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Question

samsung UN55C6400 half screen backlight flicker, intermitant

Sep 1, 2016 2:41PM PDT

I have a 6 year old Samsung 55" 6400 series LED TV that has developed an intermittent problem where the right half of screens backlighting flickers. I can tell the second I power it on, because the left side has bleed in from corners, and left side stays dark. As picture appears, from the middle over to left side flickers. It is only 6 years old! I tried messing around with ECO sensor on/off as Samsung suggested, and tried their screen diagnostic, but no joy. I replaced all cabling, and went direct into cable box, so as to eliminate the simple stuff. It's the TV, any idea's that deal with this particular model? Heck, I paid $2500 for this thing Sad Thank you, Larry T.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Mixed news.
Sep 1, 2016 6:13PM PDT

I'm not there so I can't guess what it is. It could be backlight issues (not uncommon with all models) to LCD driver issues. At no point am I telling you it's this or that.

This needs a tech to diagnose and give a repair estimate. Many folk freak when I write it's a 5 year design but it is and it did over 5 years. Get estimates. It's not a setting.

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reply to mixed news
Sep 1, 2016 8:32PM PDT

That kind of figures, $500 a year for a TV? I just got another Samsung, a 65" 7000 series, do they have built in "obsolescence" too? Is there a better built brand I should be looking at? Thank you for the time to write me, it is appreciated Happy I am glad I ordered a new TV when I did, because the intermittent issue is now permanent. Half screen is ok, other half is darker and flickering. I do see where people are snipping a jumper inside the set, does this one have same easy fix? I am just guessing, but I bet a fix on this is $500+...and if it is designed for 5 years, what next. What a world!!! I better be quiet, or something else will breakdown Happy
Thanks again, Larry T. Happy

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Some call it that.
Sep 1, 2016 8:58PM PDT

I call it design for cost. The consumers demanded lower costs and some revolt about repairs even if minor. For example folk pay much more for a car and you get hit with service and repair bills at 5 years. Consumers understand cars, but don't agree that electronic gear has issues after years.

I think it's worth getting an estimate. A new 50inch Sharp was delivered to my door for under 350. If I get more than 2 years, well I'm OK with that. Prices have plummeted so yes, things are made for price, not longevity.

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Paid my dues
Sep 1, 2016 9:50PM PDT

Well I guess I paid my design dues to Samsung in full. The set is only worth about $300 if I were to sell it. So unless I find a magic trick to fix it, or a real savvy tech who works cheap, it isn't worth it to repair. The closest Samsung repair guy is 50 miles away. So 2 trips, plus repairs, probably not going to under $300. I never, ever say what can get worse, so I will hope for a magic solution, and enjoy my new 65" 4K curved TV. Perhaps, since I didn't buy the cheapest model, I may get 7+ years out of it. By then, I may be pushing up daises Happy Probably shouldn't have said that, I may have a heart attack trying to lift the new TV onto the wall mount, lol...

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Fixed
Sep 9, 2016 12:28PM PDT

It was the Tcon board. Cost $28 on Ebay. I had people on TV forums telling me to tear apart screen, but since I could see Tcon had a Right and Left output, I figured that would be the first try. Boom, I lucked out.