LCD TV Service only USB socket

[tony draper]

Not strictly about puters,my new posh telly has numerous inputs also on the back is a USB socket that says 'Service Only' that does not appear to do anything,probably for service engineers only,googling on a totaly different matter one stumbled upon a item that told of a way to activate this USB input for normal usage ie looking at stuff, movie clips photos ect on a USB memory stick.
Any of the knowledgeable peeps on here tried this sort of thing.??
This is the link.
How to Activate the USB (For Service Only) of your LG LF20 LCD TV - Info Barrel

[call100]

I changed the model number in my Samsung via the service menu. This enabled the set to view Video via the USB (which was previously only given to the next model up).. A lot of TV models are only set differently in the settings area of the service menu.
Just follow the instructions and make sure you don't alter anything else. Looking at the link, you will only be enabling the USB not making any major changes to affect the rest of the TV.

[tony draper]

Like to try this hack but I can't even access the service menu using this chaps method,nor a couple of other methods I found on google,none of them seem to work for me.
buggrit!!

[Keef]

They know you, Tony, and gave you the "Draper unhackable" version.

[call100]

It would seem it has two methods of entry...See here - LG Svc menu - Post 13....

[tony draper]

Tried both those methods Mr C, neither work,probably due to the firmware,looking at the dates of those posts must be early versions mine is version 3.55 I think,possibly the access codes have been changed there is a way of uploading and backdating version 3.15,which is the one the service menu can be accessed in those ways and the usb enabled but it looks a tad dodgy to me so I wont bother.
Thanks for the help chaps.

[call100]

Strange....Manufacturers don't tend to change the access method for service menus between models let alone firmware updates......Have you tried just pressing the menu button on the TV alone for 60 seconds?
As you say, you may just have to accept the fact that the process is not worth the hassle....Just buy a set top box with USB and networking to view video. I have three sources for USB access now. It seems to be the way everything is going.....

[tony draper]

I have HD freeview box so I can watch 4 channels in HD,just a bit annoying this USB thing.

[call100]

I take it your freeview box is sans usb??

[tony draper]

Freeview box is one of those new HD ones connection to the telly is by HDMI cable
Anyway,I have done it!!,activated the USB socket on the back of the telly,had to download the early version of firmware 3.15 from the net onto a USB stick,flashed the firmware in the set back from 3.55 to 3.15 then I could access the service menu and do as that bloke instructed, well nearly, but said rear USB socket is now working for me not for just the service engineers would not advise anybody lacking self confidence to try this though.
One hates being beat by a machine.
Thanks for the help chaps
Just played some 1080p HD clips I downloaded from youtube,spiffing!!

[call100]

Congratulations.....Must be feeling slightly chuffed. I must admit I would have to have had a go if it were mine.....Just can't stand knowing it can do something that has just been hidden.
As I said, I changed my Samsung from the 6000 model to the 7000 model in the service menu and enabled the extras. Saved myself £300 in the model difference as well....
Enjoy your new found viewing experience..

[green granite]

I admit to being a tad puzzled as to why a company would produce a device with all the bells and whistles on it and then just inhibit them to sell it cheaper. I know it happens with things like CPU's where it's produced as a 3 gig but is only stable up to say 2.8 so it's sold as a 2.8 one, or a DVD player set for different regions, but not for enhancements.

[tony draper]

Software? perhaps they didn't have it complete before the sets came out,bit puzzled as to why they go through so many software upgrades,the HD Freeview box I mention above the four channels that transmit in HD from the terrestrial transmitters were fine but the standard freeview off air picks were rather poor ,one day I switched it on and it was downloading new software and that improved those pictures 100%
Today I have to find the original 3.55 firmware and and flash the set back up from version 3,15,apparently that is the best thing to do and the USB input will remain enabled,

[call100]

Originally Posted by green granite

I admit to being a tad puzzled as to why a company would produce a device with all the bells and whistles on it and then just inhibit them to sell it cheaper. I know it happens with things like CPU's where it's produced as a 3 gig but is only stable up to say 2.8 so it's sold as a 2.8 one, or a DVD player set for different regions, but not for enhancements.

In the case of the Samsung it was a simple as changing the model number in the service menu. The TV cost no more to produce than the next model up, it only had some enhancements curbed.
As you sayr, why? In this case other than profit I fail to find an answer.

[tony draper]

Question,could I use a external hard drive to load movies music photos ect from the computer then plug into the TV USB socket would this kit be treated the same as a memory stick?ie would it play stuff loaded onto the portable Hard Drive.

[spekesoftly]

Portable HDD

If the portable USB HDD is formatted the same as your memory stick (FAT32 ?), then I would think it would work. I can plug both types of storage into my Humax PVR and playback recordings that way. (No USB socket on my TV).

[call100]

Mine has my external HD permanently plugged in so that I can select any movie on there any time we feel like watching one without any hassle. It only comes off the TV when I want to delete or add films to it....
So yes it will work fine....Sorry, should work fine...