Philips 42PF9630A HD Plasma - Page 95

iontyre - As far as I'm aware, nobody here has a copy of the source code or development platform for Philip's CineOS. That being said, most people don't want to risk crashing their plasma's firmware by tinkering with it. Who knows...maybe someone is lurking here who has the inside scoop on Philip's and can provide the source as well as the JTAG'ing procedure. I for one would love to put TVGOS back in as well as enable mp4 playback from USB (non-USA versions of several sets had an ethernet port that showed up as a source that allowed you to playback streamed content from ethernet so I know mp4 decoding is in the firmware already). The service manual says the hardware is theoretically capable of streaming content to a USB device in a PVR like manner (for instance capturing OTA HD).

Well, RF or pure analog I could undestand -- its like when you watch a TV channel through the VCR vs. the TV direct, it always looks a bit 'washed out' or whiter through the VCR.

I would think that component vs. HDMI should look pretty close, though, no ?

I've been searching for this manual. What is the web site?

What manual ?????

Well, after almost two years of steady, wonderful operation, my 42PF9630a just decided to stop providing a picture. Little green light is still shining, still get the same click noise when turning on or off, but absolutely nothing on the screen. Sound works. Ambilight even works. But no picture. I am heartbroken. I won this from ESPN, and really can't afford a fix or a new TV. Sad day...

sorry to hear that,that blows...

No warranty ????

You should get it checked out...could be a minor thing that might not cost much, esp. if sound still works. Are you sure a video plug didn't get loose or pulled ???

I tried everything. None of the inputs (just kept pushing the AV+ button on the remote, couldn't see anything) produced even a flicker of light. Warranty? They wanted almost $1000 for a three year warranty! Sure, sounds good now, but I don't have 10 bills to be blown off on warranties. Got it November '05, so the one year is long gone...

Tech is coming October 2, for estimate. Not expecting miracles.

Ion, that sounds like a ripofff -- a warranty should normally be about 20% of the purchase cost (for 3 years) so unless your set cost $5K (the 9630's never cost that much), someone was trying to rip you off. Even a 5-year shouldn't cost that much.

You try the side inputs ?

Try and get into the OSM and do a re-do of the channel mapping...also try and do a firmware upgrade (older and newere software, whatever)....maybe if you can enter the SM and check for the error messaage? That might tell you something right there.....On the Philips Remote, hit TV and then hit: 0...6...2...5...9...6....INFO...you should then get the warning message and be in. Scroll forward, look for any error messages, abnormal messages, and report back annd post. DON'T TOUCH ANY SETTINGS OR TRY AND GO INTO THE MENUS DEEPER..JUST SCROLL AND LOOK.

Thanks for the suggestions, PhilipsPhanatic, but there is NO VIDEO, so inputting 062596-info shows nothing but black. Tried side inputs too (with xbox 360), nothing. I did notice though that if you look through the grill on the back of the TV right near the center there are two little green leds. One is on steady, the other is blinking. I bet that is a failure notice of some kind.

Wait a sec...is it 062596 or 062956 -- I forgot.

Check both, just to make sure neither comes on despite the screen problem.

I could be wrong (of course) but this problem seems EASIER to diagnose since it's a power/screen issue that is self-evident.

062596 was the right code (my guess is June 25 1996 is important to someone at Philips), but like I said, it was no use. If someone could look at the back of the TV just above the inputs and see if they see two green leds in there, and let me know if they are both on, or one blinking, that would be helpful maybe...

I have a 9631 and right above my component area there are holes leading into the plasma but I see NO lights or LED's. I suspect the 9630 setup might be different but if someone out there can check, maybe NO lights are evident there, too.

Is that with the TV on or off?

TV on...and I don't see any lights anywhere near any of the see-through-grids near the component; not above, below, or to the side. Don't think there are any at all looking over the entire backside.

Wait for a 9630 owner to confirm but I think the 9631/9630 are so close I doubt there's a difference in this.

Wow, ok that is weird. I have two very bright green leds, pretty much in the center of the area inside the grid right above the input panel on the back. These led's are right next to each other, one shining steadily and the other blinking fairly rapidly.

