hddude55 - while I may not be able to specifically answer your question, I coincidentally have an update from my previous post because my TVGOS was not working since I installed software 1.3.1 (hddude55 - did you need to install this new software?).
hddude55 - maybe you cannot split the signal AND have TVGOS work on both, I do not know. I hope some of this post is helpful, and good luck. I will keep everyone posted with my status of needing yet another software update, in case this happens to anyone else. Thanks all!

I didn't get the software update since I understood it was only needed if I used a cable card. As for splitting the signal, I can't imagine that's relevant but who knows. Fortunately TGOS is not a big deal for me.

I have version 1.3.1, don't use a cable card, and my TVGOS works fine. I do have a Symbio AVHDD, which is why they gave me the update. In fact, the Symbio relies on the TVGOS for almost all of its control. If firmware 1.3.1 adversely affected the TVGOS, I should be experiencing problems also... so far so good.

For those of you who've recieved SD card from Toshiba with latest S/W, had any of you experienced problems with audio, but no video for OTA HD? Does the S/W update correct this problem? I know the solution is to unplug and re-plug, but it's a PITA to keep moving set out from wall.

The Sacramento WB affiliate was giving me trouble the other night with intermittent sound dropouts throughout the show "Pepper Dennis". I checked it on my Pioneer pdp, and it wasn't having any problems on that set. I can't say for sure if it's related to having the latest firmware, but I haven't had the problem since.

I bought the 42hp95 in Feb From BB. Never had any problems as of now. My receiver, cable box, dvd player was just sitting on a table all these days. last night I tried putting everything in an audio tower and had to hence pull of some component cables etc from the receiver.

Now when I finish all the connections, i see a BLUE picture. All the reds are shown in blue. The entire screen is either blue green or grey.

I'm a noob and have no idea as to whats happening. The receiver is a marantz sr4600

is the problem with the receiver or the TV??

Or did I mess up the connections.

Can some one help me out.

I'm going to try and connect a dvd player directly to video 3 (by pass the receiver) and see if it makes a difference later tonight. In the meantime if some one has any idea as to what I'm doing wrong, I appreciate it.
Thanks

I bought the 42hp95 in Feb From BB. Never had any problems as of now. My receiver, cable box, dvd player was just sitting on a table all these days. last night I tried putting everything in an audio tower and had to hence pull of some component cables etc from the receiver.

Now when I finish all the connections, i see a BLUE picture. All the reds are shown in blue. The entire screen is either blue green or grey.

I'm a noob and have no idea as to whats happening. The receiver is a marantz sr4600

is the problem with the receiver or the TV??

Or did I mess up the connections.

Can some one help me out.

I'm going to try and connect a dvd player directly to video 3 (by pass the receiver) and see if it makes a difference later tonight. In the meantime if some one has any idea as to what I'm doing wrong, I appreciate it.
Thanks


Sounds like either the receiver is bad, the component cables are bad or you have not hooked up the cables properly. I have repeatedly made the mistake of hooking the green component to the blue input and visa versa and this has a nasty effect on the picture. I'm wouldn't be suprised if you have a similar issue.

Two of the component cables are mixed up.

Thankyou!

I just set up the tv and noticed something very annoying. There is a very loud buzzing noise coming from the back. It's obviously to do with the power supply but it is loud enough to hear over regular volume levels.
Is this normal, if so the tv has to go back.
Thanks.


Had it serviced, the problem was a ribbon cable from the main board to the panel was vibrating. Toshiba had a fix for it by sheilding the cable. Quiet as mouse now.

Sounds like either the receiver is bad, the component cables are bad or you have not hooked up the cables properly. I have repeatedly made the mistake of hooking the green component to the blue input and visa versa and this has a nasty effect on the picture. I'm wouldn't be suprised if you have a similar issue.


The cables were not hooked up properly on the comcast cable box. Thanks for the help. All is well again.

Does anyone know which generation of Panasonic glass is used in the xxHP95, xxHPX95 series?

Hey I finally got my 42HPX95 back today, turns out that it was the Video signal board. Everything seems good so far. I thought I might do some tweaking to the display settings, since Ive pretty much ran on default since I bought it. Does anyone want to post their Avia or DVE settings for a 42HPX95 or 42HP95, just to give a basic Idea as to where mine should be? Please post your Advanced settings as well, like Dynamic contrast on or off and Mpeg noise filter setting..ect. Thanks alot. I appreciate it.

Is anybody else having problems with the Theaternet feature? I have the cable connected to my TV, and the signal emitting part is right in front of the face of the dvd; yet, I cant control the dvd using the CTRL feature and my tv remote.

I dont understand what I'm dong incorrectly. My tv remote can control my toshiba dvd, yet this little cable cant? Doesnt the cable emit the same signal as my remore?

[QUOTE=g800]Is anybody else having problems with the Theaternet feature? I have the cable connected to my TV, and the signal emitting part is right in front of the face of the dvd; yet, I cant control the dvd using the CTRL feature and my tv remote. [QUOTE]

Mine doesn't work either. But I'm not sure that my dealer gave me the correct IR blaster devices to go with the floor model I bought. Do yours say "Toshiba" on them, or do they have any other identifying remarks? The TV's manual indicates that not all IR blasters will work with this TV, so I wonder if I got some other brand...

No markings on the IR blaster. Also, my tv is a 42HP95

My IR blaster came with my 42HP95. I hadn't thought about even trying this feature 'till I read g800's post. I got mine to work using the TV's own theaternet controls, but not the pass-thru feature. My DVD player is on a very low shelf and won't work unless the remote is raised way above my head and angled down. The manual states that either way should work.

Hey, just wanted to update with my situation from a while back (like 5 months!) with my 42HP95. I have had an issue where my audio would crackle and pop if i turned up the volume any lounder than 40. Became very annoying. This happened when nothing but the power supply was plugged in and with any inputs being used. Well--I had a tosh tech come out in early january and determined it was the audio board. My luck--it was backorderred for like 2 months. They go it in and have since cancelled 2 installations at the last minute (both my wife and I had taken 1/2 days off for the scheduled visits). Anyway, the tech just came this morning and installed the new board 5 months after his first visit. Guess what--same problem! Didn't fix anything. So now he says he is going to call toshiba and see what else to do. So--what are my options??? Am I at the mercy of having the techs keep coming out and troubleshoot my problem--replacing parts here and there until it is solved? Is there anyway I can request a replacement or refund?? I certainly don't want a '06 42" model. Probably would take the 50" though but I doubt they would offer me that. Should I just call Toshiba directly now and complain about the service and how its been 5 months and nothing has been fixed? By the time they get this sorted out my warranty will be over with it seems. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated,
Thanks
JUC

Hey, just wanted to update with my situation from a while back (like 5 months!) with my 42HP95. I have had an issue where my audio would crackle and pop if i turned up the volume any lounder than 40. Became very annoying. This happened when nothing but the power supply was plugged in and with any inputs being used. Well--I had a tosh tech come out in early january and determined it was the audio board. My luck--it was backorderred for like 2 months. They go it in and have since cancelled 2 installations at the last minute (both my wife and I had taken 1/2 days off for the scheduled visits). Anyway, the tech just came this morning and installed the new board 5 months after his first visit. Guess what--same problem! Didn't fix anything. So now he says he is going to call toshiba and see what else to do. So--what are my options??? Am I at the mercy of having the techs keep coming out and troubleshoot my problem--replacing parts here and there until it is solved? Is there anyway I can request a replacement or refund?? I certainly don't want a '06 42" model. Probably would take the 50" though but I doubt they would offer me that. Should I just call Toshiba directly now and complain about the service and how its been 5 months and nothing has been fixed? By the time they get this sorted out my warranty will be over with it seems. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated,
Thanks
JUC
I'm not clear about one thing. Are you saying that the noises would come from the speakers with NOTHING playing and the volume set above 40?
Or:
Are you saying the sound distorts or breaks up while playing at 40 or above?

I think the normal way this works is they have to fail to fix it after a few tries before they consider replacing it under warranty.

I see how it is confusing based on my wording. With nothing playing on the TV--and no inputs connected with just the power on and the volume above 40--i get noise out of my speakers--like static. Its gets very loud above 50. When I do input video/audio--the noise is still noticeable above 40 but obviously gets drowned out a little due to the audio of the input--but it is still there. Very apparent during commercial breaks. Its is not a breakup of the audio--just a static noise. I asked the tech about a possible ground loop or something else interfering and he said it wouldn't cause this isse (who knows). Its a new house though. It is just frustrating that they can take 5 to 6 months with only one attempt at fixing this thing (by replacing the audio board). So-i'm guessing by your response that I do not have a chance at a replacement under warranty until they try a few more things? Hopefully not another 5 months!!!
JUC

5 months for only one attempt is definitely too long. Let's hope they escalate your situation and pick up the pace.
Good luck.

5 months for only one attempt is definitely too long. Let's hope they escalate your situation and pick up the pace.
Good luck.
Sorry to hear about you bad luck man. I too have had my share of trouble with my Toshiba 42HPX95. On my third strike now.

I will spare you the long story, but you can check back a page or two and see it if you want. My video signal would intermintently break up, with black horizontal lines on the screen.

1st time I called, they sent out the repair guy and he reattached all the connectors on the screen, worked fine for a couple of weeks then same thing again.

2nd time they wanted it shipped back to Toshiba Canada. After 5 weeks of waiting I got it back 3 days ago.

3rd time after 2 days of working flawless, it started doing it again.
So now I dont know what to do. I do know that Im definitely not going to let them ship it back. They obliviously are just guessing. Im going in on monday to see if I can get a credit. Im really tired of this, and just want to enjoy my TV. Dont get me wrong, I love this set and would have prefered if they fixed it. Im just all out of patience. Good luck hope you fair out better than me. :(

Sorry to hear about you bad luck man. I too have had my share of trouble with my Toshiba 42HPX95. On my third strike now.

I will spare you the long story, but you can check back a page or two and see it if you want. My video signal would intermintently break up, with black horizontal lines on the screen.

1st time I called, they sent out the repair guy and he reattached all the connectors on the screen, worked fine for a couple of weeks then same thing again.

2nd time they wanted it shipped back to Toshiba Canada. After 5 weeks of waiting I got it back 3 days ago.

3rd time after 2 days of working flawless, it started doing it again.
So now I dont know what to do. I do know that Im definitely not going to let them ship it back. They obliviously are just guessing. Im going in on monday to see if I can get a credit. Im really tired of this, and just want to enjoy my TV. Dont get me wrong, I love this set and would have prefered if they fixed it. Im just all out of patience. Good luck hope you fair out better than me. :(
You too need to get your situation escalated higher at Toshiba. Get in touch with someone at the executive level if they don't fix or replace it this time.
Good luck to you also.

You too need to get your situation escalated higher at Toshiba. Get in touch with someone at the executive level if they don't fix or replace it this time.
Good luck to you also.
Well I went in to talk to the manager that sold me this 42HPX95 and he called Toshiba today. Of coarse they want to give me a 42hp66 LG\Orion plasma. :mad: I told him there is no way in hell that I would take that model. No offence to anyone that owns a 42HP66, Ive seen it run and it looks ok to me. Its just that I paid $1000 more for the 42hpx95 and it was a Cinema Series loaded with options and Panny Glass. Very hard to compare the two, they are far from equal. So them he contacted his Toshiba sales rep and told him about the situation. He said to write the whole thing down and tell him what we want as a solution and he would try to work it out. So we wrote a letter telling the story, and that we wanted a credit to put towards a 50HPX95, because he still has two of them left over from last year. We faxed it to them today and are waiting for a response. If they screw me on this deal I will never buy a Toshiba product again!

Is anybody else having problems with the Theaternet feature? I have the cable connected to my TV, and the signal emitting part is right in front of the face of the dvd; yet, I cant control the dvd using the CTRL feature and my tv remote.

I don't understand what I'm dong incorrectly. My tv remote can control my toshiba dvd, yet this little cable cant? Doesn't the cable emit the same signal as my remote?
I called Toshiba support today and asked about the IR "pass-thru" feature. The rep, Randall, found an updated page in the owners manual explaining that "pass-thru" does NOT work on the HP95 models. I asked if he could email me the updated page and he agreed, but I just checked my email, and there was nothing from Toshiba yet. The only way this works is to program a new Theaternet device and its IR code. You pull up the device's control interface on the TV and it does work, but not as conveniently as if it just passed the IR from the device's own remote.

My 50HP95 seems to have a permanent "image shift" to the right problem. I realize the TV has a built-in feature that constantly moves the picture slightly to prevent burn-in. I wonder if somehow that feature has caused the picture to get shifted such that when I stretch a 4:3 picture via TheaterWide 1 the left side of the screen does not fill and a flickering sliver of white light is exposed on the very left edge of the black, unfilled area.

When the picture is left in the 4:3 mode with no Theater 1 stretch, I have set the bars to be the lightest shade of gray but sometimes there are additional, slender pitch-black bars on each side of the picture and the left hand black bar is thicker than the one on the right. Plus, the 4:3 picture is shifted slightly to the right.

Oddly enough, the problem mostly seems to occur when viewing a signal through my Cox DVR. I have the cable split at the wall with one lead running to ANT 1 so I can use the POP for watching two football games. I noticed the off-center picture is not apparent when viewing through the ANT 1 input. Very odd.

It seems like I need to be able to shift the picture horizontally left and right much like a PC screen but apparently cannot do so. Any idea what's going on?? I have a tech coming out Friday but I'd like to be prepared to ask him good questions and hopefully point him in the direction of a solution in case he's stumped. Any help will be appreciated!!

Oddly enough, the problem mostly seems to occur when viewing a signal through my Cox DVR. I have the cable split at the wall with one lead running to ANT 1 so I can use the POP for watching two football games. I noticed the off-center picture is not apparent when viewing through the ANT 1 input. Very odd.

like a PC screen but apparently cannot do so. Any idea what's going on?? I have a tech coming out Friday but I'd like to be prepared to ask him good questions and hopefully point him in the direction of a solution in case he's stumped. Any help will be appreciated!!

Its sounds to me like this is a problem with your DVR. If it was in your TV it would be doing it all the time on any source or input. Anyone else have any opinnions on this?

Hello everyone, need your advice on OTA HD reception setup.

I have Toshiba 42 HP95 and have a problem to get HD channels vi OTA.
My Ant 1 input is connected to DIRECTV box. I am trying to receive OTA thru Ant 2 input (set to Antenna) and regardless of all my trick, I was able to get : 1-12 SD channels only.

From my understanding this TV has build in all tuners in order to get OTA signal without any additional HW.
I had cable card from Comcast for 2 months and got all HD channels with no issues.
So, what am I doing wrong? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

I just talked to a Toshiba Service Center person, who told me that the manual is in error when it indicates that the IR "blasters" can pass through the signal from another unit's remote in order to operate that unit. This feature is actually not included in the TV, even though the manual spends several pages explaining it.

Hello everyone, need your advice on OTA HD reception setup.

I have Toshiba 42 HP95 and have a problem to get HD channels vi OTA.
My Ant 1 input is connected to DIRECTV box. I am trying to receive OTA thru Ant 2 input (set to Antenna) and regardless of all my trick, I was able to get : 1-12 SD channels only.

From my understanding this TV has build in all tuners in order to get OTA signal without any additional HW.
I had cable card from Comcast for 2 months and got all HD channels with no issues.
So, what am I doing wrong? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks
I don't have cable and am currently using Ant2 via a small UHF indoor antenna. Works fine. In fact I've tried both Ant1 and Ant2 (using different antennas) and both seem to work about the same. Is it possible your antenna is for VHF only and therefore you can't get any of the UHF channels above 13?

On my 42HPX95, I have noticed that the picture is blotchy in dark areas of the screen. For example, instead of a gradation from one shade of gray to another shade to black, what I'm getting is distinct shades of color that appear to be almost like paint-by-numbers. This is very noticeable on dark scenes, and also in closeups such as an actor's long, dark hair.

Have other people noticed this? Is it a design defect, or is something broken? Or is it an artifact of upconversion performed by my signal sources? My TV is connected via HDMI to a SA8300HD cable box, and also connected via HDMI to a Denon 3109. This problem shows up in both signal sources.

If you have noticed this problem, does it also show up with component video connections?

Well I went in to talk to the manager that sold me this 42HPX95 and he called Toshiba today. Of coarse they want to give me a 42hp66 LG\Orion plasma. :mad: I told him there is no way in hell that I would take that model. No offence to anyone that owns a 42HP66, Ive seen it run and it looks ok to me. Its just that I paid $1000 more for the 42hpx95 and it was a Cinema Series loaded with options and Panny Glass. Very hard to compare the two, they are far from equal. So them he contacted his Toshiba sales rep and told him about the situation. He said to write the whole thing down and tell him what we want as a solution and he would try to work it out. So we wrote a letter telling the story, and that we wanted a credit to put towards a 50HPX95, because he still has two of them left over from last year. We faxed it to them today and are waiting for a response. If they screw me on this deal I will never buy a Toshiba product again!
Well I have good news, Toshiba came through for me! They said their goal is to see the customer happy. So they asked me what they had do to make me happy. I said if they cant replace my set with another of the same that I wanted to upgrade to the 50HPX95 for a reasonal amount of money. They made me an offer I couldnt refuse. I get the TV tomorrow. Its nice to finally get this resolved. Thanks Toshiba!

Glad to hear things worked out. I'm waiting to here back from Toshiba customer service as well regarding an ongoing issue I've been having for 6 months. I'm hoping they will let me upgrade to a 50" as well with a similar deal. I'll pass on he HP66 if they offer it to me and see how it goes.
JUC

On my 42HPX95, I have noticed that the picture is blotchy in dark areas of the screen. For example, instead of a gradation from one shade of gray to another shade to black, what I'm getting is distinct shades of color that appear to be almost like paint-by-numbers. This is very noticeable on dark scenes, and also in closeups such as an actor's long, dark hair.

Have other people noticed this? Is it a design defect, or is something broken? Or is it an artifact of upconversion performed by my signal sources? My TV is connected via HDMI to a SA8300HD cable box, and also connected via HDMI to a Denon 3109. This problem shows up in both signal sources.

