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General discussion

Samsung PN58B650 Plasme causing AM radio interference

by MHMcLeod Dec 26, 2009 12:16AM PST

I bought a Samsung PN58B650 several weeks ago and noticed it caused a loud buzz on EVERY radio in the house when on AM. Samsung sent a service rep out. They tried to initially say it was a problem with the cable but we disconnected every I/O to the TV and even plugged it into a completely different outlet with no reduction in the noise. They said they had never seen that problem but would be willing to take it into the shop and see what they could find. That didn't give me a lot of confidence and since it was 2 weeks old I took it back and exchanged it for another set of the same model. I plugged this one into another outlet with nothing connected to any of the I/O and the new one caused the same problem. Is there a know problem with this set or is there anything in my environment that could be causing this? I have seen some older forums relating to plasma TV's causing HAM/AM interference but nothing like this. It appears to be across the whole AM spectrum and does vary with the picture.

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5 Posts
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Samsung PN58B650 Plasme causing AM radio interference
by Samsung_HD_Tech Samsung staff Dec 26, 2009 4:28AM PST

MHMcLeod,

I can't speak for why that would be happening. I don't have any data on plasma units interfering with AM radio signals. If you think it's a power issue, I might suggest using a power line conditioner for the television.

--HDTech

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Samsung PN58B650 Plasme causing AM radio interference
by MHMcLeod Dec 27, 2009 11:18PM PST

I have no reason to believe it's a power issue. I've tried different power cords going to the TV, bypassing the surge protector and I've tried plugging it in a completely different outlet. I've totally disconnected all of the other electronics from power outlet with the TV with no change. I've got lots of other electronics in the house that don't cause the same problem nor do they seem to suffer from power problems.
Is there a particular reason why a power issues was suggested? Is there anyway to test for an issue short of an oscilloscope?

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Samsung PN58B650 Plasme causing AM radio interference
by Samsung_HD_Tech Samsung staff Dec 30, 2009 4:24PM PST

MHMcLeod,

Well, you noted that you tried a different outlet. "Dirty" power can sometimes lead to interference on a unit, although it wouldn't necessarily affect other units like AM radios. It was a shot in the dark. If the unit is still under warranty, you could have it inspected, but I don't know why it would affect radio signals.

--HDTech

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I have exactly the same problem.
by Dare978devil Feb 26, 2010 11:30AM PST

I have a Samsung PN50A530 and I cannot turn on an AM radio anywhere near it. There is an incredibly loud buzzing sound on all stations. As soon as I turn off the TV, the reception is perfect so there is no doubt it is coming from the plasma. Any radio in the same room is affected, even when I place one 25 feet away. The receiver directly under the TV has no chance. The kitchen radio is about 35 feet away and the signal has to get through 2 walls including an original brick exterior wall, but the buzz is overwhelming. I can actually hear what they are saying on AM, but the buzz makes it unlistenable.

Just so that you know you are not alone out there man.

DD.

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Common problem
by downunderbob Oct 15, 2010 3:50PM PDT

I'm on my second PS58C7000 and it still has RFI.

A mate who installs these things says it is a common issue, and don't expect a AM radio to work anywhere near one.

Having said that, when I called Samsung and explained the problem, they immediately said "send it back - it is faulty". I asked "are you sure?", and the tech (not help desk) guy said "if you get radio interference within a metre of the TV, it is faulty, and may possibly be a PSU shielding issue".

My second one does the same thing, and not that I really care about AM radio, BUT it may be, from what i gather from Samsung, indicative of some other fault.

DAMN shame because the picture is SUPERB!!!

The plasma also emits IR frequency waves too, even at 4 metres + - my IR receiver is simply unusable anywhere near the TV itself.

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