As one who "bet wrong" in the DVD wars (Toshiba A3) I felt it was about time to dive in on Blu-Ray (can I be wrong TWICE? :) ).

I have a few HD-DVD discs but no great collection so I wasn't looking specifically for a dual format player but after reading the reviews of the LG BH200 in these forums I figured it was at least as good as any similarly-priced single format machine (e.g. Panasonic 30). Plus, I like my LG 42LB5D so the fact they're the same brand couldn't hurt.

I picked one up on Sunday from CC, upgraded to the latest FW and driver per instructions in these forums and hooked it up via HDMI to my TV. Unfortunately, there seems to be an intermittent "flashing" of the Home screen when I start things up. Sometimes it's every few seconds, sometimes longer, sometimes, if I fiddle around with shutting one or both units off and wait, it disappears or only occurs rarely. Even if I follow the suggested ritual in the manual (i.e. turn the TV on first, wait 30 seconds, then the machine) the flashing will occasionally occur anyway. It's like voodoo. Again, this certainly seems like an HDMI issue but the cable I use is a good brand that I've been using with my satellite receiver with ZERO problems, is only about 6' long, and my TV, according to the specs, is 1.3. Plus, I NEVER had these sorts of problems with the A3.

I HAVE watched a few movies (HD-DVD and Blu-Ray) once I get a solid Home screen and have NEVER seen flashes during play, but I'm wondering if others have seen this or if I should just definitely bring the unit back. Whether I exchange it for another one or try a different brand I don't know, but I DO know that I can run into even more problems with an exchange.

Any experiences would be appreciated.

Not sure...everything reads like a HDMI issue. Do you have another cable handy? Even the cheaper ones have issues. The flashes sound like a handshake issue (not necessarily HDCP--could be resolution). What resolution are you using 1080i/p 24/60?

Not sure...everything reads like a HDMI issue. Do you have another cable handy? Even the cheaper ones have issues. The flashes sound like a handshake issue (not necessarily HDCP--could be resolution). What resolution are you using 1080i/p 24/60?

I don't have another cable: I just ordered three from monoprice but they won't get here for awhile. This cable is, I believe, a Monster, which I know was a waste but it was the only brand available at the time. It's relatively new (6 months or so) and, as I say, NEVER gave me a problem with my Dish 622.

As to resolution, I have it set at 1080p (of which my TV is supposedly capable); however, I'm not sure about the 24/60 (frame rate?). I didn't see a setting for that in the LG. Where would I look?

Thanks for taking the time to post and help me out.

I don't have another cable: I just ordered three from monoprice but they won't get here for awhile. This cable is, I believe, a Monster, which I know was a waste but it was the only brand available at the time. It's relatively new (6 months or so) and, as I say, NEVER gave me a problem with my Dish 622.

As to resolution, I have it set at 1080p (of which my TV is supposedly capable); however, I'm not sure about the 24/60 (frame rate?). I didn't see a setting for that in the LG. Where would I look?

Thanks for taking the time to post and help me out.

We are a small community of dual formatters--bigger than before but still small. The 24/60 is not on the display/resolution menu, it's in others menu. Turn 1080p film mode to "on". There is no such thing as taking time to help out. We just do. However, you're welcome.

I have a Dish 622 as well. Personally, I prefer the component display results to the HDMI. I only use HDMI so I can use the S-video out to my DVD recorder (no receiver for Toslink on this setup).

We are a small community of dual formatters--bigger than before but still small. The 24/60 is not on the display/resolution menu, it's in others menu. Turn 1080p film mode to "on". There is no such thing as taking time to help out. We just do. However, you're welcome.

I have a Dish 622 as well. Personally, I prefer the component display results to the HDMI. I only use HDMI so I can use the S-video out to my DVD recorder (no receiver for Toslink on this setup).

I just tried the LG again (I guess trying to convince myself I don't have to go through the hassle of returning it); turned the TV on, waited 30 seconds, then the LG. Not only did it flash but the screen blacked out a couple of times.

