Samsung LCD TV Problems

Some problems with LCD televisions are inherent in the technology.

Samsung LCD TVs are routinely ranked among the top models on the market, but they aren't perfect. Consumers have reported problems with various Samsung LCD TV sets, from lack of a signal to motion blur to viewing angle problems. Some problems can be corrected if you read your manual and check the Samsung website for support and updates.

Finding a Signal

Because your Samsung TV is capable of displaying signals from a number of sources, there is often a noticeable lag time between changing the channel (or selecting a viewing source) and seeing an image appear on the screen. This is usually the case with satellite receivers, cable boxes and DVRs. There also have been reports of a "popping noise" whenever a signal is acquired and shown on the screen.

The problem here is not necessarily with your television. Because there are so many different signals out there with different resolutions--480, 720, 1080--it takes a satellite or cable box a few seconds to acquire and format the signal. If you're switching between regular definition and high definition, it takes time to send the correct signal to your set. It is not a correctable problem; it's just the state of technology today.

Motion Blur

LCD TVs, including most Samsungs, tend to have an issue with motion blur. This can happen if you are watching something that's fast-moving on your TV, such as a football game. Moving players often don't stay in focus; they appear to blur. This is especially an issue for LCD TVs with a "refresh rate" of 60 MHz. The refresh rate is the speed at which the TV updates the moving image. The higher the MHz number, the quicker the image updates. LCD TVs with 120MHz or 240 MHz refresh rates tend not to have this problem.

Whether motion blur is a problem depends on the viewer. Some are not bothered much by motion blur, while others find it distracting. Many do not notice it at all. Prospective buyers should view a TV with bright, fast-moving images to determine whether motion blur is a problem.

Automatic Shutoff

Several Samsung LCD TV owners have complained about their sets turning off for no reason. A programming glitch from the factory causes this, and Samsung has corrected it with a firmware update, which is similar to patches you download to update your computer. The firmware update is available on Samsung's website and can be loaded onto a USB drive. Since the sets with this problem have USB ports, you can easily plug in the USB drive and upload the firmware update, which should solve the problem.

Viewing Angles

Viewing angles have always been a problem with LCD TVs, and Samsungs are no different. Many viewers report a loss of color clarity, accuracy and brightness if they attempt to look at the screen from side angles. Ideally, LCD TVs should be viewed straight ahead. This is not a correctable problem, but a limitation of the LCD technology itself.

Glare

Many viewers are concerned that glare, or the reflection of light from a room or window on a screen, will detract from their viewing. Glare can cause colors to appear faded. This may have been the case with early Samsung models, but later models feature a black base screen and an anti-glare shield that enhances colors and makes them much more vivid. Consult your dealer to ensure that any TV you consider buying has this feature.

Brightness

Brightness is a common problem for LCD TVs and Samsung TVs, in particular. LCD technology is known to have problems showing deep blacks, so images may appear overly bright or even faded. While early Samsung LCD TV models did have this problem, later models employ LED backlighting, which does not brighten an image as much, resulting in deeper colors and natural, dark blacks. Many Samsung TVs also have different image settings, including cinema mode, which darkens an image more to make it look like a movie screen.

Finding Upgrades

If problems arise with your Samsung LCD TV, check with Samsung technical support. As an LCD TV owner, you should keep your model number handy and check the Samsung website if you have any problems. There may be a firmware update available that can easily solve your problem.

References

• Samsung: Support

Resources

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