H00ligan,

Whats the model number your speaking of at Costco?

The costco web site recently decreased the price of the Philips 42PF7320A. Does anyone have experience with this model?

Jes 1955,

What model STB will you be using? I wouldnt connect the box to your panel via the coax. Depending on the model of your STB you have better choices, Component Video, DVI or HDMI. Most set top boxes have a digital audio output that can be connected to your Home theater directly. Make sure you go into the set up menu of the STB and activate dolby digital in the sound menu. In my opinion I would get an inexpensive DVD player right now if I was in the market, it seems that the HD DVD players will be available early in the new year. And those should look great on the Philips.

Casey Jones,

Thanks for the input. I'm not sure what kind of cable box I will have. I haven't investigated this yet from my cable company. I will look into this and see what type of output options it has. Again, thanks for your input.

After looking into this, I may be able to get some basic HD channels without a box because I already have internet service through my cable company. This is all I would be interested in. So, I may be just hooking the television directly to the wall via coax.

Cheaptv,

I have seen the 42pf7320a at CC a few times. I know for sure it doesnt have Pixelplus2HD .The pixelplus version included with the panel is the older version. Also it doesnt have ambilight. Check out the philips web site for all the details. :)

I have mounted my plasma with the Omnimount U3 Tilt and it is perfect. The extensions are included and the bolts for this TV are also included with the mount. It was easier than I ever thought it would be, with the help of my brother. I definitely recommend two people to hold it in place and to of course mount it on. The hardest part was making sure it was level and at the right height-but we are very anal about this. I would not pay someone hundreds of dollars to do this if you use this particular mount.

I only used one extension because it just barely needs one, and with the other one on, it was too visible from the side. We made one hole behind the TV and we passed all of the cables directly through the wall and into a closet on the other side where I am keeping my DIRECTV HD Tivo, DVD, and Receiver. I bought an RF extension that I plugged in the closet, and the other in the living room, and the signals from the remotes are instant. It literally looks like I just have a picture on the wall with no cables, components, etc...very seemless. If anyone has questions or needs help, let me know.

valen428

Thanks for the testimony on wall mounting.

philips support site has updated firmware-minor fix.

Valen428,

Can you post a picture or two of the panel mounted?

I recently bought the Philips 42PF9630A and so far really like the TV, but I've noticed that it will occasionally make a clicking sound when it is off. It didn't surprise me to hear it in the few minutes after I turned it off (some kind of cool down I would guess because there are some LEDs that stay on after you turn it off which cast a slight glow behind the tv in a dark room). Anyway, what did surprise me is that I hear it occasionally after it has been off for many hours. It sounds like some sort of solenoid/relay clicking and I don't know if this is something that is normal or something that may indicate a problem. Anyone have any information on or experience with this?

Thanks

I've heard the clicking too.

Anyone, anyone?

I just got this baby mounted today. It looks awesome. I haven't got my dishnetwork hooked up over s-video yet, but it still looks great. I can't wait to check out monday night football and baseball tonight from the over the air digital signal. I'll post pictures soon.

Enjoy

Jheyen,

Nice pics. Looks great. Enjoy!

Regarding the post on clicking sound. I havent heard this on mine. When the power is first turned on I hear a click as the green light goes on thats about it.

Well today I finally mounted my panel using the Omnimount U3 Tiltmount. Everything was included in the box as others have stated before. And was very simple to do. One thing you should know is there is a contradiction between the manual and the wall template instructions. The manual states to predrill the holes for the four lag bolts using a 1/4 inch drill bit, the wall template instructions advises to use a 3/8 inch drill bit to predrill the holes. I called omnimount when I got to this stage in the mounting process and they stated that they realized there was a contradiction and the correct drill bit to use is a 1/4 inch bit. I plan on putting a few pictures up as soon as I finish with some wiring this week. Can anyone give me some info on how to upload pics ? Thanks.

Casey,
At the bottom of the post reply page, there's a buttong to manage attachements. You can hit that and upload the pictures you want. The max picture size is 800 x 600 though.

Jheyen,

Thanks.

Hey guys.

I am ordering a different Philips plasma.... a 50PF9966/37.

I saw you posted how to get into the service menu on this unit. I wonder if this is the same for most philips plasmas?

I mainly want to know... is there any way on a philips plasma to display the total number of hours viewed on it?

Thanks!

Well today I finally mounted my panel using the Omnimount U3 Tiltmount. Everything was included in the box as others have stated before. And was very simple to do. One thing you should know is there is a contradiction between the manual and the wall template instructions. The manual states to predrill the holes for the four lag bolts using a 1/4 inch drill bit, the wall template instructions advises to use a 3/8 inch drill bit to predrill the holes. I called omnimount when I got to this stage in the mounting process and they stated that they realized there was a contradiction and the correct drill bit to use is a 1/4 inch bit. I plan on putting a few pictures up as soon as I finish with some wiring this week. Can anyone give me some info on how to upload pics ? Thanks.

Casey,

Thanks for the tip. Greatly appreciated.

Djpill-

Press 1 2 3 6 5 4 on your remote.

Djpill-

Press 1 2 3 6 5 4 on your remote.


Thanks for this info. Does this take me directly to the screen that gives me the hours viewed?

If memory serves it displayed the hours on mine , it had 2 pages of info.

No settings you could change or anything.

If memory serves it displayed the hours on mine , it had 2 pages of info.

No settings you could change or anything.


Ok thanks. I will give this a shot.

Heres a listing of all Philips firmware releases for the 9630a:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Software history

BX23U-1.0.8.0 00841
Following problems are solved :
• intermittent black flashes seen with specific distribution amplifiers
• Preferred Channel menu item temporarily disabed in BX23U-1.0.7.0 00831 is enabled with this
release

BX23U-1.0.7.0 00831
Following pro blems are solved :
• improved robuustness for digital audio connections with some specific cable boxes
• improved robustness for source selection and recovery time with some specific HDMI or DVI device
• bad colours after switching between HDMI and YPbPr inputs
• wrong decoding of very low bit rate ATSC streams
• general performance improvement

BX23U-1.0.6.0 00431
Internal release only, should not be used in the field

BX23U-1.0.4.1 00421
Following problems are solved :
• stereo ambilight last status improvement (Only for xxPF9830A/37 sets)

BX23U-1.0.5.0 00411
Following problems are solved :
• improved robuustness for digital audio connections with some specific cable boxes
• improved robuustness for source selection with some specific HDMI or DVI devices
• bad colors after switching between HDMI and YPbPr inputs
• wrong decoding of very low bit rate ATSC streams

BX23U-1.0.4.0 00201
Following problem is solved :
• Problem at production line.

BX23U-1.0.3.0 00191
Following problems are solved :
• Vertical picture shift not restored at startup.
• Thumbnails not visible in content browser after fast scrolling down through the list.
• Some specific CableCards reset on scrambled signals supporting multiple audio languages.
Prevention :
• Eliminate risk on picture detoriation.

BX23U-1.0.2.0 00181
Following problems are solved :
• Sometimes the digital CC can get stuck.
• In PIP/DW sometimes HDMI picture freezes while switching channels in the other window.
• Problem : sometimes bad detection of video signals on AV1 and AV3.

End_of_file

I recentely bought the 9360 and now I am looking at DVD players. To get great quality picture from a DVD player is it necessary to get a DVD player with upsampling or is a simple progressive scan player sufficient? Please comment with the player you have and the picture you experience. One of my friends says that with a 42", upsampling is not necessary. Thoughts? Opinions?

Thanks,
aduran

DVD Player I am looking at: http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/catalog/catalog.jsp?fhquery=fh_secondid%3Dhts3400_37_us_consumer%26f h_view%3Ddetail%26fh_location%3D%2F%2Fconsumer%2Fen_US%2Fcat egories%3Ccatalog_us_consumer%2Fcategories%3C%7BHOME_AUDIO_V IDEO_GR_US_CONSUMER%7D&productId=HTS3400_37_US_CONSUMER&activeCategory=HOME_AUDIO_VIDEO_GR_US_CONSUMER&fredhopperpage=detail.jsp&language=en&country=US&catalogType=CONSUMER&proxybuster=0DL11MUSVQZVVJ0RMRCSHQFHKFSESI5P

A duran,

I am using a JVC progressive scan player and the picture is just great. I was thinking myself about an upscaling player but with the HD players just a few months down the road I will wait. Using a progressive scan DVD and good cables you wont be disapointed :) :) :)

Heres a little tip that you may find worthwhile especially during the breakin period of your panel. If your concerned about the bright glaring non transparent and colorful logos that TV stations splash across your screen then try this. Go into the personal menu of your panel scroll down to aspect ratios and select movie expand 16X9 then exit out of the menus. You'll find that in almost all instances the logos will be off your screen as the screen now has been expanded beyond it normal borders. If the logos are even larger like dare I say Dr.Phil, then press the bottom of the circle on your remote and the screen will adjust further to a maximum of seven presses. The movement of the screen with the wheel allows you to adjust for overscan left, right, up and down but can be useful in this case also. If you decide to select an HD channel the panel will automatically deselect this change and the images will appear as they normally do in HD as movie expand 16X9 isn't available in HD mode. Now the drawback to this is that some channels will have a better resolution displayed than others. :p

Just finished hiding my wiring today. I will post pics in the next day or two. :)

Where's the pics?

Im ready to check it out!

Ok heres a pic showing Ambilight 2 in action. Shot off digital cable (480). More to follow.

Well, I was all set to enter the service menu but when I got the warning to "turn back or void your warranty", I chickened out.
So can you really damage the set, click on something irreperable, in the service menu?

What other features can you enable in this menu besides activating ambilight 2 (is this really true, you can make an ambilight set into an ambilight 2?)

Here are a couple of PICs. I will post more soon.

Here are a couple of PICs. I will post more soon.

valen-

Nice pics.
What did you use to mount your set?

Well, I was all set to enter the service menu but when I got the warning to "turn back or void your warranty", I chickened out.
So can you really damage the set, click on something irreperable, in the service menu?



Honestly, I don't believe there's a way for anyone at Phillips to know you entered the menu.

You won't mess anything up unless you start changing settings, not knowing exactly what they change. There is a button to store your changes also.

I have some questions about the Philips 50" Plasma (50PF9630A) that I know only you guys can answer. Well first would be it seems to have a great amount of stretch modes for 4:3 more then any other brand I’ve seen. But it only lets you select 2 of them if it is getting a 720p or 1080i signal. So I was wondering what stretch modes are available in 480p mode? Also is there a way in service mode to disable only being able to use 2 stretch modes for HD material? I’ve also heard that plasmas don’t have geometry problems. Is this true? Burn-in is the same with this set as it is anyother so I'll skip that question. Lastly has anyone heard anything on this particular set?

What else is on the page?

Oliver, I have the 50" set for 2 days now. I love it. Picture is great and the ambilight (which when I first saw it on TV thought it was ridiculous) is terrific! The unit looks great, performs great and is priced less than the competition. You get memory card slots, USB ports, HDMI x2. Even the sound which was said to be a liability in prior posts is pretty good.

Forgot to mention all the stretch modes - for 4x3. I think this is mainly a gimick, I use either automatic or widescreen. One of the modes moves the picture up alittle to allow for subtitles, another is a Zoom to preserve aspect ratios.

is anyone using this w/ htpc or as a monitor? how's it going?

thanks

ronaldk988 what about the strecth modes? Witch ones are avialible in 480p?

I will experiment - I'll change my cable box to 480p and see.
Ron

I'm interested in the same thing. I've been lurking on this thread for a while, and probably won't make a purchase until next year, but I've been wondering this. The specs mention PC resolutions available, just wondering if it is simply plug-n-play or if powerstrip will still be required.

Waiting for that 50" to get below $2k :D :eek:

is anyone using this w/ htpc or as a monitor? how's it going?

thanks

is anyone using this w/ htpc or as a monitor? how's it going?

thanks


I'm using it as a monitor also, not via HDMI (as my pc does not have a dvi output). I'm using a VGA - 5 rca connectors (R, G, B, H, V) on input 1 and, after some messing about with Powerstrip I got a pretty good output on the TV.

I cannot for the life of me get the graphics card to output a with rectangular pixels though. so The Image is a lttle compressed vertically.. but not so bad.

I'm sure with dvi this goes away.. but I dont have a dvi card.. so for now.. it's good enough for me

ronaldk988 thanks, let us know

I used the Omnimount U3 Tilt Mount. You only need one of the extensions that already comes with the mount. Very easy to install with 2 people.

ronaldk988 what did you find out?

