[PoshPlanet]

I have seen several postings referring to a software upgrade to the Samsung SIR-T150 OTA Digital STB. How do I go about getting this upgrade?


Thanks for your help in advance!


Mike

 

[teague]

I would be interested also. Any idea what the upgrade is supposed to fix?


Chris

 

[Mr_Li]

There is no major upgrade. It's just some minor bug fix/improvement.


As some forum members (Kelvin Colorspace was the first) had suggested, send an email to Samsung's web master. (Go to their web site www.samsungusa.com and leave a message). My mail was forwarded to the right people and I was told I can either send my unit to their service center at NJ, or order a special serial cable from them and do the upgrade myself. I chose the latter.


I didn't post any detail is because appearently the sofware file I got is not their final version. The one bug this upgrade is supposed to fix, lose custmer setting on screen format after channel change and power down, is still there. Other changes I noticed are more ar control, even for 1080i output, and gray bars for unused screen area. If you don't like the gray bars, better not get this upgrade at all, 'cause if go gray, you cant go back to black.


I am still waiting on the new software file. My service rep is very nice and knowledgable, he even loaned me the cable and sent it to me via express mail. That cable connects the 9pin D-sub serial port on your PC to a stereo headphone jack on the back of the T150. You can even build one yourself if you know anything about soldering.


Hope this helps a little.

 

[cbgenrich]

I would appreciate the details of the cable. Sounds like the three TRS wires (Tip, Ring & Sleeve) go to specific pins on the DB9 connector.


Also, would you please make the file available somehow when you get it, perhaps by attaching it to a posting here?


Is there anything else we need to know? Like going to a certain menu before starting or holding some button during power up?



------------------

-CB-


Interested in Atlanta specific issues?
Atlanta HDTV & DTV Group

 

[Mr_Li]

How to build the cable:


You will need female DB9 connector, 1/8"(3.5mm) mini stereo plug and 3 wire cable. I don't know if shielding is necessary, but if you are worried, go buy a shielded cable with two inner wires.


Using you TRS annotation, they should be connected to the DB9 female as follows.


SXRTX

XXXX


where S connects to Sleeve, R to Ring and T to Tip. Xs are free end.


Using RS232 definition, Pin 5(GND) - Sleeve, Pin 3(TXD) - Ring, and Pin 2(RXD) - Tip. Is this clear enough?


When I get the software, I will try to upload it to somewhere. BUT USE IT AT YOUR OWN RISK.


Hal

 

[cbgenrich]

I would like information about software updates for the Samsung SIR-T150.


Mine loses sound sometimes, and changing channels then back fixes it. It happens during format changes on the channel or after a dropout scenario. It's not intolerable, but sometimes a hastle.



------------------

-CB-


Interested in Atlanta specific issues?
Atlanta HDTV & DTV Group

 

[cbgenrich]

That is clear enough. Thanks, I'll build one soon.


Have you done this yet? I would think you would need to somehow tell the SIR-T150 that a download is coming.


Also, what would you do on the PC to send the file to the serial port? If it doesn't come with some downloading software, then I would think you would need to know the DOS trickery involved in setting the speed/parity, etc.



------------------

-CB-


Interested in Atlanta specific issues?
Atlanta HDTV & DTV Group

 

[tombarry]

Mr_Li,


I left a message with the webmaster in May and have heard nothing. Could you share details of your service rep, such as name, phone number, e-mail address.


Thanks,


Tom

 

[Mr_Li]

1. I am still waiting for the new software file. I sent Samsung a reminder yesterday and has yet to hear from them.


2. Yes, there is a download program along with the data file, just like the PC firmware upgrade (I am waiting for a new data file). Actually there's also a .bat file calling the download program with proper parameters. I will provide more detail when I post the software.


3. My service rep said he wouldn't mind to let people know there is a upgrade available. His name is Steve Panosian <[email protected]>. He didn't tell me which units need the upgrade, so you better give him your machine's serial number and manufacture/purchase date.


Later.


