I recently purchased the Samsung TXP3071WH from Best Buy.

Product literature claims that the TV is compliant with Digital Cable Plug and Play but my experience seems to indicate otherwise. Keeping in mind that cable companies are not required to carry PSIP data until July 1, 2004, I expected to be able to tune clear (unencrypted) HD and SD channels but not have any PSIP data. Instead the TV did not find any digital channels during the auto-scan nor does it find them when manual tuning.

I have e-mailed Samsung technical support via their website asking if the TV is expecting PSIP to be present in order to properly tune a QAM channel. If so, I'll just have to wait until July 1st to tune HD/SD over cable. If not, then there must be something else wrong.

Does anyone else have a Samsung with QAM tuner? What have you experiences been trying to receive QAM programs?

After some detailed testing, this TV, with its current software, will never acquire DTV signals via QAM.

I have spoken to Samsung technical support and they are relaying my findings to the engineers.

The TXP-3071WH seems to be looking for a particular field in PSIP data that is only present in off-air signals and not cable signals as per ATSC A/65B (http://www.atsc.org/standards.html). (The TV is looking for the service_location_descriptor, see page 142 for details.)

Samsung may be able to provide a software update, but I may just return the set.

I highly recommend you dot purchase this TV if you plan to receive HD over digital cable without a set-top box.

I dont know, because my Samsung set also has the QAM tuner, but I dont subscribe to digital cable and as far as I can tell I dont think at least Comcast down here in Florida are sending the Digital channels unencrypted at all. Most cable companies won't because they want you to pay to upgrade to digital cable and even more for HD. The CableCARD is probably gonna be the only solution if you dont want to use a box with digital cable and most sets don't have that slot yet and the cable company is still gonna charge a rental fee on those cards. I just wish cable companies will learn that some people would rather to buy cable boxes instead of being forced to rent, even though the FCC mandates that consumers should be able to own their own equipment.

Originally posted by bradbomb
I dont know, because my Samsung set also has the QAM tuner, but I dont subscribe to digital cable and as far as I can tell I dont think at least Comcast down here in Florida are sending the Digital channels unencrypted at all. Most cable companies won't because they want you to pay to upgrade to digital cable and even more for HD. The CableCARD is probably gonna be the only solution if you dont want to use a box with digital cable and most sets don't have that slot yet and the cable company is still gonna charge a rental fee on those cards. I just wish cable companies will learn that some people would rather to buy cable boxes instead of being forced to rent, even though the FCC mandates that consumers should be able to own their own equipment.

Digital broadcast channels are part of Basic Cable and must be, by law, unencrypted.

Since you are unable to receive the channels you are experiencing the same problem I have uncovered.

I recommend you call 1-800-SAMSUNG and reference the issue of being able to tune QAM channels without a service_location_descriptor. Request that they come out and update the software in your TV.

I have the Samsung txp2670wh (w/ QAM tuner) and have Comcast cable in the Chicago area. I can tune in WGN (117-1 and 117-2) however I don't get any of the other QAM DTV stations.
I do get program information on WGN, though, so would it be safe to say they do have PSIP on WGN, and maybe have not added it to the others?

Originally posted by dlh70
I have the Samsung txp2670wh (w/ QAM tuner) and have Comcast cable in the Chicago area. I can tune in WGN (117-1 and 117-2) however I don't get any of the other QAM DTV stations.
I do get program information on WGN, though, so would it be safe to say they do have PSIP on WGN, and maybe have not added it to the others?

If the cable headend is "passing" the broadcaster the TV will acquire the signal. In almost all cases the signal will not be passed since cable companies will take 2 DTV stations and multiplex them into one 6MHz 256-QAM channel. Once that is done, the TV, with the current software, will not be able to tune anything on QAM.

I will be following up with Samsung again today.

Originally posted by dbrouda
Digital broadcast channels are part of Basic Cable and must be, by law, unencrypted.

Since you are unable to receive the channels you are experiencing the same problem I have uncovered.

I recommend you call 1-800-SAMSUNG and reference the issue of being able to tune QAM channels without a service_location_descriptor. Request that they come out and update the software in your TV.

But they aren't a part of basic cable because basic cable is only analog. There is still after that extended basic, and then after that Digital Classic Cable. I've never read anywhere that Cable companies by law need to send digital broadcast channels. The law was that OTA needs to be switched over to Digital Broadcast by 2006. Nowhere does it mandate the same thing for cable companies and cable networks. Also, they can encrypt their signal because they don't want people taking their digital signal when they are still only paying for analog cable.

Originally posted by bradbomb
But they aren't a part of basic cable because basic cable is only analog. There is still after that extended basic, and then after that Digital Classic Cable. I've never read anywhere that Cable companies by law need to send digital broadcast channels. The law was that OTA needs to be switched over to Digital Broadcast by 2006. Nowhere does it mandate the same thing for cable companies and cable networks. Also, they can encrypt their signal because they don't want people taking their digital signal when they are still only paying for analog cable.

There is an FCC mandate that off-air digital be carried as part of basic cable; thus basic cable is analog and digital.
<http://ftp.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/Orders/2001/fcc01022.pdf>
"We believe that in the context of the new digital carriage requirements, it is consistent with the statutory language to require that a broadcaster's digital signal must be available on a basic tier such that all broadcast
signals are available to all cable subscribers at the lowest priced tier of service, as Congress envisioned."

If your MSO is encrypting off-air channels they would need to provide every basic subscriber with a free set-top.

All off-air digital is part of basic cable.

But if you read that, that is talking about after the Digital transition in 2006. It says earlier in the document that if a station has ananalog and digital signal, it is at the discretion of the cable company during the transition up until the the point of all digital for OTA broadcast to carry either one. So they do not have to carry both analog and digital on their basic tier, just one for the time being. Meaning they can make the digital counterparts for the off-air stations encrypted because they are still offering their analog counterparts in basic. Now when 2006 comes around, the situation will change, but as you can see its 2004, so thats 2 years away and there are still things that have to be met so that the analog broadcast of OTA stations gets shut down in 2006, the biggest thing being an 80% adoption rate of HDTV across the US by consumers and broadcasters.

Sorry, also quotes from the end of the document
D. Tier Placement
132. As discussed above, Section 623(b)(7)(A) of the Act requires that the basic tier on a rate regulated system
include all signals carried to fulfill the must carry requirements of Sections 614 and 615 and “any signal of any television
broadcast station that is provided by the cable operator to any subscriber. . .”384 We believe that it would facilitate the
digital transition to permit cable operators that are carrying a broadcast station’s analog signal on the basic tier to carry that
broadcast station’s digital signal on a digital tier pursuant to retransmission consent. We seek comment on permitting such
carriage and whether it would encourage more cable operators to voluntarily carry a broadcaster’s digital signal. We believe
that such an approach, which is necessarily limited to the duration of the transition in a given market, is consistent with the
flexibility given the Commission by Section 614(b)(4)(B) to prescribe rules for the transition. We seek comment on thisinterpretation. We also seek comment on limiting this approach to those situations in which the digital programming is a
simulcast of the analog programming available on the basic tier. We reiterate that, as discussed above, if a cable operator is
carrying only the broadcaster’s digital signal, and not the analog signal, the digital signal must be available to subscribers on
a basic tier to which subscription is required for access to any other tier.

Also, reading Appendix D of this document says that the conclusion of whatever this document is the record of for 2001, is that we need to further look into all these matters before making more rulings on the transition

I believe the Memo of Understanding between CEA, NCTA, and NAB clarifies this issue...

Originally posted by dbrouda
I recently purchased the Samsung TXP3071WH from Best Buy.

Product literature claims that the TV is compliant with Digital Cable Plug and Play but my experience seems to indicate otherwise. Keeping in mind that cable companies are not required to carry PSIP data until July 1, 2004, I expected to be able to tune clear (unencrypted) HD and SD channels but not have any PSIP data. Instead the TV did not find any digital channels during the auto-scan nor does it find them when manual tuning.

I have e-mailed Samsung technical support via their website asking if the TV is expecting PSIP to be present in order to properly tune a QAM channel. If so, I'll just have to wait until July 1st to tune HD/SD over cable. If not, then there must be something else wrong.

Does anyone else have a Samsung with QAM tuner? What have you experiences been trying to receive QAM programs?

Did you ever hear anything further from Samsung on whether this tv can receive QAM channels over cable?

I bought this tv about a week ago and have had the same problems of not being able to pick up any digital cable channels, but I was also wondering if anyone else ran into the probem of not being able to acess the DNie in the setup menu. Has anyone else run into this problem?

Originally posted by stein1010
I bought this tv about a week ago and have had the same problems of not being able to pick up any digital cable channels, but I was also wondering if anyone else ran into the probem of not being able to acess the DNie in the setup menu. Has anyone else run into this problem?

DNie feature is exclusive to the TX-P3076WH model only. In the service menu, there's an option, but it is unavailable to change. This TV will only pick up non-encrypted digital cable signals. Unfortunately, only some Comcast customers have had success.

but the old thing about that is in the manual that is listed for the 2670wh, 2675wh, 3071wh, and 3075wh it is listed as a special feature and has directions on how to turn it on

The official word from Samsung is that this TV (and all similar models) requires a particular message in the QAM signal that is not typically transmitted by Cable Companies. The standard requires that they transmit a different message.

Samsung is not compliant to the standard even through their literature says they are.

The fix would be a software update but I did not receive any response from Samsung indicating if their would either provide a software update or if they were going to remove the text from their literature claiming their were compliant with the standard.

This is false advertising, but I don't think Samsung is selling enough of this to care.

I spoke with Samsung support today regarding this QAM issue.
After listening to the first guy tell me that I needed a cable box as this tv only works with an antenna, I got through to another guy in level 2 support, said pretty much the same thing. I asked why it is advertised as having a QAM in the clear decoder if it doesn't work.
I have to call another guy tomorrow.

This tv is very good apart from this QAM error aswell as a few 8VSB errors that hang the software. Picture quality is good.

dbrouda, so should the cable companies be transimitting this new message in the QAM signal now that it is after july'04?

stein1010, the manual covers all thise 4 tv sets. Even though I have the 3071, the BBE sound option is available and theres a graphic on the silver tv case.

I can change to the TXP3075WH from Crutchfield if theres a chance the QAM will work?

Originally posted by JamesMH
I spoke with Samsung support today regarding this QAM issue.

dbrouda, so should the cable companies be transimitting this new message in the QAM signal now that it is after july'04?

I can change to the TXP3075WH from Crutchfield if theres a chance the QAM will work?

Cable companies are transmitting the message as of July 1. For reference it is called a CVCT (Cable Virtual Channel Table). There is an equivalent table for off air, the TVCT (Terrestrial Virtual Channel Table). I believe there is only a 1 bit (or byte) difference between the two.

For whatever reason Samsung is only looking for the TVCT even if they are tuning QAM.

Unless they fixed this in later software it will be an issue with the TXP3075WH too.

Is there a way to look at the television's current firmware version?

How do you know that this tv is looking for the TVCT and not the CVCT when the input is selected as cable?

Have you tried contacting Samsung again lately over this issue?

Originally posted by JamesMH
Is there a way to look at the television's current firmware version?

How do you know that this tv is looking for the TVCT and not the CVCT when the input is selected as cable?

Have you tried contacting Samsung again lately over this issue?

There is a way to get the firmware version thgouh diagnostics but I forget how to get into diagnostics (various remote button pushes). The method was posted in another forum, I think.

I work in the cable industry and bought some equipment home and tested various things with the TV, thus I know it only works with a TVCT. Additionally, the developer from Samsung confirmed this to me via e-mail.

My last attempt to contact Samsung was directly to their development team about 2 months ago.

Thats good that you and Samsung know what the problem, but its not good that its not fixed in the new productions.

Did you get any hint or any indication that it might be fixed via a software update? Theres a service port on the back of the set, maybe its just a regular serial port.

I know Samsung released user uploadable firmware for their set top boxes a while back. Did they mention they might do this?

If you can give me any direct email addresses that'd be great, but no problem if you can't.

I really wanted a tv with Clear QAM and a good 8VSB decoder built in, looks like this might go back to Best Buy. :(

JamesMH,

Sorry, I cannot provide the e-mail contacts.

It is possible they did fix it in the newer sets and did not tell me as much, but I doubt it. Frankly, they did not really seem to care; I think I would need to get a hold of someone in US marketting rather then Korean engineering to get the matter some attention but I really don't have time for that.

If would be possible to do a firmware update via the port on the rear of the set, however, I do not know if this is a standard interface (serial or USB) with a non-standard connector or if it requires something more than a cable and a laptop...

Spoke with them again today. They said that the set only supports unencrypted QAM channels that are sending the PSIP data.
I asked him about the TVCT and the CVCT data within the PSIP, he didn't know what about it. They said that as far as he knows there is no firmware update coming for this set. :(

Now I'm not big into this type of stuff but since I feel like I've been misled by their advertising for the TX-P3071WH model saying it would receive the signals would we have grounds for a class-action lawsuit?

I hate it when companies release something and then try to back peddle and say well it only supports it this way instead of doing the right thing and fixing it. I want to be able to pick up the channels over the cable line without using the box if I want too. We can't do that and we all were told we would be able too.

Am I wrong in this view?

Thanks!

Also, to get into the service menu on the TX-P3071WH hit - Mute, 1, 8, 2, Power.

today i spoke to samsung and they now seem aware of this problem and are currently researching it. i was told that this is now a documented problem, that is qam not working with comcast in the maryland area, and that their enigneers are now looking into it and that i should recieve a call back in about 2 weeks. so i guess we will have to wait and see what happens

and i have the txp3071wh

Originally posted by stein1010
today i spoke to samsung and they now seem aware of this problem and are currently researching it. i was told that this is now a documented problem, that is qam not working with comcast in the maryland area, and that their enigneers are now looking into it and that i should recieve a call back in about 2 weeks. so i guess we will have to wait and see what happens

and i have the txp3071wh

Well, at least that is a step.

Please post any progress.

I received a voicemail from a Samsung representative today which I think was a result of Best Buy's executive complaints department contacting Samsung. I'm not sure if they have identifed the probelm and will be getting a fix out, or if they are using the old "you set's broke" excuse.

When I talk to her in person tomorrow I'll give an update.

Originally posted by Dan Bither
I received a voicemail from a Samsung representative today which I think was a result of Best Buy's executive complaints department contacting Samsung. I'm not sure if they have identifed the probelm and will be getting a fix out, or if they are using the old "you set's broke" excuse.

When I talk to her in person tomorrow I'll give an update.

Progress, in what direction, I am not sure.

