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SAMSUNG TX-P2675WH Questions

post #1 of 140
7/10/04 at 9:40pm
Thread Starter 
I just picked up the SAMSUNG TX-P2675WH at the local GG for $790. It is hooked up to Comcast "extended" cable.

First impressions is the superb picture quality on the analog channels. The setup is a breeze - the manual actually makes sense - and the remote is uncomplicated.

BUT - the tuner is supposed to be able to pick up QAM channels - but none detected. My FusionHD PC card - connected to the same comcast cable - detects about 8 un-encrypted QAM channels, including the local NBC-HD, ABC-HD and PBS-HD. Some are on the main QAM channels (i.e. 112-1) and some on subchannels (i.e. 111-4).

So - has anybody else run into this problem? Should the tuner not pick up the main QAM unencrypted channels - or am I missing something?

Also - the choice for Digital output on/off is grayed out and I am not getting any audio out of the fiber optic out connection on the set.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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post #2 of 140
7/11/04 at 5:22am
I picked up one yesterday and have the same question? I love the TV and the picture quality is superb but I have had no luck picking up HD cable channels either. Since this is the first time I am trying to pick up digital cable signals so I dont know if I am doing something wrong or if my cable company Adelphia encrypts the signals.
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post #3 of 140
7/11/04 at 5:49am
Did you contact your cable company and inform them about your set, but make sure you at least speak to a tech or an engineer.
There is the possibility that you may not receive the HD channels without there permission.
If you are not familiar with the new cable cards ask them about those also.
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post #4 of 140
7/11/04 at 5:56am
Thread Starter 
abrahavt - is your digital output "on/off" grayed out (like mine is)?
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post #5 of 140
7/11/04 at 9:38am
Yes the digital output is grayed out but since it is my bedroom TV it is not connected to a receiver or anything through the digital output.
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post #6 of 140
7/13/04 at 11:51am
Quote:
Originally posted by RCbridge
Did you contact your cable company and inform them about your set, but make sure you at least speak to a tech or an engineer.
There is the possibility that you may not receive the HD channels without there permission.
If you are not familiar with the new cable cards ask them about those also.

The original poster has another QAM tuner that can pickup 8 unencrypted channels. If his channels were encrypted, the only solution would be a cable card. Unfortunately, I don't think this TV will work with one.
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post #7 of 140
7/13/04 at 6:08pm
According to Adelphia you have to have a HD settop box from them in order to see the HD channels. I guess it is irrelevant if you have a QAM tuner or not. With all Cable companies coming out with Cable Card solutions in the coming months I guess one option would be to wait for TV's that have Cable Cards built in. But with cable card technology slated to change in the coming years (two way), I guess we are at the mercy of the cable companies till things settle down.
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post #8 of 140
7/13/04 at 7:00pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:


Originally posted by abrahavt
According to Adelphia you have to have a HD settop box from them in order to see the HD channels. I guess it is irrelevant if you have a QAM tuner or not.

Well, I can't help but think that Adelphia is just blowing smoke on this one.

If the FusionHD Gold QAM card can "see" the unencrypted 256QAM signals coming in on the cable...then a Samsung HDTV set with QAM tuning should also "see" these channels - unless, of course, the Samsung set is not set for 256QAM but iinstead tunes 64QAM.

If the answer is that you need a cable box to receive the unencrypted channels...then why would Samsung design a tuner with QAM. It just does not make any sense!

I don't know anything about the technical issues involved, but perhaps someone monitoring this thread can enlighten us.

In a perfect world, one would be able to ask Samsung what exactly the QAM feature in their HDTV sets does...but I just wasted one hour listening to some insipid muzak while I was holding for their tech level 2 support and I never reached anyone....

