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Official Sony KDL-xxV5100 Thread - Page 138

post #4111 of 4647
8/16/10 at 3:21pm
No, if it were me I'd take them up on the trade offer for a different model. This one has too many problems unless you happen to luck into a good one. Some people reporting here have had zero problems...others nothing but problems. No one that I can recall that has had problems got them fixed by any means other than the update you already know about.

My sound issues were never fixed with any update. The only thing that worked was not using the TV sound and instead opting for a sound bar.
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post #4112 of 4647
8/16/10 at 9:20pm
So no one has had problems with the brightness automatically adjusting itself depending on the scene? It's like it decreases the brightness when there is a dark scene so the backlight is less visible. However it is completely sporadic and I can't find a way to disable it. I already have the auto dim feature turned off!!!
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post #4113 of 4647
8/17/10 at 4:18am
We all had problems with that. It was a known problem right from the beginning when this set was released. I believe it was the 2nd firmware update that addressed this. That took care of it.

Be sure to check out some of the suggested settings listed here by serialmike and others. If I recall, all of those options underneath sharpness should be off.
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post #4114 of 4647
8/17/10 at 4:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by coolowl View Post

We all had problems with that. It was a known problem right from the beginning when this set was released. I believe it was the 2nd firmware update that addressed this. That took care of it.

Be sure to check out some of the suggested settings listed here by serialmike and others. If I recall, all of those options underneath sharpness should be off.

Do you know if there was ever a firmware update to fix this for the 4100 series?

fafner
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post #4115 of 4647
8/17/10 at 7:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by shawnmos View Post

So no one has had problems with the brightness automatically adjusting itself depending on the scene? It's like it decreases the brightness when there is a dark scene so the backlight is less visible. However it is completely sporadic and I can't find a way to disable it. I already have the auto dim feature turned off!!!

Note: I like this on Low & on Theater-Cinema Mode Sony does it. But You can also get flashing on things in the picture... Adv. Contrast Enhancer- Off . So if Your at anything but Off this can do some strange things... Most calibrators have it Off...
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post #4116 of 4647
8/17/10 at 9:28am
fafner, no I do not know about the other series.
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post #4117 of 4647
8/17/10 at 2:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by coolowl View Post

We all had problems with that. It was a known problem right from the beginning when this set was released. I believe it was the 2nd firmware update that addressed this. That took care of it.

Be sure to check out some of the suggested settings listed here by serialmike and others. If I recall, all of those options underneath sharpness should be off.

My TV already has firmware ER4.11-E228 and picture mode is set to standard.
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post #4118 of 4647
8/21/10 at 2:34pm
I have a 52V5100, and I have been reading the thread to get an idea of what has happened so far. My main issue with my TV is the dropping audio issue. I have a DirectTV HD DVR receiver, a Sony DVD/Surround Sound system (I believe the DAVHDX576WF), and a Sony Blu-Ray player (BDP-N460) that came with the TV (a deal through HHGregg). Everything is plugged into the TV by HDMI (from monoprice), and the audio is an optical cable going from the TV to the Surround System (also a monoprice cable).

I have not used the Blu-Ray or DVD players enough to notice, but I am getting the HDMI audio issues where it garbles, cuts out, and then comes back in reverse process or a channel switch. The TV acknowledges that it is using the external audio when the TV turns on, and it is coming through the surround system just fine.

I have not tried the firmware update (should still be on factory firmware) yet as I have not noticed the red flashing issue (I will have to look for it when I get home from work today). I also have seen that the firmware does not help the audio drop out, but Dan said resetting to factory defaults and then updated worked (or at least by his last post it was still working). I also saw that some people weren't getting the audio drops when hooked up to an external sound system. If I see any flashing red, and if I find it annoying, I will think about updating the firmware. However, I wanted to know if there is anything I could do to fix the audio drop outs? It happens randomly (it isn't a every 30 min thing), but it does get a bit annoying for a Sony TV (we have owned Sony TVs since the 80s, go Trinitrons :P).

