Invalid Service

[Neversaydie]

I  have just bought an LG Smart Tv and have tuned it in via freeview and the guide shows that i have all the channels installed. However I am a Racing tv subscriber and the guide shows channel 261 as installed but when i try to access it I get a message saying 'Invalid Service' with an animation and a blank screen. I had no issues with my previous tv so am a little baffled by the fact that i cant receive racing tv on my brand new LG tv. Is this a compatibility problem or is that i need a flash player installed to stream racing tv. Can someone please offer a reason and a solution for this as it is driving me batty.

 

[Dno9]

25 minutes ago, Jayqueueaitch said:

You are both right to be frustrated and annoyed, and you are correct LG do know all about it and are doing nothing about it at all. They have had 2 years to resolve the issue.

I registered 2 x complaints with LG Customer Services but to no avail.

I did return my LG TV to Currys and got a full refund. Currys "Top Tech Man" at their Flagship Cambridge Store claimed to know nothing of the issue. I did write to Currys Customer Services and complained but never got any response to my letter! Freeview themselves also claim to know nothing about the issue.

We are all fighting against a conspiracy of silence! Just return your set for a refund and try and embarass them into action by flagging the issue on Social Media!

I just find it unbelievable that they have left it like this for 2 years and continue to make out they have never heard of it. 

It's a pretty big deal, how is this not picked up and known before these tv's are released? 

Must be some way of getting them sort this. 

[David38]

2 hours ago, Jayqueueaitch said:

...... Freeview themselves also claim to know nothing about the issue.

 

Oh yes Freeview do know I've contacted them.

Also the broadcasting company too who you really think would be concerned as they paying Freeview to put these internet stations on the EPG.

Everyone just blames someone else.

It will be a Samsung that replaces this LG, as I know Samsung took notice of me when a couple of times the broadcaster made a change which was compatible and they got to work and did an upgrade.

[David38]

On 10/9/2019 at 3:45 PM, Neversaydie said:

. Can someone please offer a reason and a solution for this as it is driving me batty.

 

See my post,  I consider the only way is to replace with a Samsung.

[Colin Dash]

@David38 I 100% agree with you that anything other than a LG will replace this TV.  I've already talked my brother and my parents out of buying a new LG.

Considering I'm the tech guy for a company with 100's of employees, I provide advice on various devices including TV's.  I'll be telling them to dismiss the LG range from their choices.  Not only because the TV's are experiencing this issue, but also the support has been useless in getting this sorted.

It's disgusting that this issue hasn't been resolved yet.

[Jayqueueaitch]

Another interesting Point - The set I bought was rated as a "Which? Best Buy"!!!

After I had returned it to the store I complained to Which? that they were rating a TV Set as a "Best Buy" (they have a lot of LG Sets as "Best Buys"!) when it didn't even receive the full range of Freeserve programmes that it should! They looked into it and responded to what I was saying by stating that the Freeserve Reception was not one of the Criteria that they tested when reviewing TV Sets!

So it's a great set with a great picture - but the set just doesn't receive all the TV stations that it should!!

You couldn't make it up!!

[Colin Dash]

Just now, Jayqueueaitch said:

Another interesting Point - The set I bought was rated as a "Which? Best Buy"!!!

After I had returned it to the store I complained to Which? that they were rating a TV Set as a "Best Buy" (they have a lot of LG Sets as "Best Buys"!) when it didn't even receive the full range of Freeserve programmes that it should! They looked into it and responded to what I was saying by stating that the Freeserve Reception was not one of the Criteria that they tested when reviewing TV Sets!

So it's a great set with a great picture - but the set just doesn't receive all the TV stations that it should!!

You couldn't make it up!!

Comedy!!!!

[Dno9]

Does anyone from LG see these posts? 

It's just staggering. 

Selling a bunch of TV models not fit for purpose! 

[Geren]

This has all been discussed on AVforums too. One member there quoted LG's response, which confirms that it's Freeview and the channel providers who got it wrong. The quoted response is:

"I have had a look into this for you and from what I can see, as you are only having issues with two channels, this is not a fault with your TV and is down to the format of the channel. Many channels are in the MHEG format, however our TVs support HbbTV format channels. We were advised that all services would be updated to support both formats however some channels have not done this causing this issue to occur. I would recommend that you contact the provider of these channels to see when they are updating these channels as our TV’s are no longer compatible with these."

