The Toshiba DLP (HM/HMX) Owners Thread - Page 54

I got it at Circuit City and so far so good, I too was sceptical and am still feeling it out, I like the thought of the Kiss 600 DVD player playing WMV 9 Content, but thats not out till May.
bMw

have had my 62hm84 for about 6 weeks now. overall i am very happy with it. I dont notice any ghosting, using components or hdmi.
i do have one problem. I get vertical lines in the picture appearing. mostly when theres red in the screen. like if someone is wearing a red shirt, a thin line of red pixles, carries right up to the top of the picture. basically a red line vertically, but is hidden in the shirt. i have seen it in faces also. there has been as many a 4 lines on the tv at once. i have only noticed it with my directv hd box (toshiba dst-3100). i first saw it on the sd channels. and not on the hd. now it is opposite. the sd channels seem to be fine. while on most all hd channels i can see it. i have a tivo sd hooked up as well and i dont see it at all. nor on my dvds. I have no idea what it could be.
i did read a post on here about the lines on the screen , from a toshiba service bulliten. but wouldnt it be on all inputs not just my hd box. i really have no way of getting another hd box to see if its my box. also if i call toshiba to come look at the tv. they will just tell me its the box anyways.
and probably charge me a service call .'???????
what should i do.

I still have the box - in the playroom for the kids. Will try to remember to measure it tonight for you.

I would like to reiterate the following:

It's been several months now that I've had my DLP set. It has been a long, long time since I've ever noticed a rainbow, even for a microsecond.

I dunno how my brain/eyes did this adjustment, but it seems to be permanent, lol. Seriously though.

I am saddened that many will be wrongly put off from DLP because of this rainbows-forever myth. For this technology overall IMHO is superior to LCD RPTV.

Oh well. You can't boil the ocean, as they say.

I've had mine for about 5 days now and have seen the rainbows when I doing something else and watching a show at the same time.(Snacking,reading,chatting,etc)\\

Basically If I'm watching a show I don't see It....And even when I see its gone so fast Its not a big distration.(I mean If I'm eating and watching a show I'm not really giving my full attention to the TV anyway)

Now If I could just get my TV Guide to show up some data....All I get Is It saying There Is no Data and I've had this TV hooked to cable(Midcontinent Communications...There owned by Comcast I believe) since Saturday and nothing.

I tried switching to another local zip code but so far no luck. I'm hoping to figure this out soon ad this was one of the reasons I went with the 52HM94 over the 84( So I wouldn't need a cable box but get most of the same features)

Can anyone offer advice on which Tosh model to purchase? I've narrowed it down to the 52hmx but not sure whether to go for the 84 or 94. I'm not concerned about on-demand services from my cable company and don't want to deal with a separate cable box. I would like to have the option of receiving OTA HD signals and most likely won't be playing video games on this TV.

It seems like a lot of people in this forum have quite a few external components and have opted for the monitor instead of the integrated HDTV. What are the benefits to this? If I get the 84, and stick with Cable, I'll have to rely on my cable provider to rent me whatever tuner they offer. Is that correct or are there options?

Also, can anyone offer up a best price for each model? Somewhere in this thread someone mentioned they paid $2400 for the 52HMX94 which from what I have seen is rock bottom.

I am also using the LG 7832NXC on my 52" via Monster components (yeah yeah I know they're over-priced).
I'm very satisfied with this DVd and Tv combo. I used to have a sony 575 progessive. Newer DVds were okay, but older ones were exremely grainy. I decided to experiment with an HD DVD that does a natural 720 p --therby avoiding any conversions. There was a great deal for the LG (2001 audio-video in Toronto) and I must say it did the trick. Older DVDs are just slightly grainy (90 percent better than before), and nwer ones are amazing. It was worth the extra $125, for sure.

I notice that during VERY slow pans the main objects tend to blur (I think its the DVD compensating instead of pixel break-up). Not a real big deal. I've heard people say that of fast-moving images. I haven't experienced any such thing in the 3 weeks I've had my TV. watched the entire SB in HD, and it was one of the best viewing experiences I've ever had. No problems at all.

I think you answered your own question. The 94 series is the only one with integrated tuners and cable card. Whether you choose the HM94 or HMX94 is another matter. The HMX gives you the second HDMI connection and the black bezel. Here is a link to an earlier post in this thread that breaks down the difference between the four models.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&pagenumber=25

Personally, I would pick between the HM94 and HMX94 series but that's just me. Even if you decide to use a STB it's nice to know you don't have to and if you decide to get OTA for free all you need is an antenna and you are good to go. Also, if you plan to use the Symbio recorder the 94's are the only ones that will support it.

