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Samsung Corp ripoff Nationwide Worldwide
samsung corp Avoid TXM2796HF family of Samsung HDTV models - have color distortion problems Anywhere USA Internet .....
I bought a TXM2796HF Samsung HDTV model from the BJ's store in Stoneham Mass in Oct 2002. Noticed it has vertical color distortions on scenes with 2 predominant colors of similar shade. Color is distorted in vertical bands of approx 2 inches width.
This happens especially when using a S-video connection from my DVD, mostly when scene has a predominant color that has an irregular shape. Also happens with regular cable w/ RCA connection, but less annoying.
Samsung repair representative came to my house, was very nice but suggested I return the set - since he thought he can't reproduce or fix the problem in his shop. I hooked up my second TV to the same DVD SVideo connection - a Samsung SyncMaster 170MP LCD monitor, and showed the repairman that same scenes had no distortion on the other set.
Here is what repair person wrote on slip:
"Hooked up TV to color generator. Video OK. When viewed through DVD SVideo intermitent slices have distortion vertical left & right sides. Unable to tune Diagnose Probe in Home. Would need shop sevice for diagnose, if problem can be seen!"
I returned the set to BJ's, got it replaced with an identical set from Sears - on the repairman's suggestion that the picture tube might have gone bad on the original set.
Surprise surprise: the second TXM2796HF set exibits the same identical problem!!! Will probably return the second set as well.
This indicates ALL Samsung HDTV TXM2796HF have this problem. Similar models may have same problem, given that they probably share components and digital signal processing software/firmware.
List of other models I *SPECULATE* may exhibit problem:
TXM3296HF
TXM2797HF
TXM3096WHF
TXM3297HF
TXM3097WHF
TXM3098WHF
TXM2798HF
TXM3298HF
TXM3281HF
I list these in case you searched on the web for the model number of the HDTV set you're shopping for. AT THE VERY LEAST, IF THINKING OF PURCHASING ONE OF THESE SETS ASK THE SALES REP TO HOOK UP A DVD WITH S-VIDEO SO YOU CAN CHECK YOURSELF THE PICTURE QUALITY.
All these models are sold at Sears, and some of them at BJ's and Cambridge Soundworks.
Funny thing is after all the trouble I went through I did myself a search on the web and found the following posting on a newsgroup from early 2002. I wish I did my homework better before buying this TV set.
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The web posting in question:
I bought a 32" Samsung HDTV monitor, model TSL3293HF.
I think the overall
picture is great, and you certainly can't beat the
price compared to other
brands, but I noticed two key aspects of my new TV
that concern me and am
hoping someone here can either allay or confirm my
fears.
1. In the upper right-hand corner of my screen, I
notice a slight
discoloration, especially when the TV displays whites
and light colors. It
starts off as a slightly pinkish hue and becomes a
darker tint the closer
you get to the right-hand corner. Actually, the
screen itself looks
discolored in that region when you look at it while
the TV is even turned
off. Because the screen is protected by a sheet of
glass, I can't get to
it.
When I described the discoloration to a Samsung tech,
he advised me to turn
the TV completely off, unplug it and let it set for at
least a half hour
before turning it back on, so that the TV's internal
degaussing circuitry
can kick in. He suggested doing this several times
until this corrected my
discoloration. Unfortunately, that did not work.
I'm wondering if
there's not actually something up with the screen
itself, since I noticed a
rainbow-like discoloration at the upper-right hand
corner both when it's
turned on or off.
2. When watching some DVD's with dark colors or
shadows, I noticed a degree
of color diffused shading. Colors look like they
"bleed" into one another
in a splotchy, diffused fashion. I do note this also
when playing the same
DVDs in my computer and viewing them from the computer
monitor, so perhaps
that is more of a DVD issue. I was curious, however,
if anyone is familiar
with this and what causes it.
Andrei
Lexington, Massachusetts
U.S.A.
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Samsung
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Gabe
Austin,Texas,
U.S.A.
Nothing wrong with the TV
#3Consumer Comment
Sun, March 02, 2003
As posted before, the conversion filters are not the greatest, but when hooked up to composite video, the picture is perfect.
Also, when using a digital source (I use Time Warner Cable Digital TV) that is converted to analog (RCA connected) then sent through Samsung's filter, there is no Picture distrotion. Part of the reason for this is that TWC converts the analog signal with an array of filters to a digital signal removing this distortion. A good set-top box should fix your conversion problems when running standard signals. Also, the Samsung filter works the best on the "Movie" preset.
You bought a monitor, not a TV set, and with the correct supporting equipment, these Monitors are great. (TXM3296HF).
I have HD channels on NBC, CBS, HBO and Showtime. These are in 1080i and the picture is better than DVD hooked through my composites.
My only complaint is that the P.size function is not saved and defaults to full screen on each input. I could probably get a programmable universal remote to do this, but I'm lazy. I'd rather get upgraded software for the TV that I could flash into it.
-Gabe Widmer
Software Engineer
Austin TX
Chase
San Diego,California,
U.S.A.
Discoloration: Why the Bars are There
#3Consumer Suggestion
Tue, February 18, 2003
The Samsung line of TV's listed in your report are HDTV-ready TV's, and come with an internal line doubler that takes an interlaced image and converts it to a progressive image. The problem is that no TV's line doubler is perfect, and hence, the side-effect on almost every Samsung Direct-View HDTV are vertical bars that seem to have a darker picture.
The problem I have with this report is that HDTV's are meant to be used for Digital Sources. Not S-video, composite or coaxial. I'm sure that those connections only exist to be backwards-compatible with older source material.
These TV's are meant for HDTV sources, 480p sources, and other progressive images.
When a Progressive Source is sent to the TV, such as a DVD player, HDTV box, or Game System capable of 480p, 720p, or 1080i, the bars are no longer there, as the TV is not working the algorythim any longer.
Bottom line is that these sets are the best bang for your buck if you want to use them as they were meant. Progressive soucres, HDTV, and Gaming Systems with Digital outputs.
Thank you.