Also another issue we have sometimes, but rarely compared to other issues, is that if we turn on the devices (DirecTV's remote pings the TV and then the receiver to turn on with one button) it will stay at the Bravia home screen (the purpleish background) with a message saying No Signal, and we have to turn the TV off and on a couple of times before it actually picks up the signal. Will the firmware fix an issue like this?
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post #4119 of 4647
8/22/10 at 11:51am
To Bochica:

We have a 46V5100, and have the exact same problem as you. Sound dropouts via HDMI, but only from the HD cable box (Scientific Atlanta Explorer 4240 HDC from Time Warner). We also have a Sony BlueRay player (BDP-5560), and that works perfect via HDMI. I'm guessing there is some compatibility problems between some cable boxes and the Sony tv, but I am not sure.

Anyway, we fixed the problem by using component cable to hook up the cable box, not HDMI cable. Picture looks exactly the same and sound problems have all gone away. BlueRay is still hooked up via HDMI as it needs to be to get the best picture.

Other than the sound problems you describe, after 9 months of ownership this has been a great tv. Picture is amazing. We have not even taken it off default video settings as it looks so good we can't see a reason to change anything. Have not seen any red flash or any other problems, other than the very annoying sound drop outs.

There may be other ways to solve your sound problems, like buying a sound bar, but using component cable is basically free as its usually given to you by your cable provider when you get your HD box. At least that's what Time Warner did here.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your new tv
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post #4120 of 4647
8/25/10 at 8:17am
Sony released a new firmware update ER412_E227 on 8/23/2010.
Improvement over version ER4.11-E2:

* Resolves an issue that may intermittently cause the TV to freeze and stop responding to the Remote Commander control device when the TV is connected to a digital channel.

I wonder if the two issues that I still have, were resolved:
- no 5.1 sound via the optical S/PDIF output from the internal QAM tuner
- losing occasionally the Bravia sync (HDMI control) capability (very annoying!)

Any comments / experiences are highly appreciated!
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post #4121 of 4647
8/25/10 at 8:45pm
Interesting. Still no mention of the red flashing issue in the description of updates/fixes, but I'm comparing the files to the unofficial firmware we all got hooked up with last December, and there's definitely some different files in there. I'm hesitant to upgrade though since I'm not really having any issues, and I'd hate for the red flashing to possibly come back again.
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post #4122 of 4647
8/26/10 at 6:41am
Does the new firmware upgrade from 8/23/10 include the red flashing fix?
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post #4123 of 4647
8/26/10 at 9:08am
Unless it can be confirmed that this new update also includes the red flashing fix from the unofficial firmware, I won't be upgrading. With the red flashing fix, the TV looks beautiful, and I can't imagine having to live with the red flashing bug again.

Garrett
KDL-46V5100
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post #4124 of 4647
8/26/10 at 1:13pm
I own a Bravia KDL-46VL150. Its owners manual also lists the xxV5100 series so they are brothers under the LCD panel. I have had the same audio dropouts via the HDMI ports along with some other video artifacts that I could call "flashing" but not necessarily "red flashing". (maybe because I'm partially red/green color blind). Anyway, it's interesting that on the 46VL150 site, SONY just released this version of firmware:
ER4.12-E2 (08/23/2010)
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu...=6044&os_id=25

which is supposed to do this:
This utility updates the system software to version ER4.12-E2 and provides the following benefits:

* Resolves an issue that may intermittently cause the TV to freeze and stop responding to the Remote Commander® control device when the TV is connected to a digital channel.
* Addresses an issue where the picture brightness changes intensity on some scenes.
Note: After the software update, please set Advanced Contrast Enhancer to LOW or OFF to further minimize this characteristic.
* Addresses an issue with occasional intermittent operation when using favorites or HDMI-CEC functions.
* Corrects an issue where the audio may infrequently be lost while connected via an HDMI connection.
* Corrects an issue where there may be audio static when changing analog channels while connected via an RF (coax) connection.
* Corrects an issue where the audio may be muted when resuming after using the timer.
* Corrects an issue where there may be distorted blocks in the picture caused by incorrect encoding in the broadcast signal.
* Corrects an issue where picture files may not show in the USB Photo Viewer after switching to a different input and then back to the USB input.
* Improves menu navigation.

As purchased my Bravia currently shows it is using Software Version ER4.11-E230.

