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Philips 42PF7421D 42" LCD - Page 8

post #211 of 733
9/15/06 at 1:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sgr215 View Post

These type of statements frustrate me.

Well then I guess its a good thing you dont work for Philips.
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post #212 of 733
9/17/06 at 6:25pm
Seems like posts to this forum dropped off about 10 days ago. I'm wondering whether the new firmware has solved everyone's problem? I'm thinking of getting the 42PF7421D/37 and would love to hear that it's now working 100%. I've owned the Philips 32PF7320A/37 for about 9 months and have never had a BS problem and think it was a great deal.

Thanks for any help you can give.
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post #213 of 733
9/18/06 at 7:55am
Thread Starter 
I'm anxious to hear if those who have BS issues and have installed the new firmware are satisfied with the results. Has anyone experienced new/different problems after the update?

I've had only a few BS events and I'm reluctant to update until there is some feedback out there. It seems like a number of others are in this same situation.

Thanks,
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post #214 of 733
9/18/06 at 10:23am
I don't know if anyone else has experienced this, after good operation from 7/24/2006 to 9/12/2006 my 42PF7421D/37 has the Setup Menu pop up. If I'm in other Menu options it switches me to the main Menu screen. I thought one of my neighbors bought the same TV and their remote was causing it but I asked the neighbors and that is not the case. Its annoying to have the setup menu popup while watching TV and keeps popping up every few minutes.

I have never experienced the BS issue that I read about on this thread.

Anyways called Philips support they said to download and install the latest firmware from their support website. Haven't had any luck with any of the USB Flash devices I have so far. TV came with and has EX11U-1.3.0.0_07861 31/05/2006 16:52:21 firmware.

According to the readme the currently installed firmware should have the pop up menu fix in it as it was fixed with an earlier firmware release. If I can get any of my USB devices to work, without having to buy new ones I'll post back my results.
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post #215 of 733
9/18/06 at 5:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ericp View Post

Well then I guess its a good thing you dont work for Philips.

You've got me there.

Anyhow, it's been 13 days since the BS fix firmware has been released and 11 people have downloaded it. Anyone out of those 11 care to comment on it? If so:

If you check the software version, what version does it say it is?

Any BS since the installation?

Any other bugs introduced with the new software?

For those who care last time I got the firmware early it took nine days until it was available at Philips.com. It's been 13 days since the firmware got sent to me so i'm guessing we should see it very soon on Philips.com.
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post #216 of 733
9/18/06 at 9:06pm
I was able to install the EX11U-1.3.0.0_07861 31/05/2006 16:52:21 firmware I downloaded from Philips with a 2GB Kingston flash drive. Although I was able to view pictures and play music with these (32Mb, 64Mb & 128Mb) flash drives I was not able to load the firmware with those drives. I didn't have a 512Mb or 1Gb to test with.

Now I'll just wait and see if the Menu pop-up issue returns. I'll post results in a week or so. As mentioned before I did not have the BS issue with EX11U-1.3.0.0_07861 31/05/2006 16:52:21 so I'm going to run this firmware and see what happens next.
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post #217 of 733
9/20/06 at 7:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HRockwell View Post

I'm anxious to hear if those who have BS issues and have installed the new firmware are satisfied with the results. Has anyone experienced new/different problems after the update?

I've had only a few BS events and I'm reluctant to update until there is some feedback out there. It seems like a number of others are in this same situation.

Thanks,

Installed latest firmware the day it came out on Philips website- not a problem since.
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post #218 of 733
9/21/06 at 4:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by netty1967 View Post

Installed latest firmware the day it came out on Philips website- not a problem since.

I think he meant the 7421 firmware
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post #219 of 733
9/22/06 at 8:46pm
Hi -

I think I am the second person to ask on this thread - does anyone know the Powerstrip / DisplayConfigX settings for this monitor? I am trying to set up an HTPC w/ my PowerbookG4 and I'd like to know proper front/back porch and timings.

If anyone can help, I'd be forever in debt!
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post #220 of 733
9/22/06 at 10:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gatogomez View Post

....Now I'll just wait and see if the Menu pop-up issue returns. I'll post results in a week or so. As mentioned before I did not have the BS issue with EX11U-1.3.0.0_07861 31/05/2006 16:52:21 so I'm going to run this firmware and see what happens next.

