american sony tv not recognising nz freeview box over hdmi cable or any other

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sleepy

334 posts

Ultimate Geek

#67158 29-Aug-2010 13:34

Hi

I was at a friends house last night they have recently moved from the USA and bought 2 tv's with them.
They have a Freeview box (sorry dont know which one but can find out) with a HDMI cable 1 small tv works but their larger Sony will not recognise the freeview box

I understand the Differant formats used per country but thought over a digital connection would be ok.

Any Suggestions would be good or explanations

Thanks in Advance

fahrenheit

757 posts

Ultimate Geek

#374188 29-Aug-2010 14:01

Although our TVs generally accept SD and HD formats in both 50 and 60Hz, the same is not true for North American TV's.

Freeview in NZ is broadcast in 50Hz and the imported TVs don't recognize this refresh rate.

It might be possible to upgrade the EDID (a chip within the TV that has a list of resolutions and refresh rates that the TV will recognize and accept) but its definitely not a job for novices and has some hardware and software requirements that may make it more trouble than its worth.

BlakJak

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#374192 29-Aug-2010 14:18

There is a transcoder type box you can get for about $300 I think that'll adapt the formats, a friend of mine had to do this with his imported Sony. If you have no other solutions I can ask him what it was and where he got it from..

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bfginger

1268 posts

Uber Geek

#374196 29-Aug-2010 15:01

sleepy, please tell us what model the television is.

sleepy

334 posts

Ultimate Geek

#374253 29-Aug-2010 19:00

It's a Sony Bravia KDL-46xbr2

sbiddle

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#374261 29-Aug-2010 19:18

It's still common to find many US TV's only accept 60Hz content over HDMI or component.

old3eyes

9119 posts

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#374283 29-Aug-2010 20:19

The specs on the Sony website say
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-documents.pl?mdl=KDL46XBR2

HDMI? and PC Connectivity Designed for maximum versatility, Sony?s BRAVIA XBR-Series LCD TVs are equipped with a comprehensive range of input interfaces. The HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the first industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface. HDMI technology supports enhanced or High Definition video, together with multi-channel digital audio to provide matchless image and sound reproduction. BRAVIA XBR Series TVs include (3) HDMI 1080/60p inputs. The PC input (HD-15-pin) offers easy connection to your PC, allowing you to use your high resolution BRAVIA XBR-Series Digital TV as a computer monitor.

Regards,

Old3eyes

BlakJak

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#374296 29-Aug-2010 20:55

those aren't specs, thats sales junk.

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Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

sbiddle

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#374298 29-Aug-2010 21:05

The bit regarding 1080/60p could ve very relevent though.

BlakJak

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#374321 29-Aug-2010 22:21

I'll give you that.
And raise you http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071022181627AANZdQS

:-)

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bfginger

1268 posts

Uber Geek

#374334 29-Aug-2010 23:20

sleepy: It's a Sony Bravia KDL-46xbr2

50Hz is disabled in firmware with this model.

There was a firmware update for this TV but it wasn't posted online. I don't know whether the update would've enabled 50Hz but it is unlikely.

It may be possible to enable 50Hz either via a setting in the service menu or by flashing the firmware for the version of this television sold in a PAL country.

Try asking about a fix on the LCD Flat Panel section on avsforum.com .

Failing that, you could try contacting Sony NZ and Sony USA. A knowledgable local television tech might know how to address the situation.

The MagicTV MyFreeview|HD PVR lists support for 1080p60. I can't say I know what the conversion quality would be like.