Originally posted by chad_cincy
I really hope it is software, but I just don't see any indication that it is. Every sign points to an internal component over heating and breaking down with time. It is very possibly defective hardware but the part is defective regardless of temperature or is affected by temperatures any and all of us will be dealing with.

Chris



I couldn't disagree with this statement more. My 360 is absolutely the coolest of the 3 DirecTV receivers I currently have connected. If it is heat related the affected internal component is the most sensitive I have ever encountered in my 30 plus years of owning home audio video equipment. Leave mine unplugged overnight, plug it in and dropouts will happen within five minutes, often quicker.

Chris

You can't compare different receives, they all dissipate different amounts of heat. Also, an internal IC or other component overheating isn't necessarily going to affect the case temperature. If anything, the case might even be cooler if its caused by poor cooling of the component itself and not a malfunctioning component drawing more power than it should. If a particular component is designed to consume 8 watts of power, for example, then your case would be warmer if that components heat was properly dissipated into th air inside the case or to the case itself. If it's cooling is poor , the chip isn't creating any more heat than before (still 8 watts), but it can't shed it as well and it builds up. The case and internal air would be marginally cooler if anything, and the chip would begin to malfunction and breakdown.

If it is a defective part, shipping them back for replacement of the part will obviously be the only way to fix it. As skinny as this box is, running my hand around the outside, top and bottom, should have determined whether any part of it is hot. Of course a defective part could get warm enough within seconds to malfunction. Mine definitely doesn't get worse as it remains powered up longer. Going on 6 hours now and no noticeble difference. It had a dropout within minutes and I haven't seen a dropout now in several minutes but I know if I sit here and watch it, I will. It might be a hardware problem, just very unlikely it only happens when it gets to a certain temperature based on my box.

Chris

On receivers that had the problem but not as bad, I noticed the problem seemed to be worst when watching HD with something fast moving like a hockey game or basketball game. Even during a movie when some fast action would come on. My take is that it is a faulty component and won't be fixed with software. If it was software they would all act close to the same since they all have the same software. But then the internal components while all the same, each one could have its unique problems of varying degree like we are seeing. My drops are still somewhat rare but I would guess they might continue to get worse.

My next move is to call Directv and let them I'm still not happy but I want to sit tight until they figure it out.

Thanks Chris for the reply ,im going to hook up my dst3000 and see if i get the scan line problem. (like i said its real faint,kinda a ripple effect going up the screen every 10 -20 min and notice it on the hd channels mostly,but have noticed it on other channels)if i do i then know its the tv,which is a Dell 17 inch tv,(which i love) i have the 3000 in the family room and have had zero problems with it since new.i also wonder if samsug is monitering this site,and wondering how and if they will address these problems,since they claim they are commited to excellance in and with their products. also your right i have not had any dropouts in the last two days,so maybe when the unit warms up the drop out rate diminishes. who knows.

I don't know if this has been discussed, but does anyone use a Harman Kardon AV Receiver with their Samsung TS360? Whenever I use the #4 on the Samsung remote, it turns the HK off. It happened w/my SIR-T150 too. Is there any remedy that anyone knows of?

I am using a Home Theater Master SL-9000 Universal Learning remote and so far have not had any luck getting it to work the Samsung 360. On my old Samsung D* box (S75) all I had to do was learn all of the functions of the original remote and the SL-9000 could then be used to control the unit. I have not had any luck getting the remote to learn ANY keys from the 360 remote.

Has anyone had any luck programming a learning remote to control the 360?

I use a Home Theater Master MX-500. It learned the Samsung TS-360 codes just fine and works great.

Does anyone out there know how to activate the fine tune station command next to OTA signal strength meter.. On my sammie the command will not highlite. What am I doing wrong.......

Steeler-

I'm pretty sure that the Fine Tuning function will only work with OTA analog stations and not the digital ones. I used fine tuning on a couple of analog stations and it works fine. Make sure you are tuned to an analog station before using this function.

danhuff, thanks for the info.....you are right, its works on the analog stations.

Any new info on Sammy 360 OTA signal meter fix??????

UPDATE......Called Samsung today...talked to a level-2 tech...He is aware of problem but does not know if/when there will be a fix.....He passed meter problem on to a higher level, a person he said in a position to get a fix rolling....or at least find out where they are at in the process. He is going to e-mail me later in the week....I will pass on info.

i just got my samsun sir t360 was wondering if it's ok to put a vcr on top of it? book says not to due to overheating but i dont have many options on where to put it

any of you guys share your setup with me and if you experienced overheating but putting other components on top of it?

greg

Originally posted by chicagogreg773
i just got my samsun sir t360 was wondering if it's ok to put a vcr on top of it? book says not to due to overheating but i dont have many options on where to put it

BAD idea! Because overheating can be/is, a very real problem with the 360.

ok. so i have it inside of a cabinet that is open on the front? i put it on top of the other components. so now i ask can i have it inside of a cabinet? sorry should have included that in my first post. but i do now have it on top of everything even though it looks goofy inside a cabinet.

I would very much like to know whether the Samsung SIR-TS360 set-top box can, for DVI output, deinterlace, scale, and perform aspect ratio control on 4:3 DVD material delivered to it via 480i component video (or from any nother 480i analog source such as S-video, for that matter).

I have a Samsung HLN617W DLP TV and a Samsung DVD-HD931 DVD player connected via DVI. That combo gives a stunning picture on amamorphic DVDs, but for other DVDs there is no pillarboxing or aspect ratio control using this interface. The picture is stretched horizontally across the 16:9 screen.

I'd like to get the TS360 and run the 480i component video output from the DVD player into it, letting it deinterlace, scale, and pillarbox the video for DVI output. Will the TS360 do that?

I also have DirecTV and a Hughes HDVR2 DirecTiVo, so I do have satellite reception.

BTW, if I did this I would get a 2x1 DVI switcher to allow a DVI connection from both the TS360 and the DVD player to the one DVI input on the TV.

Thanks in advance.

Eric Stewart
Catonsville, MD

Yes it will, but the scaling is broken.

Pillarbox does not preserve the 4:3 aspect ratio, it stretches it horizontally ~10%.

Zoom 1 which should properly zoom 1.85:1 letterboxed material to fill a 16:9 screen squeezes things too much vertically so you still have black bars top and bottom (which results in the same horizontal stretch that the broken pillarbox mode delivers.

Originally posted by Cheezmo
Yes it will, but the scaling is broken.

Pillarbox does not preserve the 4:3 aspect ratio, it stretches it horizontally ~10%.

Zoom 1 which should properly zoom 1.85:1 letterboxed material to fill a 16:9 screen squeezes things too much vertically so you still have black bars top and bottom (which results in the same horizontal stretch that the broken pillarbox mode delivers.

Steve,

Could they be problems that revised firmware will fix?

Eric

Some 4:3 programming is correct but most is not on my 360. That does certainly seem like a problem that could be fixable with a software upgrade.

Chris

Can you give examples of what 4:3 is correct? If you are watching an HDTV channel (720p or 1080i) and it is 4:3 "pillarboxed" by the broadcasting channel, it will be correct. That is the only thing that could be correct (unless you have a DVD player that also generates 4:3 within a 16:9 image as the Panasonic RP-91 can do).

But, any 4:3 480i or 480p source converted to 16:9 1080i by the Samsung will not be correct, using it's pillarbox mode.

Well the weekend is over and I ended it with the normal Supranos and Deadwood back to back. I have not had one single audio drop since Wednesday. I think it proves a working 360 is possible.

I don't want to ruin it for anyone who watches it another night but I had a feeling that was going to happen tonight. The ending of Deadwood that is. Will be interesting to see what happens next.

Also tonight was my first taste of MLB on ESPN-HD. Man that broadcast really looked good. I was kinda disappointed in the Masters coverage on CBS. It looked alot better on Thursday and Friday when it was on channel 84. Guess I could blame the local affiliate but other stuff normally looks pretty good on there.

Yeah Zep, I am on my 3rd this week and everything is looking good!!!! I am in the Albany market and the masters looked great ota on channel 6. No problems here. So keep the luck!! Peace! Also I thought the Sopranos was slow this week, not as good as last week.:(

Originally posted by Cheezmo
Can you give examples of what 4:3 is correct? If you are watching an HDTV channel (720p or 1080i) and it is 4:3 "pillarboxed" by the broadcasting channel, it will be correct. That is the only thing that could be correct (unless you have a DVD player that also generates 4:3 within a 16:9 image as the Panasonic RP-91 can do).

But, any 4:3 480i or 480p source converted to 16:9 1080i by the Samsung will not be correct, using it's pillarbox mode.

You are right, the only time it is correct is when it is being done by the broadcasting station and not the 360.

Chris

Originally posted by Cheezmo
... any 4:3 480i or 480p source converted to 16:9 1080i by the Samsung will not be correct, using it's pillarbox mode.

Steve, does the Samsung SIR-TS360 convert optionally to 720p (or some other progressive scan rate such as 540p or 480p) rather than 1080i? If so, does the scaling error affect the other scan rate(s)?

Eric

Originally posted by Cheezmo
Can you give examples of what 4:3 is correct? If you are watching an HDTV channel (720p or 1080i) and it is 4:3 "pillarboxed" by the broadcasting channel, it will be correct. That is the only thing that could be correct (unless you have a DVD player that also generates 4:3 within a 16:9 image as the Panasonic RP-91 can do).

But, any 4:3 480i or 480p source converted to 16:9 1080i by the Samsung will not be correct, using it's pillarbox mode.

I hadn't noticed, but I only use the Sammy for HD channels. SD is what the SD-DTivo is for. I have 3 for recording SDQ shows. I will box my Sammy up when my HD-TiVo arrives in a few weeks. I'm also going to sell my 3 Series 1 DTiVos and get 2 Series2 DTivos in their place.

Originally posted by epstewart
Steve, does the Samsung SIR-TS360 convert optionally to 720p (or some other progressive scan rate such as 540p or 480p) rather than 1080i? If so, does the scaling error affect the other scan rate(s)?

Eric

Yes, it can convert to 720p. But since I don't have a display that can handle 720p, I don't know if that works any better.

Anyone out there heard about this problem? Got home this am from work turned my sammy 360 on and system froze up. The LED's on the front panel of the unit came on and showed all the normal info but no picture on tv screen and I could not change channels. I opened the access card panel and pressed reset button. System reset and is OK now.....

My current one does that on occasion. Seems to only do it on HD channels (maybe coincidence). It either locks up and freezes the current frame on the screen or freezes with a blank screen. Some times it'll do it every 5 minutes and sometimes it'll run all day. I'm hoping my third one in two weeks will show up today and be somewhat normal.

Originally posted by steeler
Anyone out there heard about this problem? Got home this am from work turned my sammy 360 on and system froze up. The LED's on the front panel of the unit came on and showed all the normal info but no picture on tv screen and I could not change channels. I opened the access card panel and pressed reset button. System reset and is OK now.....

Steeler....the exact same thing happened to me. I was installed on Saturday afternoon. Everything has been fine and then this morning I went to turn it on before I left for work and nothing.

Like you, all the LED's were on but I was getting no picture or sound and it wouldn't change channels. I unplugged it for 20 seconds and that did the trick. If it happens again, I might be sending it back.

wmacson, I was playing around with the resolution button on the front panel before I turned the unit off the last time I used it Saturday night. My Mits. was having trouble handling the native 1 setting, so I changed it after todays problem to 10801 and every thing looks OK.... Or maybe D* did something on their end..... Other than todays problem the unit is working fine after my install on Friday. The company that did my install is sending a tech out today to realign my dish its having trouble seeing the 119 bird. At least that is what D* thinks it is.... No HBO HD and HDnet...how's your reception?????????

Steeler, I had my box on channel 2-1(ota digital cbs). I turned the receiver off when I went to bed and this morning when I turned it on, it still said 2-1 but like I said, no picture and it wouldn't respond.

My reception is pretty good. I get ota digital cbs, fox, and abc and everything else analog. the cbs hd(2-1) is so much better than the channel 80hd, so I am pretty pleased. I just wish I was a little more secure about the sammy box. We'll see. Maybe you are right and it was on directv's end. Let me know(and i'll do the same) if it happens again.

wmacson, OK will do, I am on edge about this receiver. I have read the many bad comments about the 360 on this thread it's making me nervous. I will be watching and checking this unit daily for bugs and won't hesitate for a minute to send this unit back if a problem arises.......

wmacson, who did your install??????

I did the $99 HD deal through DirecTV and initially received a Hughes HTL-HD, which I thought was a great receiver, but it suffered from the infamous audio drop-outs, so DirecTV did a replacement. They sent me a Samsung 360. At first I called them up to make sure it was the right box as I had assumed they would replace the Hughes with another Hughes.

When I hooked it up, I was immediately disappointed in the PQ. Going into my Samsung HLN437W via DVI, the HD content, IMO, appears very grainy, noisy and 'soft'. On very fast moving scenes or scenes with quick flashing lights (like the Britney Spears HD concert on HBO) I even see what I describe as 'tiling'; meaning, the picture sort of 'breaks up' and I see 'cubes' or 'tiles'. I have tried every resolution, and the picture is the same regardless of which I choose. I never saw any of that with the Hughes - the PQ was crystalline.No offense to those that own this box and find it to have a better PQ than the HTL-HD, but my experience has been the complete opposite. Besides the poor-PQ, I have also had the receiver lock up on me three times and go completely black once, and I've only had it for a week. I also feel that the HTL-HD guide is superior - it is a lot faster, more straightforward to use and easier to read, IMO.

After having the 360 for only 3-days I determined that I just couldn't live with it, and this past Friday I called up DirecTV and haggled with various levels of their CS and Customer Retention departments for nearly an hour to get them to finally give in and take this box back and send me out another HTL-HD. All the while, they were trying to give me the line that they couldn't 'specify' which receiver I would get and blah blah blah. One 'supervisor' even told me they didn't have the 'technology' to do so; so I said 'What technology, a telephone and a pair of feet?' When I finally told him to tell me what I needed to pay to break the one-year commitment so I could get my house wired up for Dish Network, then I was told that someone in the 'Logistics Department' would track one down for me and send it out as a replacement/exchange. They called me back an hour later to confirm that and thanked me for 'going through the process' with them.

Anyhow, I digress. Has no one else here noticed a drop in PQ going from the HTL-HD to the 360? Or is it just me? Like I said, I own a Samsung DLP (and even a Samsung vacuum cleaner, FWIW) so I have no inherent bias against the brand, but I really felt that the 360 was a piece of crap.