So how do these improvements (if they work) compare with the XXV5100's firmware updates?
SONY has a specific list of "compatible" USB devices that can deliver the firmware. They even list specific MB/GB values.
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/sup...pl?info_id=411
These are fairly low capacity flash drives. I've certainly moved on to using higher capacity flash drives.
How critical is this compatibility, especially in size of the drive, so the firmware loading doesn't bomb? What are the pros and cons of trying to upload this new version of firmware. Thanks
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post #4125 of 4647
8/27/10 at 5:04am
I got my 52v5100 two weeks ago (super hot deal $900) and I have loved it but noticed red flashing while watching a movie. I installed the latest firmware (8/23/10), went back to the movie, and saw that there was still red flashing. I downloaded and installed the unofficial firmware from this forum, put in the movie, and there was no red flashing.

Moral of the story: do not install the 8/23/10 firmware update if you want red flashing to not come back. Per the sony website, the only thing that the 8/23/10 upgrade adds is a fix for some remote problem that I have never experienced. All the good stuff it includes are things that are from prior firmware updates.

My 2 cents about the tv: freakin' awesome!
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post #4126 of 4647
8/27/10 at 5:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by odin7 View Post

I own a Bravia KDL-46VL150. Its owners manual also lists the xxV5100 series so they are brothers under the LCD panel. I have had the same audio dropouts via the HDMI ports along with some other video artifacts that I could call "flashing" but not necessarily "red flashing". (maybe because I'm partially red/green color blind). Anyway, it's interesting that on the 46VL150 site, SONY just released this version of firmware:
ER4.12-E2 (08/23/2010)
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu...=6044&os_id=25

which is supposed to do this:
This utility updates the system software to version ER4.12-E2 and provides the following benefits:

........

As purchased my Bravia currently shows it is using Software Version ER4.11-E230.

So how do these improvements (if they work) compare with the XXV5100's firmware updates?
SONY has a specific list of "compatible" USB devices that can deliver the firmware. They even list specific MB/GB values.
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/sup...pl?info_id=411
These are fairly low capacity flash drives. I've certainly moved on to using higher capacity flash drives.
How critical is this compatibility, especially in size of the drive, so the firmware loading doesn't bomb? What are the pros and cons of trying to upload this new version of firmware. Thanks

I also have the 46VL150 and found this firmware on the Sony website yesterday after seeing the post about the update for the 5100. I've been frustrated by the sound issues, which this claims to correct. Following the instructions, I tried to download the firmware onto my existing USB drives, but when powering on while plugged in, didn't recognize any of mine. I believe the use a compatible drive is either it recognizes or not -- not a firmware bombing issue. I called Sony yesterday, and they should be shipping me a drive with the new firmware (7-10 days).

As far as I know, the 46VL150s never had the Red Flash problem (I never did, and didn't see anyone on this, or the VL150 thread report it), so I would be unbelievably pissed if this firmware introduced it ...
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post #4127 of 4647
8/27/10 at 5:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by odin7 View Post

I own a Bravia KDL-46VL150. Its owners manual also lists the xxV5100 series so they are brothers under the LCD panel. I have had the same audio dropouts via the HDMI ports along with some other video artifacts that I could call "flashing" but not necessarily "red flashing". (maybe because I'm partially red/green color blind). Anyway, it's interesting that on the 46VL150 site, SONY just released this version of firmware:
ER4.12-E2 (08/23/2010)

which is supposed to do this:
This utility updates the system software to version ER4.12-E2 and provides the following benefits:

* Resolves an issue that may intermittently cause the TV to freeze and stop responding to the Remote Commander® control device when the TV is connected to a digital channel.
* Addresses an issue where the picture brightness changes intensity on some scenes.
Note: After the software update, please set Advanced Contrast Enhancer to LOW or OFF to further minimize this characteristic.
* Addresses an issue with occasional intermittent operation when using favorites or HDMI-CEC functions.
* Corrects an issue where the audio may infrequently be lost while connected via an HDMI connection.
* Corrects an issue where there may be audio static when changing analog channels while connected via an RF (coax) connection.
* Corrects an issue where the audio may be muted when resuming after using the timer.
* Corrects an issue where there may be distorted blocks in the picture caused by incorrect encoding in the broadcast signal.
* Corrects an issue where picture files may not show in the USB Photo Viewer after switching to a different input and then back to the USB input.
* Improves menu navigation.