How do I connect an antenna and cable signal to the single RF input on the 42PF9630A? The other displays I'm looking at have 2 RF inputs, one for an antenna and one for a cable input. TIA.

does your cable box have any other outputs, such as component or HDMI? You could run that from the box. Otherwise I think you'd have to use an external switch if you wanted to have both hooked up. Do you use the antena for local?
Ron

Oliver, my cable box doesn't output 480p so I couldn't try. at 480i only widescreen and automatic are available.
Ron

Can this be done. I want to set up a few macros on my remote. One is to watch regular TV via the coax antenna connection. Another is to watch DVD via component.
Now is there any way to have the set automatically go to either antenna or AV1 or is there any sequence of commands that can do this regardless of which input the set was last using. Ie, the set is on AV1, then turned off. Is there anyway to have the set change to TV by a series of commands?
Ron

so if only 2 work for 480i then does that mean hte same for 480p?

Ronaldk I have a 50 in philips and do exactly that. I use a harmony remote though...and it remembers where you last left the tv. You use the av+ command to call up the list, then av+ again the number of times you need to cycle to get to the right input.

rolamoto

I am using a 50" 9966 as a PC monitor. I have great output at 1280x720. Image quality is great, but I am frustrated at not being able to fill the 1366x768. No matter what I do with powerstrip I cannot get it to fill the screen.

I am using DVI to HDMI on a Radeon 7000 card.

Its not like its bad the way it is....but it should be able to fill the screen!!

collingwood would you happen to have an answer regarding strecth modes in 480p?

Ronaldk I have a 50 in philips and do exactly that. I use a harmony remote though...and it remembers where you last left the tv. You use the av+ command to call up the list, then av+ again the number of times you need to cycle to get to the right input.

Collingwood,
But then when you call on the macro, you still have to manually enter the AV+ command to get to the proper input. (that a lot of work!!!!)For example, Isn't there anyway to have a series of commands to do this. Is there any command that can be sent to the Plasma to go to the first input and then you could program the macro to scroll down to the input you want attached to that macro.

Ron

the 9966 offers :

Auto (does a great job)
Superzoom
4:3
14:9
16:9
16:9 subtitle
Wide Screen

ronald, the remote is doing the av+ commands as part of the macro ...not manual

collingwood those modes are avalible in 480p?

when it is fed an SD signal from the cable box those are the options available. Thats what you mean isn't it? Sorry..I think SD is 480i. Do you mean 480p like when an HD channel is showing 4:3?

Yeah or when I'm wathing a 4:3 DVD on my 480p DVD player

ok, just set the cable box to 480p. Format choices go to 4:3 or widescreen, which stretches a bit but still leaves black side bars.

Wait I'm confused at the store I went to it had a 1080i signal and it let you choose between widescreen and automatic. What is your exact model #?

50pf9966

Thats a different model then the 50" Philips I'm getting. Have you experinced burn-in at all?

no burn in issues...and I have not been too picky with it. I let the kids play their games etc on it.

How long have you had it for and how many hours would you say it's on a day?

ronald, the remote is doing the av+ commands as part of the macro ...not manual

Collingwood,
OK, so AV+ is part of the macro but that when AV+ opens up, it opens to the last used input. OK, lets say the last input used was AV1 but I want a macro that will set the Plasma to TV. How would you run the macro? You have to have some way to standardize where AV+ starts out.

Ron

Automatic and widescreen are the options available for 720p and 1080i. For lower resolutions 480I and 480P all are available.

Then how come ronaldk988 said that only 2 were available when he switched his cable box to 480i?

Ive had my 42 inch 9630a since August. Until recently I was using component video cables ( high grade) and an SA 4200HD STB. The picture quality for all resolutions has been terrific. Recently I upgraded the cable to a DVI to HDMI cable to see if there was really a visual difference as some have reported. Well was I in for a pleasant surprise, the picture quality is just incredible . So much sharper with great definition and color I just couldnt believe my eyes. Yesterday I upgraded my box to a SA8300HD DVR now using an HDMI to HDMI cable. And yes its a definite WOW!!!!!! I have read a few posts and some have said they couldnt see any difference between a component connection and DVI or HDMI. Well from my experience I just dont know how that would be possible. Its like night and day!!!! I was wondering if anyone else is using HDMI to HDMI and having the same experience as I am with the Philips?

Also,,,,,,,I have been trying to post pictures of my setup as an attachment to email. Problem is the size of the pics have to be limited to 500k which doesnt produce a very high quality image. Does anyone know how you can insert a pic in a reply thread and if I could use higher res pics? Any help would be appreciated.

Here is my 50PF9630. The Ambilight beautifully lights up the alcove in which the TV hangs.

Hmmm, where is my picture. THis was the first try at uploading an image. I thought I did it right, but no picture!!!!

OK, will try again

Question for all you guys.

I just got the 50pf9966 plasma. When I watch CBSHD or ABCHD the picture seems to be "shifted" to the right. Meaning when it goes to commercial... and I get the black bars on each side.. the left black bar is much wider than the right.

Any reason for this? I am connecting component cables to a Motorola dual-tuner DVR cable box.

Thanks!

DjPill,

Did you use the wheel on your remote? On my 9630a its easily adjust the picture, up down left and right.

use the direction arrows on the remote to move it...once done you don't have to touch it again.

In reading previous posts, it appeared that some of you were getting locals (using the internal HD tuner) by using the standard cable wire without using an antenna. I (semi-)live in an apartment in Atlanta and I have Comcast cable. I plugged the coax wire into the back of my 9630A and did the channel scan - WELL the scan found over 300 digital and numerous analog channels. After almost an hour of flipping through all of the channels that the tuner found, looking for the local HD feeds, I only found the NBC affiliate.

I REALLY would like to ditch the damn rabbit ears that I have plugged into the back of my DirecTV HD receiver because it's a) ugly, and b) annoying to have to get up and adjust for certain channels.

Am I taking the right approach, or am I misunderstanding something? Any help is appreciated. Thank you very much.


On another note, I notice a dull brightness change every 30 seconds or so while watching TV - has anyone else seen the same thing? It's almost like a flicker, but the rate of change is too slow to really call it a flicker. Thanks again.

...
I REALLY would like to ditch the damn rabbit ears that I have plugged into the back of my DirecTV HD receiver because it's a) ugly, and b) annoying to have to get up and adjust for certain channels.

Am I taking the right approach, or am I misunderstanding something? Any help is appreciated. Thank you very much.


On another note, I notice a dull brightness change every 30 seconds or so while watching TV - has anyone else seen the same thing? It's almost like a flicker, but the rate of change is too slow to really call it a flicker. Thanks again.

Rabit ears; there are HD antennas that can go either on the roof, in an atic, or inside behind the TV. They are supposed to be better at getting an HD signal than the rabit ears, but I haven't tried them yet.

The brightness change, is there anything else changing in the room? You might have dynamic contrast turned on, and the TV will adjust the brightness depending on how much light is in the surrounding room.

Hope this helps!

use the direction arrows on the remote to move it...once done you don't have to touch it again.



So you are saying on my 9966 plasma... i just have to hit the directional arrows in the middle of the remote to move the picture?

Thats it?

When do i do this? When the programming is on? Do i have to go into any service menu to do this?

Please elaborate cause this is bugging the crap out of me. :D TIA!

Rabit ears; there are HD antennas that can go either on the roof, in an atic, or inside behind the TV. They are supposed to be better at getting an HD signal than the rabit ears, but I haven't tried them yet.

Since I'm in an apartment, the roof is out, the attic is out, so I guess I'll investigate behind the TV - I was actually wondering if the others were getting HD without using an antenna and simply using the cable feed from the wall. An antenna that goes behind the TV may be an option - Thanks for your response.

The brightness change, is there anything else changing in the room? You might have dynamic contrast turned on, and the TV will adjust the brightness depending on how much light is in the surrounding room.

Hope this helps!

I'll look into the dynamic contrast thing, that sounds like it may be a possible cause. I don't have a serious viewing environment, I kinda just have the TV thrown in the room, so whatever light happens to come in through the blinds (or maybe if the blinds are open) is what light I have in the room. When I get home this weekend, I'll look into that. Thanks again.

Djpill....any time you are viewing content, use the left and right arrows to move the image on the screen...its so simple its hard to find. I was cursing for a couple days...I think one of the kids discovered it.

Djpill....any time you are viewing content, use the left and right arrows to move the image on the screen...its so simple its hard to find. I was cursing for a couple days...I think one of the kids discovered it.


Ok i am going to try this when I get home. I hope it works cause I really like this plasma and I would hate to have to return it or get it serviced for something stupid. Did you just get yours? Mine just got delivered yesterday. :D

Oh one other thing... this centering problem only happens when I am pushing a hi-def signal to it. My SD 480i and 480p viewing is currently fine. If I adjust the position for the hi-def channels... i would hate to see my SD content come out of position.

Ive had my 42 inch 9630a since August. Until recently I was using component video cables ( high grade) and an SA 4200HD STB. The picture quality for all resolutions has been terrific. Recently I upgraded the cable to a DVI to HDMI cable to see if there was really a visual difference as some have reported. Well was I in for a pleasant surprise, the picture quality is just incredible . So much sharper with great definition and color I just couldnt believe my eyes. Yesterday I upgraded my box to a SA8300HD DVR now using an HDMI to HDMI cable. And yes its a definite WOW!!!!!! I have read a few posts and some have said they couldnt see any difference between a component connection and DVI or HDMI. Well from my experience I just dont know how that would be possible. Its like night and day!!!! I was wondering if anyone else is using HDMI to HDMI and having the same experience as I am with the Philips?

Also,,,,,,,I have been trying to post pictures of my setup as an attachment to email. Problem is the size of the pics have to be limited to 500k which doesnt produce a very high quality image. Does anyone know how you can insert a pic in a reply thread and if I could use higher res pics? Any help would be appreciated.

Casey Jones:

It is interesting - but did you try the cablecard? I am using it and am curious if I could see a difference with the cablebox. I have some digital distortions on HD periodically, mostly on HD channels, sometimes nothing at all, sometimes every 10 to 20 minutes (like a string of squares or something), but I have them with the cablebox on my CRT RPTV too, but they seem less noticable. I am not sure though, as I don't watch them side by side and watch them at different time.



Another question, our Adelphia cable company seems the only source for such boxes. But can I buy a better version somewhere? I have to pay $10 a month for this box now. I read in the Home Theater Magazine that SONY is offerina a dvr with a cablecard for $800.

djpill

Got mine last christmas. I doubt you will have any issue once you move the image to the center....sounds just like mine was.

What is the difference between the pixel plus 2 offered on the 9630 and the pixel plus offered on the 7320?

djpill-the adjustment using the arrows only works for the HD signals and you, therefore, need to do it when you have an HD channel on the screen.

I went into the service menu of my 42PF9630A to try out the Ambilight 2 and while I was there I turned on the TV Guide option. After restarting the TV, I immediately received the TV Guide setup. Incredible! It appears Cablevision sends the data through. These features are amazing. I wonder why these features are not enabled. I feel like I just received the TV new for the second time.

so i am picking up my 9630 tomorrow :)...

whats the first thing i should do before the wall mount "professionals" come to install it. i already have a usb card ready to update the firmware but I need to make sure it isn't already updated. another thing is should i calibrate the settings using avia now or after i break it in?

damn, i can't wait. i probably won't be able to sleep tonight lol.

any is this ambilight 2 thing sort of a "hack" or did philips intentionally put it their as an option.

FWIW I think the 9630 is my current fav.

Alek,

No I have not used a cable card yet. After reading all the posts about them being somewhat problematic I thought I would pass on it for now. I can tell you this the HDMI cables did make a big difference for me. And keep in mind my picture quality using the component cable was really good. I guess the best way to explain it is there is even more detail and images are really sharp. I think someone on a post on this forum compared it to moving photographs. Now keep in mind HD still looks the best then digital and SD. Initially I had read some posts as you had about people experiencing pixelization problems, macroblocking and the like when using HDMI. I have Cablevision and with either Scientific Atlanta STB I havent noticed any of this. I feel that these type of image problems are mostly caused by the signal feed. As far as I know you have to get the digital boxes from your cable company they arent available for individual purchase. Hope this helps. Enjoy!!!!!!

