Philips 42" Plasma (42PF7320A) [Text View] - Page 6

sgr215

08-17-06, 12:58 AM

I feel your pain! If the techies would stop trying to fix the problems and complain to Philips, it would be better for all of us! :( Mine has been TOTALLY DOWN for two months with no resolution in sight.

You're right about complaining but here's my take on the situation:

Let's face it, complaining to "Joe" at customer service seemed to do nothing. Most likely because "Joe" couldn't care less about how many calls he gets saying "I get a black screen". "Joe" simply followed his script by saying "Contact this authorized service center". The contracted service center has NOTHING to do with software and just did the basic stuff like replacing various boards in the TV. This cycle would probably continue if you complained to Philips via the 800#. If you were lucky you might get a rep who says "We're sorry about the problem you've been having." but thats about it. No one higher would have ever heard about your problems.

After MANY of us tried and/or heard about this we figured this route was useless. What good was complaing to "Joe" if he refused to pass along any information to the higher ups? About a month ago someone got the email of the CEO of Philips and several people emailed him. This was a wise move considering the higher ups started hearing several reports of the BS issue. About the same time I started a website about the BS. I think between the constant emails to the CEO and the bad press from the web site Philips finally realized they had to do something before I, along with many others, started contacting the real press. (I actually was preparing to do this with the help of other AVS members) After just three weeks (give or take a few) I got an email with a new firmware build that fixed the BS.

I have no clue what exactly caused Philips to finally fix the issue for sure. I'm told by Philips (aka the source) the BS was next to impossible to find yet alone fix which would explain why it took so long to fix. Do I think the CEO email, the website, or both helped get Philips to fix it faster? Who knows but i'd like to think so. I do know contacting "Joe" at customer service just wasn't cutting it. Complaining is the route to go but the key is getting your complaints to the right people.

On a side note, it really sucks about your TV. I hope Philips finally gets it fixed or replaced. Let us know how it goes.

mkjnovak

08-17-06, 03:43 AM

So, is the BS resolved enough to get every one with channel drop to start complaining?
1.2 1.3 and 1.4 all do it. I'd really like them to fix this too before they move on.

Mike

StanF

08-17-06, 07:09 AM

First, let me say that digital audio confuses me :)

I just bought the 42PF7220A/37B from the Phillips Outlet. I'll be driving it with an HTPC along with an OTA antenna.

Video is no problem through a DVI to HDMI cable, but I'm not sure how to get audio. There's not a picture of the 42PF7220A connector panel on the Phillips website.

Does the 220 have RCA analog inputs for audio? If so, I know what to do :)

Or will I have to use the component inputs for video since they have RCA analog inputs? That would suck, since I would lose the PIP functionality. :(

Or I guess I could buy a home theater receiver and speakers and bypass the TV's audio. I was planning to do this at some point in the future, so I could accelerate this if needed.

Thanks for any help, Stan

ps: (My HTPC currently only has analog audio, but I have an Audigy 2 card that I could install if it would help in some way)

propheci

08-17-06, 10:32 AM

I have been watching this thread for sometime. I had mild BS issue, once in 10 days or so. Since upgrading to the latest firmware official release, I have not seen it again. Is this everyone elses experience.

Also I have not seen any othere issues. My set up is HDMI via digital cable box.

I have had the exact same experience as well. Right now I would say I am extremly happy with this TV. Only difference, I am running component

IcemanDallas

08-17-06, 11:08 AM

You're right about complaining but here's my take on the situation:

Let's face it, complaining to "Joe" at customer service seemed to do nothing. Most likely because "Joe" couldn't care less about how many calls he gets saying "I get a black screen". "Joe" simply followed his script by saying "Contact this authorized service center". The contracted service center has NOTHING to do with software and just did the basic stuff like replacing various boards in the TV. This cycle would probably continue if you complained to Philips via the 800#. If you were lucky you might get a rep who says "We're sorry about the problem you've been having." but thats about it. No one higher would have ever heard about your problems.

After MANY of us tried and/or heard about this we figured this route was useless. What good was complaing to "Joe" if he refused to pass along any information to the higher ups? About a month ago someone got the email of the CEO of Philips and several people emailed him. This was a wise move considering the higher ups started hearing several reports of the BS issue. About the same time I started a website about the BS. I think between the constant emails to the CEO and the bad press from the web site Philips finally realized they had to do something before I, along with many others, started contacting the real press. (I actually was preparing to do this with the help of other AVS members) After just three weeks (give or take a few) I got an email with a new firmware build that fixed the BS.

I have no clue what exactly caused Philips to finally fix the issue for sure. I'm told by Philips (aka the source) the BS was next to impossible to find yet alone fix which would explain why it took so long to fix. Do I think the CEO email, the website, or both helped get Philips to fix it faster? Who knows but i'd like to think so. I do know contacting "Joe" at customer service just wasn't cutting it. Complaining is the route to go but the key is getting your complaints to the right people.

On a side note, it really sucks about your TV. I hope Philips finally gets it fixed or replaced. Let us know how it goes.

Perhaps I phased my post incorrectly. I admire what you are doing to resolve the BS issues, and the successes you have experienced, but you are expending effort and performing quality control testing that Philips should do. My point was that this is a television set, not a workstation. We should be able to turn it on and expect it to work. I'm screwing around with Windows and various application software on my laptops to fix problems that I may have caused, and to add functionality that I need, every day. I expect this on a programmable device, I don't want to do this on a TV. You are not adding functionality, you just want it to do what it was advertised to do and you are letting Philips off the hook.

I have written to Paul Zeven, after talking to the robots at Philips customer service and being unable to escalate my concerns. To date, both efforts have been unsuccessful. I have had contact from the Presidential Escalations group but my set still remains at the local repair shop. It was returned to me once but still didn't work and they took it right back. My understanding is they are waiting for the same part that was supposedly replaced the first time...doesn't really inspire confidence that they know what they are doing. This was my second set, the first was replaced by the retailer within three days of purchase. If I had been aware of this website prior to my purchase, I never would have chosen this brand.

I think that everyone experiencing problems with this family of product should write Mr. Zeven and detail their frustration with the quality of support, manufacturing and engineering. It is quite likely he is unaware of this fiasco. If many customers begin to complain, maybe the executive suite may begin to realize the scope of these problems and take some action before the brand is irreparably damaged.

I'm not trying to incite a grass roots effort just to help my personal situation. I'm not rich but I'm comfortable enough to have already purchased a plasma from a reputable manufacturer and am very satisfied with that purchase. Frankly, the longer my set goes unrepaired, the more ammunition I have to effect either an upgrade to a properly engineered device or a refund of my purchase price, either of which would satisfy me. But I want to ask you...what is your time worth. You have expended considerable time and effort to create your website, communicate with Philips, post many levels of microcode and track and test the fixes. You should be on their payroll. As well as everyone else that has loaded new microcode, backed it off, researched the issue, etc. How many man hours are involved while Philips has sat on their hands. I have the "fatal" black screen, not the intermittant issue, but even if mine was intermittant I would have Philips picking up my set, installing the fix, and delivering it back to me.. no matter how many times it took. Maybe when warrenty costs went through the roof the executives would ask development what the hell they're doing. Maybe then they would recall this model and really expend the effort necessary to fix the thing. This is not a criticism of you. Philips should be held accountable and this will never happen if you continue to perform tasks for which they should be held responsible.

Forgive me if I have rambled or for spelling or gramatical issues. I wanted to post but I am at work. :o

Mr. Break-it

08-17-06, 11:22 AM

You're right about complaining but here's my take on the situation:

After MANY of us tried and/or heard about this we figured this route was useless. What good was complaing to "Joe" if he refused to pass along any information to the higher ups? About a month ago someone got the email of the CEO of Philips and several people emailed him. This was a wise move considering the higher ups started hearing several reports of the BS issue. About the same time I started a website about the BS. I think between the constant emails to the CEO and the bad press from the web site Philips finally realized they had to do something before I, along with many others, started contacting the real press. (I actually was preparing to do this with the help of other AVS members) After just three weeks (give or take a few) I got an email with a new firmware build that fixed the BS.

I have no clue what exactly caused Philips to finally fix the issue for sure. I'm told by Philips (aka the source) the BS was next to impossible to find yet alone fix which would explain why it took so long to fix. Do I think the CEO email, the website, or both helped get Philips to fix it faster? Who knows but i'd like to think so. I do know contacting "Joe" at customer service just wasn't cutting it. Complaining is the route to go but the key is getting your complaints to the right people.

It's good to see that Philips finally has acknowledged and tackled this problem. However, it's a case of too little/too late. Based on the reports here, the time it took for Philips to take ownership and the poor support experiences detailed here, I purchased another brand even though I had focused on a Philips.

Philips needs to make basic changes in their support philosophy/delivery and improve how they engage and communicate with their customers. I'll be in the market for an even larger plasma or LCD soon (for the home theater room). Frankly, Philips would have to overcome alot of credibility issues to be on the selection list for that purchase.

SofChance

08-17-06, 10:07 PM

I'm in pretty much the same boat as IcemanDallas. They've had my tv for over a month, and are just NOW ordering the SSB board (the guy who was supposed to look at the tv was "on vacation"...wtf?! They don't have more than one guy?). So that's already over a month lost from my warranty for a shoddy part.

Even if I get it back, it will most likely have the BS issue. Rather than buying a USB stick and hoping the upgrade works, then hoping the tv doesn't crash again in weeks or months...I think I'll just buy another tv and try returning this one to Sears (yeah I bought it 5 months ago but they should be able to take it back for something, right?).

I'm going to email the CEO again in the meantime to complain...again. Like ID said, the longer it takes and the more problems we have the better the case we have.

ALRUI

08-18-06, 09:50 AM

I applaude the "techies" who are attempting to resolve the issues with this set. If not for them, there would be no progress on the bugs we have been experiencing. Most folks have been complaining to Philips, but obviously they are not very concerned with our problems. Therefore, w/o the "techies" nothing would be done.

Again, thanks to everyone for aggressively seeking solutions to these bugs. I feel you single handedly made Philips acknowledge and work to resolve the BS problem.
I concur 100%!

thedo

08-19-06, 12:49 PM

sgr215

08-19-06, 05:08 PM

REMEMBER TO FORMAT your USB using FAT, NOT FAT32.
Green/yellow static when booting the TV !!!!
When I upgraded the firmware to 1.4, mine randomly experienced the Green/Yellow static image. I suspected a corrupted firmware, so I went to my PC and check the USB memory card. Suprisingly enough, the USB WAS formatted with FAT32, not FAT. So I reformatted the card with FAT, copied 1.4 firmware, and reloaded 1.4 to the TV.
Result, No more green/yellow static when booting the TV, and no more BS so far (8 days and counting). I am a happy Philips TV now.
(...Just ordered the 42PF9630A/37B from the Outlet for my Bedroom, I could not resisted, the price was so cheap)

Good call! Although my USB stick was formated as FAT I decided to try reinstalling the firmware anyway. The TV refused to detect the firmware when I tried to reinstall it over the same version so I eventually had to downgrade then re-upgrade. So far no green/yellow static! :D

UPDATE: Just got yellow static, didn't work for me. :(

strifez

08-19-06, 10:48 PM

Guys I need your help.

My current setup is Dish receiver to HDMI and my DVD player to AV1. Everytime I switch to another source (AV1, AV2, etc) and then back to HDMI, I'll lose my audio coming from the Dish receiver.

Anyone else experiencing the same problem or know what is causing my audio to drop out?? Thanks in advance.

sgr215

08-20-06, 10:25 PM

I just noticed theres new firmware for the "42PF9431D/37" that fixes the BS. I don't know about other models but it looks like the fix is slowly being distributed to each of the models affected. I know theres tons of people waiting for the "42PF7321D/37" to get updated. Sadly, it hasn't been updated with the new software yet. I'm sure it probably takes time to port the fix over to the several different versions out there.

thedo

08-21-06, 12:12 AM

feh

08-21-06, 10:56 AM

mrmaico

08-21-06, 11:26 AM

I see there is an online site that has the Philips 50PF7320A for $2000 with free shipping. I assume this is a pretty good price?

Thx.....BB

guitarist

08-21-06, 04:05 PM

mkjnovak

08-21-06, 04:32 PM

Running the lastest firmware (1.4)...

Is there any way to make the preferred channels permanent? I'm getting digital channels OTA, and if I'm surfing through the channels and come across one that I can't currently receive, the tv removes it from my list of preferred channels. To get it back, I have to manually add it.

Anybody else have this problem? Is there a workaround?

Thanks!

I and others have this problem. Email or call Philips, or both. ;)
Actually, my problem is worse: it doesn't just remove it from the preferred channels; it deletes it completely, forcing you to tune it in and re-install it.

Really, we need to get them to address this. I think those of us suffereing this are in the minority, and their engineers have probably been eating drinking and dreaming blackscreen for months.

BTW firmware 1.1 doesn't do it, so it is definitely fixable.
Download and use that in the meantime.

Mike

feh

08-21-06, 04:44 PM

I and others have this problem. Email or call Philips, or both. ;)
Actually, my problem is worse: it doesn't just remove it from the preferred channels; it deletes it completely, forcing you to tune it in and re-install it.

Actually, that's what mine does to. I need to manually add it through the "weak signal" menu option.

Really, we need to get them to address this. I think those of us suffereing this are in the minority, and their engineers have probably been eating drinking and dreaming blackscreen for months.

BTW firmware 1.1 doesn't do it, so it is definitely fixable.
Download and use that in the meantime.

Mike

Are you saying this started with the 1.2 firmware? I don't want to go any further back than I need to.

Thanks!

jeff4388

08-21-06, 04:56 PM

Does the latest release of Philips' firmware include the previous releases, or do you have to download them individually?

mkjnovak

08-21-06, 05:11 PM

Are you saying this started with the 1.2 firmware? I don't want to go any further back than I need to.
Thanks!

I was happily using 1.0.13 til one of my local OTAs changed transmission specs. I never tried 1.2 or 1.3. Others had reported the problem with those before I went straight from 1.0.13 to 1.4. 1.4 also had the problem, so I then went to 1.1 which works. It's dialup at home so I wasn't downloadding 1.2 or 1.3 without reason or hope; maybe I will eventually.

