I HAVE A 50 INCH PLASMA TV THAT WAS GIVEN TO ME WITH NO POWER PLUG OR REMOTE . I WENT AND BOUGHT A POWER PLUG ,PLUG IT IN AND NOTHING HAPPENED . DO I NEED THE REMOTE TO OPERATE THE TV ON AND OFF/

First do you see a light indicating that the TV has power? There are two power buttons on the TV (the main power and the regular power button). The red standby light will light up when the main power switch is on. This indicator is just to the left of the remote I/R sensor. You can find the main switch on the bottom front of the tv (it is under the tv forward of the stand). Turn on the Main power if it is not on. Then try the power button on the control panel of the TV again.

Does the standby light change color or blink? (Red is standby, orange is power savings (no signal), blue is on.) If the main switch is on and the standby light doesn't come on, the TV has a problem at the power supply. Try unplugging the unit for a bit (at least 30 seconds) and then plugging it back in. This will reset the internal circuitry. If you see a blinking light, then the TV is reporting a self-test failure. I do not know the codes for this model Hitachi Plasma TV.

The manual for the Hitachi P50H401 TV is available from Retrevo: http://www.retrevo.com/support/Hitachi-P50H401-TVs-manual/id/1233ci869/t/2/ . You will need to enter a code to access the pdf.

I'm assuming you don't have one of the special versions that were intended for large audiences that were only controlled by remote (no control keys on the front of the TV). Remotes.com has the original remote or a substitute remote if you need it. See http://www.remotes.com/remotes/servlet/rs?a=gmi&uuid=13104063628240&smodel=P50H401&brand_pn=HITACHI_P50H401 .

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

I'm having the same problem with the same TV and am on the exact same timeline. Anyone know how to set up a class action?

Yes it is definitely time for a new tv. If you live near a populated area just go on your local craigslist and you can get great used televisions for quite cheap. I have seen nice 36" tv's sell for 50$ and less.
Thank you and good luck,
Lee

Tries unplug,replug about an hour,see if it reset itself.Not than must replaced the signal tuner board.Plasma have this problems alot.

check the power inverter on the power strip. also check the caps on the board and if any of those caps have a round top it is bad and needs to be replaced. i hope this helps.

I suggest you guys take your TV's into a repair shop like Sears or Best Buy... The main reason most plasmas go dark is because of decay, but I don't think this is the case. Because what you describe is similar to what happens in LCD's when their back light goes out. Although you can open up and repair the back light your self in a LCD, I would not advise you to do so for a Plasma, because of the hazardous chemicals used in the plasma display plus the fact that plasmas don't use back lighting. And 2 years is way to soon for decay to be a factor. So more than likely a circuit shorted out and the TV has to be opened up to be repaired.

If you check underneath the t.v there may be a button that you need to push. then you can use the remote to turn it on. took about 2 hours before I found it.

mine is located on the bottom left, right underneath the screen.

it could have over heated you can try to reset it first unplug it for about five minutes and try to turn it on if that dont work the remote might have a set button try holding that down until the red light flashes twice, then turn it on if not then hold the power button down on the set for a good five seconds to see if that resets it. if none of that works you will have to go to panasonic .com for the reset instructions.with the red light blinking the power supply is most likely good you just need to reset i.

probably you switch was sticking causing it to behave that way.just monitor you tv if it happen once more then it will be time to call the tech.standby my brother.