Samsung LCD Opinions Required

[Morgan]

G'day all, I just recently (Thursday night) bought a Samsung 32" LA32M61B LCD from JB Hi Fi for just under $2K.

When I first got it home, I went straight to my room and set it up. I got all the TV channels working (It did it automatically) but the picture looked crap as I expected as I only have a crappy aerial plugged in, no dramas there, that's my own problem.

When I turned my 360 on, I changed the settings to HDTV, then WIDESCREEN, then 720P then I rebooted for my first game of COD2. The first 2 mins of that game the TV looked f***ing amazing, sharp, bright, deep, AWESOME... Then after about 2 mins or so, the colours slowly started to turn to shit, it's as if when the TV heated up or got to running temperature, the colours started to get crappier. By crappier I mean that all shadows had a deep coat of pink/red to them, throwing a smoke grenade, the smoke was pink and blocky. However when I first boot it up and play for the first 2 mins, it looks perfect, no pink, perfect everything. This got me thinking "Oh, I have to set up the colours right!" So I spent the next hour or so fidding with contrast, sharpness, brightness, colour temps and everything, and got it looking 90% as good as when I first booted it up.

A bit dissapointed I thought it could juset be COD2, so I whacked in PGR3 and it had the same problems, the sun's reflection on the track made it pink, and dark shadows you drive through went pink or red lol :( So I whipped that out and put in a DVD (Matrix) and any dark scene in that went pink too.

At that point, I went back to the dashboard to double check everything, and I switched between 1080i, 720p and 480p, they all had the same problems, except when in 1080i, the pink wasn't as bright, it was a bit duller as you would expect.

So I went and borrowed a mates 360 / HDTV cables and run his Xbox on my TV with COD2 and got the same problems, all pink ect. So I used My Xbox with his cables and nothing changed.

I went down to JB last night (friday) to speak to the salesman and ask him WTF was going on and what was I doing wrong, I told him my story, he was a really nice guy, but very anti-xbox and tried to say "The TV is fine, it's just that your Xbox probably can't run HDTV, they're not designed for it" lol... I told him it was a 360 and they ARE designed for HDTV, he said "Yeah, but it's not good quality, everyone has problems with it".

I read on here from Darksheer / Adam82 that the VGA cable works wonders on the X360 and it sets itself up automatically, I bought the cable on the agreement that if the problems remain, it can be returned for refund, so that's all good. I bought the cable, went home and tried it running the highest res of 1300x750 something, and the same problems remained. I'm happy it didn't fix it, I would hate to run the VGA cable, the colours in general were terrible, all bland looking, moreso than in 1080i.

Anyways, just curious as to what you guys think could be the problem? I'm thinking that because the TV looks flawless, then gets worse it's the TV, NOT The Xbox. JB have agreed to swap it over / refund or whatever, going there Monday night.

What do you guys think.

Thanks for readings, cheers

Morgan.

[Lateralus]

Morgan, i have the same TV, picked it up around April this year and have'nt had any of the problems you mention, 720p & 1080i looks great, just started using the VGA cable and that looks great as well. I suggest you take it back and get them to hook up a 360 to it so that you can show them what the problem is.

Good Luck.

[Koryan]

You should have bought sony bravia S series (Silver one) which is better quality, not ugly black and has no problems, and is also about the same price..

[michael39]

take it back morgs.....looks like you got a lemon......

" went down to JB last night (friday) to speak to the salesman and ask him WTF was going on and what was I doing wrong, I told him my story, he was a really nice guy, but very anti-xbox and tried to say "The TV is fine, it's just that your Xbox probably can't run HDTV, they're not designed for it" lol... I told him it was a 360 and they ARE designed for HDTV, he said "Yeah, but it's not good quality, everyone has problems with it".

what a lame arse saleman...doesn't know shit...not good quality(better sell my 360 because its shit hd lol)

I've got one of these and i paid $3400 a few months ago ... http://www.sony.com.au/homecinema/catalog/product.jsp?categoryId=23775

[mulder]

I was planning to get one of the old M61 series LCD's until I read all the bad reports on them. Very glad i waited for the R71 series, AWESOME TV!

