Fujitsu Service -  Frequently Asked Questions

We respond to hundreds of calls and e-mails every week.  Read the questions and answers below to see if your question can be easily answered - without picking up the phone!
 

Troubleshooting
Basic Questions
Model Differences
Installation
Aspect Ratio

Documentation and Procedures
Burn-In
Technical Difficulties
Life Expectancy


 

Troubleshooting

Q:  My Plasmavision Display is experiencing one of the following.  What can I do to resolve this?
      1.  No picture
      2.  No power
      3.  Poor picture quality
      4.  Picture is the wrong shape or size


A:  Click here to learn how to easily troubleshoot any of the above mentioned setbacks.

Q:  How can I check if my RS232 port is working?

A:  RS232 can be used for fine adjustment and can also substitute remote control functions. To check if your RS232 port is working, download and perform the quick test method provided.

Basic Questions

Q:  Can I connect multiple sources to the unit?

A:  Yes.  Our home theater monitors accept these kinds of video signals: Composite, S-Video, Component, analog RGB, digital RGB (DVI-D w/HDCP). 

Model Differences

Q:  What is the difference among Plasmavision models - based on
model number designations, such as VHA, XHA, XTA, HCA and so on?

A:  Here's how to unravel the model number on Plasmavision displays. 

All Plasmavision displays' model numbers begin with "P" followed by the 2-digit screen size. 

The fourth position describes the screen resolution.

X = XGA-wide (1366x768 High Definition) resolution
H = ALiS (1024x1024 High Definition) resolution
V = VGA-Wide (852x480 Extended Definition) resolution

The fifth position describes the end-user need served by that model.

T = Home Theater High-Definition TV with detached stereo speakers, analog RGB input and multiple video inputs

H = Home Theater Monitor with analog RGB and multiple video inputs

C = Commercial (Business-use) Monitor with analog RGB input

The sixth position designates the model piece configuration.
A = All in One
S = Separate panel and video input "black box" module (sold in Europe and Japan)

The seventh and eighth  position notes the chronological model series during which the model is made.

The ninth position clarifies the customer location served by the model.
U = North America
E = Europe
J = Japan
W = Worldwide

The tenth position describes the color of the unit's frame bezel. 
S = Silver non-reflective finish
B = Black high-gloss finish
H - cHarcoal - non-reflective finish

examples:

P42VCA30WH denotes a 42" Wide-VGA commercial use 1-piece monitor, sold in 2005 worldwide, in a charcoal-black frame. 

P55XTA51UB denotes a 55" High-Definition residential TV solution sold in 2006 in North America, with a shiny black frame. 

Q:  Why can't my Plasmavision business display accept a component video signal?

A:  Fujitsu commercial plasma sets accept RGB-analog signals. “S” and composite video is optional (via an accessory card – see your dealer for details). Component signal is not currently available on Fujitsu business display models.  If you wish to have component signal, you will need to convert your component signal into RGB with an RGB-to-Component signal transcoder.

Installation

Q:  What’s the highest altitude you recommend for a plasma display?

A:  We suggest installing plasma displays at an altitude no higher than 5,500 – 6,000 ft.  At higher altitudes, the lower air pressure (typically below 800hPa) may cause the display to make a buzzing noise.  Fujitsu’s warranty does not cover excessive noise in low pressure environments, as this is not considered an operational problem of the unit.
 

Q:  Can the Plasmavision set be mounted over a fireplace? 

A:  Many customers mount their Plasmavision set above the fireplace.  As long as the heat travels out into the room (and up the chimney) rather than up over the mantle, the plasma should remain below the internal 104-degree (F) shut-off threshold.

Aspect Ratio

Q:  If I display 4x3 pictures or letterbox pictures, will the black bars burn in?

A:  Yes, burn-in will occur if such image are shown for a long time.  For normal broadcast TV viewing, use the WIDE or AUTO options of the unit.  If you are a cinema purist, you may want to watch feature films in their original aspect ratio (black bars on the sides for 4x3, letterbox bars on top and bottom for extreme widescreen aspect ratios).  That’s ok, so long as you revert back to screen-filling WIDE or AUTO modes for most of your viewing.   
 

