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Panasonic TX28/32DT30 IDTV
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I would just like to ask the question of everyone reading this forum...
On your Panasonic TX28DT30 or TX32DT30 IDTV, have you got a situation where the sound drops out on the occasional syllable?
My experience is that the picture is absolutely perfect - always. The C/N is over 30db accross all multiplexes, the BER is <10-8, the multiplexes are fairly flat, the downlead is good quality double screened, the aerial is a DMX05WB baluned aerial. The aerial looks into open space and the downlead is nowhere near to any power cables. The downlead is one piece and runs straight (with NO kinks or sharp bends) to the aerial input of the IDTV.
I don't see how the set-up could be more perfect, but I still get sound dropout. This is not consistent by any means but can be evident for a few hours and may not re-appear for days/weeks on end. For this reason, it is very difficult to tie-down. Others in our locality (York) with the same set complain about the same effect, but so rarely that we can't decide if it happens at the same time during a programme.
If playing back a DVD through AV2, it still happens unless the aerial is unplugged from the set during playback - odd eh?
On your Panasonic TX28DT30 or TX32DT30 IDTV, have you got a situation where the sound drops out on the occasional syllable?
My experience is that the picture is absolutely perfect - always. The C/N is over 30db accross all multiplexes, the BER is <10-8, the multiplexes are fairly flat, the downlead is good quality double screened, the aerial is a DMX05WB baluned aerial. The aerial looks into open space and the downlead is nowhere near to any power cables. The downlead is one piece and runs straight (with NO kinks or sharp bends) to the aerial input of the IDTV.
I don't see how the set-up could be more perfect, but I still get sound dropout. This is not consistent by any means but can be evident for a few hours and may not re-appear for days/weeks on end. For this reason, it is very difficult to tie-down. Others in our locality (York) with the same set complain about the same effect, but so rarely that we can't decide if it happens at the same time during a programme.
If playing back a DVD through AV2, it still happens unless the aerial is unplugged from the set during playback - odd eh?
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I live in Edinburgh and experience the same problem on my TX28DT30.
The problem only starts when I'm watching digital TV channels, but once it has started it affects DVD playback as well. It never affects analogue channels, and I find that switching to an analogue channel and back usually makes the problem go away.
There is a software update due next week (see http://www.dtg.org.uk/cgi-bin/download_schedule.pl) - maybe that will fix it.
I would be grateful if (when next playing a DVD and it does the sound thing) you could unplug the aerial to see if that fixes the sound.
My set has v1.11 software, I notice that the DTG site lists v1.13, so I'll try and find out what "fixes" are going on.
Are TX-32DT4 and TX-32DT40 different sets? Do they share the same software?
Should I update tomorrow?
Sorry so many questions,
thanks!,
Ross
Ross, I don't know if the update will apply to your DT4. However, I don't think your TV will download the update unless it is suitable. To download the update you need to be tuned to a BBC channel so I suggest you leave your TV tuned to BBC1 or 2 one night this week, and your TV will download the update if is suitable.
Thanks mate,
How confusing! So is the tech spec of both the DT4 and DT40 the same?
Ross
The OAD today is for TX28/32DT30 and TX32DH40 - NOT TX32DT40 as listed on the DTG website. Now I know why I am so confused over the OAD.
This OAD transmission is a fix for:
1. BBC Parliament lock-up
2. Now and Next update
3. Memory loss
In answer to your question Ross, the OAD for TX28/32DT4 and 40 will be the same and will be re-transmitted later in the year. The software for that set is currently v2.27 and is up to date.
Now version 8.1.13.
Of Rutherbobs post, time will only tell if the 3 problems have been fixed. The only one that had affected me was the Now & Next problem (don't watch BBC Parliament). I actually noticed it change (on BBC2), something in over a year I cannot remember doing so. Maybe I was lucky, but hopefully it's a good sign.
One thing not mentioned in the upgrade is the shadow vertical line on DTT channels that is sometimes noticed when viewing light backgrounds (eg sky). Either my eyes are deceiving me but it may have been sorted. Again only time will tell but others may want to comment on this.
I only thank heavens I'm off this week. I dread to think what could have happened if my kids had been watching and hit the OK button to download.
Well my set is running '1.0', so it is not up to date! :rolleyes:
'Later in the year' - Any ideas on when?
Thanks,
Ross
I don't get the audio breakup problem at all (fed from Sutton Coldfield mast)
Main faults on mine:
1. Ch4 picture aspect ration unstable, keep twitching "widescreen" on and off. Other channels on the same mux work fine.
2. Changing channels with subtitles on causes digiboard to reboot. Just noticed in the last week that if I go to Channel 13 ("702") and press "Subtitles", it reboots within 3 seconds.
