Just a hypothetical question, I have a panasonic 50" lcd tv, it's a panasonic vierra, tx50a400b, good screen, but basic spec I.e not a smart tv. I was just thinking is there a tv which uses the same panel, chassis, but has a better spec Ie smart tv that would fit? And would it work if I was the swap my normal bored for a smart tv board?
Upgrade tv spec?
Originally Posted by James_Twokay:
“Just a hypothetical question, I have a panasonic 50" lcd tv, it's a panasonic vierra, tx50a400b, good screen, but basic spec I.e not a smart tv. I was just thinking is there a tv which uses the same panel, chassis, but has a better spec Ie smart tv that would fit? And would it work if I was the swap my normal bored for a smart tv board?”
“Just a hypothetical question, I have a panasonic 50" lcd tv, it's a panasonic vierra, tx50a400b, good screen, but basic spec I.e not a smart tv. I was just thinking is there a tv which uses the same panel, chassis, but has a better spec Ie smart tv that would fit? And would it work if I was the swap my normal bored for a smart tv board?”
Generally you can't swap boards between different models, and even if you could the cost of a new board for a TV set is likely to be too much anyway.
If you want a 'SMART' TV (and why do you?, there's nothing much 'SMART' about them), then buy an Android TV box/dongle which will give you MUCH greater functionality than a SMART TV.
I'm i not right in thinking the panels used is the same range would be the same? And the difference is just with the board?
Originally Posted by James_Twokay:
“I'm i not right in thinking the panels used is the same range would be the same? And the difference is just with the board?”
“I'm i not right in thinking the panels used is the same range would be the same? And the difference is just with the board?”
Possibly. But even if you could find a supplier of the correct parts, TVs aren't designed to be upgradable and it would almost certainly cost more than it is worth.
The Pansasonic a400 range is the bottom end of the current Viera models and is the only one which is not "smart". For a few quid extra you could have got the a500.
Originally Posted by James_Twokay:
“I'm i not right in thinking the panels used is the same range would be the same? And the difference is just with the board?”
“I'm i not right in thinking the panels used is the same range would be the same? And the difference is just with the board?”
The display panel may be the same (though depending on the age quite possibly not) but that is only one factor.
What makes you think that all system boards are the same physically? A new "Smart" board may well be considerably different in size to what is in there at the moment. And the fixing points could very well be in entirely different places. So it may be physically impossible to swap the boards anyway.
Then you have to consider things like, do the existing board and the replacement have the HDMI/SCART/etc sockets integrated on them or are the HDMI etc on a separate board? If they are both separate are the interconnections compatible? Is the number of HDMI and SCARTs etc that the new board expects to work with the same as the existing?
And not forgetting that a Smart TV will have an ethernet connector at least which a non-smart TV won't have. So where are you going to fit that? Or a WiFi module if it has one?
Assuming the parts are available and you can somehow bodge them into the existing telly will you have saved anything? Probably not. And a shed load of hassle into the bargain. I suspect more expense and hassle than going down Currys or wherever and walking out with a new telly and taking your old telly down the recycling centre. Or buying a Roku, Android box, Apple TV or similar such device, (or just an HDMI lead to hook up your laptop), to get the same, (and probably better), functionality.
Originally Posted by chrisjr:
“The display panel may be the same (though depending on the age quite possibly not) but that is only one factor.
What makes you think that all system boards are the same physically? A new "Smart" board may well be considerably different in size to what is in there at the moment. And the fixing points could very well be in entirely different places. So it may be physically impossible to swap the boards anyway.
Then you have to consider things like, do the existing board and the replacement have the HDMI/SCART/etc sockets integrated on them or are the HDMI etc on a separate board? If they are both separate are the interconnections compatible? Is the number of HDMI and SCARTs etc that the new board expects to work with the same as the existing?
And not forgetting that a Smart TV will have an ethernet connector at least which a non-smart TV won't have. So where are you going to fit that? Or a WiFi module if it has one?