Freeview told LG that all MHEG channels would also broadcast in HbbTV , so only HbbTV was needed for mainland UK. The TVs are fit for the purpose Freeview said was required, but the channel providers just didn't get their act together. If Freeview updated LG to say that Freeview made a mistake, and nicely asked LG to enable MHEG reception in mainland UK, LG could fix it. This involves Freeview actually admitting that it made a mistake.   The chance of that happening is slightly less than me going for a skiing holiday in Hell.

[David38]

How come Samsung TV sets handle both?

[Jayqueueaitch]

Geren's post is interesting to read. It basically tells us that LG know the issue but that in feeling "let down" by Freeview, and some of the Freeview "Member Channels" they are digging their heels in, taking what they see as the "Victim Position" and deciding that their Customers (us who buy the sets) can just be disappointed, let down, and put up with it!

They could resolve the issue with a Software Upgrade - but they are not going to because they are cross with Freeview and the Channels. So the TV buying customers can get stuffed!

I don't know where the comment - "Can only not receive TWO Channels comes from". My set was an LG50UM7600PLB (a Which? "Best Buy" !!!). This Set did not show ANY of the 11 x Data Stations on Freeview Channel 33. All these Channels just threw up the "Invalid Service" sign. One of these Channels was "261" - Racing TV Channel - for which I pay a Monthly Subscription!! Obviously I was not very happy I could not receive it, and my complaints to LG got nowhere!, Through my personal investigations (as we have all undertaken), I finally discovered the reason why I could not see the channel I was paying my Subscription for!  Like all of you I was totally amazed and unimpressed.

Faced with a disinterested LG, and a total impasse from all those involved, I returned my LG set, and, as mentioned on one of my previous posts, I got my full refund from Curry's. That was over 6 months ago - and this issue is still going on, and will soon be entering its THIRD YEAR!

LG and Freeview really don't care do they, and Which? Magazine continue to rate many LG Sets as "Best Buys"!!

"Buyer Beware" indeed!

 

 

[Dno9]

Iv called LG and freeview again today. 

I'm luckily on sky, so it dosent really effect me but I want my TV to be able to do everything it should and its the principle of it for me. 

LG again are going down the line of stating they were told all channels would be updated to show both format of channels. 

I said this has been going on for so long now why can't LG and freeview just communicate with each other, I asked if there was any way of being able to get a message through to the powers that be to speak to freeview and sort this between themselves as its not a customers job! 

 

She has filed a voice of concern notice which apparently doesn't get a reply but goes through to them to "review" 

 

Freeview have took all my details for there tech team to call me back 🙈

[Jayqueueaitch]

At least LG are now admitting the problem exists - 6 months ago they were not admitting that they knew anything about it.

We all ought to be complaining to the Consumers Association "Which?". They are losing credibility by continuing to rank so many LG TV's as "Best Buys" and making no mention of this "Limitation" of the sets.

If "Which?" start contacting LG then something might happen!!

[Tinks]

On 10/25/2020 at 3:25 PM, Geren said:

This has all been discussed on AVforums too. One member there quoted LG's response, which confirms that it's Freeview and the channel providers who got it wrong. The quoted response is:

"I have had a look into this for you and from what I can see, as you are only having issues with two channels, this is not a fault with your TV and is down to the format of the channel. Many channels are in the MHEG format, however our TVs support HbbTV format channels. We were advised that all services would be updated to support both formats however some channels have not done this causing this issue to occur. I would recommend that you contact the provider of these channels to see when they are updating these channels as our TV’s are no longer compatible with these."

Freeview told LG that all MHEG channels would also broadcast in HbbTV , so only HbbTV was needed for mainland UK. The TVs are fit for the purpose Freeview said was required, but the channel providers just didn't get their act together. If Freeview updated LG to say that Freeview made a mistake, and nicely asked LG to enable MHEG reception in mainland UK, LG could fix it. This involves Freeview actually admitting that it made a mistake.   The chance of that happening is slightly less than me going for a skiing holiday in Hell.