The TV is improperly using the TVCT for tuning (which is only present on 8VSB channels). They either need to use the CVCT or forgo the PSIP channel map and create their own using MPEG-2 PAT and PMT.

Thanks for the update.

Originally posted by dbrouda
Progress, in what direction, I am not sure.

The TV is improperly using the TVCT for tuning (which is only present on 8VSB channels). They either need to use the CVCT or forgo the PSIP channel map and create their own using MPEG-2 PAT and PMT.

Thanks for the update.


I spoke to a very nice lady today in (who left the voicemail yesterday.) Samsung corporate had been contacted by BestBuy corporate and instructed her to give me a call. She admitted she didn't know the technical details and was acting as a go-between me and them. I expressed my concern that Samsung didn't treat my set as an individual bad unit, and that the probelm is with their entire line of internal QAM tuners she said she'd pass it along. When the technical department thinks it has the problem ready for a fix, they'll contact me. The 64 dollar question is does samsung think switching out components will dix it, or do they understand the true nature of the problem.

I guess I'll find out when I actually talk to the samsung Tech working on my complaint (not the corporate customer care person.)


I'd feel remise if I didn't say how happy I am with Best Buy. The Executive complain person who I was in contact with seems to be on top of things and has been great to deal with. If Samsung is unwilling to fix the problem he wants to be let know so Best Buy can make sure that Samsung does. Ultimately if Samsung won't, he said he'd make sure that Best Buy would allow me to return my set regardless of the normal return policy. You can't ask for better corporate customer service than that.

Regardless of how things turn out from Samsung, I have no reservations of making BestBuy my first choice(if AVS doesn't carry it) for future purchases.

Dan,

Can you PM with with your Best Buy contact?

Samsung Engineers addmitted to me that the issue was in the firmware of the TV set, but they did not see it as a problem. Honestly, I believe communicating the issue was in part a language barrier issue as their engineers were all from South Korea and I do not speak Korean and their English was not great.

I have this e-mail and could provide it to Best Buy if they are willing to accept the TV as a return outside their normal policy.

Thanks.

Could you let us know what happens when you call? I am upset about this issue too and would like to know if I can return it outside of the normal window too. Please let me know what happens when you call.

Thanks!

Originally posted by dbrouda
Dan,

Can you PM with with your Best Buy contact?

Samsung Engineers addmitted to me that the issue was in the firmware of the TV set, but they did not see it as a problem. Honestly, I believe communicating the issue was in part a language barrier issue as their engineers were all from South Korea and I do not speak Korean and their English was not great.

I have this e-mail and could provide it to Best Buy if they are willing to accept the TV as a return outside their normal policy.

Thanks.

dbrouda,

i gave you a PM.


Maverick481,

I'll give everyone an update hopefully in the next few days

As noted in my post on the other thread on this topic, I have been in contact with Samsung as well (in North Joisey - 1-800-726-7864). I relayed the information presented in this thread, and the Samsung tech said that they are indeed aware of the problem and are looking into it. He expected a service bulletin to be issued soon, perhaps as early as Tuesday. He stated that if it involves a firmware upgrade, someone would be sent to my home at no cost and that it would take less than 10 minutes to perform. Here's hoping for the best!

Steve Troy

Originally posted by Maverick481
Now I'm not big into this type of stuff but since I feel like I've been misled by their advertising for the TX-P3071WH model saying it would receive the signals would we have grounds for a class-action lawsuit?

I hate it when companies release something and then try to back peddle and say well it only supports it this way instead of doing the right thing and fixing it. I want to be able to pick up the channels over the cable line without using the box if I want too. We can't do that and we all were told we would be able too.

Am I wrong in this view?

Thanks!

If Samsung becomes aware that there is a defect in its product or that its advertising representations are false even in the absence of a defect, and it does nothing to correct it, yes, that is the classic case for an unfair or deceptive trade practices lawsuit. Suits like that often are the only way for individual consumers to get redress, because, as these boards amply attest, most companies have little interest in resolving individual customers' claims. Massing claims often results in corrective action to avoid huge verdicts against the company. (I love it when politicians refer to "frivolous lawsuits that cost gazillions of dollars." Frivolous lawsuits get thrown out and cost chump change in attorneys' fees to make that happen; it's lawsuits WITH MERIT that cost gazillions of dollars. Imagine a world without those remedies being available when you vote in November, because there is immense political pressure to scale back virtually all consumer and employee suits, at both the state and federal levels.)

Imagine a world where if we don't like a product we can return it for a refund... Oh wait, we can do that now. Sadly, then many good Samaritan lawyers would be out of work. Speaking of November, how do the candidates stand on QAM demodulation?

Samsung changed the sepcs on their web site for this (and other) models. They no longer identify QAM in the feature or specification list...

This means they realized the problem and took action. Unfortunately, the action was too late since many of us purchased this model TV since it was advertised as being able to receive clear QAM content.

Luckily, I have print-outs of the web site and Best Buy advertisements which make the QAM claim.

Anyone ready for a class-action lawsuite for false advertising?

They took it out of their spec PDFs too, BUT its still in their online manual.

Not only that, everyone's manual should still have the feature listed in there as well. I really think Samsung has taken the wrong course of action by just ignoring this problem and stating that the tv no longer has a QAM unencrypted tuner. I enjoy my 26" widescreen Sammy but I know that the abiliity when my cable company added HD service to my area to be able to get the networks in HD without fiddling with an antenna or getting a new box really enticed me. Unfortunately I havent filed anything with the consumer advocate or anything, but I might consider it soon because this is ridiculous

>>Anyone ready for a class-action lawsuite for false advertising?

----------------------

Well, if Samsung does not come up with a free firmware update, you can count me in. However, I do believe it is prudent for them to discontinue the advertising of the clear-QAM feature while they are aware of the problem, or additional people (like us) will continue to purchase the set for this feature. I'm not sure removing the QAM wording means they won't fix the issue - at least I'm hoping not - but they for now don't want people buying a set for a feature that doesn't work.

Maybe they can give us a free set-top box instead!

Wow, I can't believe they pulled the QAM info. Well, at least they are aware of the problem. Hopefully, they will take care of the owners one way or the other. I'd rather take a free firmware update, though.

I had a missed call from Samsung to my cell phone yesterday(it was frm their trunk line so I don't know if it was from Customer Service or Technical support).

When I talked to CS early lsat week the rep I talked to said that techsupport thinks they have a fix and would have a tech support person make a housecall to swap out some parts.

She didn't know much about the problem and wasn't given specifics so she didn't know if they actually had a fix in the works, or if the tech person was thinking it was faulty hardware. She said she'd follow-up. In the mean time she said that tech support would contact me to schedule a repair visit.

I tried calling her today to see who it was who called but I haven't heard back yet. Hopefully Monday I'll get more info. hopefully tech support actually has a fix now. I am a little worried that they pulled the QAM description from their literature though.

I'm not ready to give up on Samsung yet and will give them the benefit of the doubt for a little while longer. I'll give an update once I hear something.

Considering they acknowledged the problem to me the third week in July, they may have just been waiting for a significant number of complaints before they took action...consider it a risk assessment of sorts.

It could very well be that the physical part used for tuning the parameter is not reprogrammable and they needed to acquire new parts and train people to install them. Of course, that's all speculation until such time as one of us actually has a tech come out and upgrade the TV so that it functions properly.

Samsung has done this sort of thing before. They advertised that the SIRt-151 set top hdtv tuner would output 480i through the component outputs. Their website said so, the manual and box said so and the tuner even had a switch on the rear to set 480i output. It never worked, was never fixed and it took them at least seven months to correct their advertising and manual. I found it difficult to understand how Samsung engineering and testing departments could be unaware that such a basic function of their product did not work.

The least they should do is provide each owner with a QAM capable STB.

looks like they might get it working after all. I talked to samsung today and the rep said they had finished the prelimery testing and are working on either a firmware update or a new board to be swaped out. he told me that he would call back at the end of the week with more details.

also has anyone tried using the optical out on this tv. it seems that it is only operational while watching a dtv broadcast in dolby digital. my cable always shows light but my reciever only plays during dtv programs.

andy

Originally posted by stein1010
looks like they might get it working after all. I talked to samsung today and the rep said they had finished the prelimery testing and are working on either a firmware update or a new board to be swaped out. he told me that he would call back at the end of the week with more details.

also has anyone tried using the optical out on this tv. it seems that it is only operational while watching a dtv broadcast in dolby digital. my cable always shows light but my reciever only plays during dtv programs.

andy

I still haven't heard directly from Samsung tech's support but the gentleman that's been helping me at BestBuy was told the same thing.

does anyone know if they are gonna provide this to everyone including owners of other models of Samsung HDTVs that have the same problem, or just people who have called and have actively complained.

Like I dont have HDTV provided by my cable company yet so I have yet to call and complain to Samsung about the QAM problem because they would just say are you sure its not a cable problem which I couldnt be sure because my area of South Fl will not have HDTV on Comcast till later in the year maybe, damn Comcast.

btw I have the 2670 not the 3071 but as have been stated in this forum in the other thread, this problem is an issue on all the DynaFlat HDTV series with tuners

you should call samsung and ask to speak to a product specialist. they should be able to help you out. that is who i have been talking to. just call tech support during normal business hours and say you want a product specialist and they will transfer you.

andy

I just recently purchased this TV and have been unable to get any digital channels or HDTV over cable. This has not been a big deal cause I get more OTA channels than over cable. I love this TV and am disappointed by the lack of a feature. Thank you guys very much for going through this trouble to find a fix. I will keep an eye on this thread to find out if Samsung is going to require us to contact them for a possible fix or if more voices are needed.

The optical port only works with digital channels. It is just a pass through for the Dolby Digital. It will not convert analog to digital. So far it has worked great for all of my OTA broadcasts (5.1 & 2.0 I even got a 3.0 on the tonight show last night).

For anyone wanting to report this problem (to make sure they are on the "repair list") contact Samsung's Customer Care Center at 1-800-726-7864 between 9:00 am to 9:00 pm EST Monday to Friday. Please have your model# and Serial# available upon request (located on a sticker on the back of the set).

Any updates on the status of this upgrade?

Just to keep things clear:
1) what do all the abbreviations stand for and what is their purpose?

2) For the non-cable crowd, if you just hook up an off air antenna to the 'built-in tuner' of the samsung models, will that work for digital broadcasts, HD and otherwise?

Thanks.

Seth

Here's a glossary of HDTV terms:

http://www.hdtvpub.com/terms.cfm/category_A/

Hopefully that helps.

As for question 2, the answer is "yes" - hook up an antenna to the built-in tuner and you will get the digital broadcasts available in your area (if the signal is strong/clear enough). The TXP series have 4th generation ATSC tuners that work well with an indoor antenna such as the Silver Sensor.

I called Samsung (again) about two weeks ago. After their initial call-back to clarify what the problem I was reporting was, they said they would call back again but did not.

On that second call, the individual I spoke with was aware of the limitations in receiving QAM and was going to research what was being done about it. I even requested that he talk to Samsung USA Marketting to see why the QAM feature had been removed from the website.

I've been too busy during business hours to call back...

There apparantly is now a fix (at least for the 26' set that I have). The repair is either a firmware update that can be done via the technician's laptop, or a board swap. Good luck finding a service company that uses laptops. Everyone I called doesn't and will need to do a board swap.

A bulliten was suppose to be posted yesterday at the latest that gave the service folks the info on what they need to do but it wasn't there later this afternoon. i have a call into the regional Samsung service manager to try to arrange getting a board to my local repair facility.

Hopefully in a week or two everyone in Samsung's channel will be up to speed on what to do. As it is, I've spent about 5 hours this week calling between the repair facilities and Samsung. It shouldn't be this difficult to get a set fixed.

does anyone know if the samsung txp3075wh has the exact same QAM problem as the 3071? what is the 'fix' status for it? what is the difference in the 3071, 3075, 3076, other than the way they look, the memory card features of the 3076, and the sound feature of the 3075? were there any important 'fixes' in upgrading these tv's?

i just bought the 3075, it is scheduled to be delivered on monday the 18th. i really wanted the qam feature and just now learned about the problem. so if anyone can clarify how it affects the 3075, please let me know! thanks.

Originally posted by fusQuanto
does anyone know if the samsung txp3075wh has the exact same QAM problem as the 3071? what is the 'fix' status for it? what is the difference in the 3071, 3075, 3076, other than the way they look, the memory card features of the 3076, and the sound feature of the 3075? were there any important 'fixes' in upgrading these tv's?

i just bought the 3075, it is scheduled to be delivered on monday the 18th. i really wanted the qam feature and just now learned about the problem. so if anyone can clarify how it affects the 3075, please let me know! thanks.

It is possible that if there is a fix, your TV may already have it when it gets to you. Basically, plug it in and scan for QAM channels on your cable connection. If your TV doesn't find them, your in the same boat as the rest of us.

Originally posted by dbrouda
It is possible that if there is a fix, your TV may already have it when it gets to you. Basically, plug it in and scan for QAM channels on your cable connection. If your TV doesn't find them, your in the same boat as the rest of us.

Well the thing is, then im stuck with the TV. It's 40$ delivery fee, and if i want to return it, I won' t be able to take that thing back to Sears. I called sears and told them to postpone delivery until wednesday so I can get ahold of Samsung and see what they say. I'm pretty sure the TV will be the latest revision model because no sears store nor the sears warehouse in San Antonio had it in stock, they said they won't be getting them until Friday, 2 days ago.

:(

good news guys, i just called samsung (1-800-726-7864) asked to speak to a product specialist for the 3075. i was transferred to a guy named Alfonso and i asked him if he knew about the qam tuner issue on the 3075 (and 3071/3076). i told him im expecting delivery of this tv today and asked him if it will come with the problem fixed. he advised me that it will not come with the problem fixed, and that once i receive the tv and have a serial number, i can call samsung back and they will setup an appointment with a local repair facility. he said the local repair facility will order a part from samsung, and then come out to my place to install it. he said it will take the shop about a week to get the part from samsung. he said once i get my tv and have a serial number, to call 1-800-samsung to setup an appointment with a local repair facility. i verified that this was also fixing the 3071 and 3076, and he said yes, Alfonso was really helpful and knowledgeable.

please follow up with ya'lls experiences calling and setting up an appointment with a local repair facility.

I call Samsung today, their reply was the fix should be ready in about two weeks. That is the good news, the bad news is that I'm with Cox cable and they DON'T send out any unencrypted channels so the fix won't help anyway. Call your cable co. to see if they even send out any qam 256 unencripted channels, as that is the only way this will work when the fix is out.