Rolento76,

If you review the read me file that contains the firmware update history you will notice all but one was intended for all recent Philips models that are user upgradeable.. This tells me that Philips (in there wisdom) issued firmware that is universal for all recent Philips panels. The proof of the pudding is what we have already discovered and activated in the service menus. Many people , unlike us, will never go into the service menu or even know what it is. But yes I agree its like getting all the new features all over again :) . I saw the Electronic tv guide also but havent activated it as I get it on cablevision already. Since you did activate it have you noticed any features you may want to share with the rest of us? I personally believe that some of these features we have discovered were left out from certain models to entice a purchaser to buy a certain model based on its feature set.

ndmbolla,

The software upgrade will not allow you to install an earlier version then what your panel comes with so you dont need to worry about that. Since your asking I would wait till after you break it in before I calibrated with AVIA. There are so many possibilities with the internal menus you may find you actually wont need it. Enjoy your new Panel :) :) :) :) :)

I am currently using Cablevision's SA8300 DVR. Having the TV Guide is a boon when I want to watch a live program while my DVR is recording two shows at the same time. I currently have my cable split, one to the DVR and one directly to the TV so I can use the TV's built in tuner.

If it wasn't for this forum, I would have never known of these features. My tireless search for information regarding computer VGA to RGBHV breakout cables brought me here. I found information for that and the bonus info regarding these hidden jems. Watching CSI with stereo Ambilight was great and I don't plan on going back to mono Ambilight.

I have yet to play with the guide more. So far it does what Cablevision's guide does: program info, tune to channel, etc. During the setup it asked me if I want to setup the guide to record shows via a VCR. Since I don't have a VCR connected to the TV I skipped that option. I'll report back when I get a chance to really get into it.

I remember reading an online store's description of this model and they mentioned the electronic TV Guide. I also remember a review of the TV saying to dismiss any ads mentioning the EPG. Perhaps it was once advertised as having such a feature. Perhaps that online store had played with the service menu. All I know is that I feel like this was money well spent.

Do all these firm ware updates really only benefit you if your going to use the set to watch TV? I plain on only using it for DVD's and my X-Box 360 (once it’s out). Mine will be here Saturday

I went into the service menu of my 42PF9630A to try out the Ambilight 2 and while I was there I turned on the TV Guide option. After restarting the TV, I immediately received the TV Guide setup. Incredible! It appears Cablevision sends the data through. These features are amazing. I wonder why these features are not enabled. I feel like I just received the TV new for the second time.

did you get the guide to show up with the right times and channels? How long did you have to wait? I just read your post and decided to try the TV guide setup. It works but when I press the guide button it doesn't show any data. I'll try again in the morning cuz it said for it to update it'll require that i have the TV off overnight. I have the lcd tv version of this and i must say it's incredible. Has anyone else tried the TV guide function in the service menu?
Oh one other thing... did you select "cable box" or "no cable box" option?

Alek,

No I have not used a cable card yet. After reading all the posts about them being somewhat problematic I thought I would pass on it for now. I can tell you this the HDMI cables did make a big difference for me. And keep in mind my picture quality using the component cable was really good. I guess the best way to explain it is there is even more detail and images are really sharp. I think someone on a post on this forum compared it to moving photographs. Now keep in mind HD still looks the best then digital and SD. Initially I had read some posts as you had about people experiencing pixelization problems, macroblocking and the like when using HDMI. I have Cablevision and with either Scientific Atlanta STB I havent noticed any of this. I feel that these type of image problems are mostly caused by the signal feed. As far as I know you have to get the digital boxes from your cable company they arent available for individual purchase. Hope this helps. Enjoy!!!!!!

Casey Jones,

Thanks for your reply. I am still not sure though why the cablecard is problematic - I don't have any problems with it, rather the opposite - I think it is very easy and convenient (same remote, don't need to puch 3-digit number, which is very annoying, and to worry about formatting). The cablebox is just the same tuner but in a separate box, which costs more per month, looks ugly, and needs an extra shelf and cables (power and video/audio), again more money and worries (what if there are better cables?). For the picture quality you have the direct feed with no cables at all, if you use the cablecard. The advantage of the box is that it can have a better tuner and more interaction (guide, on demand), but we don't have any choice here - the cable company decides for us.

Do all of the 9630A's have the TV guide option? I noticed on philips website, the product specs don't mention this. How do you get in the service menu?

Alek,

Glad to here the good news about your cablecard :) . I may try one down the road.

Casey

any cable card users out their know if philips' integrated tv guide can work with the cable card, specifically a comcast one.

i know that the card is only one-way so i know that comcast's guide won't work but because the other guide is integrated with the tv is their that possibility.

Hi liemydude,

I waited overnight for the data to populate the guide. I checked this morning and I was flipping through channels using the guide. So far everything looks good.

Although I do have a cable box, I have a seperate feed going to my TV so I can use the built in tuner when my DVR is busy. Because of this I selected the "no cable box". After waiting overnight, I was presented the option to select "Cablevision" or "Cablevision Digital". I selected the latter. Don't be afraid to choose one or the other as any of these can be changed at any time through the setup option. I was just checking out the TV Guide On Screen website and they have interesting information in their FAQ regarding how the guide knows which channels to display.

Does anyone know if the 7320A model has the TV guide menu option as well? Is the TV guide something that is in the regular setup menu, or do yo have to go into the service menu to activat this function?

Im a little confused. Can someone enlighten me?

Thanks,
S.Taylor

What is the difference between the pixel plus 2 offered on the 9630 and the pixel plus offered on the 7320?

anybody have any input??

anybody have any input??

I only heard that PP could not handle the HD picture, and HD 2 can do it. On the other hand, I would think that both models should have the same PP processing.

So its finally here!!!!... and now I have a few newbie questions while its... autoprogramming the channels.

I just wanted to test out the batman begins dvd (widesreen) and when its actually playing isnt' its suppose to take up the whole screen? This is a widescreen tv so shouldn't the movie being taking up the whole screen?

Hi ndnbolla,

Unfortunatly, there is a difference between broadcast widescreen and movie widescreen. A typical blockbuster movie uses a 2.35:1 ratio. DVDs call this anamorphic. So even on a widescreen TV, you will get black bars on the top and bottom of the screen if you watch the native size (no zoom, crop, or adjustment).

Broadcast widescreen that is often used for HD television shows will fit your TV perfectly.

Personally I don't mind the black bars because I want to watch the movie as the director intended. And it won't affect your ambilight performance. ;-)

Hi ndnbolla,

Unfortunatly, there is a difference between broadcast widescreen and movie widescreen. A typical blockbuster movie uses a 2.35:1 ratio. DVDs call this anamorphic. So even on a widescreen TV, you will get black bars on the top and bottom of the screen if you watch the native size (no zoom, crop, or adjustment).

Broadcast widescreen that is often used for HD television shows will fit your TV perfectly.

Personally I don't mind the black bars because I want to watch the movie as the director intended. And it won't affect your ambilight performance. ;-)


I don't really mind the black bars that much either. The best format that should be used is 16:9 right?

Because I haven't broken in the tv yet would it still be ok to watch a widescreen movie (tonight Robots, tomorrow night star wars III) with the bars on the top and bottom.

Ideally you want to use 16:9. Don't worry about watching DVDs during the break in period. I just wouldn't recommend pausing the DVD for hours at a time.

Alek,

Glad to here the good news about your cablecard :) . I may try one down the road.

Casey

The other thing is that my cable box continuously (that is, when it is off) consumes 0.7 amp (accrding to my PF60 surge protector) or something like a 84watt bulb. And together with my rptv, it is 2.1 amp or 252 watt (if I calculate it correctly). It is something which seems redundant to me.

The plasma with the cablecard shows 0 amp when it is off - it is supposed to be 15watt in the manual.

djpill

Got mine last christmas. I doubt you will have any issue once you move the image to the center....sounds just like mine was.



THANK YOU! This fixed it. So simple its stupid. :D I must have moved it to the right in the very beginning when I was tooling around with the buttons on the remote trying to figure out how to change input sources.

I was getting a little worried. I bought a refurb from the Philips outlet... so whenever I see something funny... I get nervous.

hey guys, i just went and activated the tv guide just to see how it worked. but how would you go about disabling it?

i have tried to turn it off by going back to the service menu and then turning tv off and back on but guide just comes back up when turned on.

any suggestions, i will probably activate again once i get my cable card next week but for now i just want to stick with the box's guide.

My Philips 50" plasma will be here tomorrow. Would it be ok to play some X-Box and watch 2:35 DVD's during break-in? Are these Philips just as advanced when it comes to burn-in as the new Panasonics?

Oliver I think in moderation you will be fine, just make sure you watch some full screen content in between sessions! I suppose if you were really anal about it you would't do it but I have let the kids use the tv any way they would normally from day one and have not seen any ill effects.

oh, and have fun getting the new toy! For full effect get a visually great movie to play first off....We used lord of the rings and were stunned by how great it was.

hey guys, i just went and activated the tv guide just to see how it worked. but how would you go about disabling it?

i have tried to turn it off by going back to the service menu and then turning tv off and back on but guide just comes back up when turned on.

any suggestions, i will probably activate again once i get my cable card next week but for now i just want to stick with the box's guide.


Aer you sure your saving the settings before you exit the service menu? If you don't, it will revert back to having the guide on.

Does anyone know if the 7320A model has the TV guide menu option as well? Is the TV guide something that is in the regular setup menu, or do yo have to go into the service menu to activat this function?

Im a little confused. Can someone enlighten me?

Thanks,
S.Taylor

I have the 7320 and have not found the TV guide or any reference in the instructions. Not that I miss it.

Aer you sure your saving the settings before you exit the service menu? If you don't, it will revert back to having the guide on.

I have been saving the settings via the Store/Store Completed but I decided to just leave it alone and de-activate the TV Guide Auto-On. That way it doesn't turn on everytime I turn the tV on.

Hey ndnbolla,

Let me know how the CableCard works out with the TV Guide On Screen. I have tried the various options (Cable, Cable Digital, RF Only, etc.) but the TV Guide doesn't resolve the arbitraty frequency channels like 101.704, 101.705, etc. Also let me know what cable company you receive service from. If the TV Guide works with the CableCard, then I just might go ahead and get one myself. Thanks in advance.

Nbnbolla,

Try setting your panel to automatic that will eliminate all black bars, whether they are on the sides or top or bottom of screen.

I went into the service menu of my 42PF9630A to try out the Ambilight 2 and while I was there I turned on the TV Guide option. After restarting the TV, I immediately received the TV Guide setup. Incredible! It appears Cablevision sends the data through. These features are amazing. I wonder why these features are not enabled. I feel like I just received the TV new for the second time.
Hi Rolento,

How do yo get into the service menu? Are you really getting ambilight 2 on the 9630? How did this happen? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi valen428,

Check out page 16 of this forum, message #461. It tells you all about the service menu. Although I have never seen Ambilight 2 in person, from what I have read in feature descriptions, this stereo Ambilight is the same thing. We like it far better than the default setting of the TV.

I bought my 9630 late August, thanks in large part to the excellent feedback on this forum.

I've also managed to enable the Ambilight II, as well as the Guide. Works great!

This set has a ton of features, excellent PQ and a great price. I've only got a few issues and wonder if they bother anyone else:

1. Using the standard channel info display causes the channel number to appear continuously in the upper left of the screen. If I use the "reduced" info option that causes it to turn off after 30 seconds or so, the set will no longer display the volume bar when adjusting volume. Hopefully, this is something a future firmware fix can resolve if enough people feel the same way.

2. After turning on "The Guide", I noticed that you lose display format after entering/exiting the Guide. I normally have mine on "Automatic", but if I press "Guide" and then exit, the format defaults back to Widescreen. I can change it back to "Automatic", but it only kicks back in when I change channels.

3. There is a noticeable increase in "hum" on screens with high white content.

4. Others have commented that the speakers sometimes buzz. I've noticed this with various EQ settings, it's obviously a resonance from the cabinet. But as pointed out by someone else, when I want that much volume I'm normally running it thru my AV equipment.

Of course, I can live with these things but just wonder if others have noticed.

Almost forgot - early on someone had asked what the IR adapter was for that's included in the box but not mentioned in the Philips documentation.

I think I finally figured out it's for use with the Guide and VCR/DVD control. Plugs into the back of the set on the jack labeled G-Link.

Thanks Rolento! I went into the menu and it worked. Very cool.

Robert-I have noticed the same thing with the volume bar. It is kind of annoying, and I hope they come up with something to fix it. I opt to not have it on. Also, I definitely notice quite a "buzz" coming from the speakers, and I am looking into buying some in-wall speakers to hook up to my AV now that I have the TV hanging on the wall. If anyone has any suggestions on some great, but economic in wall speakers, let me know! I'm trying to keep the cost down below $700 for the front, center, and back.