3. Now/Next often shows out of date info, eg: watching 6PM news on BBC1, now/next says I'm watching Neighbours, which had actually finished 15 mins earlier.
4. Channel 4 text does not work. Older digiboxes say "sorry your box is not compatible", newer ones show it correctly, the DT30 tries and fails miserably.
5. Switching from BBC Parliament to a fullscreen channel can cause loss of audio, until the channel is changed a few more times at which point audio can return.
6. Occasional mode where the now/next info stops working completely. Need to reset TV to get it back, or do the channel 13 subtitles trick to get it to work.
Have also noticed that holding down the subtitle key on the remote for 4-5 seconds can occasionally get the digital board to reset, but the CH13 version seems more consistant.
Ironically, the BBC Multiscreen works on the DT30 which was not true on the DT40 earlier this year (might have been fixed on a recent update).
Good panasonic-specific IDTV chat board available at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/28dt30 , for other more general Freeview info Digitalspy seems to be one of the best sites around.
Also saw a warning in John Lewis on saturday about safety problems with the stands for the DT40 sets, but I have to admit I didn't write down the details.
However, I have tried to update the software today. I followed all the instructions, waiting when told, and now have a blue screen that says "System update. Searching for new version... please wait!" I thought it would only take 8 minutes, but that was hours ago.
Switching off at the mains (after hours of waiting), removing Top-UP TV card and switching back on gives the same result.
Will it ever update?
Also, has anyone noticed picture distortions, akin to a flaw in a piece of glass? When credits roll horizontally, they seem squashed up on the far right hand side of the screen. This is particularly noticeable when watching football and the camera pans from side to side - a definite ripple on the RH edge is noticeable. Though this is the least of my worries now...
Going vay off topic, the stand thing is a recall of all Panasonic stands supplied with the new TX**PM1/11, TX**DTX1/10/40 models - there is a weld problem and Panasonic want to replace all stands as only a small quantity have actually been sold as yet. Go back to your retailer for info. The stands are not manufactured by Panasonic and the inital batch passed Q/C but subsequent ones were not so good and may collapse due to the poor quality weld at one point. Shops have been told to halt supply until replacement stands are available (this week).
For DT4/40 upgrades, keep an eye on the DTG website (see the earlier posting) but the set should tell you when there is one being transmitted.
Am surprised at the weld problem ... the stand from my DT30 was mostly flat-pack wood if I recall correctly so things must have changed a bit there.
I guess "memory loss" means memory leaks in the software, which probably explains why the subtitles no longer appear to force the digiboard to reboot.
If these are the main objectives of the update then I'd say mission accomplished. Now to listen out for news on the timer, Teletext on 4 and the CH4 aspect ratio.
All in all it's a good first step in the right direction. But I hope it's the first of many.
anyone happen to know how this can be fixed?
ta
Regards
Chris
Luckily, Panasonic do an exchange panel for only about 20% of the original new panel price of over £500.00 inc. fitting. Get your Panasonic repairer to order one for you - Panasonic have stock at present.
My update went OK, but maybe I was one of the lucky ones.
Surely the problem can be fixed by a forced cam update and not a whole new panel .....
And the government want people on to freeview - there are a shitload more problems with this new system than there EVER were with analogue tellys. All these problems need sorted before it goes over to the masses.
And I thought Micro$oft were bad at releasing half cut stuff - hey could learn quite a few lessons from Panasonic.
Their call centre is by far the worst I've EVER dealt with - if you're lucky enough to get someone to actually pick up the phone. They are just PATHETIC and then some.
My TV is currently still under garrentee with empiredirect and i should have an engineer round sometime within the next week, but i cant see that he will be able to do much with it. Im just hoping empiredirect will replace it.....
Plugged it in with old software, when will i get an update, Its been on since 19th july,Does it need to be swirched on?
You need to switch it on and go to Multiplex 1 (BBC1, News24 etc.). It should pull the update automatically, but if not, you can force it in the DVB settings. If you have not ran the DVB tuning setup, it will not receive the OAD.
But, given that some people have had their TV rendered unusable by the update, I would strongly recommend you don't download it.
If you don't get a prompt, it may be that Panasonic has got its act together and asked DTG to stop broadcasting the update. That's certainly what they should do.
Contact Watchdog, TSO, etc and tell the shop where you bought the set that you expect them to fix it free of charge else you will reclaim the expenditure from them through the small claims court. It's quite simple and does not involve a lot of work. I would suspect that most of the time they won't bother to defend it and you will be awarded judgement.
Good luck.