Originally posted by cpcmge0
I call Samsung today, their reply was the fix should be ready in about two weeks. That is the good news, the bad news is that I'm with Cox cable and they DON'T send out any unencrypted channels so the fix won't help anyway. Call your cable co. to see if they even send out any qam 256 unencripted channels, as that is the only way this will work when the fix is out.

actually i think the best thing is to NOT call the cable company, because then they will begin to encrypt all the unencyrypted channels, ruinning the fun for us qam people :(

also he said that the new boards have been order and should start appearing in service centers in 15-30 days if you wish to go that route


andy

stein1010,

any chance of sending the software fix to us once you receive it?

thanks

I contacted samsung (sounds like call routed to India) and the gentleman gave me a BP# and told me to call a local repair. They will be out in a couple of weeks.

I have the TXP267O 26" model ----Has anyone found any powerstrip timings for a dvi connection from your computer? I can get the lowest resoultion but it is way to big 720x480 (rescaled to 672x440 to correct for overscan) Every resolution that is higher is just way too fuzzy.

I also just called Samsung. The person I spoke to (also Indian) had no idea what I was talking about. So I explained this situation and he put me on hold for a while, then gave me the local repair phone number. I called them, and they had no idea what I was talking about (notice a trend here?). I again explained the qam tuner issue and told the repair company person that a firmware update or replacement tuner board were being made available. They said they would order the part and call me back once they get it to arrange a visit to install.

I sure hope this works...


...just in case, I'd love a copy of the firmware update program to do it myself if I have to. I wonder where I can get the proper cable for my laptop...

Well I called during lunch and spoke to a guy from Montreal and he gave me the same run around. Could not understand even what a QAM tuner was when I explained it to him. He kept arguing with me and wouldn't transfer me to a supervisor. Finally I told him to either set up and appointment for me to get this fixed (he originally wanted me to send the set to them) or connect me with his supervisor. He said he would have a technician call me. If I don't hear anything by Wednesday I'm calling back because this guy didn't have a clue what a QAM tuner was or that there is a problem. And he is a "Product Specialist".

Originally posted by cpcmge0
I call Samsung today, their reply was the fix should be ready in about two weeks. That is the good news, the bad news is that I'm with Cox cable and they DON'T send out any unencrypted channels so the fix won't help anyway. Call your cable co. to see if they even send out any qam 256 unencripted channels, as that is the only way this will work when the fix is out.

I asked an engineering friend at Cox about this a while back, he said that many broadcasters that they carry would not agree to carry Emergency Alerts in video/audio. So Cox decided to encrypt the channel to "comply" with FCC regs to prevent people without set-tops from not getting EAS messages.

Maybe someone else can verify this , but doesn't the Phillips Pronto and Neo remotes use the DB9 to mini jack? Could that be used?

I found this, but dont know if its the right one, its a link to cnet for a cable for some old digital camera http://shopper.cnet.com/CABLE_FOR_DC_20_25_200_210_DB9_TO_MINI/4014-3107_9-182431.html

Do the instructions involve using HyperTerminal or some application provided by Samsung?

In either case, it's probably using standard serial signals, TX, RX, and GND (don't really need GND either, so just TX and RX). Since there is no standard, which is the tip of the 1/8" jack would be a 50-50 shot.

Will Samsung provide the files and instructions to anyone that asks? I am not shy about doing to update myself as long as it won't void my warrenty.

i have a cable that goes into serial port and the other end goes into my radio scanner, a radio shack model. it is the 1/8" . i could definently give it a shot, but my understanding was that the tv needs a new piece of hard ware?

on the OTA HD channels, it shows that im receiving it in dolby digital. my onkyo receiver which is connected via the optical sound cable, always shows PL IIx or wahtever, not dolby D EX. is that normal?

Possible cable:

http://www.omniflex.com/dsview.asp?hid=C1168

It would probably be much easier to get a cheap db9 cable, cut one end off and solder whichever two or three wires were needed to a mini plug - if we knew which two or three wires we needed.

[edit] Found this at http://www.newtonlabs.com/arc/manual/arc_2.html

DB9 to stereo jack cable
The pinout for the DB9 end of the cable is the standard IBM PC pinout:

This is the pinout as you look at the DB9 end of the cable from the board

5 4 3 2 1
9 8 7 6

Pin 2: Host serial receive (332 board serial transmit)
Pin 3: Host serial transmit (332 board serial receive)
Pin 5: Ground


OK - does pin 2 or pin 3 go to the "tip" of the plug?

is the cable supposed to be stereo or not stereo? i had this issue with my radio scanner when i hooked it up to the computer, and radio shack has a stereo -> not stereo converter which just plugs into the tip

i have been asked to not post the information that i recieved so i have taken it down. if you are having the qam problem should go though the normal channels at samsung and wait for them to respond, so far everyone i have delt with have been very helpful and are working hard to get this to work for everyone

andy

most companies facing possible class action lawsuits for deceptive trade practices would probably want you to hush, too.

(they didn't tell me that though)

keeping in mind i have the 3075 and not the 3071:
i called today to ask about the firmware upgrade that has been discussed in this thread vs. the hardware upgrade needed to fix the qam issue. i was told that the qam problem is not fixable by a firmware or any software upgrade. a physical piece of hardware must be replaced. any comments on this?

if you are having the qam problem should go though the normal channels at samsung and wait for them to respond, so far everyone i have dealt with have been very helpful and are working hard to get this to work for everyone

I'll agree with Andy on this - you should go through normal Samsung channels and give them a shot at fixing it right rather than messing up your set by trying to do it yourself. At this point, I personally prefer the new board, even though it will take about three weeks to get one installed. But I've had the set for a few months already, so what's another few weeks. Once this is fixed, this will be a great TV. Even if it doesn't get fixed, it's a really good TV for the price. I could always add the 5th generation chipset version of the LST 3410A if I have to to get clear-QAM (when it becomes available).

The tech people I have spoken to have been helpful - it's the repair people who don't know what's going on yet.

Originally posted by sctroy
I'll agree with Andy on this - you should go through normal Samsung channels and give them a shot at fixing it right rather than messing up your set by trying to do it yourself. At this point, I personally prefer the new board, even though it will take about three weeks to get one installed. But I've had the set for a few months already, so what's another few weeks. Once this is fixed, this will be a great TV. Even if it doesn't get fixed, it's a really good TV for the price. I could always add the 5th generation chipset version of the LST 3410A if I have to to get clear-QAM (when it becomes available).

The tech people I have spoken to have been helpful - it's the repair people who don't know what's going on yet.

well obviously you (like i have done) go thru samsung. no one here has expertise to create their own firmware or their own hardware to put into the tv. unless i misunderstood, andy was saying that samsung wants to quell the reality that their tv's do not perform as advertised.

We can let Andy clarify, but I thought he meant that Samsung doesn't want him distributing the firmware patch to others - they would rather have everyone go through proper channels. Andy?

yes that is right samsung did not want me to post this infomation on the internet, give me a day or so and i will see what i can say

ok i called samsung again, got another answer. this time the guy said that there is in fact a firmware fix (last time i was told its hardware fix only) and the firmware fix is available now. he said the firmware/hardware option is an either or and depends on the repair company, ie if they have laptops or not.

i told him that i have a laptop and i already have the cable i need, and he said that they sent it to someone previously and that person posted it online, and so now they are not distributing it to anyone but the repair company. so then i called hte repair company that is scheduled to come out tomorrow and they do not use laptops, none of hte companies (2) in san antonio do. so i guess i have to wait 3 weeks for the board :( if that zenith TV that has it all comes out anytime soon, before this samsung gets fixed, i am so returning the samsung for the zenith. i could have qam right now if i just had that firmware. cmon andy gimime it :)

Originally posted by fusQuanto
ok i called samsung again, got another answer. this time the guy said that there is in fact a firmware fix (last time i was told its hardware fix only) and the firmware fix is available now. he said the firmware/hardware option is an either or and depends on the repair company, ie if they have laptops or not.

i told him that i have a laptop and i already have the cable i need, and he said that they sent it to someone previously and that person posted it online, and so now they are not distributing it to anyone but the repair company. so then i called hte repair company that is scheduled to come out tomorrow and they do not use laptops, none of hte companies (2) in san antonio do. so i guess i have to wait 3 weeks for the board :( if that zenith TV that has it all comes out anytime soon, before this samsung gets fixed, i am so returning the samsung for the zenith. i could have qam right now if i just had that firmware. cmon andy gimime it :)

I've been waiting for this fix since June/July, I was the first person to report the issue to Samsung, a few more weeks won't hurt.

I am happy to report that I called the local repair center for my area and once I told them the model number of the TV they said they needed to order parts and would call me when the parts arrived to schedule an appointment. I was told I would need my original sales receipt when then come out.

Originally posted by dbrouda
I've been waiting for this fix since June/July, I was the first person to report the issue to Samsung, a few more weeks won't hurt.

I am happy to report that I called the local repair center for my area and once I told them the model number of the TV they said they needed to order parts and would call me when the parts arrived to schedule an appointment. I was told I would need my original sales receipt when then come out.

yah i guess i have no room to complain about the waiting time. im just concerned because there is a possibility that the fix will not work. i need things to go as quickly as possible because i have 27 days remaining to return the TV if it doesn't work.

i would ask your repair shop if they use laptops on their repairs, then they can get the firmware and fix your tv tomorrow instead of 3 weeks.

ok here is the deal samsung has fixed my tv.

i can verify that the qam tuner works

i do not have the firmware and therefore cannot send it to anyone

i have comcast and now recieve my local channels, some from dc and some from baltimore


i also get a few random digital channels like the religion channels, a hd special event channel that doesn't seem to do anything and a few other random channels

also i have the TXP3071WH

Originally posted by stein1010
ok here is the deal samsung has fixed my tv.

i can verify that the qam tuner works

i do not have the firmware and therefore cannot send it to anyone

i have comcast and now recieve my local channels, some from dc and some from baltimore


i also get a few random digital channels like the religion channels, a hd special event channel that doesn't seem to do anything and a few other random channels

also i have the TXP3071WH

how bout telling us how/what they fixed? :)

Originally posted by stein1010
ok here is the deal samsung has fixed my tv.

i can verify that the qam tuner works

i do not have the firmware and therefore cannot send it to anyone

i have comcast and now recieve my local channels, some from dc and some from baltimore


i also get a few random digital channels like the religion channels, a hd special event channel that doesn't seem to do anything and a few other random channels

also i have the TXP3071WH

Did you get a board swapped or did they upgrade the firmware?

I received a message from the repair center this afternoon, I have to call them back tomorrow. I am hoping they have laptops and can set up an appointment for later this week.

Well I just called Samsung again and the first guy I talked to had my information all screwed up. I called because I had not received a call from a repair center yet. Imagine my lack of surprise when I find out he messed up the form they need to fill out to have the service center contact me. Well the new guy said I should be getting a call tomorrow and if they don't call me tomorrow I should call the repair center and get this fixed.

Finally someone with some intelligence at Customer Support.

RTA in Philadelphia called me back. They have no service bulletin and called Samsung who told them there was no bulletin for the 3071.

I just got off the phone with one of the Product Specialist at Samsung technical support.

The Service Bulletin has NOT been posted yet and may not be for a few more weeks. They are working to get a sufficient number of cables and CDs made so they can fulfill all the open cases for the QAM tuner issue.

He told me if I don’t receive a call in two weeks to call back. He said that they will be shipping the cable and CD to customers directly if those customers want to do the update themselves. If the firmware update fails, then they will send out technicians from the service centers.

I wish I could get in touch with Product Support Specialists that know as much as they people you guys talk too. Maybe we should start posting the first names of the guys that actually have a clue as to what is wrong with our TV's and how they are going to be fixed.

Set let me see if I understand this correctly. I can now call and request that they send me a CD and Cable to do the upgrade myself?

That would be awesome because my local service center staff has no clue what is going on and doesn't even seem to care. I don't think it is me because I deal with customers all day and don't treat them they way I've been treated by my local repair center and the Product Specialists at Samsung. If I don't know an answer I tell my customer I will check into it and get back to them, I don't get rude with them.

Oh well, hopefully I can get the cable and CD and fix it myself.

i did post some names, alfonso and thomas know what is going on. i havent spoken to anyone else that does know. i think they are screwing aroudn with us because i have gotten so many different answers from them and by looking on here as what they are telling ya'll. sigh

they did the firmware fix and i don't think that it's a good idea to post the names of who you spoke to because a lot of people read this board and now are going to be calling samsung asking for certain people and this is only to going to make those people mad and stop going out of their way in order to help people recieve this fix faster.

andy

Recently Samsung has developed a firmware remedy which addresses QAM capabilities of certain affected TXP model TV's. The issue of not reading QAM unencrypted channels is addressed via a hardware change in the TV. The Samsung Authorized Service Center will have access to a service bulletin shortly on how to complete this repair. You must call Samsung to allow customer service to advise you if the tv is In-home service or Carry-In service, as this correction will be handled under warranty, so there won't be any out of pocket expenses in relation to this service.

>they did the firmware fix and i don't think that it's a good idea to post the >names of who you spoke to because a lot of people read this board and now >are going to be calling samsung asking for certain people and this is only to >going to make those people mad and stop going out of their way in order to >help people recieve this fix faster.
>
>andy
>
>__________________
>www.andystein.com


they only helped _you_ and no one else. no one is receiving the preferential treatment you got. they won't give out the firmware because "someone posted it online". no one has a fix but you. if anything, posting their names will make them hurry up and fix the problem and get the fix to us- their customers who keep them in business. keep in mind that we as consumers are the victims here, not samsung corporation who deceptively advertised these television sets as having QAM tuners.

Originally posted by SamsungInformant
Recently Samsung has developed a firmware remedy which addresses QAM capabilities of certain affected TXP model TV's. The issue of not reading QAM unencrypted channels is addressed via a hardware change in the TV. The Samsung Authorized Service Center will have access to a service bulletin shortly on how to complete this repair. You must call Samsung to allow customer service to advise you if the tv is In-home service or Carry-In service, as this correction will be handled under warranty, so there won't be any out of pocket expenses in relation to this service.

if what a previous user posted concerning distribution of CDs by samsung is correct, why not let end users freely distribute the firmware? i can understand if what that user received wasnt the final version of the firmware, and was just a beta testing one, but if not i dont see why distributing the firmware is not being permitted. in any case it will save samsung probably a million $ at the end after all the local repair facilities bill samsung. i just want my qam fixed asap!! and i have all the hardware required to perform the upgrade, just not the firmware. <sigh>

Originally posted by dbrouda
I just got off the phone with one of the Product Specialist at Samsung technical support.

The Service Bulletin has NOT been posted yet and may not be for a few more weeks. They are working to get a sufficient number of cables and CDs made so they can fulfill all the open cases for the QAM tuner issue.