EDIT: One other thing I forgot to mention is that I found that my DVD's going into the HLN437W via component inputs at 480p looked better and showed none of the digital artifacts I described above in comparison to the 360 playing back true 1080i or 720p HD content. That shouldn't be. I tried the 360 via component and it still showed the same problems, so....

The component outs of the 360 look really good on my Toshiba 57HX81. It's a much better box than my DST-3000 that it replaced. If the HD-TiVo performs as well as the 360 has I will be happy. I don't know about the DVI out, since my TV is too old to have that connection.

Originally posted by GoldenBoy
I did the $99 HD deal through DirecTV and initially received a Hughes HTL-HD, which I thought was a great receiver, but it suffered from the infamous audio drop-outs, so DirecTV did a replacement. They sent me a Samsung 360. At first I called them up to make sure it was the right box as I had assumed they would replace the Hughes with another Hughes.

When I hooked it up, I was immediately disappointed in the PQ. Going into my Samsung HLN437W via DVI, the HD content, IMO, appears very grainy, noisy and 'soft'. On very fast moving scenes or scenes with quick flashing lights (like the Britney Spears HD concert on HBO) I even see what I describe as 'tiling'; meaning, the picture sort of 'breaks up' and I see 'cubes' or 'tiles'. I have tried every resolution, and the picture is the same regardless of which I choose. I never saw any of that with the Hughes - the PQ was crystalline.No offense to those that own this box and find it to have a better PQ than the HTL-HD, but my experience has been the complete opposite. Besides the poor-PQ, I have also had the receiver lock up on me three times and go completely black once, and I've only had it for a week. I also feel that the HTL-HD guide is superior - it is a lot faster, more straightforward to use and easier to read, IMO.

After having the 360 for only 3-days I determined that I just couldn't live with it, and this past Friday I called up DirecTV and haggled with various levels of their CS and Customer Retention departments for nearly an hour to get them to finally give in and take this box back and send me out another HTL-HD. All the while, they were trying to give me the line that they couldn't 'specify' which receiver I would get and blah blah blah. One 'supervisor' even told me they didn't have the 'technology' to do so; so I said 'What technology, a telephone and a pair of feet?' When I finally told him to tell me what I needed to pay to break the one-year commitment so I could get my house wired up for Dish Network, then I was told that someone in the 'Logistics Department' would track one down for me and send it out as a replacement/exchange. They called me back an hour later to confirm that and thanked me for 'going through the process' with them.

Anyhow, I digress. Has no one else here noticed a drop in PQ going from the HTL-HD to the 360? Or is it just me? Like I said, I own a Samsung DLP (and even a Samsung vacuum cleaner, FWIW) so I have no inherent bias against the brand, but I really felt that the 360 was a piece of crap.

EDIT: One other thing I forgot to mention is that I found that my DVD's going into the HLN437W via component inputs at 480p looked better and showed none of the digital artifacts I described above in comparison to the 360 playing back true 1080i or 720p HD content. That shouldn't be. I tried the 360 via component and it still showed the same problems, so....

You got a bad 360. I saw the same things in several of them. The picture breaking up and seeing the small black cubes. Very poor PQ on those units too. I now have a working 360 and I have seen it side by side with the Hughes and I would say the PQ is better on the 360. I am saying that based on OTA HD and the SD preview channels as the Hughes was never activated. The guide and menues on the Hughes were subpar to the 360.

Originally posted by steeler
wmacson, who did your install??????

Good question...when I asked the installer what the name of his company was, he mumbled something about "Richmond or Richfield." Then I asked him where they were based and he said NJ and I said where and he kept saying NJ. So I gave up. He did a great job though. He did everything I asked and was very pleasant. His name was Kenny.

Originally posted by Ledzep77
You got a bad 360. I saw the same things in several of them. The picture breaking up and seeing the small black cubes. Very poor PQ on those units too. I now have a working 360 and I have seen it side by side with the Hughes and I would say the PQ is better on the 360. I am saying that based on OTA HD and the SD preview channels as the Hughes was never activated. The guide and menues on the Hughes were subpar to the 360.

I was wondering how it could be possible that a company could be marketing such a poor product as an HD unit, but now you have answered that question for me. I can't say what the PQ might be like on a 'working' 360 in comparison to the HTL-HD, but I do know that the Hughes has darned good PQ, and I'd rather take my chances on a unit with audio drop-outs than suffer through the bad quality of another bad 360.

As far as the guides, what firmware revision of the HTL-HD were you using? On the 1.07 unit that I had, there was no question which guide and menu structure was inferior - the 360. The 1.07 HTL-HD gives more program information (listing the year and all actors that appeared in a specific episode among other things) and had way clearer text. The only problem is the extra OTA channel listings for channels that I cannot pick up. In addition, the Hughes has an on-screen signal metre for OTA as well as D* signals. The biggest guffaw in the Hughes software, IMO, is the inability to schedule more than just a one time timer event.

Now that I know that I most likely have received a faulty 360, I'm a little saddened to think that I could potentially have had a unit with better PQ than the Hughes, but for now I will be more than satisfied with the HTL-HD until I finally receive the HD-Tivo that will be replacing it. I can only hope that the HD-Tivo will have as good or better PQ than the HTL-HD. :)

Originally posted by steeler
wmacson, I was playing around with the resolution button on the front panel before I turned the unit off the last time I used it Saturday night. My Mits. was having trouble handling the native 1 setting, so I changed it after todays problem to 10801 and every thing looks OK.... Or maybe D* did something on their end..... Other than todays problem the unit is working fine after my install on Friday. The company that did my install is sending a tech out today to realign my dish its having trouble seeing the 119 bird. At least that is what D* thinks it is.... No HBO HD and HDnet...how's your reception?????????

Tech, came out today, it was the alignment that was off not bad LMB. He was very nice (much better than the 1st guy)he gave me about 15 feet of copper wire and installed a grounding screw on my dish so I could ground it.. I had to buy the grounding rod....

Originally posted by steeler
The company that did my install is sending a tech out today to realign my dish its having trouble seeing the 119 bird. At least that is what D* thinks it is.... No HBO HD and HDnet...how's your reception?????????

Tech, came out today, it was the alignment that was off not bad LMB. He was very nice (much better than the 1st guy)he gave me about 15 feet of copper wire and installed a grounding screw on my dish so I could ground it.. I had to buy the grounding rod....

So my third unit was working great for a few days(with a few audio d/o's. But then I was watching Yes on Hdnet last night and I was having d/o's every 20 secs. So I reset and it was good for another few minutes. I called D* about the audio and they said it must be the a/v unit because the problem doesn't happen in pcm. What!!! No. BS? SO I speak to a sup and he says he is contacting Samsung!!:eek: Then a minute and I was disconnected. Then the Video started to pixilate. It was raining outside as well. Not heavy. Could this in anyway be because of the weather? I didn't think so. But the first unit had vid drops and that was during rain. Thoughts?

champcarfan, it could very easily be weather related....did you get a sat strength meter reading....raining both times that you are having problems...hmmm...what does your meter read on good days. If it's low on good days the weather could definitely be an issue. I would investigate that first and rule it out.....

Samsung SIR-TS360 Screen color
hey guys,

i just got the samsung sir-ts360 and the screen colors for the menus etc wont change.

i go to setup, preferences, go down to screen color and whenever i change it from spring to summer, fall, winter the color wont change just stays the same light green.

any suggestions?

greg

That is a known problem with some boxes. It is a precursor of many more to come... it happened to me 10 minutes after setup.

Call DTV and tell them to ship you a new one.

Steeler, I think last time I had the problem w/ receiver # 1, d* asked/checked and it was fine so they sent me a new receiver. Today it is raining and I am having no video problems. Just audio drop outs that come and go. Hbo seems worst. HDnet was bad but now is better. Go figure.

champcarfan, if you have followed this site at all I'm sure you are aware of the various problems others have had.....You could be having the same problems...I have had no sure problems with my sammy....My dish was misaligned so I was not getting HBO and HDNet... It was realigned and reception is good now. Check transponders 24 and 25...see what signal you are getting from them...(another rule out)

Anyone having OTA signal meter problems see update......post 1012 on 4-11-04.

Thanks Steeler, I checked transponders and they are in the 90's. I have read this thread but I am just frustrated.!!!!!

Originally posted by steeler
Anyone having OTA signal meter problems see update......post 1012 on 4-11-04.

Steeler, when you spoke with a Samsung rep, did you discuss all of the problems with this box? If so, did he indicate anything is being done to determine if a fix is possible?

Chris

Chris, not really, because I am not having the problems everyone else is having. He did tell me that they monitor this and other sites, so if that is true I am sure they are aware of the various problems....FYI if you call don't bother with level-1 tech (clueless) you will have better luck with level-2.

champcarfan, I would check all of your connections again...... just to make sure everything is right. When I was hooking up my system it took me several hours to figure out why my DVD recorder would not record...turned out I did not have a front panel switch set to the right position... Another thing what do you have your resolution set at, try changing that, it has to match what your TV is capable of handling.....My TV doesn't like the native settings so I set mine to 1080i. Have you called Samsung CS? If all else fells call D* and get a new unit.

Update: My current 360 is still working with no problems. Have not noticed one single audio drop since last Wednesday and have never had a video drop on this one. While rare there is such a thing as a working 360. I think ultimatly this will come down to a faulty component. Its a roll of the dice if it works or not. I'm happy as is the local fedex driver who I'm sure was tired of stopping at my house for drop offs and pickups since I'm kinda out of the way.

ledzep, is your OTA strength meter working properly??????

Originally posted by steeler
ledzep, is your OTA strength meter working properly??????

According to Samsung the way it is is the way it is suppose to be and they have no plans to change it. I don't think it works properly but if you describe what it is doing to a Samsung tech they say it's working right. Go figure.

I was bored tonight so I hooked up the Hughes to play around with the OTA. I found another channel the Sammy would not lock in on. The tunner is better in the Hughes. I also played around with the guides and menus and got them changed to where they look ok. I still think the PQ is better on the Sammy but I am thinking now the sound is better on the Hughes.

When I scan digital signals with the Samsung it picks up a 17-1 which is a valid channel but the guide is for programing that is on a channel 16-1 and it won't lock on the 16-1. 16-1 and 17-1 are strong signals and I should get both but what I get is 17-1 with the 16-1 guide. The Hughes picks up both stations and displays the guide right for both. These are Rockford Illinois stations. Anyone else in that area having this problem?

Hey Greg -- on the menu colors not changing;

Are you using a specific "profile" name? If you are, going to "setup" and changing the color will *not* change the menu color in your selected "profile"... you have to change them from the "profiles" menu.

Btw, for those interested -- I have a 2/4/2004 build unit, I received it on 2/16/04 and it has been absolutely flawless - it runs about 4-6 hours per day and I have no dropouts, no errors.

JP

ledzep, who did you talk to at Samaung....level-1 or level-2 tech??????

Originally posted by steeler
ledzep, who did you talk to at Samaung....level-1 or level-2 tech??????

The first call was just to the everyday Samsung tech support line and I got a young lady who seemed to be reading and asking canned statements. At one point Directv refered me to Samsung support and gave me a different number. I assume this was level 2 because the fellow was much more knowledgable and carried a more normal conversation. He told me since he couldn't help he would refer me to the next level of support. He took all my info and said I would get a call. I never got a call.

Well my 3rd replacement ended up being an HTL-HD. I've been running it for nearly a day now. It seems perfectly stable. I cannot tell a difference in HD PQ and I think I may even give it the nod in SD PQ, but it would be close.

I think LedZep is right, the Hughes sounds a little better too. I don't hear any difference in DD encoded content, but stereo content seems much warmer.

The Sammy Guide is much better, IMHO. Larger, easier to read, faster, more features that easier to get to.

All things being equal, I'd rather have the Sammy and it 's features, but it's its been too elusive for me to obtain. The Hughes works well enough for me and seems rather bug free at this point.

I was looking at the box my 360 came in and I noticed on the side of the box, the white sticker that has all of the various ID's on it(RID, Serial #'s, etc...). For model number it says: TS360/DRT Does yours say this?

Does anybody have any idea what the DRT stands for? I am assuming, maybe "directv" but who knows??? Just curious.

thanks,
w-

Talked to Steve at Samsung today (high level tech) he informed that Samsung is aware of the quirk in the OTA signal meter. He said they are working on a fix but has no time table. When fix is ready it will come in the form of an update flash from D*.

But I thought it was working properly already!! :D :D
Sid

ladmansid, I am talking about the OTA signal meter......If your meter is jumping around from low to high signal readings then it is not working properly. If your readings are stable then it is working correctly and consider yourself lucky. There are many people on this thread having the above mentioned problem.......

my OTA signal meter jumps around from low to high constantly and my signal NEVER gets lost nor does it ever break up

I know, I was in sarcastic mode since so many people have complained about it and Samsung's response has been, up to this point, that it was supposed to work that way (bouncing from 0-75 constantly).
Sid

Something I would like to see is to turn down the sensitivity on how strong the signal has to be before it locks on. We have the ability to remove stations from the list so why not grab everything and then sort them out. It is obviously set higher on the Samsung because there are 2 digital stations I can get with the Hughes with watchable signals that the Samsung won't lock onto. It will pause for a few extra seconds on those but it never snaps onto it. If it locked onto a weak signal maybe I could tweak with the rotor and have a stable signal.

Another thing I asked for was the ability to lock stations so that when you do another scan it won't delete the locked station. I can pickup stations in all directions and some I have to rescan each time I want to view then. Only being able to select a primary and secondary network area is not enough. Some of that data is incorrect anyway. Directv blamed it on the info provided by the station and the station blames it on Directv.

Good idea, Ledzep, that is a major pain in trying to get that one last rogue (direction-wise) station in the guide. It would be great if Samsung can fix that, too.
Sid

Originally posted by chad_cincy
Well my 3rd replacement ended up being an HTL-HD. I've been running it for nearly a day now. It seems perfectly stable. I cannot tell a difference in HD PQ and I think I may even give it the nod in SD PQ, but it would be close.

I think LedZep is right, the Hughes sounds a little better too. I don't hear any difference in DD encoded content, but stereo content seems much warmer.

I agree with this totally. I can't really comment on the PQ as the 360 I was sent was faulty and had miserable PQ on both SD and HD, but the sound on the HTL is definitely superior, IMO. IT's fuller, a bit smoother and slightly more well defined, even through the digital outs using the DACs on my Sony DA4ES I noticed a difference. Go figure.