I'll try your suggestion and check that the film mode is "on". I'll probably also try a different HDMI input and a few other things. While I think I have 14 days to get it back to CC I think it's easier the sooner I do it, so I won't waste too much time. :)

This is known as the "video dropout" issue. Check out the bug tracking thread. It's an HDMI handshaking thing, and LG is working on it.

Cheers,
Stuart


I just tried the LG again (I guess trying to convince myself I don't have to go through the hassle of returning it); turned the TV on, waited 30 seconds, then the LG. Not only did it flash but the screen blacked out a couple of times.

I'll try your suggestion and check that the film mode is "on". I'll probably also try a different HDMI input and a few other things. While I think I have 14 days to get it back to CC I think it's easier the sooner I do it, so I won't waste too much time. :)

This is known as the "video dropout" issue. Check out the bug tracking thread. It's an HDMI handshaking thing, and LG is working on it.

Cheers,
Stuart

I try to read as much as I can but I missed that thread (probably a subconscious thing). I see at least one poster has mentioned that dropouts happen regularly on the Home screen but not so much when playing movies (as in my case).

I am guessing my "flickers" are connected with this but am not entirely sure. In any case I need to make a decision.

Thanks for the heads-up.

EDIT: I switched the LG back to HDMI 1 and the flicker seems to be gone. I remember when I FIRST set everything up there was no flicker at all; then, since I only had 1 HDMI cable, I started switching it back and forth between the 622 and BH200. I tried using separate HDMI ports but I'm not quite sure if I did or not. Perhaps the ports differ (granted, maybe my HDMI2 is bad) and the BH200 "remembers" the characteristics of the first port it's connected to and doesn't like a change. I really don't know, the flashes may reappear on HDMI-1, just thought I'd throw this out.

Hi,

I get flickers frequently on the home screen, but very rarely during movies.

When I first got my bh200, I had a Hitachi TV, and had no flickers/dropouts. Two weeks later, my Hitachi was replaced with a Sony (an extended warranty claim), and the flickers started.

So, it seems to depend on what TV is connected, and that tells me it's an HDMI handshaking issue.

By the way, I contacted LG about it, and they told me they are aware of the issue, confirmed that it's an HDMI interworking issue, and that they are actively investigating it.

What TV do you have?

Cheers,
Stuart



I try to read as much as I can but I missed that thread (probably a subconscious thing). I see at least one poster has mentioned that dropouts happen regularly on the Home screen but not so much when playing movies (as in my case).

I am guessing my "flickers" are connected with this but am not entirely sure. In any case I need to make a decision.

Thanks for the heads-up.

EDIT: I switched the LG back to HDMI 1 and the flicker seems to be gone. I remember when I FIRST set everything up there was no flicker at all; then, since I only had 1 HDMI cable, I started switching it back and forth between the 622 and BH200. I tried using separate HDMI ports but I'm not quite sure if I did or not. Perhaps the ports differ (granted, maybe my HDMI2 is bad) and the BH200 "remembers" the characteristics of the first port it's connected to and doesn't like a change. I really don't know, the flashes may reappear on HDMI-1, just thought I'd throw this out.

Hi,

-snip-

What TV do you have?

Cheers,
Stuart

LG 42LB5D. I'm waiting for my HDMI cables to put my 622 on HDMI-2 to see if there's something different or wrong with that port.

And yes, I never noticed any flickers or dropouts when playing movies, just on the Home screen (and it's mostly flickers, dropouts are rare).

By the way, I also tried exchanging my player to see if it made a difference. I didn't actually think there was anything wrong with my player, but I decided to exchange it to see if the new one I got did the same thing (electronic components can have different tolerances), and it did.

Even still, I decided to keep the player. The occasional flicker wasn't a big deal, and given that LG are looking at it, I'm confident they'll fix it if they can (they're doing an excellent job of supporting the BH200).

Personally, I think it's one of the best players around, period. It does an excellent job of both Blu and HD-DVD discs, and does great upconversion as well.



LG 42LB5D. I'm waiting for my HDMI cables to put my 622 on HDMI-2 to see if there's something different or wrong with that port.

And yes, I never noticed any flickers or dropouts when playing movies, just on the Home screen (and it's mostly flickers, dropouts are rare).