Believe it or not, TVs have firmware too. I owned my Sharp for close to 2 years now but just last week I decided to look up whether some of the issues I had were resolved. Namely a missing line (I was able to see only 1079 instead of 1080) and an annoying issue with BTB/WTW (blacker than black and whiter than white) signals. The latter was manifesting itself through flicker and noise-like artifacts when using Playstation 3, either when playing some games like Haze or even just in XMB. Setting the PS3 display to output limited range when routed through my Yamaha receiver (which clips BTB) or full range if connected directly to TV would take care of XMB but the game issue was new. That mean that TV does not like getting limited signal when it believes it should be getting full range, or vice versa. Or something along those lines.
Anyways, I found firmware 1.07 on usual site for such stuff (www.avsforum.com) and used my old 256MB SD card. It worked, but the firmware consists of two files, each for a different subsystem of the TV. It looks like only the first one is being read so I had to delete it after successful update in order to get the other one to be applied as well. In the end, it looks like my second issue is now resolved so I’m happy. I also learned a few things about my TV I didn’t know – dynamic contrast is active always if using movie, dynamic and fixed dynamic modes and is disabled otherwise. I might use movie mode in the future when watching movies in order to get maximum benefit in dark scenes. The biggest find was that discrete code for input 5 (second HDMI input) actually does exist and is even available on Harmony website (within TV definition like any other key). That means that I was able to get rid of the macro to switch to input 5 which never had 100% success rate and took pretty long to execute. In the end I managed to get rid of two annoyances with my TV and learn how to utilize one of its features so I am quite happy.
18 responses so far ↓
1 Jon // Nov 11, 2008 at 20:53
Hey, I can not find the firmware, can you post it. Also.. I would love to know how you setup your harmony for that discrete code for input 5. I would love that.
Thanks
Jon
2 andrija // Nov 22, 2008 at 11:53
Hi,
it would be illegal for me to post the firmware but if you search avsforum website for D62U you should be able to find it. Oh… the link is dead now, isn’t it? Grrr.
The discrete code should be available right from Harmony through their configuration tool if you add your TV again.
3 Trey // Oct 28, 2009 at 11:27
I am looking for the LC46D62U firmware as well. Also, I have a LC46D62U and dont see an SD card slot. Where was yours located?
4 andrija // Oct 31, 2009 at 9:32
On the back panel of the TV, right in the middle of the panel, below input 4. You just need to pull out a plastic tab protecting the slot.
5 Paul Ryu // Nov 2, 2009 at 19:18
I have a Sharp TV(LC-42D64U). I bought it in Sept 2007. I have used the TV for about 2years. I recently downloaded firmware update for my TV from sharp website. First, I formatted my thumb drive to FAT. Then I moved the new firmware file to my thumb drive. Finally, I put my thumb drive into my TV and attempted to update new firmware. I also followed all the necessary steps such as selecting update from the main menu, etc. But when around 12% of firmware update was completed, I got a message saying that the updating process has been failed. I tried it again and again but the same message pooped up every time. I turned my TV off and then turned it back on. I called Sharp customer service but they couldn’t fix the problem. Now my TV won’t even turn on. It’s just black–just the green power light and green OPC light blink alternatively. Finally, I had to take the TV to a Sharp recommended repair shop only to find out that the main board has been “wiped out” and that I would need to replace the board. It’ll be $605.00(included labor charge) + tax to fix it. OMG!! I can’t believe it. I just tried to update the new firmware!! I’ve updated new firmware before without any issues. I did not do anything differently this time. I don’t get it!! I don’t like Sharp TV!!!
6 DJ // Nov 28, 2009 at 7:42
test
7 Me Again // Nov 28, 2009 at 7:58
I tried updating the firmware too with no success. TV blinked off & on but never updated. Shortly after I encountered the dreaded blinking OPC & power lights and a blank screen. My fix was…
Hold input button down for an extended period & then restart TV… eventually it will work. Downloaded firmware to an old 256Mb thumb drive and was finally able to load the ne firmware. TV now starts up as it always has…. issue resolved.
8 Brendan // Feb 1, 2010 at 7:02
Me Again – just wanted to tell you your little trick worked like a champ. How did you figure out how to do the input button trick?
9 Rick // Feb 21, 2010 at 8:16
Me Again – your little trick worked for me too…
I’m glad I found this website…
My TV model is LCD LC-32SB23U.
Thanks!
10 nancy // Mar 3, 2010 at 14:22
My Sharp Aquos LC-42D64U is less than three years old and suddenly won’t turn on, I have the blinking green power and OPC light. I have tried holding down the Input button but I get nothing. Any other suggestions, seems like an awfully new t.v. to be not working already. HELP!!!!
11 Ed // Mar 24, 2010 at 9:09
I recently ran into this problem and was researching a bit on it. I noticed this solution on another site which worked for me.
After some research, I found a “factory default reset” method. I tried it and my tv’s been going for about half an hour. Here’s how you do it :
After seeing the pattern, unplug your TV and wait about 10 seconds.
Hold down the power button on the TV (without plugging back in)
While having the power button held down, plug it back in
Wait 10 seconds and let go of the power button
12 Mark // Mar 29, 2010 at 20:48
My LC-32SB24U is giving me problems w/ regards to the firmware update as well. I put the updated drivers on a jump drive, hit the update firmware option from the main menu.. And an hour later I’m still looking at blinking green lights on the front panel. No picture or signs of life. How long is the firmware update supposed to take? I presume you used the input botton from the remote control when re-setting? Please let me know!
Thanks!!
13 Mark // Mar 29, 2010 at 21:09
Follow Up: I decided 2hrs for a wirmware update was unreasonable. I unplugged the jump drive, powered off then on, held down the input button on the top of the tv for about 45 seconds, then hit the power button again, and fixed! I was so happy to see that this worked. Thanks so much!!
14 Shirley // Apr 22, 2010 at 23:05
My Sharp LCD has problem too. There’s no way to get on. It’s less than 3 years old. Do you think the Sharp LCD TVs have the design problem? I saw so many people have problem with their TV. Which service centre should I contact to in Vancouver BC? Please advise. Thanks you.
15 pr23 // May 26, 2010 at 7:16
DJ you saved my life with the input button restart!! thanks!! i looked everywhere for this solution!!
16 manu // Jul 17, 2010 at 21:38
Ed your solution worked beautifully. Thank you for the help sir.
17 Daniel Namorado // Nov 12, 2011 at 21:05
Hi i need the Firmware for LC32D62U please help me for get i need for upgrade my TV
18 Darian // Nov 24, 2011 at 2:38
If you get an error on a lcd-like tv that behaves like this:
Doesn’t turn on (flashing power LED.).
-> Be sure your tv is out of warranty.
You’ll probably have to open the tv and replace some capacitors.
Normally broken capacitors will pop open, but not always.
You can replace capacitors of the same value (Farad) to capacitors with a higher capable voltage, this would mostly have been the problem (too low voltage capability.).
!! Watch out for the High Voltage board (with large capacitors.). There could still be a charge left in there. If you really have to replace those capacitors, you would wanna discharge them with a large screw (flat top) screwdriver. !!
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