I guess I'm the only one having this issue. Once I loaded the software mentioned in the quote the issue reappeared the next day. I checked Philips support site on 9-21-06 there was a new firmware 1.4.0.0. Loaded 1.4.0.0 and the pop-up menu issue got worse. The menu just kept popping up everytime I undid it. When I turned the TV off and checked an hour later the TV had come on by itself with the Menu showing on the screen. Oh well tried everything to fix it. Its going back to the retailer.
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post #221 of 733
9/23/06 at 2:29pm
Installed the latest firmware this morning after getting the bs again. Will keep you all updated.
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post #222 of 733
9/25/06 at 6:08am
Thread Starter 
I've noticed over the last several weeks that my 7421 is starting to pop and crack for 10 to 15 minutes when it is powered up. It appears to be the plastic bezel reacting to the heat. I need to pick up the right sized torx driver and see if tightening everything up stops the noises. Has anyone else experienced this?
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post #223 of 733
9/25/06 at 7:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by HRockwell View Post

I've noticed over the last several weeks that my 7421 is starting to pop and crack for 10 to 15 minutes when it is powered up. It appears to be the plastic bezel reacting to the heat. I need to pick up the right sized torx driver and see if tightening everything up stops the noises. Has anyone else experienced this?

YES, in fact I have been thinking of doing something similar. I notice if I push against the back of the tv, it doesnt do it... (the plastic is really flimsy back there) Thinking of a solution. Let me know how that goes.

EDIT so far, no bs after the new firmware upgrade. Watched NFL all day yesterday. Of course it is too early to completely tell.
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post #224 of 733
9/25/06 at 7:02pm
Thread Starter 
I tightened the screws around the back edge of the bezel (#10 torx btw) and it might have helped a little but i'm still getting the popping and cracking noises until the set warms up. all of the screws were 1/4 to 1/2 turn to get them tight. my 37" Dell makes similar noises but only for 30 seconds or so. i don't know, i'm not inclined to try anything else at this point. let me know if you find a solution.
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post #225 of 733
10/4/06 at 4:58pm
Hi, gatogomez - I have a 37PF9431D/37 which I bought 12/05 from Costco. We started getting the same menu pop-up issue you described a couple of weeks ago. It's weird in that sometimes the TV is completely unwatchable (the popup reappears instantly) but other days it will only happen a few times an hour. In general it seems worst when you first turn on the TV but it's pretty irregular and damned annoying regardless. I got it from a Costco warehouse but don't have a car so if I can fix it I am going to try.

It seems like the firmware versions are different for different models? The latest on the Philips website for my model has an 8/29/06 release date. Anyway, I guess I will give it a shot - nothing to lose at this point. I really hate returning to Costco after nearly a year - I feel bad doing it - but it's certainly preferable to dealing with shipping to Philips and getting some beat-up refurbished model back.

I am really curoious, is this popup a known issue on the Philips LCDs as well (along with the dreaded BS - I have that as well, by the way, though it's not too common and frankly I thought it was a cable problem and not a set problem until I was looking for help on the popup issue - silly me!)?

Finally, I really really love the PQ on the Philips, but it's too much of a pain to have to worry about a set where there are at least 2 endemic major software issues. I know this is a Philips board, but does Sharp do a better job in terms of reliability and quality control? If so, I will have to exchange my Philips for a Sharp, much as it pains me....

Thanks for any help!
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post #226 of 733
10/10/06 at 11:22am
I'm thinking of getting this Phillips 42" LCD from Costco (Austin, TX), and I wanted to get a bit of advice from people. I JUST considered getting a flat panel LCD, so I'm on a learning curve. Any help would be much appreciated and will provide you with good karma ;-)

Have: Nice Sony receiver (DB900 I think)
avg-good Sony DVD player
Time Warner cable box / DVR

Questions:
- what kind of cable should I get from the cable box / DCR to the TV? Is the
more expensive cables worth it?
- I'm set on the LCD TV, and you all give this one rave reviews. Any other critical
info I should know?
- Any gotchas? Wish-you-hads?
- DO I want a special surge protector on the system?
- Can I install this myself? Or is that a fools errand?

Thanks,

Carl
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post #227 of 733
10/10/06 at 11:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cswanson View Post

I'm thinking of getting this Phillips 42" LCD from Costco (Austin, TX), and I wanted to get a bit of advice from people. I JUST considered getting a flat panel LCD, so I'm on a learning curve. Any help would be much appreciated and will provide you with good karma ;-)

Have: Nice Sony receiver (DB900 I think)
avg-good Sony DVD player
Time Warner cable box / DVR

Questions:
- what kind of cable should I get from the cable box / DCR to the TV? Is the
more expensive cables worth it?
- I'm set on the LCD TV, and you all give this one rave reviews. Any other critical
info I should know?
- Any gotchas? Wish-you-hads?
- DO I want a special surge protector on the system?
- Can I install this myself? Or is that a fools errand?