If you have noticed this problem, does it also show up with component video connections?Yeah, I use the built-in HD tuner with an OTA antenna and I do experience this on some programs, especially on NBC HD, but with some worse than others. SD DVDs through component show this also. I usually don't notice it at normal viewing distances though.

Yeah, I use the built-in HD tuner with an OTA antenna and I do experience this on some programs, especially on NBC HD, but with some worse than others. SD DVDs through component show this also. I usually don't notice it at normal viewing distances though.

I tried the component outputs from my DVD player, and the problem (technically called block distortion, I think) was not visible. However, the image was desaturated and not as sharp as what I'm getting via the HDMI connection.

Well I have good news, Toshiba came through for me! They said their goal is to see the customer happy. So they asked me what they had do to make me happy. I said if they cant replace my set with another of the same that I wanted to upgrade to the 50HPX95 for a reasonal amount of money. They made me an offer I couldnt refuse. I get the TV tomorrow. Its nice to finally get this resolved. Thanks Toshiba!

Well I guess Im just not meant to have a Toshiba Plasma. I went in to get my 50HPX95 today and the manager said that they made a mistake. He thought they had two of them left, and it turns out they only had one. It was the demo unit that has been in use for 6 months. I told him I didnt want another demo unit. So he offered to give me a Panasonic TH50PX60 at no extra charge. I took the deal, I liked the look of the Toshiba better, but can adjust to the silver if the picture makes up for it. He said it was a 9th generation plasma, it looks good so far. I have the settings turned down for the burn in period. Time will tell.

Mine came in less than a week. Installed the new software version, but still can't get a cable card to work. Toshiba referred me to local service technician. There may be something wrong with the ATSC tuner, which the tech is supposed to replace soon, if the part ever gets here.

Low and behold, Toshiba called me today and said due to them not being able to come up with the part(ATSC tuner) that the tech was trying to obtain, they were willing to replace the set(42HP95). I explained to him that I was aware that my set was superior to the 42HP66 in that it was closer to a Panasonic, while the HP66 was like a LG/Orion. And that mine also has the memory card slots on it.

He indicated that he thought he would be able to get me another 42HP95, and they would call me back. We will see.

I have a 50hp95 with what appears to be a problem with a green shadow. When espn scrolls scores, etc along the bottom of the screen, there is a green shadow trailing the scrolling letters, almost as if the green signal can't catch up with the rest of the tv. Static images are great, but any very dark/light movement across the screen results in this momentary green shadow. Images scrolling up or down do not exhibit this behavior. The repairman tried increasing the voltage, but that did not solve the issue. Any idea what may be wrong?

Other threads have already discussed this and it affects all plasma brands, but I , myself, haven't seen it. The light from the green phosphors supposedly decays slower than the other colors.

What is interesting is that I only see the green trails/shadows when items scroll across the screen. Movies credits that scroll up and down show no visible effects of the green trails. Toshiba now thinks it may be a signal problem and will replace the signal board.

Hello everyone, need your advice on OTA HD reception setup.

I have Toshiba 42 HP95 and have a problem to get HD channels vi OTA.
My Ant 1 input is connected to DIRECTV box. I am trying to receive OTA thru Ant 2 input (set to Antenna) and regardless of all my trick, I was able to get : 1-12 SD channels only.

From my understanding this TV has build in all tuners in order to get OTA signal without any additional HW.
I had cable card from Comcast for 2 months and got all HD channels with no issues.
So, what am I doing wrong? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks


Auto scan to get digital channels. I had the same issue til that idea popped in my head one angry night. Your digital channels will be for example 2-1 instead of 2.I am assuming the ANT 2 is run to an antenna possibly on your rooftop.

Ok--there is a chance that toshiba will be replacing my 42HP95 under warranty repair (audio static/noise issue). Either a replacement or a refund. I quickly told them I would not accept this years 42" model as a replacement due to the lower built quality... So, I casually mentioned that I 'might' entertain an option if they would upgrade me to the new 50" version at no or very very little cost (seeing as I can pretty much now get the 50" from a forum sponsor for a similar price I got my 42" for last year). So-what should I do??? I really am tempted at getting a 50". I have room so that is not an issue. I'll probably be satisfied with the newer toshiba...but i'm not sure. I'm just not sure if I should swap brands now if i get the refund. I was thinking maybe the new Samsungs. I would prefer an all black bezel if possible. If I do go for the refund I will most likely have to get another 42" due to costs. What would you guys do? Any help would be appreciated.
THanks,
JUC

Ok--there is a chance that toshiba will be replacing my 42HP95 under warranty repair (audio static/noise issue). Either a replacement or a refund. I quickly told them I would not accept this years 42" model as a replacement due to the lower built quality... So, I casually mentioned that I 'might' entertain an option if they would upgrade me to the new 50" version at no or very very little cost (seeing as I can pretty much now get the 50" from a forum sponsor for a similar price I got my 42" for last year). So-what should I do??? I really am tempted at getting a 50". I have room so that is not an issue. I'll probably be satisfied with the newer toshiba...but i'm not sure. I'm just not sure if I should swap brands now if i get the refund. I was thinking maybe the new Samsungs. I would prefer an all black bezel if possible. If I do go for the refund I will most likely have to get another 42" due to costs. What would you guys do? Any help would be appreciated.
THanks,
JUC

What's the story on the new 50" model? Is it more like the HP95 models? I also have been told by Toshiba they will replace my 42HP95, and I also told them I am not interested in the 42HP66.

No-the new 50" model is the same as the new 42HP66...Orion. only 50" But--50" is still tempting for me regardless. They didn't mention anything about finding me a new 42HP95.
JUC

After several attempts to fix my 42hp95 toshiba did a direct swap out for me. I was under the impression they were going to upgrade me to a 42hpx95 but instead delivered a 42hp66. After reading through this forum and going to toshiba's website it sounds as if I might have been ripped off. Did Toshiba pick pu my Cadillac and replace it with a Hyundi?

Hi Doug,

I don't think you need worry.... I just picked up 42hp66 and I'm really impressed with the image quality. You just need to be careful in the first 200 hrs and not watch too many shows with black bars on the sides or on the top/bottom.

I've got mine set to
Brightness 25-30(depending on content)
Contrast 20
Color default(I think it was in the middle @ 25??)
Tint (default)
Sharpness 10
Color temp Warm

You may need brighter for a brighter room but I really like it...

I've compared to the Panasonic 60U and the Panny is sharper but it's overly/unnaturally sharp ... when you adjust it to a comfortable level(as with any new TV)... this 42hp66 compares very well(got it way cheaper than the Panny). I have only seen a few old 42hp95s and I didn't notice they had that much better picture...

Don't let the Assembled in Thailand worry you... today, most stuff are made in third world countries due to costs. The components would still be top-rate as Toshiba would not be willing to risk their name on quality issues more. The glass screen is LG which is really nice ... I really liked the LG 42PC3D also which shares the same glass. The resolution is very nice but I turn down the sharpness as lower res DVDs can show too much blockiness... though not a fault of the TV.

All in all try and let us know your thoughts. I just could pass up my deal since I got it for over $700 CDN less than the Panny 60U.

Junior

Hi Doug,

I don't think you need worry.... I just picked up 42hp66 and I'm really impressed with the image quality. You just need to be careful in the first 200 hrs and not watch too many shows with black bars on the sides or on the top/bottom.

I've got mine set to
Brightness 25-30(depending on content)
Contrast 20
Color default(I think it was in the middle @ 25??)
Tint (default)
Sharpness 10
Color temp Warm

You may need brighter for a brighter room but I really like it...

I've compared to the Panasonic 60U and the Panny is sharper but it's overly/unnaturally sharp ... when you adjust it to a comfortable level(as with any new TV)... this 42hp66 compares very well(got it way cheaper than the Panny). I have only seen a few old 42hp95s and I didn't notice they had that much better picture...

Don't let the Assembled in Thailand worry you... today, most stuff are made in third world countries due to costs. The components would still be top-rate as Toshiba would not be willing to risk their name on quality issues more. The glass screen is LG which is really nice ... I really liked the LG 42PC3D also which shares the same glass. The resolution is very nice but I turn down the sharpness as lower res DVDs can show too much blockiness... though not a fault of the TV.

All in all try and let us know your thoughts. I just could pass up my deal since I got it for over $700 CDN less than the Panny 60U.

Junior

Thanks Junior for the advice. I spent some time tonight tweaking the picture and under the settings you recommended the picture was awesome. My concern was what I lost by going to the 42hp66 from the 42hp95. No Memory card slot. No PIP. And quite a bit cheaper in the MSRP.

Doug and Junior,

I'm very interested how the HP66 looks on HD programming? I am having trouble with my HP95 on HD channels, and Toshiba has offered to replace it. So, let me know what you guys think after you get a week or so with the new sets. Thanks.

Hi mtrot,

I don't pay for cable now but I am able to get one OTA HD channel(CBC... I'm in Vancouver, BC, Canada) with an indoor Antenna. I can't say enough about it. HD is the king... but the channel also has a lot of SD shows with 4:3 aspect...so I wish they had more on HD 16:9 It's great but I think most of the top brands would look awesome with HD. Where these TVs differ more is the SD and DVD pictures since there is more scaling/processing involved. Bottom line, HD is very. SD is also very nice but only as nice as SD can look on a regular tv... it's not going to do magic for it either.

What I'm more impressed is that with contrast lowered I can get a very smooth picture where I can see the dark scenes and the very light/bright scenes without losing details in the shadows or hilights. Like a digital camera, you don't want contrast too high so you can get more dynamic range. This Toshiba does just that... plenty of vivid colours and a lot of details at both end. I don't own any DVE or AVIA dvds and I'm too cheap to get them. With some simple adjustments, I've very happy with the PQ already.

I plan to get an Oppo 970 which I believe will make the DVDs look even better. I'm starting to pay more attention to details and able to see the jaggies... Oh by the way, I am now using Cool instead of Warm since it was looking just a tad too red... you be the judge of that.

My current viewing is mostly DVD and Divx and sometimes the OTA HD and regular SD channels.

If anyone else has the 42hp66 or the 50hp66, please chime in as we'd love to hear your stories.

By the way, where is the 45hp95s made in? Thailand, Malaysia or China?

Doug,

I don't use the cablecard... I believe it's not much use in Canada. That just means you have to buy an extra hd box right?

If you buy one of the new upconversion dvd players, they usually have the memory card slots too so you don't really need it in the TV. The Oppo 970 has one. I've never tried it in a TV but is the GUI ok? My guess is that a dvd player may have a better GUI interface. For me, I usually just connect my camera to the video input or burn the images to a DVD/VCD photo album.

I hear ya... you paid for more options but getting less. Let me know if you find the PQ better, worse or the same as your old 42hp95. I'd be surprised if the previous one was THAT much better in PQ when properly adjusted.

I was at London Drugs today(a CDN mini dept store), and they had an HD feed to their tvs. I saw the 50hp95 and the 50hp66. Perhaps it was the age of the 50hp95 or the sharpness settings were high on the 50hp66 but I can immediately see that the 50hp66 PQ had better, more vivid colours and finer details. Just thought I'd mention it... They had Samy/Panny/Sony and you can tell very obviously that the Toshiba stood out brilliantly at least IMHO. Point being NOT that the new hp66 is better but can easily hold it's ground against earlier models and the competition.

Anyone wondering about the 42HP66 or 50HP66, there is a thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=663754&page=1&pp=30) in this forum relating people's experiences who bought it. Interesting read for additional info, as well as getting opinions of others who have bought it.

I've got one myself (42HP66) and throughly love it! :D One other difference between the 42HP95 series and the 42HP66 is the contrast ratio; the 42hp66 has increased it to 8000:1, and the 50HP66 to 10000:1.

Best luck with your purchase. :)
Pharma

Anyone wondering about the 42HP66 or 50HP66, there is a thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=663754&page=1&pp=30) in this forum relating people's experiences who bought it. Interesting read for additional info, as well as getting opinions of others who have bought it.

I've got one myself (42HP66) and throughly love it! :D One other difference between the 42HP95 series and the 42HP66 is the contrast ratio; the 42hp66 has increased it to 8000:1, and the 50HP66 to 10000:1.

Best luck with your purchase. :)
Pharma

I'm glad you guys who bought the 42HP66 like them. I love my 50HP95 and bet I'd be very happy if I also had a 50HP66. However, I have yet to hear anyone convincingly refute what seems to be considearble evidence that Toshiba cheapened its plasma product line for 2006. So I would not be thrilled if I was expected to trade a defective 50HP95 for a 50HP66 even up, as several posters here have stated.

hi hddude55,

I hear where you're coming from... I don't think anyone would 'want' to trade down ... myself included... unless you get an appropriate refund.

Where is your hp95 made? Or assembled? (does it say made or assembled)?

I'm not trying to justify that the hp66 line is better but I think your argument that the value is cheapened may only be partially correct. Over the course of the past year, production and supply of plasmas has increased a lot and so part of the perceived 'cheapness' has to do with the incrceased supply decreasing the costs. I think the fact that Orion has larger economies of scale than Toshiba does certainly play a role. LG seems to sell their glass screens to a lot of other brands(as I heard from others) so the LG glass has lower costs due to LG's economies of scale. I haven't heard Panasonic sell their glass to anyone in this year's lineup but I'd be interested if anyone knows. It may be that Panasonic's glass has less economies of scale and thus be more expensive to produce. All in all, the $$cheaper$$ product doesn't automatically equate to an inferior product... just different efficiencies.

I noticed in the specs that the HP66 series TVs are around 20 pounds lighter than the same size HP95 series sets. I wonder what, if anything, that might tell us?

I noticed in the specs that the HP66 series TVs are around 20 pounds lighter than the same size HP95 series sets. I wonder what, if anything, that might tell us?
Well I thought the same thing. If you look at the weight of the 42HPX95 (89lbs)compared to the 50" Panasonic TH-50PX60 that is also (89lbs). The Toshiba 50HPX95 weighs (123lbs without stand) I was very concerned about this, and hesitated getting a TH-50PX60 in exchange for my broken Toshiba . I thought they must have cut the quality somewhere. I talked to my service guy and he said to take the Panasonic, so I took his advice. I must say that from my personal experience, do not pay alot of attention to the demo desplays in the stores (Research the Set). I thought the Panny looked the worst next to the Toshiba's, and Hitachi's in the store. Most of these sets are just set at default setting and can be way out of calibration. Ive read in these forums that a properly configured Panny was unbeatable. All I can say is that Ive had mine for a couple of weeks and Im in total AWE! I never thought that the new panny could top my 42HPX95 but it definitely matches it , then one ups it. As for the extra weight, I personally think it has alot to do with the excessive casing that the Toshiba glass is enclosed in. It has a heavy 2" frame around the whole thing. So weight does not equal quality, unless your into boat anchors...lol.

Python67,

You got it, weight really has no bearing on quality. I have a newer DVD player that weigh way less than a 5 year old dvd player. Circuits get integrated. Also, the 42hp66 has no fans only heatsinks and is rated at 360watts. I believe the 42hp95 has several fans. The cablecard/memorycard/network link options also probably add to the 42hp95 weight. I think from my shopping and researching online and in stores, can really go wrong with either of the major brands... best values in my locale were the Toshibas, that was the deciding factor... I got my 42hp66 for $700+ less than a Panny 42px60u... I didn't think the price diff was worth the margin difference and I also preferred th black more than silver.

Hi everyone,
Just an update on my old (May 30th) post about my TVGOS not working since I had to install the new software (v. 1.3.1) from Toshiba. Well, I finally got another software update in the mail this weekend from Toshiba, v. 1.3.2. A cust. serv. rep. from Toshiba actually called me out of the blue a couple of weeks ago to update me that they were indeed still working on the software update. Sure enough, I loaded the new SD card, and the TVGOS is now up and running again, fully populated with channels and listings. About six weeks in total, from time of request to Toshiba, to a solution mailed my way. Not bad. I wish everyone else good luck with their HP95 series models and any issues that may be ongoing. I remain very pleased with my 42. Hope this post is helpful to someone sometime. Not that I wish future problems on anybody! :D

Hey...

I haven't been here on AVS for months and when I came back I was shocked to see this thread still alive! lol.

I thought I would update on my 42HPX95 that I've had since 11/23 last year. I just checked, and it now has 931 hours on it. I really have had no problems with it. About my only complaint is I wish it had an adjustment to move the picture, but even with that said, I haven't had a problem with anything off center other than one channel... Which is a problem with my Moto 6412. I have had no noises, buzzing, no problems some people seem to be having. I watch the thing with black bars on DVD's, only stretch 4:3 material about half the time... Station logos, etc etc and the thing still performs beautifully without any retention issues at all. My good friend has the new 50" NEC (XR5?) and he has problems if he watches with the black bars too much, when he goes back to full screen you can see a line for a few minutes. The Toshiba does not have this problem... I believe the pixel shift feature is extremely helpful.

It's too bad the newer sets don't seem to live up to the 95's... I really can't see there being a better set for the money out there.

I'm so glad I read here too about splitting the coax into ANT1 to use the POP... I can't believe I didn't think of that myself! Now I can actually utilize the feature :D .

Anyone who may find a deal on one of these sets that is old stock or whatever... do yourself a favor, and buy it.

Hi everyone,
Just an update on my old (May 30th) post about my TVGOS not working since I had to install the new software (v. 1.3.1) from Toshiba. Well, I finally got another software update in the mail this weekend from Toshiba, v. 1.3.2. A cust. serv. rep. from Toshiba actually called me out of the blue a couple of weeks ago to update me that they were indeed still working on the software update. Sure enough, I loaded the new SD card, and the TVGOS is now up and running again, fully populated with channels and listings. About six weeks in total, from time of request to Toshiba, to a solution mailed my way. Not bad. I wish everyone else good luck with their HP95 series models and any issues that may be ongoing. I remain very pleased with my 42. Hope this post is helpful to someone sometime. Not that I wish future problems on anybody! :D

Wow, I'm glad to hear there is another software update(I am currently on 1.3.1, and that it fixed your TV.

The problems I have been having are:

1. Unscrambled HD cable channels breaking and pixelating.

2. Cable card won't work(Cox Cable)

3. TV guide seems to work but doesn't get all the channels right.

I think I will call them and try to get this new firmware version. They have not called me, although I have had multiple phone calls with cust. svc.

