Philips 42PF9630A HD Plasma - Page 90

It sure sounds like it.....although in my case I thought I could turn it back on immediately or it came back on itself.

Your software version sounds way out of date...if you haven't checked here for a year and haven't updated in the same time, you missed the BSOD fix. Goto Philips.com and get the right update for the 9630. The latest software should fix the problem as the updates are additive.

Please report back so we can confirm your problem was fixed.

Hmmm.....not sure, but it's still possible that this could be a BSOD issue. Are you running the latest software ?


I do not know why CC isn't carrying Philips sets all of a sudden. CC is NOT in financial trouble; they may have a dispute with Philips or something. Are Philips sets available from their website? Have you contacted Philips ?

Plenty of sample post-breakin settings throughout the 9630 and 9631 User Threads (mostly early in the threads) and also on the Philips Tips sheet.

BTW, for those of you waiting on the Philips Tips Sheet update, I should have it finished in a few weeks. Sorry for the delay but the older version still has most of the critical stuff. The update mostly has reviews and useful tips that are secondary in nature.

It's not the black screen of death - my understanding is that with the BSOD the green LED is still lit. Mine has a blinking red LED. Also, I do have the latest firmware installed.

I found out yesterday that the tech lied to me when he told me that he ordered the parts for a second time on 4/9. I was out yesterday afternoon and received an automated message on my answering machine from CC telling me that my parts had to ordered and that they were ordered on 4/13. I thought this was odd since this is the first message that I had received from them with regards to ordering parts. I called the 888 # for CC Advantage and had the person there check to see how many times parts were ordered and when. They told me that they were ordered on 4/2 and 4/13. I then filed a complaint due to the tech lying to me and they are supposed to get back with me within 72 business hours.

If you make a mistake, just admit it and then apologize or offer concessions in order to make up for it. But don't lie and make it worse.

Sounds right but still could be it. If you have the latest firmware then you probably don't have BSOD, I do recall the update number(s) as being higher than your version.


Terrible....find out from CC what happened....but this is a CC problem, not Philips.

I think your set has a relatively easy problem to fix that was compounded by the CC-Philips situation (whatever that is).

Keep us apprised of developments, hopefully your set is back to 100% within a week or so.

I updated the software yesterday to the current version. I'll let you know if the BSOD rears its ugly head again.

Thanks for the help.

[quote=kenny713]It's not the black screen of death - my understanding is that with the BSOD the green LED is still lit. Mine has a blinking red LED. Also, I do have the latest firmware installed. QUOTE]

The blinking red light mean the TV shut down because there was a static electrical interference. It explains it all in your manual. i had the same thing happen about a year ago. Just unplug and replug. No big deal. It's a safety function to protect the TV.

Great insight, thanks for the help. I'll put this in the next Philips Tips Sheet.

Is it possible to go into the SM and READ how the TV records these failures? I don't mean fooling around with settings, just seeing how they record. When I went to look at hours of operation, I thought I remember seeing something on ERRORS (it was zero on my TV).

[quote=Mikead]
Sorry, but you're wrong with regards to my situation. When mine locks up, I unplug it and wait a minute and then plug it back in. 5-10 minutes later it's the same thing and it gets gradually worse from there where it will only go 1-2 minutes without locking up. Don't know about you, but I don't like having to constantly unplug and plug in my TV in order to keep watching it.

Tech was back out today and replaced the main control board. When it turned back on, the screen was filled up with only half of the picture that it should have been and only 30 seconds later it shut off again and the red LED started blinking. It got worse, not better, after the repairs were done. Tech said he'd reccomend a new TV for me but I don't know how they can give me the same thing since CC doesn't carry Philips anymore. I'm preparing for a huge fight with CC - only thing I'll accept if they can't produce an ambilight TV is my purchase price back.

The new 42" Panny is looking righteous. I may go that route once I get done wrestling with CC.

[quote=kenny713]
Ask CC why they don't carry Philips.