He told me if I don’t receive a call in two weeks to call back. He said that they will be shipping the cable and CD to customers directly if those customers want to do the update themselves. If the firmware update fails, then they will send out technicians from the service centers. .


The firmware has been tested and "field tested", by certain end users. final approval on procedure is in the works. Be patient and your QAM woes will be over shortly!!

dbrouda:

RTA in Philadelphia called me back. They have no service bulletin and called Samsung who told them there was no bulletin for the 3071.
- - - - -
I just got off the phone with one of the Product Specialist at Samsung technical support.

The Service Bulletin has NOT been posted yet and may not be for a few more weeks. They are working to get a sufficient number of cables and CDs made so they can fulfill all the open cases for the QAM tuner issue.

He told me if I don’t receive a call in two weeks to call back. He said that they will be shipping the cable and CD to customers directly if those customers want to do the update themselves. If the firmware update fails, then they will send out technicians from the service centers.

.

I'm also dealing with RTA in Philly. They called me this morning as well and were confused as they could not find a service bulletin. The tech I spoke to at RTA was very interested in what was happening as "we are a premier Samsung service center and they haven't told us anything about this - and you are the second person reporting this problem to us" (apparently dbrouda was the first). Since he is a repair tech, I gave him the names and numbers of who we've been talking to at Samsung. He is going to call them directly and try to get an answer.

He also did not know that Comcast broadcasts unencrypted HDTV signals. I told him that Philly-area Comcast broadcasts all local stations unencrypted except channel 57 (luckily, I get that one OTA). He was impressed that the customers knew so much about the issues with HDTV and these sets - far more than he knew!

I will post further updates as soon as I find out more.

I really like this board - if it wasn't for all of us getting together on this issue, we'd probably never arrive at a solution!

Just got another call from RTA. They contacted Samsung and Samsung isn't telling them anything. Nothing. Zippo. Nada. They're getting a little miffed at Samsung - they are trying to contact Alphonso directly to get the correct story.

copy of email I recieved from SAMSUNG today:
Mr. xxxxxx

Samsung has a firmware remedy which addresses QAM capabilities of certain affected TXP model TV's. This issue of not reading QAM unencrypted channels is addressed via a hardware change in the TV. The Samsung Authorized Service Center will have access to a service bulletin shortly on how to complete this repair. Please call in to 800-726-7864 to provide additional information so that you can be scheduled for a service call to rectify this, the phone call will also allow the customer service representative to advise you if the TV is In-home service or Carry-In service, as this correction will be handled under warranty, so you will not be responsible for any expenses related to this service.
When responding to Samsung please refer to your newly acquired Partner# (VERY IMPORTANT)

Your current information available in the Samsung database is insufficient to pre-qualify a service call.
We will need to confirm Serial Number, Purchased Date, & Place of purchase; along with the below required data:

E-Mail Optional
Telephone * Required
Fax
Street1 *Required
Street2
House No *Required
City
State
Zip Code *Required
Country United States

We do thank you for your patience and diligence in this matter.

Regards,

Alfonso Douriet
Digital TV Product Specialist
Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
Customer Contact Center

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient'(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review; use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies, including without limitation electronic or printed versions, of the message.

no clue and no service bulletin in san antonio, TX as well

Originally posted by SamsungInformant

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient'(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review; use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies, including without limitation electronic or printed versions, of the message.

Um, probably should not have posted that...something like that is why we can't get the firmware without an "official" release CD now.

I can say that you're not the only one that got an e-mail from Samsung today. I am sure the toll-free number will be very busy tomorrow.

so yesterday my local repair shop came out to my place to 'fix' my tv. i had called samsung to report the problem about a week ago, and they faxed the work order to the local place here. the guy came here and had no idea about anything. he said there was no service bulletin and that he called samsung before coming out on his desgnated tech line and he said they didnt know anything. so we just shot the **** and watched tv and i played with his tech toys and did some diagnostics on my tv, good times nicely billable to samsung.

i called samsung and yelled at them for wasting my time and making me take off work for this crap. what a waste of my time-- very frustrated. anyone know when that ZENITH comes out? it has everything my samsung 3075 has PLUS a (working) qam tuner and picture in picture as well. sounds like a winner. i have 20 days left to return this samsung. what to do what to do?

Has anyone contacted Samsung via email on their website to start the process of getting the board swap

Ok so I finally called Samsung since no response on the email, I got a file and technical # and that I have to call back to speak to a product specialist to verify that my tv has the problem and to schedule service. Now the problem is that in my house, my cable doesnt have high def channels on it yet so there is no real way that it can be verified, but I do know it must exist and I cant have the only tv from Samsung sold in May or June that has the QAM tuner working as advertised. Is the product specialist going to know that the problem is inherrent and no verification is gonna be needed. I want to get the board swap now because Comcast is finally going to have HDTV in my area soon, but I have no date yet.

Originally posted by bradbomb
Ok so I finally called Samsung since no response on the email, I got a file and technical # and that I have to call back to speak to a product specialist to verify that my tv has the problem and to schedule service. Now the problem is that in my house, my cable doesnt have high def channels on it yet so there is no real way that it can be verified, but I do know it must exist and I cant have the only tv from Samsung sold in May or June that has the QAM tuner working as advertised. Is the product specialist going to know that the problem is inherrent and no verification is gonna be needed. I want to get the board swap now because Comcast is finally going to have HDTV in my area soon, but I have no date yet.

If you have a laptop or PC ner the TV Samsung can send you the firmware update on CD-ROM and a cable to connect your computer to the TV.

Samsung will know by the serial number and purchase date if your TV needs to be updated. Just don't tell them you don't have HD over cable yet.

Regardless of if Comcast has HDTV in your area, if you do a QAM scan the TV should find a couple unencrypted standard definition channels.

Originally posted by dbrouda
If you have a laptop or PC ner the TV Samsung can send you the firmware update on CD-ROM and a cable to connect your computer to the TV.

Samsung will know by the serial number and purchase date if your TV needs to be updated. Just don't tell them you don't have HD over cable yet.

Regardless of if Comcast has HDTV in your area, if you do a QAM scan the TV should find a couple unencrypted standard definition channels.

they woudlnt send that to me, said the repair facility is the only place that can do it.

I read through this thread hoping for some comments about the TX-P3071WH in general. The QAM problem aside, what do you folks think of this unit?

Thanks.

Well I talked to my local service center yesterday and they are working on getting the CD and cable to do the upgrade. Hopefully they will have it by Friday so they can do the upgrade while I'm off. The first local service center that I talked to was quite rude on the phone and acted like they didn't want to be bothered. The second repair shop was very cordial and told me that they would call me back after they spoke with Samsung. They even offered to come do the repair sooner but since I will be at work we have it tentatively scheduled for Friday as long as they get the firmware and cable.

The QAM problem aside I think this is a great unit. I have become so spoiled with HD and Widescreen programming that I actually hate to watch non-hd shows anymore. It has a great picture and the OTA tuner works great for picking up my local NBC, and WB affiliates that sucky Comcast doesn't carry in HD. Wish I had more choices for HD in my area because Comcast doesn't even offer me Discovery-HD or InHD & InHD2 but that is a different issue. Like I said I love the TV other than the QAM tuner problem.

I agree - the TXP series are very nice, and will be great with working QAM. The panorama mode is excellent for stretching 4:3 signals to 16:9 (best I've seen yet) and the OTA tuner works great. Picture quality is very good for both NTSC and HDTV.

A note for cable connection: you get a choice of three different types of cable when scanning for channels. Try them all - I found that standard cable (STD) gave me a slightly worse picture quality than the other two.

Well I just got a call from my local repair facility and they have ordered the CD for the firmware upgrade. Hopefully they will have it by Friday so that I can get my TV fixed when I'm off on Friday. I'll keep you all posted on how it goes!

Originally posted by calpchen
I read through this thread hoping for some comments about the TX-P3071WH in general. The QAM problem aside, what do you folks think of this unit?

Thanks.

just something to keep in mind- theres now also a 3075 and 3076 of this series. best buy has the 3071, not the 3075. sears has the 3075 not the 3071. best buy told me they are discontinuing the 3071, i don't know the truth of that, though. the 3076 i haven't seen anyone carry.

id really recommend getting the tv at sears, the customer is always right over there if you run into any problems. plus its the newer version.

any updates on the local repair facilities? the bulletin was posted on the 26th. my local repair fac is scheduled to come out next friday. i hope they are competent.

The 7* does not designate new model runs in the Samsung line as it does in other companies lines. The the 75 and 76 are not new models but different series of models. The 71 is the premiere series and the 75 is the Neo. Check Samsung's web site for the actual differences between models. The 76 actually has the best equipment such as the DNILE chip but I imagine it is more expensive if you find it.
I have the 3071 and I love it. Excellent picture and the tuner works great for OTA (I receive more locals this way than cable. !Sinclair!). I haven't put in the request to fix the QAM as my cable company only has Music channels unencrypted.
This is my second set though from Best Buy which might be why they are stopping them. My first had alot of bugs: Sound and picture just going out randomly and it was incompatible with my ABC station. Second set works fantastic including ABC. I have reason to believe my first set might have been a previously returned item as some of the packaging was different (Lawsuit at this Best Buy I heard for this reason) or a newer model run as the Serial number sitcker was in a differnt spot.

Can't go wrong with Sears for Customer Service.

Originally posted by Chris_Eff
The 7* does not designate new model runs in the Samsung line as it does in other companies lines. The the 75 and 76 are not new models but different series of models. The 71 is the premiere series and the 75 is the Neo. Check Samsung's web site for the actual differences between models. The 76 actually has the best equipment such as the DNILE chip but I imagine it is more expensive if you find it.
I have the 3071 and I love it. Excellent picture and the tuner works great for OTA (I receive more locals this way than cable. !Sinclair!). I haven't put in the request to fix the QAM as my cable company only has Music channels unencrypted.
This is my second set though from Best Buy which might be why they are stopping them. My first had alot of bugs: Sound and picture just going out randomly and it was incompatible with my ABC station. Second set works fantastic including ABC. I have reason to believe my first set might have been a previously returned item as some of the packaging was different (Lawsuit at this Best Buy I heard for this reason) or a newer model run as the Serial number sitcker was in a differnt spot.

Can't go wrong with Sears for Customer Service.

man that is horrible that best buy would sell you a returned thing like that. serial # moved to a different spot-- cant get worse than that.

i noticed the 3075 has the neo sound thing, the 3076 has the photo memory card reader deal. so im assuming the 3071 is the base? i donno. i wish htey had PAP in these sets, it would make it complete.

Don't confuse last year's Samsung models with the new models. Last's year was designated as TXN . The new models are designate as TX-P . Be careful, there are many TXN models still on shelves for sale. Don't make the mistake I did, and thought you were purchasing the TXP model. Main difference between last year's and this year's, this years have DVI input and built-in tuner.

Here's the main differences between current/newest models...

TX-P3064WH - No tuner, no 720p
TX-P3075WH - built-in tuner, buttons are located on side
TX-P3076WH - same as 75, but has DNIE and memory card slot reader

TX-P3071WH - "light up, touch" front buttons, slightly smaller size than others

71 and 75 are essentially the same (hence the price is the same), but they just differ in exterior size (for same 30" screen) and button location.

I picked up a TXP-3075WH today. Very nice TV for the price. Only $XXX at BrandsMart here in Atlanta. I purchased (and returned) a Samsung last year that was complete crap (TXN 32" HD 4x3 model). It's nice to see that Samsung only had a down year with the TXN's and that the TXP's are performing better.

In regards to the 71 vs. 75. The 75 is an inch wider than the 71 but the 71 is an inch deeper than the 75. So the 71 and 75 are very similar, it's just where you want to put the extra inch for the dimension.

Originally posted by Chris_Eff
The 7* does not designate new model runs in the Samsung line as it does in other companies lines. The the 75 and 76 are not new models but different series of models. The 71 is the premiere series and the 75 is the Neo. Check Samsung's web site for the actual differences between models. The 76 actually has the best equipment such as the DNILE chip but I imagine it is more expensive if you find it.
I have the 3071 and I love it. Excellent picture and the tuner works great for OTA (I receive more locals this way than cable. !Sinclair!). I haven't put in the request to fix the QAM as my cable company only has Music channels unencrypted.
This is my second set though from Best Buy which might be why they are stopping them. My first had alot of bugs: Sound and picture just going out randomly and it was incompatible with my ABC station. Second set works fantastic including ABC. I have reason to believe my first set might have been a previously returned item as some of the packaging was different (Lawsuit at this Best Buy I heard for this reason) or a newer model run as the Serial number sitcker was in a differnt spot.

Can't go wrong with Sears for Customer Service.

I had my TX-P3071WH for 6 days and the picture tube blew up (or something because I lost the picture but could still hear the sound). I got mine from Best Buy as well, and they were happy (although it took about 2 hours between the time I called the store and was put on hold and subsequently hung up on after waiting on hold for 15 minutes to actually going to the store to get it straightened out) to have it picked up and a new one delivered on Monday. Prior to it failing I hadn't had any problems with it though, and I hope that the 2nd one doesn't have any problems with it.

I also had the TXN (3271), and it was loaded with problems. The TXP 3071 was an exchange when it was determined that the TXN could not be repaired.The difference between the two is outstanding. TXN=crap; TXP=great!

I am about to purchase a TXN3071WHF , I dont need the DVI. Is this still a good set despite the bug. I should be able to do OTA fine, right?

the txn do not have a built in turner, so unless you want to buy an ota external box you wont be able to get ota hd

the txp though does and when the new firmware patch comes out you will be able to do qam and ota


andy

ok, I must be getting the TXP , it has the built in tuner. Will it do OTA out of the box (without firmware). What exactly is QAM , and will I need it for OTA?

QAM isn't needed for OTA, it's for people who use cable and would like to not have a set top box.

Seth

yes the txp model works great at getting ota hd with just an antenna. qam is needed in order to recieve digital cable stations ( unencrypted ones ) from your cable provider without a set top box. normally this means that using qam you can get your local channels in hd without using an antenna.


andy

my local repair facility is scheduled to come out this friday to fix the QAM issue in my 3075. i sure hope samsung has sent them the software this time.

QAm is also used in satellite installations in a hotel or condominium where they don't want STB's in every room. Just on that is switched to all drops.

Seth

Anyone hear the status of the firmware upgrade? It's been almost two weeks since I've heard anything from either Samsung or the repair facility. I'd sorta like to know what's going on, but apparently it's a big secret.

I got a call from local repair facility and they have me scheduled for the upgrade this Saturday morning. I'll keep you posted!