I thought I would update on my 42HPX95 that I've had since 11/23 last year. I just checked, and it now has 931 hours on it.
How do you check the hours? My toshiba is an open box item at Best Buy. I wish I would have known how to check this because then I would have known how many hours were already on the TV when I first bought it.

How do you check the hours? My toshiba is an open box item at Best Buy. I wish I would have known how to check this because then I would have known how many hours were already on the TV when I first bought it.

Get into the service menu by pressing "mute" on the remote 3 times... at the same time you press it the third time, press "menu" on the side of the tv. If you do it correctly you will see an S in the top right of the screen. Hit menu, and then "9" on the remote. The hours will be in the "time" line.

Hi mtrot,
For whatever it is worth: 1) I have Comcast, and use a Motorola cable card 2) v.1.3.1 was sent to me to stop the pixellating/breaking up/tiling of channels, allegedly caused from the original firmware (v.1.2.3) not being compatible with the cable card (though just the other day I had to do a system reboot because I got some of the pixellating again!), and 3) v.1.3.2 was sent because of TVGOS not being able to populate because of 1.3.1. Hope Toshiba is able to help you out.

Hi mtrot,
For whatever it is worth: 1) I have Comcast, and use a Motorola cable card 2) v.1.3.1 was sent to me to stop the pixellating/breaking up/tiling of channels, allegedly caused from the original firmware (v.1.2.3) not being compatible with the cable card (though just the other day I had to do a system reboot because I got some of the pixellating again!), and 3) v.1.3.2 was sent because of TVGOS not being able to populate because of 1.3.1. Hope Toshiba is able to help you out.

Mr. Breeze,

Thanks for that info. I tell you, I am quickly losing confidence that this TV is ever going to work completely right. We will see how it does if they ever get a new tuner installed.

Need help...I have a 50HPX95...had it since Nov. It works beautifully. Today I walked into the room and noticed the red power LED was blinking. I tried to turn on the TV with the remote, no go. I tried with the side panel button, still it won't turn on. I read the manual and it says to hold in power button for 5 secs. to reboot...no go. I unplugged the set for awhile, but still no response. Has anyone run across this problem? Is there a solution, or way to get my TV back operating? Any ideas are much appreciated. TIA

Mr. Breeze,

Thanks for that info. I tell you, I am quickly losing confidence that this TV is ever going to work completely right. We will see how it does if they ever get a new tuner installed.

And another thing that makes me wonder about these HP95 series sets(since they are supposed to be pretty much a Panasonic) is that I have been stopping in BB recently and checing out the plasmas, and they have a Panny 42" set up on an endcap, and it is doing the exact same thing mine is. That is, breaking up all over the picture into blocks and streaks across the screen(on the BB HD feed). Why they have it set up there, and obviously malfunctioning, I have no idea.

Doug and Junior,

I'm very interested how the HP66 looks on HD programming? I am having trouble with my HP95 on HD channels, and Toshiba has offered to replace it. So, let me know what you guys think after you get a week or so with the new sets. Thanks.

After yet another failed attempt to produce the tuner board to try to fix my 42HP95, Toshiba called me again on Friday and said it is back-ordered again, and because this has been going on since April, they want to replace it. The guy kind of blamed a lot of their problems with cable cards on the cable companies constantly changing their signals.

But, anyway, I finally told him I was kind of giving up on the HP95 series, since I have seen others at BB pixelating like mine and since a lot of folks on this board have had problems. I mean, I like the fact that it has the cable card slot and the memory card slots, but it just hasn't ever worked on HD channels or the cable card anyway.

So, their product replacement people are supposed to call me next week.

But, it was a more expensive set than the new HP66 series, so I don't feel that a 42HP66 is a fair solution. I am thinking if I have to give up the HP95 set, they should offer the option of going up in size to the 50HP66. Besides, I will then have to pay more to my cable company to get a HD cable box to go with the HP66.

Any thoughts?

Need help...I have a 50HPX95...had it since Nov. It works beautifully. Today I walked into the room and noticed the red power LED was blinking. I tried to turn on the TV with the remote, no go. I tried with the side panel button, still it won't turn on. I read the manual and it says to hold in power button for 5 secs. to reboot...no go. I unplugged the set for awhile, but still no response. Has anyone run across this problem? Is there a solution, or way to get my TV back operating? Any ideas are much appreciated. TIA
Any thoughts or solutions to my problem? This weekend is getting very long without my HDTV. Hopefully I'll be able to get a teck here tomorrow to look at the set. I'm curious to see what the problem is...I guess nobody has experienced a similar problem.

After yet another failed attempt to produce the tuner board to try to fix my 42HP95, Toshiba called me again on Friday and said it is back-ordered again, and because this has been going on since April, they want to replace it. The guy kind of blamed a lot of their problems with cable cards on the cable companies constantly changing their signals.

But, anyway, I finally told him I was kind of giving up on the HP95 series, since I have seen others at BB pixelating like mine and since a lot of folks on this board have had problems. I mean, I like the fact that it has the cable card slot and the memory card slots, but it just hasn't ever worked on HD channels or the cable card anyway.

So, their product replacement people are supposed to call me next week.

But, it was a more expensive set than the new HP66 series, so I don't feel that a 42HP66 is a fair solution. I am thinking if I have to give up the HP95 set, they should offer the option of going up in size to the 50HP66. Besides, I will then have to pay more to my cable company to get a HD cable box to go with the HP66.

Any thoughts?


Hi mtrot,
Sorry to hear about the continued problems. Personally, I am in favor of the "throw me a bone" theory from time to time, i.e. for all the inconvenience, what can they do for you? You certainly have a 'financial' issue, in such that you can work the math (how many months of renting the cable box ((and remote, too, right?)) from the cable company because the whole point of a card is to avoid needing a box). . . .so what can they do for you to offset this issue. . . I think a trade up (e.g. to a 50") is reasonable. . . . Have you read the thread on AVS about the HP66 series models? I checked some of it out recently and did see some positive feedback about the 66 series models. . . The mailings I have received from Toshiba with the firmware updates always start out with "As part of our commitment to provide world-class service to our customers. . . " etc. . . maybe using their words to support your argument? Good luck, keep us posted.

Any thoughts or solutions to my problem? This weekend is getting very long without my HDTV. Hopefully I'll be able to get a teck here tomorrow to look at the set. I'm curious to see what the problem is...I guess nobody has experienced a similar problem.

Treasure Hunter - Sorry, no help here. I have not experienced that problem happening. I hope they have a quick resolution for you.

Treasure Hunter - Sorry, no help here. I have not experienced that problem happening. I hope they have a quick resolution for you.
Thanks for the reply, if only in moral support! I called the tech today and he will not come out to look at the set until Toshiba faxes him an authorization. Ever hear of that? I called Toshiba and told them what he said. They said he was an authorized tech and he should have came to look at the set. I reiterated that he needed a fax from them. They in turn told me to fax my original bill of sale and a cover letter detailing why the tech wouldn't come out. I can see already that this is going to be a nightmare, and I'll bet it drags on for awhile. All I want is my HDTV back. I'll keep you posted as to how this plays out.

Hi mtrot,
Sorry to hear about the continued problems. Personally, I am in favor of the "throw me a bone" theory from time to time, i.e. for all the inconvenience, what can they do for you? You certainly have a 'financial' issue, in such that you can work the math (how many months of renting the cable box ((and remote, too, right?)) from the cable company because the whole point of a card is to avoid needing a box). . . .so what can they do for you to offset this issue. . . I think a trade up (e.g. to a 50") is reasonable. . . . Have you read the thread on AVS about the HP66 series models? I checked some of it out recently and did see some positive feedback about the 66 series models. . . The mailings I have received from Toshiba with the firmware updates always start out with "As part of our commitment to provide world-class service to our customers. . . " etc. . . maybe using their words to support your argument? Good luck, keep us posted.

OK, Toshiba called me again, and said I have two options:

1. They send me a new 42HP66 and pick up my set when they deliver the new one. No way will they give me the 50HP66.

2. They will refund my purchase price($2500). In that case, the check takes 6-8 weeks to get here, but in the mean time, they come and pick up my set. So, we would be without a TV in the bedroom for several weeks.

What would you do?

It is tempting to get the money, and then buy whatever I want, but I don't really want to have to wait that long for the money. The other option is simpler and quicker, but only involves the 42HP66.

OK, Toshiba called me again, and said I have two options:

1. They send me a new 42HP66 and pick up my set when they deliver the new one. No way will they give me the 50HP66.

2. They will refund my purchase price($2500). In that case, the check takes 6-8 weeks to get here, but in the mean time, they come and pick up my set. So, we would be without a TV in the bedroom for several weeks.

What would you do?

It is tempting to get the money, and then buy whatever I want, but I don't really want to have to wait that long for the money. The other option is simpler and quicker, but only involves the 42HP66.

Ugh. Tough call. Very frustrating position to be in. What would I do? I'd probably start with doing as much research/reviews etc about the HP66 model, just so I could feel like I reasonably explored that as an option, if you picked #1. Obviously the 66 series has less/different features that the 95, and that is not going to change. So. . . . no upgrade to the 50? Well, at least you can say you tried. . .

Option #2? Clear pros and cons as well. . . be without a TV in the bedroom for 6-8 weeks, is that truly an inconvenience? That is up to you. I have read about other plasma TV's of competing names that you could get with your $2500, and you would be free of Toshiba, but then that would require research/reviews etc of their TV's and how they match up. . . I am probably not helping too much here. . . .

Often what I ultimately do is I literally take a piece of paper, make two columns, one pro and one con. . . one sheet of paper for each scenario. . . then I list out all pros/cons that I can think of, and then weigh them out. . . .and sometimes, I use the sleep test - - If it keeps me awake at night, then it may not be the right decision, and likewise, I'll "sleep on it" and in the morning I gauge how I feel. . .

Maybe you'd be happy with the 66, that is up to you. It certainly gets you a TV back in use faster. But if you do just do not like the model, or are not comfortable with that as a decision, then maybe deal with the 6-8 weeks, take the $$, and go shopping. And maybe, in the grand scheme of things, 6-8 weeks is not that long a time. Do you have a spare or second TV to use in the meantime?

Sorry for the long post, like I said, not sure if this is a help. Too bad it did not turn out better. Let us know what you decide to do, and good luck.

Hi mtrot,

If you go with the 42hp66, you'd be plenty happy with the features and PQ as I noted before, but I would personally take the $$$. If you still decide to get the 42hp66, you can get it for much less than $2500 in the US(I'm in Canada). I wouldn't be surprised if you could get the Panny 42px60u for this price. Basically:

Take the money and...
1) get the 42hp66 and have $$ extra for other things like an upconverting dvd player or recorder.
2) get another brand like the Panny or Pioneer which I believe are pretty close to the $2500 price if I'm not mistaken

As for the 6-8 weeks... well here's your chance to break from the couch potato syndrome that so many of us suffer from :) .... I assume you have another TV to at least watch with?? It's summertime so why worry about TV so much when you can do much more activities... :p

Yeah, that's what I am thinking. Plus, in 6-8 weeks, prices may drop further, or a new model or two may pop up.

OK, Toshiba called me again, and said I have two options:

1. They send me a new 42HP66 and pick up my set when they deliver the new one. No way will they give me the 50HP66.

2. They will refund my purchase price($2500). In that case, the check takes 6-8 weeks to get here, but in the mean time, they come and pick up my set. So, we would be without a TV in the bedroom for several weeks.

What would you do?

It is tempting to get the money, and then buy whatever I want, but I don't really want to have to wait that long for the money. The other option is simpler and quicker, but only involves the 42HP66.

Just thought I would throw my 2 cents in. I've been through this whole thing already. Toshiba offered me the 42hp66, which I turned down. I almost got a 50HPX95, (Toshiba agreed that I pay a reasonable amount in the difference) But that didnt pan out either because the 50HPX95 turned out to be a 6 month demo unit. I finally lucked out and got put my store credit put towards a Panasonic TH50PX60. All I can say after a month of constant viewing is WOW. I never thought anything could touch my 42hpx95 but man was I wrong. I sure am glad that I didnt settle for something I didnt really want. I must also give Kudos to Toshiba for going the extra mile to make sure I ( the customer) was happy. I really think Toshiba will bounce back next year when their SED plasmas are in full production. I believe this and HD-DVD are talking up all of Toshiba's current resourses. That explains the Orion made LG plasmas this year.

mtrot--what did they say about upgrading you to the 50"? I have been dealing with static in my speakers (very obvious and makes them unusuable) for the past 7 months!! I'm now on my second tech and have replaced both audio boards twice now. They still want to keep trying to find the problem because they are convinced it is fixable. IMHO, 7 months with ongoing audio problems surely warrants a replacement. I'm hoping this is going to be their last attempt at fixing this issue. If this was a video problem that renderred the set unwatchable I bet I would have had a replacement alot sooner. I was hoping they would upgrade me to the 50" but after reading your post, i'm guessing not.
JUC

mtrot--what did they say about upgrading you to the 50"? I have been dealing with static in my speakers (very obvious and makes them unusuable) for the past 7 months!! I'm now on my second tech and have replaced both audio boards twice now. They still want to keep trying to find the problem because they are convinced it is fixable. IMHO, 7 months with ongoing audio problems surely warrants a replacement. I'm hoping this is going to be their last attempt at fixing this issue. If this was a video problem that renderred the set unwatchable I bet I would have had a replacement alot sooner. I was hoping they would upgrade me to the 50" but after reading your post, i'm guessing not.
JUC

After reading some of these threads about desired upgrades from 42" to 50" sets, I'm amazed. Unless one is related to Toshiba's CEO why in the world would the company offer this kind of enrichment? If the two sets were priced somewhat close together, I would see some reason to be optimistic, but typically the larger screen size is much more expensive even after allowing for the fact prices have come down a bit from 2005 to 2006. Toshiba would have to be run by Santa Claus to go for such a deal.

After reading some of these threads about desired upgrades from 42" to 50" sets, I'm amazed. Unless one is related to Toshiba's CEO why in the world would the company offer this kind of enrichment? If the two sets were priced somewhat close together, I would see some reason to be optimistic, but typically the larger screen size is much more expensive even after allowing for the fact prices have come down a bit from 2005 to 2006. Toshiba would have to be run by Santa Claus to go for such a deal.


It's not just the size. The problem is that the HP95 models also included features not available on the HP66 models, specifically CableCard slot, memory card slots, Panasonic glass. So we are being asked to swap out for a model with much less features on it.

mtrot--what did they say about upgrading you to the 50"? I have been dealing with static in my speakers (very obvious and makes them unusuable) for the past 7 months!! I'm now on my second tech and have replaced both audio boards twice now. They still want to keep trying to find the problem because they are convinced it is fixable. IMHO, 7 months with ongoing audio problems surely warrants a replacement. I'm hoping this is going to be their last attempt at fixing this issue. If this was a video problem that renderred the set unwatchable I bet I would have had a replacement alot sooner. I was hoping they would upgrade me to the 50" but after reading your post, i'm guessing not.
JUC


He just said they would not give me the 50HP66, only the 42". Or, I could get a refund of my purchase price, which I think I will do.

mtrot, thanks for the reply. They decided to swap one of the audio boards again (3rd time!?!!) and some cabling to see if they can find the issue. The tech said he is giving up after this next attempt. But-my luck the board is backorderred. go figure.

Hddude55-basically what mtrot said. This years models are inferior to the sets we purchased in many many ways. That and with the price drops I can practically buy a 50" version for what I paid for my set last year. So, if faced with the choice of a refund or this years 42"--refund it will be and I will just move on. That being said--if the issue can get fixed I do love my set!

JUC

....

This years models are inferior to the sets we purchased in many many ways. That and with the price drops I can practically buy a 50" version for what I paid for my set last year. So, if faced with the choice of a refund or this years 42"--refund it will be and I will just move on. That being said--if the issue can get fixed I do love my set!

JUC

yet a lot of our sets are broken?? =(

mine pretty much out of the box and in the shop for two months without luck. but i did get the offer today: exchange my broken and unrepairable 42hpx95 for a 42hp66 or take a refund.

a refund takes a "4-6 weeks" but is the emotional and logical choice.

bye! bye! toshiba plasma; you were great while you lasted!!

i'm leaning towards the Sony KDS-R50XBR1 but haven't put down the money yet. going to be hard to beat the great looks of the toshiba hpx series but the PQ on that sony is pretty decent.

I have an update about my problem...my set (50HPX95) wouldn't turn on and the red LED keeps blinking. It's been about a month now, and the service tech said I needed a new power board. Trouble is, they are nowhere to be found. I've been in contact with Toshiba (me calling them!) on and off. They finally decided to do a swap. They will give me a new plasma.
I've been reading the thread and now I have concerns. I have (my original set) 50HPX95, which I was very happy with...beautiful picture and a feature rich TV. Now I'm afraid they will offer me a 50HP66, which doesn't have the features, is over $1000 cheaper, and I don't like the look of the set. What would you do? Turn down the offer and demand the purchase price? I don't think there are any other sets that compared to the 50HPX95, in features or cost.
Toshiba is supposed to call me this coming week to discuss the swap. I really don't want to settle for an inferior TV. Do you guys think they will offer me a refund like mtrot?
Let's say they do offer me a refund...what set would you go with if you had almost $4000 to spend? I could always add a little to it to get something even better. Maybe I should sit on the sidelines and wait for a new technology? I'm really f**ked up here because it took me two years to pull the trigger and get my Tosh in the first place!
Sorry if I rambled in this post...just don't know what to do...maybe go with DLP? What are your thoughts? What would you do?

I'm a little bewildered by Toshiba these days. They don't seem to have any replacement parts, so they cover the warranty by buying back the item.

I have a 42HP95 that still works fine, but the Symbio recorder I had connected to it was having some intermittent problems and a constant clicking hard drive. It usually worked fine and I was mostly happy with it. I called Toshiba support and they agreed that it shouldn't constantly click when it wasn't being used. I reluctantly sent it back and a few days after they received it. I then get an email saying they can't fix my "dead unit" and they don't have any replacements so they're sending me a full refund.

After reading all of the reports on this forum, my worry is that if my plasma fails after the warranty expires, will I just be completely out of luck?