I just bought the Philips 32PF7320A yesterday. I notice from this forum that other Philips HDTVs have the TV Guide hidden in the service menu. So far, even though I've used the method suggested here in post #461, that code doesn't get me into the service menu. Does anyone know the code for this model Philips LCD TV (or other codes besides the 062596) ? Also does anyone know if the TV Guide option is even available in the service menu for this model?

FWIW, I find the quality of the picture to be excellent. Great contrast, tonal subtlety and color. Monsters, Inc. was incredible last night - at least as good as on my older Sony 34XBR800 picture tube model. I also really like the dynamic picture sizing. Now when a SD commercial comes on in an HD broadcast, within 1 or 2 seconds the picture resizes to full screen. The speaker quality is pretty lame but I'll be adding an amp and external speakers anyway so it isn't too big a problem.

garbanzo....note that the service menu sequence is picky....you have to almost pause as you hold each number to be sure the tv gets it. I tried for a while and didn't get in until I slowed down and pressed each number very deliberately.

Heres a few pics of my mounted 9630a:

garbanzo....note that the service menu sequence is picky....you have to almost pause as you hold each number to be sure the tv gets it. I tried for a while and didn't get in until I slowed down and pressed each number very deliberately.


For me to get into the service menu where you change all the options, not the other one without any options(123654), I press 062596 Info without even going to the service menu w/o any options. I missed the info a couple times until i read it again like 3 times.

Make sure you point at the green little light in the corner too as this is where it recieves all the signals.

Does anybody know if the hours used is in the service menu??

yes, hrs are there

Is there 2 different models? 7320a and 7320a/37? One with 3000:1 LG glass and one 10000:1 samsung glass? I know the samsung glass is much better. The PQ at the one a CC looked pretty bad, so i guess it was LG glass... and CC specs are 3000:1, while philips website has 10000:1. so the 7320a that sears and CC sells must be a cheaper version or an old version, right?

Can somone help me here. There seems to be an awful lot of noise in my picture and there also seems to be a solorizing effect going on with it. Is this normal? How would I correct it?

The other thing is that my cable box continuously (that is, when it is off) consumes 0.7 amp (accrding to my PF60 surge protector) or something like a 84watt bulb. And together with my rptv, it is 2.1 amp or 252 watt (if I calculate it correctly). It is something which seems redundant to me.

The plasma with the cablecard shows 0 amp when it is off - it is supposed to be 15watt in the manual.

15 watts at 120 volts would equal .125 amps, maybe too low for your surge protector to see??

Is there 2 different models? 7320a and 7320a/37? One with 3000:1 LG glass and one 10000:1 samsung glass? I know the samsung glass is much better. The PQ at the one a CC looked pretty bad, so i guess it was LG glass... and CC specs are 3000:1, while philips website has 10000:1. so the 7320a that sears and CC sells must be a cheaper version or an old version, right?

As someone previously mentioned, don't go by what you see at places like CC or Sears. Everyone screws around with the settings and the PQ is usually terrible on most sets. I had to reset most settings at the store to get a decent picture.

As for 10000:1 or 3000:1, I have no idea where they got those numbers. Take a look at the Philips website (I can't post URLs yet) and search for 32pf7320a for the real specs (contrast 800:1). Also, my TV is the 32pf7320a/37, I just left the/37 off originally thinking it wouldn't confuse anyone. I don't think there are 2 different models and I can't believe Philips would use anything other than LG glass since they have a joint venture with LG specifically to make LCD panels (LG.Philips-LCD)

Anyone else using DVI from HTPC able to get it to run 1366x768? I still haven't seen an answer to the PC connectivity question that give me a good feeling about using an HTPC for watching movies. I certainly don't want to just use 1280x720 pixels. I would think that would just be asking for "burn in" because you are never using the entire screen.

rolamoto

I am using a 50" 9966 as a PC monitor. I have great output at 1280x720. Image quality is great, but I am frustrated at not being able to fill the 1366x768. No matter what I do with powerstrip I cannot get it to fill the screen.

I am using DVI to HDMI on a Radeon 7000 card.

Its not like its bad the way it is....but it should be able to fill the screen!!

So I’m very worried about my 2 day old 50” Philips plasma. There is so much noise during dark scenes. If I walk up close to the screen it almost looks like black snow on really dark parts of the screen. I have never seen this before on any of my other TV’s. Is this normal can it be corrected? Also there seems to be like this solorizing effect on skin tones and dark scenes. It kinda reminds me the colorizing or polarizing effect on my DV cam. Is this something that is normal for plasmas? That doesn’t bother me as much as the noise. Can someone please shed some light on this for me?

So I’m very worried about my 2 day old 50” Philips plasma. There is so much noise during dark scenes. If I walk up close to the screen it almost looks like black snow on really dark parts of the screen. I have never seen this before on any of my other TV’s. Is this normal can it be corrected? Also there seems to be like this solorizing effect on skin tones and dark scenes. It kinda reminds me the colorizing or polarizing effect on my DV cam. Is this something that is normal for plasmas? That doesn’t bother me as much as the noise. Can someone please shed some light on this for me?

You should have the least amount of noise on dark scenes.

Have you calibrated the picture at all?

After calibrating I would call Phillips or take the set back if the problem remains.

It's calibrated to the best of my abilitie using the Digital Video Estentails DVD. There is still like a black snow effect on the dark scenes. What should I do? Has anyne else had this problem and have they been able to corerect it. This is the 50" model not the 42"

Nice setup. Kate Beckinsale looks great too!

15 watts at 120 volts would equal .125 amps, maybe too low for your surge protector to see??

It is probably so, or it can be even less that that. But it seems very nice, compared to 0.7amps from the cable box and 1.4 amps from my RPTV disconnected from the cable (I guess it is the Guide working even if the tv is off).

The thing which is bothering me is that I am getting this digital artifacts - I was watching Rome yesterday and I got one in every 5 minutes. I have two guesses:

1. Most likely, it is the feed, because I was watching the football game in the middle of the day and it was very rare, as on some other HD programs or SD it is not really noticable. It is annoying.

2. But there is a possibility that plasma's tuner with the cablecard is not very good, which makes me want to try it with the box. On the other hand, I am getting them on the CRT RPTV with the box and component in too, but may be less often, or I simply don't see them, or they are more visible on plasma.
I wonder if anyone can share some experience here.

Well, I think I see why Philips turned off "The Guide" and stopped mentioning it.

Last night I couldn't help but notice the entire panel was still "glowing" after I turned it off, was still glowing this morning. I had to unplug the AC cord.

And I no longer heard that "click" from the set shortly after turning it off.

It seems like it's in Standby mode and comes on immediately when Power is pressed.

That's cool, but I'm worried about the panel glow. Everything back to normal when I disabled the Guide.

As someone previously mentioned, don't go by what you see at places like CC or Sears. Everyone screws around with the settings and the PQ is usually terrible on most sets. I had to reset most settings at the store to get a decent picture.

As for 10000:1 or 3000:1, I have no idea where they got those numbers. Take a look at the Philips website (I can't post URLs yet) and search for 32pf7320a for the real specs (contrast 800:1). Also, my TV is the 32pf7320a/37, I just left the/37 off originally thinking it wouldn't confuse anyone. I don't think there are 2 different models and I can't believe Philips would use anything other than LG glass since they have a joint venture with LG specifically to make LCD panels (LG.Philips-LCD)

I did reset the PQ settings on all the sets, including the philips. But the PQ quality of the philips 7320a plasma they have at CC was not very good. Philips homepage mentions 10000:1 contrast ratio for the 7320a/37, which would make it a Samsung panel. But sears and CC says 3000:1 and leaves out the (/37) from the model number?? If it would be a samsung panel i would expect the PQ quality to be closer to the samsung's HD model, which it was not, far from.

Oliver Dubin,

Unless you have a very bad feed you should see no noise at all and the skin colors should be right on. What type STB are you using and how is it connected. Also did you activate DNR?

Casey Jones I'm not using a set top box. Just my DVD player and X-Box are hooked up both using component cables. There is so much noise that it looks like I have everything runing thru an RF adaptor. DNR is on. Any ideas?

Well, I think I see why Philips turned off "The Guide" and stopped mentioning it.

Last night I couldn't help but notice the entire panel was still "glowing" after I turned it off, was still glowing this morning. I had to unplug the AC cord.

And I no longer heard that "click" from the set shortly after turning it off.

It seems like it's in Standby mode and comes on immediately when Power is pressed.

That's cool, but I'm worried about the panel glow. Everything back to normal when I disabled the Guide.

I disabled my guide as well. Since the Guide doesn't resolve the arbitrary frequency numbers for digital channels, it was just a fancy way of navigating through SD programs. Also, I don't even remember the last time I needed to watch TV using the built-in tuner since I have a two-tuner DVR from my cable company.

Hearing the "click" when the TV shuts off is strangely reassuring. I guess I am happy that it's not zapping my electricity behind my back now.

But the stereo Ambilight is here to stay! :D

Well, I think I see why Philips turned off "The Guide" and stopped mentioning it.

Last night I couldn't help but notice the entire panel was still "glowing" after I turned it off, was still glowing this morning. I had to unplug the AC cord.

And I no longer heard that "click" from the set shortly after turning it off.

It seems like it's in Standby mode and comes on immediately when Power is pressed.

That's cool, but I'm worried about the panel glow. Everything back to normal when I disabled the Guide.


I had the issue with the panel glow too.. upgraded the firmware and it went away..

Well ... I am switching to the cablebox. I had the cablecard for 3 months and all these small but annoying distortions (tiling, blocking) all the time. I thought it is the signal, maybe, so, but now with the box it is just fine.

So, Philips's internal tuner sucks! Their customer service is as bad as of any big brand. I have to explain to them that they have a website from where you can download a new firmware. On the positive side, they seemed to be interested and impressed by this fact.

In the process, I called to the cable company three times, had three technicians coming in the house and have now a new line directly to the house.

Philips only could offer me a firmware upgrade (which I could download myself, as I did a few times). I use a digital in to the plasma and had some problems with sound. Don't know what was wrong, but inclined to think it is plasma. (I never had such issue with my other box and rptv). So, Philips, I am getting unimpressed.

just recently got my 9630. had charter install a cable card saturday. all the channels i can get are 2 thru 100. channel 17 has 17.1 17.2 17.4. and i think channel 77 has 77.1 thru 77.10 or more. also i signed up for the HD programing. my problem is there are no movie channels or HD channels being picked up. all we did was install the cacle card and run the autoprogram to get the availablle channels. the cable guy didn't know what to do either. what do i need to do to get all the channels available in HD and the upper movie channels?

thanks for any help.

just recently got my 9630. had charter install a cable card saturday. all the channels i can get are 2 thru 100. channel 17 has 17.1 17.2 17.4. and i think channel 77 has 77.1 thru 77.10 or more. also i signed up for the HD programing. my problem is there are no movie channels or HD channels being picked up. all we did was install the cacle card and run the autoprogram to get the availablle channels. the cable guy didn't know what to do either. what do i need to do to get all the channels available in HD and the upper movie channels?

thanks for any help.

In my case, the cable guy also called somewhere to activate the card and to ask an operator to send the signal. (To get rid of it, I also needed to deactivate it first before unplugging, i.e, to ask th ecable guy to call agai - costs a visit, otherwise, it would be still paired to my TV).

You're not supposed to run the autoprogram if you use the cablecard. Using the cablecard is sort of like using the cable box, but without the physical box. If the cable card is enable in your cable company's system, it picks up all the channels you are allowed to get and puts them into the "preferred channel list." It sounds as if what you did only took the cable signal coming from the wall via the autoprogram.
Normally, if the cable card was "good," your tv would recognize it.
Did a cablecard menu show up in the main menu? If not, most likely, the good old cable company did not authorize it, like alek talked about.

I'm using an HDMI connection to my plasma and the sound works great. If I want to listen to DD 5.1 I turn off the HDMI sound in the Sa8300HD DVR menu. This allows my digital output from the STB to send Dolby Digital to my home theatre system. :p I initially used the digital in to the plasma and the sound worked fine but finally opted for the connection I mentioned above as it provided me with maximum versatility.

Some of the symtoms you mention about the cable card have been discussed in many threads before. Some say they get great picture quality but have intermittent and occasional picture problems. Seems to be a crap shoot based on your specific cable provider. I dont think theres any evidence its caused by the internal tuner as they are all spec'd similarly regardless of brand, rather the cable company broadcast and the specific technology used to connect.