Does the latest release of Philips' firmware include the previous releases, or do you have to download them individually?

They are separate. Get the old ones here (http://home.comcast.net/~sgr215/firmware.htm) .
We owe sgr215 a lot.

Mike

percept

08-21-06, 08:07 PM

black_macleod

08-21-06, 08:13 PM

my parents just ordered the refurbed philips from the outlet yesterday. will it include all the latest firmware? or will i have to download them all? Also, there's like 30 pages of complaints about the BS issue. Can we safely say that the problem has been solved with the new firmware?

I dunno if anyone can say what firmware your set will come with. I am one to disagree - the latest firmware should be all you need to install regardless of what the set comes with. I think each one is cumulative.

And don't forget .... there are those of us here who have never had any BS problems, and probably many more people who never visit a TV forum. So, yea, that doesn't really answer your question, but as I"ve never had BS I can't tell if the newest firmware helps or not :)

sgr215

08-21-06, 09:24 PM

sajkhan

08-21-06, 11:02 PM

Hey all,

I have had my 7320 for a couple of months, and when using 2 different hdmi cables and 2 different sources (HD Tivo and dvd player) i get static, about hour or two into watching tv the screen will go complete snow/static, sometimes for 1 sec up to 5 secs.

its an hdmi problem, as its not happening on composite or with shorter hdmi cables..

seems better with the latest firmware, but if anyone else has 25 foot hdmi cables please let me know

thanks

saj

mkjnovak

08-22-06, 04:09 AM

I am one to disagree - the latest firmware should be all you need to install regardless of what the set comes with. I think each one is cumulative.

Are you disagreeing with me? Perhaps I was unclear. I did not mean to imply you needed to download all firmware versions to get all improvements. I meant that if you download 1.4 you get 1.4 - not a zip of all previous versions, which is what seemed to be being asked.

And I should make one other thing clear. You can go from any version to any version, forward or back, and you don't need to step through them.

The fact remains, though: 1.2 1.3 and 1.4 have the digital OTA channel drop. 1.1 does not. So, if someone likes digital OTA reception and they don't get all stations 24/7 they should probably sit on 1.1 til Philips fixes this. If your black screen is bad enough, that's another story though.

FWIW I have had no fatal black screen, maybe 2 non-fatal ones (can't be sure) in eight months. (Fingers crossed now that I typed that)

Mike

jeff4388

08-22-06, 09:22 AM

If I understand correctly, a website has been created which contains all firware updates that Philips has released. Does anyone know what the current firmware update on Philips' website contains?

GaEgghead

08-23-06, 03:15 AM

feh

08-23-06, 08:29 AM

I have this problem as well, will try the 1.1 to see if it works.

I installed 1.1 last night, and preferred channels are persistent now.

ahensler

08-23-06, 02:02 PM

mlandau

08-23-06, 03:17 PM

I've had the favorites list defaulting back to all, as well. I use a cablecard. I can't go back to the old firmware because I get a channel mapping problem and some cable card problems.

wfiveash

08-23-06, 04:05 PM

I have had this plasma since Feb and absolutly love it. No BS issues yet.
I upgraded to 1.3 and now am experiencing Favorites loss.
I will mark my favorites in the menu section and when the set is turned off and back on the favorites are defaulted back to all channels. I don't seem to be losing channels from the scanned list as others have indicated, but just the check marked favorites. Will 1.4 firmware upgrade solve this??

Andy

While I have not used 1.4 firmware, I believe I've seen posts on this thread where folks using 1.4 have experienced favorite channel loss. This is why I have avoided upgrading from 1.1. Note that I have not had the black screen issue that many on this thread have experienced so I'm not compelled to upgrade.

danfiveoh

08-25-06, 11:41 PM

I have had my 42pf7320a for 8 months now and have issues with pixels all over the screen especially when i get close to the screen. I also have pixelizing around the edges of certain images on the screen. I am connected with HDMI and motorola 6412 stb (Comcast) with no HD services available in my area yet. This happens on all channels on any settings and with DVD's. I have a great picture regardless of the pixels actively on my screen especially the further away I am from the tv. I sit 12 feet from it but the pq is still a little blurry especially in motion. It is not as sharp as I expected. I have never seen it in HD so I don't know what it could look like.

Is this just the nuances of SD like tech support tells me or is it a problem with my tv? I know it could be a weak signal from comcast but it still is there on DVD's.

Anyone else experience this problem or is this normal with plasma screens and SD signals?

Thanks, Steve

It sounds like your getting the problem from 2 seperate sources (DVD and STB) if that is the case, then you likely have an issue in the TV. Have you tried running the stb without HDMI? You might also want to ask comcast to hook you up with a cable card and try that. My comcast SD looks great with the card. The one drawback is that you won't get on demand or the on screen TV guide menu with the card.

guitarist

08-26-06, 03:20 PM

Thanks for the reply.
I have tried every connection available with the same problems. the hdmi looks the best, but still has the pixel problem. It started when configuring the stb, all of a sudden 1,000s of dancing pixels on the screen, they stay in one place but change colors rapidly. Funny thing though is with my ps2 connected with s-video no dancing pixels, also none on tv's main menu.

So I am not sure who to call out to look, iether comcast or philips tech? niether one offers very good technical advice. Is there a way to reset tv ?

Thanks for the help, Steve

evms

08-26-06, 11:55 PM

I'm running the new firmware. Still black screens. Is this because of the FAT16/FAT32 problem? It installed correctly and I see the correct version displayed in setup.

smocohiba

08-28-06, 02:32 AM

Hi

I just got this unit from Philips refurb - so far it's working fine, and only 21 hours on the clock.

Just one thing - when the unit is off I can still hear a buzzing from 2-3 feet away and the top of the case is very warm. I can also see a couple of green LED's through the back vents of the case (not worried about that). This is over an hour after the TV was turned off.

This is my first plasma - is this normal? I would hate to think my tv is sucking up power even when off. On the other hand, I don't want to kill the surge protector switch every time I stop watching.

Thanks in advance!

mkjnovak

08-28-06, 06:44 AM

If you are running tvguide onscreen, it is definitely normal for it to be semi-on a lot, especially when first set up. It is building it's listings. It will be on less once the listings are full. Still, lights on in the rear is normal; too warm is not, and I've never heard mine buzz except a little when displaying a super bright image. It will take a while to cool down from use of course. Check how warm it is before you turn it on; then it should barely be anything.

If TVGOS is off, it should only linger on a few minutes and maybe turn on for a minute or so twice a day.

Mike

MisterNJ

08-28-06, 08:26 AM

I have a Phillips 50" TV. If I turn it off from the remote it appears there is still power going to the TV and there is a red light at the bottom of the TV when it is off. There is a power button on the side of the TV---try turning it off from that button---the red light on mine goes out and it appears there is no power at all when I use that button.

smocohiba

08-28-06, 10:29 AM

Thanks for the replies. I realized I'm in the wrong thread. I will repost this in the 42PF9630A thread.

I'm getting concerned because the monitor still seems 'on' even when powered down by pressing the button on right side eg. no leds at all on front panel. The screen is black but has that "glow" (like a computer monitor that's turned on but is receiving no signal) and there is audible buzzing from 10 feet away (not a problem when you're listening to programming)

I switched the surge protector off last night to turn it completely off. Fortunately, the channel programming wasn't wiped when I turned it back on.

pillot

08-28-06, 10:34 AM

ChrisHDTV

08-28-06, 12:06 PM

I have had/having the same issue with the BS issue. About three weeks ago, it was late and I had the TV off while I was in another room. I heard clicking noises coming from the TV. I did not think much of it at the time. The next day I tried to turn the TV on and saw that it was blinking 5 red LED flashes. So, I reset the TV and starting watching. About 5 to 10 minutes later an extremely loud screeching noise came from the speakers and the screen went black, starting clicking then went into reset mode. I reset the TV 5 more times and still the same thing. I upgraded to the latest firmware, hoping it would fix the issue....nope. I called Phillips and unfortunately had to send it to a service repair center. Now, I am out of a 5 month old $1800 TV and it is going on three weeks since it has been gone.

Once I get the TV back, I will post what went wrong and how much it would have cost if it was not under warrenty.

Hopefully, many of you the latest firmware has resolved the problem.

Regards

Chris

SofChance

08-28-06, 02:41 PM

That's what happened to me, Chris. They've had my tv for a month and a half. According to them, the problem is a "signal board" which needs to be replaced. Of course, the one guy who could work on it was "on vacation" and he's just now "ready" to work on it, which is ridiculous for a large company.
The presidential liason/cs person is really nice, but even if the tv comes back and works fine, it's still not worth the worry about another burnout. I'm probably going to return it and use whatever money I have left to buy a rear-projection lcd. The cost is much less, even with bulb replacements every few years.

mkjnovak

08-29-06, 05:56 AM

Does the 42pf7320a have an "on screen TV guide"? I see no mention anywhere in the setup menus or the instruction manual. How do I turn it on? Thanks

If and only if you are running firmware 1.0.13 or earlier, you can turn it on.
Check your firmware version in the normal menu.
If it's old enough you can turn on the guide in the service menu (at your own risk).

Entering the service menu:
062596
Info
red button

Mike

Schlepper

08-29-06, 09:06 PM

kevin04

08-30-06, 09:48 AM

boggsaz

08-30-06, 02:23 PM

Kevin04, You can center the picture by using the cursor left/right buttons,
when using either HDMI or Pr/Pb/Y inputs. A one time adjustment was all
it took for me on my 42PF9730A. Good Luck.

kevin04

08-30-06, 02:47 PM

Kevin04, You can center the picture by using the cursor left/right buttons,
when using either HDMI or Pr/Pb/Y inputs. A one time adjustment was all
it took for me on my 42PF9730A. Good Luck.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I fixed that problem same day i got the tv.
this is different its not to the end of the screen, its like like a line that never goes away,
like 3-4 inches on the right
it wont go away by moving the screen to the right or left

Thanks

Rich_Slidell

08-30-06, 02:58 PM

I get comcast and I'm using a cablecard. I'm receiving analog and digital channels at the same time, i.e. I get Bravo analog on 74 and then I get the digital version also on 74. Since I obviously don't want the analog version, is there a way to avoid bringing them in? When I punch in 74 I get the analog version and then have to use the channel up button to get to the digital version.

Thanks.

Unfortunately the newest firmware updates have trashed the preferred channel function. I had the same problem and had to revert back to BX23U-1.0.8.0 00841 to get the preferred channels to stay unchecked when the TV was turned off then back on. This version of the firmware allows you to uncheck the analog stations in the preferred channel listing then when you use your remote to change the channels, these unchecked stations are skipped. The problem with the later firmware is when you uncheck the preferred channels then turn the tv off, it doesn't keep the unchecked channels in memory. It also loses digital mapped channels but that is a different story.

wfiveash

08-30-06, 06:26 PM

Mine had a thin green line showing up to the right side of the screen (not on the end)
no matter what the input is, it still there
does any one have the same problem, i had this TV for 2 weeks now
I have the latest firmware
do i need to update the firmware again ?

TIA

I'm using older firmware 1.1 and I've never seen a persistent green line using either the component, HDMI or TV tuner inputs. You should check with Philips support in case your TV is defective.

Ybarra

08-31-06, 12:18 AM

Most likely you are looking at the pixel orbiter which helps prevent burn in. If you get close enough, you will see the pixels moving rapidly. The down side to this is that the image may seem a little soft.

Thanks for the reply.
I have tried every connection available with the same problems. the hdmi looks the best, but still has the pixel problem. It started when configuring the stb, all of a sudden 1,000s of dancing pixels on the screen, they stay in one place but change colors rapidly. Funny thing though is with my ps2 connected with s-video no dancing pixels, also none on tv's main menu.

So I am not sure who to call out to look, iether comcast or philips tech? niether one offers very good technical advice. Is there a way to reset tv ?

Thanks for the help, Steve

ALRUI

08-31-06, 08:57 AM

Good call! Although my USB stick was formated as FAT I decided to try reinstalling the firmware anyway. The TV refused to detect the firmware when I tried to reinstall it over the same version so I eventually had to downgrade then re-upgrade. So far no green/yellow static! :D

UPDATE: Just got yellow static, didn't work for me. :(

Hi sgr215 - Did you ever get this "static" solved? Can you describe it better please? I noticed some green/yellow (& maybe red or?) pixels when my son was watching a DVD (480p) yesterday when the movie was between screens. Its possible it was always thre & is normal & I just happened to be right in front of the screen as the movie(s) look normal other then that & it is also "normal" when using cable. Curious, I think I may be worried as we had a lot of lightning the night before but I would thing if that were the culprit it would be screwed up all the time (unless the DVD/component cable took a hit but all are on a decent surge strip).
Thanks!
ALR

Subliminal

08-31-06, 09:49 AM

Yesterday, I finally decided I had enough money to take the plunge on a new HD TV.

I went to Costco with the intention of buying a Vizio 42 inch plasma. First Costco I went to had almost nothing in 42". It was either 37" or 50". I couldn't afford the 50", and the 37" just seemed too small to me.

So, off to a second Costco I went. I found the Vizio 42" plasma that I wanted to look at, but after looking around the shelves, I couldn't find any boxes. I started to worry. I saw a guy in a white shirt with a Costco patch. We talked. He told me this was the last one they had in the store, that they would sell it to me if I wanted, but that they wouldn't give me a discount on the floor model because they were getting more, and selling me the floor model just meant they'd have to unpack another one in the future.

I thought about it. He said he'd be back. I grabbed the remote and started tweaking. I couldn't get it to look as good as the Pioneer on the one side, nor the Philips on the other. I noticed the Philips next to it looked the best on the whole rack. I also noticed that it had a sign on it saying it was the last one in the store, and that it was discounted. I ALSO noticed that it had a scratch on the base, right in the front where it was good and noticable, especially where it was sitting on a shelf around shoulder high.

Anyway, when the guy came back I started to ask him about this one. He told me it was last year's model, that it was marked down, that there wasn't any box, no he hadn't noticed the scratch, and because of said scratch, he'd give it to me for the price of the Vizio.

Well, long story short(er), I bought it. Turns out it was also missing the remote control. No biggie, I figured, since I could access the menu with the buttons on the side.

Anyway, what a deal. I also have the Costco guarantee that it'll be fine for as long as I own it, or I'll take that baby back!

