:hellosign:
I bought a 24" smartTV from Amazon to see how I got on with it over Xmas.
Even allowing for my own health problems and Covid-19, I don't seem to be doing very well at all!
My broadband contract expired just under a month ago and I changed to a different provider for double the speed, indeed Speedtest results seems to confirm this. It appears to have solved problems experienced with the Netflix App, but not with the YouTube one.
I wonder if any of the Forum members have any knowledge of smart TV Apps which might enlighten me please, whilst I await for "Technical Support" to contact me as supposedly arranged by Amazon last week.
It would help if I knew where the App is located, whether it can be replaced by a later version, whether the remote may be faulty and hold the answer, or whether it's a built-in incurable "feature," etc.
I'm reluctant to have the set replaced as suggested by Amazon without knowing the cause of the problem which may waste a lot of time if this is common to all.
The set is a Toshiba 24WD3A63DB 24-Inch HD Ready Smart TV with Freeview Play and Built In DVD Player - Black/Silver (2019 Model)
Basically, the set often switches itself Off then back On again whilst I'm using the YouTube App selected from the Menu row (there's no dedicated button). The time interval varies from a few minutes to about 5hrs 30mins.
This is frequently, but not always, preceded by sticking sound and/or picture.
It always defaults the the last channel selected (normally BBC News 231), except when playing a YouTube playlist when it defaults to BBC 2 (first digit of 231?).
As I don't require a model larger than a 24" one for a number of reasons, my choice of an alternative would seem rather restricted.
Thanks in advance.
I use the YouTube app a lot, both as a resident app on 2 Panasonic TVs and also on an Apple TV box. I've never had any problems like yours, for what it's worth. Worst case scenario is a spinny-whirly thing when either YouTube or my connection are below par, nothing ever switches off.
We use You Tube a fair bit and have never had a problem.
Are you able to do a factory reset on the TV, may be a glitch with the software?
We have a very similar Toshiba television and it is a bit flaky - ours often crashes if you're too quick, and start searching for or playing a video very quickly after turning it on. We haven't had issues with it turning off once playing I must say though. Our "main" Samsung TV is faultless in comparison. I think it's a failing of the firmware of the TV.
Quote from: Philip. on June 02, 2020, 10:54:38 AM
Are you able to do a factory reset on the TV, may be a glitch with the software?
I've tried deleting the App and re-installing it, the problem still persists. Of course I've no guarantee that I did in fact achieve that as it may just be a function to remove unwanted choices from the Menu bar.
Similarly, I can't be sure that the reset option actually does a Factory Reset as there appears to be very little documentation provided.
After my last attempt at both, I had about 5hrs30mins trouble-free which made me wonder if there's some memory issue involved, but there's no mention of memory in the spec or the manual.
Since then, it's been as erratic as always again!
Quote from: njee20 on June 02, 2020, 11:09:56 AM
We have a very similar Toshiba television and it is a bit flaky - ours often crashes if you're too quick, and start searching for or playing a video very quickly after turning it on. We haven't had issues with it turning off once playing I must say though. Our "main" Samsung TV is faultless in comparison. I think it's a failing of the firmware of the TV.
I have noticed that the set's a lot less responsive to the remote keys when using Netflix & YouTube, but assumed it was to do with internet access. However, that "feature" still persists with the faster line.
A workaround may be to try a YouTube subscription, but apart from the reluctance to pay, can I be sure the upgrade wouldn't be affected by the same issue(s)?
Do you have another TV or can you borrow one? If you can try another TV you should at least be able to determine whether it is an issue with your internet or the TV.
That's the limit of my "technical assistance", I'm afraid!
Good luck,
Chris
It sounds like a fault on the set. Do you have any issues with YouTube on a PC or tablet?
Personally, I'd take up Amazon's offer to replace it.
Quote from: Papyrus on June 02, 2020, 12:30:14 PM
Do you have another TV or can you borrow one?
Thanks Chris, but that would be very unlikely, even without lockdown restrictions.
Quote from: Malc on June 02, 2020, 12:51:18 PM
It sounds like a fault on the set. Do you have any issues with YouTube on a PC or tablet?
Personally, I'd take up Amazon's offer to replace it.
Thanks Malc,
Before I upgraded the line, I had issues with Netflix & YouTube on the 2010 MacBook and did doubt its ability to cope generally but since I've not noticed any issues with either, although it doesn't mean some don't exist. Likewise with the 2013 iPod.