I'm using an HDMI connection to my plasma and the sound works great. If I want to listen to DD 5.1 I turn off the HDMI sound in the Sa8300HD DVR menu. This allows my digital output from the STB to send Dolby Digital to my home theatre system. :p I initially used the digital in to the plasma and the sound worked fine but finally opted for the connection I mentioned above as it provided me with maximum versatility.

Some of the symtoms you mention about the cable card have been discussed in many threads before. Some say they get great picture quality but have intermittent and occasional picture problems. Seems to be a crap shoot based on your specific cable provider. I dont think theres any evidence its caused by the internal tuner as they are all spec'd similarly regardless of brand, rather the cable company broadcast and the specific technology used to connect.

It is quite possible that it is a signal noise or card issue. However, what was I supposed to do? Philips is not helping: they say the last firmware upgrade is a solution. I think it improved things a little but it is still very distracting.

The cable card, as I was explained, is just an address book - it shows where the channels are for the tuner. The box has its equivalent and a tuner. Both made by Motorola in my case. So, if the cable card is not good, I should have had a problem with access to the right channels, I suppose? It is not what is happening. It looks as something is overloading, and you have a disruption, then it goes again, and again...

About the sound: I just lost a sound on Comedy central and HD NBC. I switched to another channel - the sound was there, switched back and it was fine. I don't know what was that. My box has only DVI-D out. So, I use a HDMI to DVI cable and a separate digital cable (I could switch to a 2-channel analogue cable too, but currently it is connected to a stereo amp.)

From my other box, I just use the digital out to the pre/pro. Never had a problem.

just recently got my 9630. had charter install a cable card saturday. all the channels i can get are 2 thru 100. channel 17 has 17.1 17.2 17.4. and i think channel 77 has 77.1 thru 77.10 or more. also i signed up for the HD programing. my problem is there are no movie channels or HD channels being picked up. all we did was install the cacle card and run the autoprogram to get the availablle channels. the cable guy didn't know what to do either. what do i need to do to get all the channels available in HD and the upper movie channels?

thanks for any help.

I also recall that when you power on your TV, you need to go to Applications in the Menu and find the ccard there, then activate it. You can find more instructions in the manual on the disc (not in the book). Though it does not say anything about activation, I think.

Alek,

I dont have any experience with motorola boxs in my area they only offer Scientific atlanta. I do recall that on some other threads they did mention about having no sound and switching channels and then going back to the channel and the sound was ok. If I recall correctly they said it could be due to compression on that channel and limited bandwidth (Is comedy central analog or digital?) When I was using a component connection I did notice at some times (a sec or two) the picture and sound had to catch up with each other on certain channels. Since I am now using Hdmi to Hdmi that has been eliminated. I think the Hdmi cable provides a better handshake. I still think these occasional bumps in the road are based on the quality of the signal transmited by the cable company as well as compression used on certain channels. Thats my 2 cents.

I'm with Casey - after 500 hours (according to my setup screen), I've had the sound drop out 4 times. Switched to another channel and back, sound was restored. In each case, it was the same channel. I blame Time Warner.

Alek and mlandau,
thanks for you help, i'll take your advise and try to get it working correctly. if i don't i'll be back for more help.

I just purchased the Philips 42PF9630A/37 plasma tv yesterday and I have a few questions. I noticed that after watching some different channels and then switching to a channel that is completely black (a channel we dont get with Directv) that I would see lines and boxes on the screen where things had been on prior shows. I also just did the upgrade to the latest firmware and I noticed afterwards that on a black screen I could read the philips logo and "please wait" which was up there during the upgrade. Are these just ghosts that will go away? I am concerned because of all the reading I have done about plasmas and burn-in. I have made sure not to keep staic images on the screen for too long. Also, some people suggested turning down the brightness and contrast for the first 200 hours. Am I just paranoid? I also read that some plasmas have a "white wash" feature to make the screen clear off ghosts. Could you help me understand if I am being over cautious? Also, will this plasma be ok when playing xbox?

thanks in advance.

Roadrashtx,

During the first hundred to two hundred hours you will need to reduce both the contrast and brightness. Go into the personal setting and reduce them to below 50. View the set like this until its broken in. Also use the automatic aspect setting so you can avoid any black bars to the sides or top and bottom of the screen. I've had my Philips since August and have followed this advice and I have no screen retention problems or burnin. Also vary your viewing to avoid static images for prolonged periods during the breakin. By doing this you are allowing the phosphors to age evenly. Some extend the breakin period even longer gradually increasing the viewing of different material up to the first 1000 hours . I would suggest you read the thread about burn in and breakin theres alot to learn from it.:)

Casey Jones and Robert2765,

Thanks for the info about the sound drops. I had it once again yesterday on the Comedy Central. It is an anlogue channel (going through the box and the dvi cable). I had it once on HD NBC too on Tuesday (the 1st day with the box) while watching My name is Earl. But I never had it with the card.

The cable people are saying that it is all new to them. To fix the problem, they are just trying to play with the equipment, switch it and things like that. Not very re-assuring, but it will change ...

any expert here knows how to connect an IBM T41 to Philips 42PF9630A ?? many thanks!!

any expert here knows how to connect an IBM T41 to Philips 42PF9630A ?? many thanks!!

I just ordered a SVGA to 5 RCA breakout cable for connecting to RGBHV sets like our Philips. I am hoping to connect my Dell D600. I haven't received the cable yet but I'll be sure to post my results.

Wondering if anyone has had issues with their plasma rebooting. Tonight we have had the plasma on for about 6 hours and later this evening the tv started rebooting itself about every 30 minutes. Any ideas? I guess it is time to call for service.

RoadrashTX.

You may want to try the online Philips troubleshooter first. In addition try unplugging the unit for a few minutes then plug it back into the outlet. It may just need a reset.

if the philips service phone number people have you get a service person to come out, they let you choose. Make sure you ask the 800 number people for only service guys that are rated for plasmas.

RoadrashTX.

You may want to try the online Philips troubleshooter first. In addition try unplugging the unit for a few minutes then plug it back into the outlet. It may just need a reset.


I tried unplugging it for awhile. That did not seem to do it. I am going to call Philips now. What is strange is that it only does it while watching a DVD on AV3 with composite inputs.

RR

I called Philips and it looks like my issues had to do with the signal from the dvd player. I have a progressive scan player but I did not have it set to out put progressive. Plus they said I had to set the av3 to HD instead of DVD.

Roadrashtx,

Well glad it wasnt your set, enjoy!!!!!!!!!!

Does setting the av3 to HD instead of DVD really make any difference?

I thought those settings were just labels???

I am using the cablebox with the dvi-to-hdmi cable instead of the cablecard for a few days now and very pleased with this change. No tiling/disruptions anymore. The PQ is amazing. Well ... I worked on it: I replaced all the coaxial cables, got the top-of-the-line surge protector PF60 from PureAv, got a new cable to my house and a signal amplifier. Each of these things made a difference, some very huge. The images are very very 3-D. Even if you get rather close to the screen (4') it seems that a very solid 3-D Jay Leno is trapped there.
The cable box was very helpful with the SD both analogue and digital channels (I use 480i out of the box for them- seems better than 480p, I guess Philips has a better scaler). Earlier with the card, the HD was outstanding (but with periodic distortions), but the analogue channels had very overwhelming blacks and say the soccer on FWS was fuzzy). You can fix the former increasing the contrast, but this would ruin the HD picture (no blacks there then).
With the box it is very very good (enjoyed Figo in Inter on TV yesterday a lot). The thing I noticed that I prefer the Dynamic Contrast off - great improvement. I use a very low contrast - 45, and 52 for brightness.

Overall, I did not see more satisfying picture on any kind of display at any store I visited, regardless of price, that I would seriously be envy of for my living room (though some of those new 72-73" 1080hp sets were pretty good on the promo they were running, but then you don't have this wide angle and slim size, even forgetting the price).

Of course, it is not perfect - I still have the sound drop outs on comedy central, and yesterday, it turned it self on (similar to as it does when you unplug and then plug it in), then after some short glowing it turned itself off. My wife was scared - thought it was an "invisible man" in the room. Weird.

I am using the cablebox with the dvi-to-hdmi cable instead of the cablecard for a few days now and very pleased with this change. No tiling/disruptions anymore. The PQ is amazing. Well ... I worked on it: I replaced all the coaxial cables, got the top-of-the-line surge protector PF60 from PureAv, got a new cable to my house and a signal amplifier. Each of these things made a difference, some very huge. The images are very very 3-D. Even if you get rather close to the screen (4') it seems that a very solid 3-D Jay Leno is trapped there.
The cable box was very helpful with the SD both analogue and digital channels (I use 480i out of the box for them- seems better than 480p, I guess Philips has a better scaler). Earlier with the card, the HD was outstanding (but with periodic distortions), but the analogue channels had very overwhelming blacks and say the soccer on FWS was fuzzy). You can fix the former increasing the contrast, but this would ruin the HD picture (no blacks there then).
With the box it is very very good (enjoyed Figo in Inter on TV yesterday a lot). The thing I noticed that I prefer the Dynamic Contrast off - great improvement. I use a very low contrast - 45, and 52 for brightness.

Overall, I did not see more satisfying picture on any kind of display at any store I visited, regardless of price, that I would seriously be envy of for my living room (though some of those new 72-73" 1080hp sets were pretty good on the promo they were running, but then you don't have this wide angle and slim size, even forgetting the price).

Of course, it is not perfect - I still have the sound drop outs on comedy central, and yesterday, it turned it self on (similar to as it does when you unplug and then plug it in), then after some short glowing it turned itself off. My wife was scared - thought it was an "invisible man" in the room. Weird.

great review. thx!

i wonder if those sound drops aren't source rather than TV?

can't blame the spookey turning-on-and-off stuff on anything but a bad TV though; i hate reading about trouble like that as i prepare to spend so much money :(

great review. thx!

i wonder if those sound drops aren't source rather than TV?

:(

Actually, the manual says that if there is no signal, the TV turns the sound off. So, it can be the source.

Has anyone had this experience: Watching TV for a couple of hours, and the TV turns off and then immediately back on for no apparent reason. It has happened about 3 or 4 times since I've had it for the last three months. I've been in denial and ignoring the problem, but it would be helpful to know why this is happening. Anyone else have this experience? Other than that, I love my TV!!!

Has anyone had this experience: Watching TV for a couple of hours, and the TV turns off and then immediately back on for no apparent reason. It has happened about 3 or 4 times since I've had it for the last three months. I've been in denial and ignoring the problem, but it would be helpful to know why this is happening. Anyone else have this experience? Other than that, I love my TV!!!


Is it cable you're watching when the tv goes out? Do you have a weak signal?

Perhaps you should try tech support.

Hey guys,

I'm one of the lurkers who's been reading posts on this sites for months, and the information I obtained guided me towards purchasing the 9630 last week...and let me tell you, I couldn't be happier with it. Everything looks amazing....even the SD looks practically like DVD quality. And the ambilight is a true experience that you just can't see when it's in the store. Watched Deep Blue Sea on TNT HD the other day and I was bouncing off the walls with excitement. I don't even like the movie but it was amazing nonetheless. All flattery aside, I had one main question. I tried upgrading the firmware using a Dell 512 MB USB memory stick. When I turned on the TV, no installation occured. It went straight to the broadcast. The only file on the memory stick was the autorun.upg file. So I guess the question is, does this TV only recognize certain brands or models of USB devices? Maybe the Dell is simply not compatible? If anyone has any insight I would greatly appreciate it!!

It could have to do with the brands because when I upgraded the firmware for the first time using my PNY 64 mb memory, everything went smoothly.

Hey guys,
I was just wondering what people have their color and contrast set to. Mine is currently set to color 50 and contrast 1. I play with the settings all of the time, but I can never deicide which looks the best.
Also, do you all have the color enhancement turned on or off?

any expert here knows how to connect an IBM T41 to Philips 42PF9630A ?? many thanks!!
I finally received the SVGA to 5RCA RGBHV breakout cable by Steren. I did an initial test to see if my laptop would even output to the TV through the cable. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw my desktop on the TV.

I used to transfer my Tivo shows from the bedroom onto my laptop and then plug the laptop into the S-Video port on the side of the TV. The picture was terrible. Now that I am going through RGBHV, it looks incredible... like a computer monitor.