After getting it home, I love the thing. It replaced a Sony CRT 27inch flat panel (SD) that I bought in 2000. It's such an improvement on most fronts, that it isn't even funny. I say most fronts, because DVDs on the 27 inch looked as good as HD looks on this bigger tv, while DVDs are definitely a step down compared to, say INHD or Discovery HD programming.

I upgraded to the newest August of this year firmware. I tweaked as much as I could and found some settings I liked.

I do have several questions, though:

1. Cablecard. I tried my hardest to make it through all 44 pages of this thread, but couldn't. I've read about cablecards before, and heard that they occasionally have problems. Anyone had good luck with them on this TV? Also, anyone with the good luck using the Digital output for 5.1 to their receiver? I've heard that sometimes it's disabled on different TVs, and if that's the case, don't even want to mess with it.

2. The remote. Is it worth it? I can get one on the web for $45. I'm not sure that I really need the thing, though, as I'm pretty happy with the TV setup, and can turn it on and off and change channels/input/volume from several of my other remotes. Just wondering if there's features (outside of the slide show crap) that I'm missing. Like, I know I'm missing the screen position feature, but so far, haven't really had any problems with that.

3. Is it worth getting an upconverting DVD player? I mean, the TV upconverts on its own. I have a Philips 642 Divx dvd player that i love, and that looks decent with the component wires I have hooked up. As a matter of fact, i thought it looked worse in progressive than without it. Other than being able to use a HDMI cable to hook the DVD player to the tv, is there any other benefit I might see, and would those benefits outweigh the ability to play divx?

Thanks all. Sorry for the long post. As you can see, I'm pretty durn excited!

damon

Subliminal

08-31-06, 01:32 PM

Just wanted to say that I went home at lunch and watched the crew @ Monster Garage make the world's fastest pasta maker out of a Ferrari @ 1080i.

Sweet. ;)

kevin04

08-31-06, 01:57 PM

i tried to install firmware again, tv wont recognise any thing. is therea way i can install older version

TIA

ALRUI

09-01-06, 10:54 AM

I upgraded to the newest August of this year firmware. I tweaked as much as I could and found some settings I liked.

I do have several questions, though:

1. Cablecard. I tried my hardest to make it through all 44 pages of this thread, but couldn't. I've read about cablecards before, and heard that they occasionally have problems. Anyone had good luck with them on this TV? Also, anyone with the good luck using the Digital output for 5.1 to their receiver? I've heard that sometimes it's disabled on different TVs, and if that's the case, don't even want to mess with it.

2. The remote. Is it worth it? I can get one on the web for $45. I'm not sure that I really need the thing, though, as I'm pretty happy with the TV setup, and can turn it on and off and change channels/input/volume from several of my other remotes. Just wondering if there's features (outside of the slide show crap) that I'm missing. Like, I know I'm missing the screen position feature, but so far, haven't really had any problems with that.

3. Is it worth getting an upconverting DVD player? I mean, the TV upconverts on its own. I have a Philips 642 Divx dvd player that i love, and that looks decent with the component wires I have hooked up. As a matter of fact, i thought it looked worse in progressive than without it. Other than being able to use a HDMI cable to hook the DVD player to the tv, is there any other benefit I might see, and would those benefits outweigh the ability to play divx?

Thanks all. Sorry for the long post. As you can see, I'm pretty durn excited!

damon
1. If you need the cable card to get HD, etc. from your cable co. then youll need to get it - just make sure they bring one out thats been tested & has the latest card firmware istalled. I have the digital output hooked to my Pioneer & it works well.

2. I dont know how one could live without a remote - maybe Im just lazy besides I like to "channel surf". Maybe eBay has one cheap or the Philips outlet store?

3. As far as I know the set doesnt upconvert anything, & Id wait for HDDVD's to become more mainstream & lower in price then jump in.

Just my "opinions":-)

danfiveoh

09-01-06, 02:45 PM

Subliminal:
I have this Phillips (also from Cosco) and I had a comcast STB. I had Comcast come out and hook up their cable card and it works great. You will give up a couple of things tho. You can't get the comcast on screen guide with a cable card and you can't get any on demand stuff. The tech told me that at some point, they will have a cable card that allows for the 2-way communication those features require. He told me it will be a long time, they just got the bugs worked out of the cable card they now use. I didn't notice much of a change in pic quality, but the cool factor of not having the box was the reason I went with it. As far as the up converting DVD. Not worth it unless you get one cheap. Cosco had a toshiba on sale a while back so I went for it and really can't tell the difference from my old sony DVD. Yes, the 5.1 output works great (but you have to go into the audio menu to turn it on). Keep in mind the digital audio out is coaxial, so you'll need that input for your receiver. No way would I do without the remote. My wife would get real tired of constantly standing at the TV to push buttons while I channel surf.....

bigtvluvr

09-01-06, 03:12 PM

Dumb question....what is the purpose of the cable card? Some new Philips models don't have it...is this a plus or negative? Why would they drop that feature and could not having it cause problems ?

Subliminal

09-01-06, 04:11 PM

Hey guys,

Thanks for the responses.

As far as the remote thing, I have a little sony piece of crap 1 device remote that works great, changes the channel, turns it on/off, does the inputs etc. I also currently have the motorola remote for my dvr/cable box that does the same thing.

I was more concerned with possible features that aren't available through the menu on the side, but rather just through the remote.

I also have researched the cable card, and the only bummer sounds like its the on screen guide. There have been some other TVs which won't let you use the audio out with a cable card, which is why i asked about that.

Seems like a great TV so far...

PS - Right now my cable box is hooked to my reciever with the coaxial, and my dvd has the optical line. So, if the cable box goes, i've got the coaxial waiting to come out of the TV.

damon

Subliminal

09-01-06, 04:12 PM

Dumb question....what is the purpose of the cable card? Some new Philips models don't have it...is this a plus or negative? Why would they drop that feature and could not having it cause problems ?

The cable card is like the programmed part of your cable box. It lets the tv get HBO and HD channels and all the digital type crap you can't get from just plugging the wire into the back.

Downfalls include not having a programmable menu, and not being able to access on demand materials.

Like I mentioned in my other post, i've heard of some digital rights issues with the cable cards, and maybe thats why they wouldn't include them.

guitarist

09-01-06, 09:31 PM

It sounds like your getting the problem from 2 seperate sources (DVD and STB) if that is the case, then you likely have an issue in the TV. Have you tried running the stb without HDMI? You might also want to ask comcast to hook you up with a cable card and try that. My comcast SD looks great with the card. The one drawback is that you won't get on demand or the on screen TV guide menu with the card.

You state you are getting a good pic with sd using a cable card , when you get really close to your screen do you see racing color dots all over the screen especially with dark backrounds like in between scenes ? or is this an issue with my tv only

Thanks again, Steve

guitarist

09-01-06, 09:50 PM

Hi sgr215 - Did you ever get this "static" solved? Can you describe it better please? I noticed some green/yellow (& maybe red or?) pixels when my son was watching a DVD (480p) yesterday when the movie was between screens. Its possible it was always thre & is normal & I just happened to be right in front of the screen as the movie(s) look normal other then that & it is also "normal" when using cable. Curious, I think I may be worried as we had a lot of lightning the night before but I would thing if that were the culprit it would be screwed up all the time (unless the DVD/component cable took a hit but all are on a decent surge strip).
Thanks!
ALR

hows it goin,
This static you are referring to seems a little bit like my issue, racing colored dots all over the screen, especially on dark screens like in between scenes, but I do see them on color scenes also. I do have to be real close to the screen to see them but none the less they are there. I don't know if this is normal or a problem with the tv. I get it on all my inputs and through my cable box and dvd player, although not through my PS2 and I don't see them when the tv menu is displayed. One reply I got back was possibly this is the pixel orbiter although I don't find anything on this feature in my manual or anywhere else on the spec sheet ,so I don't know if my tv has this feature, All I know is it creates somewhat of a blurry pic and distorted edges especially on graphics. High grade dvd's look awesome though, the color and light effects like fireworks or things like that look incredible, I also noticed on black bars like on16:9 format no color dots for what it's worth.
Hope this helps you with your concerns.
Thanks, Steve

danfiveoh

09-03-06, 01:58 PM

You state you are getting a good pic with sd using a cable card , when you get really close to your screen do you see racing color dots all over the screen especially with dark backrounds like in between scenes? or is this an issue with my tv only

Thanks again, Steve
Ok, I just got within a few inches of the screen (fortunately NBC was braodcasting womens pro beach volleyball in HD) no racing dots, just the odd look on my wifes face when I explained I was only trying to help out an AVS forum member... :)

danfiveoh

09-03-06, 02:04 PM

PGHammer

09-03-06, 09:30 PM

I just bought a 42PF7320A as part of BJ Wholesale's closeout of this model (the replacement, the 42PF7321D, drops both CableCARD and QAM support; worse, it costs more!). I got it home and temporarily have it jerry-rigged until the wall-mount arrives on Tuesday. I have it connected to Comcast cable (no CableCARD yet) and turned the autoprogramming function loose. I picked up well north of three hundred digital channels (mostly either audio or encrypted, and thus unusable, but it included several HD OTA channels).

In a word: *awesome*!

Flat-out gorgeous PQ, regardless of whether the channel in question was HD or analog! The TV's scaler is truly something completely different in automatic mode (it's a truly content-adaptive scaler which actually combats the *overstretch effect* of bad scaling). I haven't had the chance to connect my DVD player and start watching DVDs on the set yet, but I *have* been able to throw a variety of HD content at it (mostly 1080i, especially NASCAR on the DC and Baltimore NBC stations) and there's no sign of pixellation or other overcompression effects. What will be interesting is the Labor Day shootout between my new Philips and Mom's Sony FD WEGA on the local news (the DC CBS affiliate actually broadcasts the local news in 1080i). Her WEGA is HD-ready (but mine is, naturally, both HD built-in and widescreen on top of that; then there is the ten-inch screen advantage). I may actually be able to convince Mom to buy a plasma (or at least a larger-screen LCD) for herself (though I had no such intent when buying my Philips).

You know what's well and truly scary? I haven't really gotten the set *dialed in* yet.

guitarist

09-03-06, 11:10 PM

Thanks danfiveoh,
I am sure your wife understands it's a guy thing, my wife does. I think I will try to call out comcast first and see what kinda reading they get on their signal first, I live in the mountains in California and comcast claims I am getting digital service no hd service yet but I don't think it truly is a digital signal just a digital box receiving weak analog signals from an old cable buried in the ground.

PGHammer, sounds like you are really happy with your new tv, and don't have the pixel problem like I am. All I know is I spend most of the time trying to dial in a good pic without the blurriness, other than that the color is awesome

Thanks guys, Steve

SofChance

09-04-06, 03:53 AM

Well, I finally got my tv back after a month and a half. For some reason, it's no longer picking up HD channels, which is strange since it not only got a half dozen before, but actually added a few more by itself right before it crashed.
Anyway, I haven't noticed any black screens or anything else wrong YET, but then I only watched two movies in that time. Maybe it was all due to the signal board, but I'm still weary of it's longevity. We'll see in a few months if it's still okay.
One thing I have to say is that Xbox 360 games in 1080i look fantastic. I noticed a screen-door effect while watching a few Disney DVDs with some young ones (I thought SDE only affected projection tvs?), but the 360 picture looks clear and sharp with no artifacting and great detail.

ALRUI

09-04-06, 09:08 AM

ALRUI

09-04-06, 09:12 AM

hows it goin,
This static you are referring to seems a little bit like my issue, racing colored dots all over the screen, especially on dark screens like in between scenes, but I do see them on color scenes also. I do have to be real close to the screen to see them but none the less they are there. I don't know if this is normal or a problem with the tv. I get it on all my inputs and through my cable box and dvd player, although not through my PS2 and I don't see them when the tv menu is displayed. One reply I got back was possibly this is the pixel orbiter although I don't find anything on this feature in my manual or anywhere else on the spec sheet ,so I don't know if my tv has this feature, All I know is it creates somewhat of a blurry pic and distorted edges especially on graphics. High grade dvd's look awesome though, the color and light effects like fireworks or things like that look incredible, I also noticed on black bars like on16:9 format no color dots for what it's worth.
Hope this helps you with your concerns.
Thanks, Steve
Hi Steve - Thanks for the input, I only notice this when playing a DVD using component. My cable connection is terrible no matter what so its hard to tell but I dont really see the "racing pixels" on regular cable. I live in the mountains in NC now but used to live in the Santa Cruz mountains in CA, the cable we had in CA was FAR superior then our small cable co. here & Id switch back to DISH but I like the "high speed" cable modem.
Thanks Again
ALR

IcemanDallas

09-04-06, 12:21 PM

SofChance

09-04-06, 02:23 PM

ALRUI, screen-door effect mainly affects projection tvs. Type it into google, the first few links are helpful. It's basically when the pixels are so sharp you can see the black space between them, so it's like looking at the picture through a screen door.

I'm not sure if that's what I got, but it did look like it. I watched Aladdin and noticed that flat colors and slow scenes looked great, but whenever there was a lot of movement on the screen, the lines around every character got all pixellated and edgy. It became hard to watch the movie because I kept noticing it.

SofChance

09-04-06, 02:25 PM

I might try other animated movies to see if the effect happens on them too. CGI movies (like The Incredibles) look fine.

PGHammer

09-04-06, 04:05 PM

I might try other animated movies to see if the effect happens on them too. CGI movies (like The Incredibles) look fine.

I'e had absolutely no sign of the dreaded SDE (Screen Door Effect) even with viewing distances within five feet, as far as live content goes. So far, the only pixellation I've seen was entirely content-driven (digital SD relay of CFL football via CSNDC-SD). The US tennis Open (shown in 1080i) makes for a killer comparison (vs. the same coverage in 480i), even if you aren't normally into tennis. 480i vs. 720p shows *some* of the advantages; 480i vs. 1080i rubs your nose in it. I need to pick up some proper component cables for my DVD/VCR combi-deck (which doesn't support HDMI, darn it) before replacing it with a proper HD-A1.

