Vizio E601-A3 Owners Thread - Page 42

Please make sure to update my survey so we can all learn from this......so far we have collected a lot of good information. We will begin to see a pattern here and narrow down the serial number ranges that are failing. Either way Costco or Vizio will take care of you. They have to much to lose.

Please make sure my survey is updated.....will continue to follow.

Very nice setup.....I love the spaciousness of your room. Looks awesome......I personally am not a gamer but that looks like a gamer's paradise there. What kind of sound bar is that?

Please make sure you have completed my survey so we can start tracking the results.

Please complete my tracking survey if you have not already done so.

I have all my inputs running through my receiver. I set up a new action for Smart TV that auto-transmits the "VIA" function and changes the receiver input to optical (aux). But for some reason when I use the "Smart TV" action on the remote, the TV does not respond to any remote inputs.

wilco, tv replaced sn 49....we are up and running, everything looks great as it did before....

I keep the boxes for a long time... if you have space under your bed simply slip the box under the bed for a while until you're sure you wont need it anymore.... if it does go out and they ship a new one the guys will bring it in and they open the box, and toss the bad set into the new box and they leave. I asked him where the old broken sets go, he said most likely they end up in a warehouse where they get tested and then it is determined if they can be refurbished or recycled for parts.

But hang on to the box if you can... Just my 2 cents...

I kept the box for my Plasma for two years...(mfg warranty time)...just tossed it last month.

BTW, still trying to be optimistic the low-low Walmart price will be repeated...somewhere.

Not done reading the thread yet but figured i'd post here as well.

I just purchased mine on Jan 4. So far I love it save for one flaw: audio sync.

Here's my setup:

Xbox 360, PS3, Wii u, TWC Box (all via HDMI) -> Denon AVR1613 (via HDMI) -> Vizio E601i-A3

I haven't gone through the Audyssey setup yet as i don't have the speakers installed in their permanent spots yet.

Typically i watch Netflix through either the Wii U but I also verified the problem exists on the Xbox360 as well. Everything is fine to start but eventually the audio/video get out of sync. I also verified this while playing Mario the other night and the same thing happened. I can't recall whether it is the audio or video that trails, I'd have to check it again.

I'm not by the set right now so i can't grab my serial number. But i can tell you that i didn't bother hooking the set up to our WiFi network because i don't plan on using any of the smart features. I did see a couple posts about an OTA firmware update so I'm curious if anyone had this issue that ran the firmware update saw the issue go away? I'm also thinking maybe the problem is in my receiver instead of the tv, so tonight i was going to plug my xbox into the TV directly and watch Netflix using the tv's built in "speakers" and see if the audio sync issues persist.

If anyone has had this issue with a similar setup (using the receiver for hdmi switching) i'd love to hear if you found a solution. This thread is quite long and of course, per forum etiquette, I'll continue my reading if needed; though if anyone has the answer off hand to save me the time i'd greatly appreciate it!

edit: i glanced over at the AVR1613 thread and didn't see anyone having audio sync issues related to the receiver itself.

i would still hood up to your wifi so you can get the firmware updates, also, if you read through the thread some more, i believe you need to figure out how to set your twc box to LPCM through the service menue....there is a step by step on how to do this with your cable box on one of these pages....this will fix your audio sync isssue

What audio format, if any, is your receiver feeding to the TV through the HDMI cable, Dolby Digital? Can you feed the video from your receiver to your TV via component instead of HDMI? It seems like the TV is unable to efficiently process Dolby Digital audio from the combined digital audio/video coming through the HDMI cable, or there is some handshaking issue. I am curious whether avoidance of feeding both digital audio and video to the TV by using only the analog video input (component) gets rid of the sync problem--or at least the problem where the sync continues to worsen over time. You may also want to try "Game" mode on the TV to reduce video processing.

