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Question

Still hardly any apps

Apr 1, 2017 10:29AM PDT

The Samsung 8000 series TV still is not able to access any apps via the search feature. No matter what is searched for it can't be found. The only apps in the TV appear to be a few pre-installed apps. The TV IS connected to a router via WIFI. The TV's web browser is able to connect to the Internet (slow download speed though) . Main app we are looking for is Watch ESPN, can someone confirm this app IS actually available for Samsung TVs ? As per suggestions I have reset the Smart Hub, reset Internet connectivity. Created a Samsung account, updated the TV's firmware. Still only about 10 apps in total.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Maybe try
Apr 1, 2017 10:41AM PDT

connecting with ethernet cable for better speeds .
As far as Smart TV's go, they're all STUPID !
IF ESPN or anyone else decides to update their program than the app needs to be updated as well and that is up to Samsung to do.

This is why I purchase really nice DUMB TV's and have an HTPC..
My neighbor has a very expensive Sony smart TV and we disabled all of the smart functions and he can watch whatever he wants whenever he wants.

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Smart folk buy dumb TVs.
Apr 1, 2017 10:47AM PDT

Sorry, I couldn't resist!

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but... is the desired app really available ?
Apr 1, 2017 10:58AM PDT

Thanks. I will try a Ethernet cable tomorrow when I get one long enough. Can you (or anyone) confirm that the Watch ESPN app is available for download ? I am suspecting that their is an issues between the Samsung and the house WiFi Router . Other WiFI devices in the house have good speed and a speedtest of the Wifi Router reports 17 MBPS down. However, watching things on the TV's browser, icons appear at almost dial-up speed!

Andy

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Only Samsung can confirm.
Apr 1, 2017 11:12AM PDT

For some reason Samsung never published or put up a site to check for app availability per TV and region.

17 megabits (you use MBPS or megabytes per second and I bet it's megabits) is good enough for HD on Netflix with room to spare so that speed is great.

Try changing the DNS to 8.8.8.8 and see if it's better but wired usually is best overall although I don't expect wiring up to change the app list.

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Ways to contact Samsung
Apr 1, 2017 11:19AM PDT
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Apps not available
Apr 1, 2017 2:02PM PDT

Thank for the suggested DNS number I will try that along with a Ethernet cable install. I was just in a Walmart and noticed NO ESPN app displayed on Samsung TV boxes , a few other brand names also did not have the ESPN logo. So, I am guessing the earlier re-posting of a thread is still accurate... NO ESPN for Samsung TVs. I am totally shocked that a leading TV brand would not have an arrangement with a leading sports channel. That said, the logos I did see on Samsung showed LOTS of other of apps that can be downloaded. not just the 10 or so this 8000 series TV has. So there is still something fundamental that I need to solve, not simply the ESPN issue. If I solve the SLOW/rebuffering that I am experiencing with the Samsung browser (despite 17 MBPS down at the router) , ESPN can always be watched via ye olde browser.
Andy

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Just so you know.
Apr 1, 2017 2:08PM PDT

The browser is bested by a Windows 95 PC running netscape. It's that bad.

Video over the browser has been a sore spot.

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Let us know
Apr 1, 2017 6:16PM PDT

if that ethernet connection speeds things up ...

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Answer
Samsung is having a rough time attracting developers.
Apr 1, 2017 10:41AM PDT

I went to Samsung Developer seminar and developing an app is not only hard but must make it through Samsung's gauntlet. Unlike a PC or Android where you don't need to ask the maker's permission, Samsung holds all the keys and passes to get an app onto the TV.

If ESPN wanted to do this, well, they have more work to do than making a web site or smart phone app.

My view is to not buy the TV if the app isn't there. Don't count on the promise.

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Ways to make your TV smarter.
Apr 1, 2017 10:54AM PDT
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Answer
Here's your answer fro the horses mouth
Apr 1, 2017 11:12AM PDT
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Excellent prior answer from Samsung support.
Apr 1, 2017 11:18AM PDT

And good to know the other ways to get that app.

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Answer
still hardly any apps
Apr 2, 2017 1:20PM PDT

Hi obrienaj

I don't know if you are in the USA, but I am surprised you only 'get 10 apps' on your 8000 series tv, as my LT24D390S, has access to hundreds of apps - ESPN not included - and my TV only cost me £169.99 (I am a UK resident).

Yours must have cost at least three times that even if it is a 32" Smart TV.

Unfortunately, as far as I am concerned most of these 'hundreds' are the kind of crap, that I would never use even if they do 'work'.

Of the few I DO want to use, the only ones that work - so far - are TED, BBCiPlayer, & Amazon Video.

Youtube also works, but poorly - buffering, crashing & skipping far too often - even when tv is connected via ethernet (forget wifi connection as that built in WiFi LAN is useless).

At least 5 do not work at all, (Vimeo, Daily Motion, College Humour, Tech Crunch & AOLON) & one (My5) plays video without any audio (apart from 3 seconds of distorted noise at the start, or anywhere else in the video you might check to see if the entire video has no sound). Thankfully these 6 can be deleted.

3 others which are 'recommended' apps can NOT be deleted and don't work in the way I would like (2 require logins when used in Samsung Smart Hub - but do not require logins when used on a PS3) and the other is a 'pay tv app' so I will NEVER use it.

I fail to see why 2 UK based 'non subcription tv channels' have apps for a Samsung Smart TV that REQUIRE a login, to watch those TV channels, (on a Samsung Smart TV), when the same UK based 'non subscription tv channels' have apps for PS3 that do NOT require logins to watch the same channels.

I only use the 'smart hub' (via ethernet to internet) on this little tv because my bedroom has no access to 'aerial' or satellite dish connection.

