The Official HP Pavilion 1080P DLP Owner's Thread - Page 301

Yes, 400 bucks is steep, for sure. BUT...reading through some other forums (for example, LCD flat screen panels). there are different issues that we DLP owner's don't have to concern ourselves with, such as dead/stuck pixels. Plasma owners have to worry about screen burn-in and eventual degradation. For us, a new bulb refreshes the unit to "good as new".

Well, I don't think this is original thought on my part, but it seems pretty obvious that the frequencies delivered by your remote control are being created somehow within the range of the TV.

If you live out in the country then probably the frequency source comes from within you house. If you live in a residential area then there's a good chance someone near you has an HP TV using the same remote codes.

I don't know where the actual receiver is on the TV for those remote control frequencies, but if the problem persists, I'd be covering it with a thick layer of tape, or disconnecting it to see if you can isolate the problem to being a remote control problem or something within the TV on a circuit board.

It may be more than just someone with a similar remote control in the immediate area. There are devices that relay and amplify a signal so remotes can be used in one area of a house and control devices in other rooms.

I'd be getting that Service Manual and start by covering up or disconnecting the remote control sensor to establish the cause.

My 2 cents

Lexx

It's behind the screen, in the middle horizontally and towards the bottom vertically. The service manual should show exactly where it is (I can't access it here from work; I'll check tonight when I get home).

-Dan

This thread has had an amazing life.

Frequency turning on the TV ... nice theory. The problem didn't start happening until I upgraded the firmware. I suspect that is the problem. I haven't put the old firmware back on to verify my theory. It is also a function of how long the TV has been on. If on for more that a couple of hours it will turn back on.

IIRC, the new firmware did add discrete on and off codes. The older firmware only has a power toggle. If something in your environment is emitting IR signals close to the discrete "on" code, that would explain it. Of course, you also state that the problem is a function of how long the TV has been on, so the new code would not explain that observation.

-Dave

Not sure that a firmware upgrade rules out the idea that you are somehow picking up someone else's remote, or some device is generating these frequencies that your TV is picking up. It's most probable that the majority of owners have upgraded to the same firmware you have.

All it means is that before you upgraded your firmware your TV could not pick up the discreet codes that a neighbor was using. Now that you upgraded, you are both using the same codes. So it is still a possibility.

If it always turns on after you have finished with a couple of hours of watching TV then you are probably correct, and it is more likely it's some heat related scenario, where a circuit board or some other internal equipment is expanding slightly from heat and triggering the TV to turn on.

I'd still be trying conclusively to eliminate the "other remote" idea. Cover up the remote receiver area or reinstall the old firmware. If the TV problem resolves itself after that, you know it's a frequency problem and not a circuit board or switch problem.

My three cents

Lexx

For me, it's obviously not a neighbor's remote, my closest neighbor is more than 200 feet away. It could be another device that is sending a similar freqency except that wouldn't explain why it only turns back on shortly after it's been turned off, never hours later.

It happens so infrequently to me that it would be difficult to try to isolate the problem. I'm sticking with my "gremlins living in the TV" theory.

That's probably it. However, I do remember somebody stating that an IR transmitter connected to an MCE HTPC was turning on the TV, and somebody else mentioned that a universal remote was turning on the TV. It could even be something like a Slingbox sending IR signals to change the channel on your cable box.

Maybe it is just a neighborhood kid with a universal remote trying to drive you nuts .

-Dave

Along time ago I made a post about a hpdlp owners probs with this it tured out to be another hp product in the room (PC) do you have any others ??? ie printer/computer ????

I do have an HP PC in the same room...hmmm....

Actually, I have several devices transmitting in the room - modem/router, wireless mouse, phone, etc. but none of them are IR devices.

Just today my 1-1/2 year old 5880 started to reveal a blotchiness in detail- looks like posterization or solarization. This was mentioned in this thead as a light engine issue (replacement at ~$2800). Since it's a documented symptom and fix (with a price), I'm hesitant to even call a tech, much less repair it (even at half that, given current tv pricing). Any advice on the contrary? thanks, Rob

couple of photos demonstrating the issue for reference:
i158.photobucket com/albums/t86/m2cupcar/HP5880/

makado has a brand new light engine in a box for sale. PM him. I bought the bulb from it, and he's a great guy.

FWIW, I had mine replaced, & it didn't look too difficult. You'll need an assistant, and the technical manual is available for download here. I'd try it. There isn't any real calibration to do. And from what has been posted here, many engines were installed by CompUSA technicians with NO EXPERIENCE AND NO MANUAL.

Good luck.

On the random turning on...as Lexx says, it would be interesting to place a post-it over the IR sensor on the TV when you turn it off, and see if that stops the behavior. Use two or three together and just stick it on the TV. Simple way to rule out spurious IR signals...

Hi ..I have the 65 inch model, about 1 1/2 years old also and recently I noticed the same effect only in dark areas in underlit or dimly lit scenes...I tried to access your photos but couldn't to see if it is the same...

Thanks 73ChargerFan. I'll contact Makado.

The one link I found for the service manual has been removed. Anybody care to email a link (or the manual)?

robebersol at gmail

thanks
- rob

Scribe - I can't post links or images until I have five posts. Add a period before the com - your browser should resolve the protocol.