Any 9630 owners out there want to chime in?

Hi,
I bought a 42PF9956/37 online and it doesn't work. If anyone out there can help me, please let me know. When I plug it up, the sound come on and then when I put the video cable in it does some clicks and it shuts off. Does anyone know how to fix that at all?
Thanks,
Lisa

cherfilst@yhoo.com

"Plug it up" ????? You mean 'plug it in' ???

We don't know how you are getting sound, what video cable(s) you are using, what other devices (DVR, STB, DVD, VCR, etc) you may or may not be attaching.

First thing you should do is just plug the cable IN line into the TV and see if you get a picture without anything else attached. This will tell you if the set works properly and/or if you are doing something wrong in the setup.

I would also re-read the Philips manual on getting started/setup, too.

Wish I could help. my set is wall-mounted, so I can't see the back. Tried using a mirror, but can't see that far up. I can barely see the Component panel. Have to connect by touch.

Anglico,

Thanks for trying. If the lights are there, you should easily be able to detect them. If I place my hand a few inches away from the back of the set I can see the green light shining on my hand. I don't even have to look into the grid! Seems no one else has these lights, so I am assuming they are an indication of the failure of my set. Hopefully the repairmen coming next week will quickly (and relatively inexpensively) be able to determine and fix what is wrong.

Whole family agrees, life sucks without our panel!

Definitely report back once you get the diagnosis....I'm a bit surprised it takes this long to get a repair guy out there; it might really be a simple problem that he can fix/diagnose within 2 minutes.

I've never seen anyone get a repair done on one of these sets quickly. Usually takes weeks if not more than a month!! And they were booked solid for two weeks on house calls. I could have tried trucking my set to them, but...no, too difficult.

I'll let you all know the results. I'm not optomistic on cost...

I have a 9630 Plasma and there are no green lights on in the back. I purchased a 4 year service policy at BestBuy for $299. Hopefully I never have to use it. My TV is over a year old.

My one confusion still is...what gives me the better HD resolution ... 720p or 1080i

Thanks Mike, I will be sure to point these lights out immediately to the repair guy when he comes tomorrow. I can always hope its just a blown fuse or something...yeah, right!

Stick with the 720p, that's native for the set. However, depending on your source, you may get better conversion from the set or the source device, so it may be worth experimenting. I was just passing hdmi from my cable box (SA-8300) at whatever resolution the box provided and letting the set do the conversion, seemed to work best.

Yeah, I think my SA box is set to PASS-THRU or something like that. You use the advanced programming function to have the box recognize all different inputs -- 480/720/1080 -- and then it lets the TV do the rest, I guess.

Only thing is it results in a delay when changing channels.

Well, repair guy just came and went, took my set with him. Says it appears to be the power supply, cost about $400.00. But won't know for sure till they swap it out, since without power you can't really test anything else. He expects to be able to get back to me in 3-4 days.

On the plus side, this guys seemed very knowledgable and was familiar with Philips sets. Even commented on liking the Ambilight function, and said these sets should last much longer than the two years. He knew about the recall problems (did not affect my set). I was quite satisfied with the level of technical expertise he commanded. At least I feel I can trust him somewhat.

I'll update when I hear more.

Fingers crossed for you Ion.....what did he say about the green lights? Did he come across your problem before ?

If the power supply thing is defective, I would think that should/would be covered, no?

Something that major shouldn't go that quickly. How many hours do you have on the set ?

Great price on the warranty, though I've heard BB is a PITA to deal with. Hopefully, you never find out.

When you talk about 720p vs. 1080i, the option there rests with the STB, right? The TV is native to 720p -- that can't be changed, right ?

The repair guy seemed to think we should all be seeing those green led's. You guys sure you looked with the set ON?

He said power supply problems were common to ALL plasmas, and that plasmas are almost always expensive to fix because they are not modular for the most part. But he also thought they were usually well made and should last well over two years usually. We discussed the fact there was a momentary power outage a few days before the set broke, and said it was possible that could have damaged the set. We discussed getting a high end power conditioner - surge suppressor, and he said that was a VERY good idea.

Yes, that was a great offer on the warranty. Philips offered me three years at like $999!!!