Mitsubishi: Integrated HDTV Tuner Software Update

[HDTV Forum]

The Mits integrated HDTV's with the built in DTV tuner have a slot on the back to install a flash card for software updates. These updates can cover many things. The most common area updated is the HAVI codes for Net Command functions.

To receive this update you must call Mitsubishi Consumer Relations at 1-800-332-2119.

Richard Fisher

[HDTV Forum]

The fax reads as follows:

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Mitsubishi Electric

This letter is in regard to your recent registration of your Mitsubishi HDTV, model # (WS-55859), for the software upgrade program. We are pleased to be offering the first software upgrade.

First and foremost, thank you for purchasing a Mitsubishi HDTV. We are pleased that you have put your faith and trust in us in making this investment, and we will endeavor to continue to be worthy of that faith and trust.

As we described on the information sheet packed with your product, we have planned a software upgrade for your television. Unique to Mitsubishi, your television is equipped with a compact flash card software upgrade port on the rear of the set. This allows for easy upgrade of the television's operating system and NetCommand product libraries for future compatibility with new products.

We have prepared a software upgrade for your television which is available to you at no cost.

In order to install this upgrade, we will be sending you a reusable compact flash cartridge, which will contain the system software. With this cartridge, we will also send you detailed instructions. In summary, it is very simple - just unplug th TV, open the slot in the rear of the TV, and slide in the card. Plug in the TV, and the Tv will load the software. Then just unplug the set, remove the card and cover the slot again. Plug in the TV, and you are done! Please ensure that you follow the step-by-step instructions we will include with the cartridge.

It is critical that you do not insert the flash card into any other device. This cartridge will be damaged if you do so. It must only be inserted in the TV, according to the detailed instructions.

If you would like to receive this free upgrade, please complete the enclosed order form and software license agreement, and return it to us. We will send you the cartridge upon receipt of your order after processing. If you have any questions, please call Mitsubishi at 949-830-8364

Thank you again for purchasing a Mitsubishi High-Definition Television!

[hughconn16]

I called Mits and asked for the update for my WS-65511. They told me they didn't have an update unless the tv was not working. This software update is in my opinion the biggest "nothing" ever. Anyone know how to update the VGA port on the TV so it will accept higher resolution than 640x480?

[Richard]

The update has nothing to do with additional features just corrections for operational problems related to current standards and that is far more related to your HDTV tuner.

The VGA is what is and will not be changed. The only HD scan rate you can use is 480p, 540p, 1080i via component or RGBHV. Due to limitations in response the fact is 640x480 would be the better choice for a PC source and that is why it was setup that way.

[howy61]

I am having the same less than wonder customer service experience for my WS-55909. Four emails and not one response. A call to the 800 number met with a typical support desk person reading a manual without really knowing the subject. I am about to resort to formal letter since the complete situation can be outlined

My issues are that I still have analog service that also carries HDTV signals for about 40 channels plus another 40+ for music. Since I have a newer set that recieves these channels, I know the signals are avaialable on the coax. My Mitsubishi does not recognize any of the music channels and the rep said the software upgrade would not help. Since the channels numbers are 80-5 to 80-51 and 80-104 they appear to be outstide what the tuner recognizes, I suspect there has been a standard change that an upgrade might address.

There is also an appearent bug in the channel memorization process. Everytime I attempt to delete scrambled channels in the 77 and 78 ranges, it appears to wipe out all prior deleted channels and reset to all channels found. It may acutally have to do with the number of channels being deleted in total since I am removing them in decending order. Since Mitsubishi has not published the list of fixes, it impossible to know the fixes are.

[Richard]

You get 40 HD channels? What cable system are you on!?!?

First and foremost, while the internal tuner is QAM I bet it is QAM 64 - I don't think the internal tuner is QAM 256 and that is what most systems are.

QAM Digital Cable Tuner
viewtopic.php?t=6555

The fact that it does not support a cable card and the time period of the product points even more towards a lack of capability.

If there is anything the firmware can do for an owner it would be correcting problems related to OTA HDTV, not cable.

You are also up against a wall because the vast majority who bought your TV didn't use the internal tuner and still don't so in reality there is very little for Mits to correct and few upset customers over problems with it.

I can only suggest you do what your counterparts have; get a cable box or get satellite service.

[aaronstout]

I have a Mits 55909 and there were several firmware updates that were published for that set. I haven't checked in years, so I don't know if anything newer than what my last upgrade was is available. It did add devices for HAVI, as Richard noted. I don't know that it fixed any other issues or not.

While we are discussing that set, I did discover over a long period of time that there WERE problems with my OTA tuner that I used all the time until I recently moved to an area that I cannot receive OTA digital signals.

I had this odd red fringing on the right side of certain bright objects, like an incadescent lamp in the background in some scenes. Oddly the Mits symbol in ads was one of the most notable problems. Some people thought it was a convergence issue, but it absolutely was not. It was only years after I bought it that I purchased a Dish HD DVR and started using it's OTA tuner, as it had aspect ratio control that the Mits didn't have. (I have burn in on the edges of my TV because all I watched as OTA and DVDs and unfortunately there were not enough actual 16:9 OTA programs at the time to fill the screen properly. They were 1080i signals though, so no format control. I also had a DVHS deck and I noted that the fringing was never seen in any material that was prerecorded, but was there for things I recorded (with my OTA tuner of course).

I contacted the warranty folks this past year as I had an extended warranty. They sent some idiot out to look at the set who started messing with the screen voltage settings and completely messed the gray scale tracking up! He said "It looks much better now, doesn't it?" I promptly told him it was terrible and I even had blue flyback trace lines visible across the screen. But, that's another issue altogether.

But, I had another issue besides the fringing. I could not receive OTA channel 9 on this tuner. I thought it was a signal strength issue as the local PBS channel was not broadcasting at full power. But, every other tuner I EVER used, picked it up fine. It had to be the digital tuner in my set, but the warranty folks came back and told me the tuner was too expensive and they would not replace it! They also stated it was IMPOSSIBLE for it to be a tuner problem, because it tuned other stations just fine... Now, I've been in the computer service business for longer than these guys had been alive and if I learned anything is all those years, it was that nothing is impossible. There was NO way for them to know for sure, unless they replaced the tuner. I've seen things that I would have never believed possible in my years of servicing electronic devices, so I do know enough to never rule anything completely out, without at least giving it a shot.

To say the least, I will never purchase an "extended" warranty again on an HDTV set. From the horror stories I have read of others issues and then the nerve of them to tell me it was too expensive to replace, I've decided they are just crooks looking for easy profit. Then you have to deal with kids who don't know a thing apparently about calibrations jacking around with settings to blow off customers. I really have enjoyed the 55909 and it still puts most HDTVs to shame with dark details, but I guess the days of CRT are just fading into the sunset. Everyone wants the "Wow!" factor of a flat screen... They are getting better all the time, but I relish the day when we get a flat screen set with truly CRT performance levels... and without burnin issues.

Please don't take offense Richard, as I know you are in the business yourself, but competent technicians who really understand HDTV are very few and far between... If you lived in the Houston area, I would have surely had you looking at my set! :)

AaronS

[Richard]

No offense taken but I don't know of any industry overwhelmed with professionals...

I agree, replacing the tuner would be the next step but that may very well change nothing. These tuners use older technology and are more susceptible to signal noise and multi-path.