Samsung forum: samsung tv ( LN32B650 ) timer complaint

It's been nearly 2 1/2 years and there's clearly no resolve in sight. It's beyond bizarre that a simple function, already built into the television in 'hotel mode,' is withheld from consumers despite the pleas to have it corrected. The reason why there's not more of an uproar? Because it's not really that big of a deal; most people don't use their television as an alarm.

Back in the mid-90's, I had a bulky 36" Panasonic television. It was advanced for it's time: it had multiple PIP modes, a neat guide menu and, you guessed it, a bevy of alarm functions. Even better, they actually worked! The technology was exactly where it needed to be for the alarm function to work as it should. Of course, we didn't have HDMI back then ... but we did have many other inputs, and the television simply turned on at whatever time it was set to. If a DVD had been playing before it was off then, by golly, it would be playing when it turned on. Easy, right?

I guess it's not. The TV that I have (the 6500 series) can play .mkv files off of a thumb drive. It can connect to my wireless network, which in turn allows me to stream music and video from a series of computers and wireless storage hubs. It can download applications and update it's own firmware, and it even has something called 'self diagnosis.' (If you're curious, there's not an application that you can download that allows the television to function as an alarm.)

I would imagine that most televisions sold by Samsung at this point are high definition sets. With high-definition, it makes sense to use HDMI cables. The idea that anyone is out there running coaxial cables into their shiny new Samsung televisions is a dying one. As some have pointed out, this isn't a big deal until you get to the principle of the thing, which is that Samsung is intentionally withholding a common-sense, easy-to-implement feature from it's consumers for seemingly no reason.

Or, you know what Samsung HD Tech -- you're right. This is an insurmountable problem.

Note 1: I used hotel mode (for my set: TV on, mute, 1, 1, 9, enter) to change the power-on source. This didn't solve the problem, sadly.

Note 2: I created this account solely to post here and while this might be off topic, I just thought I'd share - a more common flaw with all of the nicer Samsung sets would be with the power cable. Most people who buy a large plasma or LED are probably looking to mount it on their wall. It's infuriating that the power cable is tethered directly to the circuitry without the ability to remove it.

Way to go, Samsung.

Why is it that when an obvious snafu is made, more energy and effort is poured into coming up with excuses , diversions and re-direction (e.g. why is Samsung HD-Tech concerned if the cable box is able to be programmed to wake, or left on all night) - the customers clearly have stated their preference and shown their disappointment, dismay and anger.

Let the customer decide if they want HDMI or RF or USB via the menu selection.

Now what happens to RF that all cable is digital.....guess how many folks won't be buying Samsung TVs again!

The problem with this is that almost no one uses analog signals anymore. Directv, Dish, and many cable companies are all going to requiring boxes. In our market Comcast is even going to be requiring a small decoder box to receive any signals and are completely eliminating ALL analog signals. It doesn't make sense to not allow customers to make a choice. It'd be great if you had a firmware update to be able to choose the input on the timer to include the other choices, not simply RF only.

I am still hoping that Samsung will consider updating the firmware to allow for the HDMI source option when using a timer. The fact is my cable box also has a timer as I assume most do and if you set the timers for the same time you would get the your picture without having to have the box on all night. I just updated the firmware for my tv hoping that perhaps this option would show up. I was disapointed it still only had the two options.

Obviously Samsung does not care. Neither do I.

Two_Feathers,

The manuals are available for download prior to purchase.

If there was an expectation of what the timer could or couldn't do, how could we possibly make this more "up-front information" prior to you purchasing it?

Regardless, I'll be sending this feedback up to the appropriate department. I don't like to see people unhappy. But I'm not sure what can be done at this point.

--HDTech

Online Brand Ambassador

- Click here to visit the Samsung forum
- Click here to visit the Samsung store on CNET

****BEWARE: TV does not mean TV it mean a coax cable. If you have a TV connected to HDMI/Component/VGA to get hi-def for a hi-def TV you are out of luck. Best you can do is hook up a standard def wire and change the source every day after you wake up to standard def. I am hating this TV every day I have to change the source, especially because I know Samsung can change the microcode and we could install it either over the internet or with a USB. While changing microcode is not trival either is losing a customer for life and having them blog/tweet/review all your TV's as 1 star and beware that if you ever want to move it into the bedroom you better not get a Samsung.

On/Off Timer: The three On/Off timers allow you to program the television to turn itself on and off by selecting a specific on time and a specific off time. An On/off timer can be set to repeat only once, everyday, Mon-Fri, Mon-Sat, or Sat-Sun. You can also choose the On Timer's content (TV, USB, or Antenna) and volume. The on and off timers work independently of one another.

Converted some music to MP3 and put on USB. Manual says when you plug the USB in, TV responds. Not true! Then, the only way I got it to work is:
Plug in USB and from Menu select Inputs and USB.
Select Music and then "Check" each file (song).
Select return and it starts to "play" the audio.
Back all the way to the Menu and setup the alarm.
Then DON'T turn on the TV or it will "forget" that the alarm was set.
I believe that you have to do this every stinking time; a royal pain in the back side!

Anonymous,

Fellas, I'm not sure what update I can provide that I haven't already.

The feature is not slated for a review as far as I'm aware, so if this is a major purchasing decision, then there's not much I can offer in terms of a "fix".

If it doesn't work as listed in the manual, then the TV may need service, and that's a different matter.

Our pre-sales support could have advised, the manual was available for review prior to purchase, and this topic has been on C|Net for a while as well, where I've responded to it here:
http://forums.cnet.com/7726-13973_102-5009382.html?tag=posts;msg5009382

I understand if people are disappointed that the "timer feature" isn't as feature rich as some may have expected. But I'm not aware of any changes for this in the future, and I've been straightforward about that.

I'd like to keep your business, but I'd rather you do what it takes to be happy today and consider us in the future if this is going to make you unhappy.

--HDTech

Online Brand Ambassador

- Click here to visit the Samsung forum
- Click here to visit the Samsung store on CNET

I purchased UN55c6800 a few days ago, one of the reason to buy this TV was to have the TV turned on in A.M. as an alarm. I was surprised to find out about the lack of cable support. Very disappointed.

Some people get their feathers puffed up and run around in circles about a stupid issue like wanting a brilliant TV to do double service as an alarm clock. What a lot of fuss over nothing.

All,

People will share their opinions *somewhere*.

I'm glad the people here brought their comments to this forum where I can review them and have them considered by people who make those decisions.

While I can't personally "fix" the situation as it stands, I'd rather at least know that people want something. It may very well give us an opportunity to deliver it.

--HDTech

Online Brand Ambassador

- Click here to visit the Samsung forum
- Click here to visit the Samsung store on CNET

Why do you quote the word "fix?"

I'm pretty sure posting here is about the best way to request a feature in a new update. Samsung techs seem to patrol this forum although not much activity on this particular thread. Unfortunately, I think they made it pretty apparent that this timer feature is low on the totem pole of things to do.

Since this panel is not a plasma, it cannot be the best TV "I've ever owned" by default. It is, however, quite the bargain for the price/performance ratio; but I digress.

The apparent triviality of this missing feature is why this thread even exists. Since this panel has the ability to be software upgraded ad hoc, we are bringing this oversight to light to best ensure our chances it is addressed in the next update.

P.S.
Certainly you must find the humor in one telling us "timer-guys" to "get a life" from somebody who apparently has enough time in their day to troll complaint forums; I assuredly do.