Panasonic TH42PZ850AZ and tv3 audio

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RobNZ

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#31590 23-Mar-2009 14:59

Hi

I purchased one of these during early January 09, after reading very good things here.
Soon after I noticed a problem with the audio on tv3. The problem occurs when you switch channel to tv3. At first the tv locks on to the audio for a few seconds, then the audio mutes for a second or two, and then comes back, but slightly quieter.

I complained to the retailer, who contacted Panasonic. The engineer said that this was a known issue, and that I was the 3rd person to complain. Apparently a software update is being worked on to address this. So far, it has not shown up.

Its a minor issue, but if you channel surf in the adverts, its annoying.
Did anyone else notice this?

austriaco

46 posts

Geek

#202826 23-Mar-2009 16:01

i have the exact same tv but haven't encountered this problem. good luck with finding out what is wrong and please feel free to keep us updated.

benny

79 posts

Master Geek

#202828 23-Mar-2009 16:11

Is it tv3 signal from freeview or analogue?

I get the same problem when I'm watching through freeview. I think it's to do with the audio stream, and the tv switching between the 5.1 and stereo. Not too sure about this though. I do have to manually select the 5.1 audio stream from the menu when I want the audio to stream through my receiver.

RobNZ

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#202832 23-Mar-2009 16:23

Yes freeview. I should have mentioned that in my original post.

berrys

225 posts

Master Geek

#202840 23-Mar-2009 17:08

Got the same telly and yes I have the 'delay' too. As benny says, its when the audio switches from dolby digital to aac. Hopefully they can add a setup option to set the default audio when there are multiple audio choices. It is quite annoying.

Dingbatt

6758 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#202890 23-Mar-2009 20:52

I'm glad to see the switch from DD5.1 to AAC bugs other people as well. I actually never considered complaining to Panasonic but it may be worthwhile doing. If enough people do a firmware change may occur sooner rather than later (or not at all).

It could be taken care of with an additional audio menu item that says 'prefer AC3' just like the you can in MediaPortal. Rather than having to go to the option button to change it back.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

duckquack

75 posts

Master Geek

#203558 26-Mar-2009 16:55

I have the exact same problem, I was unaware that it was related to the TV, so I look forward to the firware upgrade.

Fantastic TV though, a small price premium for the power, but who cares with the primo picture quality; especially when I got the 50" version for $3300 with a Freeview Tuner during the Boxing Day sales, it still retails for $5300 when I looked the other day.

Dingbatt

6758 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#204122 30-Mar-2009 09:42

Dingbatt:

I'm glad to see the switch from DD5.1 to AAC bugs other people as well. I actually never considered complaining to Panasonic but it may be worthwhile doing. If enough people do a firmware change may occur sooner rather than later (or not at all).

It could be taken care of with an additional audio menu item that says 'prefer AC3' just like the you can in MediaPortal. Rather than having to go to the option button to change it back.

I have had it pointed out to me that the I/II button under the flap on the remote achieves the same thing with less button pushes. However I don't know if the flap may not stand up to the number of times it will be opened. I will continue to hope for a firmware update.

Panasonic have been very helpful in their response to my enquiry.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

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Dingbatt

6758 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#204652 1-Apr-2009 12:21

I have just had my PZ850 firmware updated via SD Card by a Panasonic technician. It now 'prefers' Dolby Digital when available (i.e. TV3) and doesn't switch to HE-AAC. If you want AAC on TV3 you have to manually select it using 'option' button or the 'I/II' button.
The firmware update is likely to be done via broadcast soon-(ish). I have suggested they may want to include a menu item so that users can set hierachy as they like. It sounds like Freeview moved the audio goalposts on the TV manufacturers late last year which caused this glitch.

As I said above, I am impressed by the prompt and efficient sevice from Panasonic.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

berrys

225 posts

Master Geek

#204653 1-Apr-2009 12:24

Thats great - look forward to the update and better sound. Thanks for chasing this up