Does your 2011 Samsung "D" plasma have brightness pops? - Page 52

Try without cinema smooth.

Just did, but that same scene doesn't have the same pops in it with CS on versus CS off (I tried it before the update as well, and they just didn't share the same FBr timestamps). However, I rewound a little too far by accident and caught up just by watching the couple of minutes before that moment in the film with CS off, and I saw slight brightness adjustments in the black bars.

Are they minimized? Unsure, but they are there. To say that this television is now equivalent to my downstairs Panasonic TH-50PX6U downstairs in the sense that neither have any FBr would be incorrect, that's as much as I can say.

I can also verify that the update was correctly applied, because I can no longer apply any updates.

The Sharks are on right now, so I'll watch some hockey and see how it looks. I can ignore it enough in sports even when it's there, not so much for movies, but it will show up in hockey enough if you pay attention to it (not the camera flashes, but actual gamma shifting).

That is awesome news! How much tv did you watch to feel comfortable the pops were gone?

For those who would like to try the upgrade to 1014.6 on their D7000, I will attach the file below. Just keep in mind that I am still experiencing FBr on my television; whether they are reduced or not is still unknown. There were not any changes of note to anything else on the television, including black levels and picture settings.

A fair warning, though... I don't know how these drives work with other televisions. Otherwise I don't know why they would ask for my version number, serial number, etc.

If people want to know my specific details on my TV and you think yours will work with this upgrade, here they are:

Model No: PN59D7000FFXZA
Version: Y504
S/N: Z3423CKB900057H
Manufactured: September 2011
Location: California, United States
Firmware Before Update: 1014 (came with 1013)
Firmware After Update: 1014.6
Popper Before Update: Yes
Popper After Update: Yes

Firmware update 1014.6 for my D7000: http://www.mediafire.com/?9yx26qh8bre98j9

Unzip the main folder directly into a FAT thumb drive.

Thanks, muffin. No doubt this will not be a complete fix. Interested in your future experiences and measurements.

So, your set did not require the rollback? If I'm understanding you correctly, you updated from 1014, but on a set that originally had 1013 installed?

001014_I01_ES000_111206

That's the version info on the uploaded file - isn't that "1014.1?"

Correct, I did not need to rollback, so I only have one stick.

I apologize for those who do need the rollback, as I don't have the second stick.

That's a good question, and honestly I have no idea. But if you open the text document titled "minor version", it does say "1014.6". Obviously, anybody could go in and edit that (scout's honor that I didn't, which of course you can tell by the date modified), but I don't know which to trust.

Thankfully, while watching hockey right now, I haven't really seen much FBr. I'm not saying it's not there, but there wouldn't be anybody sitting here, watching it with me, asking what's going on with my TV. That's not to say this didn't happen prior to the update though, either. As I've said, I've learned to ignore FBr while watching sports. It's movies that makes it unnerving.

Okay, I see that now. A few days ago people were posting the form I posted, IIRC claiming they got the wrong version. Good catch on the "text" file, I hadn't noticed the lack of extension.

P.S. I don't even have the set yet, just want to be ready when it arrives lol.

Hmm, well I wonder if your set will come with something like 1015, or...?

If nothing else, at least I got a free USB stick (252 MB lol).

Does your tv now say your on 1014.6?

Any 1024.8 attempts for D8000 yet?

Yeah, I don't know what recent sets are coming with - I'll just have to wait for another kind soul to upload the downgrade if it's too high. I got it at Sears, and they still have some, so may be an old build date.

It just says that the current version is 001014, no decimals after. I can't upgrade anymore, though.

Maybe someone with 1013 would like to try this upgrade, that way it could maybe be a true upgrade?

In the main menu, look under Support/Contact Samsung.

Larry

Ah, thanks. I knew that once before, but assumed that I found the number when I was in the support section lol.

It says...

Software Version : T-MST5AUSC-1014.6 , BT-G

What interests me is that you were seeing pops with cinema smooth on before. Do you have all Eco/ dynamic brightness setting off?

I've never seen pops with cinema smooth on. Only letterbox pops with cinema smooth off.

Yes.


The letterbox bars don't have brightness changes with CS on, but the content on the screen brightens and darkens.

I would like to try this 1014.6 firmware on my D7000 but it's already on 1015. Wasn't there some kind of hack available that allowed downgrading on these sets? Maybe I'm thinking of the previous 'C' series...