I decided to use the SVGA to RGBHV cable because my DVR Cable box is taking one HDMI port and my DVD player is on the other HDMI port.

Ultimately, I will be putting my laptop into a docking station that I am incorporating into my entertainment unit and adding a wireless keyboard and mouse. I'll have a computer integrated well with my entertainment system.

Are you using custom timings or just default windows resolutions?

Does it fill the entire screen?

I finally received the SVGA to 5RCA RGBHV breakout cable by Steren. I did an initial test to see if my laptop would even output to the TV through the cable. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw my desktop on the TV.

I used to transfer my Tivo shows from the bedroom onto my laptop and then plug the laptop into the S-Video port on the side of the TV. The picture was terrible. Now that I am going through RGBHV, it looks incredible... like a computer monitor.

I decided to use the SVGA to RGBHV cable because my DVR Cable box is taking one HDMI port and my DVD player is on the other HDMI port.

Ultimately, I will be putting my laptop into a docking station that I am incorporating into my entertainment unit and adding a wireless keyboard and mouse. I'll have a computer integrated well with my entertainment system.

Are you using custom timings or just default windows resolutions?

Does it fill the entire screen?
For the initial test I simply used the default windows resolutions. I just plugged it in quickly to see if it was worth keeping and routing through my entertainment center. The picture filled the screen but it was stretched. I have yet to play around with the resolutions. I'll post more once I do.

Tovmasta, check to see that the firmware on your set is older than what is on your memory stick. The set will not run an update unless the new firmware is truly new.

I doubt it matters what brand
Did you follow the directions- I think they call for turning the set on via the power switch on the side of the set itself while the stick is plugged in

Ron

Tovmasta, check to see that the firmware on your set is older than what is on your memory stick. The set will not run an update unless the new firmware is truly new.

I doubt it matters what brand
Did you follow the directions- I think they call for turning the set on via the power switch on the side of the set itself while the stick is plugged in

Ron

i had to use custom resolution to make it fit perfectly

Tovmasta, check to see that the firmware on your set is older than what is on your memory stick. The set will not run an update unless the new firmware is truly new.

I doubt it matters what brand
Did you follow the directions- I think they call for turning the set on via the power switch on the side of the set itself while the stick is plugged in

Ron


I checked very quickly when I first got the set out of the box and thought it said that the firmware was the original version (BX23U-1.0.8.0 00841), but I'll check again when I get home tonight. I did try powering off via the switch and remote to no avail, but I'll keep messing with it. Maybe I'll try reformatting the memory stick as well.

I also have noticed the sound drops like a couple people have mentioned here, but i guess it doesn't bother me tooooo much. Wish it wouldn't happen...but just flipping to another channel and back seems to do the trick.

Thanks for the tips guys!

Thanks. I will try to hook up my laptop and share my experience later on.

After 10 months of researching and waiting for the right time, I Finally purchased the LCD version of this TV (42pf9730a). It will be in the store on Friday for pickup. It is very similar to the model discussed in this forum. I want to thank everybody for all of their postings (especially Casey Jones). This thread has been a tremendous help in my research and purchase decision. I will be posting pics and details of my experience with this TV at the this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5990854#post5990854). I will keep reading and posting here too. Thanks again.

Tovmasta68,

Your panel has the latest firmware already. Read this:
Software history

BX23U-1.0.8.0 00841
Following problems are solved :
• intermittent black flashes seen with specific distribution amplifiers
• Preferred Channel menu item temporarily disabed in BX23U-1.0.7.0 00831 is enabled with this
release

So thats why your panel wont except the firmware. Also how is your panel connected, Component video, DVI, or HDMI?

My 42PF9630a/37 that my wife won in the ESPN radio 100 yard blitz is arriving next Monday (11/14). I will post my initial experiences and my slow progression to better connectivity (I'll be starting with basic component from a SA 8000HD STB and moving up to HDMI from a SA 8300HD when I can get one from Comcast.) My current DVD player is old, Toshiba 1600, and doesn't even do progressive from its component jacks, so I am not expecting to be too impressed. Hopefully I can upgrade that sometime in the not too distant future too.

Jes1955,

Thanks for the nice words . Good luck with your new Philips panel. Enjoy!!!! :) :) :)

Iontyre,

I just ordered a new upconversion DVD Player for my Philips 9630a. After seeing the improvement in picture quality using HDMI to HDMI from my set top box(SA8300HD DVR) to the panel, I cant wait to try the HDMI connection from this player. I ordered the Sony DVPNS90V. After doing some research many say it has a really stunning picture and no macroblocking issues like many other players have.

Iontyre,

I just ordered a new upconversion DVD Player for my Philips 9630a. After seeing the improvement in picture quality using HDMI to HDMI from my set top box(SA8300HD DVR) to the panel, I cant wait to try the HDMI connection from this player. I ordered the Sony DVPNS90V. After doing some research many say it has a really stunning picture and no macroblocking issues like many other players have.

I got the same DVD player. It was less expensive than many other brands and I've heard very good things about it. Can't wait to try it when the TV arrives. Casey, are you using expensive HDMI cable? Salesperson at BB really wanted me to get expensive Monster cable, but I opted for the less expensive Acoustic Research (about half the cost).

I got the same DVD player. It was less expensive than many other brands and I've heard very good things about it. Can't wait to try it when the TV arrives. Casey, are you using expensive HDMI cable? Salesperson at BB really wanted me to get expensive Monster cable, but I opted for the less expensive Acoustic Research (about half the cost).

I'm sure you'll be fine with the AR cabling. I to bought mine at BB and didnt want to spend more then I had to .I got lucky, they had an open box item of HDMI to HDMI cables the Monster 1000 Ultra. Well long story short I walked out with these for 25 percent of there price, an incredible deal. I had to check my shoes to see if I stepped in anything, lol! So that brought the price down to what I had originally intended to spend. They work great! :)

Need some help with the TV Guide. I went to the service menu and enabled the TV Guide, but nothing has happened. I thought one of the menus is supposed to ask me my zip code and/or cable company, etc. Anyone know what I am supposed to do after I enabled the TV Guide in the service menu?

thanks.

Will anyone here post their video settings? I'm curious to see if mine are similar.

Need some help with the TV Guide. I went to the service menu and enabled the TV Guide, but nothing has happened. I thought one of the menus is supposed to ask me my zip code and/or cable company, etc. Anyone know what I am supposed to do after I enabled the TV Guide in the service menu?

thanks.
Make sure you select the "store" option in the service menu before you exit the menu. Power down the TV using the power button on the TV. Wait 10 seconds and power back up with the same button. You should see the TV Guide setup screen. If not, go into the setup option in the regular menu. You should see TV Guide setup as an option.

If that doesn't work, you may have to unplug the set while powered down after enabling the guide. I had to unplug my set when I disabled the guide.

Tovmasta68,

Your panel has the latest firmware already. Read this:
Software history

BX23U-1.0.8.0 00841
Following problems are solved :
• intermittent black flashes seen with specific distribution amplifiers
• Preferred Channel menu item temporarily disabed in BX23U-1.0.7.0 00831 is enabled with this
release

So thats why your panel wont except the firmware. Also how is your panel connected, Component video, DVI, or HDMI?


Casey,

You were exactly right. In my excitement of setting up my new toy I failed to carefully check all the firmware updates. I think when I briefly looked at the update sheet I automatically assumed the one at the top of the list was the oldest for whatever reason, when logically if you take time to look more closely at the numbers it's the newest. It also never occured to me that it would be fully updated straight out of the box. Guess I'm always preparing to do more work than I have to :)

Right now my panel is only connected to a PS2 on AV1 Via Psyclone component cables, and a Comcast cable box on AV3 with component video. I have the sound for the cable connected with an AR digital coaxial since there's really no other audio input. I originally had the cable on AV1 but had to switch to accomodate the PS2, but I believe I still had the sound drops even then. I'd love to upgrade to HDMI but it's gonna have to wait a little while....the budget is still a little thin after my big purchase!

Casey,

I'd love to upgrade to HDMI but it's gonna have to wait a little while....the budget is still a little thin after my big purchase!
Cables need not be expensive. Check out pricewatch.com, click on cables, and then click on HDMI or DVI - HDMI. They have great prices on generic cables.

I received a generic HDMI-HDMI cable with my Toshiba Upconverting DVD player. I campared it to the Monster cable I have connecting my cable box to my TV. There was no difference. (I had bought the Monster cable for cheap because my brother worked at Best Buy at the time). I wouldn't buy Monster cable again.

Will anyone here post their video settings? I'm curious to see if mine are similar.

I have:

Contrast and Brightness now at 52, Sharpness: 0; Tint: -2, Color at 49, Dyn Contrast off (I think it gave me much better 3-d feeling); AC - min, DNR - med,
Color Enh. off

I am experimenting for 3 months and have results changing as well as my opinion. (I wonder should anyone be serious about all these professional reviews when a reviewer is using just one preset mode, and some others for a very short time on a particular movie or program?)

I'm receiving the same issue. I thought the latest firmware upgrade would fix this issue since the first fix listed is what I'm experiencing:

BX23U-1.0.8.0 00841
Following problems are solved :
• intermittent black flashes seen with specific distribution amplifiers
• Preferred Channel menu item temporarily disabed in BX23U-1.0.7.0 00831 is enabled with this
release

Is anyone else seeing this issue that was able to resolve this horrible problem?

Has anyone had this experience: Watching TV for a couple of hours, and the TV turns off and then immediately back on for no apparent reason. It has happened about 3 or 4 times since I've had it for the last three months. I've been in denial and ignoring the problem, but it would be helpful to know why this is happening. Anyone else have this experience? Other than that, I love my TV!!!

Ok, now that I have enough hours on the panel to ease my worries about burn in, I have a question for the Guru's here..

Is the Panel capable of Studio RGB (16-239) or PC RGB (0-255)?

basically if it's capable of PC RGB i'll have a smoother greyscale ..

I need to know for my DVD player which is DVI (it's an OPPO) and has different reference leves for PC RGB and Studio RGB..

Thanks in Advance

Ok, now that I have enough hours on the panel to ease my worries about burn in, I have a question for the Guru's here..

Is the Panel capable of Studio RGB (16-239) or PC RGB (0-255)?

basically if it's capable of PC RGB i'll have a smoother greyscale ..

I need to know for my DVD player which is DVI (it's an OPPO) and has different reference leves for PC RGB and Studio RGB..

Thanks in Advance

Not sure if this is what your looking for . Page 32 of the manual (pdf file) talks about devices with RGB output.

Devices with RGB output

1. Connect the device with RGB output with separate Horizontal and Vertical
sync to the Pr/R Pb/B Y/G input jacks(AV1) and to the H and V jacks of AV1.

2.Connect the audio cables to the L and R audio jacks of AV1.

So the Comcast guy just installed the Cable Card, a motorola one, and everything has been working flawlessly.

The SD channels looks much better with the Cable Card than with the regular Digital Box. And HD is incredible especially the PBS channel.

Question, on some of the HD channels, there are black bars and some have grey bars on the side. Is this just because those shows on the HD channels aren't broadcast in HD or something like that?

Other than that everything is working out great for me and I should be having the TV guide working in a day or two. After I re-activated the guide, it gave me a choice of two Cable Card numbers(4 digits). I just picked the "Not listed" option and then just went on to set it up like the tV was directly connected to the wall. Hopefully this will be ok with the guide.

Does anyone here know how to get rid of the "soft" edges? I really like this panel, except for the softness. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Does anyone here know how to get rid of the "soft" edges? I really like this panel, except for the softness. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

What soft edges? Please explain.

So the Comcast guy just installed the Cable Card, a motorola one, and everything has been working flawlessly.

The SD channels looks much better with the Cable Card than with the regular Digital Box. And HD is incredible especially the PBS channel.

Question, on some of the HD channels, there are black bars and some have grey bars on the side. Is this just because those shows on the HD channels aren't broadcast in HD or something like that?

Other than that everything is working out great for me and I should be having the TV guide working in a day or two. After I re-activated the guide, it gave me a choice of two Cable Card numbers(4 digits). I just picked the "Not listed" option and then just went on to set it up like the tV was directly connected to the wall. Hopefully this will be ok with the guide.


If you are talking about the broadcast channels 2, 4, 7 etc, specifically there HD equivalents then you should know that they transmit the bars as "part of the picture". Since they have transmiited them this way the automatic mode of your aspect ratio control wont be able to sense the bars to eliminate them. When these stations are showing prime time shows they transmit without the bars as part of the picture and your aspect control (automatic) will function. They broadcast the channels this way in HD yes for other then prime time shows .I think they should have more common sense.

