The OFFICIAL SAMSUNG PNXXE550 OWNERS THREAD - Page 15

Is anyone else having problems updating, period? My PN51E550's firmware is 1020.1. Trying to update via the menu throws either a "Your Firmware is Up to Date" message, or a "The firmware update is not currently available on the server" error.

I just contacted Samsung support, and they're telling me my FW is up-to-date, which makes no sense, considering you guys have the new one. My Amazon Instant Video and SyncPlus apps refuse to work as they're telling me I need to update my firmware in order to use them...

Any help? Thanks!
Edited by Yomaster - 11/16/12 at 10:32pm

Still enjoy my PN51E550, BUT there is a fluctuation of brightness during 3D playback that is beyond annoying. When going from a light to dark scene, the TV adjusts the darker image up just a second or so after the scene change. Samsung claimed to have never heard of the problem and suggested I reset the TV.

I get the exact same problem. Samsung ARE aware of it but refuse to acknowledge that its a defect. I went as high as i could go within UK support and they were absolutely useless and didn't want to know.

I've reset my TV a couple of times now and noticed that the first thing it does when powering up after reset is look for updates. I reset it again this morning and it said that version 001024 was available to update. Try a reset and see if it tells you about the new version. Oh, and the reset and update did nothing to help the automatic brighhtness adjustments during 3D playback. It doesn't do it on the 2D versions of the same movies.

So, I tinkered with my tv until my head hurt. I managed to find some settings that eliminated the brightness fluctuations while watching 3D Blu-ray. I set the picture mode to Dynamic. The Movie and Standard modes both had the brightness issue. Now, while Dynamic mode did get rid of the fluctuations, it also added some distortion to the image. There was some serious ghosting going on. To get rid of the new problem, I set the Film Mode to Cinema Smooth ON. The shutter of the glasses became noticeable to me in this mode when looking at a light source other than the tv. The effect was hardly noticeable after a few minutes and would be even less so when watching a movie in a very dark room. These settings worked for playback of 3D Blu-ray discs on a PS3 and a Samsung BD-E5900.

Thinking about buying this TV for this weekend but need some HELP! How big is the box? I would need to pick it up from the store and I have a small 3 series BMW. Worried it wouldn't fit in the back. Anyone have an idea on box size? It would be the 51 inch model.

Thanks!

Pretty sure you will need a bigger car or truck. I tried stuffing the box in my MB C Class. No way was it going in the trunk. I had to take the lower rear seat cushion out so it would fit through the door openings. The top edges stuck out each side and I had to lower the rear windows so I could shut the doors. I drove home slowly as I had no visibility out the rear window. I managed to get it out and inside the house alone. I really hoped it was ok because I wasn't going to do all of that again to take it back. Happy shopping!

That's what I figured. Thanks. Looks like I'll have to borrow an SUV.

PN60E550 fit in the back of my mazda protege 5 hatchback... was a perfect fit

CRAZY THING I NEED TO SHARE WITH THE GROUP re 1080P PLAYBACK (FIRST POST)

So had the set for about a month and generally love it. The other day I noticed a bit of screen flicker and lines. After much troubleshooting, I isolated the problem to devices playing in 1080p. No problem in any other resolution. Did the usual Google search, couldn't find much so I ordered a high-end HDMI cable to rule out the cable as the cause, and sent an email to Samsung. Then just screwing around I stumbled on this post: in CNET:
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FIXED
by BroSick - 11/16/12 2:54 PM
In Reply to: Here it is Brosick-found this by Honsfan

Wooo! Thank you Honsfan so much and everyone else who helped along the way. Honsfan did indeed find the solution which stemmed from MTCruiserr's post. To repeat, the solution is:

4) Disable SyncPlus which you will find in SmartHub (probably last page of app's). Also be sure to locate the terms and condition setting for this application and disable it. Firmware 122.2 installed SyncPlus as part of the update - 1023.2 did nothing to fix the issue.

P.S. You can find the terms and condition settings in the Privacy Notice section, just uncheck "Agree". Along with disabling it, streaking/blinking/random lines across screen should cease!