[quote]Originally posted by BasicCable
[b]Now If I could just get my TV Guide to show up some data....All I get Is It saying There Is no Data and I've had this TV hooked to cable(Midcontinent Communications...There owned by Comcast I believe) since Saturday and nothing.

Don't feel bad. I've had my 62HMX94 for about two months and I haven't gotten anything but "no data" yet. I'm hooked to an outdoor antenna. I've tried several zip codes, as well. Several calls to Toshiba have brought promises of downloads to fix the problem, but nothing has worked, yet.

[quote]Originally posted by dtomlinson
[b]

I'm just wondering if you guys have the G-Link cable connected to recieve data for the TV Guide setup and have one of the G-Link ends if not in front of the infrared sensor, just near enough where it could take over the cablebox. I had did this once and had recieved TV Guide data aftr 24 hours of setting it up. The only complaint I have with using the Tosh's TV Guide feature was that it takes a whole lot longer to tune in if you change channels.

pbir.
know how to turn 'edge enhancement' off on HM? seems it's too sharp which causes 'ghosting'?

whjeffs.
do HMX service manual and schemetics work on HM series? if not, can you pls post where I can get HM series files? mine is 62HM84.
tks.

Kdog, thanks for the response. As you can probably tell, I'm very new to all this stuff. As such, I humbly ask what does STB stand for and what is a Symbio?

Sorry, STB stands for "set top box" (i.e. satellite or cable). Symbio, is Toshiba's new Digital Video Recorder (DVR). It basically allows you to record SD and HD programs to a 160 GB hard drive. It connects to the TV using the IEEE 1394 port (i.e. Firewire). Here is the link to it.

http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/televisi...p?model=160hd4

We're not supposed to talk about pricing on this forum but you would be hard pressed to find the 52HMX94 for that price. That's about what you can expect for the 52HM94 and the 52HMX94 is about $400 more than the HM. The problem is the HMX is their Cinema series and is only carried in the higher end retailers so it may be difficult to find locally.

lienly,

As I said previously, this is based on my older 50HX81, but it seems to work on the 52HM84.

If you select MOVIE mode before making your adjustments to COLOR, CONTRAST, etc., edge enhancement will be turned off.

In MENU, select the PICTURE icon, then MODE and then MOVIE. Once you start changing the other items (COLOR, etc.), MODE becomes PREFERENCE, but that is normal and it will retain the off setting for edge enhancement. Please remember to SAVE your settings before exiting.

Paul.

Frankie I don't have there cable box. Thats the reason I bought the hm94 over the 84 so I wouldn't need to rent a box anymore. Sadly I bought a Symbio on the word of a Toshiba tech and ordered it along with my TV.

Now I have 10 pound, $400 paper weight as its worthless without the Guide working. I'll wait a few till next week to call back to tech support before I get real upset about them misleading me.(I have since getting the tv seen the disclaimer In there manual making no promise that the guide will work for you....Even though there Tech told me It would work in any market and doesn't matter what cable service you have)

whjeffs:
Sorry it took so long to respond, but I was waiting to hear something from a backdoor I have into Motorola engineering.

I was able to see from your pics that we have the same firmware reported on the CC, 4.05. And I also see, from the CA window of your earlier post, that your TV reports the state as "Subscribed", whereas on mine it says "Disabled" (hence the problem). Everything else looks similar, including OOB tuned and ECM PIDs parsed.

The TV firmware, found from the setup->installation->system status->system info menu is:
SW Ver 1.4.1 OCT 19 2004 14:49:19
FW 1.20
DBEP: 65

I'm asking this publicly because it might be of use to other people. Could you please post what your TV reports. If your TV firmware is newer, maybe that is the problem, or maybe there is a hardware fix (revision info unkown) of the CC, as yours is more recent.

Meanwhile, my TV Guide continues to chug along without any problems (12 days), with direct cable connection to ANT1 only (no OTA on 2, which was my original work around). Even after I reinstalled the CC to check its firmware rev. Surprisingly, the guide data did not dump. I have not yet edited the channel display setup, which previously caused the guide data to dump and reload.

For those still having TVGOS problems, I can only speculate that your local PBS station data source has not yet received the update, or as someone just posted, if you have a cable box connected to the antenna input, there is an issue with tuning control so that a PBS stations is chosen at the proper time. Why I was able to sort of receive guide data OTA and not cable, but can now receive over cable, is a mystery. Unless the data was positioned in the VBI where Comcast resyncing was stepping on it, and now has been relocated.