[Darksheer]

Ah gees Morgs, sorry to hear that. Yes it sounds like it needs to be swapped over. If it was doing it with the VGA cable as well then yes it’s the TV and not the Xbox 360. Good thing you tried it with your mate X360 as well. It really leave little question that it is the TV.

You might ring them in advance and arrange to have an x360 set up on the TV or take yours with you. Not very practical I know, but it will save a bit of hassle. Definitely take it back, though and please let us know how it turns out.

Also, you might ring Samsung Australia and explain the symptoms to them.:)

[mulder]

Swap it for the R71 series mate. You wont be disappointed. Similar if not cheaper price, has game mode to reduce gaming lag and has a hd tuner inbuilt. Cant go wrong, im loving mine.

[Darksheer]

HD tuner would be nice, but what is “gaming lag” :)

[Morgan]

Thanks for the replies guys, I'm not too fussed on the HD-tuner part, as I don't really watch much TV, it's for Xbox or nothing. I think I just got a dud TV, looking forward to swap it over on Monday night.

I will certainly let you guys know how it turns out, and will post pics of my new set up.

Cheers, dudes

thanks again.

Morgan.

[scarface886]

How did you go?

did you get a replacement?

Im having similar issues to you just wanted to know if they had been fixed with a replacement

thank.s

[Morgan]

Hey guys, I went down tonight and they swapped my panel over.

After I unpacked it and turned it on for the first time, I have to say...

*creams in jeans*

Yes, I now see the HDTV difference.

All I did was plugged it in, turned it on and enjoyed the visual feast, if you need to adjust any setting with this TV to fix the picture quality, then there is something wrong with your panel, and I suggest you take it back.

Will post pics soon. ;)

*cream in jeans v2*

[mulder]

glad this ones better pal (Y)

[Darksheer]

Hey guys, I went down tonight and they swapped my panel over.

After I unpacked it and turned it on for the first time, I have to say...

*creams in jeans*

Yes, I now see the HDTV difference.

All I did was plugged it in, turned it on and enjoyed the visual feast, if you need to adjust any setting with this TV to fix the picture quality, then there is something wrong with your panel, and I suggest you take it back.

Will post pics soon. ;)

*cream in jeans v2*

Ah sweet that is fantastic news. I was wondering how things turned out. It should look fantastic with minimal fuss, so it sounds like this panel is the goods. Did you end up going with component or VGA? I wouldn’t mind finding out the difference. Oh and was it an easy swap with JB, did they try it out on the spot?

Good news!

PS. I think the Big Kev range should help you with your excitement. :D

[scarface886]

glad to hear your problems are fixed but can you tell me if this is what was happening?

I have the sony bravia V series 26" LCD running at 720p 60hz, ive also tried 1080i 60hz and also the VGA cable and the issue has not gone away.

It happens in GRAW, BF:MC and basically any game that contains dark scenery or smoke this shows up.

take a look at my problem here:

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/6581/x360002ux1.th.jpg (http://img226.imageshack.us/my.php?image=x360002ux1.jpg)

and here:

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/2816/x360001do2.th.jpg (http://img172.imageshack.us/my.php?image=x360001do2.jpg)

[Morgan]

Yes, mine looked like that too, as well as big bright patches of pink in there as well, and now, it's perfect man, I can't fault the picture.

Darksheer, a chick I know was working, I told her the TV was rooted, she told me not to bother setting anything up, just go around the back and get the new one. So I did, and all was sweet.

I'm gonna go down tomorrow and tell the salesman that my Xbox was working 100%, and it was the TV :p lol

[scarface886]

Ive had my TV since may purchased it from Harvey Norman and its still under warranty?

Do you think its my TV?

My friend thinks its possibly the graphics card in the 360 but I doubt it.

[HiHoSylvia]

Hey morgan
How much was it and wat model?
Can u post any pics|?

[Morgan]

I mention the price / model in my first post.

32" Samsung LA32MB61X. It's black.

