LN46A550 Possible Tuner Interference

I positive this isn't an overscan issue and if I recall correctly, just scan isn't an option that is available on analog channels. Either it is set to 4:3 or 16:9.

Besides, correct me if I'm wrong, setting the tv to just scan would show all information in the picture being sent, a 1:1 mapping of the pixels (which I prefer and use on other sources). But this could lead to some lines, bars etc. becoming visible and this is not the issue.

Although it is yet to be seen if it is the signal or the tv. All other sources (PS3, DVD) and the digital channels don't show this interference. I'm leaning towards Cox, but they are thinking otherwise.

They will be out 3pm on the 9th and I'll update with the results. I thought I would post here in the mean time and try and cover more ground.

To clear things up a bit, here is a photo showing the effect. I "photoshoped" it but it accurately shows the problem. The lines are
sometimes thicker or thinner and scroll across the screen at varying speeds.

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd219/loekilo/samsung_hdtv.jpg

Thanks for looking

loe_45,

You are correct. I was thinking there was a white line at the bottom of the screen, which is usually an aspect issue with most inputs. I hadn't considered the tuner options being available.

The photoshop is great - it makes your description crystal clear. (kudos!) I'm leaning towards signal strength, since it seems to be input specific to the tuner. If you have a VCR that has co-ax, hook it up to the television and see if it also experiences that issue. If not, see what the tech finds. It could be remedied by a simple signal amplifier added to your coax network, also.

Did this issue start happening recently? Or has it always been around?

--HDTech

Pretty sure it's always been there, but I'm now just having it checked out. The picture wowed me pretty good out of the box, so I might not have noticed all the problems. Lately I have been calibrating the TV and wanted to resovle this. Sometimes its not as noticeable as the picture I provided, other times its too distracting to watch.

No vcr to check with. Their techs said the levels look good when they tapped into the lines, no bad splitters or cabling, removed the modem etc. Can't check the analog reception strength like the digital channels.

The techs coming out are supposed to be higher tier and have quite a bit of experience with this sorta thing. The previous 2 techs said that the levels were good and an amplifier shouldn't be need, but I will check again. It will help rule out some things.

The SD tube TVs in the house don't show the interference, so it could be the way the picture is being processed with the hdtv, amplyfing the problem. That's why they decided to bring out a hdtv to see if they can replicate the problem on another hd set.

loe_45,

Fair enough. If it ends up being a television repair issue, at least we have some history on some of the troubleshooting steps for reference.

Keep me posted.

--HDTech

Just tried to use the TV's fine tune option for the analog channels. It seem to have a good effect by going either +1 or -1, any further and it degrades the overall picture. But it never stays consistent. Later during the same program 0 maybe better than the +1/-1 setting.

The description on the TV setting says that this will improve poor reception by adjusting the frequency. I'll definitely point that out to the techs tomorrow. It's frustrating though that at 0 it looks good for a bit and then it needs to be set to +1 later.

Did a side by side test spit from the same line and the TV from cox didn't show the interference. They techs said it looks similar to electrical interference from within the tuner.

I have the set Registered on the Samsung site and will start contacting them to resolve the issue

Customer service has put me in contact with a local service center. Will have to get something set up with them to take a look at the TV

Reference #4005292676

loe_45,

Thanks for posting that information. Let me know how this progresses, and hopefully we can get this issue taken care of. I'll use that reference number in the event that you get an unsatisfactory response.

--HDTech

Well to go along with the photoshoped picture, here are some real photos. These were taken with a cell phone so they're not the best but they show the problem well. Don't mind the color, the camera mucked those up.

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd219/loekilo/1-1.jpg
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd219/loekilo/2-1.jpg
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd219/loekilo/3-1.jpg
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd219/loekilo/4-1.jpg
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd219/loekilo/5-1.jpg
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd219/loekilo/6.jpg

Repair tech is gonna take a look in house on Monday

loe_45,

Those photoshops were spot on. Keep me posted on the repair.

--HDTech

After observing the problem and using a plug to bypass the ground and doing a facotry reset the tech said that he would like to replace the main board and v-conn (I think that was the second one). He also noticed a problem that I just recently noticed. In the menus white and other colors, like the channel number, weren't consistent. The pixels "shimmered" a bit. I can't get a good picture of this, though.

He said the parts should fix that "shimmering" issue, but the rolling lines might not be a related issue and not be able to be fixed. He said it could be the wiring, the house, cable feed, etc. I believe him to an extent, but the fact that none of the other SD TVs or Cox's LCD show the lines, led me to believe that there's an issue with this A550.