I am *decidedly* pleased with my new Philips 42PF7320A, even though it was actually *not* my first choice (my first choice sold out; this one was also being closed out/retired in favor of a model that requires an STB for non-OTA HD sources)

PGHammer

09-04-06, 04:40 PM

My Costco has this Philips plasma both online and in store (as of a few days ago). The model number ends in 7220A. It looked good compared to the Panasonic EDTV, quite a few more features and not much more $$$. I would guess, as in the past, Costco has different model numbers than CC. I could not find any reviews of the Philips model carried at Costco.

This is one of the few cases where Costco deliberately has a different model number from the rest of the planet. The model number of this TV *outside of Costco* is the 42PF7320/37 (there is the later 42PF7320A/37 which is specific to North America; this A-model is only assembled in Mexico). This model is also being closed out *everywhere* (unfortunately, it's being replaced with the 42PF7321D/37, which not only doesn't support CableCARD, it doesn't support QAM, either; to add insult to injury, it actually costs *more* than the closeout price of the model it's replacing, though it has fewer features). I just bought one yesterday at BJ's Wholesale Club (and it took me three Clubs to even find it); I've been feeding it a steady diet of cable and broadcast SD (and broadcast HD) ever since. I have done *zero* adjusting to the TV (since it isn't where it will come to rest) as I am waiting for the wall-mount for it to arrive. Being as it's the Labor Day Weekend, , NBC ran NASCAR in Sunday primetime yesterday, and CBS is running the US tennis Open most of today (naturally, both are broadcast in utterly Drop Dead Gorgeous 1080i). One thing I was able to do is show Mom The Family HD Skeptic just how much better 1080i is (bouncing between WUSA-TV and WUSA-DT, during the coverage of the US Open). She's no longer a skeptic. (Neither of us are tennis fans; however, the difference between 480i and 1080i was even obvious to *her*. Tape loops and DVD loops are one thing; live HD just plain reaches out and sticks your nose in the differences.)

Flashfox

09-10-06, 05:14 PM

I bought my refurbished 42FD7220A/37B last weekend at our local Fry's here in San Diego. I then downloaded the current firmware and up to now, it's working great with Cox' HD service. I didn't know that the 7220 was a COSTO variant of the 7320. Seems like the refurbs are not limited to COSTCO stores as the rep at the Fry's I went to told me he had 15 in stock. Essentially, it was between a Vizio 37" LCD and this 42" Plasma... We took the "refurb risk" and went with the Philips.

liemydude

09-12-06, 12:00 AM

IcemanDallas

09-12-06, 12:18 PM

I had my tv serviced and now the colors are all weird when i select the "natural, soft, multimedia, or eco." The only time the picture looks right is when i select personal. I finally figured out what went wrong. I went into the service menu by pressing 062596 + info (button) and then proceeded to check the alignment.

Mine says Alignment:
Color temp: Normal
White Point Red: 127
White Point Green: 127
White Point Blue: 127
Red BL offset: 7
Green BL offset: 7

Tuner AGC = 32

when i set my temp to cool it looks warm and when i set it to warm it looks cool. I believe they messed up the factory set numbers when they fixed my lcd.

I got these numbers from a new set at best buy only for the cool temp

Color temp: Cool
White PR: 113
White PG: 127
White PB: 115
Red BL offset: 7
Green BL offset: 3

It would be extremely helpful if someone could look in their service menu and post the factory settings for the Normal, Warm, and Cool temps. I can't get the colors to look right even after i've played with it. It does however look better now when i select warm or cool because warm is actually warm (redish) and cool is actually cool (blue-ish). Please PM me or post numbers if possible. Thanks!

I noticed exactly the same thing after a repair. Cool is warm and warm is cool...extremely warm and extremely cold. DVD's via composite look terrible and I can't adjust to compensate. And when I select personal I have to turn the settings up to 50 to get a decent picture, although it was in the shop so long I can't remember what I originally had the settings at. I'm just not going to *&%$ around with this panel anymore. I'm leaving it in the bedroom and when it craps out it's going in the trash. Buyer beware with Philips..they will never see another of my dollars.

highnndry

09-12-06, 12:31 PM

Flashfox I have sent you a PM check your message box? Is the cool is warm and warm is cool in the LCD or Plasma? I'm thinking of buying the refurbished 42" plasma.

liemydude

09-12-06, 03:02 PM

i have the LCD but im looking to get the settings so i can change it back to what it was before they serviced it. It's really annoying the h*ll outta me

jtn123

09-13-06, 05:58 PM

If you flash the firmware again, the White Point setting will default back to the factory setting.

(at least that's been my experience with the 50" plasma 50pf7220a)

mkjnovak

09-13-06, 06:24 PM

If you flash the firmware again, the White Point setting will default back to the factory setting.

Really?!?
That sucks. I hope all the people shelling out for ISFs know that.
I'll have to check mine now. I know the personal settings in the regular menu stay put.

Thanks for the info.
Mike

liemydude

09-14-06, 12:36 AM

If you flash the firmware again, the White Point setting will default back to the factory setting.

(at least that's been my experience with the 50" plasma 50pf7220a)

Are you positive b/c i recently updated the firmware (just last week) and its still jacked up... I guess nobody wants to help... But thanks for the input

mkjnovak

09-14-06, 03:15 AM

I would gladly help, but I have the plasma. Would you still like the numbers?
Did I see correctly? You did ask in the LCD thread also, right?
Mike

jtn123

09-14-06, 04:48 AM

Yep. I confirmed it with my plasma again tonight. These were the steps that I did

(My current FW: 1.4)

1. Went into the Service Menu. (092596 Info)
2. Changed the WhitePoint alignment values.
3. Hit Menu.
4. Turn plasma off.
5. Turn plasma on.
6. Went into the Service Menu again.
7. Checked the Whitepoint values. (They have the new values)
8. Flash the FW to an older version. (1.1)
9. Went into the Service Menu
10. Check the Whitepoint alignment values. (Now they're the default again)
11. Changed the values to new ones.
12. Hit Menu
13. Turn plasma off/on
14. Check the whitepoint. (Yes, they're the new ones that i just entered)
15. Flash the FW to 1.4
16. Check the whitepoint. (Now they're back to the default again)

The only thing that i can think of is that i did not hit the 'Store' selection. I don't know whether this makes a difference or not because my new values were saved. They only revert back to the defaults after a FW flash.

The model I have is 50PF7220A plasma...Maybe mine is just whacked...

It would be nice if someone else can replicate this behavior to confirm this.

liemydude

09-14-06, 10:14 PM

I would gladly help, but I have the plasma. Would you still like the numbers?
Did I see correctly? You did ask in the LCD thread also, right?
Mike

yes i did ask in the lcd thread also. please pm me the numbers if you can. thanks!

liemydude

09-14-06, 11:51 PM

jtn123

09-15-06, 06:35 AM

Sorry to hear that it didn't work for you.

Here's a link that has the values for a Philips LCD. I don't know if the model number is the same as yours. But probably wouldn't hurt because these numbers are from a calibrated set.

http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=271344

If you still want the numbers from my plasma, let me know. I will post them.

Yerp

09-15-06, 08:55 AM

Hi jtn123-

numbers from your plasma would be very beneficial to me as mine got a little wacked out from a recent service.

Thanks-

Aviator_f16

09-15-06, 02:57 PM

Aviator_f16

09-15-06, 02:58 PM

Alright, here is the link:
http://www.research.philips.com/password/archive/24/downloads/pp2-hd_backgrounder_us.pdf

jtn123

09-15-06, 06:32 PM

Yeah...I knew about that. But I turn Pixel Plus off anyway, so it doesn't matter. I like the picture better without Pixel Plus, as I find it to add artificial edges to the picture.

Well, here are my alignment values for whitepoint: (again, this is for my 50PF7220A)

Warm
Red:127
Green:92
Blue:80
Red BL:9
Green BL:7

Normal
Red:127
Green:100
Blue:121
Red BL:9
Green BL:7

Cool
Red:113
Green:96
Blue:127
Red BL:9
Green BL:7

flynbw01

09-15-06, 08:13 PM

Found an interesting article on how pixel plus works. Turns out on the 42pf7x sets (with pixel plus 1.0) a HD stream is first down converted to SD, pixel plus is then run to improve the picture, then it is up converted to HD. I was really disappointed to learn this. First all this crap with the BS issue, now this. :(
Check it out..

Seen this posted before. Before you read this, did you notice your HD images were being downconverted???

If you don't like it, turn off pixel plus.

I'm also curious because this info is posted from Phillips research, not Philips Consumer electronics which develop and manufacture the set. Might be the way Pixel Plus worked when it first came out many years ago.

mkjnovak

09-17-06, 12:26 AM

I remember downloading and reading the article. I thought PP was irrelevant for HD and that only 480 goes through it. Notice you can't run the PP demo while viewing an HD source; I think this is related.

Mike

Axxel

09-17-06, 09:35 PM

Well, given the problems posted here I should have known my experience was too good to last... I had managed to avoid the BS issues even though I've kept my firmware up to date just in case.

This morning the set started displaying all HD sources (720p and up) very poorly. Its hard to describe what's happening, it looks like some sort of color reduction, like the effect of moving a full-color 32bit image down to just 256 colors (8bit). 480i and 480p sources are fine, and the problem is reproducible with upconverted DVDs and cable HD sources using different HDMI ports and cables.

This really feels like a software problem, given that 480p (which is ultimately pushed to the same native resolution as any HD source) works fine. I've done a firmware downgrade/upgrade without any luck. Set's been unplugged, cables juggled, non-service mode settings reset, etc.

Any ideas out there? Or is it time to call service?

Axel

Ybarra

09-20-06, 02:12 PM

hows it goin,
This static you are referring to seems a little bit like my issue, racing colored dots all over the screen, especially on dark screens like in between scenes, but I do see them on color scenes also. I do have to be real close to the screen to see them but none the less they are there. I don't know if this is normal or a problem with the tv. I get it on all my inputs and through my cable box and dvd player, although not through my PS2 and I don't see them when the tv menu is displayed. One reply I got back was possibly this is the pixel orbiter although I don't find anything on this feature in my manual or anywhere else on the spec sheet ,so I don't know if my tv has this feature, All I know is it creates somewhat of a blurry pic and distorted edges especially on graphics. High grade dvd's look awesome though, the color and light effects like fireworks or things like that look incredible, I also noticed on black bars like on16:9 format no color dots for what it's worth.
Hope this helps you with your concerns.
Thanks, Steve

Not to repeat myself, but you apparently missed my other post. The pixel noise is the pixel orbiter (anti-aging circuit). It helps minimize the chance of screen burn in. When viewing from the correct distance, you will not see it.

zorbarob

09-20-06, 03:20 PM

wfiveash

09-20-06, 03:31 PM

Hello, I just received my refurb Philips 42PF7220A/37B from the Outlet store. So far, so good. I really like this set. If anyone is considering it (for the next time they offer the $400.00 off), I would tentatively say go for it. I'll post again in a few days after I've taken it through its paces to say whether I still feel that way.

The only issue I'm having (and happy it's such a minor one!) is that the channel number display on the upper left hand corner never goes away. I've pushed every button on the remote, I've read the entire manual, and I've searched this forum thoroughly. Haven't found an answer yet.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!

You need different firmware. I had this problem with the original firmware that was on the display. You should search this thread for info about the firmware as several people have had issues with saved/favorite channels being deleted by the firmware code spontaneously. I'm using 1.1 (I think) after upgrading to 1.2 and having the problem drive me nuts (I downgraded). So far I've had few noticible problems.

highnndry

09-20-06, 04:01 PM

You need different firmware. I had this problem with the original firmware that was on the display. You should search this thread for info about the firmware as several people have had issues with saved/favorite channels being deleted by the firmware code spontaneously. I'm using 1.1 (I think) after upgrading to 1.2 and having the problem drive me nuts (I downgraded). So far I've had few noticible problems.

Hi

I wouldn't play too much with the firmware unless you need something else fixed. This is what I do, I just press "0" one time and after few second the channel display disappear. So every time you change channel then press "0" (zero), otherwise you wait for like five to seven minutes for the display to disappear. A bit inconvenience but I only paid so little for this TV.

zeugma

09-21-06, 11:25 PM

Has anybody used the VGA->RGBHV connection? (I'm talking about taking your VGA signal from a computer and connecting it using one of those graphics workstation cables that output RGBHV, except you just stick BNC<->RCA adapters on them.) I have, and the only mode the TV will accept is of course 1024x768 like it says in the manual, any other resolution will not display anything on screen at all (so make sure to set your default resolution to 1024x768 before you disconnect your PC monitor). It works, but...

There are problems: the screen will not stay put in one place. It will shift around by itself by a little bit (up/down) in some sort of auto-adjustment once in a while, so that sometimes the bottom of the screen is cut of, sometimes the top. This you can fix by using the cursors on the remote, but those manual adjustments do not stay put, like I said. The other problem is there are one or two pixel columns of interleaved red and green (down the right hand side) and red and blue (down the left hand side) stripes on either side of the screen. I think initially they aren't there, but after having the VGA signal fed to the TV for a while, they pop up, and these you can't shift out of your way with the cursors.

Anybody tried this and knows what I am talking about?

mkjnovak

09-22-06, 03:23 AM

wfiveash

09-22-06, 01:46 PM

If you wish to eliminate the lingering channel numbers, you in fact have two choices:

1. Update the firmware.

2. If you can live without a volume display, you can turn both off in the older firmware. Under setup\preferences\menu preferences set your OSD to minimum instead of normal.

Mike

I agree. In my previous, poorly worded comment, I was trying to make the point that going to firmware 1.1 fixed my display issue but when I went to newer firmware more problems cropped up regarding saved channel loss. This is discribed in earlier messages in this thread.

zeugma

09-22-06, 05:26 PM

You know, I've read this entire thread and it seems to me that this TV has fairly good and complete hardware but the software team at Philips (or wherever they outsourced it to) really let everybody down.

I mean, why would playing certain content cause the TV to shut down? Does your computer randomly shut down when you play certain clips? No, it may just not play the content and that's it. What it means is the base hardware control code (the drivers, so to speak) is not separated from the application code. This is BAD, and they've probably been chasing down some pointer error this whole time with this "elusive" BS issue. It's just stupid. If they can't write clean and verified code, they should use tools and design principles to isolate themselves from such problems. Maybe it's for performance reasons that they do this, but I can't imagine. What the hell does this TV do that can't be done with a several-year-old computer? Nothing.

wariscoming

09-23-06, 08:08 PM

Here's the story and video of the continued problems with my less-than-week-old Philips 42PF7220A/37 42" Plasma.