Originally posted by chad_cincy
The Sammy Guide is much better, IMHO. Larger, easier to read, faster, more features that easier to get to.

I don't know, it must just be me, but I feel the HTL guide is much quicker than the 360, which had what I considered to be a very sluggish guide. Of course, that could have been related to me getting a faulty unit. The information on the HTL guide, OTOH, is much more thorough, IMO.

Originally posted by chad_cincy

All things being equal, I'd rather have the Sammy and it 's features, but it's its been too elusive for me to obtain. The Hughes works well enough for me and seems rather bug free at this point.

The features I really liked about the 360 were the ability to attach outside components and have it upscale them, and the ability to output the signal in native format when using DVI. For whatever reason the HTL when attached to my Samsung HLN437W forces me to use either EZ DVI, 720p or 480p. It will not allow me to output 1080i and let the set downscale it, which I consider to be a waste of the Faroudja DCDi's ability.

For those commenting on the sound in the HTL-HD sounding better than the 360 -- I can only envision that w/ stereo sources, via those 2-ch outputs.

With digital, you are simply passing a bitstream straight through the unit to your receiver for DAC'ing. If it "sounds better," then that's fine, but enjoy your imagination. ;)

I don't think that's entirely true. DD should be passed through, which I agreed I perceived no difference. Non DD sources sounded better on the Hughes to me. Non DD digital, I do not believe is passed straight through. PCM is not compressed. I'm certain, but will graciously accept correction, that D* compresses their audio. They certainly do wonders to some of their video! :eek: Therefore the sat receiver must decode the compressed stream and re-encode it to a PCM stream for your audio receiver. So I'd argue that a difference is more than possible.

I've had the TS360 for a couple of weeks now and everything seems to be working great so far. The only issue I have since I got this unit may or may not be an issue with the unit at all but with HD in general. Since most of you guys on this forum are more knowledgeable than I am about this I was hoping you could help me out...

On certain digital stations in my area when a program that is digital and not HD is being broadcast the 4:3 format picture appears on my TV at the same size as a widescreen 16:9 HD picture is. My TV is 4:3 format and when programs like this are shown it gives me black bars on all 4 sides effectively making my 32" TV somewhere near a 25" picture. Is there a way to make the 4:3 picture full size on the screen when it's not being broadcast as 16:9 HD? I've tried changing all the format settings and nothing seems to work. Is this maybe a function of my Sony's 16:9 enhanced mode?

(I also posted this as a new thread but I wanted to repost it here to see if it was a specific issue with the Samsung 360)

Originally posted by wmacson
I was looking at the box my 360 came in and I noticed on the side of the box, the white sticker that has all of the various ID's on it(RID, Serial #'s, etc...). For model number it says: TS360/DRT Does yours say this?

Does anybody have any idea what the DRT stands for? I am assuming, maybe "directv" but who knows??? Just curious.

thanks,
w-

Anyone?

Hey Steeler....my box locked up again. Same thing last night when I got home from work. Turned it on and nothing. Did a reset and it was fine. I am still not ready to deal with the hasle of returning it and getting another one. It seems to be the only problem I have with the box. Since I have 90 days, I'll just wait another month or two and see if it continues. How's your sammy doing?

Originally posted by jheltz27
I've had the TS360 for a couple of weeks now and everything seems to be working great so far. The only issue I have since I got this unit may or may not be an issue with the unit at all but with HD in general. Since most of you guys on this forum are more knowledgeable than I am about this I was hoping you could help me out...

On certain digital stations in my area when a program that is digital and not HD is being broadcast the 4:3 format picture appears on my TV at the same size as a widescreen 16:9 HD picture is. My TV is 4:3 format and when programs like this are shown it gives me black bars on all 4 sides effectively making my 32" TV somewhere near a 25" picture. Is there a way to make the 4:3 picture full size on the screen when it's not being broadcast as 16:9 HD? I've tried changing all the format settings and nothing seems to work. Is this maybe a function of my Sony's 16:9 enhanced mode?

(I also posted this as a new thread but I wanted to repost it here to see if it was a specific issue with the Samsung 360)

I also have a Sony 4:3 with 16:9 wide mode, and have the same thing happen. That's because anytime the Sony receives a 1080i signal, it will lock into the 16:9 mode. With your locals, even if it's a standard def 4:3 program, they are upconverting it to 1080i or 720p, and your Sony then locks into 16:9. No way around it that I know of, other than (a) use one of the other inputs with S-video, and let the Sammy convert the upconverted 1080i back to 480i!! (or b), set the Sammy's resolution to send the Sony a 480i/p signal. My Sony (61" HS10) will automatically show 1080i signal as 16:9, and 480i/p signal as 4:3. Either way you do it, though, you have to keep changing settings, which is a pain in the %%#. I've set my Sammy to Native 2, and when something is HD, I watch the digital channel. When it's not HD, I just watch the analog channel. I never have thought the upconverts look all that great anyway.

mike

Originally posted by BK EH
For those commenting on the sound in the HTL-HD sounding better than the 360 -- I can only envision that w/ stereo sources, via those 2-ch outputs.

With digital, you are simply passing a bitstream straight through the unit to your receiver for DAC'ing. If it "sounds better," then that's fine, but enjoy your imagination. ;)

Absolutely untrue. If the 360 were doing something to the digital signal like introducing jitter, or anomalies that would require more error correction, there is a very real possibility that, even using outboard DAC's, there would be a reduction in sound quality. DD is another matter entirely.

I have my Hughes and Sammy, both activated now, hooked up side by side. With both on the same channel switching back and forth the sound quality from the Hughes is clearly better. The PQ is slightly better on the Sammy. After setting networks on the Hughes I'm having problems tunning certain channels just like I had on the Sammy.

I think any comparison is only valid on the units tested. There seems to be quality variance in both units from one to the next.

The Hughes set at 1080i does not output the SD correctly for my TV. I have to use a variable setting and then my TV keeps switching mode as I change channels. The Sammy at 1080i output sends it to my tv and everything displays correct. An example would be with the Hughes when a news crawler is going across the screen it is faster at the sides then it is at the center of the screen when set at 1080i. I know this might be a TV thing.

I was talking DD decoding... my bad english.

LedZep - that's the way the HTL-HD is supposed to work on the variable settings. When watching stretched upconverted SD, it also goes back to black-bar mode when you go to the guide and return. I found it annoying too (and that's why I stayed w/ my 160 and sold the Hughes).

My 360 is working just fine, except for the OTA meter.....Which I need to work now!!!!!!!! I am in my laboratory dreaming up a unique antenna mount for a new OTA antenna I am going to mount........

Steeler, good luck. I'm not having any luck with my OTA antenna with my 360. I'm beginning to wonder if there isn't something wrong with the box itself. I'm only 4 miles from the towers so these things should be booming in. I thought that things might be too hot, so I went to the shack and bought an adjustable attenuator but things still don't seem to be working. I have tried all kinds of antenna's, from the SS to several radio shack models, and even just a bow-tie. Nothing seems to work great. I mean I get the stations themselves, but with a lot of picture drop outs etc to make it pretty much unwatchable.

Anyone else having these issues? Should I call dtv for a replacement?

Originally posted by Cheezmo
Can you give examples of what 4:3 is correct? If you are watching an HDTV channel (720p or 1080i) and it is 4:3 "pillarboxed" by the broadcasting channel, it will be correct. That is the only thing that could be correct (unless you have a DVD player that also generates 4:3 within a 16:9 image as the Panasonic RP-91 can do).

But, any 4:3 480i or 480p source converted to 16:9 1080i by the Samsung will not be correct, using it's pillarbox mode.

HBO Spanish, I think ch 511 had a properly formatted 4:3 program while the same program simultaneously on HBO 501 was hosed. I don't understand that.

Chris

Although I believe I would prefer the Samsung 360 to the Hughes if the Samsung worked, I am going to try to swap this for a Hughes. Nothing I am reading makes me believe Samsung will have a fix. Talking to Samsung, all they could offer was ship it back and in a couple of weeks I should get a repaired 360 back. Likely a refurb, one of the defective units returned no doubt and it may be more problems. Too bad because I sure think I would like this one if it worked. Unless somebody has something optimistic from Samsung or DirecTV, I am bailing out next week.

Chris

I have the 360 and a sony kp46wt510. Connected w/dvi. My question is what are the best settings for resolution, native or upconvert to 1080i?
How should the format be set on the samsung, panorama, ect...I am having problems with the settings, I think it would be best to let the TV handle the strech modes. Any suggestions would be helpful, because when set to panaorama on sammy, I get fisheye effect during HD shows.
Thanks in advance, P.S. if this has been asked please tell me where to find the thread, as this subject is huge>

Well I just received a Hughes HD box, my first, to replace three Sammy 360's. The Sammy's all had audio dropouts, otherwise I was very happy with the box. I also, liked the component inputs.

The Hughes box does not have component inputs; picture quality and sound quality appear to be the same to me.

The one feature I miss, the Sammy displays program info when you change channels - the Hughes only displays the channel logo, you have to hit the info button for program info.

Those of you that have tried both boxes, what is your opinion - which one do you like best?

I have 10 days to return the box I don't like.

Thanx,

Rick

Originally posted by Rick Sass
The one feature I miss, the Sammy displays program info when you change channels - the Hughes only displays the channel logo, you have to hit the info button for program info.

Those of you that have tried both boxes, what is your opinion - which one do you like best?

I have 10 days to return the box I don't like.

Thanx,

Rick

Look through your setup menus. Right now your banner is set to small. Set it to medium or large and you will get all the info from channel to channel. Its kind of harder to read than the Samsung tho.

Right now I have both boxes setup side by side. Its a toss up depending what you want out of it. There is good and bad with both. If you want the inputs then you would want the Sammy. I think the SD looks better on the Hughes but the HD looks better on the Sammy. Play around with the hughes and get to know the menus. It does maore than you think at first glance. The tunner is better as I pick up 2 more stations with it. It really depends what is important to you as to which one is better. I think the sound is better on the Hughes but overall when it comes to just watchin TV they are pretty close to equal. If you have one that works thats the main thing. Oh the signal meter works good too. Hit the puase button down at the bottom when you are on a digital station to bring up the meter. Took me awhile to find it.

Has anyone been able to get the Sammy 360 to work with a VCR? The timer/record function looks so easy to use, but no joy yet. I've been through both manuals and the setup function a few times but no success.

I have a Sammy 43" DLP (HLN) and the Sammy 360 with a JVC S video VCR (HS3800). I'm running a Denon 4800 receiver (audio section processing only).

Regardless of connection, I can't get the VCR to record anything except a pretty poor looking OTA signal.

It seems like the VCR is only capable of recording the OTA antenna input and not the S-video input/output from the 360.

I hat to say anything for fear of jinxing myself, but I haven't had any trouble with my 360 since it was installed the end of February, other than the VCR failure.

i set my samsung hd receiver to native 1 because the book said it would automatically detect any signal 1080, 720, 480...... but when i turn to certain ota stations (abc, and now within the last few days local fox) the signal is "scrambled" and i have to switch the samsun to native 2.

can someone tell me why if native 1 is suppose to detect any signal why it sometimes doesnt and i have to switch to native 2? or is this a software glitch?

greg

Originally posted by dklanecky
Has anyone been able to get the Sammy 360 to work with a VCR? The timer/record function looks so easy to use, but no joy yet. I've been through both manuals and the setup function a few times but no success.

I have a Sammy 43" DLP (HLN) and the Sammy 360 with a JVC S video VCR (HS3800). I'm running a Denon 4800 receiver (audio section processing only).

Regardless of connection, I can't get the VCR to record anything except a pretty poor looking OTA signal.

It seems like the VCR is only capable of recording the OTA antenna input and not the S-video input/output from the 360.

I hat to say anything for fear of jinxing myself, but I haven't had any trouble with my 360 since it was installed the end of February, other than the VCR failure.

How are you connecting the video output from your Samsung into your VCR? Are you setting the VCR to record from its AUX inputs, not the tuner? It should work.

It works with my Philips DVDR75 DVD recorder.

I have a Sammy 360 hooked up to DirecTV (no OTA), a JVC vcr (HR-S5400U), a Panasonic dvd recorder (DMR-HS2), and an inexpensive 5:1 Sony receiver - all connected to a Sony KV-30XBR910. I'm able to record to the JVC using the supplied Sammy vcr control cable (settings are JVC and VCR Type 1 with composite connections and set to aux), but no such luck with the Panasonic. If anyone has been able to get a Panasonic dvd recorder working with the Sammy control cable, I'd appreciate advise on how to do it.
I'm very happy with the Sammy 360 - very good picture and audio quality, fast guide with search, and the remote works all my a/v equipment. (That's a first for any remote I've ever had!) Even though my Sony TV has plenty of inputs, I run the dvd thru the Sammy component inputs and then out the DVI cable to the TV and I think it's a slightly better picture.
The catch is that I have to keep a regular fan blowing on the Sammy 24 hours a day (even when it's turned off) or I get a X745 within 15 minutes. After reading the problems other people on this forum have had with the Sammy and the Hughes, I may not swap for another box. I'm beginning to think there's something wrong with all HD receivers.

OK, it works when I change the settings in the vcr to record from the aux S video input instead of the antenna input.

I never thought to check the the VCR's settings. I just assumed one of the new components wasn't working correctly.

Thanks fopr such a simple solution!

Originally posted by lgs269
Has anyone hooked up their 360 using the RGB output? On my unit when set to 1080i, the RGB output displays a dark picture. It actually becomes darker at random intervals and is very much unwatchable. In addition, the pictures sometimes takes on a blueish or pinkish tint and then suddenly blooms to an almost white image - very alarming. The only setting that displays a normal image is at 480p/480i. I have a DTC100 with RGB to compare with and the RCA has no such problems.


I just got a 360, and hooked it up to my Elite510HD with RGB on 15-pin D-sub. I too got a terribly dark picture, so dark that I had to return to my DTC100. I am trying to use the 360 strictly for OTA at this point.
I have read virtually all of this thread (whew!), and never saw a reply to your question. So, has anyone else experienced the dark picture that lgs269 and I have? If so, did using another output (component?) resolve it?
It seems that this box has more than its share of problems, but none of the others matter if the picture is too dark to watch!!!!!!!!

I hooked mine up via RGB port. In fact it was the night of the NCAA final and I watched the game for about a half hour. I had to make a few adjustments but once I did I thought it looked pretty good. I didn't notice it getting darker. When I first hooked it up it was dark but after the adjustment it looked ok.