Assuming the parts are available and you can somehow bodge them into the existing telly will you have saved anything? Probably not. And a shed load of hassle into the bargain. I suspect more expense and hassle than going down Currys or wherever and walking out with a new telly and taking your old telly down the recycling centre. Or buying a Roku, Android box, Apple TV or similar such device, (or just an HDMI lead to hook up your laptop), to get the same, (and probably better), functionality.”
“The display panel may be the same (though depending on the age quite possibly not) but that is only one factor.
What makes you think that all system boards are the same physically? A new "Smart" board may well be considerably different in size to what is in there at the moment. And the fixing points could very well be in entirely different places. So it may be physically impossible to swap the boards anyway.
Then you have to consider things like, do the existing board and the replacement have the HDMI/SCART/etc sockets integrated on them or are the HDMI etc on a separate board? If they are both separate are the interconnections compatible? Is the number of HDMI and SCARTs etc that the new board expects to work with the same as the existing?
And not forgetting that a Smart TV will have an ethernet connector at least which a non-smart TV won't have. So where are you going to fit that? Or a WiFi module if it has one?
Assuming the parts are available and you can somehow bodge them into the existing telly will you have saved anything? Probably not. And a shed load of hassle into the bargain. I suspect more expense and hassle than going down Currys or wherever and walking out with a new telly and taking your old telly down the recycling centre. Or buying a Roku, Android box, Apple TV or similar such device, (or just an HDMI lead to hook up your laptop), to get the same, (and probably better), functionality.”
I'm just thinking hypothetically, but having a look at the rear panels of My set (TX50A400B) and the next model up smart TV (TX50AS500B). Only difference I can see is the location of the arial.
http://oi57.tinypic.com/2dlug2.jpg
Mine has a ethernet port for some reason, but it serves no purpose. Im I correct in thinking TV sets are made up of 3 main components, The panel, the power board, and the motherboard
Originally Posted by James_Twokay:
“Mine has a ethernet port for some reason, but it serves no purpose. Im I correct in thinking TV sets are made up of 3 main components, The panel, the power board, and the motherboard”
“Mine has a ethernet port for some reason, but it serves no purpose. Im I correct in thinking TV sets are made up of 3 main components, The panel, the power board, and the motherboard”
That's pretty well correct (but not always).
Fairly obviously though, if the aerial socket is in a different place it's an entirely different board, and wouldn't be interchangeable.
There are various models of sets that use identical boards, usually for different size screens, and you have to program them accordingly when you replace the board.
I've NEVER seen sets were you could add functionality by fitting a different board, and see no reason why it would be possible (there's just no point).
Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin:
“That's pretty well correct (but not always).
Fairly obviously though, if the aerial socket is in a different place it's an entirely different board, and wouldn't be interchangeable.
There are various models of sets that use identical boards, usually for different size screens, and you have to program them accordingly when you replace the board.
I've NEVER seen sets were you could add functionality by fitting a different board, and see no reason why it would be possible (there's just no point).”
“That's pretty well correct (but not always).
Fairly obviously though, if the aerial socket is in a different place it's an entirely different board, and wouldn't be interchangeable.
There are various models of sets that use identical boards, usually for different size screens, and you have to program them accordingly when you replace the board.
I've NEVER seen sets were you could add functionality by fitting a different board, and see no reason why it would be possible (there's just no point).”
I know the board will be different, becasue it would carry extra features, however, If the panels used in both sets are identical, and the and the ports -the arial all line up and Assuming the wires connecters fit on, why would this not work? Assume the board has been taken from a 50" set also.
Originally Posted by James_Twokay:
“I know the board will be different, becasue it would carry extra features, however, If the panels used in both sets are identical, and the and the ports -the arial all line up and Assuming the wires connecters fit on, why would this not work? Assume the board has been taken from a 50" set also.”
“I know the board will be different, becasue it would carry extra features, however, If the panels used in both sets are identical, and the and the ports -the arial all line up and Assuming the wires connecters fit on, why would this not work? Assume the board has been taken from a 50" set also.”
Assuming all those things, then yes - it would work.
But those things aren't true - the boards are different, the connectors are different, the software is different, everything is different - and even if it wasn't would you be prepared to spend a few hundred pounds to upgrade your set to make it a poor relative of a cheap Android box?.
