The Problem: Let me describe my problem and how Hotel Mode is a useful hack to get a Panasonic TV to do what you want.

I recently bought the Panasonic TX-32LXD8 LCD television. This works fine and has a great picture except it always powers up in TV mode (either Analogue or Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB)) rather than from one of the SCART or HDMI inputs.

Although there should be a means, via the Set Up Menu, of programming the TV to power up in AV mode this doesn’t seem to work on UK versions of the TV with built-in Freeview (UK free digital service). If you set the television to power up in AV mode it still powers up in TV mode.

The solution (I found this via online forums) is the existence of ‘Hotel Mode’ that seems to work on most Panasonic TVs. The problem is Hotel Mode is not mentioned in the Panasonic handbook or the Panasonic website.

1. Go to the side of the set and hold down the -/V button on the side of the TV (middle of 5 buttons).
2. At the same time (holding this button down) press the AV button on the Remote control 3 times
3. The Hotel Mode Menu should then appear on screen
   

This is very similar to hacking a DVD player to change the Region.

Here is the Hotel mode Menu (above). Before you use it note options such as Button Lock and Remote Lock – Do not select these or you will create a huge problem. Remember you need both the side buttons and the Remote to get into Hotel Mode!

Now you can select the power up input (initial INPUT in the Menu) to anything you like including AV1 (typically used for Cable or Satellite Box). You also need to turn Hotel Mode on before pressing the EXIT button.

The only problem I now have is that the TV will no longer automatically switch to AV2 when I turn on my DVD player so I have to switch manually via the remote. I assume this is a 'feature' of Hotel Mode.

I suspect hotel mode allows TVs to be set up so the public can't fiddle with them. Very useful in hotel lobbies and public buildings where otherwise a member of the public could turn up with a remote and reprogram the TV or simply change channel to watch their favourite show!

So there you have it.  Hotel Mode is a great way to control the way your Panasonic TV powers up and what input signal it defaults to.