My rGB out, running through my Holo3DGraph2 card looks the same as through the component outs. But with the H3D2 I can adjust color, overscan etc. This is only temporary anyway, until the HD-Tivo arrives. then the Sammy will go into the closet for a backup.

Originally posted by Ledzep77
[ I had to make a few adjustments but once I did I thought it looked pretty good. I didn't notice it getting darker. When I first hooked it up it was dark but after the adjustment it looked ok. [/B]

I understand, but my point is that my Elite has been properly calibrated, and I do not feel, nor have I seen, that wholesale adjustment should be needed for one component or source. In fact, shouldn't any properly operating source put out an image close the the standard that the display was calibrated for?

Hello All,

I have just joined the ranks of the HDTV enabled. It also seems I have joined the rank of the troublesome Sammy 360 owners. I hooked it up on Thursday past and enjoyed a whole 2 days of trouble free operation.

It is currently experiencing audio drop out and what I believe you all refer to as pixelation. I also have video drop out on HBO-H and the unit has locked up completely twice in this 3 day time frame. I also have what I think is very poor PQ on non-HD channels as well as poor PQ on the component outputs.

My DVD's look worse now than with my old setup that used s-video. I am using an new Panasonic F87 DVD with this new box. My old DVD was not progressive nor had anything but s-video connections, so I though I would upgrade it as part of my new Sammy 507W and the new Sammy 360 install.

Is this par for the course for this new box, or do you all feel I have a bad unit that needs to go back?

I bought mine through the Circuit City $299 deal they have so it is not a case of calling DTV for another one. I will have to do the CircuitCity.com RMA process which will leave me without a box until they get mine back and ship a replacement. My local stores don't have them in stock so I had to go on-line route to get it.

I have read through a lot of this thread but I am still unsure if this is a bad box or just normal operation until Samsung gets the fixes and patches out to get it stable.

This newbie would appreciates any guidance or input before I take action.

Originally posted by WERA689
I understand, but my point is that my Elite has been properly calibrated, and I do not feel, nor have I seen, that wholesale adjustment should be needed for one component or source. In fact, shouldn't any properly operating source put out an image close the the standard that the display was calibrated for?

If your Elite was properly calibrated so that your DTC-100 looked right, the brightness for HD was set too low. The DTC-100 had a non-standard black level setup of 7.5IRE. The Samsung is correct and if you ever add more 1080i sources you will learn that your DTC-100 was too light, and the Samsung was fine.

If you are replacing your DTC-100 and not going back and forth, set the black level for the Samsung as it is correct.

Originally posted by chicagogreg773
i set my samsung hd receiver to native 1 because the book said it would automatically detect any signal 1080, 720, 480...... but when i turn to certain ota stations (abc, and now within the last few days local fox) the signal is "scrambled" and i have to switch the samsun to native 2.

can someone tell me why if native 1 is suppose to detect any signal why it sometimes doesnt and i have to switch to native 2? or is this a software glitch?

greg

I recommend NOT using NATIVE modes. It's a nuance when flipping channels.
If your TV support 1080i input, I suggest to select 1080i output in the STB.

Originally posted by johnfern

My DVD's look worse now than with my old setup that used s-video. I am using an new Panasonic F87 DVD with this new box. My old DVD was not progressive nor had anything but s-video connections, so I though I would upgrade it as part of my new Sammy 507W and the new Sammy 360 install.



I don't recommend running DVD video thru the TS360. You should connect
the DVD player output directly onto the TV inputs.

Originally posted by chicagogreg773
i set my samsung hd receiver to native 1 because the book said it would automatically detect any signal 1080, 720, 480...... but when i turn to certain ota stations (abc, and now within the last few days local fox) the signal is "scrambled" and i have to switch the samsun to native 2.

can someone tell me why if native 1 is suppose to detect any signal why it sometimes doesnt and i have to switch to native 2? or is this a software glitch?

greg

The scrambled channels are transmitting in 720p -- ABC and Fox do -- and your TV likely cannot handle passed thru native 720p.

I don't know if this was brought up or not but I noticed when changing the format to Panoramic for SD channels it stays like that for HD channels! My other boxes never did this. Anybody else notice this. I hate it cause people look like pencils in HD.

I don't know if this was brought up or not but I noticed when changing the format to Panoramic for SD channels it stays like that for HD channels! My other boxes never did this. Anybody else notice this. I hate it cause people look like pencils in HD.

I believe this did come up before and it's apparently a "design flaw." My box does the same thing so I don't use the panoramic mode on the box (my display is able to do the panorama correctly without it affecting HD pictures).

Ok, I've had my 360 (March build date) for two weeks now, and I'm pretty sick of the dropout/ x745 issue. What's the latest on folks who have had replacements sent to them by DirecTV? Is the problem any better with newer units yet? Is it even worth my time?

Also--does the fan on top solution work for most people? Mine actually feels pretty warm on top.

Cheepo, build date IMO does not appear to be the determining factor on whether the 360 acts up or not. My replacement 360 had a build date of 1/28/04 and it has been working without the audio-video dropouts for over two months. I do not think it is a software problem as everyone has the same software version and not all units are exhibiting the identical problems. If I were a betting man that there is chip(IC) that is faulty and that chip is associated with the satellite reception only, as OTA seems to work OK for most folks. Samsung should get its act together and find out the cause of the problem, and D* should put a hold on giving these boxes to their customers even though they will replace the defective units; it does not make for good customer relations to ship equipment that may or may not be defective

Right on, herbo. I think this is inexcusable. It does only happen with satellite reception with me, BTW. I never have droupouts with OTA.

Last night I was watching the Angels vs. A's game on ESPNHD and was concerned to see audio and video dropouts. My 360 has been working great for over a month now.

To verify, I went to another room and turned on my DTC100-equipped RCA F38310. It was getting the same dropouts! Guess it was ESPN and their lousy coverage! :)

OT: Did anyone else notice that the virtual sign board behind home plate (that they digitally replace with ads) was in SD (upconverted one would assume, but very fuzzy) even while the rest of the image was in HD?

I have been noticing problems on ESPNotHD lately, also. During the Rockets/Lakers game the other night it was particularly annoying, especially to my son.
Sid

Originally posted by PDPnNJ
I don't recommend running DVD video thru the TS360. You should connect
the DVD player output directly onto the TV inputs.

Thanks I'll try that.

Originally posted by Cheep
Ok, I've had my 360 (March build date) for two weeks now, and I'm pretty sick of the dropout/ x745 issue. What's the latest on folks who have had replacements sent to them by DirecTV? Is the problem any better with newer units yet? Is it even worth my time?

Also--does the fan on top solution work for most people? Mine actually feels pretty warm on top.

I just called to get a replacement today and was told I would get a Hughes. I guess I won't know for sure until it gets here. My preference would be a properly working Samsung 360 but that is probably next to impossible to find. I have not heard of any with a newer than March build date. Mine was March 4 and had problems.

Chris

Well , unit # 4 is on its way. They seem to be getting better in terms of the frequency of the dropouts. Maybe I will get a hughes. Will I be happy with the hughes? We will see!

Originally posted by Cheezmo
If your Elite was properly calibrated so that your DTC-100 looked right, the brightness for HD was set too low. The DTC-100 had a non-standard black level setup of 7.5IRE. The Samsung is correct and if you ever add more 1080i sources you will learn that your DTC-100 was too light, and the Samsung was fine.

If you are replacing your DTC-100 and not going back and forth, set the black level for the Samsung as it is correct.

Interesting. Further experimentation tonight has yielded the following results:
1) RGB d-sub exhibits variable brightness on HD material, but seems to be fine on SD, both received on digital channels. Image jumps from normal(almost) to almost black with scene changes, and sometimes within a scene.
2) Component outputs have no brightness problem, but has washed out color, with a pronounced magenta tint.
3) The unit *does* receive our local CBS affiliate better than the DTC100, which *is* what I was trying to improve.
So, next question: Can the RGB output be repaired, or should I just return it to BB?
BTW, I have experienced no audio dropouts at all on the Samsung.

Originally posted by WERA689
Interesting. Further experimentation tonight has yielded the following results:
1) RGB d-sub exhibits variable brightness on HD material, but seems to be fine on SD, both received on digital channels. Image jumps from normal(almost) to almost black with scene changes, and sometimes within a scene.
2) Component outputs have no brightness problem, but has washed out color, with a pronounced magenta tint.
3) The unit *does* receive our local CBS affiliate better than the DTC100, which *is* what I was trying to improve.
So, next question: Can the RGB output be repaired, or should I just return it to BB?
BTW, I have experienced no audio dropouts at all on the Samsung.

RE item 1 - I had a similar experience using the 360 RGB output (set to 1080i) with the image constantly changing from dark to very dark. I got D* to replace it. The second 360 gave a somewhat more stable picture off the RGB, except this time the picture would change from normal to an almost white image at random intervals. Very distracting plus it shut down my monitor when it did that.

I finally gave up using the RGB output and moved it to another set using the component output. While there may be a difference in IRE, my DTC100 never had this problem and always displayed a nice, bright, sharp and stable picture. I don't know if Samsung has ever checked this out as an issue with the 360. There's been previous posts from others with similar observations.

Thanks, lgs. Since I didn't get the unit from DirecTV, I will simply return it to BB. There is no way that this receiver is an upgrade from the DTC100. What a workhorse this one has been, hey? I'm not even going to exchange it for another.......better to wait for the HDTiVo, and hope it is much much better.

Well I thought I was out of the woods, but yesterday I realized I am having a common problem. For the past week and a half I have been watching nothing but HD channels both on Sat and OTA. Well yesterday I switched to a regular channel and I am getting that tinning sound. I have a march build date and no audio dropouts or 745's. I now have to search back in this thread regarding this sound and what to do.

Originally posted by pyro383
Well I thought I was out of the woods, but yesterday I realized I am having a common problem. For the past week and a half I have been watching nothing but HD channels both on Sat and OTA. Well yesterday I switched to a regular channel and I am getting that tinning sound. I have a march build date and no audio dropouts or 745's. I now have to search back in this thread regarding this sound and what to do.

Just do a reset to fix the problem. Use the small button to the right of where the access card is insered.

Question about the audio dropout issue.

Is the problem you are describing happen while watching a single channel or does it occur when you switch channels?

Originally posted by DC
Just do a reset to fix the problem. Use the small button to the right of where the access card is insered.

Question about the audio dropout issue.

Is the problem you are describing happen while watching a single channel or does it occur when you switch channels?

By resetting the unit all the time, won't I have to keep doing channel searches and edits along with setting my screen preferences? I will try it once but if I have to keep doing this then I will call D* and complain.

Who are you asking about the audio drop out? I have not encountered this problem yet

Originally posted by pyro383
Well I thought I was out of the woods, but yesterday I realized I am having a common problem. For the past week and a half I have been watching nothing but HD channels both on Sat and OTA. Well yesterday I switched to a regular channel and I am getting that tinning sound. I have a march build date and no audio dropouts or 745's. I now have to search back in this thread regarding this sound and what to do.

As far as I know there is no easy fix. I usually just jump back and forth from Sat channels to cable and to OTA channels. Eventually it clears up. Luckly it doesn't happen that often. Maybe 2 or 3 times in 2 months.

I thought I would just post my results with this receiver.

Purchase the receiver from BB on Thursday, April 8th. I have only been watching the OTA HD for the past week or so, because I did not have a chance to get my Oval dish set up yet. No audio/video dropouts on the OTA, but I don't think that was a problem. I am using the Silver Senser in my attic and get all my available signals perfectly.

Of course, the OTA signal meter jumps all over, but since my OTA picture comes in great on all available channels, I never have to go back into that feature.

I finally had the time to install the oval dish last night, and the S360 reports signal strength readings from 101 (Sat A) at 96-100, from 110 (Sat B) at 95-100, and from 119 (Sat C) at 97-100. So I am quite happy with that.:D

I activated my Access card and ordered the D*Tv high-def package - HD picture is amazing, of course. I have only been watching HD for about 4-5 hours, and no issues have arisen so far. I don't have an a/v cabinet/stand yet, since I just recently bought these components for my newly finished basement (thank god its done - ugh), so the S360 sits on top of my Hitachi 57s500 (connected via DVI). I really like the way the S360 integrates the OTA and Satellite stations into one seamless guide - no need to switch input setings, etc. - all you have to do is change the channel. :D

Once peculiar thing, is that the new oval dish has screwed up the Satellite signal meter for my older Sony D*tv receiver (SAT-B3). The Sony's meter does the same bouncing around that the OTA signal meter does for the Samsung S360. On the bright side, it does reach higher peaks than it did before when it was using the round dish and the signal meter did work (it was only able to reach 78, but now it bounces from 0 to 85 to 25 to 0 to 87 using the oval dish). Again, since the Satellite picture and audio are coming in fine on that receiver too, I don't really care that is doesn't work now. :)

The build date of my S360 is Feb 18 2004, and it has the 1.02.03 software version.

I am wondering if anyone has opened on of these units to take a look around, and at least to write down some chip serial numbers. Maybe there could be a correlation to those units having the nasty a/v drops because they have the same batch of faulty chips or something.

I am keeping my fingers crossed and consider myself lucky so far - but it is still early in my D*tv HD watching time.

I just received word from a Samsung level 2 that a fix will soon be out for the A/V dropouts. We will be notified through Direct Tv. I will believe it when I see it. Direct Tv said they would give me a $250 credit if I want to buy a different unit elsewhere.

How about a fix for the OTA signal meter?????? When is soon???????

Originally posted by ccrutch
I just received word from a Samsung level 2 that a fix will soon be out for the A/V dropouts. We will be notified through Direct Tv. I will believe it when I see it. Direct Tv said they would give me a $250 credit if I want to buy a different unit elsewhere.

It is good news that Samsung realizes there are major issues. Whether or not it is truly software related or just defective hardware remains to be seen. My call to Samsung resulted in being informed no fix was planned so I decided to bail out. I wish I had waited now just in case they are successful because it seems very good when it works, which in my case is not very often.

Chris

I just sold my Samsung D* HD receiver on eBay and the guy that bought it said D* won't activate the card for him. They told him he has to buy the receiver from them or an authorized dealer. Is this true? I can't understand why? They have an automatic customer ready to plunk down $40-100 per month. Why would they turn him away? If this is true and I have to return the unit and refund his money and eat the shipping, D* will never get another red cent from me or anyone else I can convince to boycott them.

If someone could please give me a definite answer ASAP as this guy won't wait for long.

Thanks in advance!

Patfaram You need to be more explicit, please.

