Philips DVP642 Faint Vertical Lines

[Flave]

Has anyone else seen this problem?

It is especially evident during dark scenes -- faint gray/white vertical lines over the whole picture. Kind of like pinstripes.

This happens when playing back either Divx or Xvid files.

Do I have a defective unit?

TIA.

[lifeisfun]

I had this problem but it was gone after updating to latest firmware....

[Flave]

Do you have version 0531?

[lifeisfun]

yes

[Flave]

Well, so do I and this problem is definitely still there.

I'm wondering if I have a defective unit -- anyone else see this?

[scottymac]

Well, so do I and this problem is definitely still there.

I'm wondering if I have a defective unit -- anyone else see this?

EDIT:

Hmm, I also seem to be having this problem with some files but not others and I can't see a vast difference that would cause the 'pinstriping' effect on some files and not others.

Here are 3 examples of files that DO have the pinstripes

697MB 01:32:25
XviD 916 kb/s
MP3-130 kb/s VBR
608x320 (1.90:1)

701 MB 01:30:30
DivX 3 Low-Motion 939 kb/s
MP3-135 kb/s VBR
512x288 (1.78:1)

701 MB 01:02:10
XviD 1123 kb/s
ac3-448 kb/s (6 ch) CBR
640x272 (2.35:1)

and here are 3 files which DO NOT have the pinstriped effect

696 MB 01:02:31
XviD 1104 kb/s
ac3-448 kb/s (5 ch) CBR
Frame Size...: 656x320 (2.05:1)

680 MB 01:42:36
DivX 3 Low-Motion 795 kb/s
MP3-128 kb/s CBR
688x368 (1.87:1)

622 MB 01:35:51
XviD 710 kb/s
MP3-192 kb/s CBR
352x288 (1.22:1)

Can you see any correlation? Perhaps it's just a defective machine...

[Flave]

Well, I'd imagine if you have some files that do not have this problem that the problem probably lies in the firmware and not the unit. Just guessing of course.

I think in my case that ALL my videos have this problem to some extent -- it varies. But I haven't done an extensive test.

It would be useful if we could hear from other 642 owners and see if can find a pattern here.

[Flave]

Well, if anyone's interested, I think I've figured this out.

I don't have a TV that can receive a progressive signal so I obviously have the progressive output of this player disabled. And this seems to be causing the problem.

To fix it, just turn the progressive output ON. If you don't have a progressive TV, your picture will get all messed up at this point. Wait 15 seconds for the player to reset the progressive output back to OFF. Now exit the menu and pinstripes should be gone.

No idea why this works but it worked for me.

[scottymac]

Interesting find Flave,

I'm not near my machine right now, but I will try tonight and check back with my results a little later....

[airrick]

I was seeing some aliasing effects while playing backup DVD movies (on a progressive scan tv). at first I thought it was a poor backup, but then the same backup looked much better on a JVC player. I found a sence in a moive that I could use for comparisons (someone was wearing a stripped horizontal shirt). The image on the JVC was much clearer. I flashed the software on the Philips (to 0351) and some how that improved the image quality (it also reset all the menu options).

I still think the image on the JVC is better, but I dont have any way to compare the side by side. any other opinions?

[Flave]

airrick -- I've noticed that sometimes this player generates a lot of artifacting on some Xvids (streaks, edge 'imprinting', posterization, etc.). I've also discovered that if your press the SYSTEM button to bring up the menu and then press it again to go back to the movie, the problem disappears. Something about this cyclling resets whatever in the player is causing the problem.

Don't know if this is what you are experiencing but it might be worth trying to see if it helps.

(And I assume you mean firmware version 0531 not 0351.)

[scottymac]

Nice tip Flave,

The progressive-on, then automatic reset to off has done the trick. I'm guessing that this would be an error that could be fixed in the next firmware? Have you dropped an email to Philips and let them know?

[Flave]

Nice tip Flave,

The progressive-on, then automatic reset to off has done the trick. I'm guessing that this would be an error that could be fixed in the next firmware? Have you dropped an email to Philips and let them know?

Glad it worked for you too. And yes, I'm quite sure that this is a firmware bug.

As for notifying Philips, good idea. Do you have a tech contact?