You wanted video. You got it. Go here to witness the infamous "Black Screen" issue in action: http://www.gigasize.com/get.php/82273/IMGP4084.AVI

Someone has even started a website with regards to the "Black Screen" Philips problems: http://home.comcast.net/~sgr215/

Here's my story and timeline:

* Philips 42PF7220A/37 42" Plasma purchased from Buy.com on 9/12/06
* TV received and setup and working correctly on 9/19/06
* Return from work on 9/20/06 and notice blinking red error light
* Unplug TV, re-plug in TV and infamous "BS" issue begins
* Update firmware to latest version (BX23U-1.4.0.0_03081) that claims "Following problem is solved :Issue related to intermittent video loss is solved."
* Reset TV after latest firmware upgrade and the problem remains. NOT SOLVED.
* Contacted Philips several times and they deny that the problem is widespread and want to send me to some "mom-and-pop" repair center to go through the weeks/months process of waiting for parts and repairs to treat a hardware problem which clearly is software/firmware based since Philips themselves claim the problem "should" be solved with a firmware upgrade.
* Un-be-liev-able. Owned the TV one day that I paid $2000 for and I can watch it for approximately 45 seconds until it craps out.

I've found letters on the internet of people writing the Attorney General of NY (Spitzer) to go after Philips. Frankly, it sounds like the only way there will be final resolution will be through class action lawsuit. What a shame.

Any suggestions?

black_macleod

09-23-06, 08:15 PM

Always purchase from somewhere with a 30 day return policy?

I've had mine almost exactly a year now. No problems at all.

wariscoming

09-23-06, 08:23 PM

Always purchase from somewhere with a 30 day return policy?

I've had mine almost exactly a year now. No problems at all.

Yeah....the Buy.com fine print (and Amazon's for that matter as well) state any TV over 27" purchased from them is not returnable. God I wish I would have just gone to Best Buy and bought a TV.

black_macleod

09-23-06, 09:26 PM

Yeah....the Buy.com fine print (and Amazon's for that matter as well) state any TV over 27" purchased from them is not returnable. God I wish I would have just gone to Best Buy and bought a TV.

It may not fit into your ethical code but .....

Go buy another one at Best Buy, wait a few days, pack up the broken one and return it. They rarely check the serial numbers on stuff ... most of the return ppl rarely even do more than glance in the box ;)

wariscoming

09-23-06, 10:03 PM

It may not fit into your ethical code but .....

Go buy another one at Best Buy, wait a few days, pack up the broken one and return it. They rarely check the serial numbers on stuff ... most of the return ppl rarely even do more than glance in the box ;)

Eh...not my idea of a solution plus they don't sell the set I bought at Best Buy anyway.

SPK8000LG

09-26-06, 04:33 AM

Im shocked i still see BS problems, The new firmwear 100% fixed mine. Love the set now!

Jerry808

09-26-06, 07:45 PM

PGHammer

09-27-06, 04:56 AM

I get comcast and I'm using a cablecard. I'm receiving analog and digital channels at the same time, i.e. I get Bravo analog on 74 and then I get the digital version also on 74. Since I obviously don't want the analog version, is there a way to avoid bringing them in? When I punch in 74 I get the analog version and then have to use the channel up button to get to the digital version.

I've been watching this thread for quite a while and haven't seen anything like it. Has anyone else experienced this and is there anything I can do about it?

Thanks.

I have no idea whether you can toss them like that; however, when Digital Simulcast is deployed in your area, simply do a rescan, which should autoswap-out the analog version for the digital replacement. In the case of the OTA channels, both show up (SD and HD); however, I don't have a CableCARD physically installed (I'm also a Comcast customer), so I use that for comparison of SD and HD (when possible).

The fact that you have to do a *channel up* to get to the *digital* version* is, in fact, normal.

Flashfox

09-27-06, 10:29 AM

Since installing the current firmware I have not had a single episode of the black screen. I have however been getting quite a few "audio" drops, which are usually easily correctable but still an annoyance.

Interesting as I have not encountered the BS problem since I updated the flash... but on occasion, I lose the audio. To get it back, I switch channels and come back.
To be honest, I am uncertain if the problem comes from the converter or the display.

As an FYI, I am using an HDMI cable between my Scientific Atlanta 8300HD DVR/converter and my display. I am on cable (Cox, San Diego).

black_macleod

09-27-06, 10:49 AM

My cable audio has blips -- but I'm running it through a Dolby receiver so it has nothing to do with the TV -- just saying, sometimes it happens on cable systems, and sat as well.

StanF

09-27-06, 11:23 AM

black_macleod

09-27-06, 11:31 AM

The speakers on this TV are not great by any means. But they shouldn't rattle. I don't use mine at all anymore though, as everything gets pumped through the receiver.

mkjnovak

09-27-06, 02:32 PM

The speaker quality is one thing; the case is another.
Do you think you hear speaker damage? or case rattle?
That's just screwed on plastic behind the speakers. Certainly no speaker designer would choose this approach. Mine will rattle if the sound is loud enough or has enough content at the right resonant frequency.

Rest your hand on the plastic in different places to see if the rattle goes away. If it does you might just fix your problem by snugging screws. A little damping inside the cavities wouldn't have hurt either, but I wouldn't necessarily reccommend that everyone open their case to put some in.

Mike

Jerry808

09-27-06, 03:01 PM

Interesting as I have not encountered the BS problem since I updated the flash... but on occasion, I lose the audio. To get it back, I switch channels and come back.
To be honest, I am uncertain if the problem comes from the converter or the display.

As an FYI, I am using an HDMI cable between my Scientific Atlanta 8300HD DVR/converter and my display. I am on cable (Cox, San Diego).
swtiching channels works for me too. I've experienced it both through my cable (SA 8300HD DVR) and dvd player. Both of these are connected via HDMI (2 different types of cables). With the number of problems that have needed to be addressed with this tv with firmware updates, I am almost certain that the tv is the cause of the audio drops, especially since it has occurred on 2 of my inputs. Lastly I never had audio drops for the last 11 months until updating the tv with latest firmware.

funkmasterta

09-28-06, 11:10 AM

Congrats dude. I just got the Sammy 4262 myself. The panny peeps are payin 20 to 30% premium for the name i think to feel safe. And that safety is a fact cause they're nice sets, but I pocketed some big cash. All the glass makers have new generations so any name brand 42+ size is gonna be very nice, imo. Correct me if i wrg, but matsushita, lg-philips, and samsung are the big 3 glassmakers so they should all be very comparable. Cheers

Is Matsushita = Panasonic?

mlandau

09-28-06, 09:32 PM

Schlepper:
I have the cousin to your set, the 9630. I also use a cablecard. Cablevision is my provider. I had a bit of the same problem. The next to last firmware update, which is in the latest firmware, finally fixed the problem for me. I'm pretty sure it is a "channel mapping" problem. Do you know how recent your firmware is?

PGHammer

09-28-06, 11:49 PM

PG Hammer:
I have the cousin to your set, the 9630. I also use a cablecard. Cablevision is my provider. I had a bit of the same problem. The next to last firmware update, which is in the latest firmware, finally fixed the problem for me. I'm pretty sure it is a "channel mapping" problem. Do you know how recent your firmware is?

I do *not* have a CableCARD installed (though the TV supports one). It is indeed a channel-mapping issue; the only fix at present is to manually review the channel lineup and cull-out the channels you don't want. I have Comcast as my cable provider, and I have channels 2, 4, 9, 11, 13, and 67 with this issue (because 2, 11, and 13 are from Baltimore, and I live in the Washington, DC SMSA, there is a *programming mismatch* between the analog channel and the digital counterpart). Here's a Weirdie: it is known that WMAR-DT, WBAL-DT, and WJZ-DT all transmit from the Television Hill Candelabrum; then how come WBAL-DT is razor-sharp, WMAR-DT is merely *bad*, while WJZ-DT is absolutely awful? Could their distance from the Candelabrum have something to do with it?

guitarist

09-29-06, 03:41 PM

Since installing the current firmware I have not had a single episode of the black screen. I have however been getting quite a few "audio" drops, which are usually easily correctable but still an annoyance.

I HAVE AUDIO DROP EVEN WITH 1.1 FIRMWARE, BUT ONLY SINCE HOOKING UP HDMI AND ONLY WHEN SWITCHING CHANNELS OCCASIONALLY. AFTER SWITCHING CHANNELS BACK AUDIO IS RESTORED. DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH COMPONENT.

guitarist

09-29-06, 03:47 PM

I picked up a discounted 42PF7220A from the Phillips Outlet store. The sound quality is really bad. The left speaker rattles/resonates with a moderate to high volume. :( It's not continuous - of course, it depends on the show.

Just wondering if anyone else has seen this problem? Or is it possible that my speakers are damaged?

Thanks,

Stan

I had the same problem until I tightened all the screws on the back panel, now no more rattling or hums, also adjusted sound options in the audio menu. The sound quality is not too bad now but, I did not buy the the tv for its sound capabilities as my Denon home theater system handles that quite nicely.

black_macleod

09-29-06, 04:13 PM

I HAVE AUDIO DROP EVEN WITH 1.1 FIRMWARE, BUT ONLY SINCE HOOKING UP HDMI AND ONLY WHEN SWITCHING CHANNELS OCCASIONALLY. AFTER SWITCHING CHANNELS BACK AUDIO IS RESTORED. DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH COMPONENT.

No need to shout :cool:

mahnster

09-30-06, 12:41 PM

I took my 7320 back to the warehouse store I bought it from. Did not want to have it in the shop for 1+ months during football season. If you are here looking for advice, others can give that for the brand etc. I will give you all you need to know for buying -- get it from a Warehouse store if you can live with the limited selection. They have very liberal return policies, but please don't abuse the policy just to upgrade, don't want to see them restrict returns like they now do with computers.

guitarist

09-30-06, 01:23 PM

No need to shout :cool:

Didn't mean to shout, just typed my post and looked up and it was all in caps and didn't feel like retyping it. SORRY my bad !!!

dangerousdavid

09-30-06, 10:17 PM

PGHammer

10-02-06, 08:25 AM

I started out with a Comcast STB going to HDMI, after a few days Comcast came out and installed a cable card, so that got rid of HDMI. I had a DVD player using component (RGB) in and have now upgraded the DVD player to HDMI. I've never experienced any black screen issues. So I've used 3 different inputs with no issues.
My mounting is a bit unique. I built steel rails for the TV to hang from above a recessed book shelf in the wall. The TV hangs over the open shelf area which I'm certain provides good air flow behind the TV. I didn't plan that but in reading the last couple posts about heat build up, it sounds very likley thats the problem some are having. Do those of you experiencing black screen have your sets mounted up against a wall, limiting airflow behind the TV? Prior to the Phillip, I had a Maxent 42 inch plasma and it had a fan built in, the Phillips does not so I'm guessing heat could be a problem.

According to the current manual for the 42PF7320A (which also applies to the 7220 and earlier 7320) there should be a six-inch (at minimum) air gap between any side of the TV and the nearest flat or enclosing surface.

In addition to cable TV (no STB or CableCARD), I have my DVD player (Polaroid combo DVD/VCR) connected via component/progressive-scan (I will upgrade this to YPbPr when the TV is set up in my bedroom; the DVD player does *not* support HDMI-out). I have no issues with DVD playback despite the player itself being *brand X* and the connection being suboptimal (I've already watched "Starship Troopers" and "Black Knight" on DVD, and will be watching "Pleasantville" some time today).

Additional Observations: I now have my Philips properly mounted (using a Peerless tilt-mount) on my bedroom wall, and the Polaroid DVD/VCR feeding the DVD signal via VPbPr and the VCR side via component-in. the RF input is still Comcast cable (no STB or CableCARD) using the built-in DCR/256QAM tuner support. I have also upgraded to the latest firmware via USB. (Welcome surprise: you can use *any* USB device to upload new firmware; while a USB RAM or CF device is easiest, I actually used my old Iomega HipZip and a reformatted 40 MB Clik! disk to get the latest firmware to the TV. A USB external drive of any sort should work just as well.) I still have nary a quibble with the TV, or it's picture or audio performance. The only quibble I have isn't the TV's fault (it's a signal/wiring issue), and therefore I won't go into that here.

danfiveoh

10-06-06, 12:31 AM

Had this set for almost a year. No BS but now I have a line about 1 pixel wide down the left side of the screen about 2" from the left. Did a search but did not see anything on this topic. Anone else have this probem or a solution?

Hmm, haven't heard anyone mention that. Have you tried to completely unplug the set, then power it back up?

BuffaloJim

10-06-06, 10:52 AM

Had this set for almost a year. No BS but now I have a line about 1 pixel wide down the left side of the screen about 2" from the left. Did a search but did not see anything on this topic. Anone else have this probem or a solution?

If the set's still under warranty, I'd immediately give them a call. I have a 3 year old Zenith (LG), that now has about 50 lines concentrated along the left and right edges. I've been told this is not a cheap repair.

It started with one line and then every week or so, another one cropped up. They're near both edges, and yes it's extremely annoying.

pillot

10-13-06, 08:08 PM

Under low light scenes the picture quality looks very clay like, expecially the flesh tones. Has anyone else seen this and know what settings should be adjusted.

Thanks

ALRUI

10-14-06, 12:45 PM

Under low light scenes the picture quality looks very clay like, expecially the flesh tones. Has anyone else seen this and know what settings should be adjusted.

Thanks
Hi pillot - I have noticed that a well particularly when I had the contrast & brightness set low during "break-in". It was looking pretty good after I initially set them higher but recently I noticed it be clayfaced, etc. It could be I need to check settings as I have unplugged the set several times during severe thunderstorms (even though its run through a quality surge suppressor) & I think my 2 yr. old might have monkeyed with the remote as well. If someone has come up with "optimum" settings Id love to see the numbers:-)

sgr215

10-20-06, 02:54 AM

For those who noticed the firmware linked on my site was expired i've recently found a much more stable and fast web host. The links are now fixed and can be found here:

http://home.comcast.net/~sgr215/firmware.htm

Some people have reported they still get the BS. I've addressed why I still consider the BS to be fixed here:

http://home.comcast.net/~sgr215/gfailure.htm

Basically, if you're getting type 2 of the BS as defined above you are one of the unlucky few who got a faulty TV. Like any electronic, they all have a small failure rate and you're one of the unlucky ones. :\

ALRUI

10-21-06, 10:25 AM

Hi sgr215 - Thank for diligently keeping the link "alive" :-)

42Plasmaman

11-04-06, 10:42 PM

Just an FYI for those who upgrade to v1.4

I was running v1.2 for quite a while and had no issues but decided to upgrade to v1.4 just to be up to date with current firmware.