I called cablevision and they excrpyt all channels. They offer no unencrypted qam channels.... So the txp would never work. I then called comcast as my girlfriend has comcast and they also said they encrypt all qam channels. Thus everyone running to get qam upgrade may never work. Just and fyi

id recommend not calling and asking the cable companies. you're just bringing it to their attention to shut it off.

my local repair facility is scheduled to come out (again) this friday. i bet they wont have the equipment from samsung. nothing has been going smooth for samsung regarding this problem...

you may be missing the larger picture here. You are complaining and looking for something that your cable provider may not be offereing in your area. If you get the upgrade and then you get no qam channels because the cable company encrypts them would you be satisfied? I doubt it. Could this issue be the cable companys fault and not with the tv?

Edit**
To add to this the cable company knows if they broadcast qam scrambeled or not. They arent going to shut it off just because I called. My local cable company already encrpyt's all channels and cablevision said this goes for all of thier markets. also comcast refered me to their web site which shows qam is encrypted.

splechy
you may be missing the larger picture here. You are complaining and looking for something that your cable provider may not be offereing in your area. If you get the upgrade and then you get no qam channels because the cable company encrypts them would you be satisfied? I doubt it. Could this issue be the cable companys fault and not with the tv?

I hope you didn't mean to insult our intelligence like that. In many areas, Comcast does not scramble local channel HDTV signal. In fact, this is from the Comcast web site at http://comcast.com/Support/Corp1/FAQ/FaqDetail_2664.html

Q: I have a digital-cable-ready HDTV set. Do I need a CableCARD or a special HD set-top box to view HD programming?

A: Digital-cable-ready HDTV sets have built-in HD capability so no special set-top box is required to receive HD signals for broadcast digital channels. You would need to use either a set-top box or a CableCARD to receive non-broadcast Comcast Digital Cable and/or HDTV channels that are not available on the basic service tier.

I believe "digital-cable-ready" means QAM tuner and "broadcast" means local. All we want is for Samsung to fix our QAM tuners so they work properly.

Originally posted by sctroy
All we want is for Samsung to fix our QAM tuners so they work properly.

I understand that and if there is an issue it should be fixed. I was saying that IF in your area the cable compay encrypts the qam station you need the cable company's hd box to recieve the channels. If they do not encrypt with qam then you will get those stations on a working set but you need to check with the provider before jumping to conclusions

splechy, you definitively stated that Comcast encrypts QAM:

"I then called comcast as my girlfriend has comcast and they also said they encrypt all qam channels. Thus everyone running to get qam upgrade may never work."

I was pointing out that two minutes of research on Comcast's web site would prove otherwise - the people on the phone at cable companies seem to know next to nothing about HDTV. If you read this entire thread, you'll notice that the people here generally do know what they are talking about, and they probably already know whether or not their cable company encrypts QAM. It's this in-depth knowledge that has allowed us to identify the QAM problem with these sets, bring it to Samsung's attention, and try to track the resolution.

I have a txp3071 with the latest firmware already installed and it does not pick up any cablevision's hd channels. I called them and they said all channels are encrpyted and I can get nothing without their hd box and what they said proved right. I could bring the 200 pound tv to a comcast area but just simply called them and thats what they told me for Verona NJ.

This is on their web site so either comcast is different for each area or some people read things WRONG

http://www.comcast.com/nyhdtvtvg/

What do I need to get HDTV?
- HD-Capable sets have a High-Definition receiver/decoder built in
- HD-Ready sets are essentially a monitor and require an external receiver/decoder (which Comcast provides)


- A Comcast HDTV decoder is needed for either HD-Capable or HD-Ready sets.


--- Cablevisions web site also says something similar

i have the txp3071 and i get local channels in HD. comcast told me that i needed a cable card in order to do this but it seems to work fine without one. just i do not get any non-basic channels in HD like espn

andy

I get the local HD channels without any cable box on Comcast here in SoCal, even though they said I would need one.
I also get lifetime, Abc news now and a bunch of music channels for some reason.

Originally posted by splechy
you may be missing the larger picture here. You are complaining and looking for something that your cable provider may not be offereing in your area. If you get the upgrade and then you get no qam channels because the cable company encrypts them would you be satisfied? I doubt it. Could this issue be the cable companys fault and not with the tv?

Edit**
To add to this the cable company knows if they broadcast qam scrambeled or not. They arent going to shut it off just because I called. My local cable company already encrpyt's all channels and cablevision said this goes for all of thier markets. also comcast refered me to their web site which shows qam is encrypted.

i already know my cable company has unencrypted qam channels. i wouldnt have purchased this tv otherwise

Does anyone have any confirmation that Samsung has sent the fixes (cd/cable) to the local repair facilities? My local repair fac is scheduled to come out tomorrow (Friday) and they aren't sure yet if they have gotten the fix yet. I'm sure the technicians know, it was just the secretary I talked to. But regardless I dont know if they have it or not because I cant talk to the tech.

Last Monday the local repair fac told me samsung had posted the bulletin, they called Samsung and ordered the fix. Thats the last Ive heard, anyone have any other news?

Well everyone the guys from All Brand Electronics in Pittsburgh just left and I now have the fixed QAM tuner. In the process of acquiring channels right now but I am definitely picking up channels via the QAM tuner now.

If any of you live near Pittsburgh and want this fixed give All Brand Electronics a call as they have the firmware CD and they have done the upgrade once now.

I'll let you know how the tuner works and what I pick up shortly.

Service guy came to my house Friday. Did the upgrade...
It took forever to scan for channel... The TV memorized a all bunch of QAM channel that had no picture (may be encrypted channel?)
Anyway after going thru everything I have all the local HD channels plus ESPN HD and another one... plus a few digital non HD.

For the record, I am in Seattle with comcast. I called them and was told all channel are encrypted. Their local web site says that you need a box no matter what TV you have (HD ready or not).
So they were wrong, I am not surprised... they want the extra $5.

I noticed the TV is very slow to respond when it's tunned to one of those channel that has a signal but no picture... It taked about 30 seconds to bring up the add/remove menu.... :(

Ive got a wierd question. I live in college housing (college owned apts) I cannot change my cable plan. I have a basic crappy cable box. If I ge tthe firmware on my TXP , will I be able to get rid of the box and POSSIBLY get HD conrent from the cable co (comcast in baltimore).

Thanks

I just talked to the local repair shop (RTA in Philadelphia) again today. They told me they had the parts and were working on my set. I told them that I'd like to know how they were doing this as my set is still in my living room. They then changed their story to "we haven't received the upgrade yet from Samsung."

I politely suggested they follow up on this issue.

The frustration continues...

Originally posted by mprover
Ive got a wierd question. I live in college housing (college owned apts) I cannot change my cable plan. I have a basic crappy cable box. If I ge tthe firmware on my TXP , will I be able to get rid of the box and POSSIBLY get HD conrent from the cable co (comcast in baltimore).

Thanks


Most likely the answer is "yes." You should get all the analog stations that you do now and you should also pick up the unencrypted HDTV local stations. I do not subscribe to digital cable and I still get all the local HDTV (and a few others, such as INHD) from Comcast using a borrowed LG-3510A tuner. The QAM firmware upgrade should allow me to get these HDTV stations on the TXP without a box as well.

I called the local samsung repair shop. Waiting for them to get back to me . Does anyone know if this is covered under warrenty/ if I have to pay for the update? If so , how much does a service like this cost? I have my cable hooked up without a box now, it didnt find any HD or SD digital channels, so it obviously needs the patch. Id love to ditch this anntennae, so hopefully it will work out

I called a couple of places today. Out of the 4 places listed on samsungs site, 1 told me I had no idea what I was talking about, saying you cant get HDTV without a set top box, adn that TXP didnt tude HDTV (told him I was watching ABC feeds using my crappy TERK antenna) . Next person had no idea what I was talking about. 3rd and 4th places told me it would cost $90 for them to look at , and an additional charge of what samsung charges for the firmware. They told me its a single liscense, so they cant even reuse the kit!!!! LAME . My TV is a refurb , I hope I get the same service you all do !!!

Originally posted by mprover
Ive got a wierd question. I live in college housing (college owned apts) I cannot change my cable plan. I have a basic crappy cable box. If I ge tthe firmware on my TXP , will I be able to get rid of the box and POSSIBLY get HD conrent from the cable co (comcast in baltimore).

Thanks

Some schools generate their own cable channels, in which case the system is private and thus may not be required to carry high definition channels.

Originally posted by sctroy
This should be a warranty repair.

It had BETTER be a warranty repair!

I was told all I will need to do is show my receipt to the service tech if/when the upgrade ever happens. Perhaps those who already have the upgrade can report if it was covered under warranty.

Well when I had mine done I didn't even have to show them a receipt as they had the information from Samsung as to when the set was purchased. It was definitely covered under warranty and the guys that came out to do the repair were very nice.

Also for those of you still trying to get it scheduled just keep insisting on them calling Samsung and asking about this. The repair facility that came out to do my QAM upgrade joked and said I would probably be the only person that would request the upgrade as most customers are not as techincal as me (or the rest of us in this group).

Hope this helps!

Have the TX-P2675WH, same QAM issue. I get OTA HD now and would like to get rid of antenna if I can. Repair center folks coming out this afternoon to fix...we'll see.

I have Comcast in Prince William County, Virginia...have no idea if they transmit unencrypted local HD channels...anybody know?
I assume if they they don't that as some point they will have to.

Samjc

Just had the tech over to appy QAM firmware fix to Samsung TX-P2675WH.
I also found out that Comcast in Prince William County for Woodbridge-Dale City is broadcasting only one HD station (NBC - 33.1) and then adding more by end of November, 2004.

Well, with the fix I do now receive the NBC HD station, via cable, so it is working and must be unencrypted. I have a bunch of other stations that tune in via QAM with ##.## numbers but they are blank for now.

I expect that as they add more local HD I will also get them.

Samjc

It's great to hear the fix is actually working. I just wish RTA here in Philly would call me to schedule my upgrade. I'm now saying things like "drat" and "darn" and a few other four-letter words you learn in the navy...:mad:

do any of you guys that have been 'fixed' have the txp3075? my local repair place is coming out tomorrow to fix mine; i just wanted a confirmation that the 3075's as well as 3071's are both working.

I finally got the upgrade today - it didn't take long. I had to call a second repair center as the first one claims to not have received anything from Samsung, so it's their loss. The second center got the upgrade in a week.

Now I have about 100 music-only and scrambled channels to delete - but at least I got the ones I expected (and a few more).

Originally posted by wilfried
Service guy came to my house Friday. Did the upgrade...
It took forever to scan for channel... The TV memorized a all bunch of QAM channel that had no picture (may be encrypted channel?)
Anyway after going thru everything I have all the local HD channels plus ESPN HD and another one... plus a few digital non HD.

For the record, I am in Seattle with comcast. I called them and was told all channel are encrypted. Their local web site says that you need a box no matter what TV you have (HD ready or not).
So they were wrong, I am not surprised... they want the extra $5.

I noticed the TV is very slow to respond when it's tunned to one of those channel that has a signal but no picture... It taked about 30 seconds to bring up the add/remove menu.... :(

i have that same slowness problem. it really makes watching the QAM channels pointless. it takes 30 seconds to flip channels. my friends walmart sanyo tv doesnt tune in hte encrypted channels qam channels like our samsung does. total bummer

anyone have the actual firmware update file ?

hey wilfried you still around, i live in seattle too and just bought the txp26 inch and was wondering where or who fixed your tv and how everything is now

Sorry to drag up an old topic, but I didn't want to have to make a new one.

I bought my TXP3071WH back in September and had been noticing this problem since then. When watching content in the 4:3 picture format, I'm getting this problem with the lower right edge of the picture. Whenever that area of the picture is black (or very dark colored) a red edge appears on the picture; whereas, when the picture in that corner is white, there seems to be an aqua edge on it. I've started notice a similar aqua line on the lower left side of the picture now, too.
The problem doesnt seem to happen when the tv is in 16:9 mode, but then again you can't see both edges of the picture and frame when it's in that mode either.
I don't know if this some common issue that can be fixed in the service menu or if my tv is just a piece of ****. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Hi guys.

Listen, I'm right on the verge of buying this TV, that is the TX-P3071 or 75, after comparing against all the other similar models. The only thing holding me off is this QAM issue. So I search for that, find this thread and read the whole thing, waiting to find the conclusion... and it just ends! On a cliffhanger!

PLEASE can those with the applicable knowledge answer either of these questions?

1. Are new models, as of January 2005, properly QAM compatible out of the box?

2. Those who've had the fix done: does it really take 30 seconds to change between your QAM channels?! Because that sounds, to say the least, like an imperfect fix.

I don't think I'd have any luck explaining to tech support what the hell I'm talking about, to get the free upgrade done. Also, as the current documentation on Samsung's website has all mention of QAM support removed, I wouldn't be able to say that my new set lacks advertised features, so that's shaky ground. I have no PC of any kind (Macs only here) so cannot flash the firmware myself.

I'm so tired of comparing models and I'm ready to buy. But I could really use that QAM compatibility.

Thanks for any replies, and for the wealth of good knowledge on this forum.

Originally posted by xtsquintx
Sorry to drag up an old topic, but I didn't want to have to make a new one.

I bought my TXP3071WH back in September and had been noticing this problem since then. When watching content in the 4:3 picture format, I'm getting this problem with the lower right edge of the picture. Whenever that area of the picture is black (or very dark colored) a red edge appears on the picture; whereas, when the picture in that corner is white, there seems to be an aqua edge on it. I've started notice a similar aqua line on the lower left side of the picture now, too.
The problem doesnt seem to happen when the tv is in 16:9 mode, but then again you can't see both edges of the picture and frame when it's in that mode either.
I don't know if this some common issue that can be fixed in the service menu or if my tv is just a piece of ****. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Could it be a speaker near the tv causing it?

Ayton,
I don't have digital cable/HD content so I haven't been able to use the QAM functions in the first place, but I was also monitoring a thread on here about it awhile back. It seemed like a bunch of the people got a Samsung rep to come and fix the problem for them, and I guess it worked. It seemed that in the beginning it was taking a long time cause Samsung didn't know how to address the problem, so they just stalled for awhile. I would suggest contacting Samsung directly about the QAM issue, and asking they are now manufacturing them with working QAM or not.

As for OTA HD content, I'm not very impressed. The main issue is that you need a really good antennae. I'm using a rinky-dink 3-ft long antennae I got with this old Sharp 13" tv, AND I'm in the basement of my house. So needless to say, the reception doesn't really rock. The problem is that if you have bad reception and are trying to tune in the OTA HD, the whole tv freezes up while it's searching for the signal, and it wont let you change the channel, access the menu, or anything for like 10 secs. This is a real pain in the ass. However, if you have a good antennae set up and get good reception, I'm sure there's no problem at all.