I might try to fax Samsung...but doubt that I would get an intelligent reply.
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post #9 of 140
7/13/04 at 7:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:


Originally posted by cvj
In a perfect world, one would be able to ask Samsung what exactly the QAM feature in their HDTV sets does..[/b]

Google-ing for QAM demodulation, I found this nugget

Quote:


[/i]ATI's NXT2004 Multimode VSB/QAM demodulator is configurable to work in either the ATSC compliant 8 VSB mode for terrestrial broadcasting or in the ITU-J.83B/SCTE DVS-031/ DOCSISTM compliant 64 QAM or 256 QAM modes for Digital TV-Cable Connect and Digital TV-Cable Interactive reception. What does this mean in English? The demodulator converts the 8VSB signals (the DTV signal) captured by the antenna and converts them into data the computer can understand, MPEG2, or when used by a cable provider, QAM demodulation is used. Basically, it determines which DTV signals the user is able to receive. The chip is designed for use in set-top boxes and off-air and cable digital television receivers, where ATI has scored design wins from manufacturers such as Samsung and Sony...[/b]

So it would seem that the QAM demodulator built into the Samsung HDTV set is designed to pick up the unencoded QAM channels on cable ...just like the Fusion card. I rest my case
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post #10 of 140
7/13/04 at 7:58pm
Thread Starter 
A "final" word (tonight at least) on QAM found in a description of a RCA set:

" Delivers impressive picture performances including a built-in ATSC High Definition Digital Tuner with QAM cable demodulation capability that enables the TV to receive unscrambled local broadcasts over digital cable channels without a separate set-top box"...

'nuff said...Adelphia is clueless...you don't need their stinkin' box
(in theory at least - why doesn't it work on my Samsung?).
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post #11 of 140
7/13/04 at 11:09pm
Quote:


Originally posted by cvj
Well, I can't help but think that Adelphia is just blowing smoke on this one.

If the FusionHD Gold QAM card can "see" the unencrypted 256QAM signals coming in on the cable...then a Samsung HDTV set with QAM tuning should also "see" these channels - unless, of course, the Samsung set is not set for 256QAM but iinstead tunes 64QAM.

If the answer is that you need a cable box to receive the unencrypted channels...then why would Samsung design a tuner with QAM. It just does not make any sense!

By 2005 ALL HDTV's 25" and bigger will be required by law to have a tuner. For whatever reasons Samsung chose to implement a tuner in their models this year instead of waiting until the last minute to do so next year.
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post #12 of 140
7/14/04 at 12:45am
Thread Starter 
Quote:


Originally posted by Sonikku
By 2005 ALL HDTV's 25" and bigger will be required by law to have a tuner. For whatever reasons Samsung chose to implement a tuner in their models this year instead of waiting until the last minute to do so next year.

Right - but this thread is all about the QAM feature of the tuner....not the tuner itself
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post #13 of 140
7/14/04 at 3:57am
I called Adelphia again and they said that they encrypt all signals so my QAM tuner wouldn't work and I would need one of their set top boxes. The only thing that would work would be a cable card equipped TV. I guess the QAM tuner is of no use in my case.
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post #14 of 140
7/14/04 at 4:06am
Another person in the Cleveland area just confirmed that they cannot pick up Adelphia HD programming on their Sony XBR 960 QAM tuner, so I guess they do encrypt their signals. Makes it difficult for me to figure out if the QAM tuner on my Samsung works or not but I guess it is a moot point as I need to get a box from Adelphia even if it worked.
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post #15 of 140
7/14/04 at 8:52am
Thread Starter 
Quote:


Originally posted by abrahavt
Another person in the Cleveland area just confirmed that they cannot pick up Adelphia HD programming on their Sony XBR 960 QAM tuner, so I guess they do encrypt their signals. Makes it difficult for me to figure out if the QAM tuner on my Samsung works or not but I guess it is a moot point as I need to get a box from Adelphia even if it worked.

Accroding to FCC rules, cable companies are not allowed to encrypt channels carrying signals from stations that are broadcasting over the air, i.e. your local ABC, CBS, NBC and PBS stations.

