Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

LN46A750 "Halo Effect" and "Clouding" Question

Jan 7, 2009 11:16PM PST

Hello Mr Samsung.

I'm sure this subject has been thrown by you so many times. I've recently purchased a Samsung LN46A750 and I'm trying to determine whether or not the unit I got has the Halo Effect problem fixed. The unit was built in September 2008 and is version SS02.

The effect I'm seeing kind of resembles that of what is pictured on the Samsung Support website:

http://ars.samsung.com/customer/usa/jsp/faqs/faqs_view.jsp?isARS=Y&SITE_ID=1&AT_ID=137885&ARS_ID=8775754

To your knowledge, does the halo effect COMPLETELY disappear if I have the correct bezel? I mean, I somewhat notice it but I don't think its that much apparent as to what other users are noticing. I can see some "haloing" if you look at it from different angles but you really have to look for it.

Are the bezel replacements that Samsung offers make the halo effect completely go away? Or did Samsung do their best effort to diminish the effect but still some haloing?

Also, there is the infamous issue of clouding. That is, when you have just the TV turned on with no signal, lights turned off, you can notice some subtle white patches or blotches on the corners. Naturally, you can't see them when viewing TV but it is really distracting when watching a Blu Ray disc and you see the horizontal bars on the top and bottom of the screen with some of the clouding.

What is your take on this issue? Does Samsung make units that don't have clouding? Are there ways to fix this? Do I have a unit that needs to be serviced? I've only had the unit for a month and a half and I registered the product through Samsung. I spent a lot of money and although I'm very happy with the picture quality itself it's these nuances that are not making me completely satisfied.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank You.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Is it fixed??
Feb 2, 2009 2:28AM PST

Hi, Samsung tech. I posted here a few times. I have the 750 52" and had the bezel repalced twice. 2nd time due too a defect in the replacement bezel. The bezel I have now I'm assuming is the fixed (new, no halo) bezel. When I look at the new bezel at certain angles I can still see some halo-ing but I beleive it's less. In your opinion should there be absolutely NO haloing or is it posssible to be improved from previous bezel and not a total fix but better. I just wouldnt want to go through the pain of another replacement if I have the fixed bezel.
Thank You
BILL

- Collapse -
Replacement..
Feb 4, 2009 5:55AM PST

dodgecrib,

The replacement bezel would be the improved bezel. Only those bezels are in circulation at this time.

--HDTech

- Collapse -
OK, Thanks
Feb 4, 2009 5:58AM PST

Ok, thank you for your response. To your knowledge then is there still some (less but some) haloing visible on the new bezels?

- Collapse -
What people report
Feb 4, 2009 3:25PM PST

dodgecrib,

I can only go by what people report here. Some have noted that the problem is sufficient, some notice that they can only notice it at off angles (looking for it), but I don't know of any who have said it was equally bad or worse (with the exception of a bezel that the service tech cracked).

--HDTech

- Collapse -
Refused Delivery
Feb 3, 2009 8:10AM PST

Samsung technician and all who are dealing with halo issues on the LNA750. Today my exchange arrived (A650 exchanged for an A750). Samsung made the decision to exchange my A650, instead of repairing it, and also decided to swap it out with an A750 (I was not afforded the chance to decide on my own). At first I was very excited about getting a higher series lcd tv, but after reading about the halo effect my excitement turned into concern. My concern became a reality this evening.

Upon arrival, I immediately checked the build date through setup/sw upgrade/info button. It was built in October, 2008. I then cut the lights. The halo or passing of the screen image through the bezel to the outside edge was very pronounced viewing both straight on and at various viewing angles.

I was not about to settle with a brand new TV that would need to be repaired right off the bat. Until I receive a replacement TV where Samsung already addressed and corrected this problem, I will not accept delivery. I will request an A850, if Samsung cannot get their act together and fix this problem with the A750.

- Collapse -
From 650 to an 850 series replacement?
Feb 3, 2009 10:13PM PST

So are you going to skip the bezel replacement altogether? I can imagine your frustration. May I ask what was wrong with your 650 series TV? What was it that they couldn't fix until they finally decided to upgrade you to a 750 series? Did it take several service calls for them to finally realize that they would upgrade you?

You mentioned that the replacement was brand new? Or do you think it was a refurbished one? Where do you stand at this moment with your replacement? The haloing is very frustrating. That's why I can't understand why Samsung doesn't have any record of knowing what "builds" or "versions" has the bezel fix. I work in technology too and for everything we build or develop we have a version number and documentation that tells everyone what has been fixed if a new version has been released.

After having my TV for about a couple of months now I realize that my LN46A750 has excellent picture quality but the entire housing of the unit is subpar. I know the new models are coming out in March but a few electronics stores already discontinued the "7" series. In fact, some stores I visited go from the "6" to the "8" and "9" series. That's really strange.

- Collapse -
We'll see how Samsung service responds now.
Feb 4, 2009 1:27AM PST

I would've been satisfied with an exchange for a new A650, actually, but wasn't given the choice. The problem with my A650 is related to a white line that shows up intermittently on the left side of the screen near the bezel. It looks like light leaking through, but not in the manner others are describing light leakage (flashlighting). It is like a streak of light, and actual line running down the edge of the bezel. A repair was approved, and Samsung stated that the bezel was the issue, but the repair never occurred because an incorrect bezel was ordered and brought to my house. My TV was taken apart before the technician realized he had the wrong part #/bezel!!

Bottom line: Samsung should either provide me with a new A650, or for all the BS I have put up with, a new A850. It seems highly unlikely that they can guarantee me that I will receive an A750 that was manufactured and assembled with an improved bezel to eliminate the halo effect. Why should I settle, and accept a new TV with a known design flaw, that immediately needs a repair?

- Collapse -
Here are my results...
Mar 25, 2009 1:19AM PDT

After a long ordeal, I no longer have the LN-46A750. Samsung was nice enough to replace it with a comparable model. However I kind of wish I still had the 750 because the sounds on the newer model is mediocre because it doesn't have a built in subwoofer.

Also, the clouding on this model is even worse than my previous model. There is also a purple haze and vertical white lines on the left hand side of the screen.

So now have a new ticket open for that one. Service tech came over and said if I wanted a LCD panel replacement she would authorize it...

So that's where I stand. I appreciate Samsung's effort to make the customer happy but why would I want a LCD panel replacement on a new replacement set that is barely a month old? I'm thinking is the "replacement" unit old stock? I wish I can just get my money back from Samsung and put it towards another Samsung Model TV.

- Collapse -
What model
Mar 25, 2009 1:24AM PDT

What model did they exchange it for??

- Collapse -
Here are my results...
Mar 25, 2009 8:39AM PDT

hevnz2mergatroid,

I'm sorry to hear the replacement is giving you an issue too.

It's hard to say what might have caused it, but we'll fix it. Please keep me posted.

--HDTech