Samsung 3d LED TV: Screen displaying solid black bar & flickering

<p>My Samsung TV (UA40D6600WRXXA), which I purchased in December 2011 started displaying a solid black bar across the screen then flickering white flashes earlier this year. The TV is out of it's 2 year warranty. I contacted Samsung about the problem & they instructed me to send my TV for a review at Liptronics in Parow.</p> <p>The report stated :</p> <p>"The reason for this panel going defective cannot be determined by us – only the manufacturer would be able to establish the reason for this defect. This panel cannot be repaired to component nor board level. In order to repair this set, the panel which is only available as a complete unit, have to be replaced. Unfortunately Samsung no longer have stock of the panel for this model."</p> <p> </p> <p>I forwarded the report onto Samsung & they did came back to me with a depreciation quote. I could purchase a new TV for R10 000 which would be similar to the one I have and only pay R8168. Which is a R1832 discount or compensation for my broken TV. I rejected the offer as I'm not happy to fork out another R8000+ for a new TV. What kind of message are they trying to put out there? Am I going to have the same problem in the future & have to replace my TV every 4 years at my expense? I've had an old Panasonic TV for 20years & has never given me any trouble. Unfortunately I cannot accept that & have no faith in Samsung or any of their products for that matter.</p> <p> </p> <p>After many back & forth emails, their final answer was that they will not replace the TV and if I believed it was a factory default (which it is) then in that case would only replace the TV within the first 6months. Now I'm sitting with a broken TV & they will not take responsibility for it! What do I do going forward?</p>