As purchased my Bravia currently shows it is using Software Version ER4.11-E230.

So how do these improvements (if they work) compare with the XXV5100's firmware updates?
SONY has a specific list of "compatible" USB devices that can deliver the firmware. They even list specific MB/GB values.

These are fairly low capacity flash drives. I've certainly moved on to using higher capacity flash drives.
How critical is this compatibility, especially in size of the drive, so the firmware loading doesn't bomb? What are the pros and cons of trying to upload this new version of firmware. Thanks

It looks like all of these issue were already corrected in a previous firmware update for the xxV5100 series. At least that's what the Sony support website claims.

Regarding the flash drive: I also had problems with this not being recognized. I found the fix: the flash drive MUST be formatted with the FAT32 file system! A different FAT file system does not work.
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post #4128 of 4647
8/27/10 at 9:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by austriak View Post

I got my 52v5100 two weeks ago (super hot deal $900) and I have loved it but noticed red flashing while watching a movie. I installed the latest firmware (8/23/10), went back to the movie, and saw that there was still red flashing. I downloaded and installed the unofficial firmware from this forum, put in the movie, and there was no red flashing.

Moral of the story: do not install the 8/23/10 firmware update if you want red flashing to not come back. Per the sony website, the only thing that the 8/23/10 upgrade adds is a fix for some remote problem that I have never experienced. All the good stuff it includes are things that are from prior firmware updates.

My 2 cents about the tv: freakin' awesome!

This is great info to have (exactly what I was looking for), thank you so much for doing the testing for this and posting the results. Very much appreciated,

Garrett
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post #4129 of 4647
8/28/10 at 9:11am
I'm curious if this update breaks the red flash fix, or if the red flash fix simply wasn't incorporated in the new firmware? Either way, it's pathetic, and once again shows how poor Sony's quality control is.
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post #4130 of 4647
8/29/10 at 5:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by austriak View Post

I got my 52v5100 two weeks ago (super hot deal $900) and I have loved it but noticed red flashing while watching a movie. I installed the latest firmware (8/23/10), went back to the movie, and saw that there was still red flashing. I downloaded and installed the unofficial firmware from this forum, put in the movie, and there was no red flashing.

Moral of the story: do not install the 8/23/10 firmware update if you want red flashing to not come back. Per the sony website, the only thing that the 8/23/10 upgrade adds is a fix for some remote problem that I have never experienced. All the good stuff it includes are things that are from prior firmware updates.

My 2 cents about the tv: freakin' awesome!

i didn't think you could reinstall "older" firmware! i am glad to hear that you were able to revert to a previous firmware to get rid of the red flashing issue.

is there anyone still in this thread that has the email address of the sony person that was distributing the red-flash fix firmware? if so, it would be great if they could email the sony guy and complain that the new firmware does not include the red flashing fix. how annoying for the new release not to include that bug fix!
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post #4131 of 4647
8/31/10 at 12:32pm
I think that with the new update has improved the grayscale..... In my case no evidence of red flash .....
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post #4132 of 4647
8/31/10 at 8:35pm
I haven't experienced any red flashing with the latest update. I have been experiencing video artifacting/corruption with my dish network box, which is why I updated in the first place. The update didn't help with that though.
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post #4133 of 4647
9/1/10 at 5:46am
Ruben, good to hear. I've not pulled the trigger yet. In fact, not even picked up the gun as I'm satisfied with what I have now. Thanks for you folks who have installed the new one and are reporting your findings.
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post #4134 of 4647
9/2/10 at 3:46am
I successfully loaded the firmware upgrade SONY published for the KDL-46VL150 using a Kingston Data Traveler 4 GB formatted for Fat32. Unlike the xxV5100, this was the first published firmware update for this model. The uploading ran smoothly although the screen shots did not look like what SONY claimed would show up. It also loaded a lot speedier than SONY predicted.
Early reports from family members viewing the HDTV claim there are still some dropouts, but again since HDMI is a two-way street, it is difficult to point the finger at who's at fault, SONY or Comcast.
I don't recall ever seeing red flashing on this model. So I guess it doesn't need fixing.

Update: Yup, still have audio dropouts.
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post #4135 of 4647
9/2/10 at 11:51pm
Hey all,

Been lurking for quite a while.