I have:

Contrast and Brightness now at 52, Sharpness: 0; Tint: -2, Color at 49, Dyn Contrast off (I think it gave me much better 3-d feeling); AC - min, DNR - med,
Color Enh. off

I am experimenting for 3 months and have results changing as well as my opinion. (I wonder should anyone be serious about all these professional reviews when a reviewer is using just one preset mode, and some others for a very short time on a particular movie or program?)

I think you hit the nail on the head Alek. The only way you can truly judge a panels capability is to live with it. Those short viewing experiences at a local retailer are really only a very small part of the story. When that panel arrives home its the quality of your specific cable or satellite connection that will really make the difference as well as the type of cabling your using to connect. After that yes its how you set it up that counts. I never pay attention to reviews other than to chalk them up as general information. I prefer to make my own decision, Hey thats why I bought the Philips............. :) :) :)

The picture looks like it is just slightly fuzzy. It still looks great, but compared to other panels that I have seen and owned, it just doesn't pop.

I believe that this panel has a jagged line suppression filter. From what I have seen, it appears that this filter is applied to SD as well as HD feeds. It definately makes the SD look 100% better, but on HD, it makes it look less spectacular.

I have only played with the settings on this unit at the local BB and CC. I know enough not to trust the way panels are calibrated at B&Ms, but even with some manual tweaking, it just doesn't match the eye popping sharpness of a Panny.

So the Comcast guy just installed the Cable Card, a motorola one, and everything has been working flawlessly.

The SD channels looks much better with the Cable Card than with the regular Digital Box. And HD is incredible especially the PBS channel.

Question, on some of the HD channels, there are black bars and some have grey bars on the side. Is this just because those shows on the HD channels aren't broadcast in HD or something like that?

Other than that everything is working out great for me and I should be having the TV guide working in a day or two. After I re-activated the guide, it gave me a choice of two Cable Card numbers(4 digits). I just picked the "Not listed" option and then just went on to set it up like the tV was directly connected to the wall. Hopefully this will be ok with the guide.

This is interesting. I had periodic what they call ``tiling'' or blocking with my motorola cable card, but I have Adelphia. For me the cablebox works better - no such issue at all.

The picture looks like it is just slightly fuzzy. It still looks great, but compared to other panels that I have seen and owned, it just doesn't pop.

I believe that this panel has a jagged line suppression filter. From what I have seen, it appears that this filter is applied to SD as well as HD feeds. It definately makes the SD look 100% better, but on HD, it makes it look less spectacular.

I have only played with the settings on this unit at the local BB and CC. I know enough not to trust the way panels are calibrated at B&Ms, but even with some manual tweaking, it just doesn't match the eye popping sharpness of a Panny.


Your looking at a panel that is either receiving a less then adequate signal is not adjusted properly or has poor quality connections. I know I saw a panny recently at BB that looked the same as you describe the Philips. I have owned my Philips since August of this year and its razor sharp, no softness at all. The extensive menu adjustments allow the user to adjust the panel to either razor sharpness or a soft picture depending on the end user preferences.I think you would need to be familiar with the controls and adjustments and take some time to see how each change affected the image, this would take a bit of time and I would think this wasnt done. When I looked for mine I saw some plasmas that looked terrible and others that looked great it all depended on where I viewed them as you said. :) A good judge of HD quality is does it look like real life? Well in my opinion yes, mine mimics it. I know this thread is a long one but you may want to read some of the earlier info in it I think youll see alot of your questions answered. :)

Casey

Thanks for your input. :) I have been looking at this panel for a couple of months, and I think that I am ready to go ahead and get it. I'll be getting it from Costco.com so if it disapoints, I'll have no problem taking it back. I'll be doing Comcast cable with cable card and upconvert DVD via HDMI (probably the S97).

Casey

Thanks for your input. :) I have been looking at this panel for a couple of months, and I think that I am ready to go ahead and get it. I'll be getting it from Costco.com so if it disapoints, I'll have no problem taking it back. I'll be doing Comcast cable with cable card and upconvert DVD via HDMI (probably the S97).

I dont believe this panel is available at costco.

I dont believe this panel is available at costco.


I was meaning the 50 inch version.

Thx, dude. I will try it later. Too busy to play my TV lately

I'm receiving the same issue. I thought the latest firmware upgrade would fix this issue since the first fix listed is what I'm experiencing:

BX23U-1.0.8.0 00841
Following problems are solved :
• intermittent black flashes seen with specific distribution amplifiers
• Preferred Channel menu item temporarily disabed in BX23U-1.0.7.0 00831 is enabled with this
release

Is anyone else seeing this issue that was able to resolve this horrible problem?

I am on my third set (thank you CC) and have seen this same or similar problem each time. Set #2 was the worst with periods of snow appearing at random intervals. Since I only watch TIVO recorded programs, I would just rewind 10 sec or so to see what I missed. It was very annoying however. My current set is much better, but I've had the same experience but only infrequently. I am undecided if I should make a fuss with CC or not. One would think that $2600 would get you a TV that works perfectly all the time. I haven't contacted Philips yet since CC has been replacing the defective sets (within 30 days of delivery).

I'm surprised no one else has responded to your post. Has no one else had this experience, either snow filling the screen or a black screen for just a few seconds? :eek: And I'm not talking about the snow immediately after you power on the set.

I was meaning the 50 inch version.
My comments were made regarding the 42 inch version of the 9630a. Since your now speaking of the 50 inch version I cant personally speak for that size. I do know the unit has a pixel format of 1366X768p.

I am on my third set (thank you CC) and have seen this same or similar problem each time. Set #2 was the worst with periods of snow appearing at random intervals. Since I only watch TIVO recorded programs, I would just rewind 10 sec or so to see what I missed. It was very annoying however. My current set is much better, but I've had the same experience but only infrequently. I am undecided if I should make a fuss with CC or not. One would think that $2600 would get you a TV that works perfectly all the time. I haven't contacted Philips yet since CC has been replacing the defective sets (within 30 days of delivery).

I'm surprised no one else has responded to your post. Has no one else had this experience, either snow filling the screen or a black screen for just a few seconds? :eek: And I'm not talking about the snow immediately after you power on the set.

How is your plasma connected? Component, DVI, HDMI? What STB are you using?
What version of the firmware were the other sets running?

I am on my third set (thank you CC) and have seen this same or similar problem each time. Set #2 was the worst with periods of snow appearing at random intervals. Since I only watch TIVO recorded programs, I would just rewind 10 sec or so to see what I missed. It was very annoying however. My current set is much better, but I've had the same experience but only infrequently. I am undecided if I should make a fuss with CC or not. One would think that $2600 would get you a TV that works perfectly all the time. I haven't contacted Philips yet since CC has been replacing the defective sets (within 30 days of delivery).

I'm surprised no one else has responded to your post. Has no one else had this experience, either snow filling the screen or a black screen for just a few seconds? :eek: And I'm not talking about the snow immediately after you power on the set.
From my experience and research, snow can be a problem with a weak analog signal and the blackness can result from a weak digital signal. My signals are quite healthy so I haven't experienced what you describe. What is your video source?

How is your plasma connected? Component, DVI, HDMI? What STB are you using?
What version of the firmware were the other sets running?
The set is connected to a TIVO HD box via HDMI. I've updated the firmware each time the set was installed, so I'm currently using the firmware dated 10/05 - which is still the most current.

My son claims that he hasn't seen this problem when watching DVD's, so maybe there is a signal problem. Any help/advice is appreciated.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that I use DirecTV as my source.

The set is connected to a TIVO HD box via HDMI. I've updated the firmware each time the set was installed, so I'm currently using the firmware dated 10/05 - which is still the most current.

My son claims that he hasn't seen this problem when watching DVD's, so maybe there is a signal problem. Any help/advice is appreciated.
So am I guessing right that you are using satellite since this is a Tivo HD box?

I have helped people resolve their issues by having them install drop amplifiers on their cable line. I am not too familiar with satellite signal amplifiers. Maybe a little research into it may help.

I know that too many splitters can weaken a signal. How are your lines split? (number of tvs, splitters, etc.)

I believe the snow filling the screen when using HDMI on an HD Tivo is caused by the Tivo. Check out www.tivocommunity.com

I've seen the same thing when using my HD tivo on my good old 34" CRT HDTV. The video quality was poor as well (banding, etc..) when using HDMI. I'm now using component with no problems.

Does anyone know how to disable the speakers on the Philips TV?

Maybe I am just overlooking which menu option does this because it seems to me to be a pretty basic function, but I cannot figure out how to disable the speakers on the TV when I'm listening to the sound through my home theatre system. Mute is no good because it leaves that little icon up on the screen so I end up just turning the sound on the TV all the way down.

Also - I upgraded the firmware on the TV and after it said it had completed, I removed the thumb drive and tried to power off the TV with the power button on the side as instructed, but it would not respond...just sat there with the upgrade screen saying it was done. I had to use the remote to power it off...everything seemed fine and it showed that it had the new version. Is this normal? The instructions said to power off with the on/off button on the TV so that's why I'm curious if something is amiss.

Thanks

I believe the snow filling the screen when using HDMI on an HD Tivo is caused by the Tivo. Check out www.tivocommunity.com

I've seen the same thing when using my HD tivo on my good old 34" CRT HDTV. The video quality was poor as well (banding, etc..) when using HDMI. I'm now using component with no problems.
Thanks for directing me to the TIVO forum. I found a lot of posts relating to 1 sec dropouts (black screens), but nothing like my problem of snow. Also, the problems they discuss are reproducable when rewinding the TIVO. I, on the other hand, can rewind TIVO and see what I missed. If I missed the posts on the TIVO forum that are more like my problem, perhaps you can direct me. In any case, I'll switch to component and see how things work out. Thanks for the help.

So am I guessing right that you are using satellite since this is a Tivo HD box?

I have helped people resolve their issues by having them install drop amplifiers on their cable line. I am not too familiar with satellite signal amplifiers. Maybe a little research into it may help.

I know that too many splitters can weaken a signal. How are your lines split? (number of tvs, splitters, etc.)
I'm not at home at the moment, so I'll check the config and post later. I do recall that when the guy came to install the OTA antenna, he did something that just didn't look right. Hmmm.
Speaking of signal strength, would the "tiling" I see mainly in the background on SD programs be a symptom of low signal strength?

Thanks for directing me to the TIVO forum. I found a lot of posts relating to 1 sec dropouts (black screens), but nothing like my problem of snow. Also, the problems they discuss are reproducable when rewinding the TIVO. I, on the other hand, can rewind TIVO and see what I missed. If I missed the posts on the TIVO forum that are more like my problem, perhaps you can direct me. In any case, I'll switch to component and see how things work out. Thanks for the help.
I guess I just knew that I saw there were problems with the HDMI output on the forum. My own personal problem looked like "snow", but actually it was a little different than yours. On mine, once the snow appeared, I had to unplug the HDMI cable and plug it back in.

Also - I upgraded the firmware on the TV and after it said it had completed, I removed the thumb drive and tried to power off the TV with the power button on the side as instructed, but it would not respond...just sat there with the upgrade screen saying it was done. I had to use the remote to power it off...everything seemed fine and it showed that it had the new version. Is this normal? The instructions said to power off with the on/off button on the TV so that's why I'm curious if something is amiss.

Thanks
Mine did the same thing. I had to use the remote to turn it off after an upgrade. Mine even said that there was an error reading the flash drive, but the upgrade installed anyway. I thought that I screwed up the TV when it wouldn't shut off. Was greatly relieved when I could turn it off with the remote and then it worked fine after that. Whew!!

great review. thx!

i wonder if those sound drops aren't source rather than TV?

can't blame the spookey turning-on-and-off stuff on anything but a bad TV though; i hate reading about trouble like that as i prepare to spend so much money :(

I think I have one possible explanation for this spooky turning-on-and-off thing, after I had a similar incident with my other TV:

I use PF60 surge protectors for both and the manual says that if there will be some ``dangerous deviations'' in the current then PF60 would turn everything off and when it is over back - on. I could have something like that. The PF60's display shows sometimes 127+ volt current, and I never had it under 121.9 or so.

I made a disturbing discovery today-
I've had my TV for a few months now, but I have yet to really play video games on it. I plugged in the Gamecube and figured out how to make it run in progressive scan a while back. Today I decided to try a little Donkey Konga (a little lame, but it's fun for a drummer). For the first few seconds I couldn't figure out what was wrong, then I realized that there is a solid quarter second delay between when I hit the button and when the action happens on the screen. You obviously wouldn't notice this while watching TV or DVDs, but I tried several games just to make sure I wasn't imagining it.