Well, now everytime I turn on my TV, the color is darkish looking and there are intermittent 2-3 horizontal white lines across the screen about 1 inch thick.

*I'm using the AV2 input from my Comcast digital cable box component output.

I can make the issue go away by scrolling through the different AV inputs on the TV.
Turning the TV ON/OFF does not resolve the issue.

This issue happened consistently everytime I turned the TV on.
It's like the TV was having an issue synchronizing to the 480p signal from the cablebox when it first came on.

So, I rolled back to V1.2 and now it's OK.

I guess I'll stick with v1.2.

btw:
Thanks sgr215 for hosting all those firmware versions. I lost my v1.2 and luckily I found it on your site.

mkjnovak

11-05-06, 01:06 AM

Sorry for the double post, but I think this info definitely belongs at least in this thread as well. I may ask moderators about the forum rules / netiquette of posting this in threads for every relevant Philips TV.
_______________________________

After emailing, phoning and writing a paper letter about my dissatisfaction with the channel drop, I received a phone call from Philips on Fri Nov 3.

At least one other apparently wrote with the same problem. They now say it was unintentional and they have figured it out. New firmware should be posted next week.

Fingers crossed,
Mike

camvet

11-05-06, 01:53 PM

42Plasmaman

11-05-06, 02:15 PM

I had my tv in for the eternal servicing to a local shop. They ended up replacing the screen and most of the parts as they guess and checked. When I got it back it runs great, but when the image is 480P, it does not completely fill the screen, which it did before I sent it for servicing.

Here is a picture, sorry about the cell phone quality picture, it was all i had on hand.

Apparently I can't post image or URL's yet, so look at: cameronvetterDOTcomSLASHimage_089.jpg

Since I would rather try to build a new set by hand then deal with Phillips customer "service" again :mad:, does anyone know how I can fix this myself? I did an examination of the service menus and did not find anything relevant to fixing the issue.

Thanks in advance...
Are you running in SuperZoom or 4:3 mode ?

Try SuperZoom if you haven't tried.

With my digital cable, I use SuperZoom for all regular 480p signals and than the TV automatically changes to Widescreen mode for 720p.

Note that when you are in 720p mode and the signal is not HD, it will look like 4:3 mode(black bars on both sides.)

btw:
I couldn't get you link to work.
Is it www. or http:// or what's the full url ?

camvet

11-05-06, 02:29 PM

Are you running in SuperZoom or 4:3 mode ?

Try SuperZoom if you haven't tried.

With my digital cable, I use SuperZoom for all regular 480p signals and than the TV automatically changes to Widescreen mode for 720p.

Note that when you are in 720p mode and the signal is not HD, it will look like 4:3 mode(black bars on both sides.)

btw:
I couldn't get you link to work.
Is it CENSORED or what's the full url ?

It should work with either, yeah its a pain in the butt that I couldn't post a proper url. Unfortunately I couldn't even post yours quoted. I'll retype it:

cameronvetterDOTcomSLASHImage_089.jpg

replace the DOT with . and the SLASH with \

It doesn't matter what mode the tv is in. There is about 1.5 inchs of black on either side of the screen. The pixels are not being used at all not even for black bars.

black_macleod

11-05-06, 02:33 PM

It should work with either, yeah its a pain in the butt that I couldn't post a proper url. Unfortunately I couldn't even post yours quoted. I'll retype it:

cameronvetterDOTcomSLASHImage_089.jpg

replace the DOT with . and the SLASH with \

It doesn't matter what mode the tv is in. There is about 1.5 inchs of black on either side of the screen. The pixels are not being used at all not even for black bars.

http://www.cameronvetter.com/image_089.jpg

42Plasmaman

11-05-06, 09:42 PM

I had my tv in for the eternal servicing to a local shop. They ended up replacing the screen and most of the parts as they guess and checked. When I got it back it runs great, but when the image is 480P, it does not completely fill the screen, which it did before I sent it for servicing.

Here is a picture, sorry about the cell phone quality picture, it was all i had on hand.

Apparently I can't post image or URL's yet, so look at: cameronvetterDOTcomSLASHimage_089.jpg

Since I would rather try to build a new set by hand then deal with Phillips customer "service" again :mad:, does anyone know how I can fix this myself? I did an examination of the service menus and did not find anything relevant to fixing the issue.

Thanks in advance...
How about when you pull up the menu ?

Does that take up the entire screen ?

mkjnovak

11-06-06, 04:37 AM

...when the image is 480P, it does not completely fill the screen
...
does anyone know how I can fix this myself? I did an examination of the service menus and did not find anything relevant to fixing the issue.
First, please forgive a couple questions:
What format do you have set and is it the same as before?
Does only your game look like that? How is TV?

OK, that being asked, I did run into someone with the same problem after servicing. In the service menu his display setting was changed to one size down from correct. He had a 42" but the menu setting was for a 37".

Mike

camvet

11-06-06, 07:21 PM

How about when you pull up the menu ?

Does that take up the entire screen ?

Yes it does, I also have tried 720P sources and 1080i and they all fill the screen with a bit of overscan.

camvet

11-06-06, 07:27 PM

First, please forgive a couple questions:
What format do you have set and is it the same as before?
Does only your game look like that? How is TV?

OK, that being asked, I did run into someone with the same problem after servicing. In the service menu his display setting was changed to one size down from correct. He had a 42" but the menu setting was for a 37".

Mike

Format is in automatic, however same thing for widescreen setting too. Previously automatic with a 480P signal would stretch it a bit and lose a bit of the picture but fill the screen completely as one would expect. And widescreen would fill it from edge to edge just way stretched also as expected.

This happens with any 480P signal interesting thing I noticed while checking these things is that in 4:3 mode, I can still see an inch and a half on each side that looks like black bars.

I have tried with a few different 480P signals, that was just the most convenient one I had onhand for the sake of a picture.

Since 720P and 1080i fill the screen completely I don't think it is that the screen size is set wrong. I did not notice a setting for that when I was looking throught there.

mkjnovak

11-07-06, 01:19 AM

...Since 720P and 1080i fill the screen completely I don't think it is that the screen size is set wrong. I did not notice a setting for that when I was looking throught there.

There definitely is a setting in the service menu for this. If 720 and 1080 fill the screen, however, that's not your problem. It's something else and I don't know what - sorry.

Mike

42Plasmaman

11-07-06, 02:36 PM

Format is in automatic, however same thing for widescreen setting too. Previously automatic with a 480P signal would stretch it a bit and lose a bit of the picture but fill the screen completely as one would expect. And widescreen would fill it from edge to edge just way stretched also as expected.

This happens with any 480P signal interesting thing I noticed while checking these things is that in 4:3 mode, I can still see an inch and a half on each side that looks like black bars.

I have tried with a few different 480P signals, that was just the most convenient one I had onhand for the sake of a picture.

Since 720P and 1080i fill the screen completely I don't think it is that the screen size is set wrong. I did not notice a setting for that when I was looking throught there.
Instead of using Automatic, try using Super Zoom and see if that fills the screen on the channels/inputs that don't when you use Automatic.

Ybarra

11-07-06, 04:44 PM

Automatic doesn't work for game systems (your snapshot looks like that of a Gamecube). My PS2 does the same thing (borders on side...won't autostretch). Check 480P coming from a DVD player and 480P or 480i from TV. If the only source that gives you the borders on the side is your Gamecube then it's the game system. All other sources work just fine for me...it's only my Gamecube and PS2 that don't scale properly.

black_macleod

11-08-06, 09:11 AM

camvet

11-08-06, 02:59 PM

Instead of using Automatic, try using Super Zoom and see if that fills the screen on the channels/inputs that don't when you use Automatic.

I will try that when I get home, currently I'm on a business trip, but the only things I have connected using 480P is gamecube, xbox, and PS2, so you may be on to something. Thanks for the idea.

camvet

11-08-06, 03:00 PM

Instead of using Automatic, try using Super Zoom and see if that fills the screen on the channels/inputs that don't when you use Automatic.

Yeah same thing with Super Zoom...

Ybarra

11-09-06, 11:34 AM

I will try that when I get home, currently I'm on a business trip, but the only things I have connected using 480P is gamecube, xbox, and PS2, so you may be on to something. Thanks for the idea.

I can't remember where I read it, but it was something about overscan/underscan. Game writers chop off the edges (speeds game up because less data GFX data to render and show) because you usually can't see it on a regular TV, but on flat panels it shows the borders you usually can't see.

SPK8000LG

11-14-06, 03:34 AM

I have the same problem, Id do anything to fix it :(

flynbw01

11-14-06, 09:30 AM

Camvet,
I couldn't tell from the picture, but is your image just shifted to one side? If so try "Nudging" the picture. Just use the cursor keys (don't be in any menu, just press them when watching the TV) to "nudge" the picture Left, Right, Up, or down (Only left and right when watching HD).
I have a feeling if this is the case the servicer just didn't center the picture setting when he replaced your screen.
Also, Nudge is pretty useful for ESPN and CNN, or any channel with a ticker bar at the bottom, or game scores at the top. (I don't know if it works on the built-in tuner, I have a cable box connected to mine.)

faltuka

11-14-06, 01:38 PM

This is a refurb that I bought ~3 months ago. I am starting to hear a random click when the TV is off. The TV is plugged in but switched off using the remote. I did not hear this kind of a thing before. The click happens at pretty random times - anywhere from 1-4 hrs after I have switched off the TV. Sounds like a relay - similar to the sound when you switch the TV on or off using the remote control.

I found another post for a panasonic which describes a similar problem but no explanation is posted.

Has anyone seen this kind of thing?

sgr215

11-14-06, 09:18 PM

SPK8000LG

11-15-06, 12:39 AM

Ok here some pictures of my problem

480I Cable box
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/SPK8000LG/P1000113.jpg

480I PS2
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/SPK8000LG/P1000112.jpg

480I PS2 in a cut scene
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/SPK8000LG/P1000111.jpg

480P Gamecube
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/SPK8000LG/P1000081.jpg

720P Xbox 360
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/SPK8000LG/P1000106.jpg

I don’t understand why 480i and 480p games have an issue on this TV. The ps2 fills the whole screen only in a cinematic not in gameplay. 480i from my cable box fills it nice, I wish I could fix this problem.

PhilipsPhanatic

11-15-06, 12:40 AM

It's completely normal. I forget the specific reason for it but someone went into great detail earlier in this thread about it. Either way, no need to worry, nothing is wrong with your TV. :)

It's the Philips plasma updating circuitry and software and other innards. Ignore the clicking.

Ybarra

11-15-06, 10:07 AM

Ok here some pictures of my problem

I don’t understand why 480i and 480p games have an issue on this TV. The ps2 fills the whole screen only in a cinematic not in gameplay. 480i from my cable box fills it nice, I wish I could fix this problem.

It's normal. Again, it's the game authors who are at fault. Unfortunately the black border is technically part of the signal so the Philips doesn't know how to autostretch it because it doesn't see it. What I wish Philips would add is an arbitrary stretch (both horizontal and vertical) so a user can select arbitrary and use the paddle to stretch/shrink.

SPK8000LG

11-15-06, 10:21 AM

is there any kind of extra hardware that will get ride of it? Like an up scaler? or something like that?

PhilipsPhanatic

11-15-06, 10:59 AM

is there any kind of extra hardware that will get ride of it? Like an up scaler? or something like that?

Maybe running it through the STB if you have one and then using the STB's own stretch features ???

Is it that big a deal? It looks like it's about 1-2" on each side, not the usual 6" or so that we sometimes see.

SPK8000LG

11-15-06, 11:39 AM

What an STB? I mean its not to big of a problem It just bothers me. I paid all this for a tv and it cant display a ps2 game right. My brothers Polaroid LCD displays it perfect :(

black_macleod

11-15-06, 11:45 AM

What an STB? I mean its not to big of a problem It just bothers me. I paid all this for a tv and it cant display a ps2 game right. My brothers Polaroid LCD displays it perfect :(

STB = Set Top Box

I don't know how many times people have to tell you -- its not a fault of the TV. Happens with my PS2.

SPK8000LG

11-15-06, 01:22 PM

Only once, I understand its an under scan issue with the ps2. I know other TV do display it right. So I thought maybe there was a way to fix it.

Ybarra

11-18-06, 01:29 PM

Only once, I understand its an under scan issue with the ps2. I know other TV do display it right. So I thought maybe there was a way to fix it.

There is. Philips needs to retool their auto programming. The Philips autostretch algorithm sucks. For one, it does a logarithmic stretch so the edges are not a 1:1 ratio with the center (Put on FOX News, and put it auto instead of widescreen and look at the scrolling text at the bottom to understand what I mean). Second, it doesn't always detect borders right (for instance cutting off subtitles or not detecting Game underscan right). So yes, some other TV's will display it properly. However the Philips is a VERY good set (bugs aside) and the ambilight puts it in a class by itself (especially the new 50" w/ the 3rd light on top), so I can suffer through a 1" border on the sides vs. the other benefits.

black_macleod

11-18-06, 04:22 PM

PhilipsPhanatic

11-18-06, 06:34 PM

There is. Philips needs to retool their auto programming. The Philips autostretch algorithm sucks. For one, it does a logarithmic stretch so the edges are not a 1:1 ratio with the center (Put on FOX News, and put it auto instead of widescreen and look at the scrolling text at the bottom to understand what I mean). Second, it doesn't always detect borders right (for instance cutting off subtitles or not detecting Game underscan right). So yes, some other TV's will display it properly. However the Philips is a VERY good set (bugs aside) and the ambilight puts it in a class by itself (especially the new 50" w/ the 3rd light on top), so I can suffer through a 1" border on the sides vs. the other benefits.