I have a kdl-46v5100 that I bought last November.
Installed the 'unofficial' firmware and got rid of the red flashing, but still had audio dropouts with my DirecTV HD-DVR. Was told by a local serviceman that Sony's answer is that I shouldn't use Dolby Digital. (WTF!) Turned it off, and had no further problems.
This morning, I installed the new official firmware and lost all Bravia Link. The TV wouldn't control the Sony receiver or the Sony BluRay (or vice versa). Re-installed the unofficial, and all is well.
I guess I should leave well enough alone...


My 2 cents
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post #4136 of 4647
9/3/10 at 5:27am
Wow, ram96. Glad you were able to drop back to the earlier "good" update. Jeepers, that must have been a scary couple of moments wondering if all would go well.
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post #4137 of 4647
9/5/10 at 9:57am
So --- sounds like the unofficial firmware from over 6 months ago is better than official Sony firmware from 1 week ago?
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post #4138 of 4647
9/6/10 at 6:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by boden11 View Post

So --- sounds like the unofficial firmware from over 6 months ago is better than official Sony firmware from 1 week ago?

In my case I have not had any problem with the tv after istalar the firmware, I only noticed a change in the scale of Grice as mentioned above
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post #4139 of 4647
9/7/10 at 4:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bochica View Post

I have a 52V5100, and I have been reading the thread to get an idea of what has happened so far. My main issue with my TV is the dropping audio issue. I have a DirectTV HD DVR receiver, a Sony DVD/Surround Sound system (I believe the DAVHDX576WF), and a Sony Blu-Ray player (BDP-N460) that came with the TV (a deal through HHGregg). Everything is plugged into the TV by HDMI (from monoprice), and the audio is an optical cable going from the TV to the Surround System (also a monoprice cable).

I have not used the Blu-Ray or DVD players enough to notice, but I am getting the HDMI audio issues where it garbles, cuts out, and then comes back in reverse process or a channel switch. The TV acknowledges that it is using the external audio when the TV turns on, and it is coming through the surround system just fine.

I have not tried the firmware update (should still be on factory firmware) yet as I have not noticed the red flashing issue (I will have to look for it when I get home from work today). I also have seen that the firmware does not help the audio drop out, but Dan said resetting to factory defaults and then updated worked (or at least by his last post it was still working). I also saw that some people weren't getting the audio drops when hooked up to an external sound system. If I see any flashing red, and if I find it annoying, I will think about updating the firmware. However, I wanted to know if there is anything I could do to fix the audio drop outs? It happens randomly (it isn't a every 30 min thing), but it does get a bit annoying for a Sony TV (we have owned Sony TVs since the 80s, go Trinitrons :P).

Also another issue we have sometimes, but rarely compared to other issues, is that if we turn on the devices (DirecTV's remote pings the TV and then the receiver to turn on with one button) it will stay at the Bravia home screen (the purpleish background) with a message saying No Signal, and we have to turn the TV off and on a couple of times before it actually picks up the signal. Will the firmware fix an issue like this?

I have the 52V5100 also. I have not experienced the Red Flash, but I installed the 'unofficial' update, in hopes of fixing my audio drop-outs - didn't happen.

It is maddening - it's random and intermittent. I have a samsung htib surround system, and when using that - I have yet to notice the drop out issue.

I can't go to component cables, as the color then will wash out to a greenish, and finally B&W tint - and that's no fun at all.

I've had it for a year, and am sort of limping along with it - other than those issues, it's a great set...LOL...however, I bought it when it was $1800...so it stings a bit more.

I bought it on a card that doubles the warranty, so I'd imagine I could try to get a different set if I bit%hed loud enough...

Whaddya think? Should I stick with it, or complain loudly?
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post #4140 of 4647
9/7/10 at 4:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by drill View Post

is there anyone still in this thread that has the email address of the sony person that was distributing the red-flash fix firmware? if so, it would be great if they could email the sony guy and complain that the new firmware does not include the red flashing fix. how annoying for the new release not to include that bug fix!

I still have Gary's e-mail address...don't know if he would respond to my whining...I wonder if the original person who got in touch with him would have more 'influence' than I... I can't remember who it was, off the top of my head...
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