I have 2 sets from LG. One from 2018 and one from 2019. The 2018 set recurved everything with no problem. Last years set does not receive racing channel etc. LG have jumped the gun by using hbbtv technology only - they phased MHEG out too fast and should take responsibility for their mistake. 

[Tinks]

On 10/24/2020 at 3:52 PM, David38 said:

See my post,  I consider the only way is to replace with a Samsung.

I agree and regret buying both sets. I had a Samsung tv that was 4 years old but it had a design fault due to capacitors. After one phone call, Samsung were round and they changed the whole board in the tv. It’s still going strong in the spare room! I cannot fault Samsung’s customer services. I’ve just been fobbed off by LG with excuses and passing the buck, because they jumped the gun with technology. 

[Trevoradamson]

Hi I had same problem with racing tv I added a fire stick a d download the racing tv app and it works great hope this helps 

[Chris Merriman]

Hello,

I'm a journalist who also bought a UM7400, myself. I've been doing some digging for an article about this problem and wanted to share my findings:

1. Unfortunately there is no requirement for LG to support channels in MHEG format, only HBB.

2. Equally unfortunately, despite dropping this requirement, Freeview have NOT given broadcasters a deadline to migrate to HBB

3. The upshot is that LG aren't wrong, but given that the TV is physically capable of MHEG services (they work if you change the settings to Republic of Ireland and do a retune, but this causes EPG issues so it's not an ideal workaround), I am pushing LG for a firmware drop to fix the problem out of goodwill, given that there is no end-date for this situation.

4. I am also contacting ASA and OFCOM to see if, given the cost of a TV, they consider this an acceptable situation.

If I hear any more, I'll let you know. Not the news you probably wanted, but these are solid facts and that's still progress!

[David38]

Thanks for that good info. and the work you have done and doing .

Because of this lack of interest from LG I would not buy another of their TV sets and when people want recommendation I advise not to chose LG.

[Chris Merriman]

I should also add, Freeview have confirmed that they are 'looking at ways to communicate this better to customers'. I pointed out that its more important that they get LG to make this clear, as people probably won't go digging around the Freeview website when they're buying TVs. 

[Jayqueueaitch]

Hi,

My previous posts - mainly from July/August last year show that after all the aggro I had I returned my set to Curry's.

The things that really made me fed up were that:

LG Customer Services denied any knowledge of the issue - and stated that they would forward my complaint to their Technical Services Team - but that they never reply to any Customers on any issues that are raised! GREAT Customer Service!!!

Freeserve Customer Services denied any knowledge of the issue!

Racing TV Customer Services (the Channel I pay a Monthly Subscription to and could not receive on my new LG SET!!) denied any knowledge of the issue!

Currys Staff at their Cambridge Store denied any knowledge of the issue!

Currys Customer Services denied any knowledge of the issue on the phone (and never replied to my letter!).

The BBC Transmission Services Team (responsible for the transmssion Transmitters) denied any knowledge of the issue!

Which? Magazine TV Testing Team who award LG Voluminous numbers of "Best Buy" TV's - they had not heard of the issue - and then said it would not affect their "Best Buy" Statu for the "Best Buy" sets with this problem as receiving ALL Freeview Channels is not part of their testing criteria!!!

Is it any surprise I gave up and took my set back for a refund on my LG Set!!

Then we get to the next LG Scandal - 

Their large number of 2020 "New Sets" that have "Lost" a large number of their Catch Up Aps that their sets had in 2019!! These include ITV Hub, More 4,  My 5 ... again!!

Again they do nothing about it - stuff the customers! I am informed by a TV Trader that the "Lost Apps" are due to LG having allowed their Licences for these Aps to lapse. They say they are going to be restored - Presumably LG just decided to miss out a complete year and renew the Aps in 2021?

Again - many 2020 LG Sets continue to get "Which Best Buy" Status - with the comment that - it's a pity these popular are missing!

LG really have a cavalier attitude to UK Customers!!

 

[Chris Merriman]

Hi - after a long battle, I've managed to get proper responses from everyone involved in this debacle. The results will be in a report on the issue, for Techradar, later this week. I'll post the link when it's live.