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2008 Samsung HLxxA650 DLP Owners Thread/FAQ - Page 11

post #301 of 836
10/6/08 at 7:30pm
Thread Starter 
I really don't think you'll find a properly adjusted A650's PQ horrible in your home. I love the display mine yields set to the numbers in the FAQ. I have it in a basement media room with no windows so can get the room very dark. In a bright room those settings may not work as well.
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post #302 of 836
10/6/08 at 8:01pm
Not that I am asking you to "settle" but...

Each and every technology has it's own characteristics you're going to have to live with...for better and worse. I like DLP as it's more "film-like" than LCDs to my eye.

As you say, you can see the downside of the LCDs in the store display that can't be reduced in any way...but....

...in a your own environment ambient lighting and calibration can "measurably" diminish the impact of DLP's downside you've identified...yes, it can not be eliminated...I do occasionally observe SSE in SD transmissions, and I choose there to 'overlook' it...

Rarely do I "sense" SSE on HD images....there I choose to forget to look for it .
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post #303 of 836
10/8/08 at 12:26pm
How do you setup both OTA and digital cable signals on this TV?

-Manus
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post #304 of 836
10/8/08 at 1:08pm
Unless you use a switch, you can not. In their infinite wisdom, Samsung removed the the 2nd "Ant IN" (75 ohm coaxial) connector from this year's models.
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post #305 of 836
10/8/08 at 1:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by donb1948 View Post

Unless you use a switch, you can not. In their infinite wisdom, Samsung removed the the 2nd "Ant IN" (75 ohm coaxial) connector from this year's models.


Will a splitter work?

-Manus
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post #306 of 836
10/8/08 at 1:23pm
An A/B splitter, which is actually a manual switch, would probably work. A typical "splitter" that takes a source and splits the signal to two receivers would not. (Just to be clear, I'm assuming you want to run the cable signal directly to the TV without a cable box intermediary and also run the OTA coax signal to the TV at the same time.)
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post #307 of 836
10/8/08 at 1:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by donb1948 View Post

An A/B splitter, which is actually a manual switch, would probably work. A typical "splitter" that takes a source and splits the signal to two receivers would not. (Just to be clear, I'm assuming you want to run the cable signal directly to the TV without a cable box intermediary and also run the OTA coax signal to the TV at the same time.)


You are correct. I just got the HL56A650 as a replacement unit for a defective HL-T5676S. I'm disappointing that there is not a second antenna input.

-Manus
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post #308 of 836
10/8/08 at 3:46pm
Thread Starter 
I also think a manual A/B switch would work for this. I got one recently at Wal-Mart for something else and depending which way you move the slider it selects one input while breaking the connection to the other. Works great.

I was also surprised Samsung dropped the second coax input this year, I know last year's 76S DLPs had it.
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post #309 of 836
10/9/08 at 6:09am
I too was disappointed in the lack of the 2nd coax input that was on my replaced 4yr older Toshiba RPHDtv...not to mention the lack of a video output which would have allowed my Pioneer AV unit to monitor everything...oh well...that made setting up my system a real pain but I got it...finally...

...an antenna hooks into the TV COAX for OTA-HD...(split between the Sami and another separate HD tuner)...
...I run composite to the TV from the digital cable box (another PITA, the basic dtv cable box doesn't have HDMI or component outputs that are on the HD cable box, which I don't have)...
S-vid out from the Dtv cable box hooks into my PC...my Pioneer AV unit providing the audio (in the Pioneer from the TV's audio out) for recording...
I also have a VCR hooked up...video into Sami's composite, audio into the Pioneer...
[...if I had the HDcable box I'd use the 3rd HDMI input (the 2nd now being used for a 3yr old 1080i DvD player) for that...]

The separate HD tuner is hooked up to my PC (a 5yr old, early generation Sony Vaio media PC) for recording HD...which is then hooked up to the Sami's S-vid in for DVR playback...

[on another note...my 50A650 picture is a bit askew, tilted up at the right by about 1/8"
...I have a solved it by putting a golf shaft between rear wall and the upper right corner, pushing the corner forward a half-inch. The "twisted" frame now gives me a perfectly straight line under the info crawl (I use CNBC's) at the top of the TV...the shaft is dark and unseen against the dark wall behind my Sami]

It's all very complicated, but the system is now (finally!) set up for viewing all my sources, recording and playback and hooked up to a great surround-sound...
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post #310 of 836
10/9/08 at 7:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Quentin2 View Post

I also think a manual A/B switch would work for this. I got one recently at Wal-Mart for something else and depending which way you move the slider it selects one input while breaking the connection to the other. Works great.