Could it be a speaker near the tv causing it?
Nope, I don't have speakers near it. I had the Best Buy service guy come out a few weeks ago actually. Came down, looked at it, and merely scoffed at me and said "oh, you just keep watching it man". And then he was about to leave, and I had to pester him about what I was seeing. Of course, he seemed like he didn't know or care at all, and finally said something like "its a convergence problem, and you can never get it to be perfect on a CRT"... basically saying he wouldn't try to fix it and thinks that I should watch everything in 16:9 mode in order to circumvent the problem. Nice "service plan" Best Buy... thanks.

Thanks for the QAM info, Squint.

As you might see from another thread, although the TXP3071 looked great on paper, for me, comparing sets side by side, the Sony 30HS420 won out on pure PQ and I had to have it.

Looking at your problem, though, wouldn't dialing in like 1% more overscan solve this for you? Sounds to me like when those areas shrink with dark images (as opposed to bloat with bright images) a little of the picture outside the intended viewable picture is becoming revealed. So it seems the tiniest bit more horizontal overscan would sort you right out.

Does this sound plausible?

Originally posted by Ayton


Looking at your problem, though, wouldn't dialing in like 1% more overscan solve this for you? Sounds to me like when those areas shrink with dark images (as opposed to bloat with bright images) a little of the picture outside the intended viewable picture is becoming revealed. So it seems the tiniest bit more horizontal overscan would sort you right out.

Does this sound plausible?

Perhaps? I really don't know how to operate in the service menu though, so I haven't tooled around with settings in there, just looked through them. Would you be able to tell me how to do this, or are different brands' menus labeled differently? Thanks

sorry to hijack...

Anybody if there is a way to change the pillars from gray to black for 4:3 format. I was hoping the service menu would have the option but I didnt find it looking last night.

BTW, I have a TXP-3071. Figure all TXP's might be the same

TIA
Jeff

Has the QAM fix been implemented into production Samsung TXP-307x models produced after end of 2004? Can Samsung provide this confirmation? Thanks.

I purchased a Samsung TX-P3071WH from Best Buy in February '05 and my set was manufactured in January 2005. It does NOT support QAM. A friend of mine is on the same cable system (TWC) and his Sony WEGA is able to receive broadcast HD channels using the built-in HDTV tuner. Sony's website clearly indicates their sets support QAM, Samsung makes no mention of QAM.

So I called Samsung support (what a joke) and was told by a Samsung tier 2 product specialist that this tuner does not support QAM. He was unaware of any firmware fix and said the next generation Samsung sets will have Cable Cards to support digital cable.

Another frustrating feature is the remote. It does not allow you to tune directly to the digital subchannel. For example, 7.1. Sony remotes have a period key that allow you to direct tune digital channels.

Bottom line, save your money and get the version without the built-in tuner. You'd be better off buying the monitor version and more capable STB for the tuner.

I just purchased the TX-P3075WH, and it is supposed to support QAM but does not...I think. According to the Comcast tech that came out to activate my new (basic + HD option) cable account, I would need either a box or a converter card slot. I beg to differ, but at the moment it is not picking up any HD signals from my cable. I called Samsung tech support, got transferred to second line support, and they were aware of the issue with QAM support. Gave me a number of a local Samsung service provider who will be coming out to do an upgrade.

Originally posted by hgoldwire
Has the QAM fix been implemented into production Samsung TXP-307x models produced after end of 2004? Can Samsung provide this confirmation? Thanks.

I have the TX-P3075WH, and while talking to Samsung tech support about the QAM support issue I also asked them this question. According to them it is a built-in setting that a service tech can not change :(
Honestly...grey? What were they thinking?

Originally posted by tooler
Bottom line, save your money and get the version without the built-in tuner. You'd be better off buying the monitor version and more capable STB for the tuner.

I wholeheartedly agree. I had the QAM update on mine, and - yes - it did work. But I had to have a very strong cable signal, and the set took forever to go from one station to the next. I wasn't satisfied with Samsung's QAM implementation (although the OTA tuner always worked well), so I gave the set to my dad who has a satellite box and therefore doesn't need the tuner - and he loves it. The TXP has a great SD and HD picture quality, though, and works well with an external tuner. I would suggest a model without the QAM tuner and use an external box like an LG-4200 or LG-3510 w/DVD, both of which have good QAM tuners.

I now use a Sharp LC-32GD6U, which has a great built-in QAM tuner.

Originally posted by awesterink
I have the TX-P3075WH, and while talking to Samsung tech support about the QAM support issue I also asked them this question. According to them it is a built-in setting that a service tech can not change :(
Honestly...grey? What were they thinking?

Burn-in is still a major problem for CRT displays, hence the grey bars. The vast majority of HDTV owners seem to despise using the stretch modes with 4:3 material, so the TV manufacturers are merely covering their asses by having the sets output grey bars.

Looks like Samsung is quietly trying to get out of the QAM issue by not including it on new sets even though retailers like Best Buy, Crutchfield and Sears are advertising it as a feature. On page 30 in the online manual, it has the option "Adopts QAM for transmission".

The printed manual that came with my set (mfg Jan 2005) does not reference this step even though the rest of the manual appears to be the same as the online manual.

I'm curious if other TX-P3071WH owners have this in their manual? When replying, please include your mfg date.

I dont think the instruction manual for my TXP-3071 mentions anything about QAM support. I bought mine towards the end of last year. I just use OTA so it doesnt matter for me.

Starting to look at this tv and was wondering about any of these new sets still being able to support QAM. If not, has anyone at least tried to call a samsung repair shop to see if they can flash the newer models to support QAM?

i bought mine in sept i think and it didn't come supporting qam but was able to get it serviced via a firmware upgrade so that it would. the qam feature picks up some channels but not all from comcast. i get at the local stations so it enables me to not have to use an antana but the kids next door to me have an lg tunner and they get a few more channels than me


andy

I have the TX-P3075WH and have noticed that OTA HD channels get some resolution cut off slightly. For example, our local fox affilate (broadcasting in 720p) has a channel symbol in the lower right corner and I only see part of the logo. When I use my HyHD card on my PC, I am able to see the entire logo plus a few more lines of resolution. I get the same behavior from my CBS affilate (broadcast in 1080i).

Anyone else notice this on a similar model?

Yea , hoping to get one with QAM or the ability to get it since i have pretty far out where OTA might not work well for me. Will have to go tv shopping soon and see what others are offered.

Does anyone know how to get into the service menu of this set or the TX-P32071?

something like mute 1 8 2 power i don't remeber it exactly

^ that is correct

That service menu is helpful....now does anyone know how to disable that annoying chime when you turn the tv set on and off?

It's in the service menu settings and in the regular menu, 'Melody'.

http://www.***************.com/htsthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/420014/an/0/page/0#420014

Originally posted by Brainodo
It's in the service menu settings and in the regular menu, 'Melody'.

http://www.***************.com/htsthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/420014/an/0/page/0#420014

Not on my particular model, the TX-P3075WH. It may be in the service menu, but I do not have a melody option under the normal sound menu. I would tinker in the service menu, but I've done enough damage there already.

Well, that's just surreal. What an odd option for Samsung to remove. Can you lower the sound to zero in the Service Menu? It shouldn't conflict with anything else.

Originally posted by Sir Charles
Not on my particular model, the TX-P3075WH. It may be in the service menu, but I do not have a melody option under the normal sound menu. I would tinker in the service menu, but I've done enough damage there already.

I turned it off in the service menu for my TXP-3071, not option in the normal menu.

Originally posted by Brainodo
It's in the service menu settings and in the regular menu, 'Melody'.

http://www.***************.com/htsthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/420014/an/0/page/0#420014

thanks for the link, got rid of the horrible red push with one of those service settings.:)

Does anyone else here use an upscaling dvd player with this TV? I have the Panny s97 and I have some serious macroblocking issues. Anyone else had any troubles? If so, anyway to correct it? thanks

Does anyone have any modelines for linux/X (or the out put from powerstrip in windows) for this tv?

I fought with it for a long time over the past couple of days, and managed one that is a slightly reduced 720p, but I have no Vertical overscan, and about 10 px on eitherside horizontal overscan.

Here is the modeline I got for that:

"1152x648" 73.963 1152 1312 1344 1664 648 688 693 746 +hsync +vsync

I'm interested in a 1080i or 540p timing. When I try and watch some of my recorded content (from mythtv) which is from 1080, I have to mess with the deinterlacing filters and they don't play nice with the cpu when I'm watching 720p content, so I have to mess with the settings continually. I was hoping that I could maybe get a 540p timing and get the best of both worlds.

Thanks.

My TXP4364 has serious geometry problems - I used AVAI to fine turn it, I found that the vertical line at both side bend to the edges... how can I fix that in the service menu? thanks

Apparently the QAM firmware fix had a bug in it. Here is what my local tech guy said:

HERE WAS A GLITCH IN THEIR FIRMWARE UPDATE AND THEY ARE WORKING ON
IT.

This is for the TPX series.

Will post when I know more.

PS. How well does the optical audio work?

thanks for the link, got rid of the horrible red push with one of those service settings.:)

I know I'm replying to a pretty old post, but if you're still reading this thread, what setting did you use for COL_AXIS, and now that it's been a month or so, how do you like your picture?

I followed the advice of that thread and set mine to 1, but I immediately felt like everything then had a green cast to it. It was not my imagination, and it was really obvious in 4:3 content where shadow areas were bumped right up against the grey pillarbox. The shadow areas were always greenish in comparison.

I changed my COL_AXIS setting to 0, which looks like it's sort of in between settings 1 and 2, and I'm now happy with my picture. It may have a slight red push to it but I'll take that over the green push I got with 1, and it's much better than the extreme red push of the default 2.

I know I'm replying to a pretty old post, but if you're still reading this thread, what setting did you use for COL_AXIS, and now that it's been a month or so, how do you like your picture?

I followed the advice of that thread and set mine to 1, but I immediately felt like everything then had a green cast to it. It was not my imagination, and it was really obvious in 4:3 content where shadow areas were bumped right up against the grey pillarbox. The shadow areas were always greenish in comparison.

I changed my COL_AXIS setting to 0, which looks like it's sort of in between settings 1 and 2, and I'm now happy with my picture. It may have a slight red push to it but I'll take that over the green push I got with 1, and it's much better than the extreme red push of the default 2.

not sure, I set it to whatever that link said to set it. So far I like the setting but I was flipping through the channels a few nights ago and the show NCIS was on and it had horrible red push again. I thought it went away with that setting :confused: Oh I dont seem to have any green push though, still not 100% happy with the tv picture too.

not sure, I set it to whatever that link said to set it. So far I like the setting but I was flipping through the channels a few nights ago and the show NCIS was on and it had horrible red push again. I thought it went away with that setting :confused:

I think the problem is CBS, not the TV. Everything on CBS in HD is way over-saturated and red. It's not true of any other channel, but you and me are seeing the same thing so I'm sure the issue is with CBS.

If I just turn down the color on CBS, everything looks pretty much fine. CBS may be adding their own "red push" to their signal, I guess, but I think it's more likely that most people have a natural pink-ish skin tone (however slight) and the fact that CBS is so over-saturated is making everybody appear red-skinned.

Even when I had a green tint on every other channel with COL_AXIS=1, CBS still looked really red. I'm sure the problem is them, not us.

(btw, this is true of both OTA and HD cable through component... so it's not the TV tuner doing it either.)

I am not sure if anybody is still reading this topic, but I haven't found any answer to QAM issue after reading all the replies here.
So I called Samsung tech support but they said there is no firmware upgrade for TXP3071WH. And the guy told me QAM function doesn't allow me to get either digital or HD channels w/o STB..... What the hell......????
I explained to him what I read from this forum about QAM, and he told that was not true and kept insisting that I have to have STB for HD/Digital channels.
I don't have good knowledge on this matter like some people in this forum, so I couldn't really argue with him too long, so I just hung up the phone.
I purchased my set Nov'04 and Live in NYC area.
Anybody know any service center in this area or advice on how I should go by?

I am not sure if anybody is still reading this topic, but I haven't found any answer to QAM issue after reading all the replies here.
So I called Samsung tech support but they said there is no firmware upgrade for TXP3071WH. And the guy told me QAM function doesn't allow me to get either digital or HD channels w/o STB..... What the hell......????
I explained to him what I read from this forum about QAM, and he told that was not true and kept insisting that I have to have STB for HD/Digital channels.
I don't have good knowledge on this matter like some people in this forum, so I couldn't really argue with him too long, so I just hung up the phone.
I purchased my set Nov'04 and Live in NYC area.
Anybody know any service center in this area or advice on how I should go by?
I see no evidence that this set includes "QAM support." It has a built-in ATSC tuner, but no Cable Card or "QAM" support. However, with an antenna and a good local digital broadcast signal, you should easily be able to bring in local digital broadcasts.

Take a look:

http://product.samsung.com/SamsungUSA/PRODUCT/20040924/txp3071.pdf

Good Luck!

Thanks for reply and info on the TV set, justsc.
But when I do auto-channel, it asks me if I want to use QAM or not, so I thought I have this function or is it just there to tease me?????
I've already tried OTA and got few local HD channels, but I want to get more through cable connection without paying a lot of extra money for dtv and extra hd channels.
Is it impossible???

Thanks for reply and info on the TV set, justsc.
But when I do auto-channel, it asks me if I want to use QAM or not, so I thought I have this function or is it just there to tease me?????
I've already tried OTA and got few local HD channels, but I want to get more through cable connection without paying a lot of extra money for dtv and extra hd channels.
Is it impossible???
That's really strange. I closely scrutinized the Samsung docs and I see nothing about QAM capability. So, you have a good question - why does the OSG give you a choice?

I have sent an email to a Samsung contact and will post the answer.

Ive got the 3064 or whatever it is (built in memory card, tuner, DNie, etc) and I took my set to be upgraded to the firmware supporting qam. it DEFINATLEY DOES . I dont subscribe to cable in my new apt, so I cant take some pics, but trust me, its worked int the past. the qam tuner SUCKS tho, it takes about 20 seconds to change channels

krazydl,

This unit does indeed have QAM. I can't help you with how it works because I must use a STB.