Not too encouraging. Mine are still on their way. I guess. So much for expediting.

Wait a tick....you aren't seeing letterbox bar fluctuations
But are you still seeing gamma shifts?
Which are different from the dimming/brightening of whites that will exist regardless = ABL, correct?


My only other thoughts is that maybe the update only improves the Fbr threshold....what is your cell light / contr / brightness at? and are you in Movie Mode?

I see them when CS is turned off.


Movie Mode
Cell Light - 19
Contrast - 95
Brightness - 65

It sounds like you're still trying to beat around the bush here. This update was supposed to address the issue, not make other workarounds easier.

However, if it does make other workarounds easier, that's why I posted the contents of my drive for those who can use it. If I didn't think it wouldn't help anybody, I wouldn't have posted them. I just posted my results.

Also received my 1014.6 USB drive from Samsung today. Went from 1014.1 to 1014.6 on my PN64D7000, and can still plainly see brightness pops playing games on my XBox 360. I've reported this to Samsung.

Me: Hello Alex. I have an existing Issue ID XXXXXXXXXXX
Alex: Hi, thanks for reaching out to Samsung tech support. How can I help you today?
Me: I have received and installed the firmware. Can you tell me how to verify that the firmware on the TV is the requested version 1014.6?
Alex: Give me a moment while I check your previous chat.
Alex: Thanks for holding.
Alex: I understand that you want to know how to check the firmware version on your TV. Is that correct?
Me: yes
Alex: Press Menu -- support -- Contact Samsung on your TV.
Me: OK, thank you. This is indeed version 1014.6. The brightness pops that I was assured will be fixed by the firmware still occur. What next?
Alex: After installing the latest firmware also still brightness pop issue occurs?
Me: If I install the latest firmware, will I be able to reinstall 1014.6 if the latest firmware is worse?
Alex: Once you install latest version firmware on the unit, we cannot restore or reinstall the old version firmware.
Me: I know some users running version 1015 have been sent two memory sticks, 1014 and 1014.6. I assume that the first stick is to roll back so that 1014.6 can be installed. Is that correct?
Alex: It might be sent by mistake, in order to fix the issue your have to install latest version software.
Me: Can you send me version 1014 of the firmware, please?
Alex: In order to fix this issue you have to install 1014.6 version firmware which you already have.
Me: I'm confused. 1014.6 does not fix the issue. You just told me that the latest version fixes the issue. Please clarify, which version number fixes the issue?
Alex: Sure, please give me a moment while I double check it.
Alex: Thanks for holding.
Alex: I have double checked the information, in order to fix this issue you have to install the 1014.6 version firmware.
Me: OK, please note that version 1014.6 does not fix the issue. What further steps can you take to correct the issue?
Alex: I have double checked in our database.
Me: And the next steps are?
Alex: Please hold on for a few more minutes, I am still working on the issue.
Alex: Thanks for holding.
Alex: I'll file one more ticket inorder to send another USB drive.
Me: Please tell me, which firmware version will you be sending?
Alex: I'm sorry we don't have the version number that fix this issue.
Me: How will you determine which USB drive to send?
Alex: I'll file the request, after that our R&D department will research on the issue and send whichever version will fix this issue.
Me: Is your R&D department able to reproduce this issue?
Alex: Do you mean fixing this issue?
Me: Actually, I am asking whether they can see this issue, so that they can test whether their fix actually resolves the issue.
Alex: Yes, I will mention the note and this chat ID while filing the ticket.
Me: Do you understand my concern? It seems difficult to solve a problem if you cannot see that problem first. Can you tell me if they can see the problem?
Alex: Yes, I understand your concern.
Alex: While filing the ticket, I'll clearly mention the notes that customer facing the brightness pop issue on his TV, our agent send 1014.6 version firmware USB drive to the customer in order to fix the issue.
Alex: But after installing the 1014.6 version issue still persists.
Me: Will they understand what the "brightness pop" issue is?
Alex: Yes, after researching on this issue only they released 1014.6 firmware version in order to fix the issue.
Alex: But unfortunately in your case it didn't fix the issue.
Alex: Shall I go ahead and file the request?
Me: Was 1014.6 released after 1015?
Alex: I'm sorry for the delay. I'll be right with you.
Alex: I have checked and the 1015 firmware is not available for your model of TV>
Alex: Please be assured that I will file a request so that the correct firmware should get sent to you.
Me: I see, can you please tell me the latest version for my PN64D7000?
Alex: Actually latest version for this model is ( ver.1013.1), but some model TV's facing brightness pop issues to fix that issue we have released 1014.6 version.
Me: Prior to 1014.6, I had 1014.1 installed. That is later than 1013.1, correct?
Alex: No, 1013.1 is the previous version.
Alex: Shall I go ahead and file the request to send the correct firmware version which will fix this issue.
Me: Yes.
Alex: Filing the service ticket will take some time please be on hold.
Alex: Please provide me your email address and phone number.
Me: XXXXXXXXXXXX
Alex: Please give me a moment while I file the request.
Alex: Could you please provide me your shipping address?
Me: XXXXXXXXXXXX
Alex: Thanks.
Me: Can you please let me know when I can expect to receive the fix?
Alex: I will be right with you.
Alex: Thank you for waiting. I'll be with you in just a moment.
Alex: Thanks for holding.
Alex: I have filed the request with the clear note stating that you have already installed 1014.6 version but still issue persists.
Alex: Here is the service order number : XXXXXXXX.
Alex: I appreciate your valuable time and patience.
Me: Can you please let me know when I can expect to receive the fix?
Alex: It will take 5 to 14 business days to receive the USB drive.
Alex: Is there anything else that I can assist you with?
Alex: I don’t mean to rush you, but I haven't heard back from you. Are we still chatting?
Me: To summarize, no firmware currently exists to fix the issue. Your R&D department will investigate the issue and create a firmware fix, which I will receive in 5 to 14 business days. Is that correct?
Alex: Yes, you are correct.
Me: Thank you.
Alex: Normally by installing 1014.6 version will fix the issue but in your case it is not working, they will provide some alternative.
Alex: You're welcome. Is there anything else I can assist you with?
Me: no thank you
Alex: Thank you for chatting with us.