I don't have any pics yet. but it's great, I couldn't be happier with it.

[Darksheer]

Darksheer, a chick I know was working, I told her the TV was rooted, she told me not to bother setting anything up, just go around the back and get the new one. So I did, and all was sweet.

I'm gonna go down tomorrow and tell the salesman that my Xbox was working 100%, and it was the TV :p lol

Ah coolies that's awesome!:D Nice to hear it's all good, too. Mate, I would go back and tell the salesman that he don't know jack. :chortle:

But yeah, the picture quality looks awesome doesn't it. I remember the very first time I played the X360 on the LCD my jaw hit the ground. I just couldn't believe the difference.

Scarface: Mate, I would consider taking it back, or calling sony to get it replaced. You shouldn't get that type of picture. What type of cables are you using? Oh and do you have a DVD player, does the same thing happen?

[scarface886]

Ah coolies that's awesome!:D Nice to hear it's all good, too. Mate, I would go back and tell the salesman that he don't know jack. :chortle:

But yeah, the picture quality looks awesome doesn't it. I remember the very first time I played the X360 on the LCD my jaw hit the ground. I just couldn't believe the difference.

Scarface: Mate, I would consider taking it back, or calling sony to get it replaced. You shouldn't get that type of picture. What type of cables are you using? Oh and do you have a DVD player, does the same thing happen?

hey Darksheer,

Im using the official MS component cable and ive also tried the official VGA cable. My dvd player is my xbox 360 lol, its hard to tell whether it does the same thing watching dvds but ill look carefully and get back to you.

[numb nuts]

Take it back dude......

[Jamie]

While we're on the subject, JB Hi Fi currently has the 32" Samsung on sale for $1398. Thats an amazing bargain.

[NuffNuff]

Good to hear its all fixed, I read stories about the Samsung panels having that affect before I bought mine and bought my 26 Inch LA26R71BDX anyway because the risk is low and the affect is seen immediately.

Anyone ever had dead pixels on a 26+ inch HDTV? I haven't but I'm curious to know.

While we're on the subject, JB Hi Fi currently has the 32" Samsung on sale for $1398. Thats an amazing bargain.

Isn't that the older model, the one that is matte black and doesnt have the blue bit under it? Anybody know the difference between the old and the new? Is the panel of higher quality?

[michael39]

looks like a new post your setup thread will be started up soon...

[Morgan]

While we're on the subject, JB Hi Fi currently has the 32" Samsung on sale for $1398. Thats an amazing bargain.Don't buy that one, it's not the same one I got, the $1400 32" Samsung is the crappy event series model, with a horrible response time and crappy picture qualtiy :(

Pay the extra, get the M series! :D

[RF v Gunslinger]

glad to hear your problems are fixed but can you tell me if this is what was happening?

I have the sony bravia V series 26" LCD running at 720p 60hz, ive also tried 1080i 60hz and also the VGA cable and the issue has not gone away.

It happens in GRAW, BF:MC and basically any game that contains dark scenery or smoke this shows up.

take a look at my problem here:

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/6581/x360002ux1.th.jpg (http://img226.imageshack.us/my.php?image=x360002ux1.jpg)

and here:

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/2816/x360001do2.th.jpg (http://img172.imageshack.us/my.php?image=x360001do2.jpg)

Mate I have a 41" V Series Bravia, the picture is awesome. Those screen shots you posted look terrible - there must defintately be something wrong with your TV.

I'd be taking it back ASAP for a replacement :)

[Jamie]

Don't buy that one, it's not the same one I got, the $1400 32" Samsung is the crappy event series model, with a horrible response time and crappy picture qualtiy :(

Pay the extra, get the M series! :D

I wont be getting either, Im happy with my Philips :) But I dont think you can call it a "crappy event series", it may not be as good as your model, but for the price thats an unbelievable bargain for a brand name LCD that size. Even the Big W AWA is about $1600. And the picture quality looked pretty good to me.

[Morgan]

I'm just going by what Adam82 told me, he had the TV and returned it the next day, he said it was rubbish. It had light leakages around the edges, and the response time was horrible.