Has anyone else noticed this? It was never a problem on my old SDTV, but is this an HD-wide phenomenon? I realize that to put out more information there's going to be a bigger lag time, but I didn't realize that it would make some video games impossible to play.

Is this something that can be fixed? Or will video games always have degraded performance? This is the first time I've felt any buyer's remorse about this TV.

I made a disturbing discovery today-
I've had my TV for a few months now, but I have yet to really play video games on it. I plugged in the Gamecube and figured out how to make it run in progressive scan a while back. Today I decided to try a little Donkey Konga (a little lame, but it's fun for a drummer). For the first few seconds I couldn't figure out what was wrong, then I realized that there is a solid quarter second delay between when I hit the button and when the action happens on the screen. You obviously wouldn't notice this while watching TV or DVDs, but I tried several games just to make sure I wasn't imagining it.

Has anyone else noticed this? It was never a problem on my old SDTV, but is this an HD-wide phenomenon? I realize that to put out more information there's going to be a bigger lag time, but I didn't realize that it would make some video games impossible to play.

Is this something that can be fixed? Or will video games always have degraded performance? This is the first time I've felt any buyer's remorse about this TV.

That is a pretty disturbing discovery. Keep us posted.

I made a disturbing discovery today-
I've had my TV for a few months now, but I have yet to really play video games on it. I plugged in the Gamecube and figured out how to make it run in progressive scan a while back. Today I decided to try a little Donkey Konga (a little lame, but it's fun for a drummer). For the first few seconds I couldn't figure out what was wrong, then I realized that there is a solid quarter second delay between when I hit the button and when the action happens on the screen. You obviously wouldn't notice this while watching TV or DVDs, but I tried several games just to make sure I wasn't imagining it.

Has anyone else noticed this? It was never a problem on my old SDTV, but is this an HD-wide phenomenon? I realize that to put out more information there's going to be a bigger lag time, but I didn't realize that it would make some video games impossible to play.

Is this something that can be fixed? Or will video games always have degraded performance? This is the first time I've felt any buyer's remorse about this TV.


I've had this set for a couple weeks and just started playing a little PS2 Madden on it now that it's broken in. I haven't really noticed any noticable lag. I have to hit the kicking meter pretty fast but I almost always play on All-Pro or All-Madden so I'm used to having to hit the button a little early. Maybe try turning off all the digital picture enhancers? Is your GC hooked up with component cables? I know a good game to test lag on is Hot Shots Golf for PS2. My friend bought a samsung dlp and that game has the most lag of any game i've ever seen. I'll try to borrow it and give it a test run. I did extensive research on this very topic before I bought a TV after seeing how bad the samsung was with gaming. Through all my research I never really heard of anyone complaining about lag with plasma. If anyone else has some info on this I'd love to hear your 2 cents.

Has anyone noticed significant "tiling" in dark backgrounds while watching SD programming? Is there a setting or adjustment that will improve SD pic quality in general?

By the way, I set both the contrast & brightness to just under 50. Should I think about going lower???

My set is also brand new and I have them set at 50 for the first 100 hrs anyway....How is the set in HD? I am having it installed (Directv HD w/Tivo) on Tuesday (11/22/05) and I am expecting a much better PQ. I will be running it HDMI Tv to Sat.

Regards
Jeff :D

Anyone else find that analog signals on this set seem much darker than digital? Even worse, my sons PS2 is incredibly dark using the same settings (55 B, 40 C) using the side inputs. These settings work fine for HD and other digital content.

Has anyone noticed significant "tiling" in dark backgrounds while watching SD programming? Is there a setting or adjustment that will improve SD pic quality in general?

What type of connection are you using to your panel?

My set is also brand new and I have them set at 50 for the first 100 hrs anyway....How is the set in HD? I am having it installed (Directv HD w/Tivo) on Tuesday (11/22/05) and I am expecting a much better PQ. I will be running it HDMI Tv to Sat.

Regards
Jeff :D

I dont have Direct TV so I cant really say how HD will look. Having the SA8300HD DVR connected to my plasma via HDMI to HDMI the HD looks great. Maybe someone else on the forum can respond regarding Direct TV.

Anyone else find that analog signals on this set seem much darker than digital? Even worse, my sons PS2 is incredibly dark using the same settings (55 B, 40 C) using the side inputs. These settings work fine for HD and other digital content.

From my experience I can tell you that my SD, digital channels and HD have equal brightness. Same for DVD's that I view. I dont have a video game hooked up to the plasma so I have no idea.

Anyone else find that analog signals on this set seem much darker than digital? Even worse, my sons PS2 is incredibly dark using the same settings (55 B, 40 C) using the side inputs. These settings work fine for HD and other digital content.

I have the LCD version of this TV, but I noticed the same thing. When I view analog SD, the pictures are darker and the grey levels are not as good. Of course, I didn't expect a great SD picture on this TV. I currently exploring the options with my cable provider to get digital and HD.

I haven't really noticed any noticable lag. Maybe try turning off all the digital picture enhancers? Is your GC hooked up with component cables?

I currently have the GC hooked up with the component cables, but the delay is there with the composite as well. I've tried every combination of settings I can think of, and the delay stays the same. If I turn the TV in the next room to the same (regular cable, non-HD) channel, there is a noticeable audio delay, and you get a real echo effect.

It doesn't seem to be that big a deal on shooters or some action titles, but it makes certain games in which timing is critical (like Mortal Kombat or Donkey Konga) unplayable. I think I'm about to call Phillips because video games are a solid half of the reason why I bought this TV, and if they don't work properly it'll be a real problem for me.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Hello Everyone,
I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who takes time our of their busy days to post on this forum. I have been watching this particular forum for the past 2 months and have finally decided to take the plunge. I am extremely satisfied with the PQ on SD feeds as well as my DVD (HDMI) to TV feed. I do have one issue however....
While watching TV, if I put the TV on mute there is a very noticable buzzing noise comming from the TV. This noise varies in volume depending on the picture. The more white on the TV the louder the sound gets and vice a versa. This is what truly makes it noticable to me. Has anyone had this experience with the TV. I went on Phillips support site and it suggests that it may have something to do with the altitude but I live in the SF Bay Area so I don't think that would be an issue. Of course, when I turn the volume up it drains out the buzzing sound but if there is a "quiet" moment on the TV then I hear the sound again.

BT

If your talking about the 9630a model it should not buzz or make any noise at all.I would suggest you replace it or contact Philips customer support.

I was wondering if anyone has had an issue with the red light blinking? When I look in the manual it says this is caused by ESD and that I need to unplug it and reset it. Sometimes this happens frequently and sometimes I dont see it happen for the whole week. Anyone know what causes this and if this is something I can correct?

Also, I noticed in the manual it says that the red light is on when the unit is in standby. But whenever I turn off my plasma the red light is never on. Wanted to see if this is common too.

thanks
RR

I was wondering if anyone has had an issue with the red light blinking? When I look in the manual it says this is caused by ESD and that I need to unplug it and reset it. Sometimes this happens frequently and sometimes I dont see it happen for the whole week. Anyone know what causes this and if this is something I can correct?

Also, I noticed in the manual it says that the red light is on when the unit is in standby. But whenever I turn off my plasma the red light is never on. Wanted to see if this is common too.

thanks
RR
Out of curiousity is your plasma plugged directly into the wall or a type of power bar or surge protector?

Out of curiousity is your plasma plugged directly into the wall or a type of power bar or surge protector?


It is connected to a surge protector. I even tried a different surge protector. I am actually currently having this problem and before I was able to fix it by unplugging for a minute and plugging it back in. Now I have had it unplugged for 10 minutes and it still flashes. I called Philips support and the gave me a service company to call on Monday. Although I asked the Philips guy what causes this and he does not even know, he just said to call and have it serviced. He said he thinks it is the power supply.


Edit: I just plugged the tv directly into the wall and it reset just fine. I then plugged it back into the surge protector and it is working now. Could the surge protector actually be the problem? I have a PureAV Home Theater Power Conditioner coming tomorrow that I will use instead of the current surge protector.

If your talking about the 9630a model it should not buzz or make any noise at all.I would suggest you replace it or contact Philips customer support.

Hey Casey,
Thanks for the heads up. I'll definately put a call into Phillips Support w/in the next couple of days. As an update, I received my PureAV Home Theater Power Filter (PF30 AP20800-10) yesterday and hooked it up this morning. It has substancially reduced the amount of buzzing comming from the TV to the point where I can hardly tell there is a buzzing sound at all, even when I have the TV on mute =). I can however notice the sound when I display the Phillips Menu and have the TV on mute. Originally I had the TV plugged into an older surge protector. I'm still going to put a call into Phillips to ensure that I don't have a Lemon. I've had this TV for only a week now. I'll update you guys when I have more info.

Also, do you know what the buzzing sound could be caused by....

BT

If I’m watching a progressive scan DVD player 480p using component cables is it normal where the false color-countering is there is also what appears to be dot crawl?

It is connected to a surge protector. I even tried a different surge protector. I am actually currently having this problem and before I was able to fix it by unplugging for a minute and plugging it back in. Now I have had it unplugged for 10 minutes and it still flashes. I called Philips support and the gave me a service company to call on Monday. Although I asked the Philips guy what causes this and he does not even know, he just said to call and have it serviced. He said he thinks it is the power supply.


Edit: I just plugged the tv directly into the wall and it reset just fine. I then plugged it back into the surge protector and it is working now. Could the surge protector actually be the problem? I have a PureAV Home Theater Power Conditioner coming tomorrow that I will use instead of the current surge protector.

Thats what I was thinking. Stranger things have happened. Theres a post in this thread fairly recently where the power bar or surge protector caused the plasma to turn on and off. Also did you check the online troubleshooter, it had a few remarks about LEDs flashing etc. . In any event keep us informed how everything works out with the new pure AV. :)

One other thought tell customer support about your pure av and how that helped out. That may help them determine the problem.

:) Hey Casey,
Thanks for the heads up. I'll definately put a call into Phillips Support w/in the next couple of days. As an update, I received my PureAV Home Theater Power Filter (PF30 AP20800-10) yesterday and hooked it up this morning. It has substancially reduced the amount of buzzing comming from the TV to the point where I can hardly tell there is a buzzing sound at all, even when I have the TV on mute =). I can however notice the sound when I display the Phillips Menu and have the TV on mute. Originally I had the TV plugged into an older surge protector. I'm still going to put a call into Phillips to ensure that I don't have a Lemon. I've had this TV for only a week now. I'll update you guys when I have more info.

Also, do you know what the buzzing sound could be caused by....

BT
Could be a ground fault, do a search of some of the treads youll find alot of info on it. Also power supplys can sometimes cause that but to be honest this is the first time I have ever heard this on a Philips. Glad to hear you pure AV is helping let us know how things work out. :)

If I’m watching a progressive scan DVD player 480p using component cables is it normal where the false color-countering is there is also what appears to be dot crawl?

No could be a number of things. First off could be your cable. Did you try a component cable of higher quality? When my cable company first hooked up my STB with "there" cable I noticed some false contouring. I replaced it with a high quality cable and it solved the problem completely. Do you see this on all DVD's or just some? Some DVD's especially older movies arent mastered as well digitally as newer movies are. What exactly do you mean by false color contouring? Does this problem show up when your viewing a DVD in 480i?

Haven’t tried any 480i signals yet but I will. It is on all DVD’s and my X-Box. Especially the X-Box menu where everything is black and green. The green is very dotted and appears to have like a dot crawl effect. Also the X-Box is connected with an HD pack

I think what my probelm is, is the exact thing this guy is talking about http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=605724

bump

I had yesterday a strange problem: I was wtaching espnhd and the dvd-player was also on. Both connected via dvi to hdmi cables. When I changed the source to the dvd-player
I got the usual image. When I switched it back, the espn HD picture was doubled sort of like PIP. I pressed PIP, it gave me two windows, one for the espn and another black.
I switched to another channel and back, it was fine.

The I turned off the dvd-player, still the same effect. Then later it was back to normal.

Any theory from anyone?

Hi I am looking to buy this model 42PF9630A. I just got a few questions though:

1. What's the difference between 37A and 37B for this same 42PF9630A model number?
2. Has anyone experienced buying from Philips outlet online store?
3. A factory renewed 42PF9630A. What is the warranty coverage for factory renewed?

TIA!