But as all the Apps' interfaces are different, is it really a meaningful indicator? :hmmm:
Although the interfaces are different, the underlying systems will be similar. If you are not seeing difficulties with either bit of kit, I would still suspect the set. I don't know who your provider is, but lots of hubs allow you to log on and check how things are performing. You might be getting lots of errors communicating with the TV. If you are using WiFi to connect your TV, you could be in a bad reception spot in your house. Try holding your iPad near the set and see if that has problems.
I think the underlying issue is just that the TV is a bit buggy. Definitely nothing to do with needing a YouTube sub, don't pay for that. In our case I'm confident it's not related to the speed either (we get c160mbps). In our case the TV was very cheap, and I think it's just reflected in that. For us it's livable, definitely find the buttons aren't as responsive in Netflix/YouTube - an also the 'home' or input buttons are ineffective in those apps, you must exit the app first. We've had some remote control keys reverse function in certain apps too. However, if the television was randomly turning off I'd definitely be looking for a replacement.
I would agree with Malc and njee20.
Sounds to me like the set has a fault.
It is one thing having a few streaming problems which could be internet related but TV turning itself off and on etc. That should not be happening.
Take up Amazons offer to replace it. Better still if they would let you swap it for a different brand smart TV that would be even better.
you would then have eliminated that particular TV model, if you were still having problems. Not likely to be your internet though since you imply that other streaming services such as Netflix are behaving relatively speaking.
Toshiba don't actually make cheap TVs, they licence their name to manufacturers of cheap chinese sets. With the lowest cost memory chips and processors, both of which are prone to causing issues. I would suggest either return it under warranty if possible or if not then buy a cheap Smart TV "Stick" such as a Roku, Fire or Chromecast.
These stream independent of the TV's memory and network connection and are far more reliable.
During 9 years in Management teams with Currys & PC World neither I or anyone under me would ever suggest Toshiba TVs to customers. Several other big names do the same thing (Kenwood for example) and to my mind it's dishonest - people think they're buying quality.
Hi @ten0G (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=932)
Sorry to hear of your issues - it must be frustrating. The thing to remember with Smart TVs is that the apps tend to be specific to that manufacturer and/or model rather than from some form of generic app Store. The net result is that they can vary in reliability, functionality and update frequency.
There should be some form of option to check for firmware and app updates on your TV and I would suggest you try this (if you have not already done so).
You may be having issues with your WiFi connection as we had some problems last year on BT Fibre. To solve these I upgraded lto BT's latest router and installed Whole Home WiFi and the transformation was amazing. I am always a wee bit sceptical about such claims but for what it is worth the new BT setup is great.
Our Samsung TV is 7 years old and works fine with YouTube. As for your TV, I fear you have a duffer there and it probably will need to be replaced.
Kind regards
Paddy
Hi everyone,
Thanks for your views, still haven't been phoned by Support via Amazon so contacted them again by Chat midday yesterday and was told they'd respond within 48hrs. When I asked if that included the weekend, the response was to watch my Inbox as contact would "probably by email." Nothing yet.
There's no info that I can find from the instruction leaflet on how to check or update the firmware, that's one of the first things I want to ask.
Just to clarify further, all of this year, the Mac. iPod, smartPhone and TV have all been connected by wifi to the old and then the new router to provide a level playing field for comparison. All within less than 6' of each other in the same room.
In order to satisfy myself that I had in fact carried out all the necessary reset actions, on Sunday evening I powered off the set and took out the plug for a while, then started it up again and selected 'Reset' from the Menu.
I then selected YouTube, which ran fine for a while, then the set switched off and on again. It only happens with YouTube.
A Roku smart-stick may be interesting if it provides the channels I'm interested in but then I'd need a set that has two HDMI sockets I believe, this only has one and I need one for a dedicated link between the set and my replacement computer for a layout design app - one has to get one's priorities right!
I've been looking at possible replacement sets on Amazon, but am not that happy with any of them.
Having a few long-term health problems to deal with, I make use of subtitles much of the time so it's important to be able to read them clearly and easily from my normal position. I consider a 24" screen to be about the optimum size. A 32" one would be too large at this distance.
If anyone can tell me where to find a current list of Roku channels please, I'd be very grateful.