I would take the refund and come up with the balance for a new Pioneer.

I'm a little bewildered by Toshiba these days. They don't seem to have any replacement parts, so they cover the warranty by buying back the item.

I have a 42HP95 that still works fine, but the Symbio recorder I had connected to it was having some intermittent problems and a constant clicking hard drive. It usually worked fine and I was mostly happy with it. I called Toshiba support and they agreed that it shouldn't constantly click when it wasn't being used. I reluctantly sent it back and a few days after they received it. I then get an email saying they can't fix my "dead unit" and they don't have any replacements so they're sending me a full refund.

After reading all of the reports on this forum, my worry is that if my plasma fails after the warranty expires, will I just be completely out of luck?

I would take the refund and come up with the balance for a new Pioneer.

I'm probably leaning towards taking the refund if it is offered. I just hate doing research all over again. I mentioned that the first plasma took me two years to finally buy. I don't want to do that again.

Hi,
Got my Toshiba 50HP66 earlier this week. Works great. Bought it off the internet.
When I opened the box, I found the owner's manual packet cut open, which seemed odd. Now I'm happy with the TV, but I live in suspicion that someone has "used" it before. I'm wondering if there some kind of hourmeter/elased run time indication somewhere. I can't see on in the user menus, and the Toshiba help line denies existance. But I can't help but wonder if there's not one buried in a service menu somewhere.

Any ideas?

My 42HP95 has it, so does my Pioneer, most, if not all probably have it the SM.

Unless you tracked every single hour you used it, the count won't mean much unless you could read it right out of the box. You won't be able to notice the difference unless they used it for a long time.

Unless you notice any dust, scratches or wear and tear, don't worry about it. The factory could have goofed and put in the wrong manual at first.

Hi,
Got my Toshiba 50HP66 earlier this week. Works great. Bought it off the internet.
When I opened the box, I found the owner's manual packet cut open, which seemed odd. Now I'm happy with the TV, but I live in suspicion that someone has "used" it before. I'm wondering if there some kind of hourmeter/elased run time indication somewhere. I can't see on in the user menus, and the Toshiba help line denies existance. But I can't help but wonder if there's not one buried in a service menu somewhere.

Any ideas?

Hi,
Got my Toshiba 50HP66 earlier this week. Works great. Bought it off the internet.
When I opened the box, I found the owner's manual packet cut open, which seemed odd. Now I'm happy with the TV, but I live in suspicion that someone has "used" it before. I'm wondering if there some kind of hourmeter/elased run time indication somewhere. I can't see on in the user menus, and the Toshiba help line denies existance. But I can't help but wonder if there's not one buried in a service menu somewhere.

Any ideas?

SLIDER33 posted this on July 10:

"Get into the service menu by pressing "mute" on the remote 3 times... at the same time you press it the third time, press "menu" on the side of the tv. If you do it correctly you will see an S in the top right of the screen. Hit menu, and then "9" on the remote. The hours will be in the "time" line."

I had to try it a couple times to coordinate hitting two keys at once correctly, but it does work for my 50HP95.

..... The factory could have goofed and put in the wrong manual at first.

why wouldn't they just removed the plastic bag and put the right one on? Or pulled the tape off? Instead, it was sliced lengthwise, perpendicular to the taped over flap.

SLIDER33 posted this on July 10:

"Get into the service menu by pressing "mute" on the remote 3 times... at the same time you press it the third time, press "menu" on the side of the tv. If you do it correctly you will see an S in the top right of the screen. Hit menu, and then "9" on the remote. The hours will be in the "time" line."

I had to try it a couple times to coordinate hitting two keys at once correctly, but it does work for my 50HP95.

I appreciate the help. I did try the mute, mute, mute+menu several times and can never get the "S". I only get the standard menu. The menu button on the side is the two volume buttons together. Any other suggestions? In the meantime I'll keep trying

I'm probably leaning towards taking the refund if it is offered. I just hate doing research all over again. I mentioned that the first plasma took me two years to finally buy. I don't want to do that again.

Just to update you about my defective set (50HPX95)...Toshiba called today and offered to exchange it for a new 50HP66...which sells for about $1200 less than my set did. I said no way...why would I take a lesser set in exchange? The person then offered to refund my full purchase price, which I accepted. They did say someone will contact me next week to arrange for the TV to be picked up, and that it takes 6 to 8 weeks to get the refund check. I'm not happy about the wait, but at least I can now start shopping for a new TV. I could buy a 50HP66 and pocket $1200 but I'm probably going to stay away from Toshiba. Maybe ther are some new 1080P sets available. I originally was going to get a Panasonic when I bought my Tosh, but Panasonics were back ordered everywhere at the time. Now I see them available...maybe one of those, or a Pioneer...I guess I have to start the research process all over again.
One thing I can say positive about Toshiba, they do take care of the customer! I can give them that. I'll let you know how things work out.

Finally, after 7 months and 4 attempts (reprograming and changing out 3 boards) to repair my 42hp95 Toshiba has admitted they can't fix the plasma TV. They have offered to replace it with a 42hp66 or a refund. The refund they will offer is what I paid for the set at Sears the only thing is I was one those customers that got the set for 1799.00 due to an advertising error that Sears honored. The replacement Toshiba wants to replace it with is the 42hp66 the problem here is this set has half the option of the 42hp95. I asked if they would give me an extended warrenty with the new set, No they replied.
Toshiba say's we are committed to our customers, I don't think so. I tried to even explain to them what I had to do so that someone would be home when the service repairman came to pick up the set and then return the set each time they would replace one of the electronic boards. All they would say was we're sorry, and that I had purchased an outside HD antenna to hook up to the extra cable input that the 42hp95 had and that this is not offered on the 42hp66. All they kept saying was we are sorry.
Toshiba mission statement should read " We're sorry for any inconvenience to our customers in advance that our product does not perform to our standards ".

The refund they will offer is what I paid for the set at Sears the only thing is I was one those customers that got the set for 1799.00 due to an advertising error that Sears honored. ...I asked if they would give me an extended warrenty with the new set, No they replied.
Toshiba say's we are committed to our customers, I don't think so....
Yeah, you are getting ripped off. You bought the TV at an undeserved "discount" and now are upset that you'd only get back what you paid? It's one thing to have so much gall, but why advertise the fact on an Internet bulletin board?

For me, Toshiba has not been a good company to deal with regarding service. I have had audio issues from the day I purchased the set back in December. In the past 8.5 months I have had 2 techs (difference service centers) replace the SAME boards in the panel TWICE! All at the request of Toshiba's tech department. Don't ask me why they would think the first time the boards were replaced they didn't work. So--i just had the second tech come back again and try to replace some cables this monday--didn't work to fix the problem. Now he said he is fed up with Toshiba because they keep telling him to piecemeal fix my set when nothing is working. Apparently he called the regional rep and is working on getting me authorized for a replacement. But-I have called toshiba twice this week and they show no records of anything regarding this discussion. I am so fed up with their service at this point. It seems others are successful in getting replacements but after 8.5 months of not being able to use the audio out of my set I have had it. I am DONE with Toshiba products.
JUC

When Toshiba didn't fix the problem after the second time, have the galls to admit you can't repair it instead of trying to change every part and leaving the customer hanging for 7 months.
Then Toshiba has the galls to tell me to wait 6 to 8 weeks to receive my refund check only after they receive the set they can't fix. Here you are waiting again.

Yeah, you are getting ripped off. You bought the TV at an undeserved "discount" and now are upset that you'd only get back what you paid? It's one thing to have so much gall, but why advertise the fact on an Internet bulletin board?

Exactly.

Toshiba customer service was a pleasure to deal with and they did as promised in a very reasonable amount of time.

I wouldn't necessarily blame Toshiba for the ineptness of the technicians that worked on your plasma. If they were calling for advice on what to replace, they must have no idea what they're doing, and if different people just did what support suggested and put in the same parts, they didn't follow normal procedures for logging what was previously done.

I do similar work, and if it gets to the point where I need to call the manufacturer, I create a service history with them and log everything that was done. That way if I'm not able to follow up, the next guy knows what was already tried. It's then up to him or her to take the next logical steps. Remember, in every business there's a certain percentage of incompetent people in every job out there.

If you have read any of my recent posts, you know that my set (50HPX95) is broken and needed to be replaced. Toshiba decided it couldn't be fixed and offered to replace it, or refund my full purchase price, which I opted for. My problem now with this is the fact I have to wait for 4-6 weeks to get a refund after they pick up the TV. I called Toshiba and asked for a letter or an email stating what I had been offered. I just needed something in writing that states they would be refunding my money. They refused to give me any sort of written statement at all. I told the rep I wasn't comfortable handing over my TV to a trucking company and then waiting for over a month on a promise to pay. She said"That's our policy" Well, policy or not, it doesn't seem fair. What if they lose my records, go bankrupt, or simply don't pay? What proof do I have that we had an agreement? Friends, what I am trying to say is...Toshiba may be customer concious to a degree, but they are also arrogant and unbending. I have no real choice except to give up my TV and hope they come through on their promise. Would most of you feel comfortable in this situation? Has anyone gone through and actually received a refund? Let me know so I can sleep a little easier over this issue. Thanks

I got a refund from Toshiba for my Symbio recorder. They promised it in 4 to 6 weeks but it arrived in under 4. I know it's substantially less value than a plasma TV, but they did as promised.

OK, Toshiba called me again, and said I have two options:

1. They send me a new 42HP66 and pick up my set when they deliver the new one. No way will they give me the 50HP66.

2. They will refund my purchase price($2500). In that case, the check takes 6-8 weeks to get here, but in the mean time, they come and pick up my set. So, we would be without a TV in the bedroom for several weeks.

What would you do?

It is tempting to get the money, and then buy whatever I want, but I don't really want to have to wait that long for the money. The other option is simpler and quicker, but only involves the 42HP66.


A quick update on my situation with my 42HP95. While I was trying to make a final decision on either getting a replacement TV, or the refund, lo and behold, the video circuit board finally arrived from Sears. So I told them come on out and replace it, which they did.

Well, now I am getting the unscrambled HD channels on Cox cable without any of the horrible pixelation and blackouts I was getting before. The HD picture really is outstanding. The only thing is, it did work like this for a month or so when I first got the set. So, I am hesitant to tell Toshiba it is fully fixed.

As to the cable card, I tried it again, and it does the same thing where it says "aquiring channels", but never seems to finish. However, I have not re-contacted Cox yet to get them to make sure everything is set right on their end. I will call them next week to try that again.

I am still in somewhat of a quandry with the cable card not working, because the picture is so darn good that I don't really want to lose the set. I could always just get a cable box for it. Plus, it does have the memory card slots as well.

I was wondering how many of the Toshiba 42hp95 plasma Tv are having problems, just look at all the responses on this forum. You know and I am sure someone from Toshiba has to be viewing this forum or maybe they just don't care. Not much just a little thought going around in my brain.

I was wondering how many of the Toshiba 42hp95 plasma Tv are having problems, just look at all the responses on this forum. You know and I am sure someone from Toshiba has to be viewing this forum or maybe they just don't care. Not much just a little thought going around in my brain.

For every problem TV you hear about on here, there are 50 that are problem free.

For every problem TV you hear about on here, there are 50 that are problem free.
I would guess it's more like 1 in 1000. I have a problem free 50hp95 that was an open box item at Best Buy. I think you'll see the same thing for every TV thread. People with problems tend to post more than those who don't. I'd do the same thing if I had a problem with my TV.

I was wondering how many of the Toshiba 42hp95 plasma Tv are having problems, just look at all the responses on this forum. You know and I am sure someone from Toshiba has to be viewing this forum or maybe they just don't care. Not much just a little thought going around in my brain.

I have a 42HPX95, which I bought as an open-box item from a local (non-chain) appliance/stereo store, and the only problem I've had with it is that I can't snap the plastic panel on the back that covers all of the interconnects going in and out... No problem with the performance of the set at all...

I have a 42HPX95, which I bought as an open-box item from a local (non-chain) appliance/stereo store, and the only problem I've had with it is that I can't snap the plastic panel on the back that covers all of the interconnects going in and out... No problem with the performance of the set at all...
I wouldn't use it unless the back of the set is out in the open. It would just get in the way.

I wouldn't use it unless the back of the set is out in the open. It would just get in the way.

It sits on a stand, but the panel doesn't like the thicker higher-quality interconnects that I'm using.

Is it Toshiba or TOSHABE

I would guess it's more like 1 in 1000. I have a problem free 50hp95 that was an open box item at Best Buy. I think you'll see the same thing for every TV thread. People with problems tend to post more than those who don't. I'd do the same thing if I had a problem with my TV.

I got in on a similar deal at Best Buy..but... I have had virtually every board replaced in the set as I am seeing green comet trails/phosphor delay all over the place. After doing some research it sounds like a bit of a known problem with plasmas. I just don't see it getting any better. They were going to replace the glass panel, but of course they no longer have the spare part (panny glass) so I was told I would be offered the 50HP66 or a refund. I really love the picture quality and am concerned the 50HP66 would be a step down.

Yes goodbye Toshiba, welcome Panasonic or Samsung. After 7 months of dealing with Toshabby they finally sent someone to pick up the unrepairable plasma. While doing the paper work and just making conversation with the peck up/delivery man he said he has picked up for returned many of the Toshiba plasma TV's sets. Now I must wait 6 weeks to receive my refund (check).

I too was just authorized for a refund on my 42HP95 set (finally after 7 months too!!). The shipping company should be out this week sometime to pick it up....
Wife wants a Panasonic.
Juc

You would just think that Toshabby would send you the refund electronically. Do you think they send a check to the repair center or pay them electronically. Just about everyone uses electronic payment (electronic check).

I'm enjoying my 42HP95 and have a couple questions about using the IEEE1394 connector to record.

1. Am I limited to using a Symbio device or are there other things out there that will work to record via IEEE1394? Anyone have experience with a Symbio care to share how they feel about it?

2. I don't use a Set top box, just plug straight in and let the TV do the tuning (including QAM). Is there a way I can record 1 channel and watch another by doing something like split the cable and put it in both ANT1 and 2?

Thanks

Wow, I'm glad to hear there is another software update(I am currently on 1.3.1, and that it fixed your TV.

The problems I have been having are:

1. Unscrambled HD cable channels breaking and pixelating.

2. Cable card won't work(Cox Cable)

3. TV guide seems to work but doesn't get all the channels right.

I think I will call them and try to get this new firmware version. They have not called me, although I have had multiple phone calls with cust. svc.

Mind elaborating on the pixelating issue? I've been having a few issues with my hp95, occasionally the picture start showing green or red pixels all over the screen, plus this weekend the picture would just black out occasionally requiring a hard reboot.
It's in a second room and probably only has 100 hours or less since December, rarely used....but I'm starting to think I need to call Toshiba as I was hoping it was either the old HD receiver or cable that was causing the problem.

Mind elaborating on the pixelating issue? I've been having a few issues with my hp95, occasionally the picture start showing green or red pixels all over the screen, plus this weekend the picture would just black out occasionally requiring a hard reboot.
It's in a second room and probably only has 100 hours or less since December, rarely used....but I'm starting to think I need to call Toshiba as I was hoping it was either the old HD receiver or cable that was causing the problem.


Hi wsmc831,

I have had numerous pixellating issues with my 42HP95. I think if you click on my name on this forum, you can read all my posts about this issue, as not to try to recreate them here. In a nutshell, though, I have Comcast digital cable, I choose to use a cable card (which is part of the pixillating problem, interestingly enough), and I have the latest versions of the Toshiba firmware (1.3.2) installed on my TV.

I would suggest you call them and speak with a tech support person. I have had mostly good experiences when I have called Toshiba (and there are many of us on this forum who have had unfortunate experiences with them). Check to see which firmware version you have installed, and you may also want to inquire if your cable company has altered any of their programming, video signals, etc. in the times you have noticed this issue. For example, Comcast just recently had a free Starz channel weekend. I had to do a re-boot of the TV because I was getting the pixillating, coincidentally on the same day as the beginning of the free Starz weekend. My theory as to why? Because my cable card works "one way" (e.g can receive input from Comcast but not send info back, which if you use a cable box there is two way communication between your TV and your provider). So, my theory is that my cable card needed a 're-set" when Comcast sent through the Starz signal for the free weekend. The re-boots do rectify the issue, it is just a nuisance to then have to re-program the TVGOS, my personal brightness settings, etc.

Hope this is of some help. I am limited in my feedback, because I choose to use a cable card (one time fee to Comcast), so my problems with my 42HP95 have had somewhat of a narrow scope. I have been told that if I switch to a cable box, the pixillating will go away. But that will just get me started on my rants about paying even more for cable, and monthly fees, and the reasons why the FCC required cable companies to offer their consumers another means at receiving their signals besides a box (hence the cable card), but them we get issues like pixillating.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

Appreciate the info, will do a bit of searching on your post. My setup is much simpler. Samsung HD receiver with Direct TV, dvi to hdmi converter to hdmi input on tv.

I suppose I need to change the video source and really cross out any other possible causes, but I've been waiting for the new HR20 to move the H10 over to this set.

But I'm thinking I should at least call tech support and get my first contact documented, it's only about 8 months old and probably has 50 hours on it....

Mind elaborating on the pixelating issue? I've been having a few issues with my hp95, occasionally the picture start showing green or red pixels all over the screen, plus this weekend the picture would just black out occasionally requiring a hard reboot.
It's in a second room and probably only has 100 hours or less since December, rarely used....but I'm starting to think I need to call Toshiba as I was hoping it was either the old HD receiver or cable that was causing the problem.

The pixelation I was having sounds to be quite different from yours. On mine, I was getting pixelation and blocks all over the picture and the picture and sound would be intermittent. Sears, after a few months waiting on the part, replaced a circuit board which I believe is a video board, and this seems to have fixed those problems.

However, I still cannot get the TV, with a cable card installed, to receive the scrambled HD channels. It will bring in the local stations' unscrambled HD channels, but it will do that with just the cable by itself.

A quick update on my situation with my 42HP95. While I was trying to make a final decision on either getting a replacement TV, or the refund, lo and behold, the video circuit board finally arrived from Sears. So I told them come on out and replace it, which they did.