They will not activate a card that has already been activated by somebody else... i.e you. He has to pay them (25, I recall) to send him a new card.

If it has never been activated, he is shooting a crock at you or you 2 are not talking the same language. I sold a Hughes box 4 weeks ago with an unactivated card and the new owner is up and running... DTV does not know where it came from, nor do they care as long as it's unactivated

Originally posted by BK EH
You need to be more explicit, please.

They will not activate a card that has already been activated by somebody else... i.e you. He has to pay them (25, I recall) to send him a new card.
Thanks Bill. The card had been activated by me. Since then I have canceled the service and sold the receiver. I had no idea they would not reactivate a card. Any idea why? So all he has to do is order a new card and he is good to go, right?

Pat-

DirecTV just makes the new owner order a new card, and they also may credit its cost to the new user if they return the old, used card. The new owner will also probably be required to commit to a year of DirecTV as well, when he orders the card.

Originally posted by dklanecky
Has anyone been able to get the Sammy 360 to work with a VCR? The timer/record function looks so easy to use, but no joy yet. I've been through both manuals and the setup function a few times but no success.

I have a Sammy 43" DLP (HLN) and the Sammy 360 with a JVC S video VCR (HS3800). I'm running a Denon 4800 receiver (audio section processing only).

Regardless of connection, I can't get the VCR to record anything except a pretty poor looking OTA signal.

It seems like the VCR is only capable of recording the OTA antenna input and not the S-video input/output from the 360.

I hat to say anything for fear of jinxing myself, but I haven't had any trouble with my 360 since it was installed the end of February, other than the VCR failure.

My Mitsu S-VHS VCR works perfectly with the Sammy 360. It's an HS-U69. I don't use it much, but it has worked properly when I tested it a few times. It worked on the first try. I wish there were codes to operate a Panasonic E80H DVD Recorder! I do all my recording on it by setting both timers (the Sammy and the DVD Recorder) and that works just fine.

BTW, I've had my 360 a month. None of the reported dropout problems. It has a few minor bugs, but these are well known and should be fixed with a firmware update:

1. OTA Signal meter is broken.
2. Cancelling a search by credits gives a reboot.
3. Panoramic if on for SD, stays on for HD...it shouldn't.

There are no doubt, others, but none have caused me any real problems. Overall, I'm extremely happy with the 360.

...hasan, N0AN

Just to let everyone know my 360 is still running flawlessly after 3 months, no problems whatsoever!!!!

CD

I had it for 2 months without any problems. Build date is 12FEB.

Somebody stop this ride, 'cause I'm gettin' off!

My 360 has only gotten worse, with the a/v dropouts lasting 5-10 seconds instead of 1 or 2, and the x745 errors getting more frequent. I hadn't called D* yet because I expected, like most here, to get a replacement unit with exactly the same problems.

I called anyway this weekend, and was pleasantly surprised-- I was transferred to level 2 quickly, and the level 2 woman knew and acknowleged the problem right away. She said she too had heard "rumors" of a fix, but nothing concrete or confirmed. She also heard about supposed fixes, like fans, etc., but again none of that was confirmed to really work. She offered to ship me a Hughes unit, which I gladly accepted. Should have it in 2 days.

I know some folks like the Samsung better, but I just want something that works, without the dropouts and lockups. Now I'll just have to subscribe to the Hughes post to keep up with its problems!

just a quick head up....i just got a $800+ charge on my credit card for 2 boxes that were defective that I haven't returend yet because they never sent the shipping information. They've just been sitting in the basement, and I more or less forgot about them until I saw the bill and called. Took me 20 mins on hold and 2 supervisors to get them to credit the charnge and send out the shipping info. Was everyone else sent shipping labels, etc with their replacement receivers.

just a quick head up....i just got a $800+ charge on my credit card for 2 boxes that were defective that I haven't returend yet because they never sent the shipping information. They've just been sitting in the basement, and I more or less forgot about them until I saw the bill and called. Took me 20 mins on hold and 2 supervisors to get them to credit the charnge and send out the shipping info. Was everyone else sent shipping labels, etc with their replacement receivers.

Mine were in a red plastic sleeve atop both my replacement boxes, similar to a packing slip.

I did fail to notice the rather swift turn around demand of SEVEN days, including shipping time. It was there, I just missed it. One made it back in about 14 days and the other in about 10 days.

They didn't charge me for either.

I have recorded from the 360 to an older Sony VCR using the composite outputs. I do not have an S-video jack on the VCR. Other than the above-mentioned software bugs, no major issues with my 360. One minor pain - I can get the remote to control my VCR, but the VCR timer/VCR control cable will NOT control my VCR. You would think it would either work for both or not at all.

Ok, so I got the Hughes as a replacement. I'm very happy with it so far. No dropouts or lockups of any kind so far (which was the most important thing). Picture quality looks great to me. Maybe slight edge to the Sammy on HD, but barely noticeable. Sound is better on the Hughes. I dig the "surf" feature on the Hughes-- I just put all the HD channels there. Menus look cooler on the Hughes. Channel changing is slower on the Hughes, but that's aiight. I like the looks of the Sammy better--the Hughes is a bit too honkin' big. Output modes are more versatile on the Hughes. OTA tuner is definitely better, since I can now pick up the Memphis NBC affiliate with this setup (Silver Sensor antenna), and the Sammy couldn't. Also, checking the OTA signal strength meter on the fly, onscreen (just press the "pause" button) is a very cool feature. Not to mention, the info you get from it MEANS something, and actually helps with aiming.

So anyway, here's my farewell to this thread. Good luck with your Sammies, guys.

Just an FYI....

I picked up a new Samsung 360 at the local Best Buy yesterday ($299 with a $200 credit coming from D*). Build date is March '04.

So far, the only issues are the signal strength meter and the thing with the format staying in "panarama" on HD channels if that is what was selected on the 4:3 channels. No dropouts or issues with the guide, or anything else for that matter.

I replaced an older Hughes E86 and am very pleased with the picture quality of the Sammie. If they can get the signal meter sorted out, this will be a keeper.

Robert, would you be so kind to review Music Choice for up to 1h. Several are still reporting audio drop outs, but now limited to Music Choice on the Mar build. 745's and HD audio / video sync, appear to be fixed in this build.

Sorry, but it is not Samsung's policy to repair feature issues unless it is considered a product defect. Have been advised, that the signal meter feature issue has been acknowledged, but is not considered a defect.

Originally posted by Gary Whitaker
Robert, would you be so kind to review Music Choice for up to 1h. Several are still reporting audio drop outs, but now limited to Music Choice on the Mar build. 745's and HD audio / video sync, appear to be fixed in this build.

Sorry, but it is not Samsung's policy to repair feature issues unless it is considered a product defect. Have been advised, that the signal meter feature issue has been acknowledged, but is not considered a defect.
Gary did someone at Samsung advise you, re the signal meter issue? Seems like they are splitting hairs and what they consider a defect. A car will function as a car without headlights, but I sure won't buy it. Some smart class action attorney would eat their lunch on this issue. They are specking out a function that in truth does not exist, truth in advertising.

I cautioned early adopters of the TS-360 based on TS-160 feature issues that where "as designed" and the Music Choice audio drop out defect that Samsung "never" addressed. In addition, the TS-160/360 will still reboot when performing certain types of EPG searches, and Samsung to this day, will not acknowledge the above issues as defects.

But you are correct, my car has no tires, but like "smiling Bob", I am happy for other reasons.

After some further evaluation, it seems the 360 is not as good a ATSC tuner as the E86. I can't even pull in one of the local digitals that the E86 displays a "56" signal strength on.

Since the performance of this piece as a HD tuner is very important to me, this is unacceptible. Next stop, Hughes HTL-HD.

1) I have a 360 with a manufacture date of 24 February 2004. The build date for the software is 6/5, 2003. The unit came from Circuit City On-line. I've read a while back that the only way to get updated software is to send the unit 'back'. In my case, where is 'back'? Via Circuit City or can they do updates locally? I wonder why the software is so far out of date with the manufacturing...

2) I tried to set the time to shut the unit off the other night, and it seemed to be non-functional. I think there was a hint in a previous posting that might be related to software.

3) My old DirecTV Receiver... DirecTV says I can sell it or whatever I want. They also say I 'can' send my card back to them (if I want). What about the advertisements in my local paper for "CASH PAID for DirecTV equip.'? Is that a gray market or on the up and up? Cards..?

I thought I was subscribed to this list but hadn't received any notices in a while. Pardon if I'm covering old territory.

I had the same experience with an HTL-HD and a Sony SAT-HD300 purchased from Circuit City (old mfg. dates & firmware updates). The Sony is fine but the Hughes has the Music Choice dropouts and no OTA meter.
Seems like CC has sufficient sales volume to have a more up-to-date inventory.

I don't think anyone has a newer firmware date than 6/5/03 on the TS-360.

Ken H, would you add the "Master TS-360 Topic" to the "The Official AVS HDTV Hardware "Links" Topic!". This product will become new to some people who will be seeing it for the 1st time at BB & CC.

THX

I recently upgraded to HD and got The 360 from D*TV. I have a few questions that are driving me crazy.

1. Is their a way to actually turn the unit off W/O unplugging it ? I am having a problem with ESPNHD the picture locks up the first time it happened i uplugged the unit and ESPNHD came back. However now the picture for ESPNHD is not coming in after multiple recycles. What is weird is I get all the other HD channels. Could this problem be caused by a defective unit.

2. When I am watching a program through the 360 the sidebars are black not grey. Example I was watching 10.5 last night on 5.1 in St. Louis and the sidebars were black not grey. In the setup menu I know I chose Grey.

Well thanks any help is appreciated

Pat

You probably need to change the output resolution of the TS-360. ESPN is the only channel that is 720p and many displays don't support that resolution. You need to set the TS-360 to always output 1080i (or Native 2 which upconverts 720p to 1080i). Use the "RES" button on your remote (under the little panel at the bottom) to switch resolutions.

What you are seeing on 5-1 is that they are broadcasting a 16:9 image at 1080i, but they are showing a 4:3 program and THEY are putting the black bars there. There is no way for you do change that (other than using one of the zoom modes to chop them off) since your TV is receiving a full width 16:9 image that contains those black bars.

Just thought I would drop by and say hello again. Still running my Hughes without a problem. I moved the Sammy 360 to another TV for now and it is still working ok.

On another note kind of a FYI. I found a DVD player that upconverts 1080i to component. Works pretty nice and priced right. I have been looking for a player like this and had pretty much figured I would have to buy a switch to hookup 2 DVI components but this player solved that problem. Zenith DVB-318.

Rock on...

I've had my 360 about 3 weeks now with no problems yet. I forgot to check and see if it had the signal strength bug, but a week ago I hooked up a TERK TV44 dish mounted OTA antenna. It worked great and pulled in the one channel I really needed (for my wife) which was a digital NBC station. Since I really couldn't reposition the TERK, I had forgotten to look at the s/s meter.

VCR control with a couple year only top of the line Mitsubishi SVHS recoder works fine.

The only thing I liked better on another STB (I started with a non-HD RCA unit) was the lack of tuning to a channel when you are in the view/block mode. When you selected a channel in the equivalent menu on the RCA, the unit would tune to it so you could actually see what (or if) you were receiving during the set-up.

Has anyone connected a PC up to the RS-232 port yet? Is there any software untility out there for talking to your 360 - like maybe for downloading its configuration to your PC?

I just got my 360 replacement today, a Hughes HTL-HD. Short test indicates no dropouts with the Hughes so I am happy. Overall performance seems about the same as the 360 to me, not considering the dropouts which made my 360 unusable. With the Samsung 360 setting a recording to my HD VCR required hitting select twice with the guide showing the program highlighted but it requires several button pushes with the HTL-HD. I hope there is a better way but it didn't jump out at me. Tuning in OTA seems on a par and picture quality is either equal or the Samsung was very slightly superior but not enough to matter. Overall it looks like I am going to be happy with the HTL-HD. I guess I need to go to the thread about this STB now and read up to see if I have any worries. It took two weeks to get my replacement and they forgot to send a shipping label for the Samsung but I called and ordered it so it will soon go back. The 360 would have been great but not with the dropouts.

Chris

Hey guys,

First time poster here. I just had my 360 installed this past weekend. Please forgive me if I skipped over anything found in regards to fixing problems on these units. There's over 60 pages on this thread, so I just skimmed through the first and last 10.

Anyways, onto my story. Got my dish/DTV service installed Saturday morning hooked up with my 360 using RGB output to my RCA digital 36" TV set. Within a few hours of watching it I was receiving these so-called "dropouts" where the screen would go black for a second and the audio would go out for 3-4 seconds. It seemed to get progressively worse. 6 hours after running on non-stop, I go out to pick up some food and come back to find no channels and a Contact Customer Service x745 message on my screen. So I called DTV and they had me reset my box. Fine. So then about an hour and a half later same thing, so I reset it myself. Then 30-45 minutes later same problem. So I'm REALLY getting pissed at this point. I called DTV and they're apologizing for the quality of service I'm getting. They say it might be my access card and set it up to send me a new one the next day. So after that call I'm watching and the dropouts are getting more and more frequent. So I'm trying to figure out why it's getting progressively worse. Then I look at my entertainment cabinet where my 360 is housed. I had it sandwiched between an old ReplayTV unit and my DVD player. So I lift up my DVD player and the 360 was HOT as all hell. So there's the problem...the damn thing is overheating. So I pull out the unit and sit it on the floor and go to sleep. Next day I get up, turn it on and have the unit running all day without a problem. It probably also helped that I had a nearby window open while it was mid-40s out.

So I rearrange my cabinet and put my 360 at the top of the stack, leaving a good 4-5 inches of clearance between the top of the unit and the shelf above it...figuring that's decent for allowing enough air flow. So tonite it's running for 5 hours solid and I start getting a dropout every so often. I go and feel the unit and it's getting pretty warm again.

So it's seeming obvious to me that these units are overheating. And I've noticed some posts where people mentioned using fans to cool the unit. What types of fans are you guys using? Are you literally setting desktop fans in front of this thing? Or somehow installing smaller fans in the unit? I'm really happy with the quality and features of this unit, but this overheating problem is going to be a real issue.

We should realize that many of us are "guinea-pigs" in this realm of HDTV and that there may be "work-a-rounds" for many of the problems we encounter.