:thankyousign:
https://channelstore.roku.com/en-gb/browse/web-video
That's just the YouTube type apps - use the arrows at the top to browse the rest
Quote from: njee20 on June 02, 2020, 11:09:56 AM
We have a very similar Toshiba television and it is a bit flaky - ours often crashes if you're too quick, and start searching for or playing a video very quickly after turning it on. We haven't had issues with it turning off once playing I must say though. Our "main" Samsung TV is faultless in comparison. I think it's a failing of the firmware of the TV.
Hi,
I'd be interested to know where your set was made please, and what remote you have with it, mine's a CT-8541.
Also, do you have any instructions regarding resetting please?
:thankyousign:
https://youtu.be/LvXpHvuVLJ8
"How to fix YouTube on your Toshiba Smart TV"
Quote from: Markthetog on June 06, 2020, 01:00:11 PM
https://youtu.be/LvXpHvuVLJ8
"How to fix YouTube on your Toshiba Smart TV"
Many thanks, looks very promising. Will study carefully after lunch.
Quote from: Markthetog on June 05, 2020, 07:50:54 AM
Toshiba don't actually make cheap TVs, they licence their name to manufacturers of cheap chinese sets. With the lowest cost memory chips and processors, both of which are prone to causing issues. I would suggest either return it under warranty if possible or if not then buy a cheap Smart TV "Stick" such as a Roku, Fire or Chromecast.
These stream independent of the TV's memory and network connection and are far more reliable.
During 9 years in Management teams with Currys & PC World neither I or anyone under me would ever suggest Toshiba TVs to customers. Several other big names do the same thing (Kenwood for example) and to my mind it's dishonest - people think they're buying quality.
Pioneer are another ( previously) reliable company who now sell their name to anyone
I thought that EU Toshibas were made in Turkey now by Vestel? Also Toshiba, Hitachi, JVC and many own brand labels.( inc Currys )
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vestel
Hi,
So let's be clear, there's not a single item of consumer electronics in the shops that wasn't made by a contract manufacturer in a low wage region.
Neither Apple nor Amazon nor HP manufacture these things themselves and the same goes for the TV brands.
If you buy a Windows Laptop there is only the faintest chance that is was even designed by the company whose name is on the box, let alone built by them.
That is NOT the case though with Apple products.
Most of the time this is fine, because the 'brand name' company will oversee design and production. But some companies just sell the rights to use their name on a product and don't really care about the quality because they aren't actually making any consumer electronics at all.
Honeywell and GE are prime examples of this here in the US.
Regards,
John P
Quote from: jpendle on June 08, 2020, 11:10:35 PM
Hi,
So let's be clear, there's not a single item of consumer electronics in the shops that wasn't made by a contract manufacturer in a low wage region.
Neither Apple nor Amazon nor HP manufacture these things themselves and the same goes for the TV brands.
If you buy a Windows Laptop there is only the faintest chance that is was even designed by the company whose name is on the box, let alone built by them.
That is NOT the case though with Apple products.
Most of the time this is fine, because the 'brand name' company will oversee design and production. But some companies just sell the rights to use their name on a product and don't really care about the quality because they aren't actually making any consumer electronics at all.
Honeywell and GE are prime examples of this here in the US.
Regards,
John P
Hi John,
Interesting, I always assumed that "cheap" products were branded with recognised brands but is this also true for Dell, HP and Lenovo? My understanding was that these three design and manufacture their own computers? I accept they buy in components (processors, RAM, storage, screens etc.) but then Apple do that too.
Kind regards
Paddy
Hi Paddy,
I don't know about Lenovo, but HP and Dell use Taiwanese ODM's (Original Design Manufacturers) for some of their products.
So stuff like this changes all the time, but HP design their own printers, especially laserjets, but use companies such as Quanta (the biggest laptop designer you've never heard of) for some of their laptops. Dell design their own servers but again the laptops probably come from ODM's. It really depends on the Intellectual Property going into the product and the IP in a laptop is mostly the component manufacturer's.
The way this works is that a company goes to Quanta, or Wistron, or Foxconn, or ..., and asks them design a laptop with certain features, if it meets the companies spec then they ask them to manufacture it as well, but typically the likes of Dell and HP will keep a very close eye on what is being done 'in their name'.
As a general rule, the only large electronics companies that manufacture their own products are those involved in either Aerospace and Defence or in Automotive electronics, and even then that's not always the case.
