TH-42PX60U Tuner Problem

Machpelah

I just recently purchased this TV and had some interesting tuner problems. I have a large OTA antenna mounted on my 2nd story, so signal strength is not a problem. Additionally, I check the signal strength on the provided meter that comes with the TV and it usually is greater than 80/100 for all my HDTV OTA channels. Here are the problems:

#1) One out of my eight local HDTV OTA channels will not tune
This particular station has three signals (i.e. 49-1, 49-2 & 49-3). The auto-search feature with the TV never finds this channel (ever). However, when I type in 49 with the remote, the TV will tune to static, then tunes to the 49-1 station. The signal strength is fine too. However, 49-2 and 49-3 are never viewable. I have HDTV tuner on my PC and these three channels are always viewable.

#2) The remaining seven local HDTV OTA channels fail sporatically
Twice now, I've had a two seperate HDTV OTA channels, which were previously working fine, suddenly start showing a "Poor Signal Quality" message. I checked the channels on my PC HDTV tuner and they were broadcasting fine. I checked the Program Channel list on the TV and they were still in the list. I checked the Signal Meter and the signal was strong, but I still got the "Poor Signal Quality" message. Finally, when I typed in the cooresponding UHF channel for the problem broadcast with the remote, suddenly the TV would tune to the channel fine. After that, I could tune to the channel no problem. This is not a critical problem, but it is a pain in the butt.

Any ideas on what the problem might be. I figure I got rotten ATSC tuner on my Panasonic TV.

Machpelah

I guess I've answered my own question:

I called panasonic about the the ATSC tuner problem with the TH-42PX60U. It is a problem that the Panasonic engineers are currently working on right now for the last couple of weeks. The CSR at Panasonic told me that an SD Card software fix will be coming out shortly.

Problem #1 has no work-around

Problem #2 has a work-around: Per Panasonic, if a previously working HDTV OTA signal suddenly says "Poor Signal Quality", then locate the channel's associated UHF channel (ex: Analog channel 3 = UHF channel 40 in digital. You'll need to look your OTA UHF channels for your area using the internet). In this example, type in 40 using your remote then stop (do not key anything more) and wait. The Tuner will reacquire the HDTV and should start working again.

For all owners of a Panasonic TH-42PX60U: call Panasonic at 1-800-211-7262, to get on the list for the SD Card update (software), when the fix is released.

Machpelah

If you own a Panasonic HDTV, you can find the fix to the ATSC OTA tuner problem stated above at this website:

http://www.pasctraining.panasonic.co...downloads1.asp

The firmware update worked flawlessly for me. Additional firmware updates for Panasonic HDTVs are located here too, so be sure and check it out.

thanwu

I just got my TH-42PX60U from CC two weeks ago. I use an indoor Antenna bought from Radioshack. The signal strength vary from 40(local ABC) to 88 (NBC and CBS). The problem you experienced has not happenned to me yet.

Machpelah

The tuner problems I am experiencing may end up being more than a firmware upgrade can fix, but for now I'm working with Panasonic to resolve it.

I installed the firmware upgrade last night, but will no appreciable differences. I haven't had a reoccurance of the "poor signal quality" problem. Yet, the tuner still does not recognize one HDTV broadcaster in my area (problem #1).

Tell me, when you view the Signal Strength meter for an HDTV channel does the strength jump around a lot? I have an adjustable antenna, so I can literally "tune" the signal strength. However, I still get wildly jumping strength (i.e. 15-88) on some stations. For instance, on some stations the strength will center around 80, but sporatically it will drop to 15 but return quickly. It seems to me that once you turn your antenna towards the broadcast tower, the signal strength should remain steady.

thanwu

The signal strength for each channel are up and down a little bit, but not like what you stated (15-85). For example, the signal strength of ABC in my area the peak is 48-50. The lowest number i saw is about 37. I am thinking it is possible your tuner has some problems. This is the second Plasma TV i have. I had one Philips before.

Machpelah

I'm beginning to think you're right. I must have gotten a bad tuner. Thanks for your help!

Machpelah

I am very pleased with Panasonic Support. In reference to the recent tuner problems I have been having, Panasonic flew out two engineers (not techs) cross-country to diagnose my TH-42PX60U tuner problem. I did not have to whine or plead with Panasonic. After initial contact with Panasonic, it only took a few days before they decided to fly out here. Panasonic also contacted the offending broadcaster directly to determine if their data stream could be the problem.

On Panasonic's own dime, they flew men and diagnostic equipment to my home to capture and analyze the offending HD broadcaster's Transport Stream. I was able to enjoy the whole troubleshooting process, as these men enthusiastically shared their years of HD Panasonic knowledge with me. Their trip to my home was not just a once-in-a-blue-moon event, as they were on their way to Tennessee to troubleshoot another problem too.

The problem appears to be with the local OTA HD broadcaster. As the Panasonic engineers put it, "Some broadcaster's specifications are not as tight as Panasonic's and don't follow the approved Standards for High Definition broadcasting".

I honestly know of no other corporation that stands this firmly behind their product. If anyone is considering purchasing a HDTV, I strongly recommend Panasonic. Panasonic is truly the best.

thanwu

I am glad that you found out the resean and agree with you 100%. I called panasonic several times after I bought my 42PX60U. It was totally different feeling compared to what I had with Philips. That's the reason i returned my philips HDTV to SAM's club. I am very pleased with this HDTV and just bought the panasonic S97S DVD player to match with it. Nothing could be better.

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