I'd had my 360 for about a month and a half now with no major problems. However I came home recently and turned it on and the screen was very, very green (unwatchable). I had the 360 connected to my Sharp 10K projector via the DVI cable. When I switched to component cables it was fine. When I put my projector on the DVI input without the 360 on, it looks fine. So it's either the 360 or the cable. Has anyone had this issue? Does it sound like a bad cable or box? I haven't had a chance to get a new cable, but that's my next plan. I don't want to bother spending the money if people have had similar problems and the 360 was the source of the problem.

I am a new D* customer and got the 360 a week and a half ago. I did not a an OTA antenna up until this past Sunday and everything was working ok (except for the hyperactive and useless signal meter) until yesterday. Starting yesterday, I've experienced the following problems (in order of occurrence):

0. Signal meter - had bouncing signal meter as soon as I connected an OTA antenna.

1. Lock up - blank screen, no response from remote or front panel. This occurred when I tuned to a ATSC channel (7.1) that had good signal. Pushed red button next to card to reboot to recover. No more lockups since.

2. Reboot - No x745 message. just reboot without warning. Happened once yesterday evening after the lock-up. This morning, happened about 5 times; always when I tuned to a particular station (11.1) in the Station Add/Remove screen.

3. Lost ATSC station - I had two stations dissappear and then reappear after reboot (no rescan).

4. OTA reception unpredictable - on day one station is great and the next I get no signal but another station is much better than before.

5. Audio pops and cracks - Not sure if it was a problem before but I don't remember noticing it before yesterday.

6. Finally, and probably the most odd, I have a couple of digital stations registering as analog. After some of these reboots, I saw a 12.1 and 45.1 come up as an analog station. Actual ch 12 should be 11.1 and 45 should be 44.1 with 11 and 45 being local analog stations (NBC and UPN respectively).

I have not had any video dropouts (other than relating to ATSC reception) and not persistent audio drop out. Thought I noticed audio drop once or twice but it came right back.

They are doing upgrades at the main broadcast tower in this area so my last problem may be related to this. My question is, should I return this unit ASAP?!?! I've only got 2 weeks to make a decision and I'll be out of town for the last half of those 2 weeks. Purchased from CC so need to return/exchange in 30 days. I think the local store still has a Hughes (last one) or a bunch of 160s. I'd have to drive about 50mi to get to the next closest store with a 360. I'm willing to make the drive if I can find out what manuf dates "seem" better. At least 2 people have reported Feb 12 build date as having no problems for 2mo. Are there any contradicting reports? Are there other dates that seem good? I know it's by no means a guaranteed way to get a good unit but I figure I can try to increase my chances.

Thanks in advance for any help and/or suggestions.

>> I'm willing to make the drive if I can find out what manuf dates "seem" better. At least 2 people have reported Feb 12 build date as having no problems for 2mo. Are there any contradicting reports?

I believe my second receiver was manufactured on Feb-12. It was slightly better than the first one manufatctured in January, but still a lot of a/v dropouts. I've finally had it with TS360: DirecTV is sending me Hughes HTL. I'd rather have a box that is working and that I can put in my entertainment center than this useless shiny silver box called Samsung TS360.

Originally posted by ralfwolf
I think the local store still has a Hughes (last one) or a bunch of 160s. I'd have to drive about 50mi to get to the next closest store with a 360. I'm willing to make the drive if I can find out what manuf dates "seem" better. At least 2 people have reported Feb 12 build date as having no problems for 2mo. Are there any contradicting reports? Are there other dates that seem good? I know it's by no means a guaranteed way to get a good unit but I figure I can try to increase my chances.

Thanks in advance for any help and/or suggestions.

I think any properly working SIR-TS360 was manufactured randomly and you will find no safe date. The Hughes HTL-HD I got for a replacement is almost as good as far as design and appearance in my opinion, but it works great so I wouldn't mess with trying to get a good 360. My dud 360 was manufactured on March 4. The lucky few that have a good one are just, that lucky.

Chris

Hello,

Two questions:

1.) When I try to boot this receiver without my dish attached anymore and only connected to my OTA antenna, I get a boot fail message on the box. Is that because it's looking for satellite info? How do I get around this? This box CAN work with ONLY and OTA feed, can't it?

2.) Is there a way to do a full reset of this box to get it back to the factory settings? I reactivated it the other day from my DirecTV account and it won't let me change my channel lists or anything without my card being activated (at least that's what it says on the screen). There has to be a way to clear everything out and return it to it's original configuration, but I didn't find anything in the menus. Anyone know how to do this?

Thanks!

I can answer your first question, because I was using just the OTA functionality for about 2 weeks before actually hooking it up to my dish.

You need to go into the receiver settings and you need to set the dish type to "No Dish". I also had the "boot fail" message up until I activated my D*tv card. I really didn't worry about it.

After that, you can then perform an OTA channel scan.

Has anyone had a problem with their STB losing the satellite? Mine has done it 3 times in two months. When I turn it on it says Searching For Satellite Signal. First two times I simply turned the unit off and on a couple of times and it was fine. Last night I had no luck with rebooting. I had to switch to no dish and bring unit online then go in switch it back to triple LNB. This worked on the unit worked fine all night.

Only other issue has been that the STB yields a larger picture than it should in the 16x9 mode on my 4x3 set.

Has anyone connected a PC up to the RS-232 port yet? Is there any software untility out there for talking to your 360 - like maybe for downloading its configuration to your PC?


yes, you can completely control the 360 via a pc by any software that lets you access the com port. im using girder to control mine. you send different hex commands to the com port to control it. I dont use ir anymore.

Is the 360 HDCP on the dvi output?

Just got off the phone with a level-2 tech at Samsung. He told me a couple of fixes are coming. One for sure is the signal meter fix. This is a direct quote from him " I am 98% sure these updates are coming this month"..... This is a direct quote from me "I will believe it when I see it" .......He also said they are now in the process of working with D* to iron out how to flash the updates. I am going to call back next week to find out if they are still on schedule. I will pass on what I find out........

I have owned the t160 for over 18 months. For the most part I am happy with it but it has some issues that Samsung never fixed. Music channel drops every 15 minutes and problems with ota guide info staying in the guide. Don't expect Samsung to fix of your issues because they left a lot of us out in the cold. Once they start working on a new stb they will not fix the issues if any remain. Jeff

barhoram,

That's awesome about the RS-232 port. Where did you find out what the hex commands are and how to poll the unit for status? I've never played with girder so I'm not too familiar with its implementation. Until I make the jump to girder, it seems like a "dumb" terminal window would hopefully do the trick. Any more details you could provide would be appreciated.

If you would prefer to take it offline, my email is pedrickj@earthlink.net

Thanks!

What is a girder?

Steeler:

Thanks for passing that along. Nice to get an update from a fellow fan. My 360 has been working pretty well, so I'm hoping the flash fix (if and when it comes) doesn't change that!

Jeff:
off-topic, but I noticed you are in Thurmont. I used to live in Frederick - I worked for WFMD. Last time I was through that way, it looked like the housing boom in the greater Frederick area was continuing.

Steeler,
Thanks for the update. The signal meter is a real pain in my side right now. I just elevated my antenna and now get rock solid reception on almost all channels in my area. Signal meter still read 45% on all channels but is more stable. Go figure.

Another update regarding my problems. I am now convinced that my problems are firmware rather than the ones others are seeing. Most of the problem reports are reboots with the x745 message and occur even when not user activity is going on. My problem seems to be tied to tuning to certain ATSC channels.

After some long hours of testing, I think I have figured out what my problem might be. I also think that I can explain some of the reports of vanashing ATSC channels. All of the symptoms that I've seen can be caused by poor handling of *bad* PSIP data. Basically, when there are discrepencies in the channels found in the guide data and the channels available in the scan the 360 freaks out. All of my issues started after I entered my zip to enable the guide data. After that, the unit has locked-up, lost channels, rebooted (many times), and reported strange channels like 29.1 as an analog channel. No that's not a typo...29.1 *analog*.

Here's my theory. The guide for ATSC stations come from PSIP signals broadcast OTA from the stations themselves. I know that the receiver says "Downloading guide from satellite" but I think that's either only referring to the sat channels or it's just plain wrong. PSIP allows a station to identify it self with a "virtual" channel number rather than it's actual channel number. It also allows a station to provide guide info about other channels so a station can provide guide info about their analog channel and other digital channels that they use. For instance NBC in my area is KNTV which uses analog channel 11, broadcasts digital on 12, but it also has appearently rented/leased/borrowed a subchanel 48.1 which is actually on channel 49. PSIP allows KNTV to send an alternate station ID for chanel 12 to map it to 11.1 etc. So KNTV can broadcast PSIP signal to provide guide info for 11.1 and 48.1. Now what if they erroneously send PSIP guide info for 12.1 which is not a valid virtual channel. I'm not saying that they do this since I haven't found this problem on this station but I did see this for the ABC (analog channel 7, PSIP channel 7.1, and dtv broadcast ch 24). The guide showed all the programming info on 24.1 but it was listed as an analog station (there was no ch.24 without the .1). There was no guide info for 7.1 but there was a guide entry that just said "regular sheduled program" or some such. I went to remove 24.1 since it is not a valid channel but after that, my guide entry for 7.1 disappeared. So not just no info but the whole row is gone. Here's the strange thing, I can tune to 7.1 eventhough it's not in the guide. I also recall that when I tuned to the erroneous analog station such as 24.1 and let it sit there for more that a second or two, that was one way I could get the box to reboot. I was able to repeat this several times. I'm planning to call Samsung to report this sequence of events. If my theory is correct, then the problems I'm having is a firmware stability issue when given bad PSIP info and not a hardware issue like many of you are having. Has anybody seen similar behavior? Perhaps causing a leap to the conclusion of hardware failure like I did initially?

Sorry about the long post. Thanks.

I apologize if this was asked before, but when connecting the TS360 to a projector (X1) is it better to use the VGA or component (converted to VGA since the X1 only has a VGA input) connection. Thanks.

Originally posted by OneArchitect
What is a girder?
This is Girder.

http://www.girder.nl/

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by ralfwolf........ I just elevated my antenna and now get rock solid reception on almost all channels in my area.

ralfwolf, did you just elevate antenna in the same place (how high and how ....longer pole?) or did you mount it on the roof. If you mounted on the roof how did you know where to place antenna with no functional signal meter?????

Steeler,
I initially just put it on the roof leaning against the chimney facing (approximately) in the direction of the stations. Now it is on a 10' mast in the same basic location; just higher. I did reorient the antenna with a compass after I got it on the mast. I got my orientation direction from antennaweb. Given my distance (40+mi) and no big obstructions behind or around the antenna, I ignored multipath redirection for now. When my signal meter is working, I will re align for peak signal strength. Where the antenna is now, there is good line of sight in the direction of the tower.

The difference was night and day. I think it was mainly the elevation that made the big difference.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ralfwolf
[B]Steeler,
I initially just put it on the roof leaning against the chimney facing (approximately) in the direction of the stations. Now it is on a 10' mast in the same basic location; just higher. I did reorient the antenna with a compass after I got it on the mast. I got my orientation direction from antennaweb. Given my distance (40+mi) and no big obstructions behind or around the antenna, I ignored multipath redirection for now. When my signal meter is working, I will re align for peak signal strength. Where the antenna is now, there is good line of sight in the direction of the tower.

The difference was night and day. I think it was mainly the elevation that made the big difference.....................................

Good job.....You are the model DIY'er. You said your reception is now rock solid. I am assuming before the elevation of the antenna your reception was also good but with some drops....any new stations that you can pick up now????? What type of antenna and preamp are you using? How much were you off before using the compass?

Originally posted by patrickpiteo
Yes BIG BIG Kudos to Steve. I will be calling him tomorrow to thank him. it never hurts to have friends like that LOL. Hew said to call him and let him know and to post it if it worked.. The zip code thing did not work for me. I had tried that before. It was the Factory reset that did it...:D

Im getting my 360 tomorrow, just in case I need to contact Steve what is the number?

Texas Steve

Is anyone else with the TS-360 experiencing problems with ABC in the St. Louis area. My OTA signal is stuttering and the sound is ahead of the picture. Just curious if this is an extension of the same problem people are having in TX.

Here are the basic ones....there are some additional ones that I will post later if necessary. Out of time at the moment. Took me several nights disecting a crestron program file to figue these out. My only word of caution is that once you start controlling your reciverev via rs232, you'll want to go that route with all of your equipment! If you have a pda, check out netreomte. Pronto like control without the IR (uses wifi instead). enjoy.

Com port setting need to be: none 8 1 none 5760
Off 2A6474764A0D0A
On 2A647476490D0A
5 2A647476350D0A
0 2A647476300D0A
9 2A647476390D0A
Enter 2A647476480D0A
1 2A647476310D0A
2 2A647476320D0A
3 2A647476330D0A
4 2A647476340D0A
6 2A647476360D0A
7 2A647476370D0A
8 2A647476380D0A
ch+ 2A6474763E0D0A
ch- 2A6474763D0D0A

"netremote"

Ralfwolf: when in dish mode, the PSIP data for the guide comes from DTV for all channels, including OTA.

You can confirm this by changing your 360 to 'no dish' and then rebooting and downloading and seeing that most all the PSIP guide info is gone. For example, in Dallas the only HD station sending PSIP info OTA -- the last time I checked -- is ABC. The guide for all other stations says "Regular programming" no matter what the day or the time.

Steeler,
This was quite literally a DIY project as I did not have any help. Pointing the dish was only a secondary concern to not getting blown off the roof as I raised the 10' mast with the 8lb antenna at the end. I probably should have chosen a less windy day. :) Before mounting the antenna the receiver was adding about 10-12 channels during scan (although even that count seems inaccurate on the 360). After, I am getting 12-16. Now in both cases, some channels that come up in the scan are actually not watchable due to too many cut-outs. Stations of note that I did add by mounting was CBS and FOX. I plan to rotate the antenna 10-20 degrees more north to try to pick up a couple of more stations that are not broadcasting out of the same tower as most of the stations. I think there was probably a 15 degree difference (toward the west) between where it was before mounting and where it is now.

Bill,
Thanks for the info. Then it looks like the guide data is wrong from satellite. What happens if an OTA station and satellite both transmit guide info to the unit. Do you know which it uses?

Originally posted by ralfwolf

Bill,
Thanks for the info. Then it looks like the guide data is wrong from satellite. What happens if an OTA station and satellite both transmit guide info to the unit. Do you know which it uses? [/B]

railwolf, in my area the locals do not put up any guide info......it comes from sat.

Originally posted by OneArchitect
"netremote"

Google is your friend......