Originally Posted by jenzie:
“TV's = NOT A PC
want a better one
bye a better one”
“TV's = NOT A PC
want a better one
bye a better one”
"Hello a better one" would be closer to what you mean.
Also one Panel may be for a 720 tv rather than a 1080p
You may get one of the last Plasma Pannys at a discount, cracking picture
You may get one of the last Plasma Pannys at a discount, cracking picture
Originally Posted by niall campbell:
“Also one Panel may be for a 720 tv rather than a 1080p
You may get one of the last Plasma Pannys at a discount, cracking picture”
“Also one Panel may be for a 720 tv rather than a 1080p
You may get one of the last Plasma Pannys at a discount, cracking picture”
I was thinking more along the lines of a board from a higher spec tv from the same range, not any old board from a random range.
Originally Posted by James_Twokay:
“I was thinking more along the lines of a board from a higher spec tv from the same range, not any old board from a random range.”
“I was thinking more along the lines of a board from a higher spec tv from the same range, not any old board from a random range.”
You've not been paying attention - there are no " boards from higher spec TV's" that would fit in a lower spec set, they aren't the 'same range' at all, but entirely different.
Hi guys, sorry to bump up an old thread however I wanted to update you all. Browsing eBay the other day I found a Panasonic tx50as500b smart tv with a smashed screen and was able to buy it for 30 quid. Opened it up, removed the main board and wifi module and it fitted them both into my tx50a400b non smart tv. The holes line up and every other internal component was the same in both models. Power it up and low and behold my to is now a smart tv. The only modification I would have had to make was the Anetnna hole on the back cover but as I managed to get the whole tv, I was able to use the correct back cover.
So my theory was correct.
So my theory was correct.
Originally Posted by James_Twokay:
“.
So my theory was correct.”
“.
So my theory was correct.”
Absolutely, done the same myself. Got a Xenius badged Vestel 42" set given with a dead main board caused by hot plugging an Xbox into one of the HDMI ports.
The set languished in the back of my garage until recently when I was offered a 32" Sharp badged Vestel with a smashed screen but with an Freeview HD tuner. Both sets were fitted with LG 1080 panels, the board layout was more or less identical with the addition of two extra HDMI sockets and an RJ45 so I thought I would give it a try.
Now have a fully working 42" Freeview HD in the bedroom.
Originally Posted by in_focus:
“Absolutely, done the same myself. Got a Xenius badged Vestel 42" set given with a dead main board caused by hot plugging an Xbox into one of the HDMI ports.
The set languished in the back of my garage until recently when I was offered a 32" Sharp badged Vestel with a smashed screen but with an Freeview HD tuner. Both sets were fitted with LG 1080 panels, the board layout was more or less identical with the addition of two extra HDMI sockets and an RJ45 so I thought I would give it a try.
Now have a fully working 42" Freeview HD in the bedroom.”
“Absolutely, done the same myself. Got a Xenius badged Vestel 42" set given with a dead main board caused by hot plugging an Xbox into one of the HDMI ports.
The set languished in the back of my garage until recently when I was offered a 32" Sharp badged Vestel with a smashed screen but with an Freeview HD tuner. Both sets were fitted with LG 1080 panels, the board layout was more or less identical with the addition of two extra HDMI sockets and an RJ45 so I thought I would give it a try.
Now have a fully working 42" Freeview HD in the bedroom.
”
what does make me laugh is the remote control I need costs more than I paid for the set with the smashed screen!!!. Luckily I can now use the Panasonic app remote until I can find a cheap remote.
Hi guys, sorry to bump up an old thread. I have just joined the forum to thank you all for your posts and would like to confirm the Upgrade.
I've had my 50A400B tv for some 13 months now and just bought a sound bar (MXSP-SB3000) for it.
I had loads of trouble trying to set it up, HDMI ARC worked but the volume controls on the TV did not seem to work so I had sound coming from both the sound bar and the TV being controlled by 2 remote controls. Tried using the headphones socket but the TV has a setting within the menu's that controls headphone volume so that didn't work.
After hours on the internet with little progress. Some saying you can change it with the App Viera Link, Hold on my TV is not smart so how do I do it with the App?
