[jetsetjimbo]

Last week I bought a Toshiba 32zp46p from Comet, the one that’s been on offer at £699. Following a week of usage there are a few quirks with the geometry of the set that I’m slightly concerned about.

The picture (when viewed at anything other than full screen or a narrow letterbox) seems to curve up very slightly (2-4mm) on the bottom right fifth of the screen but not at the corresponding top corner. Also when viewing images with vertical straight edges the picture seems to bow slightly out to the left across from about an inch to four inches or so down the screen. This again seems most pronounced at the right hand side of the screen but is also visible on the left if you really look.

There are also some slightly darker (dirty?) faint bars that can be seen at either side of the screen when a constant colur is displayed.

Non of this is really visible most of the time but I’m a little concerned that these problems are present on what was supposed to be a £1000+ TV when the 15 year old Panasonic I’m replacing was pretty much straight as an arrow.

Is there anything that I can do (either with the standard menu or the service menu) to rectify any of this or should I be looking to return it for a replacement? Could the TV signal be partly to blame?

Any advice would be great, apologies for any ignorance on my part but I’m a relative new comer to the world of high(ish) end AV.

Thanks

jetsetjimbo - I bought the same set as you and can't say I've come across the problems you have described.

However, I do get a humming or whining noise occassionally. Has anyone noticed that?

[jetsetjimbo]

I haven't noticed any abnormal noises to be honest. I don't know what it could be either I'm afraid.

I have to go and pick the stand up from another Comet store this evening and see what they have to say about the problem.

As far as I can see it the geometry of CRTs can be dodgey at the best of times.

What would you guys advice be?

Thanks

[jetsetjimbo]

Well Comet agreed to replace the TV but I've had to wait a couple of weeks for it to be delivered due to shortages in the warehouse.

The new one came this morning and I'm sad to say that it's much worse than the one they took away. This one has a massive patch of red discolouration in the centre of the screen (when displaying blue) and makes skin tones look terrible! I'm gutted as I'd have rather had an engineer out to the geometry on the original one than this, especially as the guys on the delivery truck said that the old one will just go in a skip!!

Now they're saying that they won't have any in at the central warehouse till the 27th so I've got to live with this for two weeks. I'm seriously considering giving up on the whole thing and going back to my trusty 15 year old 21" panny.

[red16v]

Hi, I really like Toshiba tv's and I 'm always disappointed when I hear of someone having problems. Have you tried ringing Toshiba's customer helpline and explaining your problem to them? Tel 08704 424 424. Regards, yt.

[jetsetjimbo]

I've not called Toshiba direct. Have just been dealing with Comet and due to demand they're not going to have any more available in store (as arranging to be in for delivery is a nightmare) till the 3rd so it's looking like I'm going to have to live with this shocking picture for 18 days . It's a bit annoying that Comet staisfy new orders before dealing with exchanges!

Do you think I'd get more of a result out of Toshiba themselves? I should have just phoned them in the first place and got an engineer out to the geometry of the original one as the tube was great on that.

[Respighi]

To correct the geometry have you tried playing with some of the service settings?

To be safe, you ought to make a note of the original settings before you do anything, but I found it helped a lot.

Good luck.

[jetsetjimbo]

Originally Posted by Respighi

To correct the geometry have you tried playing with some of the service settings?

To be safe, you ought to make a note of the original settings before you do anything, but I found it helped a lot.

Good luck.

Yeah, the problem is that the first one had the dodgey geometry and I'd arranged for a replacement before I discovered the service menu wrongly thinking that I may get a perfect one second time round.

This one looks like someone has stuck a magnet against it or something. There's a large vertical 'patch' in the centre of the screen that looks red\purple on the blue screen and makes anything red look yellow.

I'm sure the geometry is off too but it's so unwatchable I can be bothered to check. I think it's going to have to go back in the box while I wait till the 3rd. I can't believe that the manufacturers send out '£1000' TVs without correctly setting the geometry first, it seems crazy.