You can find the language of the FCC rules pertaining to this....then advise Adelphia that they are not in compliance with FCC rules. If you call their legal department I would think they would pay attention
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post #16 of 140
7/14/04 at 10:13am
I think the question of a Cable Company having to provide unencrypted signals is up in the air. I have heard conflicting reports. There was an FCC ruling that "Must Carry" applied to DTV, when a station drops it's analog broadcast. See http://ftp.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/Ord...1/fcc01023.pdf --a broadcaster in Florida actually forced the issue. Not sure if it applies if the the analog broadcast is still being carried.
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post #17 of 140
7/14/04 at 11:19am
But back to the original question, does this TV's HD tuner handle unencrypted QAM?
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post #18 of 140
7/16/04 at 11:38am
anybody?
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post #19 of 140
7/20/04 at 12:19pm
Thread Starter 
I am now in touch with Samsung Level 2 tech re QAM, and here is what they say:

Quote:


I have yet to hear of a cable company that has provided unscrambled QAM but if comcast engineering confirms those requirements are met than there must be something wrong with the tuner. Most cable company's also send out their own channel data instead of sending out the PSIP signal. You might want to double check with comcast engineering to make sure.

Unfortunately, have no way to get to Comcast's engineers (all I can reach is the sales people and they don't know nuthin')...so I cannot check on whether they send out a "PSIP" signal....

Waht is PSIP?

How can I check this?

HELP - ANYONE
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post #20 of 140
7/20/04 at 1:40pm
Considering that others who have bought the Sanyo TVs from Walmart have no issues on Comcast I'd call BS on the Samsung engineers' line. Check the incredible TV at Walmart thread to see their experience pulling in channels from Comcast w/o a box.
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post #21 of 140
7/22/04 at 9:17am
Thread Starter 
Quote:


Originally posted by 1450kHz
I couldn't see my CBS or Fox affiliates because they shared QAM channels with stations sending PSIP. I've also noticed if I tune to a channel with PSIP on it, then when I go to one that doesn't I can't see the subchannels.
.

I need some infor about PSIP. I am trying to get my new Samsung HDTV to work picking up QAM channels from Comcast. The built-in tuner has QAM but it fails to detect the same QAM channels that my FusionHD picks up.

Samsung level2 tech says:
Quote:


The TV accepts Clear QAM. Two requirements....1 - PSIP data is required to view the station. Often time most cable companys send out their own data with the signal. The last requirement is that it be unscrambled ATSC format. If that is all correct then you should pick it up.

I have yet to hear of a cable company that has provided unscrambled QAM but if comcast engineering confirms those requirements are met than there must be something wrong with the tuner. Most cable company's also send out their own channel data instead of sending out the PSIP signal. You might want to double check with comcast engineering to make sure.

Sooo, what do I tell Samsung's level 2 tech about whether Comcast sends out PSIP????

I doubt that I would be able to talk to a knowledgeable Tech person at Comcast.....and Level 1 "Customer Support" does not know the answer.

Anyone reading this post..please help clear this up.

Otherwise I guess the Samsung goes back to the store and I head for Walmart for a Sanyo
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post #22 of 140
8/2/04 at 10:15am
I am in CA.

I just picked up this set last Friday 7/30/04 at Circuit City for 699-$50 MFR Rebate. Sweet deal for the bedroom. I have my Attenea and cable (adelphia) hooked to it. Att A: and Att B respectively. I just use the Attenea button on the remote to switch between the two. I pick up all kinds of HD signals from the attenea and watch cable through the other.

I have the Adelphia HD cable box in the lvg room. As far as the QAM goes, Adelphia shows their HD programming on channels 900 + (902 CBS, 904 NBC, etc) . The Samsung is only a 125 Channel tuner, you wouldn't get the HD brodcasts because the tv only pick up channels 2-125. Am I missing something?
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post #23 of 140
8/2/04 at 11:03am
Thread Starter 
Quote:


Originally posted by R00st3r

I have the Adelphia HD cable box in the lvg room. As far as the QAM goes, Adelphia shows their HD programming on channels 900 + (902 CBS, 904 NBC, etc) . The Samsung is only a 125 Channel tuner, you wouldn't get the HD brodcasts because the tv only pick up channels 2-125. Am I missing something?

Yes, I think you are missing something. The QAM feature is designed to tune unencrypted digital channels directly from cable without using a Cable Box.

Hoewever, I have not been able to get this feature to work, in spite of having a tech visit 3 times. We have replaced all cables with new RG-6 cable and eliminated all splitters to get normal signal levels (-1mV to 1.00mV) directly to the Samsung cable input.