Of course, I think it is Vizio's obligation to fix the problem, if the TV can't handle digital input (a TV with 4 HDMI inputs and one component input should really be able to handle digital signals), but this might be a temporary fix for those who have receivers capable of doing it.
Edited by splinke - 1/15/13 at 9:45am

LPCM on my cable box downgrades the audio from Dolby Digital 5.1 to two-channel stereo, which I consider unacceptable. Also, he reported that his gaming consoles also have the problem. This is what is frustrating me so much with Vizio right now. They are blaming the cable boxes, even though they are not the only devices that are having sync problems. And they also told me on a support chat that they are only supporting PCM audio, rather than Dolby Digital, on their newer TVs. What?

doesn't that change my audio to stereo? kind of defeats the whole purpose of having a receiver.

i'll try the firmware update tonight.


the receiver shoudln't be feeding any audio to the TV AFAIK. I'm using all HDMI. The receiver handles all audio, and feeds video to the TV through a single video output via hdmi. Thinking back, i believe the TV is somehow to blame because I had this setup with my old Panasonic 44" DLP up until I bought this TV, and everything was in perfect sync.

here's a flowchart of the setup. as you can see, all audio processing and output is done strictly on the receiver.



edit: just saw splinke made the same comment about LPCM

Has anyone gotten this new software update and if so what is your new revision?....mine is 1.4

I pointed out multiple times during my Vizio support chat that I, theoretically, would have to give up Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound to implement their L-PCM "fix", and that Vizio's alleged switch to support only L-PCM audio (typically only two-channel stereo), at the expense of six-channel Dolby Digital, on their newer TVs did not make any logical sense. However, the Vizio support representative conveniently changed the subject and never directly acknowledged either of these observations when I brought them up.

Technically, you can still have Dolby Digital after switching your cable box to L-PCM, although it can create some convenience problems, and does not necessarily even fix the sync issue. The L-PCM setting (at least on Time Warner Cable Motorola boxes) only changes the audio type going out of the cable box's HDMI output. Dolby Digital is still carried by the separate optical digital audio output on the cable box. So, you can connect the cable box directly to the TV via HDMI (now carrying the L-PCM audio signal that apparently is less likely to "confuse" a Vizio TV than Dolby Digital), and then connect the cable box to an AV receiver via optical output (audio only). Then, you just turn the TV speakers off.

I am not sure whether your receiver is removing the audio or still passing it through the HDMI cable to your TV. Have you tried using the TV speakers with your setup? If it is passing Dolby Digital audio through to your TV, perhaps your TV is trying to process it, even though you are not playing it through the TV speakers.

The more interesting test might be the component video test. Obviously, you don't have to try that, but if you can hook your receiver up to the TV through component, you know there is no audio being carried, and you also don't have the other issues associated with digital video (e.g., handshaking/digital rights management). Frankly, my eye is not keen enough to detect any difference in 720p or 1080i carried by component vs. HDMI. I don't think component can handle 1080p, and it is possible that some PS3 games may not be quite as good at 1080i, but it would just be a temporary test.

the 1613 doesn't have any video out besides hdmi, or RCA *shudder*

i think this evening when i get home work i'll try and get the wifi working again (it was giving me fits the night i brought the tv home) and do the firmware update. if i have to, i can unplug the xbox from ethernet and pop that into the tv just for the firmware update.

if that doesnt fix it, i'll run hdmi straight into the tv from the wii u and play some netflix and see what happens. I'd just like to be able to decide whether i'm keeping or returning the tv by the end of the month to qualify for best buy's return policy, or get my squaretrade warranty

Looking forward to your update. If I'm reading these threads correctly your have a denon 1613 which in on my short list for a AVR to replace my non-HDMI AVR. I wanted to hook everything up as in your diagram above. ( all HDMI into AVR, one HDMI to Vizio).

I was watching Netflix via the Vizio VIA app last night and it had horrible audio sync, with cable non LPCM (don't want to lose Dolby) I can switch channels to re-sync audio (not right but fixes sync for me).

Using Netflix through the Vizio app, how would one use optical out to eliminate auto sync issues?

PS: My return is up at end of month.
Edited by dmako - 1/15/13 at 2:28pm

so you're saying that even using the built in netflix app, running audio to an external source (via toslink i'm assuming?) you're also getting sync issues?

that's interesting. i'm also assuming you have the up to date firmware as well?