Hmm, if it doesn't clear itself over a few days then I'd say it's been dropped. Such severe purity problems won't usually leave the factory like that and it will only take the thing to tip on its face to cause the shadow mask to distort permanently or smash the tube (usually what happens when it tips over). Take a look over the box, see if there's any sign of it being on its face, or any other damage to the packaging.

If you have the Matrix DVD go to the scene where it's bright white (can't think exactly what scene it is) and see what it looks like...

[red16v]

Hi, I agree with 'Laurel&Hardy' and suspect the tv has suffered from a 'harsh' journey from the factory to your house. You were obviously quite right to deal with Comet in the first place because it is with them that your 'purchase contract' is with. It's likely that Toshiba would have re-directed you back to them. However, now you are on your second set and still you are not happy with the picture (in fact the second set appears worse than the first ?) and Comet are unable to supply another set for some weeks. I think it would be worth contacting Toshiba directly and calmly explain the situation to them - don't get 'hot under the collar' with them on the phone and see what they have to say ? Let us know, regards, yt.

[jetsetjimbo]

@Laurel and hardy - I think you're probably right, I thought at first it could've been caused by some kind of magnet. It's the red that's totally gone in the patch I think as skin tones appear washed out. The problem manifests itself worst on the BBC red splash screen that they use to advertise the line-up and future programming.

It dosen't look like it's been dropped though, there's no obvious damage, not even any light scuffing. I can't imagine any of the stuff on these delivery lorries has been handled with any real sympathy.

@red16v - Yes the first set is much worse due to the large 'redless' patch of the screen. Sadly though the geometry seems much better although still not perfect.

Comet are indeed unable to supply a new set till the 3rd of Feb now. I have up until now arranged to pickup the next replacement. Both for convenience and to keep it out of the hands of the 'delivery monkeys'. I'll give Toahiba customer services a ring and explain the situation and see what they say. What have I got to loose? They may be able to get me a hand configured and cotton wool wrapped set.

Cheers for the advice guys. I'll let you know how I get on.

[jetsetjimbo]

Bit of a belated update but I thought I'd post anyway.

In the end I waited for Comet and their restocking date (as promised) packed the TV up and headed off to the store.

Once I got there we were kept waiting for about 20 minutes before being told they hadn't had anymore come in () and that someone had tried to phone us.

I was livid as you can imagine and told them that there was no way I was taking the faulty one back home again so went with a refund. They gave me the money back, but wait for it.... they didn't even ask for the TV! If only it hadn't been such a large fault I think I'd have just kept it but in the end I had to prompt them retrieve it from the boot of my car.

They did tell me to just keep the stand though so I have a brand new and boxed stand now. :hehe:

Anyway, I haven't bothered with a replacement yet - I just went back to my old panny - haven't really missed the big screen tbh. I think I'll just wait and get a decent HDMI capable plasma when the prices drop.

[MidnightOwl]

Originally Posted by Laurel&Hardy

Hmm, if it doesn't clear itself over a few days then I'd say it's been dropped. Such severe purity problems won't usually leave the factory like that and it will only take the thing to tip on its face to cause the shadow mask to distort permanently or smash the tube (usually what happens when it tips over). Take a look over the box, see if there's any sign of it being on its face, or any other damage to the packaging.

If you have the Matrix DVD go to the scene where it's bright white (can't think exactly what scene it is) and see what it looks like...

Hi,

My 36ZP48 suffers from some purity/dirty screen issues. Looking back at the process of getting the TV out of the box, the instructions state to turn it on its head to open the box and then turn it back again (still with me!). When I did this I realised that I had turned it face down . Although this was very carefully done do you think this 'gentle' operation could have contributed to the issues described above, especially given the shear weight of the TV?

M

[markymark34]

I doubt turning it round in the box would cause that problem.

As for the tosh, 3 sets later all with dodgy geometry and a buzz from the coil ive now got a panny. which is perfect! although not as nice looking

relief at last!