pioneer dv-c503 w/ philips 55pp9363h/17

[stephencastella]

I recently aquired the pioneer dvd/cd player which I am attempting to hook up to my philips tv using y/pr/pb cables between the two. I am connecting via input 4 (av4). When I power the player on there are floppy(?) horizontal lines that climb up the screen. When I insert a disk and push play absolutely NOTHING happens. I have tried the connection again @ AV1 with no lines, just a black screen. Any ideas what the problem is? I have yet to try the S-video route, but I imagine comperable results. The unit stops moments after pressing play and ejects the disc(s). Need help if anyone can provide it. Thank you much.

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

The AV4 connection accepts either 1080i or 480p video signals. I didn't see anywhere in the manual for your new Pioneer that it can output 480p (progressive scan), and I know that it can't do 1080i. So, I'm guessing that the horizontal lines were due to an interlaced (480i) signal being played through that connection.

The AV1 connection is meant for 480i signals. The black screen might just be the default start up screen (I don't know). Try that connection again, but hit the "Menu" button on the DVD player remote after you power it up. That should show something on the TV screen. Also, make sure that you are connected to the "Y-Pb-Pr" jacks on AV1 and not the video and L/R audio jacks (I'm not trying to be insulting - I had a friend do that and he couldn't figure out what was going on).

As for the player ejecting a disc, there are some notes in the Troubleshooting section of the Pioneer owner's manual. Namely, the disc might be dirty or warped, the region code of the disc might not match that of the player, or there might be condensation inside of the player. I'd say make sure that the disc is clean - that's the most common for me.

 

[stephencastella]

No offense taken, I can assure you I have made that simple mistake in the past. When I connect to AV1 there is no picture, image, etc. Hitting setup, as recommended for first time setup, nets nothing on the screen. I switched to S-video on AV1 and have dvd setup functionality. When I insert a disk, and I have tried several, there is no playback. It will show the respective tray/disc number on the bottom right of the screen, and loading on the top left. However, after a short period of time the unit stops loading and fails to play, regardless of disc location within the tray. Same thing applies for audio cds in cd mode.

I recently opened the case to repair the unit insomuch as the tray would not remain open. I discovered a disc that had been dumped from the tray laying unceremoniously against the right side of the chassis; quite damaged, bent and cracked from the assault by the tray's opening/closing action. I also re-lubed the tray rails, checked for ribbon securement on all boards, and cleaned the lens. I am wondering now if my disc read error is not an alignment issue. If it is, how do I go about realigning the tray and/or lens carrier?

On another note, regarding AV4 and progressive scan players, 480p and 1080I. When I connected my Cyberhome DVD player to AV4 via the Y/Pr/Pb cables I had the same sort of distorted horizontal lines. Is there a particular setting I need to have engaged from the player to make the image display correctly, or should it default to that setting on its own? Also, when I connect the same to AV1 the color balance is on the extreme side of red. I tried to adjust the color via the tv, but to no avail. Is the balance setting needing to be done via the dvd player itself? I know with the pioneer it gives instructions in the manual. My cyberhome player (aquired at the same time) does not have a manual with it. I am trying to remedy that presently. I am thinking the cables may be bad in any case or I have a short in the set.

Thanks for any help you or anyone else may be able to offer. I consider myself fairly knowlegable regarding electronics, but even I get tripped up from time to time. I am more concerned right now with keeping costs low on repairs/replacment, hence the inquiry. I don't want to spend what I need not, and still repair what I can.

Again, thanks for the help, I am eternally grateful.

 

[Adam]

Happy to help when I can! I won't be any help on the alignment issue, though. Others here are much better at that.

I took another look at the Pioneer manual just now to see if you have to set something to view component video, and you do. There's a switch on the back of that unit near the video output jacks called "Video Out Select." For S-Video and composite video, you place that switch to the left. For component video, you need to move that switch to the right. If you already have done that, let me know and I'll look for some other reason why you aren't getting any video signal.

Regarding the Cyberhome player, I'm almost positive that you'll have to set it up to output progressive scan. I've had to do that on mine in the past. The default on mine was interlaced, likely because older TVs can't handle progressive scan. If you have any trouble finding that setting, let me know the model number and I'll try to look it up for you.

 

[stephencastella]

Activated the switch on back already. As stated, the S-video provides picture for both dvd players, but the yprpb cables netted nothing. I have to get a new battery for the cyberhome remote to run the setup, but will let you know how it turns out. Hopefully someone will come forward to aid in the alignment issue, assuming that is the problem with the pioneer.