Well, now I am getting the unscrambled HD channels on Cox cable without any of the horrible pixelation and blackouts I was getting before. The HD picture really is outstanding. The only thing is, it did work like this for a month or so when I first got the set. So, I am hesitant to tell Toshiba it is fully fixed.

As to the cable card, I tried it again, and it does the same thing where it says "aquiring channels", but never seems to finish. However, I have not re-contacted Cox yet to get them to make sure everything is set right on their end. I will call them next week to try that again.

I am still in somewhat of a quandry with the cable card not working, because the picture is so darn good that I don't really want to lose the set. I could always just get a cable box for it. Plus, it does have the memory card slots as well.

Well, in just the last couple of days the picture on HD channels is pixelating again, just like it did about a month after I first got the TV. The pixelation is intermittent, occurs at varying parts of the picture, and the audio drops out during the break ups.

I really thought and hoped that the new circuit board was going to permanently fix it. There is apparently just some deficiency in these Toshiba plasmas. The TV with cable card still will not display the digital HD channels such as ESPNHD.

I guess it is past time to give up on it and take the refund.

I spoke with Toshiba today, and they are going to pick up the set and send me a refund check, to arrive in 5-6 weeks. I must say, Toshiba customer service was very helpful and responsive regarding the problems with my TV.

BTW, I briefly looked at plasmas today, including Panasonic, LG, HP, Samsung, and Toshiba. I have to say, I saw various drawbacks to all of them. Some exhibit too much clay face. Some seem too gritty. The Panny was pixelating just like my Toshiba, giving me pause about getting a Panny. Ideally, I'd like to get into a 50" plasma. This TV will go on the wall in the bedroom.

The new 46" Sony LCD looks pretty darn good. Any suggestions for a replacement? I need to be able to get it for around $2700 or less.

They picked up the Toshiba today. The check from Toshiba is to arrive in 4-6 weeks. Now my wife wants another flat screen up on the wall, pronto! Decisions, decisions...

is there any way so that when you turn the set on the tvguide
does not show up?

thanks

is there any way so that when you turn the set on the tvguide
does not show up?

thanks
You can turn the autoguide feature on or off in the General settings of the the tvguide Setup menu.

Two nights ago, the picture suddenly disappeared. After flipping channels and trying various inputs we only got some unwatchable black and white images rolling across the screen and some flashing images. After reading some comments on the Internet, I tried unplugging the TV and after plugging it back in, the picture returned and worked fine all day yesterday. I probably shoud have requested a service call before doing the unplug procedure because now there isn't anything for a service tech to see. Any thoughts on what might be happening?

They picked up the Toshiba today. The check from Toshiba is to arrive in 4-6 weeks. Now my wife wants another flat screen up on the wall, pronto! Decisions, decisions...

Well, I can scarcely believe it myself, but I ended up with another Tosh, the 50HP66from BB. With the price they had on it, I just couldn't pass it up.

I spent literally hours comparing the Tosh HP66 side by side with the Panny 50" and the Hitachi 55". The Panny may have a bit better color decoding(the Tosh seems to push green), but there is no "clay face" on the Tosh, while the Panny is prone to it. I know the Hitachi is supposed to be good, but it just never looked as good to me as the Tosh. The Hitachi seemed to have a grittiness to the image, which I could not eradicate by decreasing the sharpness. I also couldn't see paying the $900 extra for the 5" difference in size.

The 50HP66 is occaisionally pixelating on the HD unscrambled cable channels, just like the 42HP95 did, and numerous of the Pannys were pixelating at BB on their channel 15.1 digital feed. But the audio is not dropping out like it did with the 42HP95. I am now starting to think it is a signal problem that is causing this pixelation, and not defective tuners. I am not sure at all, though.

The HD picture is quite good, though, at least as good as the 42HP95. I think the added resolution vs the 42" helps(1366x768 vs. 1024x768).

Lastly, since the 50HP66 has no cable card slot, I am just going to go on and get a HD cable box and use HDMI or component connection, depending on which gives the better picture.

Two nights ago, the picture suddenly disappeared. After flipping channels and trying various inputs we only got some unwatchable black and white images rolling across the screen and some flashing images. After reading some comments on the Internet, I tried unplugging the TV and after plugging it back in, the picture returned and worked fine all day yesterday. I probably shoud have requested a service call before doing the unplug procedure because now there isn't anything for a service tech to see. Any thoughts on what might be happening?


Help!!

Well, that has hapenned to me twice now in about a year. Both times just unplugging the set fixed the problem. The first time it seemd to coincide with something that the cable company did. This is anecdotal, but whatever they did the first time coincided with another person using a cablce card losing their video. They were told that the cablce card had to be reset, which is what lead me to try unplugging the set. Hoefully you willnever see this again, or at least not for a long, long time.

I am using a Comcast Cable Card. When I attempt to hook-up a Fiber Optic Audio Cable from the TV to my surround sound system I get no sound. In accessing the Audio panel on set-up the field for digital selection is grayed out with dolby digital selected and cannot be accessed. Toshiba support said it was the cable card and basically nothing I could do. I have hooked up analog cables and the sound is pretty good.........I just thought the Fiber Optic connection would be better. Any thoughts how this is easily resolved. Thanks.

Seems to me that Dolby Digital would be the correct selection for you. I don't see why the TV is not sending a 5.1 Dolby Digital signal to your receiver via optical digital cable. Are you sure your receiver is set to the correct input?

I am using a Comcast Cable Card. When I attempt to hook-up a Fiber Optic Audio Cable from the TV to my surround sound system I get no sound. In accessing the Audio panel on set-up the field for digital selection is grayed out with dolby digital selected and cannot be accessed. Toshiba support said it was the cable card and basically nothing I could do. I have hooked up analog cables and the sound is pretty good.........I just thought the Fiber Optic connection would be better. Any thoughts how this is easily resolved. Thanks.

Make sure your input/outputs are set to bitstream.

Hello,

I'm new to the AVS forums.

My brother directed me to these forums in order to find professional picture settings for my Toshiba 42HP95. I've used the search engine for the site and after almost 20 minutes I still can't find the post.

If someone knows these settings or can direct me to the post it wuld be greatly appreciated.

My setup besides the TV is an Xbox 360 with the HD DVD drive through component and an old kenwood 5.1 setup.

I'm loving my new HD DVD drive, but I want to make sure the TV is setup for the best possible picture it can display.

Thanks

Hi everyone,
Well, as I continued to sporadically have pixelating/"tiling" issues with my 42HP95, I got a call aout of the blue from Toshiba about two weeks ago telling me that they were going to send me yet another firmware update, version 1.3.4 that is suposed to fix the pixellating issues. Well, I received the firmware and installed it on Monday 11/27. I bet you can guess how the rest of this post will go:

Yep, I got pixellating last night, Wednesday the 29th. Time to place another call to Toshiba to inform them. Granted, a simple re-boot continues to fix the isuses, and calls for setting up (again) the TVGOS, the input labeling, and the picture preferences for all the inputs. Maybe a minor inconvenience. but it leaves me to wonder if this is just an inherited problem, with no final solution.

Mtrot - - how is your new Toshiba holding up?

Happy holidays to all,

Mr. Breeze

Hi everyone,
Well, as I continued to sporadically have pixelating/"tiling" issues with my 42HP95, I got a call aout of the blue from Toshiba about two weeks ago telling me that they were going to send me yet another firmware update, version 1.3.4 that is suposed to fix the pixellating issues. Well, I received the firmware and installed it on Monday 11/27. I bet you can guess how the rest of this post will go:

Yep, I got pixellating last night, Wednesday the 29th. Time to place another call to Toshiba to inform them. Granted, a simple re-boot continues to fix the isuses, and calls for setting up (again) the TVGOS, the input labeling, and the picture preferences for all the inputs. Maybe a minor inconvenience. but it leaves me to wonder if this is just an inherited problem, with no final solution.

Mtrot - - how is your new Toshiba holding up?

Happy holidays to all,

Mr. Breeze

Mr. Breeze,

Well, it continued to pixelate on the HD local channels, using the QAM tuner to pick them up off the SuddenLink cable. SuddenLink even came out and ran a new cable from the box out by the street to the junction box on the wall of the house. He said the old cable was really old type and needed to be replaced. I think this did help some with the pixelation, but there was still some. Apparently, the tuner in the Toshiba TVs is not very compatable with SuddenLink's signal.

The good news is that after I finally broke down and went with a HD box (connected via component cables), no pixelation whatsoever, other than the normal blocking and compression artifacts of the HD broadcast itself. And I get ESPNHD, DiscoveryHD, HDNet, etc.

I'd have to say in terms of resolution, the 50HP66 is noticeable better than the 42HP95; I think that is due to its 1366x720 resolution vs the 1024x720 of the 42 incher. The HP66 looks great on sports, but there is some banding problems on movies or TV images with a bright light or color against a dark background, but I have seen this with other plasmas as well. There is no fan, which makes it much quieter than the HP95. Channel changing is agonizingly slow with the TV tuner, but no longer an issue since I am using the quick changing cable box.

Hey everyone. I have a Toshiba 50HP82 about 3 years old, and it started with an on-screen black vertical bar and it won't go away. Does anyone know if this is an expensive fix or is it something that is very cost prohibitive?

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/3710/50plasmagf6.jpg

Hey everyone. I have a Toshiba 50HP82 about 3 years old, and it started with an on-screen black vertical bar and it won't go away. Does anyone know if this is an expensive fix or is it something that is very cost prohibitive?

Please don't hijack this thread. Note the topic of this lengthy thread has nothing to do with your set.

I posted this same question on the OPPO 971HD thread but haven't received any comments. So, I'm trying on this thread. Hope this is ok. :)

My setup is 971HD -> 42HPX95 via DVI/HDMI. Besides some occasional macroblocking, the picture quality has been great -- not quite HD but very very close. Thus far I have been using the eyeballing method to calibrate my tv but last week decided to give AVIA a try. I have to say the picture got improved quite a bit. It has more of a "POP" factor to it now. My question is with the Zone Plate 30 fps, hi/lo Bit Rate tests. You know the ones where a pattern that looks similar to the "Sharpness" pattern but moves around on the screen. Man, I tell you, I got dizzy watching this pattern. The lines in the pattern were like doubled or tripled as it moved around. What can I do to get a smooth image during these tests?

Thanks in advance.

Can someone tell me how I can upgrade the firmware on my 42hpx95? How do I get the upgrade and then load it on my TV?

Can someone tell me how I can upgrade the firmware on my 42hpx95? How do I get the upgrade and then load it on my TV?

Yeah, you call Toshiba cust. service, and they send you a SD card with the firmware on it. Then you put the card in the card reader on the TV and follow instructions.

Yeah, you call Toshiba cust. service, and they send you a SD card with the firmware on it. Then you put the card in the card reader on the TV and follow instructions.

I called Toshiba about my 42hpx95, and they said that they will only send out the firmware update to people using Cable Card (which I'm not). Does the firmware update fix any other aspect of the TV?

Pbarach, what is the Toshiba customer number you used to talk to a real person? I need to get hold of the latest f/w.

Pbarach, what is the Toshiba customer number you used to talk to a real person? I need to get hold of the latest f/w.

I called 800-631-3811 and followed the menu prompts to get help with TV's.

My SA8300HD cable box has HDMI and component video outputs, as well as S-video. I know that I can connect the cable box to my 42hpx95 TV and use the IR blaster to change channels on the box while viewing the TV Guide Onscreen screens. Unfortunately, it looks like the TV Guide setup requires me to have the cable box connected to an ANT input, which accepts S-video at best.

Does anyone know of a workaround that will let me operate the TV Guide screens to change channels on my cable box while viewing the cable signal through an HDMI or component connection?

I see the 42hpx95 is now being sold by a few refurbished outlets and I am interested but...
Anyone here order one (or a plasma) from a refurbished outlet and how was it (which company did you by from)? I really think the plasma but worry about ti being refurbished and bought over the internet. What do you all think?

I see the 42hpx95 is now being sold by a few refurbished outlets and I am interested but...
Anyone here order one (or a plasma) from a refurbished outlet and how was it (which company did you by from)? I really think the plasma but worry about ti being refurbished and bought over the internet. What do you all think?

I've never bought anything refurbished. But concerning a plasma set, I would be concerned about burn-in. A plasma set is not an item I'd buy refurbished, unless it was very easy to return (e.g., somebody else comes to pack it up and haul away the massive TV!).

Does anyone know what the lastest firmware upgrade fixes? Or even better, a history of the firware fixes?

curtishd, i have a 42hpx95 as my bedroom set and it is great. It was purchased new and babied, even still. I would recommend this set, but the refurbished part? I don't know...

I have an issue with my 42hpx95 that has been bothering me for a while now. In darker scenes (see pics) the levels of black get very blocky. Does anyone else have this issue? Is there a technical term for it? Is there anything I can do to make the picture blend better? I am using an oppo 970HD player.

Try reducing the color and contrast settings. Remember that these are unique for each input. I had a similar issue which I noticed with one of the Harry Potter movies on cable. I had not noticed the "noise" levels I was seeing on DVD, just on the cable. Then I checked my settings and and adjusted the antenna input to matcht he dvd input, and the "noise" went away. Hope this helps.

I have an issue with my 42hpx95 that has been bothering me for a while now. In darker scenes (see pics) the levels of black get very blocky. Does anyone else have this issue? Is there a technical term for it? Is there anything I can do to make the picture blend better? I am using an oppo 970HD player.


Your problem is called "false contouring" and, no, there is nothing you can do about it, unfortunately. This has to do with a display's color processing capability, or lack thereof.

Your problem is called macro-blocking and, no, there is nothing you can do about it, unfortunately.

The Oppo 970 does not use the Faroudja chip so macroblocking should not be a problem. I have the 971 and yes I see MB occasionally. Hmm, unless Toshiba used the Faroudja chip, probably a different version, inside the plasma. Could this be possible???

The Oppo 970 does not use the Faroudja chip so macroblocking should not be a problem. I have the 971 and yes I see MB occasionally. Hmm, unless Toshiba used the Faroudja chip, probably a different version, inside the plasma. Could this be possible???


Per my edited post, the problem is false contouring not macroblocking. Sorry for the mistake. Regardless, both false contouring and macroblocking are shortcomings in a display's ability to process color and picture, respectively, and are not at all uncommon. Thus, what DVD player you use only matters to a point. You can send the cleanest, highest definition signal but it will still only look as good as the set is capable of displaying. I am not aware of what processor Toshiba uses but I would guess it's not Faroudja. If they did, they's probably plaster that all over the display.

Thanks for the insight guys. I knew there was a term for it but had no idea what it was. So here are the next questions...

How do I get my Toshiba to upscale to 1080i instead of the Oppo? Do I need to set the Oppo at 480p over a component cable?

And, what plasma sets either eliminate or greatly reduce "false contouring"? :confused:

Thanks for the insight guys. I knew there was a term for it but had no idea what it was. So here are the next questions...

How do I get my Toshiba to upscale to 1080i instead of the Oppo? Do I need to set the Oppo at 480p over a component cable?

And, what plasma sets either eliminate or greatly reduce "false contouring"? :confused:


I don't own an upconverting DVD player so I can't tell you. If that works this would, at the very least, tell you whether the Oppo or your plasma is better at upconverting and, thus, which one you should have do the work. When I owned the HP95 I used an inexpensive DVD player and did not even have progressive scan enabled with component cables and the picture was outstanding. As to your second question, you'll probably get fans of every make and model telling you theirs has no false contouring. All I know is that I now own a 1080P LCD with 12-bit color processing and there is NO false contouring but, again, this appears to be something more common in plasmas than LCDs. However, in every other aspect plasma technology is FAR superior to LCD.

Just an FYI:

I've got a 42HP95. About evey month or so, I was having problems with losing HD tier and sports tier stations on TWC w/ cablecard. I was sent a firmware upgrade to 1.34. While 1.34 appeared to fix the cablecard problem, it also appeared to cause major problems with my DVHS and Symbio. These devices would work for a day or so after being connected, but then 1394 errors would pop up (and timer recordings would not work). Anyone else experience this? Just a warning to those considering upgrading.

I downgraded to 1.32 last night. Hopefully the problem will not manifest itself again.

Just an FYI:

I've got a 42HP95. About evey month or so, I was having problems with losing HD tier and sports tier stations on TWC w/ cablecard. I was sent a firmware upgrade to 1.34. While 1.34 appeared to fix the cablecard problem, it also appeared to cause major problems with my DVHS and Symbio. These devices would work for a day or so after being connected, but then 1394 errors would pop up (and timer recordings would not work). Anyone else experience this? Just a warning to those considering upgrading.

I downgraded to 1.32 last night. Hopefully the problem will not manifest itself again.

I've been having trouble with a couple HD stations and I have Timewarner (I'm using QAM not an external box) in San Diego. Seems like NBC mostly and FOX too I think. NBC HD is unwatchable as the sound keeps cutting out and I get pixelization or whatever you call it. Zero problems with standard def.

I guess if it ain't broke don't fix it but I could try the firmware too. How did you get it? Do I have to beg Toshiba?

Just an FYI:

I've got a 42HP95. About evey month or so, I was having problems with losing HD tier and sports tier stations on TWC w/ cablecard. I was sent a firmware upgrade to 1.34. While 1.34 appeared to fix the cablecard problem, it also appeared to cause major problems with my DVHS and Symbio. These devices would work for a day or so after being connected, but then 1394 errors would pop up (and timer recordings would not work). Anyone else experience this? Just a warning to those considering upgrading.

I downgraded to 1.32 last night. Hopefully the problem will not manifest itself again.


I have firmware update 1.32 also with the Symbio on my 50HPX95 receiving HDTV over-the-air. I have problems with the Symbio giving 1394 errors also. I reset it by unplugging it from power and/or the firewire cable and plugging it back in. The interface is abysmal also. I cannot use any other input while the Symbio is recording except the other TV tuner (analog or digital). I have a Mac Mini and a Playstation 3 hooked up via the two HDMI ports that I cannot access while the Symbio is recording. However, on the Mac Mini with an EyeTV ATSC tuner, I can not only do other stuff while recording, but watch a prerecorded show (or two) while recording a different channel. The Symbio cannot be "functioning as designed". This is an interface issue between the Symbio and the TV. I tried to talk to Toshiba about this but nobody seems to be responsible for the Symbio AVHD. I bought the Toshiba BECAUSE of all the inputs, which enabled me to simplify the system by forgoing a separate receiver - or so I thought.