This photo shows the color problems in the menu.

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd219/loekilo/0713091547.jpg

The problem of color clipping/banding and diagonal lines still is present after switching the main board. The tech also noted the problem in the service menu test patterns and normal TV menus. The techs are gonna switch out the panel and tconn.

The service department has delayed my service call to replace the lcd and mainboard because they have to order a new bezel because the original is damaged from all the previous repair attempts. So after 3 panels (one of which was sent wrong) 3 main boards and now a new bezel, I have now giving up on this TV. Each attempt to repair it has resulted in MORE problems being introduced into the TV, absolutely unacceptable. Are these even new parts or inferior referbs?

I've had to take at least 5 two hour blocks of time off from work to supposedly view or fix my defective TV. Each resulting in more problems, more parts and more time off. I have zero faith that further repair attempts will fix the issues this set has. The new mainboard and panel had zero effect on the interference the TV was displaying and like I have said numerous times before has resulted in a worse picture. My problems have been referred to case management for a refund. The TV has turned to junk in a short period and is no longer worth wasting my time. I was told that case management will call me within 24 to 48 hours. I've heard that numerous times throughout this process and haven't been contacted about my questions through email or phone. Even asking questions through Samsung's email support has resulted in nothing. Offering anything less than picking up this TV for a full refund is out of the questions. The service center and I have been through enough with this TV and it needs to be picked up so we can move on from this nightmare.

My reference numbers are as follows:
Trouble Tickets
4005292676
4005350596
ECR#
300520110
Case Management#
300052471

loe_45,

I've sent that up for review. Maybe give it a day and get in contact with the ECR Department to see how they can assist with this request.

--HDTech

Well, since they have replaced the main board I've had time to watch the set more closely. The set still suffers from the previous issues however, the color is different, the over all picture is darker and there seems to be a lot more noise and grain in the picture. This is after changing all the settings back to my original calibrations that I have been happy with for months. Maybe it's the new board, or maybe it's the new firmware or maybe it's just me. Can the board and firmware affect the over all picture quality in such a way?

Something else that bothers me now that I have firmware version 1009.2. Previously I had 1006.1, the most up to date from Samsung's website. People are saying they have 1008.1 on there recent A550s, although Samsung has said that 1006.1 is the most recent firmware available for the set. So, 1008.1 and my 1009.2, what's the deal?

Whats all the differences with these firmware? Different mainboard manufactures with varying quality and firmwares loaded? Is this gonna turn into the whole A,C, and S panel debate? I'm beginning to regret this repair process. I'll try and reserve final judgment when we see what a new panel does, but so far the picture quality has just been going downhill.

Does the Samsung_HD_Tech have any insight to the firmware or any other of my concerns or am I just typing to myself now?

loe_45,

Well, I never left the discussion, but the repair isn't finished yet either from what I've read.

The boards themselves should be uniform. The firmware updates can have variances in default picture settings, but it's nothing that can't be fixed with a calibration or adjustment of settings. Even if the settings were different out of the box, so to speak, it doesn't suggest that they couldn't be calibrated just as well.

I've seen two posts noting that since I can't explain the firmware difference, they're returning the units. Believe me, if I had something concrete to say, I'd say it.

Most of the comments on firmware-picture-quality posts stem from professional calibrators who find that adjusting the same settings with different firmwares produces a different result. <u>A different result is different than saying that the ideal result can't be achieved.</u> I have not heard that a properly calibrated picture can't be achieved with any board/firmware version, or combination thereof.

If people want to have a debate with boards-and-firmware, well, I'd disagree with it in principle, since the overall outcome is that a calibration with either board or firmware produces a good result, just maybe not with the identical numeric settings. I don't believe in censorship, so the discussion could be had. I won't object. But two people agreeing that "something different is worse" becomes somewhat of an "internet truth - A-HA!!", and often, nothing I say will change someone's mind. It's perception, and perception is someone's individual reality. I really do respect that. But it doesn't always mean I can explain why someone sees it differently.

BUT, I don't want anyone to feel like they got the raw end of the deal either, and if you're absolutely not happy with your purchase, escalate your issue to our ECR Department and inquire about a replacement or refund. I don't want anyone to regret anything here.