Also there are no 'vertically integrated' electronics manufacturers, all of them source their components from other companies, such as Intel, Toshiba (that's where they went :D), & Xilinx.
If it's any consolation Digitrax do their own manufacturing, it's quite often smaller companies who still do this.
Oh and BTW, if someone tries to sell you an iPhone 'Designed & Manufactured by Apple in California', it's a knock off :D
Regards,
John P
(Messing around in Electronics Manufacturing Test for 37 years & counting)
Apple do actually build Mac Pros in Austin Texas (with a lot of US sourced components) since 2013. They are the high end ones though, so it's a lot lower volume than their consumer computers like the iMacs, MacBooks etc.
Quote from: zwilnik on June 09, 2020, 03:59:20 PM
Apple do actually build Mac Pros in Austin Texas (with a lot of US sourced components) since 2013. They are the high end ones though, so it's a lot lower volume than their consumer computers like the iMacs, MacBooks etc.
Lenovo assemble laptops (at least the Thinkpads) for the Japanese market in Japan.
Quote from: zwilnik on June 09, 2020, 03:59:20 PM
Apple do actually build Mac Pros in Austin Texas (with a lot of US sourced components) since 2013. They are the high end ones though, so it's a lot lower volume than their consumer computers like the iMacs, MacBooks etc.
Been there, done that, had the body cavity search :'(
John P
Quote from: railsquid on June 09, 2020, 04:11:25 PM
Quote from: zwilnik on June 09, 2020, 03:59:20 PM
Apple do actually build Mac Pros in Austin Texas (with a lot of US sourced components) since 2013. They are the high end ones though, so it's a lot lower volume than their consumer computers like the iMacs, MacBooks etc.
Lenovo assemble laptops (at least the Thinkpads) for the Japanese market in Japan.
Individual countries safety and customs regs can often affect where things are made.
Brasil frowns on imports so there is a relatively large electronics manufacturing sector there, making products just for the Brazilian market.
Manaus is a free trade manufacturing zone, so they even build consumer electronics in the middle of the Amazon :goggleeyes:
Regards,
John P
Quote from: jpendle on June 09, 2020, 02:53:32 PM
Hi Paddy,
I don't know about Lenovo, but HP and Dell use Taiwanese ODM's (Original Design Manufacturers) for some of their products.
So stuff like this changes all the time, but HP design their own printers, especially laserjets, but use companies such as Quanta (the biggest laptop designer you've never heard of) for some of their laptops. Dell design their own servers but again the laptops probably come from ODM's. It really depends on the Intellectual Property going into the product and the IP in a laptop is mostly the component manufacturer's.
The way this works is that a company goes to Quanta, or Wistron, or Foxconn, or ..., and asks them design a laptop with certain features, if it meets the companies spec then they ask them to manufacture it as well, but typically the likes of Dell and HP will keep a very close eye on what is being done 'in their name'.
As a general rule, the only large electronics companies that manufacture their own products are those involved in either Aerospace and Defence or in Automotive electronics, and even then that's not always the case.
Also there are no 'vertically integrated' electronics manufacturers, all of them source their components from other companies, such as Intel, Toshiba (that's where they went :D), & Xilinx.
If it's any consolation Digitrax do their own manufacturing, it's quite often smaller companies who still do this.
Oh and BTW, if someone tries to sell you an iPhone 'Designed & Manufactured by Apple in California', it's a knock off :D
Regards,
John P
(Messing around in Electronics Manufacturing Test for 37 years & counting)
I don't know about current models, but when I looked after systems with HP printers (up to the Laserjet 5) they used Canon engines.
Quote from: Malc on June 09, 2020, 04:58:20 PM
I don't know about current models, but when I looked after systems with HP printers (up to the Laserjet 5) they used Canon engines.
They still do, HP lasers use Canon IP.
Although HP invented the inkjet, they licenced the LaserJet technology from Canon and then became the dominant player in the market.
Here in the US you'd struggle to find a Canon branded LaserJet printer.
Regards,
John P
Thanks everyone - just shows the extended and integrated supply chains around the world these days. I have personally only ever bought ThinkPads but have used Dell and HP as well professionally. My last HP (high end ProBook) laptop is/was very well made and I was somewhat surprised. Not a huge fan of Dell as they look rather cheaply made compare with HP and ThinkPad - each to their own though.
Kind regards
Paddy