I was also surprised Samsung dropped the second coax input this year, I know last year's 76S DLPs had it.


Which one did you get or can you recommend one?

-Manus
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post #311 of 836
10/9/08 at 10:36am
Thread Starter 
Well the front of it has the number 32019 and a switch that slides from one input to the other. The back says China. I threw out the original packaging but I think it was Philips. It works fine and I suspect they're all about the same as long as the switch completely makes/breaks contact.
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post #312 of 836
10/9/08 at 11:19am
What about a Satellite/TV Antenna Diplexer?

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search

-Manus
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post #313 of 836
10/9/08 at 11:46am
Never seen one of these before. No idea how it functions. Conceptually, it could work, assuming there is not a difference between combining and splitting the SAT/ANT signals vs. the CABLE/ANT signals. Could guess but why bother. Radio Shack has a 30-day if-it-does-not-work-return-with-no-questons-asked policy. Get two at your local Radio Shack and try it. If it works, great! If not, take them back and you are out the cost of gas. FWIW
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post #314 of 836
10/9/08 at 12:01pm
Thread Starter 
Sure try it if you like the idea, as Don says you can take it back. I don't like the idea of combining the signals then expecting something else to split them properly. The manual switch makes more sense to my gray matter and costs about 1/3. Sure it's a pain to have to throw the switch but if the other one makes a mess of the signal that's worse.
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post #315 of 836
10/10/08 at 12:25pm
Manus, Quentin...

I must have been so intrigued by this device the other day that I was not thinking straight. I kept going back to the question in my head: "why would anyone make such a device?" Today, while reading something else, it struck me that this dvevice would not be of any use for Manus because he still has only one input on the set! So, it back to the A/B switch. Sorry 'bout that.
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post #316 of 836
10/11/08 at 7:53am
I just picked up one of those Radshak A/B switches (#15-1232) at a garage sale for a $1! thanx..
I tried googling it but it seems old...here's another version...
High Isolation 75-Ohm Coax, A/B Switch, Switches one TV Set Between 2 Video Sources, Radio Shack Cat. No. 15-1249A
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post #317 of 836
10/11/08 at 6:23pm
My wife just ordered the HL72A650 as an anniversary/birthday present for me (yes, she's awesome). It'll be here next week - an upgrade from a 50-inch Tosh RP HDTV.
Already want to thank you for the deeply detailed FAQ - just another reason I love this place. I already have an idea about setting the paramaters and that is invaluable. I'll be checking back frequently as I tinker with it in the upcoming days.

Just one thing and I apologize if I missed it in the FAQ - but about how many hours should I let it run before changing the settings - or does it matter? Thanks.
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post #318 of 836
10/12/08 at 10:15am
Thread Starter 
sangs, hope you enjoy your awesome gift from your awesome wife! I'm sure you will. Go ahead and start playing with the settings from day one. I wouldn't consider a professional calibration until you've had the set for a month though. Might as well get used to it, let it break in and be sure it doesn't have any problems before having a pro look at it. But have fun with the user menus right away. Initially I expected to have mine calibrated but am more than satisfied with the settings Samsung gives you in the user menus, you almost don't need someone tweaking the service menus. Glad you like the FAQ, the A650 tends to get ignored due to the A750 so we try to keep this thread going and up to date.
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post #319 of 836
10/12/08 at 12:34pm
I know its a double post but Im desperate

I just cant decide so be reading around on here and figured I would just ask. I cant decide between the 56A650 or the 61A750. From what I have read I really dont care about the LED in the 61 I just cant decide on the size. Im set up about 12-14 feet from the TV, have an old school Toshiba Theaterview now 50". I really like the Sammy's but want to know if the 61 is worth the 200 or so dollars for 5" and if I even need those extra 5" or if the 56 will suit me fine. Mostly going to be for sports and everyday TV. All opions would greatly help, or make it worse to decide guess I will find out.

To though in one more, FRY's has the MITSU 65" on sale for 1099, seems like the Sammy has a better picture to me though, but another option

Thanks guys and gals!
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post #320 of 836
10/12/08 at 3:48pm
Thread Starter 
Well at 14' it would be tempting to go with the 61". You mention the HL61A750 but remember that there's the cheaper HL61A650 too. Unless you don't have the room, $200 for an extra 5" should be worth it.
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post #321 of 836
10/12/08 at 3:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoDuckss View Post

I know its a double post but Im desperate

I just cant decide so be reading around on here and figured I would just ask. I cant decide between the 56A650 or the 61A750. From what I have read I really dont care about the LED in the 61 I just cant decide on the size. Im set up about 12-14 feet from the TV, have an old school Toshiba Theaterview now 50". I really like the Sammy's but want to know if the 61 is worth the 200 or so dollars for 5" and if I even need those extra 5" or if the 56 will suit me fine. Mostly going to be for sports and everyday TV. All opions would greatly help, or make it worse to decide guess I will find out.