Is this normal Symbio behavior with other folks?

Mine locks up occasionally, but a power or firewire reset is all it takes to clear it up.
It is normal for all the inputs to be locked out, except for the second internal tuner.
I am using it with a 42HD95, v 1.31.

I've been having trouble with a couple HD stations and I have Timewarner (I'm using QAM not an external box) in San Diego. Seems like NBC mostly and FOX too I think. NBC HD is unwatchable as the sound keeps cutting out and I get pixelization or whatever you call it. Zero problems with standard def.

I guess if it ain't broke don't fix it but I could try the firmware too. How did you get it? Do I have to beg Toshiba?

Yea, beg from Toshiba. Sounds like you may have a weak signal problem though.

Is it possible to manually map a Physical Digital Channel to a Virtual Digital Channel on the Toshiba 50HP95?

Here is my problem. I have an antenna -- no cable or satellite. I ran the Channel Program when I first got my Toshiba back in May '06. Everything worked great -- until December, when I all of a sudden quit getting my channel 2-1, which is really Physical Digital Channel 34. Last week, I finally checked the Signal Meter, and could see that for whatever reason, channel 2-1 was no longer mapped to channel 34. I reran the Channel Program. Now this channel is fixed, but another channel is broke! I know for certain that channel 12-1 is mapped to Physical Digital Channel 38, but the Channel Program will not set this. In fact, as the Channel Program is running, it will pause briefly at 52%, and I can hear channel 12 for about 1 second, and then it will continue. This is the only channel that does this. After it's done programming, channel 12-1 is not mapped. If I check the Signal Meter, I can see that I'm getting a 90% signal with channel 38, but it does not show it mapped to any virtual channel so I cannot watch it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Guys, I hope you can help me. I've had my Toshiba 42HP95 for almost 2 years with never a minute of trouble. But this weekend funny things started to ahppen. First, the on-screen menu system won't display. Even the pop-ups to change the input or screen size won't work (although I can cycle through the options with the remote's arrow keys). Next, the captions appeared, and since I can't get the menu I can't turn them off. Also, since the menu is MIA, I can't get to the factory default reset.

I'm almost afraid to turn it on today to see what happens next.

I haven't called the local service center yet, was hoping that there's some undocumented method to do a reset. I have tried a power-down reboot with no affect.

Thanks for your help...

I have an issue with my 42hpx95 that has been bothering me for a while now. In darker scenes (see pics) the levels of black get very blocky. Does anyone else have this issue? Is there a technical term for it? Is there anything I can do to make the picture blend better? I am using an oppo 970HD player.

I have the same Toshiba display, and I get the same blocky effect with either my Denon 3910 player or my cable box. I also got it with my previous DVD player, a Sony unit. Since the Denon has a Faroudja video chip and neither the Sony nor the cable box don't, the problem is clearly with the display. The problem is equally noticeable with component or HDMI connection. It is a particularly noticeable problem during very dark scenes, when you can see rectangular areas of the image switch back and forth from one shade of gray to another, flashing back and forth. The set has done this since I bought it. It's a design flaw, and it can't be fixed.

I have switched my connections from component video to HDMI. When I press Option 6 - HDMI, I get flashing strobe-light like colors. When I press Option 5 - Colorstream HD2, I can see the picture.

I plugged the HDMI cable in to TV and receiver. I guess I am supposed to remove the other cables.... is that why I cannot view a picture on HDMI?

Thanks

David

I started this thread 2 years ago. My 50HPX95 is now dead with no picture, just a blinking red light. Some say its the panel that is toast, others say its the power supply.

How is yours faring after 2-3 years of operation. Did it die???

Can anyone describe the symptoms of a burned panel versus a power supply issue. I am going to try to sell it or give it away for parts on Craig's List, so I would like to be honest in describing the condition.

I have a 50HP95 that I've had for three years, it's been a workhorse. I still get comments from friends with other plasmas who remark about the pq from this set. It's headed to the bedroom shortly, to be replaced by a Panny 800U in my theater room. However, the first one I had experienced the flashing red light death the first day I had it - they came and hauled it away and brought a replacement the next day which has been fine since. Service person told me that there was a batch of these early on that were experiencing power supply failures. The flashing red light is basically a fault indicator and can apparently be indicative of a number of issues. Power supply should be an easy and relatively ( I say relatively versus the panel!) cheap fix. I'd have a service person take a look at it.

I have a 42HPX95 that works just as well as the day I brought it home during 2005. Overall, the picture quality remains excellent. It still has the macroblocking issue (or whatever it is) in dark screen areas that I mentioned in a post about a year ago, and the "fixes" of adjusting the picture controls, changing cables from HDMI to component, and using a different DVD player have not altered this. I'm used to it--until I visit someone whose TV doesn't have this problem.

I'm getting a fast ticking sound out of my panel. Still powers on fine, but the ticking is there when the panel is powered on or off. As long as power is present it ticks. The ticking speeds up when you turn the unit on.

Anyone else had this problem? I'm thinking its the power supply. Found a used one on ebay for $199 and am seriously thinking about purchasing it.

Thanks for any suggestions.
B

I started this thread 2 years ago. My 50HPX95 is now dead with no picture, just a blinking red light. Some say its the panel that is toast, others say its the power supply.

How is yours faring after 2-3 years of operation. Did it die???

Can anyone describe the symptoms of a burned panel versus a power supply issue. I am going to try to sell it or give it away for parts on Craig's List, so I would like to be honest in describing the condition.
I had my 50hpx95 for just over 3 years, and last week, it died. Screen went black. Red light started flashing. Repair shop took it away, and told me that it had a bad "PCB assembly", part number 75001605. I'm 1 month out of warranty, and sick to my stomach. The part isn't available, and Toshiba called me tonight to tell me that it won't ever be available, but that I can perhaps have the board sent to a company that does component-level repairs. I'm thinking about just punting and selling it for parts.

I bought the same TV in Dec 05. Extended warranty ran out last month. Today, the screen went black and the LED started flashing. Unplugging has no effect.

I bought the same TV in Dec 05. Extended warranty ran out last month. Today, the screen went black and the LED started flashing. Unplugging has no effect.

The manual describes a simple "reset" or "reboot" procedure that's worth trying before you conclude that the set is a goner... Sorry, I don't have my manual handy to tell you the step, but I have had to do this reboot maybe two or three times since I got my set in 7/05.

The manual suggests holding the power button to reset. Doesn't have any effect, but thanks.

Update: Authorized repair center, after five minute inspection, says the part it needs is no longer available and the board would have to be shipped to Toshiba to be repaired. This would take 4-6 weeks and cost $1,005. I find this reprehensible. Who sells a product that cost $3500 and doesn't support in beyond three years. If an auto manufacturer did this it would be out of business in a month.

I have the 50HP95 as well, and it did exactly the same thing tonight. I will be having a repair company come out to check it. However, if Toshiba has indeed stopped making replacement parts for this model - which we paid over $5000 three years ago - I WILL be contacting an attorney to file class action litigation.

Talked to a Toshiba authorized repair outfit, they said most parts were in stock at the warehouse.

They also quoted $1000 minimum assuming the issue is restricted to the power board. Plus whatever I'd need to pay to have the thing pulled off the wall and put it back up, plus the time involved if the parts required were actually on backorder.

I bailed. The set has had a electronic whine/whistle for 3 years that Best Buy and Toshiba refused to correct, and I am sick of screwing with it. The set is for sale as parts. I bought the new 58" Samsung 1080p. To make a rather long story short, both Toshiba and Best Buy have lost my business forever, and I've been a loyal Toshiba customer for over 30 years.

There is hope for the Toshiba TV Guide On Screen feature after the digital transition.

I just bought a DTVPal Plus converter box that is supposed to convert digital TVGOS VBI data to analog for devices that use the analog TVGOS information -- like my Toshiba 50HPX95 Plasma with TVGOS. I have the DTVPal+ set up as a Scientific Atlanta Cable Box on the Toshiba TV Video 1 input. A special zip code from the DTVPal+ manual just tunes the DTVPal to the local CBS ATSC channel known to be transmitting the TVGOS data on their digital transmission here in Washington, DC. I noticed earlier that a bunch of new channel numbers had appeared on my old recording schedule, but that the channel numbers were strange Scientific Atlanta cable box channel numbers -- so I deleted the scheduled recordings and reset the TVGOS. I set it up with both the Video 1 and Ant 1 inputs from the DTVPal Plus into my Toshiba 50HPX95, and the OTA antenna on the Toshiba ANT 2 input

So far it shows the VBI channel as the correct CBS channel and found the clock. But the host channel was set to the old analog TVGOS host channel. So we will see what it looks like tomorrow.

Any advice or info based on experience with a DTVPal/Toshiba TV setup?

I have never been able to get this feature to match the lineup on my cable channels, either with a cable box or without. The interface is a big pain, too. After trying 3 or 4 times during my first year of owning my TV, I gave up on it. So best of luck to those who have had better results!

RE: can't stand TV Guide On Screen

The point is that our Toshiba TVs use TV Guide data received from ANALOG TV stations even though the TVs have digital ATSC tuners. The TV guide will disappear when the Analog stations shut down. Some people actually edit their channels to match what they have in their local subset, and use use the guide to control recorders -- like the Toshiba Symbio AVHD.

The DTVPal+ converter box is advertised to convert the digital TVGOS data to analog format that can be read by our TVs -- I am trying to get one to work now. So far it has downloaded the data to the Toshiba 50HPX95, but channels all assigned the "Cable Box" at this point with no "Air" channels.

More later.

I set up the DTVPal+ converter box I bought at Sears as a separate RF channel 3 input (instead of cable box) last night, and the DTVPal+ successfully downloaded both OTA and "cable ready" (not cable box) channel lineups and listings into the TV's TVGOS. This was using the DTVPal+ channel 3 analog TVGOS data converted by the DTVPal+ from the digital OTA TVGOS host channel that will be only TVGOS data source available after the digital transition. Our TVs must use an analog channel source as the TVGOS host channel according to Toshiba. So the DTVPal+ converter box will keep our TVGOS system working for us after the digital transition.

It turns out there are two different setups for the DTVPal/+ -- Here is what I have found out so far:

1) If you have a device (TV, VCR, DVD Recorder, DVR) with an analog NTSC ONLY tuner that depends on an analog NTSC signal for TVGOS data, then set up the DTVPal+ on the device according to the instructions in the manual -- with the DTVPal+ set to TVGOS mode as a Scientific Atlanta cable box using the DTVPal+ manual zip code. The analog ONLY tuner in your device will be useless after the digital transition, and your device must use the tuner in the DTVPal+ as a cable box. This setup will use the Scientific Atlanta channel numbers. I think the magic zip code in the DTVPal manual puts ALL channels into the "Cable Box" listing so that analog only devices can receive OTA channels using the DTVPal+ after the digital transition -- and this setup limits all channels to 480i.

Unfortunately, what the DTVPal+ manual does NOT tell you -- and what is needed for our Toshibas -- is this:

2) If you have a device, like our Toshibas TVs, with an ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuner that depends on an analog NTSC signal for the TVGOS data, do NOT set up the DTVPal+ as a cable box. Connect the channel 3 or 4 RF output to your device as a separate input RF input, and use your normal zip code on your device (not the zip code from the DTVPal+ manual). Using the DTVPAL+ remote, set the DTVPal+ to the digital TVGOS host channel for your area -- see

http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=tvgos

and be sure to select the TVGOS mode from the DTVPal+ menu. Thus, the DTVPAL+ just appears as an analog channel to your TV. This should allow the OTA ATSC and cable tuners in your TV to function normally with the TVGOS using normal channel numbers -- Hopefully, allowing the TVGOS to control AVHD DVRs like the Toshiba Symbio.

Before the digital transition, It would be a good idea to shut off your analog TVGOS host channel in the TVGOS channel editor to make it harder for the TVGOS to find compared to the DTVPal+ channel. Also, leave the TV set to the DTVPAL+ analog channel when you shut it off -- especially overnight.

Just to verify things, if you go into your TVs TVGOS what channel does it show it gets it's TVGOS info from? Note if it's a digital channel it might be the real channel number and not the virtual number you're familiar with.
I'm just trying to verify the Pal is doing what it's supposed to, that is convert the digital TVGOS to analog, and that you're not actually still getting the analog TVGOS directly. Yours is the first post I've seen of the Pal actually doing what it's supposed to and if indeed it works as you said I may just get one. I have a analog DVDR which uses TVGOS v9 and I'm currently getting analog TVGOS OTA from CBS. That will go away in June so I'd like to find a solution to keep my TVGOS going. Note the Pal seems to come in several different models, do you know if they would all work like yours?
Thanks

Just to verify things, if you go into your TVs TVGOS what channel does it show it gets it's TVGOS info from? Note if it's a digital channel it might be the real channel number and not the virtual number you're familiar with.
I'm just trying to verify the Pal is doing what it's supposed to, that is convert the digital TVGOS to analog, and that you're not actually still getting the analog TVGOS directly. Yours is the first post I've seen of the Pal actually doing what it's supposed to and if indeed it works as you said I may just get one. I have a analog DVDR which uses TVGOS v9 and I'm currently getting analog TVGOS OTA from CBS. That will go away in June so I'd like to find a solution to keep my TVGOS going. Note the Pal seems to come in several different models, do you know if they would all work like yours?
Thanks

I have tested the DTVPal+ on a composite video input with the TV set up to use it as a Scientific Atlanta cable box. In that case the host channel shown in the TVGOS Diagnostic Screens showed the host channel as the composite input and correct channel for the DTVPal+ -- which does not receive analog signals at all. In this case all channels are received and converted to 480i -- which is what an analog DVD recorder would use.

I have also tested the DTVPal+ as a straight RF analog channel 3 input to the TV's TVGOS with the DTVPal+ being the only input on that RF input to the TV. The TVGOS diagnostic screens again showed the host channel as the correct input and channel number for the DTVPal+. In this case I can also use HDTV channels from another antenna input in the TVGOS with my HDDVR.

And, I have also tested the DTVPal+ as a straight analog input (not as a Cable Box) to a composite video input on my TVGOS TV. In this case, it did not receive the TVGOS data and the Diagnostic Screen host channel number did not change from the previous setting above. The PBS analog TVGOS host station in this area shuts down their analog transmitter between 2 am and 6 am, otherwise the TV probably would have found the old analog host in this instance.

Sounds like you've verified the Pal is doing what it's advertised as being able to do:)
Others had reported the Pal didn't work but I've always wondered if the users were in a area that had digital TVGOS in the first place. Of course without a Digital TVGOS host channel the Pal wouldn't work as advertised. You've got me hopeful my analog EH-55 will continue to work after the shutdown:)

Sounds like you've verified the Pal is doing what it's advertised as being able to do:)
Others had reported the Pal didn't work but I've always wondered if the users were in a area that had digital TVGOS in the first place. Of course without a Digital TVGOS host channel the Pal wouldn't work as advertised. You've got me hopeful my analog EH-55 will continue to work after the shutdown:)

BTW, if your EH-55 is really has a base TVGOS version of 9 -- it should work without the DTVPal+

-- I understand any base (original) version above 8.1.65 will receive ATSC data.

For the purpose of enabling our analog TVGOS devices to once again
get TVGOS listings, is the DTVPAL adequate or is the DTVPAL+ required?

TIA

BTW, if your EH-55 is really has a base TVGOS version of 9 -- it should work without the DTVPal+

-- I understand any base (original) version above 8.1.65 will receive ATSC data.

The problem is that the EH-55 does not have a ASTC (or QAM) digital tuner. Since it has no way of tuning the digital band it cannot receive the digital TVOGS.
I've tried both a Zenith 901 and CM-7000 CECB to my EH-55 and I'm still not able to get the digital TVGOS. Others have said the DTV Pal CECB is the only one advertised to to the conversion.
Sungear, I've wondered the same thing too.

For the purpose of enabling our analog TVGOS devices to once again
get TVGOS listings, is the DTVPAL adequate or is the DTVPAL+ required?

TIA

From looking at other forums, it appears that the original DTVPal with version 105 or 106 SW will work. Older units have to be returned to be upgraded.

I know this will vary from town to town, but which of the brick & mortar retailers are known or have been known to carry the dtvpal plus?

TIA

I know this will vary from town to town, but which of the brick & mortar retailers are known or have been known to carry the dtvpal plus?

TIA

Sears

Thanks for your fast reply. I will swing by Sears after work and see if I can get one.

Am I missing something? Shouldn't Toshiba be sending us a firmware update that gives us a version of the TVGOS above 08.01.65? Shouldn't this enable our TV's to recieve the digital TVGOS? My understanding is the update cannot come from the VBI stream that normally updates the programming info but has to be on a SD card as previous firmware version updates done for non TVGOS reasons.
My TV has lost it's guide once again.(Comcast, Pa,19403) The previous Ver. was 08.01.53/08.06.44 now since losing the guide it is 08.01.53/00.00.00
I've tried changing Zip's to no avail.

Am I missing something? Shouldn't Toshiba be sending us a firmware update that gives us a version of the TVGOS above 08.01.65?

Considering that Toshiba isn't even bothering to keep major replacement parts in stock (see earlier posts in this thread), do you expect that they will bother creating firmware upgrades for this set?

Am I missing something? Shouldn't Toshiba be sending us a firmware update that gives us a version of the TVGOS above 08.01.65? Shouldn't this enable our TV's to recieve the digital TVGOS? My understanding is the update cannot come from the VBI stream that normally updates the programming info but has to be on a SD card as previous firmware version updates done for non TVGOS reasons.
My TV has lost it's guide once again.(Comcast, Pa,19403) The previous Ver. was 08.01.53/08.06.44 now since losing the guide it is 08.01.53/00.00.00
I've tried changing Zip's to no avail.

My understanding from Toshiba is that the original version is in a hardware chip and cannot be upgraded, and that is the 08.01.53 version number you mentioned. The 08.06.44 is the patch sent out by TVGOS with the TVGOS data. Subsequent downloads should reload that part from 00.00.00 back to 08.06.44 or whatever. it is the base version of 08.01.53 that needs to be 08.01.65 to work with ATSC data -- so we are probably stuck with another solution like the DTVPal +.

