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General discussion

Samsung LA40R81BX TV - help!

Feb 25, 2009 8:57AM PST

I bought this in the United Arab Emirates and would like to know whether it can be made to work in the US. Is it possible to work around the differences in systems, voltage and cycles? if so, how?

Discussion is locked

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Regions
Feb 27, 2009 5:38PM PST

setak89,

The general rule of thumb is to watch the television where you purchased it. That said, while there are ways to manipulate the voltage input and connections, other things like regions, local programming broadcast spectrums and other variables play a big part in terms of compatibility. In the short run it may work okay, however, because it's not designed to work in a different region like that, you may strain some components, such as the power supply and other vital parts that would not be replacable in a different region.

I hope that puts some perspective on things.

--HDTech

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Samsung LA40R81BX TV - help!
Feb 27, 2009 9:12PM PST

Thanks very much HDTech. I have been trying to find out whether this particular model is multi-system, dual voltage and automatically adjusts between 50/60Hz cycles. Samsung tech help in UAE is unable to clarify this and I have not had a response to the email to Samsung help online. Would appreciate very much if you can help. I agree with you that trying to force the TV to conform may be more problem than it is worth. So unless I know that it is set up to adapt automatically, I won't be shipping it over.

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I'll see if I can help..
Feb 28, 2009 3:57AM PST

setak89,

I agree, it may be more expensive to ship the TV than to just purchase one for the new intended location.

That said, what country was it purchased (and intended in), and where is it going? Naturally, I can't guarantee anything, but maybe a little insight will give you a better indication of which way to go.

--HDTech

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Samsung LA40R81BX TV - help!
Feb 28, 2009 4:52AM PST

The TV was purchased in the United Arab Emirates because I was assured at the time that it was a multi-system dual voltage TV. I am in the process of moving back to the US and just thought I'd double check. That's when I found out that neither the manual or anyone at the local Samsung Tech support can tell me whether it is truly multi system dual voltage. Hence my cry for help. Thanks much in advance for trying to help.

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Multi Voltage....
Mar 6, 2009 6:08AM PST

setak89,

Usually these units are not multi voltage. Now that said, often times you can't take a U.S. model elsewhere because you'll be stepping up the voltage, requiring a regulater or inverter, as some regions require 220, and the units aren't built for that. In short, you'll fry the circuitry. You could get an electrician to run the proper voltage required for the television once it's back in the U.S. based on the specs in the manual and it should power on properly.

But a built-in dual voltage feature is not something I'm aware of.

--HDTech

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Similar Question re:LA40N81BX/XHK
Jan 17, 2011 7:41AM PST

I have a similar problem. In 2008 I bought a tv in HK and when I moved back to the US in 2010 I took it with me because they told it was dual voltage when I purchased it. The label on the tv says "AC 100-240v~ 50/60Hz 240W"-does that mean it I can use it in the US using only an adapter (versus transformer) for the plug? Please help, I only have less than 2 weeks to check if the tv was damaged in the move and I don't want to accidentally ruin it by using the wrong thing. Thanks very much!