Philips HDTV freaking out in '16:9 compressed' mode

[akrako1]

My Philips 4:3 HDTV (27PT8302/37) has started having problems viewing HD content in '16:9 compressed' mode. I'm fed a full-screen signal from my cable box, and I must 'squish' it to 16:9 for it to be viewed correctly. Upon switching to '16:9 compressed' mode, the screen starts to flicker - seemingly flashing between 4:3 and 16:9 mode. The screen seems to almost collapse in on itself, then flash back to full screen, then to 'compressed 16:9' mode. I feel whatever piece of hardware/software controls the compressing is the culpret. I have exactly zero problems with HD programming in 4:3 mode, or any other type of signal in any mode (DVD's in 16:9 or 4:3, SD OTA in 4:3 or 16:9, etc, etc - all fine) Only HD, and only in 16:9 mode. I've tested various HD stations, and they all do the same thing (I know some are 720p, while some 1080i). I've tried all the various setup options on the cable box as well, no luck. I've got a call in to Philips, but the only thing covered is the actual tube. But before I drag it to a service location, I figured I'd check with you folks. Any ideas what the problem might be? Does this happen a lot with Philips HDTV's? It's only 18 months old.

TV specs:
http://www.usasupport.philips.com/productDocuments.html?ProductCode=27PT8302/37&subCat...SU_US_CONSUMER


Motorola High-Definition Cable Receiver DCT6200
http://broadband.motorola.com/consumers/products/dct6200/

[BJ_M]

doesnt sound good , get it in to repair before it catches on fire

[edDV]

My Philips 4:3 HDTV (27PT8302/37) has started having problems viewing HD content in '16:9 compressed' mode. I'm fed a full-screen signal from my cable box, and I must 'squish' it to 16:9 for it to be viewed correctly. Upon switching to '16:9 compressed' mode, the screen starts to flicker - seemingly flashing between 4:3 and 16:9 mode. The screen seems to almost collapse in on itself, then flash back to full screen, then to 'compressed 16:9' mode. I feel whatever piece of hardware/software controls the compressing is the culpret. I have exactly zero problems with HD programming in 4:3 mode, or any other type of signal in any mode (DVD's in 16:9 or 4:3, SD OTA in 4:3 or 16:9, etc, etc - all fine) Only HD, and only in 16:9 mode. I've tested various HD stations, and they all do the same thing (I know some are 720p, while some 1080i). I've tried all the various setup options on the cable box as well, no luck. I've got a call in to Philips, but the only thing covered is the actual tube. But before I drag it to a service location, I figured I'd check with you folks. Any ideas what the problem might be? Does this happen a lot with Philips HDTV's? It's only 18 months old.

TV specs:
http://www.usasupport.philips.com/productDocuments.html?ProductCode=27PT8302/37&subCat...SU_US_CONSUMER


Motorola High-Definition Cable Receiver DCT6200
http://broadband.motorola.com/consumers/products/dct6200/

akrako1 PM'd me asking for a reply to this post.

I have a similar model (earlier) in my computer room but with mine, the "16:9 compressed" mode only works with 480i/480p inputs, not with a 1080i HDTV input. 1080i displays like this and is fixed.



I also have a Motorola DCT6200 in that room. I set that for 16:9, 1080i YPbPr and 4:3 override is set to 480p. That causes 480i cable channels to deinterlace in the cable box.

I find the TV tuner (3D digital comb filter) does a better job than the cable box with analog channels (2-99). Your model has a 2D comb filter so mileage will vary.

So in summary, I can't get mine into the mode (1080i 16:9 compressed) that you say is failing.

[akrako1]

any ideas what the problem might be? unfortunatley only the CRT is actually covered by my warranty... or does this sound electronics related?

Also, I just upgraded to a DVR box (instead of HDTV), no difference in the HD displays, still freakin' out.

Here's something odd I just noticed.... when you first put something in 1080i into '16:9 compressed mode', it displays correctly for a few seconds, then gets worse, more flashing and flickering. If I press 'Main Freeze' on my remote when I first changed to '16:9 compressed' mode, I see the clean static picture, but then, after a few seconds, it starts to flicker. And this was a 'frozen image'. This has led me to believe that the problem is with the TV, and not any other component, including cables. Swapping out my cable box confirms that. Ugg... 30 mile drive to an 'Authorized Philips Repair Center'. who knows how long it will take to fix...and $.

[ViRaL1]

If you think about, does that shot even need Matt Dillon?

4:3 forever!!!

[edDV]

any ideas what the problem might be? unfortunatley only the CRT is actually covered by my warranty... or does this sound electronics related?

Also, I just upgraded to a DVR box (instead of HDTV), no difference in the HD displays, still freakin' out.

Here's something odd I just noticed.... when you first put something in 1080i into '16:9 compressed mode', it displays correctly for a few seconds, then gets worse, more flashing and flickering. If I press 'Main Freeze' on my remote when I first changed to '16:9 compressed' mode, I see the clean static picture, but then, after a few seconds, it starts to flicker. And this was a 'frozen image'. This has led me to believe that the problem is with the TV, and not any other component, including cables. Swapping out my cable box confirms that. Ugg... 30 mile drive to an 'Authorized Philips Repair Center'. who knows how long it will take to fix...and $.

First, are you sure you are feeding it 1080i? Different circuits are used in my set, but I think yours is a different design.

If it is failing with 480i inputs, then take it to the service center.

Was the warranty only 90 days on these?

Remember, if you bought it with Visa, the warranty was doubled.

[edDV]

If you think about, does that shot even need Matt Dillon?

4:3 forever!!!

I tend to agree, I can see the full 16:9 shot (and it gets recorded) on the computer.

If a hot model was sitting on the side of the frame instead of Matt Dillon, I'd look at the computer screen.

[akrako1]

First, are you sure you are feeding it 1080i? Different circuits are used in my set, but I think yours is a different design..

My Cable Box is set to 1080i. If I put it on 720p, I don't get a display at all (this has always been). So I'm guessing that I can't take a 720p signal, and that the cable box will upscale any 720p to 1080i. Correct?

If it is failing with 480i inputs, then take it to the service center.

No, only with 1080i, and 'compressed 16:9' mode.

Was the warranty only 90 days on these?
Remember, if you bought it with Visa, the warranty was doubled.

The warranty is for 90 days labor, 1 year parts, and 2 years display. I believe I bought it with a Visa. If so, then the 1 year parts warranty would double, and could help me out much! Is the 'doubling warranty' deal thru Visa, the retailer, or the Manufacturer? Do you have a cite?

Thanks!!!

[edDV]

1. These sets can't take 720p, only 480p and 540p (in some cases). The cable box converts 720p to 1080i.

2. Why use that mode. Does your 1080i picture differ from my picture above?

3. Call the 800 number on your Visa card and ask if you have warranty protection.

[akrako1]

2. Why use that mode. Does your 1080i picture differ from my picture above?

No matter what the setting, the cable box puts out a signal that completely fills my 4:3 screen. I need to use the '16:9 compressed' mode to view the picture in proper aspect ratio.

[edDV]

2. Why use that mode. Does your 1080i picture differ from my picture above?

No matter what the setting, the cable box puts out a signal that completely fills my 4:3 screen. I need to use the '16:9 compressed' mode to view the picture in proper aspect ratio.

OK mine doesn't do that. It only displays 1080i as shown above.

[akrako1]

TV has been dropped off for service. Will report back...