What about getting a refund with $$$ and using that to get a 9631 at Sears (good warranty policy) or a 9731 ?

I would not buy a Philips or any TV from a place with lots of refurbs, returns, or a retailer that is no longer carrying a manufacturer. Too high a chance of getting a lemon.

[quote=PhilipsPhanatic]
Best Buy is a Philips dealer. And they give Philips very high marks for quality.

Just found out that my 42PF9630a/37 is going to be replaced under my extended warranty. I've finally come to grips with the fact I won't be getting an ambilight as a replacement. Frankly, I'm not too disappointed with that since my one and only experience with the Philips brand has not been all that great. Spend $2700 on a set and only have it operate for 19 1/2 months? No thank you.

Panasonic, here I come.

Sorry you are losing out on Ambilight and your negative experience. But understand, all manufacturers and models have lemons. Panny is no exception (if you doubt me, check out some of the threads in this AVS section).

Did you tell Philips or the retailer your desire for an Ambilight set? I would think if you told them THAT was the reason you bought the 9630 they would try and get you a new model or at least credit you a generous amount from your older 9630.

The 9630 is generally reliable but the Ambilight models since then (with the exception of the 9431) have a very low problem-rate.

Whatever transpires, good luck and happy viewing.

Anyone know why if I have my 9630 set to automatic format and all my SD channels stretch except one, what might be the problem?

Does the one standard channels have black bars on the side, or grey. The TV only expands if there are black bars.

if they are gray and are using a set top cable box, they usually have an option of what colors you want the bars to be, try to get them as dark as possible.

Guess Im answering my own message...oh well...here goes!

It must have been a broadcasting issue cause tonight it was stretched. Thanks for the quick replys!

And sometimes you might re-set it to AUTOMATIC and it will re-set parameters and stretch.

The analyzer sometimes gets confused and needs to be reminded of its mode, just like when it sometimes stretches and de-stretches during a dark scene.

Is there a way to display captions even though DVD disc dont have any. I mean this particular movie has subtitles in french and spanish no english.
On my old set up, panasonic dvd payer and sanyo hd tv it used to work but with the new set up Oppo DVD player & Philips. i tried everything, turning on caption on /off on both dvd and TV . can some one help me out

TIA

If the disk doesn't have it, then the DVD player and the TV can NOT show you anything.

Sorry.

Anybody with the 9630 and HDMI detected an improved PQ with the last firmware upgrade?

Doubtful, but anybody with a 9630 and the latest upgrade see an improvement with COMPONENT PQ (the upgrade says it applies to HDMI, but who knows) ?

I saw a slight improvement yes.

Component or HDMI?

On SD, HD, all channels, or just a select few ?

sorry about that I connect thru hdmi. Saw an improvement as it related to my cable thru a set top box. Dvd appeared to be the same but that is connected thru component. I think my cable could look even better if twc didnt compress the **** out of image.

Phanatic,

Is there a newer upgrade than th 12/06 one?

Not according to the PDF at the Philips website. I believe that applies to both the 9630 and 9631.

I heard somewhere that this would probably be the last upgrade to the firmware for this model... I assume because they dont make it anymore.

Possible and probable, but I would hope any MAJOR updates would be forthcoming. Though since most 9630 and 9631 owners are very happy with the quality of their sets (with only the BSOD being a "fatal" problem), if my TV continues to work as is and I never get another firmware upgade, I'll be one happy camper.

Is there a notable difference between a 720p resolution and a 1080p? And is it possible that there could be a resolution even higher than 1080p in the future?

Tons of threads on this, if this is your 1st HDTV, don't worry about it. If you have multiple HDTV's and are going to be getting a big (60"+) HDTV and watching froma a CLOSE distance and/or utilizing a 1080p source (none right now except some applications from Blu-Ray PS3)....then yes.

Bottom Line: Marginal benefit, if any, for ALOT more $$$.


Yes, as long as the public continues to pay up for stuff with marginal benefits through the wallet. Same thing as with PC's that have features you never utilize in everyday daily usage.