PDP 4294 Service Menu ???

[EvanRude]

I got this second plasma from costco. First off it's much better than the PDP 4290 that died after 3 months.
As for the service menu for this TV, the PDP4294 has a mini phone plug in the back.
Now I tried the holding the power button down and the mute 182 power that was lised for the Samsung and that did not do it. So I'm thinking that the mini jack in the back must start the service menu.
I thinking it might be a simple switch. But I'm new to this.

What I'm wanting to get out of this is some better screen positioning ( ps2 is narrow ) and it has a 480i to 480p up-converter that stinks and would like to shut it off.

Any help on this would be great
Thanks
EvanRude

[Mike71]

It is Mute-1-8-2, then power button. Just press the buttons in that order, no need to hold any buttons down. :)

[EvanRude]

Thanks Mike,
I'll try that again. I might not have the right touch.
Any idea what that service jack is for?

[Mike71]

I have no idea what the jack is for, I haven't even noticed there was one there. I was messing with the service menu yesterday but didn't look very much, I will have to mess with it again when I have more time. Let me know if you find anything good in there !

[Mike71]

p.s.

make sure the TV is off when you punch in the code for the sevice manual.

[Mike71]

forgot something important, after you make any adjustments, you have to click on "reset" at the bottom of the main screen for the changes to hold. I would write down what you change in case you want to change it back.

[EvanRude]

Thanks for all, Mike!
I have not had a chance to play with it yet. Wife wanted to go on a date. What model is your AKIA. my first one died, the new one it was a much better model.



PS2
Akai PDP4294
Yamaha RX-V595
Mits 8040
Dish 6000
Sandisk Photo viewer
NHT/Velodyne
DVDO Pro

[Mike71]

I have the 4294 too. Supposively they are much better than the model you had before (4290). How does the PS2 look on it??? I have PS2 and Xbox but haven't played them on it yet.

[EvanRude]

Well the PS2 looks great on component. The Akai does a great job with its 480i. When the PS2 is in 480p (game) mode the picture looks even better but it's got about an 3/4 inch on both sides that I can't fill sence the Akai does not "scale" 480p.
I was able to get a DVDO line scaler ( $300.00 ). I run the component ( 480i) to it and send the 480p to the VGA, and wow it looks great. Even DVD's look much better. And it fits the screen.

One thing I miss about the 4940 is the zoom.
That is why I wanted to get into the service menu. BTW the mute 182 power works. But I think it's more than a noob like myself can figure out. I tried to scale the screen but have had no luck. I'm looking for a way to "zoom" the screen for better fit.
Thanks and I'll keep on it

[EvanRude]

Mike,
Could you post any successes you've had with the service menu.
So far my only noticeable one would be that I got the picture by picture brightness and contrast to match. The one I really want is to zoom all modes about 3/4 of an inch. This Akia seems narrow.
Thanks

[Mike71]

I have mine at the original settings right now. If you can use the DVI connection on the back of the tv, it does make the picture better. Your satellite or cable box will have to have the DVI plug too.

[EvanRude]

I'm really wanting to check out the DVI in on the Akai. At present I don't have anything that has DVI out yet. I'm sure glad ( in a sick kinda way ) that the first Akai died. I'm vary happy with the 4294.

[cvillacci]

Has anyone been able to get a service manual for the PDP4294? I want to make adjustments but before I do I would like to know what each mean? Any assistance would be appreciated.

Cindy

[fraser]

I have had a Akai Plasma 42 (PDP4294) for severals months without any problems. Just recently 5 vertical blue lines appeared on the right side of the screen. They used to appear when after being powered on for a while but now are always on. Anyone has any idea what I can do. I looked at the service menu but didn't have a clue what to do? Can someone help me please.

[Da7thsign]

I have had this TV for a while now and i was wondering if anyone has a good settings for the Service menu. I noticed on my TV that when i have movies that fill the entire set but are still widescreen(not sure of the ratio) on the very top of the screen there is about an inch that is skewed to the right. Its quite annoying but i just changed the vertical placement on the aspect choice. A movie that does this is Ray and probably all the other movies with the same aspect ratio. However it only does with with 480P , when i view 720P and 1080i it doesnt have this. Also the picture is slightly off center, about half an inch to the right when in 480P. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks guys.