The Automatic autostretch is one of the best I've seen. I won't deny it can be improved and even though I'm not a gamer, I would hope somebody can reach Philips and rectify this. It doesn't seem like a major problem, though.

And yes, Automatic will sometimes 'double zoom' on a channel -- like an astronomy show or dark scene movie because it doesn't recognize the black borders as part of the film/channel. Again, I can live with it because if I want to see the actual aspect ratio, you have 4:3 and Widescreen, whichever is correct for the item you're viewing. For me, Automatic is my default choice because many times I am on the PC or doing other things and only looking up at the TV intermittently, and the Automatic function does what I want most: fill in the TV and avoid any black bars which could lead to burnin, IR, etc.

No sense in using 4:3 or Widescreen if I'm not watching the TV directly. I will use Automatic when watching a channel intensely or a movie, but then I have the option of using a mode that shows it in it's original aspect, too.

It's all about using common sense, too. If I'm mostly 'listening' to CNBC, I will sometimes use my CRT in the other room rather than have it on my plasma, just for precautions. And if I am watching on the plasma, Automatic makes sense since I don't need to avoid bars on the side for 4-6 hours when I'm probably directly viewing it for maybe 1/5th that time, with most of the viewing actually being LISTENING. :)

PhilipsPhanatic

11-18-06, 06:35 PM

The real question is, why would you watch FOX news?
:p

Good programming, hot debates, best non-biased news on cable or the networks. :p

Ybarra

11-19-06, 10:01 PM

Good programming, hot debates, best non-biased news on cable or the networks. :p
LOL...that was what I was thinking...ummm...anyone who doesn't want to watch news from a left leaning bias :D

Seriously...I like the autostretch...I just don't like the fact it isn't an even autostretch. It's kinda disconcerting to watch someone's face stretch a little bit as they leave the edge of either side of the screen or watch text stretch just as it scrolls by. I don't use it much anymore since I have a SA8300. I hard-set my SA8300 for 480P for SD and 720P for HD and use the zoom on the SA8300 whenever I have SD content on a HD channel.

black_macleod

11-20-06, 12:47 AM

Good programming, hot debates, best non-biased news on cable or the networks. :p

non-biased? that was a joke right? I think Ybarra took you a little too seriously?

:)

mkjnovak

11-20-06, 10:02 AM

Well, not from a left-leaning bias...you've got to give them that much.

black_macleod

11-20-06, 10:32 AM

Well, not from a left-leaning bias...you've got to give them that much.

Hey, all news is biased ... FOX just takes it to the next level. No matter what side you lean in from ;)

guitarist

11-20-06, 08:03 PM

Hey, all news is biased ... FOX just takes it to the next level. No matter what side you lean in from ;)

I thought this was a Philips Plasma thread and here we sit talking about the news
Go figure !!!!

camvet

11-22-06, 10:23 PM

camvet

11-22-06, 10:24 PM

camvet

11-22-06, 10:26 PM

Ok here some pictures of my problem

<CUT OUT for brevity>

I don’t understand why 480i and 480p games have an issue on this TV. The ps2 fills the whole screen only in a cinematic not in gameplay. 480i from my cable box fills it nice, I wish I could fix this problem.

That is precisely the results I get on my set, and I have all of the same systems hooked up...

SPK8000LG

11-26-06, 03:24 AM

All i can hope is that they fix it in a Firmware update. I'm just happy they fixed the random black screens. It is a nice TV tough

PhilipsPhanatic

11-26-06, 03:45 AM

All i can hope is that they fix it in a Firmware update. I'm just happy they fixed the random black screens.

I'm looking to contact higher-ups at Philips regarding the Customer Service issue and improved warranty and product quality.

Stay tuned to the relevant threads at AVS for future details.

Tiga

11-28-06, 12:22 PM

guitarist

11-28-06, 03:20 PM

All i can hope is that they fix it in a Firmware update. I'm just happy they fixed the random black screens. It is a nice TV tough

This issue is not a Philips issue but an issue with the game makers, as posted before, they crop the sides an inch or so to speed up image transfer. Some tv's will stretch the pic to the ends while others do not.
Personally it does not bother me, infact once I am gaming I don't even notice it.
Also remember technologies are overlapping each other still and are not fully compatable. I have a PS2, I am not sure if XBOX360 still does this or the new PS3 does this as they are more geared to the future and not the past.
Anyhow 1080i on this tv is awesome !!! Comcast just upgraded to full digital and added HD programming in my area finally :) and this tv has absolutely nothing to complain about anymore ;)

Happy Viewing

PhilipsPhanatic

11-28-06, 03:53 PM

So I'm looking to replace my failing VCR with a dvd recorder and thought maybe it's worth getting one with upconversion and an HDMI output. Currently I'm playing my dvd's on a samsung HTIB with component cables. It would be nice to replace those three cables with one. Is there really that much of picture difference with this set between the upconverting players and 480P (like my old samsung)? Anyone upconverting to their phillips now? The upconverting dvd recorders I'm currently looking at are the Samsung R-135 and the Panasoninc ES35. I appreciate everyone's input. Tiga

I'm not an expert by any stretch on DVD's or this whole upconvert/downconvert thing, but here's a few posts from our Philips Tips Sheet, though I think they were originally from a plasma thread. The reason most get an upconverting DVD player is that those are the ones with multiple component/HDMI connections:

"New DVD player and sure enough those problems were history and yes the new one uses HDMI and WOW what a pic. I have my DVD player set to output 720P the native resolution of the PDP...."

"Sony upconverting DVD player NS90V: it really provides a great picture, I find however that I enjoy it much better when I output it to the plasma using 720P(the plasmas native resolution) as the images don’t show a stretched appearance and the screen is filled."

“Don't buy an upconverting DVD player if you own a plasma unless you are specifically trying to get an HDMI connection” -- This is a load of crap also. Your plasma displays EVERYTHING at 1366 x 768p no matter what you feed it. This is the function of the built-in scaler. If you give it a 1080i signal, it buffers the interlaced signal and reduces it to 768p. If you give it a 480i signal it buffers it and scales it to 768p. If you give it a 480p signal it scales it to 768p. An upconverting DVD player simply has a scaler built into it to upconvert the 480p signal to 768p or 1080i. Your TV already has a scaler so unless the DVD player's is superior to your TV's, you are wasting money. In other words, line up 4 Philip's displays and feed them the exact same DVD at 480i, 480p, 768p, and 1080i and they will all look practically the same because the display will automatically upconvert/downconvert to 768p. In fact, the 768p/1080i upconverting DVD players may actually look WORSE if the scaler is inferior to the Philips.

"Upconverting DVD recorders are a waste of money when used with most flat panels because the panel itself will upconvert any 480p material given to it and then it just becomes a battle of the upconverters. If you are getting a recorder, look for the HDMI and if it's an upconverting unit, just use 480p and let the Philips do the upconverting."

SPK8000LG

11-28-06, 04:39 PM

But if some TVs can do it, That means it can be fixed.

black_macleod

11-28-06, 04:45 PM

PhilipsPhanatic

11-28-06, 07:27 PM

http://www.oppodigital.com/
I own the 971 (sorry its not a recorder.) It upconverts better than that TV does. So does my HD cable box for that matter. I always let the device in front do the upconversion and hit the tv at native resolution. Well, in the case of the cable box, its native pass through.

I believe someone on another Philips thread said that the Oppo 970 didn't have the macroblocking problem that the 971 had. Both are great players; I think the 970 is a refinement.

ALRUI

11-29-06, 09:30 AM

“Don't buy an upconverting DVD player if you own a plasma unless you are specifically trying to get an HDMI connection” -- This is a load of crap also. Your plasma displays EVERYTHING at 1366 x 768p no matter what you feed it. This is the function of the built-in scaler. If you give it a 1080i signal, it buffers the interlaced signal and reduces it to 768p. If you give it a 480i signal it buffers it and scales it to 768p. If you give it a 480p signal it scales it to 768p. An upconverting DVD player simply has a scaler built into it to upconvert the 480p signal to 768p or 1080i. Your TV already has a scaler so unless the DVD player's is superior to your TV's, you are wasting money. In other words, line up 4 Philip's displays and feed them the exact same DVD at 480i, 480p, 768p, and 1080i and they will all look practically the same because the display will automatically upconvert/downconvert to 768p. In fact, the 768p/1080i upconverting DVD players may actually look WORSE if the scaler is inferior to the Philips.

"Upconverting DVD recorders are a waste of money when used with most flat panels because the panel itself will upconvert any 480p material given to it and then it just becomes a battle of the upconverters. If you are getting a recorder, look for the HDMI and if it's an upconverting unit, just use 480p and let the Philips do the upconverting."[/QUOTE]

Hmmm I didnt think the set converted anything - it simply displays the signal as received (except the size if set to auto, etc.). If Im wrong please educate me:-)

guitarist

11-29-06, 02:19 PM

So why does HD look sooo much better than SD ???????????

It has nothing to do with the tv's scaler, it is all content driven. I am no expert but, I can see with my own eyes the differences between 480i or p and 1080i, it's like night and day. HD movies on HBO in 1080i look way better than any DVD player in 480p that is why the experts (manufactures) are now coming out with true 1080i upconverting DVD players and disks. The sky is the limit and there is no telling when it will end, now tv's are in 1080p, what's next ???
You see, just when you think you have the latest and best in technology it becomes old news. All I know is tv and movie viewing is better than ever :)

guitarist

11-29-06, 02:27 PM

But if some TVs can do it, That means it can be fixed.

Why fix something that isn't broken ? Black screen issue was one thing, but, thin vertical bars on each side of the screen while gaming is not the fault of the tv. If anything contact Sony and tell them to scale their games differently. Ya, some tv's may (stretch) the content further, but , at the expense of picture quality.

PhilipsPhanatic

11-29-06, 03:01 PM

So why does HD look sooo much better than SD ???????????
It has nothing to do with the tv's scaler, it is all content driven. I am no expert but, I can see with my own eyes the differences between 480i or p and 1080i, it's like night and day. HD movies on HBO in 1080i look way better than any DVD player in 480p that is why the experts (manufactures) are now coming out with true 1080i upconverting DVD players and disks. The sky is the limit and there is no telling when it will end, now tv's are in 1080p, what's next ??? You see, just when you think you have the latest and best in technology it becomes old news. All I know is tv and movie viewing is better than ever :)

480i SD is OK to passable.....480p DVD's look very good and sometimes nearly as good as some HD stuff (for film, not sports).

480p is MUCH better than 480i, IMO.

guitarist

11-30-06, 01:35 AM

480i SD is OK to passable.....480p DVD's look very good and sometimes nearly as good as some HD stuff (for film, not sports).

480p is MUCH better than 480i, IMO.

There is hardly any difference between 480 i and 480 p. In fact I can't tell the difference when switching back and forth on my dvd player!!

There is a HUGE difference between anything 480 and 1080, sports or movies.
Have you seen Discovery HD theater in 1080i. It is simply amazing. No 480p dvd's can even come close to the clarity.

Are you viewing HD with HDMI (digital) or with component (analog) cables??? :confused:

PhilipsPhanatic

11-30-06, 11:05 AM

There is hardly any difference between 480 i and 480 p. In fact I can't tell the difference when switching back and forth on my dvd player!! There is a HUGE difference between anything 480 and 1080, sports or movies. Have you seen Discovery HD theater in 1080i. It is simply amazing. No 480p dvd's can even come close to the clarity. Are you viewing HD with HDMI (digital) or with component (analog) cables??? :confused:

Don't get Discovery HD, unfortunately.....all my SD channels are 480i and my DVD is 480p. 480p DVD's are much better than 480i TV.

But agreed, HD -- 720p or 1080i -- blows them both away. :D

black_macleod

11-30-06, 11:27 AM

Best HD programming is HDNet and HDNet Movies.

PhilipsPhanatic

11-30-06, 12:02 PM

Best HD programming is HDNet and HDNet Movies.

Which I don't get either.... :mad:

guitarist

11-30-06, 02:19 PM

Don't get Discovery HD, unfortunately.....all my SD channels are 480i and my DVD is 480p. 480p DVD's are much better than 480i TV.

But agreed, HD -- 720p or 1080i -- blows them both away. :D

O.k. I hear ya!! SD imo sucks period on HD digital tv's. It is not meant to be. Even DVD's in 480i look way better than SD.

So now that you see the difference between 480i SD and 480p DVD'S just think of the difference between 480p DVD's and 1080i DVD'S, like night and day.

I don't get HDNET but, I get Universal HD movie channel and even old movies upconverted look amazing.

Like I stated before, Comcast in my area just finished upgrading to digital and now even SD looks somewhat good, HD is simply breathtaking :D I now can see the true quality of my Philips plasma :)

PhilipsPhanatic

11-30-06, 03:48 PM

O.k. I hear ya!! SD imo sucks period on HD digital tv's. It is not meant to be. Even DVD's in 480i look way better than SD.

Actually, SD on my Philips 9631 isn't bad at all -- almost as good as on my Sony 27" CRT that it replaced. I have digital cable.

So now that you see the difference between 480i SD and 480p DVD'S just think of the difference between 480p DVD's and 1080i DVD'S, like night and day. I don't get HDNET but, I get Universal HD movie channel and even old movies upconverted look amazing.

Less dramatic improvement between 1080 and 480 DVD's according to the guys on the AVS DVD threads, than between 480 and 1080 TV. But your point is noted !

Like I stated before, Comcast in my area just finished upgrading to digital and now even SD looks somewhat good, HD is simply breathtaking :D I now can see the true quality of my Philips plasma :)

If you had analog or (lousy) cable before, yeah, that would look crappy on any HDTV. Like I said above, SD on my Philips plasma is not bad at all -- from 8-10' away, it's fine. Can I see 'lack of sharpness' and some blotches in facial features and some weird breakup/lines along the far left and right sides of the panel? Sure....but they all disappear on the HD channels.

I'm just hoping I can get HDNET, Discovery, Nat. Geo, etc, all in HDTV pretty soon.

black_macleod

11-30-06, 03:58 PM

Indeed, anything SD on less than digital cable (or Sat, but that's all digital) is horrible. But I still watch plenty of SD shows, even the the HD channels blow everything away.