To though in one more, FRY's has the MITSU 65" on sale for 1099, seems like the Sammy has a better picture to me though, but another option

Thanks guys and gals!

My personal Rule of thumb: Start with the size you think is "right" for the space... then go up one size. Have you ever heard of anyone wishing their TV was smaller?!
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post #322 of 836
10/12/08 at 9:29pm
Good rule, seems to be the opion, go bigger lol. does anyone but me think the 650's have a better pic than the 750 led's. kinda leaning towards the 56, for the price and the pic. the 5" REALLY make that much diff??
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post #323 of 836
10/13/08 at 10:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoDuckss View Post

Good rule, seems to be the opion, go bigger lol. does anyone but me think the 650's have a better pic than the 750 led's. kinda leaning towards the 56, for the price and the pic. the 5" REALLY make that much diff??

Yup...I went from 46 to 50", and FOUR inches larger is noticable.
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post #324 of 836
10/13/08 at 12:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by soobie99 View Post

I called Samsung. Fairly good customer service rep. I have a local electronic repair person coming to replace the bulb, power supply and igniter. Parts should be in tuesday. Thanks for the input guys!

I had a repairman come, the tv of course didnt malfunction for him. He replaced the power supply thinking that would fix it, saying thats the only thing he knows of that is a "problem" with these tv's. Two days later, it was doing the same thing.. sound, no picture. So i loaded it into the SUV and took it back to Circuit City. Now, i'm just waiting on the price to come down. Does anyone know of a killer deal on the 56"?
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post #325 of 836
10/13/08 at 1:21pm
Am I just cheep to take the 61A650 ove rthe 61A750, or should I fork out the extra dough and go with the 750. Ive heard the bulb picture is better anyway. Or even going cheeper with the 56
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post #326 of 836
10/13/08 at 2:48pm
Thread Starter 
The A650 and A750 are both just fine. Most people want the latter but many of us are still happy with the lamp model especially at the lower initial price. (The argument for LED is after a couple lamp replacements it actually is cheaper but that depends on how many hours and years you get out of either model when it's time to replace it.) I have compared them side by side in showrooms and like the 650 better but that's not a fair comparison, you really should do it in your viewing area which of course is easier said than done.

Read up on both, the advantages and disadvantages of each and try to compare them in person as best as you can. I can pretty much guarantee you'll fall in love with whichever one you choose. I have the HL56A650 and have no complaints about the PQ or size. Neither do my friends who now come over to watch the game every week. A couple were flat panel snobs before but the Sammy has converted them.
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post #327 of 836
10/13/08 at 3:27pm
okay now Im pretty set on a Sammy, but frys has the 63575 or whatever the 65" on sale for 1099, now is that too good to pass up, or is the PQ in the sammy that much better. for 1200 I can get the 56" sammy and possible the 61A650

This is harder than I thought it would be
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post #328 of 836
10/13/08 at 7:49pm
Thread Starter 
From my comparison viewings I think the A650 has superior PQ over the A750 and Mits. But I could be wrong...

Ain't that a lot of help! Sorry, you'll have to make the call yourself with what your eyes tell you. And like I said before you'll probably fall in love with whatever you buy. If you can get a 65" screen for 1099 that's hard to walk away from. The Mits is in no way a bad TV.
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post #329 of 836
10/13/08 at 8:08pm
i have a somewhat dumb question :0...i have been enjoying my hl50a650 for a few weeks now, and something happened with the hd channels.

first off, cbs our hd channel in oregon is 6-1. i dont know how, but i accidentally deleted the channel. and i can still get the sd channel 6, but even when i went to auto program and went through all of the channels again, it skips 6-1 and i cant get it back .

anyone have any ideas?

thanks
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post #330 of 836
10/13/08 at 8:11pm
Thanks Quentin, I think lol.
Ya its just so hard to see the diff in the showroom. wish I could just take all three home and go from there. I just know the pic on all of them will be so much better after tweeking. The wife wants the 56 so I guess I could just make her happy and get it. But I just dont want to wish I had gotten the bigger set. And the 65 mitsu is cheeper than the 56.... Was just set on the sammy from everything I have read. And seen but the 65 mitsu is in a bad spot at the showroom.

I really thought this would be as easy as going in to the store and comming home with a TV. Shouldnt have started reasearch lol, the 65 would already be here. but started research and decided the same reviews were better.

So I guess its either the wife happy or the mitsu, or the 61a650, boy Ive come far..
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