[Swee]

Is anyone using DVI with the above combination (or equivalent Sony HD200)?


When 1080i output (native or up-converted 720p) is used via DVI, the picture is shifted to the left approximately 1 inch. This is very obvious when the "info" or "guide" overlays are displayed. 1080i output through either the VGA or component interface is correctly centered.


I would like to find out if others are observing the same abnormally with

the same or different 1080i sources, and get an opinion on whether the Zenith receiver or the TH42PA20 needs to be adjusted (which service dept do I call).


Can the DVI image be centered through the service mode? If so, how do I get into the service mode.


Thanks

 

[divvy]

Looks like there is a specific problem with this particular combination. Someone else reported it here with very few responses due to not many others having tried this yet. Maybe madclown found a solution otherwise it may be worth searching other forums (HD hardware perhaps? - I don't know for sure, I don't frequent many other forums) for the Zenith model number so see if there have been some recent firmware upgrades.

 

[jba87]

Swee,

I had the same problem with my TH42PA20 and the Pioneer 3510HD using DVI. My image is shifted 1-2 inches to the left with 1080i. Since there's no way to adjust either the box or the set, I called Panasonic a few weeks ago. They just got back to me with the answer from engineering yesterday, saying it's the box, not the TV. I really think it's the TV, but since the PQ is so good using component, I've just been using that. A tech is coming tomorrow to fix a different issue and Panasonic said he could look at the DVI board and if necessary order me a new board.

 

[ebonovic]

I have had a similar issue with the 520 and the Pio 533cmx with the Aurora card. I used the horizontal adjust feature to move it over, but past the 140 setting the screen doesn't shift any more.


But before I rule out the screen and the A303 card, I need to apply the firmware update for the A303...


Does anyone know what the latest Firmware version for the SAT-520 tunner is? Maybe it is an issue that my tunner doesn't have the latest software version for it. (It is only 3 weeks old).

 

[Swee]

The issue is documented in this post:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...13#post2668713


Pioneer and Panasonic plasmas seen to have similar DVI implementations and issues. It seems the issue is with the display. The clipping or cropping of the left side of the image occurs with 1080i output from Zenith HD-SAT520, Pioneer 3510HD, and Samsung HD931 DVD. This suggests that the Panasonic implementation is less compatible (or more in disagreement with the 3 above source devices). Only Samsung actually provided a firmware fix to improve compatibility.


Hence, the option is to complain a lot to Panasonic so that Panasonic updates or adjusts the displays to be compatible with more 1080i DVI devices.

 

[jfklennon]

If you're using the samsung direcv/ota reciever, you can center the 4x3 picture using the on-screen menu.

 

[baja]

T
Quote:

Originally posted by ebonovic I have had a similar issue with the 520 and the Pio 533cmx with the Aurora card. I used the horizontal adjust feature to move it over, but past the 140 setting the screen doesn't shift any more. But before I rule out the screen and the A303 card, I need to apply the firmware update for the A303...

Have you loaded the latest firmware 1.06 for the A303 It pretty much solves the 1080i centering issue. Still do not expect any improved PQ via DVI/A303 with the HD200 or the Zenith. I have found the best PQ with the HD200 to be via component and not via DVI through the A303.

 

[ebonovic]

Nope, not yet... I am waiting till my computer and my screen share the same address (The screen is at my new house, where computers are still at my previous address)....


Thanks for the info that it will fix the centering..

 

[Swee]

After waiting almost 2 weeks, Panasonic has provided a response. They have a "solution" that requires a servicer to perform a "procedure" on the set. Panasonic will contact a local servicer, provide the servicer with the procedure so that the servicer can address the issue. I asked about the nature of the procedure, i.e. parts swap, service menu adjustment, firmware upgrade, ... etc. Panasonic did not want to disclose this information. For now, it is wait and see.

Quote:

Originally posted by Swee The issue is documented in this post: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...13#post2668713 Pioneer and Panasonic plasmas seen to have similar DVI implementations and issues. It seems the issue is with the display. The clipping or cropping of the left side of the image occurs with 1080i output from Zenith HD-SAT520, Pioneer 3510HD, and Samsung HD931 DVD. This suggests that the Panasonic implementation is less compatible (or more in disagreement with the 3 above source devices). Only Samsung actually provided a firmware fix to improve compatibility. Hence, the option is to complain a lot to Panasonic so that Panasonic updates or adjusts the displays to be compatible with more 1080i DVI devices.

 

[AnthonyM]

Swee, thanks for keeping us updated!

 

[Swee]

Panasonic refused to share the details of the fix with me. Since the Panasonic servicer knew that I was competent enough, he shared the fix with me and walked me through it (to avoid going through the trouble of the servicer coming to my house). Basically, the fix is to edit 2 locations in the EEPROM (hidden further within the service mode).


Unfortunately, I cannot publish the fix as the document containing the fix says "unauthorized copying and distribution is a violation of law". If you experience the same issue, call Panasonic.

 

[jba87]

Swee,

Did this fix work?

 

[Swee]

The fix works. There are two values in the EEPROM that needs to changed. What I found is that the correct values for centering the image is different for the Samsung HD931 and the Zenith SAT520. Once you know the addresses in the EEPROM to edit, it is possible to adjust the centering of the display to match the source device.


If you know how to get to the EEPROM edit mode, the addresses are 168A and 168D.

 

[AnthonyM]

Swee, can you see a difference in PQ using DVI over component for HD material? I spoke to the service rep in my area about this issue. Of course, they had no clue about the problem. If there isn't an improvement in pq I don't want someone to mess with the service menu.

 

[lewlew]

So.


If you had a dvi switcher with the Zenith 520 , Samsung 931 and whatever else dvi you own connected to it, would you have to go into the service EEPROM edit mode every time you operated the switch?

 

[Swee]

Depends on how picky you are.


The centered settings for SAT520 and HD931 mode B

are within a few pixels of each other. Hence, it is possible

to set the "center" to be in between what the SAT520 and

HD931 wants.

 

[brick33308]

Swee,


I've got a Panny 42 ED 6UY. I just got the DVI blade for it and am experiencing a problem although different from the one you described. My picture isn't shifting. Instead, on the right hand side of the picture there is about a 2" bar running from top to bottom, and the bar is from time to time either a multi-colored bar or it almost appears to be an extreme magnification of what's on the screen in the area of the bar. My STB is a Sammy TS160.


Visual Apex which is where I got the card thinks it's probably a bum card and is prepared to send me a new one. However, after reading your post, perhaps it's a problem with my Panny.


Any suggestions?

 

[spr]

I experienced a simular issue when I ran my bravo d1 at 720p and 1080i, on the right side of the screen it does this weird blurry verticle bar. I put it down to 480p and it wasn't there. I have yet to use my hd200 as I am waiting for my new dish, but if anyone knows what this is attributed to, I would love to know. I also got my cards from visual apex. I wouldn't think that it would be the card since it was ok at 480p? Help, thanks.

 

[sanjiva]

Is this problem of shift there with 42PA20 as well where the DVI connection is built-in? Or is this problem only when the external DVI blades are inserted into the slot?


Would appreciate a response regarding this from the people in the know.

 

[brick33308]

Turns out I was able to solve the problem. First, I bumped the output resolution of my SIR-T160 to 1080 which reduced the width of the bar to less than half its size. Then I used the centering controls to move the picture to the right until the band was eliminated.


FYI, the pq using the DVI blade is noticeably better than on component.