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=netremote&btnG=Search

Originally posted by jmd5505
I apologize if this was asked before, but when connecting the TS360 to a projector (X1) is it better to use the VGA or component (converted to VGA since the X1 only has a VGA input) connection. Thanks.
Stick with VGA, since it is the 'native' format of the X1.

Originally posted by ralfwolf
Bill,
Thanks for the info. Then it looks like the guide data is wrong from satellite. What happens if an OTA station and satellite both transmit guide info to the unit. Do you know which it uses?

It uses the PSIP data from the dish. It's not a matter of "what data is being transmitted to the box," it's "what data stream is the box looking to receive when set to a dish mode."

When set to a dish, the box is expecting all the PSIP guide data via the dish, which is why you have to tell it what your zip is, so it knows what PSIP data to get for your OTAs.

The question still remains. Why is the guide info so screwed up and could that be the cause of some of these instabilities? The reboots that I've seen all seem to be a result of me changing channels between digital ota stations, navigating the add/remove channel screen (also with digital ota stations), and starting a channel scan. 7.1 also keeps vanishing off the guide and requires a channel scan to bring it back. I've removed the 24.1 analog station the receiver detected so that doesnt show up anymore. Before I removed it, 24.1 had guide info for 7.1 (PSIP 7.1 is broadcast on actual ch 24). This has to be a firmware bug. I'm hoping that the new update will resolve this issue. Does anyone know if/when the update is coming? Does anyone have a name to some in D* L2 support that I could call to inquire about the guide problem?

I have been watching this thread since I received the 360 back in February and never had any of the issues that were listed (dropouts, x745) until now. I live outside of Boston and yesterday was our first hot day of the year and my house got up to 82. I then experienced dropouts and then the dreaded x745 and has to reset. I then took my daughters little handheld toy fan and put it right on top, pointing down into the unit and wouldn't you know it, no problems after that.

I feel I am living proof that overheating is the problem.

I have a great signal for OTA. It seems that if it holds at 45 or 63 you are in business. I am only 10 miles from the antennas.

Well, FWIW, all of you who have been struggling with the Sammy boxes and sending the Hughes boxes back might want to reconsider that. Evidently as of last night, new firmware started going out for the Hughes HD-HTL boxes (and other HD-300 variants) and it supposedly fixes the audio dropouts and custom guides issues that those boxes were having. I'm not telling you to drop your 360's.. just wanted to pass on some info in CASE someone was fed up. I personally own a TS160 and my brother has the HD-HTL as of this past weekend. He had asked me if he should tell the installer to send the Hughes box back and get him the Samsung one and I told him "NO! The Samsung box has tons of issues and there doesn't appear to be a vast majority of people who are experiencing problem-free operation so far". Anyway... something to think about while everyone crosses their fingers and waits for Samsung to fix the problems.

Regards,
Jeff

Originally posted by ralfwolf
The question still remains. Why is the guide info so screwed up and could that be the cause of some of these instabilities? The reboots that I've seen all seem to be a result of me changing channels between digital ota stations, navigating the add/remove channel screen (also with digital ota stations), and starting a channel scan. 7.1 also keeps vanishing off the guide and requires a channel scan to bring it back.

I can't help you with the "mapping screwups" but check this: are you making these chages in your profile? If you do not add/remove the channels within the profile, then they are never going to be permanently reflected in the guide. Simply going to Setup / Add-remove programs does not cut it. Keep in mind that you will have to 'save' the profile after the add/remove within it by locking it with a pswd. You can immediately unlock it again if you want and things will still stick.

Sorry for the double post, but I am not sure if my problem is with my TV or my HD receiver.

I just upgraded to DirecTv HD this morning. The installer brought out the Samsung 360. He seemed very knowledgeable about the equipment and said he only does HD installs.

I have the Samsung 360 and a Toshiba 65HDX82 TV. He hooked up the video using the DVI input and the optical audio out to my receiver. At first I would only get a picture for 2 - 60 seconds and then it would switch to "snow" (the screen didn't go blank). If we switched the output on the Samsung to component and back to DVI the picture would come back, but would never stay (again, anywhere from 2 seconds to a minute). The audio never stopped and was crystal clear. everything went away on the video - the picture and the menus.

We switched to component and had no problems. I have been using component with HD for over a year (using the Motorola box from Comcast).

To check if it was the box he brought in another Samsung receiver from his truck and connected it. It ran on DVI with no problems after 10 minutes so we both assumed that was it. He had them activate the new receiver and it was running fine for about an hour when my wife called and said it went out again. It then would keep the picture for a while and drop out for 10 - 15 seconds. Again, the component inputs work fine.

Is there anything I can check on the TV? It appears to be a loose connection, but I am not certain. The cable is tight on both ends. Has anyone else experienced this issue with the Samsung receiver or the Toshiba TV?

Just looking for some advice. Unfortunately, the TV's warranty expired at the end of December. DTV said they would replace the box if needed, but they want me to check the TV first since they tried two boxes.

Thanks in advance,
Nick

So any news about upgrades/fixes to the TS360 receiver? Somebody was saying hear last week that a patch is on the way... Any news? (I am still waiting for my replacement HTL-HD...)

channels keep disappearing from user lists
i live in ft lauderdale and my fox digital channels 7-1 and 7-2 keep disappearing from my user lists. i keep having to go back into "setup" then "antenna and cable" then "add remove channels"....

sometimes they stay on there for a while but most of the time they disappear within 5minutes again. those are the only channels that do this..

anyone else have this problem.

greg

Originally posted by vvrok
So any news about upgrades/fixes to the TS360 receiver? Somebody was saying hear last week that a patch is on the way... Any news? (I am still waiting for my replacement HTL-HD...)

Funny you should ask about this....I just got off the phone with D* level-2 support. D* has begun a Samsung 360 update fix as of this Monday 5/10/04. I talked to two level-2 techs on two different phone calls to make sure I was getting the right scoop. This fix is for the audio/video dropouts for sure. They did not know if signal meter problem was in this update.....but it could be. It's hard as pulling teeth to get info. Neither of the level -2 techs have heard of the signal meter problem but Samsung is keenly aware of it. D* said all of the people with 360's should have the update within one month. The Hughes STB is also being updated. These updates are being sent out randomly and D* level-2 can not tell what areas are in the pecking order.

Has anyone received this update ??????????? You can confirm update in the upgrade menu.

Steeler,
That's great news. Do I have to have my unit off to receive the update? That was how it was with Dish. If I do, I hope they try to send the update when I happen to have it off.

what is the new update version number?

Originally posted by gregftlaud
what is the new update version number?

Did not ask....sorry....check your update menu, info should be there.

Originally posted by ralfwolf
Steeler,
That's great news. Do I have to have my unit off to receive the update? That was how it was with Dish. If I do, I hope they try to send the update when I happen to have it off.

Level-2 told me most updates happen at night after midnight. But she has heard of updates downloading during the day....Don't know about on or off but I would think it doesn't matter.

Originally posted by vvrok
>> I'm willing to make the drive if I can find out what manuf dates "seem" better. At least 2 people have reported Feb 12 build date as having no problems for 2mo. Are there any contradicting reports?

I believe my second receiver was manufactured on Feb-12. It was slightly better than the first one manufatctured in January, but still a lot of a/v dropouts. I've finally had it with TS360: DirecTV is sending me Hughes HTL. I'd rather have a box that is working and that I can put in my entertainment center than this useless shiny silver box called Samsung TS360.

Manufacture dates don't mean anything it's the firmware version that counts.....
Current version is 1.2.03 until new version is downloaded in the next month.

Does anybody know if there is any other connection required other than dish and power (i.e., telephone...) to receive updates?

Interestingly, I've had only one brief case of audio dropout and rather than losing channels, it seems some are occasionally added. Month's worth of use...

Originally posted by OneArchitect
Does anybody know if there is any other connection required other than dish and power (i.e., telephone...) to receive updates?

Interestingly, I've had only one brief case of audio dropout and rather than losing channels, it seems some are occasionally added. Month's worth of use...

The 360 plugged in and a connected telephone line.......that's it.

It does not have to be connected to a phone line to get the update, which comes via the dish.

Powering it off simply turns off the video portion, but best to power it off, then it won't think you are watching TV and "wait" to download the update.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BK EH
[B]It does not have to be connected to a phone line to get the update, which comes via the dish.

You are correct.......update comes via the dish. Level-2 asked me about my phone line....maybe as a reminder or maybe they can track if download was successful. I did not ask.

The phone line is only for reporting any PPV billing info back to them. And it has nothing to do with updates in any way.

Is there any chance the Level2 techs had the Samsung confused with Hughes? Thinking the that upgrade to the HTL-HD was for the TS360?

Originally posted by MrChicken
Is there any chance the Level2 techs had the Samsung confused with Hughes? Thinking the that upgrade to the HTL-HD was for the TS360?

No.....As I said in my original post on this subject, I asked two different techs several times and the answer was there is an update for both.....

Checked this morning -- no updates.

Has ANYBODY got the update of the firmware on their 360s yet?

Not here as of late last night.
Sid

me neither

Nothing

I am curious what is firmware version on the receiveres manufactured in late April - early May? If, as DirecTV claims, the update is available, Samsung should have started using it on recently manufactured boxes in production...?

of asking a dumb question (i.e. one that has been answered somewhere in the bowels of this 60 page thread and that I can't find, even by searching):

I have the TS360 and have been trying to decide if I should scream at D* to get a Hughes. Do these audio/video dropouts occur ONLY on HD programming or on regular SD as well? Reason I ask is that I can't ever remember experiencing a dropout when watching SD; however, occasionally, and especially last night when watching HDNet (BMW Movie) and the Lightning/Flyers game on ESPNHD (just after), the picture would freeze for a second, then I would get a black screen for a couple of seconds, then back to normal. This happened about 4-5 times. Never have experienced an x745 (or whatever) message, however.

I probably would be happier with the Hughes since I've got an RTV and I can't control the Samsung with it, but I don't want to ask for a replacement unless I feel it's justified.

Thanks for any info.

=NLK=

Originally posted by vvrok
I am curious what is firmware version on the receiveres manufactured in late April - early May? If, as DirecTV claims, the update is available, Samsung should have started using it on recently manufactured boxes in production...?

27-Apr-2004 build date - version still 1.2.03. My previous unit had a build date of 30-Jan-2004 and experienced the dropout problem exactly as described in the above post by NLK, as well as the constant problem of deleting some local channels from some profiles or all profiles (requiring a re-scan). This new unit fixed those issues. The OTA meter is, of course, still useless, but I have no other issues with the new unit except that an OTA station that is marginal (but watchable) on the Hughes E86 isn't receivable at all on the 360. Stronger OTA channels are okay, though.

Originally posted by vvrok
I am curious what is firmware version on the receiveres manufactured in late April - early May? If, as DirecTV claims, the update is available, Samsung should have started using it on recently manufactured boxes in production...?

Any 360 being built now will use the current firmware ........1.2.03. The new update will change that though. New machines will not get the new firmware until D* and Samsung are sure this fix works and both sign off on it.....

I made sure to put the unit on standby last night. Still no joy.

If the firmware was just released, then it will probably take at lleast a couple of weeks to months before units with the new FW will be on shelves. Stores will try to sell their old inventory first.

Hi folks,

I've had my TS-360 for a couple of months. Over the past month as I've been watching a lot of hockey on ESPN-HD I've finally noticed the video drop people are talking about. I tend to get them about once every 5 minutes on average I'd say. I also occasionally notice the bottom of the screen will occasionally turn green (as if a graphic was starting to appear) pixelate a bit and then disappear. I'm guessing it's related to the drop outs. A strange thing with the audio on ESPN-HD I haven't noticed discussed here..

Whenever they show commentators talking from the arena the audio is always about a half second out of sync. However, whenever they are broadcasting from the studio or otherwise NOT in HD Mode, the audio is in sync. I haven't noticed this problem on other channels but I haven't watched a lot of talking heads on the other channels in HD yet. I'll have to take a better look.

Can anybody confirm they are having audio sync issues when ESPN is broadcasting in HD mode?

Thanks,
Wired

>> Can anybody confirm they are having audio sync issues when ESPN is broadcasting in HD mode?

Confirming...

although there are others on these boards who are much more well-versed than I on the subject, I think this MAY be a separate issue.

I have a Samsung DLP and I know in the Display Devices section there is a lot of talk about Audio Sync issues, which seem to occur on various stations, at various times, under a variety of conditions. My sense is this MAY be a Samsung DLP issue or it may be a general cable/satellite issue: I don't know.

What kind of TV do you have?

And, BTW, I get that green pixelation effect as well. I thought I would be immune because my Samsung box is on the top of the rack and keeps relatively cool. Oh, well, I need to rest up for another fight (this time with D*). :)

=NLK=

Originally posted by nlk10010

What kind of TV do you have?


Hitachi 60vx500 (Rear Projection 60" LCD)

Originally posted by nlk10010

And, BTW, I get that green pixelation effect as well


Thanks to you and vvrok for confirming each of my issues.

I guess like a lot of others I'm hoping that the software update that some were told is coming will get into my box soon and fix one or both of these annoyances.

Is there a way of expanding a 4:3 signal when sent over a HD channel?The HTL-HD will do it, but I cant find a way to make the 360 so that. The format button runs through the format options but the display is 4:3.

IMHO, waiting for the software patch will most likely be a waste of time. Who knows when it will come down the pike: usually rumours FAR precede the occurrence. Of course, your opinion may differ and I wish you the best of luck.

Me, I'm going to take a deep breath and call D* for a switch. I've been with them 4.5 years, in good standing. I hope they'll be reasonable (especially since I'm also trying out cable :) ).

As an aside, I can't remember getting these dropouts before fooling around with the RES switch. I'm trying Native2 I think now; don't know what it was on before (frankly, I didn't even know this RES switch existed because I didn't RTFM). The dropouts definitely look like what happens when the TV switches resolutions, so it could easily be the box doing unnecessary resolution changes. While I'm waiting for the box exchange I'm going to try the other settings and see what happens. My DLP does 720p natively so I wanted to set the box to 1080i so the TV would do the conversion with its Faroudja (sp?) chip, but I'm willing to experiment.

=NLK=

If your PJ is 720 native, why would you upconvert the 360 to 1081 then have the PJ downconvert to 720. Why not just set the 360 and the PJ to 720?

Originally posted by Rick Sass
If your PJ is 720 native, why would you upconvert the 360 to 1081 then have the PJ downconvert to 720. Why not just set the 360 and the PJ to 720?