Thanks again everyone!
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I cannot believe this worked, but it did! A stupid app was causing all this trouble. Now all my 1080P sources work flawlessly. I' cancelled my HDMI cable, but I'm still waiting for Samsung to respond to my email.

You fit a 60 back there? Did you lay it down on it's side? I could BARELY fit a 51 in the back of my jeep cherokee (standing up). I had to bend the plastic at the entrance of the hatch to shove it in.

wxman - I just had to post to thank you for posting this information! I have been going crazy tonight after this was happening to me with my XBOX360. The random flickering/lines/shifting was about to lead me to returning this TV as I've only had it 4 days. Anyway, disabling the SyncPlus did the trick and I am thankful for your post.

I hear you bro, that's why I posted. What's interesting is there was also a string on this in the official Samsung support forums, but no one "official" would confirm the problem....leading one poster to burst out about the BS, with the lack of info leading many to dump money on expensive cables for nothing. What's most amazing is how someone figured out the problem, thank god for the internet!

wxman - Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I was going crazy with the flashing/lines/jumping issue for a few weeks now. Did a chat with Samsung and they insisted there was nothing wrong with the tv. Thought the cables were going bad, but it was all cables. Noticed that it was worse with 1080p material, like the PS3 and bluray player. I never would have guessed it was an app, let alone which app. I am in the process of disabling the syncplus app now. Will let you know how it goes...but I'm sure this is the thing. Again, thank you! I was ready to go through a lengthy and ugly service request.

Wow. I was about to call up Samsung to send someone over to resolve the streaking/blinking/random lines issue... the only way I could get rid of them was to set the input name to PC. But the lines vanished yesterday after the most recent Smart Hub update. Guess I will also disable SyncPlus just to be sure as well. OH WHAT A RELIEF!

I have noticed the random popup on first boot too. Hopefully they fix it in the next rollout.

For the audio have you tried the different sound settings? One is called amplified and works well. There is also clear voice and others as well as an eq. The TV speakers work adequate for us in our home. But yes we have to turn it up and also run the srs and stuff. And if you have stable sound or whatever on, it may bring the total volume down.

I am experiencing the same thing with the smart hub flashing after startup. It actually doesn't matter if you're on tv (rabbit ears) or any input. It happens at exactly the same time everytime and I actually filmed it happening on Saturday. I believe it happens right when the smart hub is finished "loading". I am assuming this is the case because if you try to go into the smart hub immediately following startup, it takes a long time to load - seems to load in about the same amount time as when the smart hub "flashes" after every startup. Not enough of a frustration to make me want to return it but it is a frustration nonetheless. I agree with scoobdude that the other sound settings help depending on the program you are watching but surround with a center channel works wonders.

after reading a few posts back about screen tearing and jumping etc on 1080p, i had also had this problem when using my ps3. resetting the ps3 video output seemed to have fixed it for me (hold down the power button till 2nd beep). Anyway this seems to have fixed my issue, but using any other input in my case would not cause this issue. Hope that helps someone

What you guys are saying seems to make sense. If I open media center right away after power on, it does take around 5 to 8 seconds to load. Enough time to turn on the Xbox which is when I see that flash popup for less then a second. Its really not that much an issue for me and definitely not enough to return it. Also regarding the sound. I did not mess around with those settings yet but im glad to hear that I can help it somewhat. It just seems like the louder the tv is turned up, the more muffled the sound becomes. Ive already made plans to upgrade to souround. I do have a 5.1 Martin Logan system but i think that will be updated to upright Polk's and dipole satellites. Glad I bought this TV over all. For the price, its a great entry level for the mid to high end class. The picture is fantastic. My only real gripe is the "buzzing" but that turns into white noise after a while and not noticeable at all especially when audio is playing on the tv.

I've had my 60" up and running for about two weeks now. My previous monitor was a Sammy 800 series LCD. I really wanted to try plasma after dealing with inconsistent brightness, motion blur and all the other negatives that come with LCD ownership.

I was a bit concerned with glare and IR, being unfamiliar with plasma.

So far I'm happy with my purchase.

Yes there is a slight electrical buzz behind the unit. I have mine set in a corner, so maybe the distance away from the wall helps reduce the reflection of buzz.

