Sharp Aquos LCD TV sound but no pic through V+ HDMI - Page 2

Digital Fanatic · 15-11-2009, 17:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by shnookumshnum

Well the Comet guy was here last Friday, played about a bit (with the TV) and then advised me that he will get a new mainboard ordered for it (as this might contain updated software). He said that he would hope he could get it for next Saturday.
He had said that he was not aware off a Sharp Aquos issue, the TV could be faulty or just need updated firmware.

We shall see..
Im still waiting to see what the big deal is with HD...

At least they seem to be doing something about it.. hope it gets sorted soon mate

HD is deff worth it by the way!

shnookumshnum · 20-11-2009, 18:43

Comet guy just called and will be here tomorrow to replace the TV mainboard. Fingers crossed...

shnookumshnum · 21-11-2009, 10:43

Comet guy comming back in 2 weeks as the part sharp sent was faulty grrr....

altis · 21-11-2009, 11:22

If the sound is getting through then the cable works - end of.

I agree this appears like a HDCP problem.

Look at item 3 under Specification:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hdcp

The player (in this case the V+ box) has to ensure that the receiver (in this case the Aquos) is a bona-fide screen and not some sort of recorder. Perhaps the key for the Aquos has been compromised and has found itself on the banned list. VM are probably more diligent at keeping this list up-to-date because they are so heavily reliant on content.

A new mainboard will likely mean a new key too.

akis · 22-11-2009, 19:29

We have a newish-Sharp Aquos LCD 46", and sometimes, although not recently, it would refuse to play a picture from the V+ box, only the sound would come through. The ONLY thing that would fix it was remove the plug from the V+ box, count to 5 and plug back in again. Nothing else would work.

shnookumshnum · 24-11-2009, 19:37

Well thanks for replies I will update in a couple of weeks when the bloke comes to replace the mainboard.

shnookumshnum · 26-11-2009, 19:18

had call from Comet today, they have new part, they will come install on Saturday

shnookumshnum · 02-12-2009, 19:41

Comet guy came and replaced the mainboard. HD works now. Cannot see what the big deal is but I have HD now.

He mentioned that the earlier Aquos models had the HDCP handshake problem and that the problem was fixed on later firmware. Sharp are fully aware of this as it was on the technician web site. I wonder why they didnt mention that when I called them?

So there you go, Sharp's problem all along.
If you have just purchased a Sharp Aquos and having sound but no picture on Virgin HD, then get Sharp to replace the mainboard (or upgrade firmware) and all should be ok.

hedgie · 02-12-2009, 20:55

My Aquos has been working fine until recently. Both HDMI inputs have died as has the composite video input.

Out of warrantly by 10 months, engineer coming on Monday.....

hedgie · 07-12-2009, 12:56

It would seem intermittent input problems are a known issue with Aquos TV's. HDMI is especially vulnerable apparently. So the I/O board and processor board have been changed. According to the engineer who did mine the old boards will be retuned for a firmware update and bench check before being sent out as service spares again.

As this is a known issue and not a random hardware fault I think I will be writing to Sharp for a contribution to the service cost. The support arrangement and call out were efficient, polite and quick, but you MUST have the serial number. It was not cheap, but has extended the warranty on the repaired parts.

hedgie · 16-12-2009, 16:02

Well its failed again, within a week of being repaired.

Different engineer came out and was really quite thorough checking my cables, DVD and V+ connections. He had a V+ himself verified all my kit was fine

Seems like Aquos TV's seem prone electronic corruption. All he did was a full reset and the problem has gone. Apparently to minimise the risk of HDMI corruption you should switch the TV on first select the appropriate input then switch the device on. Some HDCP handshakes fail if the device looks for a TV that is not there !

joff81 · 16-12-2009, 17:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by hedgie

Well its failed again, within a week of being repaired.