I hope you get your problem sorted

Bob

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still missing apps
Apr 2, 2017 5:09PM PDT

Thanks Bob for the details you provided, very helpful. I am in the USA. Actually, the TV is not mine, I am trying to help my next door neighbour. He is very happy with the picture quality of the 8000 55 and has never had a TV that uses apps. So it is not his biggest concern, but he would like to stream videos from Youtube and Amazon Video in 4K if possible and stream sports from NBC Sports English Premiership, ESPN, and Major League Baseball. This TV cost FOUR times that of yours.

I am interested in your comment that the WiFi LAN in the TV is poor because I suspected something like that. In the same room as his TV, his Ipad and my Iphone stream well via connection to WIFI router that is located in an upstairs bedroom. What hardware is in the Samsung TVs that make their LAN so poor, maybe it is the firmware ?

I bought a high-end Samsung smart TV for my office about 4 years ago and had a terrible time with the browser and their Youtube app, despite the IT staff trying their best and a high speed institutional Internet connection. The various posts about these subjects back then convinced me that Samsung was just not ready for "smart TVs". Your experience recently suggests they are a still a long way off.

Still only about 10 apps and ZERO when using the search function. Changing the DNS setting to 8 8 8 8 did not change much. We were able to stream a Youtube video today without rebuffering BUT it took about 30 seconds to start (a 3 minute long video in HD) . The picture quality was poor.

So , on Tuesday we move his Modem/Router to the room with the TV and try Ethernet connection

I'm happy with my "dumb TV" and Apple TV plug in.

Andy

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Just to repeat my findings.
Apr 2, 2017 6:35PM PDT

Samsung's Smart TV isn't that great (other makers not so great either.) Maybe Roku's own TV would be better but the picture quality is debatable.

So I added the Amazon Fire 4K TV box and have an old laptop for the stuff that only a PC can deliver.

-> About the only app I see done fairly well on smart TVs is Netflix. My bet is that there's money at stake.

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Just to repeat my findings
Apr 13, 2017 9:24AM PDT

Hi R. Proffitt,

I suspect you are very accurate about 'money being at stake' with regard to that which is 'invested' in the 'free to use' apps compared to those that generate an actual income.

Which of course means that income generators get more time & money' spent on them than 'loss leaders' - there being not much of an incentive (if any at all) to 'fix' problems with those 'free to use apps'. Businesses have to make a 'profit' without which they will go bust, and people will be out of work, so it kind of makes sense.

For me though, there are far too many 'promises made' by businesses about what their product or service is actually capable of, and is far harder than it ought to be for 'consumers' or customers to get redress when those claims turn out be not accurate, but very difficult to prove conclusively that the 'company' knew all along that their claims were not true or only 'partly' true.

Also, does your Amazon Fire 4k tv box connect 'to internet' via ethernet or wifi (or both)?

I assume it connects to tv via HDMI.

What 'services' or apps does it have access to?

How good are the ones you use?

Best wishes

Bob

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About my Amazon Fire 4K.
Apr 13, 2017 9:51AM PDT

Current I have it connected over WiFi. I can go Ethernet but I'm of the school "if it works, don't fix it." As you may know you can't connect with both. You have to choose.

To the TV it's HDMI.

As to services and apps it's far too long to list here. But it's very complete (Roku has similar offerings.)

I use Amazon's own for video and music. Netflix a lot and occasionaly YouTube's app. The weather and radar apps are good too.

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About my Amazon Fire 4K.
Apr 13, 2017 10:38AM PDT

Thanks for such a fast response!

By 'both', I meant one or the other (not at same time), as opposed to device having only wifi or only ethernet.

Being an Amazon customer I would likely go with an Amazon external device like yours (and connect it via ethernet to my powerline plug) especially as you say it has ethernet & wifi (and using wifi with the Fire TV box may not work any better than with the Smart Hub/TV Wifi LAN).

I also subscribe to the opinion (most of the time) "if it aint broke, don't fix it". There is certainly far too much of that going on, but this 'fixing' is how a lot of business try to keep ahead of their competitors, some more 'successfully' than others if 'pure profit' is considered the most important measure.

For me 'customer satisfaction' is equally as important, because that is some of what drives profits, and lack of it can destroy them.

best wishes

Bob

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BTW. Limited time offer.
Apr 13, 2017 10:49AM PDT

I have a prior gen Fire TV to move out. You'll have to be in the right city to claim it.

Click on my name, drop me a line with your city and country to see if you can have it.

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still missing apps
Apr 13, 2017 8:22AM PDT

Hi Andy,

Thanks for responding to my post.

Based on what you & others have posted on this forum, and the 'unresponsiveness' of Samsung when I finally managed to get hold of them directly about this issue, I have now decided to forget trying to use any of the 'smart apps' that don't work 'properly' or at all, as I don't use my 'smart' bedroom tv that often.

It is good to know that there are at least some good apps that work, and even if those that do work are a little clunky, at least some do work. That was improved (for youtube especially) after I got some new powerline plugs (1000mbps), where the 'old' ones were 85mbps, as vidoes don't buffer anything like as much as before.

I would have to have a faster internet connection before I started to try to use any external 'smart' device connected to my bedroom tv (via HDMI or usb) that requires a WiFi connection to the modem/router, rather than an ethernet connection.

I can't justify the extra expense of an 'Apple TV', or satelllite dish/aeriel connections for the same room., so I will check out the 'cheaper' external 'smart tv' devices, for what apps/services they allow use of, which will hopefully be more up to date & work better than those via the 'smart hub'.

Anyway my situation is as much a product of too little space for what tech I do have & that tech not doing what I expect or want it to do, as it is not being able to improve it without either more tech or different & more expensive tech instead.

Thanks, & good luck to you & your freind with the 8000 seriies tv.

Bob