--HDTech

Fair enough. I should have waited until the whole process has been completed (replacing the panel) before I came to any conclusions. There is a difference in the calibrations and I will leave them as is for now, because I suspect swapping the panel will be another variable in picture quality and I don't want to go through the process again for all sources. After that I guess it will be interesting to see what differences in numerical values come about.

Hopefully the panel will resolve all problems. Previously I was extremely satisfied with the picture and out of frustration of having a TV that developed problems so soon in it's life I guess I opened a can of worms. I probably came of too abrasive because of that. Again, I will further judgment until the panel is swapped.

Thanks HDTech for your incite and continued support.

loe_45,

Keep me posted. I do want to hear how this turns out, and would like to offer assistance if it's necessary. I appreciate your point of view in that you want a working television, and you deserve one. Service issues usually aren't fun - but I do want you to be happy with the result.

Thank YOU for your continued support.

Do keep me posted.

--HDTech

Got the new panel yesterday and initial impressions were good. The color clipping/discoloration on whites and other colors was gone. Calibrated the TV and the picture look good. That impression was short lived though because the diagonal lines are still visible. Also, what I was most afraid of, the new panel appears to have more flashlighting and clouding than the old panel. Even though the old panel had other issues, its backlighting was even with no clouding and only one very minor flashlighting that I decided to tolerate. I was watching a dark, leterboxed movie last night and at least 3 corners were lighter and when you sat very slightly off angle the opposite side of the TV showed a lighter band going down the edge roughly 6" wide. Maybe it's not a seperate issue and was part of the clouding and flashlighting. It's not as noticeable on fullscreen content, but I can still see uniformity issues.

I know this is an general lcd issue but the other panel was much better in this regard and it can't be impossible to get a uniform panel with even blacks can it? I don't know what to do about the diagonal lines. The signal has been tested good and if it is outside interference, why would another hdtv hooked up side by side not show the same issue?

I also have noticed an opposite effect of the flashlighting. Playing a PS3 game over HDMI that had lots of white and bright screens showed a dimming in the corners.

I wish I could just update my posts instead of typing new ones but anyway-

I noticed on the Samsung site my trouble ticket 4005292676 is marked "close" Does this mean they think the problem has been resolved even thought the techs still noticed the diagonal problems after installing the main board and panel? Solved 1 problem and added 1, so still have 2 issues with the set. I also told the techs the real test of the new panel is going to be observing the uniformity after calibration. So far I wasn't too impressed with that. I'm not sure and doubt, but is there a "break in" period for the new lcd panel?

Update #4
Now I have a couple stuck pixels. This panel definitely gets two thumbs down. Originally had 2 problems to fix (interference and clipping). Solved the clipping and now have interference, dead/stuck pixels and flashlighting and clouding, let the frustration pile up. So would they attempt another panel replacement? Honestly, I don't expect much there anymore, that would be repair number 3.

I haven't been able to enjoy my TV at all lately, and if it's gonna continue on with another panel swap with poor results, forget about it. I guess I should call up Samsung tomorrow and see what my options are.

Old Reference# 4005292676
New Reference# 4005350596

Called and talked to ECR and they just said we'll start another trouble ticket and to set up another appointment for the techs to looks at the TV. Calling the repair shop, they said it will probably end up being another panel swap. They won't be able to make it out till Monday though. So Monday I'll have to take time off and they will come look at the panel and say "We'll order a new panel and set up another appointment to do the install". Making a total of five 2-hour blocks I'll have to take off work to get to that point. Looks like I'm stuck in a repair process set to loop again and again and again....

loe_45,

I'm sorry to hear the new panel isn't working out for you. It's rare that replaced panels have pixel issues, so hopefully we can clear this up on the next visit.

Do keep me posted. Repair issues are never fun, but I do hope we can resolve the issue to your satisfaction.

--HDTech

I'm going to be getting a new panel soon because of its separate issues, but I've already had a replaced panel and main board and the interference is still present. Could it be a power cord issue or something else that is going overlooked?

loe_45,

I don't know of any panels that solved "stuck pixels" with a power cord or power issue.

Keep me posted on how the repair goes.

--HDTech

I should have made it clear that comment about the power cord or some other problem was regarding the diagonal lines showing up as interference, not about stuck pixels. Someone had mentioned it might be a ground loop problem or RF interference, but so far we haven't found a solution. The stuck pixels and clouding are going to be resolved through another panel, yet the interference issue is consistent trough a previous panel and board swap. If it is an outside source independent of the TV, I would still like to find the source in order fix the problem.