Philips DVP642 - Turn off on screen timer

[antimony]

Hello everyone. Yesterday, I just bought a Philips DVP642 from Circuit City and it has been great at playing everything I throw at it.

However, the player always displays a timer (for example "2:08") in the upper right hand corner of the screen whether I am playing dvd or divx. It never dissapears and detracts from the cinematic experience.

Is there anyway to turn this osd timer off? I have combed through the player preference as well as scanned the manual but I can't seem to figure it out. Is there a simple setting I have overlooked? A firmware upgrade perhaps?

Thanks in advance, I have always been able to find the answers to my questions though this time I am stuck.

[rvelez]

Have you tried pressing the DISPLAY button on the remote?

[antimony]

r-
Thanks for the fast reply.

Yes I have tried the DISPLAY button. It brings up a time edit box where I can input a time and then the player will jump to the specified time (ie. If i input 4:04 in the box the player will jump to 4:04 in the movie)

According to the manual its function is that it, "allows you to start playback at any chosen time on the disc."

Unfortunately the timer still stays in the upper right.

[rvelez]

Since you just purchased it, bring it back for an exchange. I have two of those that work fine. Seems you have a defective one.

[handyguy]

You can turn if off in the dvd player setup menu can't you?

[antimony]

handyguy - no there is no option to turn it off in the player preferences. I have tried many unrelated settings, hoping the timer will turn off with no avail.

revelez - thanks for noting that your unit does not have this display. This is a very odd problem. Unfortunately I bought it online, I'm not sure if I can return to a local store, I will have to check. This is problematic as I am hoping to cash in on a rebate as well.

Some further notes on this issue -
The problem seems to appear whenever the unit is "Reading Index" as the onscreen timer starts to display at the same time.

I have found a workaround for the timer when playing DVDs:
1.) Turn unit on
2.) Insert the DVD
3.) Power the player off
4.) Turn the unit back on
Doing this, the unit will start the movie automatically on the second boot up and avoid "Reading Index", thus avoiding the onscreen timer.

However this does not work for divx movies as the unit needs to "Reading Index" on boot up even if the disc is already inside.

My model is a DVP642/37 manufactured in October 2006.

I have checked around online and there doesn't seem to be any firmware availible for my model.

I also called customer support and they weren't helpful but they did give me the option of replacing the unit. The thing is, I don't know if the new unit will still exhibit the same problem.

Other DVP642 owners: Can I get a confirmation that you guys do not have the timer when playing divx?

[Ai Haibara]

No such issue on mine, either. I just ran a few tests with an AVI disc... Pressing Display on the remote does bring up the Time: box as well as the counter; the latter doesn't go away if I press Display again, but the counter does go away after another 2-3 seconds.

[somebodeez]

Other DVP642 owners: Can I get a confirmation that you guys do not have the timer when playing divx?

We have 3 of these players and none have this problem when playing DVDs or DivX or XviDs.

[handyguy]

You could unplug it from wall for a minute to reset it & try again.

THere is a region free hack for it in the dvd hack section. Also, wasn't there a firmware update for it? I remember putting it on.

[Ai Haibara]

Leaving it unplugged (actually, 30 minutes might be a better idea) for a while and then plugging it back in might not hurt, but since it apparently had the problem out of the box, it probably won't have any effect on the issue.

Since it was manufactured in October 2006, it probably has the latest firmware. Maybe I should look for the latest for mine, though, I don't know. :P

[Holden]

I bought one last week as well and also have this problem. Hopefully I won't have to return it.

Greg

[Holden]

TaDa!!!

I figured it out. There's nothing wrong except for the brains of the folks who designed the user interface.

On any other device, pressing the Display key multiple times would cycle through the display options. On the player however, you press Display once and then use the Up and Down Arrow buttons to cycle.

Once you get it so that it's only asking for a time to jump to and the OSD timer has disappeared, press Display one last time and you're all set.

Greg

[antimony]

Greg - Thanks for the tip! Unfortunately I've been very busy lately but I'll try it out soon (I'm sure it'll work). The way they have this setting controlled is indeed very lame.

Also, thanks to everyone for their replies

[savrip]

I signed up to the forum just to say thanks! I really appreciate the tip. This was bugging me already and I was starting to worry that the player was already a dud. I have a fear of Phillips products, they're mostly short lived. I don't know why I keep buying them. This one just seemed to have the right stuff at the right price. After rebate money paid out will be about $32. I was a little shocked that it is 2 inches wider than the standard width of A/V products, but I'll live. Thanks again!

[4x4us]

Hello everyone,

I have a philips DVD player DVP642/37 manufactures march 2005.

I am trying to play DVD-R and DVD+R and it doesn't work. How do I get the right firmware and what's the process to follow (if that's what I'm supposed to do).

Thanks a lot for any help.

P.S.: sorry if its not the right topic, i didn't know where else to post and I'm really lost...

[GreyDeath]

Yes 4x4us, you're threadjacking. This is a thread on the Timer or Counter display problem. do a forum search and see if you can find your problem using some keywords.

However, to answer your question, it probably can play DVD-R and +R's just fine, it's probably what files you're putting on them that can't play. You need to find out what type of files you are trying to play, codec information, etc. before we can help you. There are threads and Tools on how to find that stuff out.

GL

And to get the Topic back on track, my brother just called me about his 642 with the same Timer/Counter problem. Good to know someone figured it out. Thanks!

[InXess]

I signed up to the forum just to say thanks! I really appreciate the tip. This was bugging me already and I was starting to worry that the player was already a dud. I have a fear of Phillips products, they're mostly short lived. I don't know why I keep buying them. This one just seemed to have the right stuff at the right price. After rebate money paid out will be about $32. I was a little shocked that it is 2 inches wider than the standard width of A/V products, but I'll live. Thanks again!

32 bucks for a recorder or have I misread...?

[GreyDeath]

Yes, you misread, the 642 is just a standalone DVD player that can play most AVI's or DivX files, and it's progressive scan with component outputs. Pretty good for a cheap player and if you don't have an HD system.

[Rookie007]

i also joined only to thank "holden" for his tip, i don't know how he figured it out but it does the trick . I was just about thinking of bringing it back to the store when i though about checking on the net to see if anyone else has the same issue, luckily videohelp and the great people on here figured it out for me lol thank you !!

[u2cowboy]

I also was having the same problem, but just on Divx files. This fix worked like a charm. Thanks to Holden and this great site. I probably wouldn't have figured that one out myself.

For what it's worth: I bought the DVP642/37 for $29 on Black Friday, and it's played everything except the official Cars DVD. For some reason, it locks up at the anit-piracy screen. Ironic, huh.

[Cwluc]

@Holden you are my hero sir, thank you much for your tip. Now about this player locking up. This is currently the 7th 642 I know of in my circle of friends. Only for some reason the last two manufactured in Sept 06 have a new firmware and are making DVD's difficult to play. We're over here talking about this issue.

[Panthera40Male]

seems that fix is a temp fix and needs to be done everytime you turn on and put in a new dvd movie

[deadnancy]

I'm another one who's registered just to say thanks!



That on-screen timer was driving me crazy, and the manual? Useless!

Again, THANK YOU!

DN