Thanks,

Carl

Easy.
- get regular component cables (5 wires, looks like rcs cables). Its obvious you are not needing 5 million dollar cables seeing your equipment list.
- make sure you download the latest firmware. This machine had a few bugs, but they are now fixed. DEFINITELY worth the money.
- Wish I had your DVR
- yes, but nothing too special, just get one.
- yes, hmmm, maybe I shouldn't answer that one. But seriously, its really not difficult, just read the directions on the connections.

EDIT: spelling
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post #228 of 733
10/11/06 at 1:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by angrykumar View Post

Hi, gatogomez - I have a 37PF9431D/37 which I bought 12/05 from Costco. We started getting the same menu pop-up issue you described a couple of weeks ago. It's weird in that sometimes the TV is completely unwatchable (the popup reappears instantly) but other days it will only happen a few times an hour. In general it seems worst when you first turn on the TV but it's pretty irregular and damned annoying regardless. I got it from a Costco warehouse but don't have a car so if I can fix it I am going to try.

It seems like the firmware versions are different for different models? The latest on the Philips website for my model has an 8/29/06 release date. Anyway, I guess I will give it a shot - nothing to lose at this point. I really hate returning to Costco after nearly a year - I feel bad doing it - but it's certainly preferable to dealing with shipping to Philips and getting some beat-up refurbished model back.

I am really curoious, is this popup a known issue on the Philips LCDs as well (along with the dreaded BS - I have that as well, by the way, though it's not too common and frankly I thought it was a cable problem and not a set problem until I was looking for help on the popup issue - silly me!)?

Finally, I really really love the PQ on the Philips, but it's too much of a pain to have to worry about a set where there are at least 2 endemic major software issues. I know this is a Philips board, but does Sharp do a better job in terms of reliability and quality control? If so, I will have to exchange my Philips for a Sharp, much as it pains me....

Thanks for any help!

I actually have the 32pf7320a and jsut started getting an intermittent black screen issue since i got cable tv. Luckily haven't experience the pop-up thing, but panic is starting to set in.

Did you install the latest firmware for your Philips? Did you see any improvment or fix for the issue you are having? I'll install the latest firmware for mine and see how that goes. Otherwise, it's going back. I hate to do it and feel bad after all this time but like you mentioned, it's easier than dealing with long distance service and the main reason why i bought it. I thought i was one of the lucky ones to escape the BS issue, but dreadfully no.

wendek
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post #229 of 733
10/11/06 at 1:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ericp View Post

YES, in fact I have been thinking of doing something similar. I notice if I push against the back of the tv, it doesnt do it... (the plastic is really flimsy back there) Thinking of a solution. Let me know how that goes.

EDIT so far, no bs after the new firmware upgrade. Watched NFL all day yesterday. Of course it is too early to completely tell.


Ok, it's been 2 1/2 weeks since your edit after the new firmware... any Black screen?

thanks...

can you tell, i'm a little freaked?

wendek
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post #230 of 733
10/11/06 at 1:31pm
so far, none.
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post #231 of 733
10/11/06 at 1:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ericp View Post

so far, none.


Cool, so it sounds like after the firmware upgrade, you've gone nearly a month with no Black Screens! thanks for sharing!
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post #232 of 733
10/16/06 at 7:23am
Just picked up the Phillips 42PF7421D/37 on Saturday Night after returning a Vizio 32 LCD and hear is my impression of the set. It is one of the best I've seen especially at the price I paid at Sams (1699.99). I do see the uneven back lighting that everyone is talking about but, the only time its really noticeable is when nothing is on the screen; even with dark scenes its not noticeable unless you are looking for it. One thing that surprised me immensely is that fact that when I hooked up my cable to the set through the coaxial (it goes through my VCR/DVD recorder first) I did receive "All" of the HD stations and "all" of the expanded digital basic stations and "all" of the digital music stations through the set without the use of a box or cable card. This surprised me because I know Brighthouse encrypts their signal for digital and High Def cable. As a side not I tried the DTV input on the Vizio and did not get this same result with the cable.