I then came across this forum about an upgrade for the TV. (the only one on the net)
So after a couple of days I was ready to buy a new TV because of the sound bar issues and thought well what have I got to loose?
So back on the internet and bought a used main card for a 50AS500b and a wifi card DNUA-P75 total spend £20.
It took me about 40 minutes to take all the screws out of the rear case, take the old board out and refit the new board. Then found a suitable spot for the wifi card in the centre of the TV as I did not have the bracket but screwed it in with an M3 or M4 screw.
I then used a soldering iron on the back cover and melted a slotted for the antenna socket. (okay I could have drilled a hole by it was easier this way for me).
I refitted the rear cover and then turned it on. Fingers crossed..
It worked.
A smart TV..
I then factory reset and retuned the TV.
I used the smartphone app TV remote 2 to operate the TV as my original remote doesn't have the APPS button and gave it a big testing.
The sound bar issue is now totally resolved, sound only comes from sound bar and is controlled via the TV's remote. Just as it should.
So once again, many thanks to James_Twokay for the good work, well done
I've had my 50A400B tv for some 13 months now and just bought a sound bar (MXSP-SB3000) for it.
I had loads of trouble trying to set it up, HDMI ARC worked but the volume controls on the TV did not seem to work so I had sound coming from both the sound bar and the TV being controlled by 2 remote controls. Tried using the headphones socket but the TV has a setting within the menu's that controls headphone volume so that didn't work.
After hours on the internet with little progress. Some saying you can change it with the App Viera Link, Hold on my TV is not smart so how do I do it with the App?
I then came across this forum about an upgrade for the TV. (the only one on the net)
So after a couple of days I was ready to buy a new TV because of the sound bar issues and thought well what have I got to loose?
So back on the internet and bought a used main card for a 50AS500b and a wifi card DNUA-P75 total spend £20.
It took me about 40 minutes to take all the screws out of the rear case, take the old board out and refit the new board. Then found a suitable spot for the wifi card in the centre of the TV as I did not have the bracket but screwed it in with an M3 or M4 screw.
I then used a soldering iron on the back cover and melted a slotted for the antenna socket. (okay I could have drilled a hole by it was easier this way for me).
I refitted the rear cover and then turned it on. Fingers crossed..
It worked.
A smart TV..I then factory reset and retuned the TV.
I used the smartphone app TV remote 2 to operate the TV as my original remote doesn't have the APPS button and gave it a big testing.
The sound bar issue is now totally resolved, sound only comes from sound bar and is controlled via the TV's remote. Just as it should.
So once again, many thanks to James_Twokay for the good work, well done
Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin:
“Generally you can't swap boards between different models, and even if you could the cost of a new board for a TV set is likely to be too much anyway.
If you want a 'SMART' TV (and why do you?, there's nothing much 'SMART' about them), then buy an Android TV box/dongle which will give you MUCH greater functionality than a SMART TV.”
“Generally you can't swap boards between different models, and even if you could the cost of a new board for a TV set is likely to be too much anyway.
If you want a 'SMART' TV (and why do you?, there's nothing much 'SMART' about them), then buy an Android TV box/dongle which will give you MUCH greater functionality than a SMART TV.”
Or even a cheapish bluray player that IS 'smart' and does all the 'smart' things.
Originally Posted by mooghead:
“Or even a cheapish bluray player that IS 'smart' and does all the 'smart' things.”
“Or even a cheapish bluray player that IS 'smart' and does all the 'smart' things.”
No where near as 'smart' as an Android box though
I always thought I'd never use the smart features on a TV. But having just bought the LG OLED 4k TV I can see some benefit. I can use the Amazon Prime app and the Netflix app straight from the TV to get 4k content. Yes I have a Nvidia Shield which is 4k but it doesn't allow for DNS changes and doesn't have the Amazon App so the TV works great.
Good for me as my Marantx AVR doesn't support HDCP 2.2 so I don't have to use valuable HDMI slots on my TV for ARC.
Good for me as my Marantx AVR doesn't support HDCP 2.2 so I don't have to use valuable HDMI slots on my TV for ARC.