Am I missing something? Shouldn't Toshiba be sending us a firmware update that gives us a version of the TVGOS above 08.01.65? Shouldn't this enable our TV's to recieve the digital TVGOS? My understanding is the update cannot come from the VBI stream that normally updates the programming info but has to be on a SD card as previous firmware version updates done for non TVGOS reasons.
My TV has lost it's guide once again.(Comcast, Pa,19403) The previous Ver. was 08.01.53/08.06.44 now since losing the guide it is 08.01.53/00.00.00
I've tried changing Zip's to no avail.

Where are you viewing the TVGOS*version in the Toshiba TV?

1. press TVGuide button
2. Scroll L or R to "setup"
3. Scroll down to highlight "Change system settings" (only highlight, do not press enter")
4. punch in 753159852
5. main diagnostic screen comes up.
6 Version # is on that screen

1. press TVGuide button
2. Scroll L or R to "setup"
3. Scroll down to highlight "Change system settings" (only highlight, do not press enter")
4. punch in 753159852
5. main diagnostic screen comes up.
6 Version # is on that screen

Thanks xhibit,
and also gmucklow.

I have the same guide version as you.
Still no guide with the DTVPal/42HP95 set up as gmucklow posted.
I waited 2 days with no luck, reset the Toshiba and the Pal and now I'm waiting again. My DTVPal is at version 106, so it should work.

Thanks xhibit,
and also gmucklow.

I have the same guide version as you.
Still no guide with the DTVPal/42HP95 set up as gmucklow posted.
I waited 2 days with no luck, reset the Toshiba and the Pal and now I'm waiting again. My DTVPal is at version 106, so it should work.

Yes, mine quit getting guide data correctly some time ago also. From looking at other threads, people all over the country with all kinds of hardware are having problems with TVGOS downloads -- especially after the early switch to DST. I guess we will have to wait for Macrovision and the networks to get their act together -- maybe after the normal DST switch in April, or maybe they think they have until the delayed June 12th DTV transition date to get it to work now. As mine was working at one point, I still have hope -- but the TVGOS problems right now are not unique to the DTVPal Plus.

gmucklow,
I must have misread, but I thought your TVGOS was still working. Thanks for clarifying. I will save some frustration knowing that it isn't just me having problems getting this to work.
My analog TVGOS stopped working after the daylight savings change. I assumed the digital side was ready since they pulled the plug on analog.
Macrovision needs to get their act together soon.

TVGOS has been out for 3 months after being out for another 2 in November with numerous calls to Toshiba Tech support, including incident report to Macrovision. In general Toshiba's support is good and they try to be helpful but no one thought to ask what station was listed for the only Analog ( read: TVGOS host) channel. Originally like many it was the local PBS station but now is CBS. I stumbled on this by pure frustration and when I called Toshiba late afternoon, 4/13 and also e-mailed Macrovision with the incident # and my Zipcode lo and behold I started to receive some data by the next afternoon,and the full grid by this morning Why Macrovision would have to be told about this when Comcast is probably their largest provider of TVGOS info for them is really incompetent. How could they not have been in contact with Comcast in the Philly area to coordinate changing the host channel for PBS to CBS? Even though anyone with TVGOS should be the same priority you would think a market as large as Philadelphia and it's suburbs would not fall through the tracks. Done my rant, glad I have my guide back.
ps. I still think we should be able to get a firmware update to give us the digital guide.

TVGOS has been out for 3 months after being out for another 2 in November with numerous calls to Toshiba Tech support, including incident report to Macrovision. In general Toshiba's support is good and they try to be helpful but no one thought to ask what station was listed for the only Analog ( read: TVGOS host) channel. Originally like many it was the local PBS station but now is CBS. I stumbled on this by pure frustration and when I called Toshiba late afternoon, 4/13 and also e-mailed Macrovision with the incident # and my Zipcode lo and behold I started to receive some data by the next afternoon,and the full grid by this morning Why Macrovision would have to be told about this when Comcast is probably their largest provider of TVGOS info for them is really incompetent. How could they not have been in contact with Comcast in the Philly area to coordinate changing the host channel for PBS to CBS? Even though anyone with TVGOS should be the same priority you would think a market as large as Philadelphia and it's suburbs would not fall through the tracks. Done my rant, glad I have my guide back.
ps. I still think we should be able to get a firmware update to give us the digital guide.
Thanks for the post.
How exactly did you get the guide to work again?
Did Comcast fixed it on thier end?
I guess OTA TVGOS is still SOL here in the Sacramento area.

My TVGOS is working using the analog CBS channel from Baltimore, which is on my condo master antenna until June 12th, and the zip code for my local CBS channel in Washington, DC.

Trying the DTVPal Plus in TVGOS mode just as an analog input (not cable box) to the TV with my local digital CBS station, which did work earlier, now just locks up the TV and I have to do a power off reset to get it back. However, I have seen the ATSC slicer data coming in during some tests. So, there is still hope Macrovision may have something working from 127 inserted data by June 12th.

I am also concerned about getting a clock after the digital transition, and Toshiba fixing the manual record capability with a manual clock set. It looks like the TVGOS thinks the clock is set a day later than it is with a manual clock set. It says the time for the recording is already passed if I try to set a recording for the same day. If I set a recording for the next day, it still does not record, as when the date switches to the next day it thinks the recording date has passed again or something.

My guess is either the e-mail sent by me to customer support at TV Guide or the report Toshiba filed with TV Guide caused TV guide/Macrovision to call Comcast in my area and switch the host channel from PBS analog to CBS analog.

I factory reset my 42HP95 and removed the DTVPal and overnight I got the correct time in the morning. This evening I have TVGOS again!
How can I tell what channel it's getting it from?

Now that the clock problems have stabilized somewhat after the prolonged DST transition, I decided to revisit using the DTVPal Plus in TVGOS mode to convert TVGOS data received from my local digital CBS station into analog form for my Toshiba 50HPX95 ASTC/NTSC TV that uses only analog signals for the TVGOS -- and it seems to be working. And it should work after June 12th. The clock channel is also the digital CBS station.

I set up the DTVPal Plus emulating a Scientific Atlanta cable box according to the manual on input one, and my OTA antennas on input two. I used the zip code from the DTVPAL Plus manual for the TVGOS setup on the TV, and the zip code for the local CBS station on the DTVPal Plus. I left the TV set on input one overnight, and the TVGOS system did get downloads overnight from the digital CBS station via the DTVPal Plus. The TV also locked on the input one so that I could not receive anything on input two, probably due the state the TV was left in after the many experiments I had done during the clock problems. I reset the TV by unplugging it and plugging it back in, and input two started working. The next morning the TVGOS had reset itself and asked for the cable provider again. I selected Comcast, as I had better luck with that than "No Match" in earlier experiments. The listings instantly appeared, although the channel lineup was reduced from a thousand to around 700 with the cable channels -- And, I have received TVGOS downloads for the last two nights successfully, with the TV working normally.

I had to do a lot of editing in the channel editor to turn off the cable channels, but I am able to receive HD broadcasts normally from input two using the ATSC tuner.

One key point is that the the TVGOS host channel found by the TV in the Scientific Atlanta scheme is channel 190. The digital ATSC CBS channel would be 191, as the virtual channel number of the CBS station in Washington, DC is 9.1 -- Scientific Atlanta drops the decimal and adds 100 to the virtual channel numbers, so channel 09.1 becomes 191 on the DTVPal Plus. This may be key to getting it to work. Channel 190 may be the basic data stream including the HD subchannel and the SD subchannels as well as the SCTE 127 data carrying the TVGOS information to be converted and inserted into the analog VBI data output by the DTVPAL Plus. Channel 191 may only have the HD subchannel data -- Or, it just found the TVGOS data on channel 190 before it checked channel 191.

From looking at other forums, it appears that the original DTVPal with version 105 or 106 SW will work. Older units have to be returned to be upgraded.

My DTVPal units have ver 101 software and were used to restore TVGOS on my Toshiba 46HM95 TV and an analog DVD recorder. They do have other issues concerning the timers but for use in the TVGOS mode, it is not a problem.

Since I couldn't get them to work in the TVGOS mode back in June, 2008 I thought they were bad units. Now I realize, with the help of postings by gmucklow, that my local CBS station needed to start sending out the required signal for them to work. They do work correctly now.

Thanks for your testing and postings about these DTVPal units gmucklow!!

Keith

Now that the clock problems have stabilized somewhat after the prolonged DST transition, I decided to revisit using the DTVPal Plus in TVGOS mode to convert TVGOS data received from my local digital CBS station into analog form for my Toshiba 50HPX95 ASTC/NTSC TV that uses only analog signals for the TVGOS -- and it seems to be working. And it should work after June 12th. The clock channel is also the digital CBS station.

I set up the DTVPal Plus emulating a Scientific Atlanta cable box according to the manual on input one, and my OTA antennas on input two. I used the zip code from the DTVPAL Plus manual for the TVGOS setup on the TV, and the zip code for the local CBS station on the DTVPal Plus. I left the TV set on input one overnight, and the TVGOS system did get downloads overnight from the digital CBS station via the DTVPal Plus. The TV also locked on the input one so that I could not receive anything on input two, probably due the state the TV was left in after the many experiments I had done during the clock problems. I reset the TV by unplugging it and plugging it back in, and input two started working. The next morning the TVGOS had reset itself and asked for the cable provider again. I selected Comcast, as I had better luck with that than "No Match" in earlier experiments. The listings instantly appeared, although the channel lineup was reduced from a thousand to around 700 with the cable channels -- And, I have received TVGOS downloads for the last two nights successfully, with the TV working normally.

I had to do a lot of editing in the channel editor to turn off the cable channels, but I am able to receive HD broadcasts normally from input two using the ATSC tuner.

One key point is that the the TVGOS host channel found by the TV in the Scientific Atlanta scheme is channel 190. The digital ATSC CBS channel would be 191, as the virtual channel number of the CBS station in Washington, DC is 9.1 -- Scientific Atlanta drops the decimal and adds 100 to the virtual channel numbers, so channel 09.1 becomes 191 on the DTVPal Plus. This may be key to getting it to work. Channel 190 may be the basic data stream including the HD subchannel and the SD subchannels as well as the SCTE 127 data carrying the TVGOS information to be converted and inserted into the analog VBI data output by the DTVPAL Plus. Channel 191 may only have the HD subchannel data -- Or, it just found the TVGOS data on channel 190 before it checked channel 191.


The phone tech this morning told me that the DTVPal Plus was only designed to work with antennas, not cable. This the manual agrees. Are you saying that this converter box enabled your analog device to access TVGOS cable channels?

It may be that my Panasonic EH50 can not work like your equipment, but I would like to clarify this.

Dan

The phone tech this morning told me that the DTVPal Plus was only designed to work with antennas, not cable. This the manual agrees. Are you saying that this converter box enabled your analog device to access TVGOS cable channels?

It may be that my Panasonic EH50 can not work like your equipment, but I would like to clarify this.

Dan

My earlier post that you quoted was for using the DTVPal Plus with a Toshiba TV -- the subject of this thread. The DTVPal Plus input is an antenna input to receive digital ATSC signals. It converts them to analog NTSC signals with the TVGOS data inserted for those devices that use analog TVGOS signals, wether or not the device also has an ATSC tuner. It emulates a Scientific Atlanta cable box in the TVGOS mode to do this. I have continued to experiment, and now have it working on the video 1 input to my Toshiba TV with my ATSC antenna input on the Antenna 2 input. I had a problem receiving the wrong channel for the TVGOS data from a nearby city. So, I set the DTVPal Plus to the correct local channel and removed the IR Blaster, so that if the Toshiba TV tries to search channels on the DTVPal plus, it will only get the correct channel. This has been working for over a week with full listings and no lockups in the Washington, DC area.

The DTVPal Plus will also work with your EH50. You would set it up on a fixed input to the EH50 -- such as the video input -- and use the timers in both the DTVPal Plus and the EH50 to record analog programs from the DTVPal Plus that have been converted from digital ATSC signals on the antenna input on the DTVPal Plus. You would use the DTVPal Plus internal program guide in this setup, not the TVGOS. Set the clock in the EH50 manually. This will work now.

If you can set up a cable box on the EH50, it should work in TVGOS mode as well, emulating a Scientific Atlanta cable box as far as the EH50 is concerned. Then you could use the TVGOS system in the EH50. If, and only if, the analog TVGOS data is being inserted into an ATSC digital channel in your area. You may need to wait until June 12th for this, depending on your location.

Some people have suggested that Blu-Ray doesn't make a noticeable improvement on 720p sets like these Toshiba plasma models, as compared to watching a regular DVD. What have other people found?

Some people have suggested that Blu-Ray doesn't make a noticeable improvement on 720p sets like these Toshiba plasma models, as compared to watching a regular DVD. What have other people found?
That's an odd statement.

Doesn't broadcast HD look significantly better than SD on a 720p set.

The difference is very apparent on all but the smallest of HD screens.

I fixed my set last night. It had the no power/flashing red light problem. I need help from some of the rest of you who are having the same no power/flashing light issue. I want to post a solution and tutorial, but I want to make sure this is a common enough problem first.

I need at least one or two people who are willing to work on their own set, but this won't require any technical knowledge. I'll take pictures and guide you through the process. I just need to know if it works for someone else.

Well, now that the transition to DTV has happened, I hooked up the DTVpal as described in the manual and it did indeed work. The only problem was that it only works (as I expected) with the DTVpal's own SD tuner. I can see the reason for using this for an old analog DVR or VCR, but to use it with the Toshiba's built-in tuner and Symbio HD DVR is almost useless! I just reset the guide settings and am just going to try gmucklow's other method, without the g-link and setting the DTVpal to the CBS affiliate.

You guys reporting that this works,
are you using the converted TV guide to control the TV's own HD tuner?
If so, How?

It works fine as in gmucklow's procedure, but there's on more step to make it work for me the same as before.

I found that going through the DTVpal and getting all the listings, it still can't tune in the HD channels using the guide. My fix was to split the incoming antenna signal, have one output going to the DTVpal, the other to the TV via a combiner. Then the output of the Pal goes to the other input of the combiner. The output of the combiner then feeds both the unaltered antenna signal mixed with analog channel 3 or 4 from the Pal to the TV.
This gives the same functionality as before except that the guide gets populated in only a few hours instead of days!

I hope this helps some of you.

It works fine as in gmucklow's procedure, but there's on more step to make it work for me the same as before.

I found that going through the DTVpal and getting all the listings, it still can't tune in the HD channels using the guide. My fix was to split the incoming antenna signal, have one output going to the DTVpal, the other to the TV via a combiner. Then the output of the Pal goes to the other input of the combiner. The output of the combiner then feeds both the unaltered antenna signal mixed with analog channel 3 or 4 from the Pal to the TV.
This gives the same functionality as before except that the guide gets populated in only a few hours instead of days!

I hope this helps some of you.

I can see how you would need this type of setup if you only had one TV input. Is that the case? In my case the TV has two RF (TV) inputs and a composite video input, each of which can be used as the TVGOS input signal (however, only one can be selected during TVGOS setup as the source for TVGOS).

My original setup with the DTVPal used antenna #2 input as the TVGOS input from the simulated cable box (channel 3). When doing this setup procedure I configured TVGOS that antenna #1 was connected to an antenna and of course antenna #2 was connected to a cable box. After a few hours I had digital channels listed in the channel grid and could select from antenna #1 and from the simulated cable box channels. I did have to edit the cable box channels to reflect the expected cable box numbers. Like you I was unable to pick up the antenna #2 digital channels because of the strong RF coming from the DTVPal converter for channel 3. These antenna #2 digital channels weren't listed in the TVGOS grid anyway.

I considered doing something like you did but found it much easier to reconfigure TVGOS using my TV's composite input #1. Just took the DTVPal composite output and did not use the channel 3 RF output at all. Now I can get all of the digital TV channels on antenna #1 and #2 inputs and the simulated cable channels on the composite video input #1. However, I don't think I will be watching the simulated cable channels since the HD digital channels are working fine coming from antenna #1 and these channels are listed in the converted DTVPal TVGOS listings.

Just my 2 cents worth.

TVGOS was working fine 'till a few days ago. Now I don't even get the correct time! :(

Hi All,
New to the forum. I have a 42HP95 on my home bench. Power LED blinking issue.I have d/l the service manual but it doesn't have troubleshooting logic diagrams. My insticts tell me it may be a power supply issue.
Any and all comments would be greatly apprciated. Built 2005.

Olesalt

I have a Toshiba 42HP95 with TVGOS version 08.01.53
I am considering getting the DTVPal Plus so that I can receive the TV Guide data.
But I have some questions:

1) Is this the only converter box that can be used for this purpose?

2) Once I have set it up, can I use the TV Guide as I used to? I mean can I press "enter" on the TV remote after highlighting a particular channel in the guide and have the TV go to that channel? The reason I ask this is because if I am looking at the TV guide then I am receiving the signal through the antena input connected to the box and when I want to go to a channel, that would imply switching to the other antena input (the one connected directly to the antena). I wonder if the TV can make this switching from one input to another automatically.
3) I have read in the previous posts about using a different type of input (composite?) for the TVGOS. I wonder if that would make a difference with respect to using the TVGOS to tune the digital channels.

The DTVpal may be the only solution but I'm not sure. I think I saw another converter box advertising analog tvgos compatibility, but I don't remember where I saw it or what the brand was.
It is possible to get it working as originally intended and I had it going for almost 2 weeks, but the guide disappeared a few days ago and didn't come back.
I hooked it up as in the DTVpal's manual using g-link ir cables and it did return, but the guide was only somewhat useful to control and view the DTVpal like a cable box. Not acceptable when I have an HD tuner and HD recorder built in to the Toshiba.

I tried the composite and the antenna inputs with the DTVpal and both had the same result for me.
The only way I got my original functionality back was using it as I described in post #454. Basically you tune the Pal to the local channel broadcasting TVGOS, switch it over to TV Guide mode and leave it alone.
Then make sure the TV scans the channels to pick up the pal on channel 3 or 4. Run the TV guide setup on the TV and use your real zip code, don't tell it you have a cable box and the g-link cable isn't needed either.

