[Boom Stick]

I am new to the HDTV. I know just enough to cause myself a headache. In the last month I have bought a Toshiba 40XV645U and while it looked ok, I couldn't get past the "Flashlight" effect in the upper left and right corners. I returned it for a Sony KDL-40V5100. This TV is worse in that respect. I think the picture looks good, but the screen uniformity is poor. It also seems to lose sound from time to time and I noticed skin tones changing rapidly from normal to a reddish color and back. Even after the latest firmware update and following all the advice on this site, it still isn't right. It's going back soon. My question is one that I know has probably been asked, but what do I purchase? The TV can't be any wider than 39" across, so that limits me to a 40" TV, but even some of them are to wide. I would like to purchase a Samsung LN40A630, but I can only find it at this website electrozone.com. Has anyone heard of this on-line store? Reason for wanting that TV is it seems to have very few issues, it will fit, 120hz, and it's in my price range. Wife doesn't want me ordering one, because of the possibilities of having to return it. I feel I'm just playing a game that many before me have and I will just continue to run into the same issue's or worse. I'd like to purchase the LN40B750, but it's a little out of my price range and I would have to order it from Amazon and wife doesn't like that idea. I think ultimately I will have to order on-line, because I've run out of TV's to purchase from Best Buy. I'd like to get rid of the cabinet, but the wife likes it and I know she paid a lot for it. Seems like in a 40" my choice is either a different Sony or try the above Samsungs. Sorry for the rambling, but I'm getting really frustrated with this process. I can't believe we pay this much for TV's just to end up with problems.

 

[mes444]

Are you using an HD cable or Sat. box with an HDMI cable for the tvs you've had so far? The problems people have can often be explained because they are using an SD signal and expecting an HD pic. Or because they are using the wrong type of cable. So post back about what you are using as that would help in advice.


Amazon itself is a very reliable source to buy from. Just be sure the tv would be coming from them and not one of their merchants and you'd be OK as long as you don't want to exchange it unless it's defective.


So post back about your source and some help can be offered.

 

[Boom Stick]

I am using HDMI cables and the source is Direct HDTV. I set the Direct Box to match my TV as far as 480i, 480P, 720P etc.. I notice the sound and skin tone problem most often while using my Blue Ray. I've tried different HDMI cables without success. I still get that issue from time to time while viewing regular TV both SD and HD channels. The screen uniformity (Ghost or Flashlight) problem can been seen simply by switching the TV source. That gives me a black screen and I can see light bleed though on this Sony all the way around the screen. Even with the Back Light to zero, it's still really bad. I am worried that I will continue to return TV's and end up with the same problem.

 

[BoilerJim]

Hmmmm, sounds to me like you're really unlucky or just too darned picky. I've bought two Samsung 650's within the past 15 months and love them both (no flashlighting and no ghosting). And yes, I still have them.

 

[Boom Stick]

I guess I don't feel unlucky, since so many others have ran into the same issue. I would like to get the LN40B650, because Best Buy has it and it's in my price range. Problem is it's like 39.2 or as BB list it 39-1/5" across, so it won't fit. My cabinet is exactly 39". I figured I'd try the LN46A650, since it will fit, but I can only find it from that on-line site I mentioned and I've never heard of them before. Maybe I should just live with it. I can exchange this Sony for the same set and hope for the best, but I feel it will be a waste of everyone's time.

 

[Boom Stick]

Well I went to bed around 11pm and got up at 1:00am, because I couldn't quit thinking about the dang TV. I pulled it out and loosened all the screws I could find.


I was real excited about the results until it crossed my mind that the TV had been off for hours. Does a TV usually have to be fully warmed up for the Flashlight Effects and Clouds to show? If not I think I am set.


I'll let it run for several hours and check it again tonight, but at this point I'm real excited!


Hopefully I haven't hurt anything by backing the screws out a bit.