Good Luck! ;)

That's what I'm saying!!!
Thanks a million for helping me, justsc!
Please let me know if you get any further info.

mprover, I saw a lot of pleople saying they got the firmware upgrade, but how can I get the upgrade, or where?
Did you have to call SAMSUNG first or did you just call local service center?

call samsung, talk to the teir 1 tech, they wont know much , so try to get them to connect you to the higher ups. There was a guy who you should ask for , but I forget his name. Waht youll eventually do is bring the TV to a samsung service center where they should upgrade it for free (if its under warrenty). Call a couple of places, one place did it for free, one wanted $100

That's what I'm saying!!!
Thanks a million for helping me, justsc!
Please let me know if you get any further info.

mprover, I saw a lot of pleople saying they got the firmware upgrade, but how can I get the upgrade, or where?
Did you have to call SAMSUNG first or did you just call local service center?
I sent off another email to my Samsung contact regarding the firmware upgrade. Apparently there's a problem with the upgrade itself, so they've stopped doing it until the problems are resolved.

justsc , let me know what the problem with theupdate is. My sets working perfectly

justsc , let me know what the problem with theupdate is. My sets working perfectly
The update covered more sets than the one mentioned in this post. Since you haven't had any problems, maybe the "problem" doesn't affect your model. I don't have the details of the upgrade and am not in a position to find out those kinds of details.

I have the 3075, the service tech came out to do the upgrade, but couldn't get the laptop and software to sinc up with the tv. He called Samsung(who are the people that sent him the firmware to start with), and they told him to stop the process at once and to NOT do the upgrade. They then told him there was a problem with it, so he stopped and left and now I can't get any staight answers from Samsung.

Thanks, mprover & justsc!
I guess I better wait to see if this upgrade will happen or not.
Probably calling Samsung would not help me at all.

If you guys hear any news about this upgrade, please post it.
And I will try to find out too.
Probably, call few local Samsung service centers and see if they know anything about it.

Thanks again, guys!

I called a local Samsung repair co, and they weren't able to track down a firmware upgrade. I'm now past my warranty. So if anyone has the "orginal" firmware and instructions. Can you send it to me?

Well, I have the TXP-2670WH and I had the firmware upgrade done last year around December to fix my QAM tuner to get it working. Fast forward to 3 weeks ago, my TV broke and I called Samsung and they extended my warranty and had it fixed under warranty which the local center basically changed the whole board inside. I got back my TV and now I must have some newer firmware on this board that not only does not have a functioning QAM tuner any more, it also removed any mention of the QAM tuner in the menus like when going under Cable it asks if your cable is QAM capable, not there anymore.

I called Samsung and finally after tracking my original request for the QAM to be fixed sent the repair order to the local facility here who is telling me they cannot order that firmware because its no longer available. I call back Samsung and I got left on hold too long and I had to get off the phone on friday cause of Shabbat (Jewish Holiday) and was left in the limbo. I was in the process of explaining a new guy the situation showing him the previous fix plus that my documentation in the manual does show the QAM tuner as being a feature and that if I dont get the feature restored, I want either my money for my TV as that was the only reason I had originally got the TV because I dont have good reception for HDTV OTA, or they send me out a T-451 STB tuner which has a QAM tuner. I gotta call back monday to see whats up. I really hope they track down this firmware and get permission to send to me instead of having a repair guy come out and do the upgrade and restore my beloved QAM tuner.

It really sounds like Samsung doesn't know their collective a$$e$ from a hole in the ground.

I'm a big Samsung fan, but this is getting really old. Their online data sheets are reality challenged, their regional managers are out of sync with development and engineering, and the manuals are challenged as well.

I've been trying to get a simple answer as to whether or not the SlimFits have QAM, and even those on the inside are unsure.

I'm losing my patience with Samsung, and I'm not even a dissatisfied owner!

I may no longer be able to recommend Samsung sets. :mad:

Bradbomb...
I just bought the txp2670wh as well and called samsung...they said they are not using the firmware since it caused problems (as evidenced by your experience) and that they would call me back in 24 hours (49 hours ago)

I fear qam will never work on these tv's. everyone should have started a class action lawsuit since initially, the tv's advertised hdtv with a built in qam tuner...sigh...

if you have any new info, i'd love to hear it and I'll do the same.

I just received the update CD in the mail from Samsung. The problem I had with my tv was unrelated to the QAM tuner. I was using the QAM tuner from January when I had the update installed till this past September when the TV died. The update is not installing on this new board and am currently on hold with Samsung Tier 2 again.

Bradbomb...
I just bought the txp2670wh as well and called samsung...they said they are not using the firmware since it caused problems (as evidenced by your experience) and that they would call me back in 24 hours (49 hours ago)

I fear qam will never work on these tv's. everyone should have started a class action lawsuit since initially, the tv's advertised hdtv with a built in qam tuner...sigh...

if you have any new info, i'd love to hear it and I'll do the same.

Well final update on situation and resolution. The update finally installed on the new assembly board and caused the problem that some people experienced with the update. After going back and forth with Samsung for a couple of days they are refunding me the full price I paid for the set in May 2004 because they no longer manufacture CRTs with a QAM tuner that they can replace my unit with since I had a functioning Clear QAM tuner for the better part of 9 months.

This was hard to get as I had to be very persistent and this goes with the fact that they had sent me the update cds, if that didn't happen, I might not have reached this point today, or I might have gotten instead a Samsung T-451 Set-Top box which has an unadvertised QAM tuner in it since my TV would still be functional to watch something on it. Please do not PM me for the update as since it has mixed results I do not want to be the cause of breaking someone elses set. I do know that someone on another forum on another site is sending it out to people.

I bought this TV last year. My Comcast worked really well, HDTV with STB etc. Until a week ago. Actually...since the last hurricane it's been touch and go. Now it's just GONE. I've had techs out here 3 times since 12/22 and no one knows what's going on.

It's not my TV, is it? They have replaced the STB (their favorite activity) and no help...they went into the control room (I live in a condo building) and got a good signal supposedly. What do you recommend I do? I do not have a clear view of the southwestern sky or I'd go back to DirecTV...MAN I miss them!

The TV is a year old.

I bought this TV last year. My Comcast worked really well, HDTV with STB etc. Until a week ago. Actually...since the last hurricane it's been touch and go. Now it's just GONE. I've had techs out here 3 times since 12/22 and no one knows what's going on.

It's not my TV, is it? They have replaced the STB (their favorite activity) and no help...they went into the control room (I live in a condo building) and got a good signal supposedly. What do you recommend I do? I do not have a clear view of the southwestern sky or I'd go back to DirecTV...MAN I miss them!

The TV is a year old.
Put a disc into your dvd player and see if you get a picture on the tv. If so, then the problem is probably with the cable somewhere. Use the same input on the back of the tv that you've been using for cable if you can. If the tv gets no picture, completely unplug it from all power sources (all the way to the wall plug) and from any other devices (e.g. cable, dvd, etc) for at least two hours - then retry.

If all of this fails, then you may have a problem with the tv set.

Is it possible to connect a PC or Mac Mini to this TV through the DVI port? The manual says not to do it. Any advice would be very helpful. Thanks!

Yeah I tried it... I used a third party app to switch the resolution which I think is at 1240 x 720 right now and not perfect. It needs more tweaking. see:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=615619

It does work but I think a LCD might be better than this crt... images look great, so Front Row works fine, but text is too small and therefore some surfing and other wordprocessing type work doesn't work without down rezzing the image. I am going to keep working on it

Good luck and let us know how it works

I'm just wondering if anyone could comment about how their hd service fairs with this tv? I have problems during 1080i. I would say at least every 20 minutes I get a little freeze type hesitation (unstability) in the screen. I don't have this problem with any other resolution though. Anyone else who has hd service ever seen this problem in 1080i? Also, if its just a problem with my set. Would this still be covered under the warranty? I have owned this set for a little over a year. Any help would certainly be appreciated. Thanks

No but I get a resolution "stutter" when my D* stb would switch resolutions. I eliminated that issue by disableing the native setting on the stb so the stb sends a 1080i signal all the time unless I manually change it. It was annoying while channel surfing.

Yeah I tried it... I used a third party app to switch the resolution which I think is at 1240 x 720 right now and not perfect. It needs more tweaking. see:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=615619

It does work but I think a LCD might be better than this crt... images look great, so Front Row works fine, but text is too small and therefore some surfing and other wordprocessing type work doesn't work without down rezzing the image. I am going to keep working on it

Good luck and let us know how it works
I connected my Apple 17" PowerBook to my Sony crt HD set via a DVI to HDMI cable and got results very similar to yours. I have tried the same thing on two lcd sets and it works much, much better with that technology.

Please let us know how things go with your efforts. ;)

I have a new TX-P3275WH (I am posting here, as I do not believe it has its own thread.) Can anyone refer me to recommended color calibration settings for tint, contrast, brightness, etc.? Thanks.

I have a new TX-P3275WH (I am posting here, as I do not believe it has its own thread.) Can anyone refer me to recommended color calibration settings for tint, contrast, brightness, etc.? Thanks.
These settings are unique to each and every individual tube tv. Being analog devices, no two tvs arrive at the exact same settings for best PQ.

There are dvds you can use to calibrate your set usings these settings. These discs (Avia, DVE) have been produced by the pros, and can guide you to just the right mix of settings to get the best possible picture quality.

For what it's worth, these are my settings for Analog Cable:

Picture Mode: Custom
Contrast: 35
Brightness: 45
Sharpness: 27
Color: 39
Tint 50/50
Color Tone: Normal (neither warm nor cool)

These are my settings for HD and DVDs:

Picture Mode: Custom
Contrast: 54
Brightness: 57
Sharpness: 48
Color: 50
Tint 51/49
Color Tone: Normal (neither warm nor cool)

Good Luck! ;)

Thank you so much for the quick and helpful reply.

On my new TX-P3275WH, I have analog SD cable on RF Input A and a Terk Amplified antenna on RF Input B.

Being that the screen is 4:3, HD OTA programs from the digital tuner,
of course, have bars above and below. What is confusing, though, is
that while OTA SD programs from the digital tuner (including
commercials on the HD broadcasts) are 4:3, they are not a complete
screen 4:3, but rather have bars on all 4 sides, bordering a 4:3
picture in the middle of the screen. I have tried changing the picture
size from 16:9, where it is now, to other settings, but that
does not help (they stretch the picture vertically only). Is there a
way to see digital SD 4:3 broadcasts full screen?


Second, the TV's SD cable picture from my analog Wide Open West cable
picture is disappointing. This TV is in a den, replacing a budget $220
Circuit City ESA brand 27" SDTV, which gave a far better picture on SD
cable. In fact a 9" Symphonic in the basement gives a better SD cable
picture than the Samsung. I have fiddled with the color settings, but
the SD cable picture is still lacking. While the signal is split before it reaches the TV, that did not affect picture quality on the ESA TV. Might I need to amplify the
cable signal at a split? Thanks!

i just bought one of these yesterday, i have basic cable, i'm not getting any HD over cable. However, someone else local told me that around here (buffalo, ny) there is no HD in basic around here and that you need a coax.

Is it safe to assume that since the set I got is new, it should be bale to tune QAM over cable w/out problem? If the bit about "you need a set top HD box to get HD over cable in Buffalo" is true, does this mean I'm entitled to a free set top box?

i just bought one of these yesterday, i have basic cable, i'm not getting any HD over cable. However, someone else local told me that around here (buffalo, ny) there is no HD in basic around here and that you need a coax.

Is it safe to assume that since the set I got is new, it should be bale to tune QAM over cable w/out problem? If the bit about "you need a set top HD box to get HD over cable in Buffalo" is true, does this mean I'm entitled to a free set top box?
Cable tv signals come in over coax, regardless of the resolution. The analog channels are usually not encrypted and can be tuned by your tv's cable-ready tuner. Premium channels are encrypted and only available with a subscription and set-top-box.

Most cable companies are sending out local hd channels (e.g. ABC, NBC, PBS) unencrypted over regular coax w/o the need of a STB. If a tv has a QAM tuner these channels can be viewed w/o a STB or a subscription to digital cable.

I don't believe we have any proof yet that these Samsung sets have QAM tuners. And I've never heard of anyone being entitled to a free STB for any reason.

Hey guys, I have a question about the TX-P3075WH. I've had the TV for a couple of months now, and have been using it primarily for gaming. I pretty much only feed Progressive inputs through the component cables.

Well I just picked up a PS2 (I had one that broke about 2 years ago), and I noticed some strange red lines going down the middle of the set. I thought the cables were screwed so I took them back and got some different ones.

Same red lines. Did a whole slew of tests, and finally come to the conclusion that I only get these red lines whenever I pass a non-progressive signal through the component input. If I play 480p games, the lines aren't there. If I play a non-progressive game, they are there.

What can I do to get rid of them?

bump

Hey guys, I have a question about the TX-P3075WH. I've had the TV for a couple of months now, and have been using it primarily for gaming. I pretty much only feed Progressive inputs through the component cables.

Well I just picked up a PS2 (I had one that broke about 2 years ago), and I noticed some strange red lines going down the middle of the set. I thought the cables were screwed so I took them back and got some different ones.

Same red lines. Did a whole slew of tests, and finally come to the conclusion that I only get these red lines whenever I pass a non-progressive signal through the component input. If I play 480p games, the lines aren't there. If I play a non-progressive game, they are there.

What can I do to get rid of them?

I think this set is buggy when it comes to handling game resolutions. See my thread here about my problems with Xbox

http://www.hdtvarcade.com/hdtvforum/index.php?showtopic=650&hl=

Hey guys, I have a question about the TX-P3075WH. I've had the TV for a couple of months now, and have been using it primarily for gaming. I pretty much only feed Progressive inputs through the component cables.

Well I just picked up a PS2 (I had one that broke about 2 years ago), and I noticed some strange red lines going down the middle of the set. I thought the cables were screwed so I took them back and got some different ones.

Same red lines. Did a whole slew of tests, and finally come to the conclusion that I only get these red lines whenever I pass a non-progressive signal through the component input. If I play 480p games, the lines aren't there. If I play a non-progressive game, they are there.

What can I do to get rid of them?
Do you have a DVD player? Have you tried sending a 480i signal to the set from the DVD player?

Do you have a DVD player? Have you tried sending a 480i signal to the set from the DVD player?
Yeah, I get the same red tint bars down the screen with 480i on my DVD player too.

So it seems no matter what if it's interlaced I get red bars.

I think this set is buggy when it comes to handling game resolutions. See my thread here about my problems with Xbox

http://www.hdtvarcade.com/hdtvforum/index.php?showtopic=650&hl=
Yeah, but your problem happens with 480p, and mine with 480i.

Hrmmmmmm!

Yeah, I get the same red tint bars down the screen with 480i on my DVD player too.

So it seems no matter what if it's interlaced I get red bars.
Have you tried both component inputs?

If so, and you get this line regardless then I'd place a service call.

Have you tried both component inputs?

If so, and you get this line regardless then I'd place a service call.
Yup, both.component inputs.

