Hitachi Plasma TV P42T501

[cbrian]

I'm having a really odd issue with my Hitachi Plasma TV, I'd really appreciate it if anyone has any advice. Last weekend it was working fine - I turned it off, left for a couple hours, came back, and all of a sudden it no longer worked correctly. It will turn on - the screen is illuminated, and I can open the menu, change the volume, and even enter channel numbers. But there is no input at all. If I press the input button on the remote, the light on the TV flashes to indicate it gets the signal, but it won't actually open the input menu or ever show anything. I've tried resetting the software which didn't seem to help. Now it's just unplugged - I've heard that can "reset" the TV once the battery loses power. I haven't tried calling anyone to repair it as it would likely cost more than it's worth.

Both the TV manual and my google-fu have failed me - anyone have any insight?

[R_J]

Re: Hitachi Plasma TV P42T501

What is the software version? the latest is 0116.0001 The file name is EDAM1161.zip dated 05/27/2009, You would need an SD card to update it.

[cbrian]

Re: Hitachi Plasma TV P42T501

The software version is V0107.0001. I'm pretty sure the previous owner never updated it after buying it so it must be pretty old. However, the TV requires an MMC card instead of an SD card. Do you think there's a good chance updating would fix the issue? It looks like I could probably buy an MMC card/card reader for less than $20.

[R_J]

Re: Hitachi Plasma TV P42T501

I should have checked the file first, Yes its a mmc card not sd card, will it fix the problem??? I do not know. Most mfgr's never tell you what the update actually fixes.
That is the file direct from the Hitachi web site.

[cbrian]

Re: Hitachi Plasma TV P42T501

Well, just in case anyone with the same issue digs up this thread -
I left the TV off for about a week, when I turned it on again the internal battery had died and reset the software (I presume) and it now seems to be working fine.

In the mean time, I had bought an MMC card and put the firmware update on it but I've been unable to update the TV. It definitely recognizes the card, as well as the firmware, but when I hit update the progress bar gets to ~5% and it says "Update failed. Please turn off TV and try again". A little annoying, but at least I can use the TV again.

Edit: I guess I spoke too soon. After turning it off and on a couple times trying to upgrade it, I'm having the same issue again - won't let me change inputs. Guess it's another week of leaving it off...