Page 1 of Sound Quality Fault with Toshiba 210e: Please Help!

Please help!

I have a 16 month old Toshiba 210e that seems to have recently developed a fault with the sound: the sound has become very faint and is considerably lower quality. I can now reach normal listening levels only by turning up my amplifier or TV to FULL volume (I normally have never gone past half way for any device!). Also the quality is noticeably worse, it seems to clip certain frequencies or volumes. MP3 burned CDRs have the same problem, and store-bought music CDs are even worse!

I've tried both the SCART and the RCA audio jacks and the result is the same.

The fault happened about a week ago when I was watching a Lord of the Rings DVD, and the sound faded in and out for a few minutes before failing permanently.

The other noticeable thing is that the front panel display does not work, even using the "FL dim" button on the remote. Since the problem first occurred, after playing for while the front panel display came back one or twice, but now does not work - it is completely black. The on-screen displays seem to work fine.

The problem is NOT the common Lip sync problem of which I am aware.

From what I can tell, the picture quality looks fine.

I suspected a dirty laser lens, so I have (1) tried a cleaner CD, and when that failed to solve the problem, (2) I removed the cover and physically cleaned the lens with a cotton swap and isopropyl alcohol.

I have searched the forum for the Toshiba 210e and haven't found anyone with the same problem. Should I just chuck it and buy a 220e from Richer Sounds?

Many thanks,

Bill.

This EXACTLY what happened with mine
Halfway through a DVD and " oops! " off went the sound and the display.
Obviously a common fault with them. I didn`t try anything along the lines you said. Mine was guaranteed 2 years with John Lewis. I took it back and got a Pioneer instead.
My advice ? It`s shagged...and to hell with another Toshiba !

Bowf,

Well its nice to hear someone else had the same problem. Although mine is out of warranty so I`m willing to try anything. Any other suggestions out there? The firmware version, for both "boot" and "main" is v1.3.

Many thanks,

Bill.

Hell I would try the shop you bought it from, or Toshiba themselves, for a repair or replacement.Although it`s technically out of warranty, it`s still only 18 months old and you now have the back up of knowing it`s not an isolated problem to your machine only. There`s no harm in asking and if you make enough ` polite fuss ` then they might back down. The shop/Toshiba may well admit it`s a known fault and offer some kind of goodwill. Then again they might tell you to sod off, in which case you`re no worse off !
I admire your brand loyalty though ! There`s no way I give manufacturers another chance if something lets me down !
If you need my personal details to back up your argument then I don`t mind.
Cheers
Bowf

Mine has this problem - happened in the last month (machine purchased in July 2001). However, I do have a home cinema kit (Yammy VS-10) which wasn`t connected up at that time. After connecting up, it became obvious that the `digital out` port wasn`t affected by the fault, so I can make do.

Regards,
Paul

If you both refer to one of Clayt`s postings earlier this week you`ll see that your statutory rights are such that something has to work for a "reasonable time" after purchase. The year ` limit ` is nonsense.Both of you have cases for free repairs,or new machines,as at only 18 months old your machines have hardly performed for a reasonable time.
Don`t " put up with it ". Give the retailer some stick and help support buyer`s rights !
Good luck to you both. John Lewis tried to fob me off when mine went pop. It ended up quite a ` lively ` discussion in the shop. They wanted to repair it, I didn`t want to see it ever again and I wanted a different make. Both arguments are valid and it depends who backs down first.
Power to the people !

Thanks, Bowf, for pointing me to Clayt`s postings on my legal rights. My only reservation is that the updated version is quite inexpensive (130 quid) so it might not be worth several trips to the retailer and hassling and haggling, etc.

I bought the 210e at Richer Sounds in Cambridge. Anyone have experience with getting them to repair faulty machines out of warranty?

By the way, spireite, did your front panel go blank as well as losing the analogue sound?

Thanks to all,

WLW

My Front Panel didn`t go blank initially, but it is now.

I bought mine from a Hight Street retail as multiregion (and it was). Sods law - they don`t exist any more (Sandai - used to be in Hounslow). The website is still up, but Directory Enwuiries no longer have them in there system anywhere.

I suspect that I would have no joy from Toshiba on the basis its a modified system, hence I`ve not bothered trying.

Regards,
Paul