Who do I call? Samsung?

How much will it cost to get fixed? Any idea?

Yup, both.component inputs.

Who do I call? Samsung?

How much will it cost to get fixed? Any idea?
If you are still within a 30 day return period or have an extended warranty with your reseller then I'd contact both Samsung and the reseller. If you have no warranty with the reseller then just call Samsung.

I believe you'll find Samsung easier to work with and better at responding.

Try to get a feel from the Samsung service rep regarding cost. I haven't had to call for service so I can't guess on cost.

Good Luck!

I bought it form someone in the apartment complex, so I doubt it's within warranty.

I'll check the receipts though. Thanks for the help.

anybody have the email address for samsung corporate customer service?

I apologize for bumping such an old thread, but I have the TXP3071WH, and I'm trying to get this QAM firmware upgrade done. Unfortunately, I'm not making much headway calling Samsung. I've called them two or three times, and each time they tell me such an upgrade is not possible with my set, or they send me to local service centers who tell me such an upgrade can't be done.

I really want this upgrade done, and I'm willing to pay for it. Can anyone recommend a course of action?

Edit: Has it really been discontinued?

Last I heard Samsung had pulled the firmware upgrade due to it causing problems and they didn't intend to re-release it. This was a long time ago.

Anyone still on this thread?

I'm trying to get Samsung to resolve the busted QAM tuner, which I only recently needed and learned about. If anyone who went through the business of getting it fixed back in '04 and '05 feels like contacting me via PM, that would be invaluable in convincing them this is a real issue.

As it stands now, they claim the TXP line never had a QAM tuner and never had a QAM tuner issue. Alfonso Douriet, mentioned earlier in the thread, no longer works for Samsung. Receipts/work orders (with personal info blacked out, of course), or a copy of the firmware, would be most helpful.

Anyone still on this thread?

I'm trying to get Samsung to resolve the busted QAM tuner, which I only recently needed and learned about. If anyone who went through the business of getting it fixed back in '04 and '05 feels like contacting me via PM, that would be invaluable in convincing them this is a real issue.

As it stands now, they claim the TXP line never had a QAM tuner and never had a QAM tuner issue. Alfonso Douriet, mentioned earlier in the thread, no longer works for Samsung. Receipts/work orders (with personal info blacked out, of course), or a copy of the firmware, would be most helpful.

I am also interested in the QAM issue. I have the TX-P3275H, which I bought a while back. I contacted Samsung by email and they responded that there was a firmware fix and that I should call a service center to get it. At the time, I wasn't sure if my cable provider was sending any unencrypted QAM, so I was lazy and never got around to doing the fix. Note that the email from Samsung Customer Service is dated March 2006.

Fast forward to today and I am now catching up on this subject. I just bought another TV for another room and I am able to get a bunch of unencrypted QAM signals. Of course, I'd like to do the same with my Samsung. Does anyone have any current information about the firmware? I tried calling, but everyone I talked to said that there was no firmware update available. Was there really a problem with the firmware that would cause the sets to fail prematurely? Does anyone out there still have a copy of the firmware? Is there any hope of getting QAM to work with this set at this late stage?

I am also interested in the QAM issue. I have the TX-P3275H, which I bought a while back. I contacted Samsung by email and they responded that there was a firmware fix and that I should call a service center to get it. At the time, I wasn't sure if my cable provider was sending any unencrypted QAM, so I was lazy and never got around to doing the fix. Note that the email from Samsung Customer Service is dated March 2006.

Fast forward to today and I am now catching up on this subject. I just bought another TV for another room and I am able to get a bunch of unencrypted QAM signals. Of course, I'd like to do the same with my Samsung. Does anyone have any current information about the firmware? I tried calling, but everyone I talked to said that there was no firmware update available. Was there really a problem with the firmware that would cause the sets to fail prematurely? Does anyone out there still have a copy of the firmware? Is there any hope of getting QAM to work with this set at this late stage?

Hi Dondon,

Here's the info as I have it. Samsung has spent 3 months "looking" for proof of this issue and can "find no record of it."

3 months ago I sent them a letter someone else got referencing the firmware upgrade, the case # and executive customer relations person who gave someone else a full refund over the issue, and the instructions that came with the firmware itself. None of that was enough to help Samsung "remember", but as an apology for keeping me waiting so long (and to deny any knowledge of wrongdoing...) they offered me a prorated refund for my set: $550 for a $950 set.

That isn't too bad, considering I've had it for a little over 2 years and it worked just fine when TWC NYC was working properly for most of those two years, and it still works like a champ with my Mac connected via DVI. Samsung also tried to rip me off by offering a new model for $250 (charging me $100 more than the new model price-refund...) that is missing QAM tuning altogether.

I have the firmware as well, drop me an e-mail address and I'll send it to you. I don't know what cable is needed to install it, and I don't know how well it works. What I've read is that it will enable QAM, but channel-changing takes about 30 seconds....

All-in-all, while I'm glad to have this resolved, the general underhandedness of Samsung's cover-up and "forgetting" of the issue along with the completely irresponsible 3 months of waiting (while I was promised on several occasions to "have a resolution by tomorrow, or the end of the week at the latest" that NEVER happened once) means I will avoid all their products like the plague from now on.

If I had the time and a lawyer willing to do it, I'd guess Samsung probably deserves a class-action lawsuit over fraudulent business practices (knowing of a defect; continuing to sell a product with said defect; not notifying owners of said defect; altering advertising, product descriptions, and support to hide said defect; and then denying said defect ever existed). But then again, I'm no lawyer.

Live and learn.

Hi Dondon,

Here's the info as I have it. Samsung has spent 3 months "looking" for proof of this issue and can "find no record of it."

3 months ago I sent them a letter someone else got referencing the firmware upgrade, the case # and executive customer relations person who gave someone else a full refund over the issue, and the instructions that came with the firmware itself. None of that was enough to help Samsung "remember", but as an apology for keeping me waiting so long (and to deny any knowledge of wrongdoing...) they offered me a prorated refund for my set: $550 for a $950 set.

That isn't too bad, considering I've had it for a little over 2 years and it worked just fine when TWC NYC was working properly for most of those two years, and it still works like a champ with my Mac connected via DVI. Samsung also tried to rip me off by offering a new model for $250 (charging me $100 more than the new model price-refund...) that is missing QAM tuning altogether.

I have the firmware as well, drop me an e-mail address and I'll send it to you. I don't know what cable is needed to install it, and I don't know how well it works. What I've read is that it will enable QAM, but channel-changing takes about 30 seconds....

All-in-all, while I'm glad to have this resolved, the general underhandedness of Samsung's cover-up and "forgetting" of the issue along with the completely irresponsible 3 months of waiting (while I was promised on several occasions to "have a resolution by tomorrow, or the end of the week at the latest" that NEVER happened once) means I will avoid all their products like the plague from now on.

If I had the time and a lawyer willing to do it, I'd guess Samsung probably deserves a class-action lawsuit over fraudulent business practices (knowing of a defect; continuing to sell a product with said defect; not notifying owners of said defect; altering advertising, product descriptions, and support to hide said defect; and then denying said defect ever existed). But then again, I'm no lawyer.

Live and learn.

Mike - Thanks for the update. It's pretty shady they way Samsung tried to rewrite history and deny the problem ever existed, but it sounds like you got a pretty good result out of it (albeit with a significant investment of your time).

If I could get Samsung to kick in a few hundred dollars towards my next TV, I would take that in a heartbeat. Maybe I should start pestering their customer service reps. I did call in, got it escalated one level where the guy promised to call me back the next day with more info. Three weeks later he hasn't called, and I haven't followed up, so I share your pain.

This has definitely soured me too on Samsung and their products. It's too bad that most companies haven't figured out that they have the best opportunity to make a significant positive impression when something goes wrong (as compared to when everything flows smoothly). I have had some good experiences with other companies that have really turned me into a loyal customer.

In any case, congrats again on extracting a "settlement" out of Samsung. I am duly impressed. (And in the interests of full disclosure, I am a lawyer, though not a class-action litigator, and my guess is that the $550 refund you got is more than you would have gotten out of any lawsuit.)

Hey Mike and Don -

Just went through the same situation with Samsung regarding my TX-P2675WH that is 2.5 years old and has the issue with the QAM tuner. Being in VT, we were late to market with local HD, and when it came, I got so involved trying to get the antenna to work, that I forgot to check the QAM. And you know what happened when I checked the QAM tuner...

So, I called Samsung and stated that it should work and doesn't, and that others have reported this, etc. I said I wanted to get the update and was told there was none. Guy told me to fax in copies of my receipt, a letter explaining the issue and any links to websites where I read about it. I put it all together and sent it off. Spoke to the Executive Custer Care people where I went back and forth about whether or not there is a firmware fix for the QAM issue. Got the Tech 2 people to finally state there was a fix, but it was hurting more than helping, and that when they got around to making a functioning update, new tv's were coming out so they scrapped it. After going back and forth for a while between the tech and Executive Customer Care people, they finally told me that they would replace my tv with the 2007 TX-T3092 (or 3093, my choice) 30" SlimFit CRT tv at no cost. Typically they said it would cost $180 for an upgrade, plus they wanted to depreciate my tv 20% a year (which I've had for 2.5 years, though this is based off their price, not what you paid). The rep I spoke with was names Steve Perfetto and he was great to work with. His supervisor said that I should have paid the $180 upgrade fee, she couldn't take away what Steve offered me. I recommend calling the ECC line at 1-800-747-5618 and see if you can get to Steve and let him know the situation. Hopefully he can help anyone else out who is just finding out about this know.

Oh, and the replacement TV comes with a 1 year warranty from Samsung.

Oh, and by the way they state that the 30" slimfit CRT's (TX-T3092 and TX-T3093) both have QAM tuners eventhough they are not listed in the user manual. I have it in writting from Samsung too, so they better have gotten it right this time...

Heck I may call and complain to see what they will do for me. I still have all the paper work. However, it has been about 2 years and it should be out of warranty. I guess its worth a shot though.

Glad to hear things are working out for other people!

Companies need to learn that in this day and age they can't put out products that don't work, and if they do that the collective knowledge of the Internet will force them to pay in either reputation or money.

So, I got the replacement TV yesterday, but still have some issues. First off, the spec sheet on Samsungs site for the TX-T3092 states 2 RF inputs (for NTSC and ATSC tuners) but the TX-T3092 and 3093 only have one RF input and the engineers told me that I would have th manually flip the cables for when I want to use my HD antenna or my regular cable that comes in through coax. However, all the LCDs and Plasmas have two RF inputs, and the engineer said he thought this was a weird move.

Then, after getting confirmation from Tier II that the unit would have a QAM tuner, I asked again when inquiring about the RF inputs and he asked another engineer and he said that they do not have a QAM tuner in them!! WTF?! How can they have no clue what's going on.

So, they offered me this tv because it was the most "comparable" to my TX-P2675 which had QAM (supposedly) and two RF inputs, and it is clearly not. I am in the process with dealing with them agian and seeing if I can get and LCD out of them as that seems to be the only units that will truly match my specs, but they have been really nasty (don't speak with Grace in ECC; absolutely no help at all and super nasty) aboutreplacing the TV. Even getting the unit I got sounded like it shouldn't have happened without me paying some sort of fee, but the rep I spoke with hooked me up.

But, I feel I have a good case against Samsung with initial false advertising about QAM tuner in my original tv, then false advertising on the new tv with incoorect info coming directly from inside Samsung, and on their website.

If anyone else would like to try and get a new tv from Samsun, call the ECC line and ask for Steve Peretto. He got all this going for me and seems to be very cool. Just cover that you bought the tv for the QAM tuner and otherwise youwould have purchased something else. Play up that fact and hopefully it will work out for you. But as you can see, it never really ends even with gettig a new TV.

I went back to battle with Samsung for a few more days and was able to get them to offer me an LN-T2642 26" LCD at no cost. But it was not an easy battle.

After many hours on the phone with ECC and the TierII support, I finally broke them down. My biggest gripe with this whole ordeal is that Samsung considered the TX-T3092 CRT tv as a "comparable" unit to my presious one. Well, in essence, it was. I will explain...

Before agreeing to the TX-T3092, I had the rep confirm it had a QAM tuner. He confirmed and stated even though its not advertised to have a QAM tuner, it did. Well, after I got it delievered and found that it only had one RF tuner instead of two as advertised, I had the Tier II rep ask again, and was told no. At that point I figured this was a good in to try and get an LCD as I had attempted before, but was told I'd have to pay a $375 upgrade fee for the LN-T2642 and they take the old tv away. Not a good deal I felt. Well, low and behold the TX-T3092 actually does have a working QAM tuner!!! Which is sort of funny that a tv with an advertised QAM tuner didn't work and one without an advertised tuner does work! That seems like a good argument in itself.

So, I went back to Samsung and told them that the definition of "comparable unit" was not upheld with the TX-T3092 and stated that with all the misinformation provided to me, and that I had to take my personal time to train your staff, that I feel you need to offer me an truly comparable unit for free. It took me days and dozens of phone calls to try and get some response. I ended up working with a rep named Gwen who, in the end, was finally able to offer me the 26" LCD to replace the TX-T3092 that was just delivered.

I also emailed her boss's boss (or someone high up) several times indicating the issues at hand the misinformation being provided across the board at Samsun. I of course received no response from him, but I have a feeling that helped matters greatly. I have since emailed him to "thank" Samsung for helping me out. I figured I mind as well be nice in the end in case the black list me from calling back someday (hee hee hee). I feel like Paris Hilton - I was so annoying they just paid me to go away.

I will update when I get the new unit (hopefully next week). The trucking company (NVC) they used to deliver the previous set was very fast; took about 3 days frmo when they picked up the unit over 1000 miles away from my house.

Anybody else having these issues or any luck working with Samsung? I'm happy to give more specifics or contacts if you are having these problems.

I just came across the issue and gave Samsung a call. I tried to speak with Steve Perfetto, but was informed that he is no longer with the company. After speaking with a Tier 2 rep and then a ECC rep, I was (eventually) informed that the QAM in this model (mine is a TXP3271H) does not work.

I reviving this thread for some help...

I had to do some major altering to the TV settings under the Service Menu (Mute, 1, 8, 2, Power). Unfortunately, my newly custom settings is only good for my PS3 games and made every other input way off. I messed with various numbers because I saw a reset all option. Well it doesn't wipe any changes I made. So I'm stuck with my custom numbered setup.

My quest for help is for anyone who hasn't changed their default numbers in the service menu. Can you post what your number are? You don't even have to label the settings, I'll assume they are in sequence

TIA,
Kdogg

Does anyone know if there is a way to make this set display whether the current content is 480p/720p/1080i?