Well, I'll admit I don't know s**t about this and that my decision stems from a lack of knowledge about exactly what the box settings do.

For example: it really depends on what the actual transmission format is, I think. I want the box to do NO conversion, so my DLP will do it all. I thought that, since I think I read somewhere that the HD transmissions are in 1080i format, that setting the box to 1080i would in effect be telling it NOT to do any conversion (so the Samsung would). If I set it to 720p and the box receives a 1080i signal, then won't it try to convert it to 720p?

I know I should RTFM, and maybe I will, but I don't believe under any circumstances I should be experiencing the switch-like dropouts I'm seeing. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

=NLK=

[QUOTE]Originally posted by nlk10010

I thought that, since I think I read somewhere that the HD transmissions are in 1080i format, that setting the box to 1080i would in effect be telling it NOT to do any conversion (so the Samsung would). If I set it to 720p and the box receives a 1080i signal, then won't it try to convert it to 720p?

So... your DLP is a Samsung as well as the 360? I am confused about what you have - a box, Samsung, DLP????

Anyway, HD can be 720 or 1080. If the best your PJ can "accept" is 720, then no need to upconvert anything past what your PJ can handle.

Hi, just found this forum, need help. I just installed a TS360. Seems to be working fine but the signal meter reads 0 to 45% even when I have a good pic on the TV. Directtv is sending me a new box. My question is should I try the new box or just put up with a bad meter reading(hard to maximize pointing) if everything else is working? Have not had dropouts like everyone else. Thanks

Do a serach in this thead about the OTA signal meter and you will be amazed at the threads - this is a problem with the 160's and 360's. A new box won't help and you will probably get a Hughes as a replacement which has its own problems.

Anyone know if I can configure the volume punchtru on the TS360 remote? In TV mode it controls TV volume (fine), in Aux move it controls my reciever volume (yay), but in DirectTV mode (where it always is), its TV vol. Can I somehow trick or force it to do the Aux volume in DirectTV mode?
Thx,
-Shaown

Good question! I'd also like to control the STB or Receiver volume...

Originally posted by Rick Sass


-snip-

So... your DLP is a Samsung as well as the 360? I am confused about what you have - a box, Samsung, DLP????

Anyway, HD can be 720 or 1080. If the best your PJ can "accept" is 720, then no need to upconvert anything past what your PJ can handle.

Sorry for the confusion. Yes, my STB is the Samsung 360 AND my TV is a Samsung 43" DLP (I like things to match).

From what I understand, my TV can HANDLE anything but is native 720p so if it gets a 1080i signal it will convert it to 720p. I'd prefer to have the Samsung 360 just pass through whatever signal it gets and let the DLP do the conversion. From discussions on another group I got the impression that there were no stations currently broadcasting HD @ 720p, only 1080i (but that was cable).

Thanks for taking the time to post and help me out.

=NLK=

NLK,

Not sure why you got that idea, but for OTA, ABC and FOX (in September) are in 720p, as is ESPN-HD via cable/sat. PBS, NBC and CBS are broadcasting in 1080i. I don't recall what UPN or WB are, but I believe that UPN will be 720p at least here in Houston.

FWIW, I run my TS160 at 720p output when connected to my Samsung HLN617. I run it at 1080i when I have it connected to my Sony CRT HDTV. If the Samsung STB allowed for changing the output format from the remote (/rant LIKE IT FRIGGIN SHOULD!!!! /end rant) then it would be a simple matter to program either of my universal remotes with macros to switch the STB to the native output format of whatever the signal was coming in... then just let the Faroudja in the DLP do the side-conversion from 1080i->720p if it was needed.

Later,
Jeff

Jeff:

OK.

Actually, the info I got was from the CV (LI/NY) group on Yahoo; for that provider, at least for now, you have confirmed there is no channel broadcasting 720p (they don't carry ESPN-HD). I don't have OTA.

If I have the right option in mind, the 360 DOES let you switch RES from the remote. I just RTFM and there is unfortunately no info on the RES button, but I gather from what you have said that it sets the mode of the OUTPUT signal from the box. If you set the RES to the same format as the incoming signal the Samsung STB does no conversion, correct? So if I want my Samsung DLP to handle any conversion I need to set the output from the box to the same res as the input, and that would mean (for me at least, for now) 1080i for all HD stations but ESPN-HD (which I get via D*) for which I better set the STB res to 720p.

I think the above is correct but I've got ONE MORE question: what the h*ll is the difference between the two 1080i modes on the STB: Native 1 and Native 2 (Native 3 seems to just set the output res to 720p)?

It would really be helpful if the Samsung 360 had a selection like the CV SA4200HD to just pass-through the signal.

Thanks very much for your post.

=NLK=

From the book:

Native 1 outputs the signal as is to the TV, 480i/p to 480i/p, 720 to 720, 1080i to 1080i.

Native 2 sends 480i/p to 480i/p and upconverts everything else to 1080i.

Native 3 sends 480i/p to 480i/p and 720p to 720p and converts 1080i to 720p.

Native 1 appears to be the pass-through.

Originally posted by MrChicken
From the book:

Native 1 outputs the signal as is to the TV, 480i/p to 480i/p, 720 to 720, 1080i to 1080i.

Native 2 sends 480i/p to 480i/p and upconverts everything else to 1080i.

Native 3 sends 480i/p to 480i/p and 720p to 720p and converts 1080i to 720p.

Native 1 appears to be the pass-through.

You mean I have become the kind of poster I loathe the most? :)

Sorry, guess I didn't read carefully enough.

Native 1 it is. Thanks.

=NLK=

hehehe.. glad you have it all worked out.

Incidentally, my griping was aimed at the 160 not the 360 that you have. I have to flip a hardware switch on the BACKSIDE of the friggin STB in order to switch from 480p/720p/1080i in terms of output format. Damn dumbest thing I have seen so far. Sometimes I wonder if any beta testing with actual human consumers is ever done with some of these things.


Later,
Jeff

I bought the SIR-TS360 a few weeks ago. I love the box, but have had lots of problems with the video dropouts from day one. They seemed to start out infrequently and would increase until I would get the 'call x745' error and had to reset the box. I've been checking this thread alot and the discussion about the box overheating seemed to make sense. It does get quite hot, even though I had nothing on top of it, and it was in a cool AC room. The hotter it gets the more dropouts and reboots.

I was in compusa in search of cooling fans and power supplies when I came across the targus chill pad (see the targus website, model number is PA248U). It's a thin plastic ducted pad with a couple of cooling fans in it. It's intended for placement under a laptop, and is powered by USB. I had a USB hub I wasn't using, so I plugged it into that. I centered the pad on top of the box (over the vent holes). It is inverted such that the fans face downward onto the box, which causes it to suck the hot air up and out, and blow it out towards the front of the unit.

I set it up on my TS360 yesterday afternoon, and I haven't seen a single dropout since. It does a great job of keeping the box cool, and it's very quiet. It costs about $30.

Granted, this is kind of a band-aid solution. I wonder if samsung's upgrade will address the cause of the overheating. It seems like an engineering botch to not put a fan in this box to begin with.

I've scanned through this thread to try and determine whether to purchase a Samsung 160 or 360 used from EBAY. The 160's are much less money so do I really lose much by not getting the later model?

Thanks,

Paul

While I have purchased from ebay myself, a STB that is known to have problems (the 360 drop out problem) would make me nervous. I know there's been mention of a download 'fix', but it hasn't happened yet, and there's no guarantee that it will. Unless the warranty is transferable (most, if not all, are not), you may be purchasing a headache. I'm not sure extra cooling works in all cases, mine wasn't that warm to the touch to begin with, and it was in a well-ventilated location but still had the drop out problems. It took a replacement unit to fix it. But, those units should have had fans regardless, just like the Hughes E86.

I have 2 Sammy 360's and have posted to this thread before but not in a while. Both units are through directv's $399 special deal so I have an extra dish in case somebody needs one.
One unit had the drop out problem but not badly and it was in a well ventilated spot away from all heat. Directv replaced it promising a Hughes but it turned out to be a returned Samsung unit but since it has never had dropouts, I've kept it. The other unit is in the bedroom in a rack with a SET (tubes) amp (heat) and has never had a dropout.
Every unit I have had (3), originally would work accepting a component input from a progressive DVD player and sending it to the display via DVI. After a short time and w/ all three units, the Samsung switches itself to sat/ant input and drops the component input. So I had to rerun (and in one case buy new) component cables. PITA but not the end of the world. I could have saved a few bucks and some upset if I had learned my lesson the first time it happened.
I still maintain its a crap shoot as to whether you get the dropout problem or not but the component input failure seems a lock to happen IME.

How can you find when the manufactured date was on a TS360?

Originally posted by bbgamer
How can you find when the manufactured date was on a TS360?

It is on the back of the unit by the serial number.

Chris

Do any of you run a DVI cable from your STB to your TV? Or do you run component cables? I'm having my HD receiver installed today and wanted to pick up the cable(s) after work. Just not sure what type.

My boxed Samsung 360 came with a basic component cable set. (I am currently running S-Video awaiting a proper display).

Do any of you run a DVI cable from your STB to your TV? Or do you run component cables? I'm having my HD receiver installed today and wanted to pick up the cable(s) after work. Just not sure what type.


The HD boxes come with all necessary cables including component and DVI. You can always upgrade to a better cable later if desired.

Originally posted by drfrickingevil
Do any of you run a DVI cable from your STB to your TV? Or do you run component cables? I'm having my HD receiver installed today and wanted to pick up the cable(s) after work. Just not sure what type.

My 360 came packaged with a DVI cable and a component cable. I've been using the DVI. My comparison showed the DVI connection appeared to be a little bit sharper.

Thanks! You'll saved me a trip to BB for those cable(s). Now I'm curious to see if I experience the same problems as others have on this board.

I'm so excited! The Direct TV guy is at my house now hooking up my OTA antenna and HD receiver. My wife is pissed though cause the antenna has to go on the roof.

Any tips or advice when I get home tonight to watch TV?

Take your wife out to dinner.

According to page 20 of my manual, the 360 as boxed does not include a DVI cable (unless I am misunderstanding something).

According to page 20 of my manual, the 360 as boxed does not include a DVI cable (unless I am misunderstanding something).

Don't have the manual handy but the DVI cable definitely came with the unit packaged separately inside the box.

Get this! The installer shows up and tells my wife that he never put up an antenna before and that it will take 5 HOURS! She sent him packing and she will call Direct TV to vent. Maybe we'll get this for free yet!

Question about issue with signal:

Lately, HBO HD (channel 88 on DirecTV) and HDNet have begun to display lots of "digital noise" making the picture unwatchable. Other channels that are HD off of the satellite come through fine. I don't know why only those channels are affected but it now makes it so I can't even see Sopranos and other shows in HD that I use a lot. Has anyone had this issue and what if any was the solution? These channels used to work fine when I got the receiver. It has been the last 2-3 weeks I've seen the problem. The thing that gets me is that the other HD channels off of the satellite work fine. What is different about HBO HD and HDNet?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Originally posted by OneArchitect
According to page 20 of my manual, the 360 as boxed does not include a DVI cable (unless I am misunderstanding something).

My manual says that, too...yet there was a DVI cable in the box. I have heard the same from others on this forum.

I purchased my S360 (brand new) about a month ago from the local blue/yellow electronics retailer, and it did not come with the DVI cable. So I had to buy the DVI cable separately. (so far my S360 has worked flawlessly - other than the dopey HD OTA meter - *knocks on wood*).

Maybe those that get them via the D*tv order get the DVI cable.

Originally posted by lcrim
.
Every unit I have had (3), originally would work accepting a component input from a progressive DVD player and sending it to the display via DVI. After a short time and w/ all three units, the Samsung switches itself to sat/ant input and drops the component input. So I had to rerun (and in one case buy new) component cables. PITA but not the end of the world. I could have saved a few bucks and some upset if I had learned my lesson the first time it happened.
I still maintain its a crap shoot as to whether you get the dropout problem or not but the component input failure seems a lock to happen IME.

I just getting mine this week. I hook up to a 46" Samsung DLP. Regarding the component out to the 360 then DVI out to tv. did you notice the quality any better vs going directly with component to the tv? Hope I dont get the droupout!

Texas STeve

The three units I have received come with all the cables, DVI, component and the s-video and audio cables. I have two sets still in the bags. Might go to the bay to sell.

Originally posted by JATWolf
Question about issue with signal:

Lately, HBO HD (channel 88 on DirecTV) and HDNet have begun to display lots of "digital noise" making the picture unwatchable. Other channels that are HD off of the satellite come through fine. I don't know why only those channels are affected but it now makes it so I can't even see Sopranos and other shows in HD that I use a lot. Has anyone had this issue and what if any was the solution? These channels used to work fine when I got the receiver. It has been the last 2-3 weeks I've seen the problem. The thing that gets me is that the other HD channels off of the satellite work fine. What is different about HBO HD and HDNet?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Could be a problem with your 119 LNB or a 119 sat problem since both these channels are on the 119 satellite. Try channel 376 - Nasa TV which is on the same sat. The only other programming I found on that sat are the international channels so you can try those if you get them. I haven't seen a problem on HDNet (ch 79) recently but I'll check tonight.

Originally posted by ralfwolf
Could be a problem with your 119 LNB or a 119 sat problem since both these channels are on the 119 satellite. Try channel 376 - Nasa TV which is on the same sat. The only other programming I found on that sat are the international channels so you can try those if you get them. I haven't seen a problem on HDNet (ch 79) recently but I'll check tonight.

A few wks ago, I started getting tons of digital noise ONLY on HDNet (I do not subscribe to HBO). It took several phone calls to D*, and elevation to level 2, but they figured out exactly what ralfwolf said. I was getting no signal on satellite b, transponder #23, but was fine on the other satellites. (I assume sat b is the same as 119, but I'm not sure.) They sent out a tech guy to reallign the dish, and everything looked great after that. It had been a very windy, stormy weekend, and the initial installer prob hadn't tightened things up very well.

All the channels on that 119 sat work fine except for the HD channels. I just scheduled a repair tech to come out to check it out. Hopefully it's just some problem with a cable or something and it can be resolved that way. We'll see. Thanks for the advice though ralfwolf... You are right about it being on the 119 sat, just have to find out what the issue is.

Originally posted by Gary16
According to page 20 of my manual, the 360 as boxed does not include a DVI cable (unless I am misunderstanding something).

Don't have the manual handy but the DVI cable definitely came with the unit packaged separately inside the box.

Mine made no mention of including a DVI cable, but there was one in the box!