The uneven back light I will live with because, not only is the picture the best I've seen in an LCD but, the TV doesn't seem to suffer from all of the issues that these sets usually have...... especially motion blur...... its seems to be non-existent on this set.
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post #233 of 733
10/16/06 at 7:38am
Thats unfortunate about these sets. I actually dont have un-even backlight, but if I did I would not tolerate it. Its like buying a car with a bent wheel.

However, I did get the BS, but thankfully it has been fixed. (So far)
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post #234 of 733
10/16/06 at 8:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ericp View Post

Thats unfortunate about these sets. I actually dont have un-even backlight, but if I did I would not tolerate it. Its like buying a car with a bent wheel.

However, I did get the BS, but thankfully it has been fixed. (So far)


From what it sounds like you have the 42PF7421D/37? If so, are you also saying that its possible to get a set without this backlight problem?
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post #235 of 733
10/20/06 at 6:50am
I have this Phillips 42PF7421D42LCD and love it but, the only reservation I have is how Analog Cable looks on this Tv. Right now I'm not using a cable box and the Coax goes into my VCR/DVD Recorder COAX in and then COAX out to the COAX in on the TV. HD looks awesome, Digital Channels that I'm picking up look Awesome but, Analog channels look horrible. What confuses me even more is that when I view television through my VCR/DVD recorder (it is hooked up into the Component input on the TV) it looks very good. I've read that Analog doesn't look particularly good on digital TVs but, why would it look darn good going through the VCR/DVD recorder? Anay Suggestions out there?
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post #236 of 733
10/20/06 at 6:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveCaron View Post

From what it sounds like you have the 42PF7421D/37? If so, are you also saying that its possible to get a set without this backlight problem?

Absolutely. My backlight is perfect. And I have looked at it over and over to make sure...
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post #237 of 733
10/20/06 at 7:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ericp View Post

Absolutely. My backlight is perfect. And I have looked at it over and over to make sure...


Thanks.... Yeah I exchanged mine last night and even the Light bleeding through in the corners is gone too..... I was hoping that things would work out with this set because, I've not seen designing on "any" lcds like this...... it seamlessly blends into my living room.... just the best looking set out there. I even put some back lighting behind the set to eliminate eye fatigue in a dark room and it looks even more spectacular.
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post #238 of 733
10/20/06 at 9:01pm
I'm interested in getting this TV to upgrade from my Sceptre 37". Few questions first:

1. The specs seem a little vague on Phillips' website. Does this TV have a NTSC tuner? (Do all HDTV's do?)

2. For those who have used it, whats the delay between switching from HD channel to channel? With the Sceptre it's about 3-5 seconds which is REALLY annoying after a while.
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post #239 of 733
10/23/06 at 5:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carmichael View Post

I'm interested in getting this TV to upgrade from my Sceptre 37". Few questions first:

1. The specs seem a little vague on Phillips' website. Does this TV have a NTSC tuner? (Do all HDTV's do?)

2. For those who have used it, whats the delay between switching from HD channel to channel? With the Sceptre it's about 3-5 seconds which is REALLY annoying after a while.


Yes, this set does have the NTSC tuner on it as well. Though there really isn't much of a difference when changing the channel from an Analog to HD (as far as speed) the Analog tuner does the about the same job as most digital TVs as far as PQ. My cable company encrypts their HD signals yet this set is picking up not only some of the HD and digital channels but, also the digital music stations. Despite this I will be picking up a HD cable box this week so as to make the most of my Television.
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post #240 of 733
11/10/06 at 7:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveCaron View Post

I have this Phillips 42PF7421D42LCD and love it but, the only reservation I have is how Analog Cable looks on this Tv. Right now I'm not using a cable box and the Coax goes into my VCR/DVD Recorder COAX in and then COAX out to the COAX in on the TV. HD looks awesome, Digital Channels that I'm picking up look Awesome but, Analog channels look horrible. What confuses me even more is that when I view television through my VCR/DVD recorder (it is hooked up into the Component input on the TV) it looks very good. I've read that Analog doesn't look particularly good on digital TVs but, why would it look darn good going through the VCR/DVD recorder? Anay Suggestions out there?

Can anyone else comment on the analog SD quality of this set? I am considering purchasing it for use with only analog SD cable and DVD (no HD - going in condo in Mexico, but need thin profile). Can anyone comment if the pixel plus 2 on the 9631D model is any better for SD? Thanks
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