Sony Plasma Flicker - Feature or Defect?

[LibertyBellSvn]

Noob here...apologies up front if this is somewhere else on the forum. Just purchased the Sony KDE37XS955 and hooked it up Tuesday night. Noticed immediately that DVD output (480i - component) brightness was flickering but the odd thing is that it would do it at the same points on the DVD consistently. Hooked up different DVD player, this time progressive (480p - component) and the problem went away not to mention black levels were quite a bit better.

Notice also on cable (sorry no digital or HD cable yet) that some shows would present flicker and some not...mostly not and in addition if I set the 'Color' range below a certain level the flicker seems to decrease in frequency.

Is this something the TV is doing automatically...ie...auto brightness adjust or is it a defect that warrants replacing / returning the unit.

I wish I could test the 1080i res on the TV to see if anything happens at that range but it's all new to me and am not sure how to get that high a signal too it.

Thanks in advance.

[LibertyBellSvn]

Am I the only person here that has this display?

Anyhow I'm getting it replaced and if that unit has the same issue then I'm considering the Philips 42PF9630A. Too bad...it's a beautiful picture when it's not flickering.

[A4Short]

480i is not component - that would be composite - so the DVD player may not be configured correctly.

But you would have to know the settings on your DVD players to see if the setting are the same.

If you do not have HD or digitlal out from your Cable - then what are you using to input the tv? Svideo? Composite? - clearly not component video

Reggie

[LibertyBellSvn]

What I meant was that both of my DVD players have Component video out but only one is capable of outputting in Progressive scan. Using the same Component input on the TV, it either displays at 480i or 480p.

In answer to your cable question, it is connected directly to the TV...no box or anything. I plan on getting digital cable with cableCard shorty after I get the TV situation sorted out.

Overall, still thinking about the Philips panel while waiting for the Sony to be calibrated or replaced. Plenty of time to return it.

[deafgoose]

I have the exact same plasma and have never had any problems with it. I have a 50$ DVD player connected to it at the moment but its progressive so thats probably why I don't have an issue.

[Playdrv4me]

I have the XS910 with the same panel and have not experienced this issue. Have it replaced.

[LibertyBellSvn]

Thanks. Nice to hear that they don't all have this problem. I was beginning to think maybe it had something to do with the ALiS panel but what do I know, it's all pretty new to me.

Anyhow I'm in the process of getting it replaced as I type this. Keeping fingers crossed that the new one doesn't present the same issues. Still researching other Plasma options just in case...Still looking at the Philips 42PF9630A but have seen it in two different stores and one looked good and the other bad. Bad way to base a decision on anything but how do you tell?

[LibertyBellSvn]

No joy in the Brightness Flickering. Received my second unit in as many weeks over the weekend and although intial viewing looked promissing the Brightness "flickering" presented itself that evening. Fairly disappointed I have to say.

No one else that owns this display has experienced this sort of auto brightness adjust as it relates to how bright or dark the screen content is? Is there any way to get into the service menu and turn this off?

I have zero confidence that if I get a third display it won't do it again. I can't think of anything environmental (ie other electronic components) that would cause the screen to do this. Very annoying. And not sure now how I want to proceed.

[cdeluca]

I have a 50XS955 and I have noticed the brightness flickering at times. I am not sure if this is a defect or not. I did before have a 42XS955 and did not notice this until the 50 inch. I remember thinking was this only an issue with the 50 inch models. Maybe you should contact Sony about this I believe I am going to. Oh yeah and I mostly see this on HD content.

[LibertyBellSvn]

Check out the "CNET review cites "Poor DC Resotoration" on Panny TH-42px50u" thread on this forum. Yes...it's referring to Panasonic displays but the symptoms are the same...varying and unstable Black levels resulting in this "flickering" effect.

FYI...as a noob it's taking me quite a bit of time to sift through all the info on this Forum...great resource but too bad I have to read it under these circumstances.

[mburcke]

This is an issue with "standard" picture settings. Change it to "pro" mode and it goes away. A search should tell you this too.

[cdeluca]

Really I noticed it on the pro mode. I prefer this mode because I believe the picture looks the best on this setting. I have not tried calibrating the tv yet but if anyone has some optimial settings for the XS955 that would be great.

[LibertyBellSvn]

I switched over to "pro" mode last night for some tests and seem to think that it is, at the very least, greatly reduced...I want to knock on wood here before I say it's gone and I need to watch it some more to really be sure.

I also noticed that if I change the Power Setting from "standard" to "reduced" it seems to go away on "standard" picture mode as well.

Curious.