Q: My DTV channels sometimes have black bars straddling the 4x3 picture.  My plasma set can’t make them go away.  What should I do?

A: Many high-definition TV channels often send standard-definition 4x3 programs, straddled by black or gray bars.  Since the complete signal - square picture and sidebars - is 16x9, Plasmavision displays' WIDE modes are not available.  One remedy is to change channels to a non-HD channel showing the same program.  If you are using a cable box  or satellite decoder, you may be able to change the output to 480i temporarily.  Or you can route an additional video cable from the STB to your Plasmavision set’s unused “S” input, and select that input on the Plasmavision monitor. Either way, the set's WIDE modes are enabled, and you can stretch the image to fill the screen.  

Documentation and Procedures

Q:  Are the RS232 codes available for each model? 

A:  We’ll happily send you the RS232 command codes for your Plasmavision set.  Please email us at service@fujitsugeneral.com to receive these codes.  Be sure to include your exact model number.
 

Q:  Can you please send me the IR Codes for my Fujitsu plasma unit?

A:  As per company policy we can provide raw hex codes for programming your third-party IR remote’s software. First, you must fax us a signed Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). Please click here to download the Non-Disclosure Agreement. Please complete, sign, and fax back to 973-836-0449.  Please make sure you specify the Plasmavision model number and include your email address on the last section of page 2 of the agreement. Once we receive and review the signed NDA, we’ll e-mail the codes to you.
 

Q:  Can you please tell me the Fujitsu prefix code to program into my universal remote?

A:  We make no prefix codes available for standard all-in-one remote controls.  High-end A/V remote controls (e.g. Philips Pronto and others) with Ethernet ports allow you to download specially-prepared codes from end-user-supported websites like www.remotecentral.com, then transfer to the remote via the Ethernet/Cat-5 connection. 
 

Q:  I'm running Windows XP on my Plasmavision display. Can you please send
me, or tell me where I can download, the video drivers for this model?

A:  Video drivers are part of the video card installed in your computer, rather than the monitor showing the computer’s images. Please check with your video card manufacturer. All Fujitsu displays are Plug-N-Play devices, so there are no drivers available.
 

Q:  How can I get my Plasmavision set serviced?

A:  It’s best to contact a local service center in your area.  To locate a Service Center near you, contact your dealer, click here or email us at service@fujitsugeneral.com.

Burn-In

Q:  What is “Burn-in”?  Do I need to worry about it?

A:  Burn-in can happen on any phosphor-based display. Techs who work on LCD screens say these displays can burn in if abused, too.  You’ve probably noticed burn-in on ATM screens, airport flight info monitors, arcade game screens and – at least before we began using cool screen saver backgrounds – computer screens.  Severe misuse of your Plasmavision display may cause burn-in. No flat-panel display maker, including Fujitsu General, warrants their displays to withstand burn-in.

Watching standard TV in the NORMAL mode – that is, with black bars straddling the near-square TV picture – can cause burn-in.  When wide-screen plasma displays (and rear-projection displays) first came on the market, this kind of burn in was common.  Now, since customers have learned how to use Plasmavision display’s WIDE modes to pleasantly stretch TV pictures from one side of the wide screen to the other side.
 

Q:  How can I keep images or lines from burning in on my Plasmavision monitor?

A: Fujitsu’s unique set of features will help you prevent burn-in:

1. Use the WIDE MODES to fill the screen with pictures
2. Set up the Display Power Management Signaling (DPMS) to bleach all the pixels every day, automatically.  (refer to the instruction manual)
3. For RGB static images, turn on the Screen Orbiter. 

Sometimes plasma sets in lobbies and airports show burned-in logos and numerals.  This has also become rare, since today’s screen image software makes it easy to add animation and eye-catching transitions into screen shows. 