I contemplated the Symbio but at $400 and the fact that Comcast charges $10 a month for the DCT6412 (dual tuner) it would take me about 3 years and 4 months to justify the cost of the Symbio. Also, do you know if you can record two programs simultaneously with the Symbio? I thought someone on this forum mentioned you couldn't.

hoops2u, that would be great! thanks for your help!

Toshiba 52hmx84 using the Motorola 6412 converter


Hello everyone!

Need some advice!!!!!!!!!!!

Trying to find if someone is using the Toshiba 52hmx84 along with the Motorola 6412 HD converter through Cox Communication or any other cable provider.

I have run into some serious viewing issues with both the analog and digital signals. What I experience is a "fuzzy" effect around any object. I believe they call this artifacts, picture looks very blurry.

HD is very good but can sometimes make me wonder. As for analog, I have split the signal directly to the TV which made things much better but feel that this is a band-aid for a bigger problem. As for digital, there is no way around this that I see since the converter is needed.

I guess my question is, has this been more evident with Toshiba or is it strictly a converter issue which would occur on any set. Seriously thinking about returning set and trying another.

P.S. Cable company has ben out twice to check signals and replace box. Connection to TV is component, which trhe cables were supplied by the cable company.

Thanks,
TAZJT

Have you calibrated the component input with a DVD player and either Avia or DVE? This would give you a good starting point and you could adjust from there. Also, what is the STB set to display for HD (i.e.1080i or 720p). Only FOX, ESPN and ABC broadcast in 720p. The TV may do a better job of scaling or downconverting so you may want to experiment with this setting. Lastly, if they supplied the component cables you may want to try purchasing your own. I believe BB or CC carries AR brand cables that are only around $20-$40 or you can find them on-line. You don't have to spend a fortune on cables but there is a difference between cheap video cables. You can always return them if you don't notice a difference. The bottom line is HD should be clear and not how you describe it and I don't think it is because of the TV. Keep in mind that HD channels are not always in HD and SD programs artifacts are more pronounced on large fixed panel displays. You most likely do not want to "stretch" 4:3 programs so make sure the 4:3 Override is set to "off" or experiment with the other settings.

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Thanks, kdog044 for helping me out with this issue! I have not tried to calibrate the component input as of yet. I actually have a service tech coming out on Saturday to look over the TV since it is under warranty and only 2 weeks old. Should I ask him to do this or would this be something he would normally perform?

The STB is set to display 1080i and yes the cable compnay did supply the component cables. I might wait to see if the tech has a pair he could try. I do understand what your saying in regards to the "Keep in mind that HD channels are not always in HD and SD programs artifacts are more pronounced on large fixed panel displays." but it's so bad that it's irratating to watch sometimes. By the way I am approx. 11 feet from the screen is this too close in your opinion?

Also I've heard that the motorola 6412 converter is horrible in regards to the analog side of things? Have you heard anthing?

TV Guide

I had an email from Toshiba today saying " The TV guide issue has been resolved by the TV Guide company sending out a software download."
However. my TV Guide is still not working. Is anyone else's?

The 6412 DVR is notorious for its poor analog conversion. However, my SD and HD are very good. I have the cable split with one end going to the 6412 and on the other output I've installed a Motorola signal booster and have that hooked directly to the 52HMX84. Analog actually rivals SD this way, although I don't stretch 4:3 broadcasts.

Running the signal booster before the split helped the analog signal through the 6412, but it still wasn't near as clear and crisp as the way I described above. Also, I believe it interfered with my HD signal in some way as I noticed a lot more breakup on HD while the signal booster was running through the 6412. Your SD and HD should be excellent. If it's not, your cable provider is responsible for ensuring a clear signal.

I haven't heard that but I don't have it so I can't comment. You might have better luck asking in the HDTV Hardware or HDTV Local Info forums.

No!!!!!!! At one time last week, all eight days had loaded and then mysteriously vanished. Could you post the e-mail address that you are complaining too? Is there anywhere in the menus to find the TVGOS software version that is in use by the set?

Mine still has never worked. 62HMX94 connected to an outside antenna with excellent signal strengths.

You guys keep referring to the TV Guide feature getting the info it needs from PBS...where did you guys hear that PBS is the channel that transmits this info?

Seems strange that PBS would be the channel and not the TV Guide channel which I get through my local cable company. The reason I ask Is If your sure that there the channel I was thinking of connecting them to verify they are sending the signal or not.