I'm happy to report that my guide listings are finally back. :)
I ended up setting up the DTVpal using the G-Link IR cable, video 1 input, and my real zip code.

I'm happy to report that my guide listings are finally back. :)
I ended up setting up the DTVpal using the G-Link IR cable, video 1 input, and my real zip code.

Along similar lines, I also have guide listings with the DTVPal, ANT1 input, G-Link IR cable, and, unfortunately, a zip code from a neighboring DMA (whose CBS affiliate I can get OTA). For some reason my local CBS affiliate's TVGOS data does not work with the DTVPAl.

I have a Toshiba 42HP95 with TVGOS version 08.01.53
I am considering getting the DTVPal Plus so that I can receive the TV Guide data.
But I have some questions:

1) Is this the only converter box that can be used for this purpose?

2) Once I have set it up, can I use the TV Guide as I used to? I mean can I press "enter" on the TV remote after highlighting a particular channel in the guide and have the TV go to that channel? The reason I ask this is because if I am looking at the TV guide then I am receiving the signal through the antena input connected to the box and when I want to go to a channel, that would imply switching to the other antena input (the one connected directly to the antena). I wonder if the TV can make this switching from one input to another automatically.
3) I have read in the previous posts about using a different type of input (composite?) for the TVGOS. I wonder if that would make a difference with respect to using the TVGOS to tune the digital channels.

1) I believe there is at least one other converter box that can be used like the DTVPal for conversion of the the TVGOS data. Here is the website for it: (EDIT can't post URL until I have more posts.) Find the website for the ARTEC converter model T3APRT (I think that's the model; check on Google).
The price is similar to the DTVPal and is also eligible for the $40 government issused coupon.

2) In my DTVPal setup, the normal digital channels that were listed before the analog cutoff are still listed along with the converter box channels (converted digital to analog). These converted channels are on input #1 of my Toshiba TV. If the last TV channel selected is an converter box channel coming through input #1 and the viewer wants to select a digital channel from input #0 (antenna), all the viewer needs to do is highlight the channel of choice from the TV Guide and press the Enter key. The TV will automatically change the input from input #1 to input #0 and display the correct TV channel.

3) In your last question about the TV input (or DTVPal output) from composite (input #1 in my TV's case), both methods will work as indicated in msg 454 and in 455. I just found it easier to connect the DTVPal composite output to my TV's composite input #1.

Since I have been using the DTVPal to supply the TVGuide for my Toshiba TV it has worked flawlessly! It quickly gets the time and guide data back when I have accidently cut the power to the DTVPal. I went on vacation recently and turned off a power strip to my computer where the DTVPal power was plugged into. It took me a few minutes to realize why I didn't have any new guide data. Within minutes after restoring the DTVPal power source the TV had the correct time and about four hours later I had new listings in the TVGuide.

My second DTVPal is my backup for my Sony DHG HDD250 recorder with TVGuide. So far my Sony is getting the digital TVGOS data without problems but many others are having lots of problems. It should work as well with the Sony, I hope. The DTVPal so far has made my digital life a little easier.

I still have the guide, but it seems to reset every few days giving me a blank guide and a message saying it's "...getting new guide data due to the changes I made". I don't make any changes, but the guide usually comes back the next day.

Anyone else experiencing this?

I fixed my set last night. It had the no power/flashing red light problem. I need help from some of the rest of you who are having the same no power/flashing light issue. I want to post a solution and tutorial, but I want to make sure this is a common enough problem first.

I need at least one or two people who are willing to work on their own set, but this won't require any technical knowledge. I'll take pictures and guide you through the process. I just need to know if it works for someone else.

So, how did you fix it? Everything was fine last night. The picture was still very good, even in today's standard (imho). This mormingI pressed the power button on the remote and there it goes the flashing red led of death.

I also am experiencing the blinking red light. Last night I went to turn on my set and there it is! I plan on taking it to a local electronics repair place since they do free evaluations, but based on what I have read hear it does not look promising :(. It is a shame too, I really liked my set.

Has anyone found a resolution to this problem? We are experiencing the same thing with our Toshiba 42HPX95. No picture or sound and the power red LED light blinks.



Hi All,
New to the forum. I have a 42HP95 on my home bench. Power LED blinking issue.I have d/l the service manual but it doesn't have troubleshooting logic diagrams. My insticts tell me it may be a power supply issue.
Any and all comments would be greatly apprciated. Built 2005.

Olesalt

I fixed my set last night. It had the no power/flashing red light problem. I need help from some of the rest of you who are having the same no power/flashing light issue. I want to post a solution and tutorial, but I want to make sure this is a common enough problem first.

I need at least one or two people who are willing to work on their own set, but this won't require any technical knowledge. I'll take pictures and guide you through the process. I just need to know if it works for someone else.
This guy, with only ONE post to his name, claims to have a fix. But can't post the fix until enough people show interest.

Hey taser1984,

I think there's enough interest for your "fix". Please post it for them if it really exists.

I'm happy to report that my guide listings are finally back. :)
I ended up setting up the DTVpal using the G-Link IR cable, video 1 input, and my real zip code.

Would you please explain in detail how you have this configured?

I have mine set to split the antenna input and send one half to antenna 2 input and the other through the DTVPal to the antenna 1 input. DTVPal has my correct zip code and is set in TVGuide mode. On the TV in the TVGOS setup, I said I have a cable box and my zip code is 00002 (fake zip for Los Angeles). I get the TV Guide updates, but only for the cable box. I want to get the updates for the OTA antenna 2 channels, which are currently missing.

Would you please explain in detail how you have this configured?

I have mine set to split the antenna input and send one half to antenna 2 input and the other through the DTVPal to the antenna 1 input. DTVPal has my correct zip code and is set in TVGuide mode. On the TV in the TVGOS setup, I said I have a cable box and my zip code is 00002 (fake zip for Los Angeles). I get the TV Guide updates, but only for the cable box. I want to get the updates for the OTA antenna 2 channels, which are currently missing.

Use your actual zip code on both the TV and the Pal, not the fake one from the manual.
You're probably fine leaving your antenna cabling the way it is, but connect the pal to video 1 also using composite out from the Pal.
In the TVGOS setup: set to cable box in video 1. G-link cable connected, Scientific Atlanta code 085, antenna on antenna 2.
That's my settings, it works well, except for my guide data going away about once a week or so and coming back on its own within a day. The message it gives says it is getting new guide data due to my changes. Of course, I didn't make any changes.
Hope that helps, let us know your results.

If you have a cable box with DVR features, then you don't need TV Guide to program your machine. If you have any cable box at all, then you will have a program guide as part of your cable services. And if you have no cable box, you can look up TV schedules on various websites such as titantv.com or tvguide.com, which you can certainly access if you are reading this forum.

Even before analog TV signals shut down, I found that the TV Guide interface was so cumbersome that it wasn't worth the trouble. YMMV, though...

If you have a cable box with DVR features, then you don't need TV Guide to program your machine. If you have any cable box at all, then you will have a program guide as part of your cable services. And if you have no cable box, you can look up TV schedules on various websites such as titantv.com or tvguide.com, which you can certainly access if you are reading this forum.

Even before analog TV signals shut down, I found that the TV Guide interface was so cumbersome that it wasn't worth the trouble. YMMV, though...

No cable box, no cable, no dish, OTA only. We just make the TV think it has a cable box to supply the TV guide data from the DTVPal converter box. Without TVGOS this TV has NO program info, not even EPG.
In my case, I have a Symbio HD DVR that works only with Toshiba TVs with a Firewire port such as my 42HP95. It MUST have the TVGOS or it has to be programmed manually, which is a PITA. TVGOS is a perfect, useful, FREE solution for OTA only TV viewers like me.

No cable box, no cable, no dish, OTA only. We just make the TV think it has a cable box to supply the TV guide data from the DTVPal converter box. Without TVGOS this TV has NO program info, not even EPG.

I can see why you'd want it then. But for me, the TVGOS interface is the true PITA, which is why if I were in your situation I'd check my program listings online. But that's just me...

I got the blinking red light of death tonight.

Where is the solution?

I got the blinking red light of death tonight.

Where is the solution?

Sorry to here it.

Use your actual zip code on both the TV and the Pal, not the fake one from the manual.
You're probably fine leaving your antenna cabling the way it is, but connect the pal to video 1 also using composite out from the Pal.
In the TVGOS setup: set to cable box in video 1. G-link cable connected, Scientific Atlanta code 085, antenna on antenna 2.
That's my settings, it works well, except for my guide data going away about once a week or so and coming back on its own within a day. The message it gives says it is getting new guide data due to my changes. Of course, I didn't make any changes.
Hope that helps, let us know your results.

This is not working for me. On Sunday, I set the TV and DTVPal as follows:

1. The antenna is split with one half going to the DTVPal and the other half to the TV antenna 2 input.
2. The DTVPal is now connected to the TV via the Video 1 input (antenna 1 is no longer connected).
3. GLink is connected from TV to DTVPal.

On Monday I had no data. I assumed I set something wrong, so on Monday, I did the following:

1. Reset the TV to factory defaults.
2. In TVGOS setup, set cable input with cable box, Scientific Atlanta, on video 1. Antenna on antenna 2. I used my zip code.
3. On Pal, I set my zip code and put in TVGOS mode.

Again today, I have no TVGOS data.

Can anyone see what I am doing wrong? Before, I had the same setup, but with the DTVPal connected to anntenna 1 input, and received data but only for the cable box and not for antenna 2.

Give it another day, it sometimes takes a while. Are you even getting the correct time?
What city are you in? Maybe your CBS affiliate is not broadcasting the guide properly.

Give it another day, it sometimes takes a while. Are you even getting the correct time?
What city are you in? Maybe your CBS affiliate is not broadcasting the guide properly.

Last night, I changed the TV to use the fake zip code of 00002 and this morning I had the listings again, but only for the cable channels. At this point, I think everything is physically connected correctly and I am successfully receiving the signal. I just can't understand why I do not get the OTA channels.

I set the TV back to my real zip code (92570) and will see if I have any listings tomorrow.

I have had two days of success where I received not only the cable box channels, but the OTA channels as well.

I also have a theory as to why I am having problems receiving the information.

The connection is as DidHeFocus describes. The antenna feed is split with one half going to the TV on antenna 2, and the other half going to the DTVPal. The DTVPal can be connected to the TV via antenna 1 or video 1; it does not really matter.

Setup for the DTVPal and TV are as described in the manual except that the TV should be set for the user's real zip code and not the fake one listed in the DTVPal manual. If you set the fake zip, you will only get the cable box channels. If you set your real zip, you will get both.

As to why I was having the problem: The DTVPal is made by Dish and I have Dish satellite service with a Dish DVR where the DVR's remote also controls the DTVPal. What was happening was I would set up the TV and DTVPal, and then watch Dish for a while before shutting things off. While switching the DVR, I would reset the DTVPal. On the occasions where I actually received the information, I configured the DTVPal just before turning off the TV and going to bed. Today I plan to cover the IR input on the DTVPal so only the GLink cable can access it to verify that this is really the problem.

So, at this point I am good to go!:)

DidHeFocus, thanks for your help getting me setup and running.

Found one temp solution that worked on mine. Unplug the HDTV Tuner so that the set does not know about the error. The blinking red light goes away -- Now I can at least use all the other inputs, but sound from the DTVPal Plus on the Video 1 input does not record on my Symbio. See URL:

http://www.fixya.com/support/t101749-tv_turned_itself_off_turn_back

I still have the guide, but it seems to reset every few days giving me a blank guide and a message saying it's "...getting new guide data due to the changes I made". I don't make any changes, but the guide usually comes back the next day.

Anyone else experiencing this?

I used to experience this a lot with my Toshiba TV before the June 12 analog cutoff. It would last up to five to seven days before I would redo the TVGOS setup which usually gave me the guide grid by the next day. Like you I didn't make any changes like the display indicated.

Strangely, my Sony DHG recorder with TVGuide never gave this warning. Now I have the DTVPal working only with the Toshiba TV (since June) and I have not had this warning yet.

I used to experience this a lot with my Toshiba TV before the June 12 analog cutoff. It would last up to five to seven days before I would redo the TVGOS setup which usually gave me the guide grid by the next day. Like you I didn't make any changes like the display indicated.

Strangely, my Sony DHG recorder with TVGuide never gave this warning. Now I have the DTVPal working only with the Toshiba TV (since June) and I have not had this warning yet.
Thanks.
I'm still getting this twice a week or so.

Thanks.
I'm still getting this twice a week or so.

When this condition showed up on my Toshiba I was suspicious that it was caused by very short power bumps (one second or shorter). Some of the power bumps were so short or during the daytime that I wasn't aware of them except for the "PF" showing up on my microwave display. Don't know if the power bumps caused the issue but we haven't had any for a long time now and the issue hasn't reappeared for just about as long.

My Sony DHG recorder is plugged into an power spike suppressor and the Toshiba is not. The TV really should have one also.

When this condition showed up on my Toshiba I was suspicious that it was caused by very short power bumps (one second or shorter). Some of the power bumps were so short or during the daytime that I wasn't aware of them except for the "PF" showing up on my microwave display. Don't know if the power bumps caused the issue but we haven't had any for a long time now and the issue hasn't reappeared for just about as long.

My Sony DHG recorder is plugged into an power spike suppressor and the Toshiba is not. The TV really should have one also.

I have a whole house power filter/surge supressor installed at the breaker box. This only started since getting the DTVpal to work for TVGOS on the Toshiba.

I have a whole house power filter/surge supressor installed at the breaker box. This only started since getting the DTVpal to work for TVGOS on the Toshiba.

Wow, that really is a mystery! Your problem started with the use of the DTVPal and my same issue appears to have stopped with the use of the DTVPal (at least I hope it has stopped). If I haven't stated it before, I am using one of the earliest versions of the DTVPal - v101. However, that may have nothing to do with what's happening.

I have another analog TVGOS device (dvd recorder) that I am using a second DTVPal with and it has not displayed this problem yet, although it did before using the DTVPal. As far back as I can remember my Sony DHG hidef recorder has never reported the same problem before, nor after the analog cutoff (knock on wood).

Wow, that really is a mystery! Your problem started with the use of the DTVPal and my same issue appears to have stopped with the use of the DTVPal (at least I hope it has stopped). If I haven't stated it before, I am using one of the earliest versions of the DTVPal - v101. However, that may have nothing to do with what's happening.

I have another analog TVGOS device (dvd recorder) that I am using a second DTVPal with and it has not displayed this problem yet, although it did before using the DTVPal. As far back as I can remember my Sony DHG hidef recorder has never reported the same problem before, nor after the analog cutoff (knock on wood).
My first DTVpal converter stopped working and was replaced even though it was a day or two out of warranty. I'm pretty sure the replacement has the latest firmware.

No cable box, no cable, no dish, OTA only. We just make the TV think it has a cable box to supply the TV guide data from the DTVPal converter box. Without TVGOS this TV has NO program info, not even EPG.
In my case, I havehow a Symbio HD DVR that works only with Toshiba TVs with a Firewire port such as my 42HP95. It MUST have the TVGOS or it has to be programmed manually, which is a PITA. TVGOS is a perfect, useful, FREE solution for OTA only TV viewers like me.

Ok, I have to ask. How in the heck did you manage to program the Symbio manually??? I can edit or add a "scheduled event" using the date/time/desired channel I want, but it appears that even if I set the time on the tv manually, the TVGOS system ignores it (two dashes where the time is ususally displayed) and does not record squat! :mad: If someone knows how to get the Symbio to actually record without the TVGOS working, please inform me!!!!

Thanks

Ok, I have to ask. How in the heck did you manage to program the Symbio manually??? I can edit or add a "scheduled event" using the date/time/desired channel I want, but it appears that even if I set the time on the tv manually, the TVGOS system ignores it (two dashes where the time is ususally displayed) and does not record squat! :mad: If someone knows how to get the Symbio to actually record without the TVGOS working, please inform me!!!!

Thanks
Nice catch on my not-so-well thought out reply.
I actually never made a manual recording with the Symbio. I guess I was just speculating that it wouldn't be easy if it could be done.
My TVGOS is working, so I haven't had to try it yet.

Can someone clarify whether or not the Toshiba 50HP95 can get digital TVGOS info? Here in Denver, it used to be broadcast on analog channel 6 (PBS) and it worked fine for me then. After the transition, I am told that it is now broadcast on digitally on channel 4-1 (CBS). My TVGOS has not worked since then. I have tried to reset it by entering 00000 for the zip code, waiting a couple of days, and then entering the real zip code, but I'm still not getting any listings. I don't have anything else like DTVPal (don't even know what that is). I only have my Toshiba Plasma TV and a Symbios recorder.

Can someone clarify whether or not the Toshiba 50HP95 can get digital TVGOS info? Here in Denver, it used to be broadcast on analog channel 6 (PBS) and it worked fine for me then. After the transition, I am told that it is now broadcast on digitally on channel 4-1 (CBS). My TVGOS has not worked since then. I have tried to reset it by entering 00000 for the zip code, waiting a couple of days, and then entering the real zip code, but I'm still not getting any listings. I don't have anything else like DTVPal (don't even know what that is). I only have my Toshiba Plasma TV and a Symbios recorder.
You need to get the DTVpal Plus from Sears and set it up as a Scientific Atlanta Cable Box according to the DTVpal instructions, preferably on the Video 1 input.

I watch the clear QAM cable channels. They are scattered somewhat but for some reason it stop seeing the channels on 103.x. This is where PBS, ABC and CBS are. As far as I know I can still get the other 15 or so clear QAM channels. My other TV in the kitchen still gets the 103.x channels just fine.
I tried a reset but no luck.
Has my 42HP95 tuner gone bad?

It's a changing problem. The 103's are back but now its not seeing ESPN and ESPN2. I saw some mention of it in this thread back in 06.

Nice catch on my not-so-well thought out reply.
I actually never made a manual recording with the Symbio. I guess I was just speculating that it wouldn't be easy if it could be done.
My TVGOS is working, so I haven't had to try it yet.

On my 50HPX95, there is a bug where the TVGOS thinks it is the next day or something from the manual set clock. You can set the recording up fine, but when the time comes for the actual program to record, it thinks it was yesterday and the Symbio does not record it.