Design screen slide graphics and presentations so they don’t contribute to burn-in:
·         Move logos, lines and borders
·         Avoid saturated primary colors
·         Avoid white-on-black, white-on-primary, or primary-on-primary schemes
·         Add motion to slide transitions; for example “uncover,” “push,” and “cover” each moves the image during transition to other images.
 

Q:  What can I do to remove a burn-in image on my plasma?

A:  If the burn-in is mild, find the white screen setting in the menu (2004 models: FEATURES -> OTHERS -> WHITE SCREEN) and activate it.  If the burn-in is severe, it may take a long time to go away; or it may be permanent.

Technical Difficulties

Q:  My unit shows nothing on the screen and the LED is a red continuous blinking light.  What could be the problem?

A:  Your installation itself may be causing the problem.  Typical causes are overheating and sporadic line voltage drops. Check that the unit is properly ventilated.  Consider having an electrician check the voltage, including the voltage with all a/v components, HVAC and other power-consuming devices turned on.  If the problem persists an authorized technician may be required to service the unit.
 

Q:  Why are there translucent scrolling horizontal bars on the screen?

A:  These bars are commonly known as "hum bars." One cause is that the source and monitor may not share the same electrical ground – instead, they are plugged into separate electric lines grounded on different circuits, or the cable wire itself is not grounded to the same conductor as the unit’s ground. Sometimes battery-powered images sources (camcorders, laptop computers), which share no common electrical ground with the display, introduce the hum bars.  Try using the source device’s A/C adapter instead, plugged into an outlet grounded to the same conductor as the Plasmavision display's power cord.

Another cause of scrolling hum bars is signal wires run next to A/C current wires. Take care to separate these two kinds of wires.  If they must approach each other, arrange the wires so the signal wire crosses at right angles to the A/C. You may need to contact your installer or qualified electrician to fix this problem.

A third cause of hum bars is a strong motor or other interference-generating, power-hungry device which shares the same electric line as the plasma set or video signal sources. 
 

Q:  Why is there no LED when a new unit is plugged in?

A:  Most Plasmavision monitors have a semi-hidden master power switch, located along the bottom edge of the screen’s bezel.  Press this switch and note whether or not the LED illuminates.

Plasmavision HDTV's and current home theater monitors (50 series and newer) have no master power switch.  The LED should light up as soon as you plug the set into a working outlet.
 

Q:  How do I get the unit to display closed captioning, split screen, picture-in-picture, etc.?

A:  Your Fujitsu Plasmavision HDTV has closed-caption display feature, and it is available via remote control. 

Plasmavision sets do not have on-board capability for split screen or other simultaneous multiple-signal display. However, Plasmavision displays of all types will show whatever pictures the source device (DVD, set-top box, PVR, and so on) may generate. Many of these third-party devices have picture-in picture, Please check your third-party equipment manual to confirm the source device has the capability you are looking for. 
 

Q:  Why is there a buzzing noise emitting from the unit when it is powered up?

A:  Buzzing can occur if you run the unit where air pressure is lower than 800hPa (typically 6,000 feet altitude)  

A buzzing noise can also occur if there is any physical damage to the screen.  If that’s the case, call your dealer immediately to arrange for service.


 

Life Expectancy      

Q: How long should I expect the plasma screen to last?

A:  With normal household or business use, Plasmavision display images will still look great 10 or 20 years down the line.  Since the picture is made with phosphor, engineers can accurately predict the geometric decline of the phosphor’s potential brightness. Note that while the brightness declines slowly, the phosphors never “burn out.” 

Also, note how the rate slows over time.
The rate of decline points to a specification called “Life to Half Brightness” or LTHB.  Plasmavision display’s LTHB, ranging from 30,000 to 60,000 hours, depending on model, is about the same as you’d expect in a high-quality, properly calibrated TV or studio monitor. 

Keep in mind the screen itself is supported by electronic components, drivers, boards and circuits.  As is the case with all electronic devices, components may fail.  These can be fixed or replaced by qualified servicers.