Hal


[This message has been edited by Mr_Li (edited 06-27-2001).]

 

[hdniklas]



The one bug this upgrade is supposed to fix, lose custmer setting on screen format after channel change and power down, is still there. QUOTE FROM MR. LI


Just received the SIR-T150 and I notice the same bug. After using it, realized that it may not be a bug. The zoom to full width feature for the screen format is nice for non 16:9 broadcasts, but once set and you change channels and come back the setting defaults back to full which does not fill the screen leaving black areas on top, bottom, and sides.

I believe this is not an oversight but intended because if the broadcast was true HDTV: HD and 16:9 then it will fill the sides on a 4:3 set. If the zoom setting is preserved, then the 16:9 broadcast will be zoomed. Try viewing the HD broadcast of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and you will see what I mean. During commercials the screen is cropped on all sides and if zoom mode is selected when Leno comes back he will be shown in zoom mode. If zoom mode is not selected, Leno will come back in full 16:9 format filling the sides of my 36xbr400.

It is annoying that the zoom feature is not saved since most HD broadcasts are still 4:3 format. As more HD broadcasts become 16:9 format, the annoyance/bug will be moot.
Textf>Textc>
Quote:

The one bug this upgrade is supposed to fix, lose custmer setting on screen format after channel change and power down, is still there. QUOTE FROM MR. LI

[This message has been edited by hdniklas (edited 06-28-2001).]

 

[cbgenrich]

Here's a reply I got from Steve at Samsung. I had asked also if it improved multipath immunity and mentioned that my box either 1) goes mute until I change channels then back or 2) can on occasion lock up entirely and require power cycle.:


-------------------------------------------------------


Sorry to get back with you a little late. We have an upgrade that does the following...


Offers selection of grey or black bars Auto format screen size selection based on signal. User selection of screen size setting retainment.


Regarding multipath, the unit does a very good job. However. if you are experience problems on a specific channel, we need to begin to look at your distance from the tower(s), the antenna system your using, and any amplifier system. In the meantime, please visit www.projectorexpert.com and read up on our tuner and other articles about antennas and pre-amps.


Regarding the audio and what appears to be lock up issues, I need to have information about where you live and what stations you are experiencing problems.


Thanks,


STEVE

Steve G. Panosian

Sr. Marketing Manager - DTV and PJTV

Samsung Electronics America

105 Challenger Road

Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660

(201) 229-4013 (Direct)

(201) 229-4039 (fax)

[email protected]




------------------

-CB-


Interested in Atlanta specific issues?
Atlanta HDTV & DTV Group

 

[wafafa]

I have SIR T150 and I I like the update but for the past three days I lost local ABC and WB. All I got is green light on the box gray color and no picture.

Can any Samsung owner help me solve this problem?


Thanks

Sam

 

[tombarry]

Wafafa,


I occasionally get the green light with 'no signal'. It happened last night near the end of Becker. It may be what CB describes as a lock up issue. I don't know that it is not a station problem.


CB, maybe we should start logging the lock ups.


Also, I finally got a reply from Samsung to my e-mail. It took more than a month. It doesn't sound like there is any real need to upgrade, but I would like to be able to.


Tom

 

[wafafa]

Thanks Tom


Sam

 

[Kelvin Colorspace]

It would be a good idea to wait a little longer for the SIR-T150 upgrade. The update files I have gotten are not the most recent versions. They are dated July of last year.


Even so, you can select between gray bars and black bars on 4:3 material. You can also check to see which version your tuner is running by scrolling to the help menu, selecting it, and then pushing the DISPLAY button. You should see the software version right under the help screen.


I had noticed the problem with the tuner locking up with a green indicator but no signal. This was on an older box; I have not seen this problem with the newer version I have been using. The last time it happened, a piece of equipment underneath (another STB) may have been interfering with it. Removing the Samsung and placing it elsewhere solved the problem.


The software download is easy - you launch it using the MS-DOS window in Windows. Simply connect the cable between your computer's serial port and the stereo mini-jack on the rear of the tuner. Execute the batch file and then turn on the tuner. It will download the update automatically. It doesn't take very long, and will verify a successful download.