You should have mentioned that your incident was not isolated, and that I was facing the same issue.

I don't know what my previous firmware was, though. It may have been 1014 or 1014.1, I wish I knew and checked beforehand.

Probably it would have shown up as 1014.5 in the Contact Samsung sub-menu. I had that version installed and in the update menu it appeared as 1014 but as 1014.5 in the other.

Larry

Perhaps. I might have even mentioned it earlier in this thread. I'll run a check.

This is becoming comical.

At least the positive thing is that they are working on it. It's possible that a public internet release won't happen till they have deemed the fbr or gamma shifting issue fixed for good and move on to other things. They acknowledge the problem exists where before they didn't know about it. Patience good things come to those who wait. They are still ironing out the kinks to sort of speak.

I really like your optimism, because I have many Samsung products that I love (monitors, an LED tv, blu ray players, you name it), and am likely to get more of them in the future, so I would like to think that Samsung takes good care of their customers... But the realist in me suspects that this is all an elaborate PLACEBO concocted by Samsung to calm the anxieties of those who are complaining about the POPs, or where that fails, to give them the impression that they are working on a fix, until the 2012 releases roll out and the focus of the general Samsung clientele shifts onto the "latest and the greatest," and away from the POPs and other problems...

This suspicion is based on two main factors:

1. Samsung attempted to address this same problem in the European market, but they allegedly jerked the affected customers around with false fixes, and in some cases, firmware updates which created other problems.

2. Panasonic got rid of the FBrs by way of a hardware swap, which will seem to suggest that a mere firmware or software update is not enough to fix this kind of problem (that is if I'm correct in assuming that both FBRs and the POPs arise from the same design flaws)... So far, Samsung has been talking about firmware fixes, which seems to imply that a hardware swap a la Panasonic is out of the question for them...

Is there something I am missing here?

Still, the optimist in me says: I hope you're right! But I would be lying if I did not mention that I am a little troubled by this whole saga...

Here's really my biggest concern: once the E7000 and E8000 come out, Samsung will forget about us. It's all about the "here" and "now." We'll request a fix, and Samsung will [not actually] say:

"You want your fix? Buy a damn E8000 model. There's your fix!"

In short, they'd rather leave this model broken in this regard just to get people to buy their newest product. I wouldn't doubt this for one second.