It still does not tune QAM.....and I think that while Samsung has checked the QAM feature in their lab using a digital signal generator...they probably have NOT checked that the tuner works (as advertised) with COMCAST, Adelpi or COX under "real world" conditions.

The tech (who does tech services under contract with Good Guys) also said that the new SONY KD34XBR 960, which has a slot for a QAM card, also has issues picking up QAM.

Meanwhile, My Fusion HD QAM PC card picks up all the digital and HD unewncrypted channels of Comcast basic with no problem at all...you go figure.

My Samsung is going back to GG..

Cheers
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post #24 of 140
8/3/04 at 1:00pm
I just connected the attenea and the cable to the tv and switch between the 2 via the attenea button on the remote. The OTA HD Picks up more than Adelphia has anyway. I will keep checking back as I cannot seem to get it to pick up QAM either. I tried all 3 different type STD, HRC, and IRC (?)
I am not sure what the difference is between them though.
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post #25 of 140
8/3/04 at 3:14pm
I just got off the phne with both samsng and adelphia.
Samsung said that i would have to check with the cable provider to find out if they are transmitting unencrypted. (He is also an avs forum member). Which is why it is hit and miss for most people.

I called Adelphia and they kept insisting that without a HDTV cable box, I would not pick up any HD signals from their cable feed set top box or not.

But here is the specs of the HD cable box.:

PERFORMANCE FEATURES
Integrated High-Definition (HD) decoder with YPBPR component output
MPEG-2 digital video processor
Built-in DOCSIS 1.0/1.1-compatible cable modem for high-speed interactivity2
Full array of audio, video and data interfaces
ITU standard 64/256 QAM/FEC/enhanced adaptive equalizer
Two 54 - 860 MHz tuners

So their system also has a buit in 64/256 QAM equalizer(/?)

Ug!. I like the set but do not want to have to pay an additional $10 for another HD box.
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post #26 of 140
8/3/04 at 3:31pm
Thread Starter 
I have been back and forth with both Samsung Level 2 as well as the tech from Good Guys about the QAM cable issue.

This might be helpful:
"Following David's Service Call and Signal Analysis (below), I installed new RG-6 cable from the Comcast cable drop directly to the Samsung.

David was kind enough to come back yesterday and re-measure the signal strength after the installation of the new RG-6 coax cable.

This time the PSIP, QAM and 8-VSB were at normal levels at the end of the cable where it is connected to the Samsung.

I have also verified that the COMCAST signal has the following clear (unencrypted) QAM channels with PSIP:

Name: Channel: RF:
KOMO-DT 4-1 111
KCTS-HD 4-2 111
KOMO-DT 4-3 111
KING-DT 5-1 112
KONG-DT 5-2 112
KCPQ Di 13-1 110
KTWB-DT 13-2 110

David detected all of the above on his equipment - and I am also receiving them on the PC with the Fusion HD QAM card.

Everything here checks out as far as the Comcast signal, strength, QAM, PSIP etc.

So, I am asking SAMSUNG for a response to the following questions:

1.
Has SAMSUNG USA ever connected theTXP2675WHX/XAA to a basic cable provider (Comcast, Adelphi, COX etc. ) and verified that the QAM tuner can pick up the unencrypted PSIP signals?

2.
If not, why are you advertising the QAM feature in the U.S. market?

I look forward to your response."

We are all waiting with baited breath for a response from Samsung's Head Tech in Seoul...

Cheers
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post #27 of 140
8/3/04 at 9:00pm
anyone know how to get into the service menu on this tv?
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post #28 of 140
8/11/04 at 10:38am
I think it might be this....
Mute-1-8-2-Power while unit is at "Off" status

I would really like to know Samsungs opinon of the QAM feature on this tv and if it really works...no one has had success without the HDCableBox..?
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post #29 of 140
8/11/04 at 10:41am
Have you recieved any response from Samsung regarding this issue?
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post #30 of 140
8/11/04 at 10:46am
Thread Starter 
I am still waiting for an "official" reponse from Samsung USA...

Will post here if and when received.

In the meantime, I have returned the set to the store (GG).

Their tech reported he is getting several calls about the QAM feature (or lack thereof) not only about the Samsung, but also about the newest SONY whicfh has a QAM card slot....

Stay tuned...
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