KC

 

[Mr_Li]

Here's an update from Steve. Looks like they are working on a new upgrade.


BTW, my s/w version is v1.15 05/11/01, after one upgrade. I will try the black bar/gray bar switching tonight.

Hello everyone,


It's been a couple of weeks since communicating with you regarding questions about the HDTV Tuner up-grade and I'd like to give everyone the latest.


After numerous emails and converstions regarding the operation of our HDTV Tuner, the engineers have agreed to add the capability of over-ridding the AUTO screen size select that the new software was designed to solve. What

this means is our engineers with need to design a change in the actual menu selection to make this possible. I am not sure how long this will take, but when this is completed, I will send the upgrade file to you. This may involve turning the automatic screen size setting to the off position. I am not sure if this is 100% acceptable, but this is the only way this can be solved. What is clear, the unit cannot auto-select a format and memorize a user-setting that qverrides the auto-setting.


Let me clarify what the current v1.6 up-grade does for the SIRT150...


Automatic screen size selection based on the incoming DTV broadcast format. Depending on the users set 4:3 or 16:9, whichever is selected, the output will accomodate the screen format. For most broadcasts, the SIRT150 will select the "FULL" position for either screen size on HDTV broadcasts. On 480P SD broadcasts that are not stretched, the pillar box selection is automatically selected when the 6:9 screen size is selected. Example here in NY area is our UPN channel 38-1. The other 480P channels like Fox and WB channels don't activate the "pillar box" selection because the image is stretched on the broadcast side. I am not sure how the SIRT150 knows what to do, but it does it.


Gray Bar option of pillar boxed broadcasts in the 16:9 mode. Note that this is seen only on 480P broadcast programs. I have noticed that 480P 8M broadcasts that are resized on the broadcast side.


To activate the gray bars, simply call the menu up and select the HELP icon, hit "ENTER" to defeat or switch HELP to the "OFF" mode. Touch the "DISPLAY BUTTON" on the remote to activate the gray bars and the same to defeat back to black bars.


To confirm the version number of the software, call the menu up and select the HELP icon, hit "ENTER" switch HELP to the "ON" mode. Touch the "DISPLAY BUTTON" on the remote and a caption box will appear with the version code.


If you have any other questions, please contact me.


Regards,


Steve G. Panosian

Sr. Marketing Manager - DTV and PJTV

 

[Homer J]

I sent an e-mail to Steve the other day, and he quickly replied with instructions on how to perform the upgrade, along with an attached file with the upgrade. The only part that threw me off was the cable. In his message, he says "You should be able to find the cable from a local computer store". Now I've never heard of such a cable, and neither did the computer stores I asked. Has anyone found this cable off the shelf?

 

[ronk]

I am pretty sure it is cost-related. Mini-headphone stereo jacks are always cheaper than a full DB-9 connector.

Quote:

Originally posted by Chris Satterlee: I wonder why they didn't use a normal DB-9 connector on the backpanel. Seems as if they could have found the space, so maybe they did it on purpose to make it harder for the consumer to do this themself.

 

[Chris Satterlee]

Homer,


This is a pretty weird cable. I don't think you'll find it off-the-shelf. I didn't even bother spending the time to try to find one since it was so easy to make. I made one per Mr_Li's instructions and it worked fine. I wonder why they didn't use a normal DB-9 connector on the backpanel. Seems as if they could have found the space, so maybe they did it on purpose to make it harder for the consumer to do this themself.


Steve will send you a cable to use if necessary. I'm not sure if you'd have to send it back or not, or if there would be a charge for it. If you know how to solder or have a friend who does, you should probably just build one.


- Chris

 

[tombarry]

Mr. Panosian at Samsung replied overnight with the files. Anyone that wants can use the avsforum PM option and send me a request.


CB, I already sent them to you.


Tom


[This message has been edited by tombarry (edited 08-09-2001).]