if you notice any shadows there. I have not.

The speakers would be a big concern though...Can't have buzzing. One problem with the return thing is that as of the other night, they don't have this model in stock anymore, at least not at my Meijer. I think it was only brought in for BF. They might send out for a new one though.

Bill

hmm, looks like i'll have to make a return if there isn't any buzzing from anyone elses... especially since it's not the speakers that are buzzing (have tested this). if they don't have the same model anymore maybe they can upgrade me to a different one since if they refund just my money i'll be out of a tv and very dissapointed since i wouldn't be able to get a tv of this calibur for $400 again. the thing is - if this is in fact 1080p and the box and advertisement says 1080i, they might stick me with a 1080i tv - i can live with that if it's a better tv in general though. i hope i can work something out, i work at Meijer after all.