The plan was to buy the extended warranty, but the "buy date" slipped buy. Here it is nearly 6 months later and our first major problem. Curious how most who haven't had problems, get them right around this point. It is a shame - like most, we settled on this tv for the outstanding picture and features (like the front panel). It has been a wonderful addition to my HTPC. - rob

Message #9002 above should work

thanks lexx - action taken

I received a reply notice for this thread from the avs forum, but it never showed up as a post. Though the user doesn't seem to be registered on the site.

It has some merit- getting to a heat issue that causes the gradual degradation of the image quality. I'd be curious to hear from this person (or anybody else). Here's what the forum sent me:
-----------------------------------
rmcmahon has just replied to a thread you have subscribed to entitled - The Official HP Pavilion 1080P DLP Owner's Thread - in the Rear Projection Units forum of AVS Forum.

This thread is located at:
****://***.avsforum.***/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=592933&goto=newpost

Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
Hello m2cupar,
I too had what I think was the same problem with my MD5880N. I had an HP certified master technicien come by and he did pretty much the same thing I did at first which was to call HP technical support. They recommended replacing the light-engine (replacement at ~$2800) as you mentioned. After much thinking, digging, wrangling, dissassembly, reassembly and tinkering I determined the problem to be a heat related issue. The problem seems to be fixed and I did not replace any parts. Before I go into details of the fix lets try to determine if you really have the same problem.
My first question is: Does the problem appear when the TV is first turned on or does it get worse as the TV heats up as it is left on for several minutes/hours?
My second question is: Has the problem gotten worse over time (weeks/months)?

Thanks Rob...I just saw the pics and what you posted is similar..but I only get that when the scene is very dark and only on some dvds---I'm playing ripped dvds through a HTPC. And it doesn't show up everytime...rather puzzling. This is the first ''issue'' if indeed it is one for me that I've had with the TV. I did but the warrantee at the last minute after seeing the problems others have had. I have yet to see a TV with the PQ of the HP. I'd call support but I really hate to have someone mucking around in the guts of the thing without knowing how qualified they are. I might just wait a bit to see if it gets worse or shows up in brighter scenes. Good luck to you.

My problem starts about 20-30 minutes after the tv has been on and gradually worsens. Happens on all inputs, after power drain, setting resets - doesn't matter. It's very similar to the mystery posted I cited above. If it's heat, I'm confident that can be addressed, possibly with the addition of some pc case fans. I've got the service manual now and want to see what's inside. I'm curious if the internal fans suck in dust like a pc case fan. If it does, then that will surely cause a heat rise.

Well after a year of no problems.. I started to hear the light engine... I called my warranty people, they came out and said that yup it is the light engine. A couple of days later I received a call saying they are not going to replace it because of the price and are going to figure out how to handle this, either a new tv non hp or cash.

I am going to miss this tv, it has had the best picture..... dang it..... I will post on what they decide to do. I should hear either today or tomorrow...

R~

How long have you had the tv - extended warranty? Hope they set you up with something agreeable. Given the price drop on tvs, it should be with the price of the light engine (new). Good luck. - rob

I would start by removing the 10 screws in the back and removing the lower panel. That's were all the video processing boards are. Aim a fan on these boards and use the TV for a while and see what happens.

You may want to use a can of compressed air to carefully blow away any dust you see in the back. Also, when the set is completely cool, you can remove the lamp and blow the dust out of the lamp cavity. The lamp itself has a dust screen, so blow the dust of the dust screen too.

-Dave

It's getting worse. Now I've got the problem when the set is cold. I entered the service mode and went thru the test screens. The Green Gradient screen has a constant flicker on a few of the bars. That definitely seems like a component issue and not heat. I'll blow some compressed air on it and see what changes. Might get a tech out if a service call isn't too expensive. After that I'll probably pull components and part it out. Surely there's going to be some demand for the parts given HP's pricing and discontinuing the tvs. Too bad- I had the set I wanted. - rob

hi how much do you want for it?

Sorry to hear about your problems. I have had my HP DLP for 20 months, and I am still amazed by the picture every time I use it. I guess we should all enjoy it while it lasts.

-Dave

They are saying it would cost them 2500 to repair... I asked for a mitsubishi, they are trying to stick me with the medallion series.... I am pissed off.....

Haven't got around to blowing out the inside with air yet. But the tv either has a new problem or it's an extension of the current issue. It now starts flickering and eventually looks like a disco strobe light, with the strobe light "off state" showing the video image and the on being the flash of light.

It's $89 for a tech to inspect the tv and tell me what repair (and cost) is needed. I'll decide at that point what to do with it - fix, sell or part it out. Meanwhile I've got some images and video posted (links below) which should be helpful for other owners that might run into similar symptoms. I'll post the diagnosis once I have it.

The original problem is evident in the gradient bars. Red is proper/correct and displays a nice stepped tonal scale - compared to the uneven green gradient. There's a bit of "sliding" on the green gradient too, as some of the bars go from lighter to darker. Some of the activity/drama is lost in the videos due to the shutter speed. - rob

stills
Red gradient test screen still image
Green gradient test screen still image

videos
Red gradient test screen movie
Green gradient test screen movie
Early stages of the flickering