I'll post my findings with each test i make. I'm rather determined to get this working one way or another because it took some doing to convince the wife i needed a 60" tv in the first place

My current "Version" under "System Info" is 1.1.4. Somebody reported a 1.4, but I am thinking that might have been a typo/mistake. If somebody has a version other than 1.1.4, I would be interested in hearing about it.

I would characterize the alleged firmware update as only a rumor at this point. And, even if it currently exists, I do not think there is a verified way to manually trigger it. The best bet is probably to leave your TV hooked up to the network and wait. One person mentioned that perhaps the TV looks for updates after a certain number of power-on boots. Of course, it is unclear how many boots is required or how long after the boot it might take for the update to occur.

I do know that my first E601i-A3 did an update (before the LCD panel failed) sometime in the November 2012 time frame. I briefly saw a message on the screen. I think I saw it on initial boot up. So, it seems likely that the update is downloaded during one session, but then perhaps gets installed at the next boot. I am not sure about any of this, though.

Debating getting this or the Samsung UN60EH6000 for the living room. Both have matte finishes and Amazon has the Samsung for $98 more. It does not have the bells and whistles for wifi but I have a WDTV Live box for that.

My main comparison I'd like to see is the picture quality. Does anyone know if these two sets are comparable? Looking at the specs they look about the same, just wondering what the real world application really compare as.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Yes hard wired Internet connection.
Optical out from Vizio to AVR.
Netflix from Vizio (VIA app)
Audio sync was observed last night, very bad. Pausing restarting did not fix, seems A-OK today. Never had an issue before.
Firmware 1.1.4

Where can i find your survey? I can't seem to find it in the thread. Thanks!

Latest FW is 1.1.4
TV must be connected to interent (wired or wireless) to get updates
My TV updated to 1.1.4 within 24-48hrs after connected to the internet
There is a FW update that will fix the lip sync issue
The problem is only 1000 FW updates are pushed out at a time.....heard they sold 100,000+ TV on black friday
There is no way to force FW update manually
These updates most likely are related to the MAC address in each set

Think someone was confused when I asked if this set did 1080p@60hz with a reply of 1080i.

I set my 360 to 1080p and just to test out a native 1080p game I went with Geo Wars 2 and it was showing 1080p at 60hz..

I used those last settings from the last page or two for picture and it is very nice. May tweak the colors a bit, but overall very happy with those settings.

Take the AVR out of the picture and hook cable directly to TV. Watch the SAME Netflix video and see what happens?
If there is not good bandwidth to stream an HD video on that 60" screen there could be issues. If it is peak time and you have cable your bandwidth can vary since that is a shared service.
Also check the audio settings on the TV and tweak some of those.

I am not a gamer and have not been able to pull 1080p. If you go to an HD channel then hit the "guide" button twice it will tell you what the resolution will be. What is the highest res you can get from a station? Gaming is different. Certain stations will only broadcast their single in certain formats.

standard def 480i
then 720p
then 1080i
then 1080p

1080i for everything on Directv. But they only broadcast certain PPV movies in 1080p iirc. My receivers have only shown 1080p with any of my sets only for those certain movies, but its been awhile since i have rented one and none yet on this set.

well apparently my tv did in fact take the wifi settings even though the first day it refused the connection.

i verified i'm on 1.1.4 firmware, my SN is 51LF etc etc

so the firmware update doesn't seem to be the solution. I'm going to turn on game mode right now and see if that fixes the problem. be back in about an hour.

Appreciate your posts! I will have a very similar setup to what you are doing if I decide to get one of these. Can't see myself getting one though if the audio is this bad.

Okay well the only thing i can think of is that the firmware change took place last night. Because i didn't actually put the tv in game mode. What i did was set the digital audio to Off and started watching netflix on my xbox. after 2 episodes everything was still perfect. so i went back in and changed the audio to where it was before (this is on the tv btw. even though i don't use the tv for audio, i thought maybe it was tryign to process the audio which was causing problems) and watched another episode and still had zero problems.

I'm going to try the same thing with netflix on the Wii U tomorrow and see if that changes anything. My wife pointed out that she watched tv via TWC cable box all the time and never has any sync issues. So maybe the issue has been on the Wii U this whole time and i just don't remember when i use the wii u vs the xbox.