About two months ago we bought a 40" Samsung LN-S4051 LCD HDTV. For the first month or so the picture looked spectacular but recently we've been noticing what I think is called color banding. Solid color areas periodically show as different colors (for instance, black typically shows with numerous red patches).

This behaviour mostly manifests itself while watching an OTC HD channel (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, etc). I have not noticed it on HBO HD but that doesn't mean it hasn't or won't.

I've even seen it while in the Xbox 360 Dashboard.

If this wasn't as frequent of an occurrence I'd probably be able to live with it but it's happening nightly. There is no discernable pattern to when/how it happens.

I don't believe that I've had this issue while watching a DVD.

I'm using the Comcast dual-tuner DVR, connected directly to the TV with a DVI to HDMI cable (a top of the line Monster). The 360 is connected via the included component cables. The DVD player is connected via an HDMI cable (a less expensive Accoustic Research cable).

Is this normal? I'd certainly hope not. What causes this? I have an extended warranty plan through Best Buy, should I call them on this?

Noticed it this morning as the kids watch Cars on DVD.

Did you ever receive a resolution for this issue? I have the LN-S4051D as well, about a month after the return period expired I started seeing what sounds like the same issue. I'll try to post pictures later.

Basically solid colors (the sky, or a black background for example) sometimes have what looks like pink/green "noise". It's very obvious and distracting. The problem persisted sporadically across all inputs for about 3 months, I called Samsung to schedule a service appointment. The next day I switched my cable box from component to hdmi, and the problem seemed to go away. (Previously there were extended periods of hours and days where the problem didn't present itself).

Fast forward 3 weeks, started using component cables for the Nintendo Wii, a day or two later the problem comes back, again, it's sporadic. Sometimes it persists for days, sometimes it looks fine. I can't really seem to discern any pattern to it. Sometimes the TV looks great when it's turned on, then the problem appears a few minutes into viewing. Sometimes it turns on and the problem is there then it goes away later. I unplugged every input, unplugged the TV for 10 minutes, then tried each input individually and I still see the same issues.

I'm going to reschedule my appointment and see what the guy says.

It's frustrating, as the first time I purchased this set in August it was defective (a prominent light band down the right side of the set, split by a single green pixel line running down the length of the panel). I exchanged it, and my current set worked fine for a few months.

Hopefully it's not a problem to bump a month old post, my apologies if it is.

{edit} I also just remembered that I occasionally see an afterimage when the picture switches from a light scene to solid dark. Anyone know if that's a normal LCD problem?

Did you ever receive a resolution for this issue? I have the LN-S4051D as well, about a month after the return period expired I started seeing what sounds like the same issue. I'll try to post pictures later.

Basically solid colors (the sky, or a black background for example) sometimes have what looks like pink/green "noise". It's very obvious and distracting. The problem persisted sporadically across all inputs for about 3 months, I called Samsung to schedule a service appointment. The next day I switched my cable box from component to hdmi, and the problem seemed to go away. (Previously there were extended periods of hours and days where the problem didn't present itself).

Fast forward 3 weeks, started using component cables for the Nintendo Wii, a day or two later the problem comes back, again, it's sporadic. Sometimes it persists for days, sometimes it looks fine. I can't really seem to discern any pattern to it. Sometimes the TV looks great when it's turned on, then the problem appears a few minutes into viewing. Sometimes it turns on and the problem is there then it goes away later. I unplugged every input, unplugged the TV for 10 minutes, then tried each input individually and I still see the same issues.

I'm going to reschedule my appointment and see what the guy says.

It's frustrating, as the first time I purchased this set in August it was defective (a prominent light band down the right side of the set, split by a single green pixel line running down the length of the panel). I exchanged it, and my current set worked fine for a few months.

Hopefully it's not a problem to bump a month old post, my apologies if it is.

{edit} I also just remembered that I occasionally see an afterimage when the picture switches from a light scene to solid dark. Anyone know if that's a normal LCD problem?

I've had what sounds like similar problems with a 4095. Check my thread with pictures somewhere in the first 2-3 pages to see if it is similar to what you're experiencing. Hope it helps.

Maingod, yes this is *exactly* the same problem that I'm experiencing. My picture looks like like those .jpgs you posted in the other thread.

Defective PCB Main...

It definately raises questions in my mind whether or not I'm going to experience other problems down the road, especially after already recieving 1 unit that was defective and returning it.

Did the service tech you called mention any reason why this would have happened, aside from freak luck?

I don't know where you got your set, but I also had to remove the unit from the box at BB to drive it home, and they didn't give me any hassles about returning the first set. It was pretty painless and quick.

Maingod, yes this is *exactly* the same problem that I'm experiencing. My picture looks like like those .jpgs you posted in the other thread.

Defective PCB Main...

It definately raises questions in my mind whether or not I'm going to experience other problems down the road, especially after already recieving 1 unit that was defective and returning it.

Did the service tech you called mention any reason why this would have happened, aside from freak luck?

I don't know where you got your set, but I also had to remove the unit from the box at BB to drive it home, and they didn't give me any hassles about returning the first set. It was pretty painless and quick.

Happy to be of service. I am just going to nix the Samsung-licensed technician visit and return the TV directly to BB. And now that I actually bothered to read the BB return/exchange policy, I see there is no issue with bringing back a defective tv whatsoever. thanks for your feedback.

Unfortunately I did not have much of a chance to discuss this with the technician--she just sounded very sure that it was the problem. And I bet there is probably a million and one things that could wrong with the main PCB.

Good luck

Finally got the Main Board replacement installed today (had to postpone due to the holidays) and it appears the problem is fixed. I have my fingers crossed the issue doesn't come up again. The tech was in and out in 30 minutes.

He was actually in the room while the TV was displaying defective as well. He said it looked like a color adjustment issue on a DLP set, then remarked that of course the LCD can't be adjusted like the DLPs.

This sounds exactly like the problem I'm seeing on my Samsung LNS3251d.

Can anyone post those pics that MaineGod had in his thread?

I bought a Samsung LN-S4051D ... first TV I've ever purchased (recently divorced) and the first one I brought home, the sound didn't work. they (sears) wanted to send out a repairman. Instead I brought it back in and waited a few days until they got another one in and I brought that one home. The month after the warrantee ran out, I started getting green dots on my screen. I figured it was because I was gaming so much and the house was hot that summer ... I had lost my job and wasn't turning on the central a/c much. It happened on and off but very rarely because i thought it was the heat so i didn't turn it on during the day anymore.

Then, winter hits, I watch it, nothing. perfect, fine. The next spring/summer, it started happening again. I was watching a lot of TV.

Summer, I moved in with my current bf and he didn't have a/c at all so I thought it was still the heat but now we bought a house and have the tv in the den and its freakin' cold down here.

So, bottom line. not heat related. Another thing I keep seeing in these threads is that it could be the HDMI cable ... but I dont understand how. Even regular TV channels do it for me and thats hooked up via the cable company not through my computer.

but i'm going to unhook my hdmi cable and move it far away and test this theory.

Sorry for digging up old topics... i've been experiencing identical issues with my 4051, and cannot find any repair solutions. Mainegod's thread about the 4095 is nowhere to be found, and i don't see any search results for mainboard replacements from google. If anyone has managed to solve this issue, or knows of the links to relevant threads, i'd appreciate it.