Different engineer came out and was really quite thorough checking my cables, DVD and V+ connections. He had a V+ himself verified all my kit was fine

Seems like Aquos TV's seem prone electronic corruption. All he did was a full reset and the problem has gone. Apparently to minimise the risk of HDMI corruption you should switch the TV on first select the appropriate input then switch the device on. Some HDCP handshakes fail if the device looks for a TV that is not there !

i must say i did have an issue (interfearence lines on analogue outputs) out of the box with my X20E and it needed an I/O board replacement. the engineer even admitted that there was an issue with the board revision in my tv and that the board had been revised to solve the issue i had.

as for the HDMI carruption by switching on the device before the tv its actually in the manual of most HDMI tv`s that doing so can cause issues its not the tv its just the way that HDMI is designed to work. you should always switch on your TV first and let the HDMI device handshake or you will get issues with picture/sound drop out. the engineer is only telling you some commonly known guidelines that should be followed.

hopefully you have no more issues now its been sorted again.

andy_j_w · 16-12-2009, 22:11

I'm having the exact same problem as shnookumshnum - V+ box outputs fine to my smaller Bravia, but no image for the 32" Aquos. The Virgin engineer told me it was a common issue with Sharp TVs and that I'd need to contact Sharp to arrange a mainboard change. I called Sharp today and was told that it's a 'known compatibility issue' and there's nothing they'll do about it! I wonder if they've gotten wind of the problems and are taking this stance to protect themselves? Whatever the reason, it doesn't help me!

Since my TV's out of warranty - irritatingly by just a couple of weeks - does anyone have any suggestions or contacts at Sharp who might take a more sympathetic view? The frustration here is that the TV works with my other HD input devices (DVD player and WDTV box), so it's not completely unusable - just unusable with my new V+ box.

As a final point of note - I contacted Virgin again once I'd spoken to Sharp and they said it's the first time they've heard of anyone told by Sharp that there's a known compatibility issue. Until now they'd just had to advise customers unofficially as it were that there can be issues with some models.

joff81 · 17-12-2009, 00:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy_j_w

I'm having the exact same problem as shnookumshnum - V+ box outputs fine to my smaller Bravia, but no image for the 32" Aquos. The Virgin engineer told me it was a common issue with Sharp TVs and that I'd need to contact Sharp to arrange a mainboard change. I called Sharp today and was told that it's a 'known compatibility issue' and there's nothing they'll do about it! I wonder if they've gotten wind of the problems and are taking this stance to protect themselves? Whatever the reason, it doesn't help me!

Since my TV's out of warranty - irritatingly by just a couple of weeks - does anyone have any suggestions or contacts at Sharp who might take a more sympathetic view? The frustration here is that the TV works with my other HD input devices (DVD player and WDTV box), so it's not completely unusable - just unusable with my new V+ box.

As a final point of note - I contacted Virgin again once I'd spoken to Sharp and they said it's the first time they've heard of anyone told by Sharp that there's a known compatibility issue. Until now they'd just had to advise customers unofficially as it were that there can be issues with some models.

usually a firmware update is all thats needed to sort out issues like that and usually Sharp are pretty good at sending you the update for free along with the instructions on how to update the tv.
if the engineer told you its a common issue then get a letter off him stating so and then you will have no issues at all taking it back to the retailer (you get 6 years warranty for inhearant faults and issues). failing that ask Sharp if there is a firmware update as all these issues usually software based and nothing to do do with the hardware in the tv so a mainboard swap is usually not needed.

hedgie · 17-12-2009, 10:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by joff81

its just the way that HDMI is designed to work. you should always switch on your TV first and let the HDMI device handshake or you will get issues with picture/sound drop out. the engineer is only telling you some commonly known guidelines that should be followed.

hopefully you have no more issues now its been sorted again.

1- I don't agree that this is a commonly know issue, in our office of basically tech savvy consultants only one other person had heard of this and that was a result of PS3 & Sharp HDMI issue. It is a technical gremlin that requires user actions to correct. How many Currys sales staff will tell you this? Certainly the general behaviour of USB devices, simple plug and play, is what the user expects, that is what the technology is designed to deliver.

2-It should not matter, these things can be sorted out if engineered correctly.

3-The whole episode has really dented my confidence in Sharp as a brand.

Here and on other forums Sharp seems to crop up as a brand with Input and synchronisation related faults. According to helpful, thorough, pragmatic engineer 2 there is at least one model in the Sharp range that will not work properly with SCART or HDMI device when the aerial is plugged in and the signal is low

! Surely a case of TV being too complicated for its own good.

Well lets hope it works from here on in. Good luck all Sharp owners