Official Samsung LN-TXX61F/65F/66F Owner's Thread III - with *updated* first post. - Page 2

Originally Posted by pulsation

That all depends on what you are looking for and what your expectations are. If you are looking for a 1080p LCD you will be hard-pressed to find a better overall model, despite the pillar defect and the HDMI issues. CNET recently rated the 4665 an 8.3 overall, the best flat panel LCD they have reviewed, and that includes the flagship Sony models. With some decent screen calibration, you should be able to hide the uneven backlighting issue, and the HDMI issue really isn't that much of a hassle IMHO. It seems like Samsung will eventually issue a firmware fix for them. On the other hand, if you think you may instead want to go with a plasma instead, I would probably return it and look to see whats available.

Originally Posted by Klips

God NO... No plasma TV for me!!!

I'm not a rich man and I haven't bought all the newer HDMI technology to go with this TV. Which, I do plan on this in proper timing. The only thing that I have now that has HDMI capability is the DirectTV DVR I have. I'm sure it isn't HDMI 1.3, but it is the best connection that I have at this time. I do have a PC that I suppose I could hookup through DVI-HDMI it isn't really convenient to do so. I could hookup my XBOX360 component, but I don't think that is going to show me what you guys are talking about.

You guys keep talking about Samsung issuing some firmware update. I've updated firmware on PC motherboards and DVD burners and such. I've never had a TV with any high tech capabilities such as firmware updates. So are you all saying that TV technology gotten to the point that updating the firmware is user installable??? Or are we talking like having to have a service technician come out? If we are talking about something that I can do, then I'm much more inclined to work with the set some. I wouldn't want to have to convince some technician to come out and do a firmware update because I want it.

I did do some homework looking at some reviews on LCDs before purchasing. This one seemed to be the ONE. My wife and I then went and saw it in the store. It was hands down to anything they had on display. Which really help me sell it to my wife. She could even see it without any effort.

So I'm just trying to figure out that while we are rearranging the room and giving it a fresh coat of paint am I sitting on a big goose egg. Am I going to be disappointed when I go to hook all this up and find that I have all these problems with the unit? I do plan to use the HDMI connections heavily when I'm all done. I took the cover off the box but haven't un-wrapped the TV. You all have at least some run time with your units. With firmware, do you feel that these issues can be resolved with just software tweaking? I haven't heard anyone mention if there seems to be a correlation between those with problems and manufacture dates or anything like that. I'm assuming at this point, this is affecting everyone at some point or another.

By the way, what is a "port saver"? And I guess I've got to do some more reading to figure out what "pillar defect" is.

Thanks

Originally Posted by pulsation

Guys, just wanted to let you know I recently added a Pioneer Elite VSX-84TSXi to my setup. I have all my HDMI devices (Yamaha S2500 DVD, Comcast/Motorola STB, and PS3) running through the Pioneer and I have the HDMI out running to HDMI 1 on my LN-T4665F. So far, I noticed two signal drops while watching a HD trailer on PS3. So much for the theory of using the receiver to get better handshake timing...fortunately, nothing is behaving any WORSE than it did before getting the receiver.

Originally Posted by evilive27

would it be worth getting a tv that has 120hz as opposed to the 60hz that the samsungs have?
Would the human eye really be able to tell the difference? Thats the only thing that's making me think again about the tv. Otherwise its amazing, no clouding, 15,000:1 contrast.
Anyone know if i should just wait for a 120hz tv?

Originally Posted by Sheldon111

I do notice slight pixilation during sports...basketball, golf (when the camera follows the ball) and concerts (strobe lights and light effects)...

Originally Posted by wallstreet123456

Am I understanding this correctly? There is pixilation with sports and action movies with explosions etc?

I hope not, I wanted to get this set.

Steven

Originally Posted by WilliamG

First post updated with explanation of "port savers"

Originally Posted by mark_j

I got my monoprice "port savers" for my HDMI cable last night and so far I have not gotten a drop out!

I will reserve judgment after having some more time to test them out, but so far so good.

Originally Posted by Transcend

Do you mean macroblocking? That is a result of compression of the feed. I believe 120hz would lessen motion blur (I can't say I've even noticed it with 60hz), but we might still have macroblocking until the technology at the other end improves.

Originally Posted by WilliamG

3.) Design issues:

There are numerous reports of what is known as "clouding" or "mura." Nobody knows exactly what causes this, but it manifests itself as blotches of lighter areas on the screen or in the corners (corners are also known as "flashlights").

There are several reports of people wiping the area with a cloth from the cloud to the edge of the screen to remove the issue, but I can't verify this. To do this, grab a dry cloth and wipe the cloud fairly gently. If it moves, keep moving it!

Please refrain from asking questions about clouds, as this post should cover it. I personally understand the frustration of having had really bad clouds, but it bogs down the thread to discuss it ad nauseam. If you can't clear the clouds, and they actually bother you, exchange your set at your vendor. It is possible to get a completely cloud-free set, but don't drive yourself crazy. If you can't notice them during "normal" viewing, you've nothing to worry about!

Originally Posted by Sheldon111

Yeah, I guess that's what I mean after looking at your example. So from what you are saying 120Hz should improve this issue?

Originally Posted by WilliamG

From a permanence standpoint, I agree with you. But since the clouding issue is fixable (new set [however many...] *sigh*), it's not as devastating as the HDMI issues which affect everyone, clouds or not! But I agree, the clouds problem is out of control.

Originally Posted by WilliamG

I can't get behind my TV at the moment, but the HDMI3 on the side goes in without any gap, from what I can tell. If there is a gap, it's absolutely minuscule.

Originally Posted by WilliamG

Just the TV end.



I can't get behind my TV at the moment, but the HDMI3 on the side goes in without any gap, from what I can tell. If there is a gap, it's absolutely minuscule.

Originally Posted by WilliamG

Ah ah! Yes, there's a definite gap. Also, my HDMI3 (can't check HDMI1 and 2 right now) has some serious wiggle in the port. I assume (hope) it's normal, but it's not exactly reassuring.

Originally Posted by dave_coulier

I "exchanged" my 4661 for the new Panasonic Plasma 50PZ700U. I thought about giving LCDS one more shot, but I decided against it after seeing my friends Toshiba 42HL167. It exhibited the same bright pillars as the Samsungs do, although it was free of clouding/flashlighting.

I do think the black levels on the 65s are a bit better than the 700u, but the SD on the pannie is better. .

Originally Posted by Transcend

Frankly I'm a little worried about the reports from those who've had their mainboard replaced and commented that clouding/pillaring/flashlighting is now more difficult or impossible to resove via settings adjustments. Has Samsung's fix for these HDMI problems, which might very well be incorporated into the production of the next line ('71 series), resulted in reducing the range of settings adjustments?