SofChance

12-03-06, 03:47 AM

black_macleod

12-03-06, 07:30 AM

Re: Upcoverting dvd players
I just bought a sony upconverting player to replace an old sharp from a htib. I don't know if it will really make the picture all that much better either, but it's worth a shot. oppo and panasonic make highly-rated upconverting players.

Re: HD
The last few posts have had comcast subscribers who have hd. i'm wondering if you're all paying the extra $5-10 a month for hd channels, or if they come free with digital cable...i have standard cable right now and used to get hd channels but not anymore. digital cable should include all the hd channels available, right?

No because you need an HD receiver, not just a digital cable box. Most cable companies charge for the HD programming, which may or may not include the fee for the receiver. Add on an HD DVR like my Moxi, and you pay for that too. They'll get you for everything :rolleyes:

PhilipsPhanatic

12-03-06, 02:08 PM

black_macleod

12-03-06, 04:57 PM

Digital Cable != HD

PhilipsPhanatic

12-03-06, 05:03 PM

Digital Cable != HD

No, digital cable is not HD unless you have an HDTV. Their iO service is 100% digital if you don't have an HDTV.

black_macleod

12-03-06, 06:11 PM

!= means "not equal"

My point is you can have DIGITAL cable, but its not HD -- unless you are receiving your cable providers HD stations and have an HD receiver. HD doesn't magically appear because you have digital cable. So, just because you have an HDTV and digital cable, does NOT mean you are seeing HD programming. This is a mistake many consumers make.

PhilipsPhanatic

12-03-06, 06:23 PM

!= means "not equal" My point is you can have DIGITAL cable, but its not HD -- unless you are receiving your cable providers HD stations and have an HD receiver. HD doesn't magically appear because you have digital cable. So, just because you have an HDTV and digital cable, does NOT mean you are seeing HD programming. This is a mistake many consumers make.

Gotcha...right on.

I am used to an equal sign with a line going through it meaning 'not equal' :D

black_macleod

12-03-06, 06:36 PM

I know, I'm not sure if I can make that character in cyberville, so I was always taught !=

mkjnovak

12-04-06, 01:49 AM

There are fonts with that character, but it's not in ASCII. So, != is used for "not equal" in most all things computer - programming, spreadsheets, even DVD IFO commands, and so on.

SofChance

12-06-06, 11:14 PM

No because you need an HD receiver, not just a digital cable box. Most cable companies charge for the HD programming, which may or may not include the fee for the receiver. Add on an HD DVR like my Moxi, and you pay for that too. They'll get you for everything :rolleyes:
Thanks for the replies.

I'm just trying to understand why I'm not receiving HD channels anymore.

I have standard cable and used to get HD channels just fine...FOX was channel 2 and FOX HD was 2.1, for instance...and there was no need for us to upgrade since these HD channels looked great. In fact, the tv recieved a few more available HD channels just a few days before the tv conked out.
So either Comcast removed the HD lineup from regular cable (so you have to pay for digital cable and the HD reciever), or Philips replaced the original signal board with one that no longer has a built-in tuner.

Any thoughts?

black_macleod

12-06-06, 11:46 PM

Probably the cable co. Hook up an OTA antennae and see if you can get your local HD stations.

Subliminal

12-08-06, 03:45 PM

Just wanted to say that I've had this TV on for many hours now and it's still awesome. The only thing I've noticed with it is that about every 100 times i turn it on, the screen turns green. I have to turn it off and back on and it doesnt happen for another month or so.

Also, i wish the speakers were removable. ;)

StanF

12-08-06, 03:55 PM

guitarist

12-09-06, 12:25 AM

Did they ever fix the firmware bug where the channel memory doesn't get saved properly?

I think I have 1.40 installed - my last firmware update was back in late Aug or early Sept.

I've had the TV for several months, and I use MCE2005 to do most of my tuning. I'd still like to use the internal tuner.

At this time there is no new firmware to fix this problem. Most people with this issue rolled back the firmware to 1.1----- 1.4 fixes the black screen issue which is intermittent and would rather live with that problem instead of the channel mapping issue, it all depends what bothers you more I guess.

I use a Comcast HD DVR for all my tuning so 1.4 works well for me, no B.S. issue :)

StanF

12-09-06, 07:09 AM

I don't have (and have never had) the black screen problem, but I upgraded to 1.4 right after I bought the TV.

At this point, I'll live with what I've got (1.4). I am a little surprised that Philips didn't release new firmware more quickly. I guess most of us use some type of external tuner because there doesn't seem to be an uproar about it.

CheapB

12-09-06, 08:39 AM

mlandau

12-09-06, 11:19 AM

the new firmware is being rolled out. The (apparent) fix is already on new firmware on the 42pf9631 philips support page.

guitarist

12-09-06, 01:57 PM

Thanks for the replies.

I'm just trying to understand why I'm not receiving HD channels anymore.

I have standard cable and used to get HD channels just fine...FOX was channel 2 and FOX HD was 2.1, for instance...and there was no need for us to upgrade since these HD channels looked great. In fact, the tv recieved a few more available HD channels just a few days before the tv conked out.
So either Comcast removed the HD lineup from regular cable (so you have to pay for digital cable and the HD reciever), or Philips replaced the original signal board with one that no longer has a built-in tuner.

Any thoughts?

Have you checked with your cable company yet ? Of coarse they will want to give you more equipment for a fee. I doubt that someone from Philips snuck into your house and changed out your signal board while you weren't looking ;) The built in tuner is a hardware item not software so, firmware should have nothing to do with it. All kidding aside sounds like a broadcast issue. Depending on your location, an OTA antenna will give you some HD channels back. :D

CheapB

12-09-06, 04:50 PM

Have you checked with your cable company yet ? Of coarse they will want to give you more equipment for a fee. I doubt that someone from Philips snuck into your house and changed out your signal board while you weren't looking ;) The built in tuner is a hardware item not software so, firmware should have nothing to do with it. All kidding aside sounds like a broadcast issue. Depending on your location, an OTA antenna will give you some HD channels back. :D

It IS a known issue a lot of the Philips drops HDTV channels on the internal tuner and it is a software issue as it was introduced with software version 1.2

guitarist

12-09-06, 08:17 PM

It IS a known issue a lot of the Philips drops HDTV channels on the internal tuner and it is a software issue as it was introduced with software version 1.2

That is a channel mapping or memory issue, the channel is originally recognized, then deleted from memory or recall !!! You then must search the channel mapping again to get the channels back, just to loose them again when you power down the tv. This is not a broadcast problem but a glitch in firmware1.2, rolling back to 1.1 will NOT give you HD service from any provider unless it is of a free basic service, which Comcast does not offer nor do any SAT. service offer. You must have a receiver unit to get HD service from these providers. Now that Comcast is starting to implement and comply with the new regulations mandated by the FCC switching to all digital service, you must have an HD box to get HD channels. I just received the upgrade in my area and am not being charged for the Hd service as of yet but, I already had the HD DVR in anticipation, in fact waited for almost 1 year for it.

Either 1.2 or 1.1 will find and store whatever channels are available through your cable signal, so it shouldn't make a difference. Hopefully that makes more sense.

I could also be totally wrong ??? but sounds logical though. Only Philips or Comcast can give the proper solution. Obviously I think it's a Comcast issue. :(

guitarist

12-09-06, 08:20 PM

It IS a known issue a lot of the Philips drops HDTV channels on the internal tuner and it is a software issue as it was introduced with software version 1.2

Good discussion whatever the outcome is CheapB :cool:

Have a good one !!

SofChance

12-10-06, 03:10 AM

SofChance

12-11-06, 01:45 AM

the new firmware is being rolled out. The (apparent) fix is already on new firmware on the 42pf9631 philips support page.
Will the same fix be applied to the 7320a?

In the meantime, I tried an hd antenna and it didn't pick up anything. One analog channel came in semi-clear, but that's it.

I also checked out the service menu, which has a software menu with "clear" and "test reboot" sections. Anyone know what these mean? Will they only clear the software revisions or just wipe out all system memory?

SofChance

12-11-06, 02:09 AM

PhilipsPhanatic

12-11-06, 02:09 AM

Will the same fix be applied to the 7320a?

Probably, us 9631/30 owners are still waiting for the update because the date listed is wrong so we want to make sure everyting is A-OK before we upgrade. Changes are minor, outside of the channel mapping.

I also checked out the service menu, which has a software menu with "clear" and "test reboot" sections. Anyone know what these mean? Will they only clear the software revisions or just wipe out all system memory?

Be CAREFUL about messing around in the SM. It could void any warranties and you can make things worse. Only change something after consulting with Philips or a minor change advocated by folks you trust with the same set on AVS.

mlandau

12-11-06, 06:52 AM

I hate to assume, but that is what I'm doing on the software fix. Based on history, that's what's been going on, so I feel comfortable with that assumption. I own the 42pf9630a.

Ybarra

12-11-06, 10:45 PM

guitarist -
I had the tv fixed through the Philips warranty, which is why it has the new signal board was put in. Apparently they put the new one in and installed firmware 1.3 along with it, so I guess that's why it's no longer getting hd channels.

I'll try getting an antenna and seeing if I can recieve the channels OTA, but I would hate to have to keep switching the tv from antenna to cable - it takes around an hour for it to gather just the 40 or so channels it gets now!

Sounds to me like your digital tuner is non-functional. Mine receives digital and analog signals (broadcast and cable) no matter what firmware I use. I don't have a problem with the unit dropping stations (I think that was actually a cablecard bug). Mine has the opposite bug where it relearns them so I keep deleting "scrambled" channels and it keeps relearning them making it a pain to flip through 200 black channels to find the 8-10 clear ones.

Ybarra

12-11-06, 10:49 PM

One more thing...if I upgrade the firmware to 1.4, will I be able to delete all previous firmware? And is there any way I can just reset the whole tv to "no" firmware and then install whichever versions I want?
Thanks.

Huh???? You can only run one firmware at a time though it does keeps traces of it in memory like if you load the last TVGOS firmware, download the channels, upgrade to 1.4 (which has no TVGOS), then downgrade back the channels are still there (it's saved in memory somewhere and I guess doesn't get overwritten). Anyway, whatever firmware you load on there is the firmware it runs and you can install whichever version you want. You cannot have 2 versions installed at once and flip back and forth if that is what you are asking.

guitarist

12-12-06, 11:41 AM

SofChance,
End your misery and get an HD STB from Comcast, you will also need an HDMI cable.
Start enjoying your tv !!!!

PhilipsPhanatic

12-12-06, 03:26 PM

SofChance, End your misery and get an HD STB from Comcast, you will also need an HDMI cable. Start enjoying your tv !!!!

Cablevision doesn't charge extra for HD, but they do charge for the STB. Still, without the box I could get maybe 3-5 HD channels, but not ESPN-HD, premium movie channels in HD, etc. Paying for the STB gives me some nice channels, sports, etc.

Still need Discovery, National Geographic, and a few others in HD, but INHD/INHD2 aren't bad.

black_macleod

12-12-06, 04:08 PM

A cable company that doesn't charge extra for HD? I'd like to see that bill. Even the Sat companies charge extra for their HD packs, its not like its free for them to carry those channels.

PhilipsPhanatic

12-12-06, 04:32 PM

A cable company that doesn't charge extra for HD? I'd like to see that bill. Even the Sat companies charge extra for their HD packs, its not like its free for them to carry those channels.

I guess it's a matter of semantics....you get the iO digital package and it has the HD channels anyway. They do charge you for the STB which you need for iO digital or for premium channels via analog (which they did away with).

All I know is I was paying like $73 for analog cable and a STB; switched to iO digital cable and a STB and the bill was $69; then I got the HDTV and I was all setup for HD.

They want you to take digital vs. analog (you have to now, before they just wanted to migrate you there) because then they feel you will buy more premium and VOD services.

SofChance

12-12-06, 05:30 PM

SofChance,
End your misery and get an HD STB from Comcast, you will also need an HDMI cable.
Start enjoying your tv !!!!
You're right, I should!

...First though, I'm going to check out the older firmware and see if I can somehow get the digital tuner back. Looking at sgr's firmware list, it looks like I may be able to fix it by loading 1.1 and deleting 1.3. Or I'll just wait until the channel installation fix is up.

Re: Upconverting dvds:
Macroblocking is terrible with dvds. I've tried three different dvd players and they all look great on a regular crt-tv, but really bad on this set. For instance, "Sin City" has a lot of shadows and gradient colors (like the reds on Dwight's car) and instead of being smooth and rich, they look like a bunch of ugly blocks. I've tried every combination of settings and looked at about a dozen movies and all suffer from this problem to some degree. The only thing I've come up with is turning the brightness down so that shadows don't look too bad, but that doesn't help with color blocking. Looking at the firmware list again, 1.0.14 's picture quality fix might help with all that.
Other than that, I haven't really noticed anything super-special about upconversion. I guess the picture looks somewhat cleaner, but it only seems to make a difference on new releases. Old ones actually look worse since you can see all the grain and imperfections of the transfers.

Ybarra

12-12-06, 10:39 PM

You're right, I should!

...First though, I'm going to check out the older firmware and see if I can somehow get the digital tuner back. Looking at sgr's firmware list, it looks like I may be able to fix it by loading 1.1 and deleting 1.3. Or I'll just wait until the channel installation fix is up.

Re: Upconverting dvds:
Macroblocking is terrible with dvds. I've tried three different dvd players and they all look great on a regular crt-tv, but really bad on this set. For instance, "Sin City" has a lot of shadows and gradient colors (like the reds on Dwight's car) and instead of being smooth and rich, they look like a bunch of ugly blocks. I've tried every combination of settings and looked at about a dozen movies and all suffer from this problem to some degree. The only thing I've come up with is turning the brightness down so that shadows don't look too bad, but that doesn't help with color blocking. Looking at the firmware list again, 1.0.14 's picture quality fix might help with all that.
Other than that, I haven't really noticed anything super-special about upconversion. I guess the picture looks somewhat cleaner, but it only seems to make a difference on new releases. Old ones actually look worse since you can see all the grain and imperfections of the transfers.

Upconversion is a waste of time for flat panels. All flat panels automatically display an upconverted picture (because they are a static number of pixels). The only benefit is if your internal scaler for your TV sucks (which is not the case with the 9630/9631 series) or if you simply want to connect via HDMI.