The Pentile design doesn't seem to have an effect from my viewing distance.

The glare is my biggest issue, but this was an issue with the 800 series LCD as well. The fact at had here is that glossy surfaces are better at letting the panel light get through to the viewers eyes. It's very difficult to find a panel that has both great day and night performance.

My room I probably the brightest room anyone has ever put a plasma. We have twenty foot ceilings. Next to the entertainment system we have sliding glass door with verticle blinds. Above the door we have 4 windows with no curtains or blinds. And all the walls are dead white.

In this environment I have found daytime viewing acceptable if I turn on the dynamic mode with some extra brightness tweaking. Yes, cinematically speaking, the picture is all wrong. But one has to consider the daytime viewing material isn't exactly PQ demanding. Usually sports or kids shows.

I've also found that room brightness isn't the only variable in the glare equation. The room layout can also play a big roll. For example, my wife had this wrought iron decoration hanging on the wall oposite the tv. The black on white contrast made a terrible reflection. Wall hanging came down and now no issue with reflection.

Yep - it was laying on it's side. Perfect fit length wise, and width wise.. I swear it was made for this car

New 1025 firmware out this morning for E550 and E6500. Anyone brave enough to try it out?

Updated. Smart Hub still flashes on screen seconds after turning on TV.

Downloading it now. Crossing my fingers that it wont kill my panel. Ill check out Samsungs website to see what it potentially fixes. Be back here with results.

Here is directly from the horses mouth.

This firmware is for TV Model(s): PDP E550, E6500
The version is 1025.0
This firmware update will improve the following:

- Resolves picture shaking and line noise on 1080p source.

- Supports Yahoo SyncPlus app..

- Resolves escaping issue while watching movie on VUDU.

- Resolves issue Cinemanow does not play certain title.

- Resolves compatibility issue with DLNA devices.

- Improves picture quality.

- Supports Samsung Wireless Audio Dock

- Solves the problem closed caption does not show.

This should be interesting.. Also, it does not mention anything about fixing the media center issue where it pop's up for a slit second after it finishes loading. It doesn't bother me too much but im happy to know that at least they are still actively trying to better the TV with active updates. I believe the last firmware update was just over a month ago.

3D works great using Tridef on my computer (someone asked months ago)

Hello,
My mother is supposed to have the 51E550 delivered in two days. She has never had a flat panel, let alone a plasma. I also have never had a plasma. Not knowing a lot about them I would like to ask about burn in. Obviously all salesman say that it is no longer and issue because of the new pixel moving tech, although they don't seem to be so sure about it to cover burn in, in any warranty, which makes me leery.

Please put our worries to rest about burn in in general and in particular in 4:3 format. She is 76 years old and watches a lot of the classic movie channels which I would assume are mostly 4:3 format. What screen size preference is best for dealing with 4:3 WITHOUT risking a burn in problem but still ending up with a screen that doesn't look distorted or stretched out?

Thanks in advance for any help on this matter.

I originally bought the E530 and HATED IT! this is so much better! I love the 3-D and Apps and the picture quality is awesome. I do see the pop-up smart hub when its signing you in, which is frustrating but I can handle it. Another thing that i had a huge problem with initially was the Digital Noise reduction filter. I set it to high not knowing it would cause TERRIBLE motion blur. So be wise and turn it off! Everything else seems to be awesome. Though the one thing I do wish for is an app for my phone to let me control the mouse in smart hub. There is an app already called allshare control but its only for teh Samsung Galaxy 3 and Tablet. :C

Burn in still happens and it is best if you "break in" the TV for 200 hours, which means trying to watch mostly HD content without black bars, not having stand still graphics like video game screens or movie menus. Now it actually is pretty hard to get permanent BURN IN to happen. If you take care and use all the resources the TV has you should be fine. A common problem is actually image retention which is caused by pixels that are highlighted for a long time and then when the TV goes to a straight black picture you can see where the lighter parts were. This is due to the pixels still having a charge in them and it will go away after the screen is turned off for a significant time or if you use the black to white gradient or just put on an HD picture for at least two hours. Hope this helps you!

http://samsungplasmatvfaq.com/index.php/Break-in,_burn-in,_and_image_retention