Samsung forum: Video drop-outs ("blinking") on 2010 HDTVs

I'm also experiencing the same issue. I purchased a un46c8000 package three weeks ago, which also included a Samsung c6900 bluray player, a Samsung wireless USB dongle, and the Shrek starter kit that included all four movies in 3D and two pairs of glasses.

Initially we had no problems watching cable tv or 3D movies. Atfer updating to the latest firmware, about ten days ago I began streaming Netflix through the tv's app, and experienced the video "blinking" every 30 to 60 seconds.

I initially assumed it had something to do with my wireless signal, and contacted my ISP, who reported up to 17 mbps download speeds. I contacted Netflix and they reported anywhere from 2-5 mbps speeds when I was streaming movies through the app. I contacted Netgear concerning my new router, and we set everything up to stream at optimal levels. I hard-wired an ethernet line directly from my router. I switched back to my older router. I tried streaming Netflix through my bluray player, with the same results - "blinking" every 30-60 seconds.

We're now dealing with "blinking" when watching blurays and cable tv. They happen less often than it does during Netflix (once or twice an hour), but I tried switching to different hdmi cables just in case - no luck, still there.

As I mentioned on the AVS forum, I can't help but feel like the tv is "thinking" when it blinks - almost like its trying to adjust the picture or something. It lasts about a second, and the audio does not cut out, just as the OP is experiencing. Based on my trial-and-errors, I assume its a problem with the firmware or with the tv itself. I have until the end of January to return the tv, but unless I get see some kind of fix soon, it'll be going back before that.

I've spent countless hours of my Christmas vacation on the phone with Samsung, Netflix, Time Warner and Netgear with no resolution. As you can imagine, everyone thinks its someone else's fault. If I decide to exhange the tv rather than just returning it to get my money back, someone is really going to have to talk me into loading the latest firmware again.

Thanks for starting the conversation here, koffas. I hope we see some sort of resolution. Interesting that its affecting both plasmas and LEDs.

The Samsung rep here is at CES this week, so we'll have to wait for him to return for a response.

I have a new un55c8000 led tv (one week old) and have noticed that the screen goes black intermittently for a second when watching hd channels (usually movies) and when streaming hd video (Netflix) from my Samsung BD-C7900 bluray player. This doesn't happen on SD channels or when I'm streaming non-hd video on Netflix.

Are these video "blackouts" my tv is experiencing the video dropouts referenced in this thread? My home wireless network is fast and both the TV and bluray player have the latest firmware updates. BTW, Samsung support told me to reset the TV to cure the problem. I did and it didn't.

We have had our Samsung 46" LED tv for about three weeks now and have experienced this "blank out" a few times while watching DVR'd shows from our Dish network VIP 722 receiver. The video will go black for about 1 second but the audio is still playing in the background.

We have Auto Motion Plus set to standard.

We haven't noticed this issue while watching live tv or while playing bluerays. We are watching very closely however.

Bump for the Samsung Tech, back from his/her trip to CES

Samsung rep, I'm running out of time and patience. It's clear from all of the posts you've got a problem with most of your HDTVs. Too many of us have ruled out the variables you've referenced as possible causes for "blinking." I've got ten days to get my set back to Best Buy for an exchange, and while I love the set, exchanging it for another Samsung TV seems pointless, since those posting on this topic have had identical problems with your Plasma/LCD/LED sets.

My question: Is Samsung going to acknowledge the problem anytime soon, engineer a fix, and take care of its customers? If you are, I'll keep my set. If not, you'll lose me as a customer.

Please respond quickly, as I need to know soon.

Thank you.

UncleSpud,

It's clear that I have a few people sharing an issue with the same symptom, and we're not even down to the cause yet. How would I promise a solution to an unknown?

"Most of our HDTVs"? This thread started two weeks ago on a line that ran an entire year from early 2010 to now. I think we have 3 LEDs, 1 LCD and a plasma represented (one of them DVR playback) in a 2-3 week old thread. There have been others - some posts pop up and get solved by switching cables, or reconfiguring devices, or resetting cable/sat boxes, and there are some issues pending. Some replace the TV and that solves it. I have no mathematical probability on causes.

I'm not sure what you're expecting me to solve, but I am not going to declare any sort of acknowledgement without knowing the cause first, and this is not going to be solved in 2-3 business days. You have deadlines, and I respect that. Do what makes you happiest, but I'm afraid I can't offer a promise I can't personally deliver.

The only constant variable is Netflix, and since the buffer bar is gone, it would stand to reason that the blinking is the buffer refreshing - and if that's the case, call Netflix. If it's your blu-ray player, make sure your Blu-Ray player is sending a 24fps signal. Try adjusting the resolution. Toggle xvYCC options if you have them. Swap out your cables. Or... exchange or return the TV.

I'd love to earn your business. But I don't do that by promising something I can't deliver.

--HDTech

Online Brand Ambassador

- Click here to visit the Samsung forum
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UncleSpud,

Here's the rub with that logic. I would take it back. But I also have the same drop out issues with a CRT and an SD box with my satellite TV. So I'd also take that back, and cancel my service. But it happens so infrequently, it's worth looking past, because it's a hiccup - or "static".

But if it's bothering you to no end, or happens way more frequently than "occasionally", I can see where the tolerance drops and the demands begin. Guys, I buy stuff too. I'm a consumer, and I like quality. I get it.

So I'm at a loss for direction, since one answer may work for some, and not another.

I advocate that people do what's best for them. If you think a fresh start with something else is going to do it, then do it. I'd love to hear the result, so I can follow up with that. Who knows, maybe it is "just us", although I'm not ready to concede that yet. Or it might be.

Bottom line - I want you to be happy. If it's an occasional blank out, that's going to be somewhat a reality with any technology I would imagine. If it's constant or bothersome, take your chances with something else, and then at least have the satisfaction of taking the precaution.

I can't guarantee your satisfaction on this one. I can guarantee to look into issues. And I also guarantee that I have over 100 posts to look at too. I also recognize that if you're stuck with something you don't like, you'll look at the name on it and never buy it again.

That does no good for anybody. I'm sure that's not a normal response from a manufacturer either, particularly on a public board, but I also like to think we're approaching this from the right angle - which is placing you first.

If you think something else will work, give it a shot. That's what I'd do.

--HDTech

Online Brand Ambassador

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

nesbo75,

I can't guess what could go right or wrong on any repair attempt. But just like anything else that is serviced, it's repaired, tested and returned to you in working order. (Usually! I've seen a bit of everything on this board from everybody).

If you're under warranty and receiving any problem, get it repaired under warranty. That's what it's for. I wouldn't sit on any warrante-able service. I'd call it up and get it in. With all due respect, why wouldn't you? If it's not a problem with a part they replaced, they have to do it again.

--HDTech

Online Brand Ambassador

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

bmwilson6,

I've escalated an alert and talked with some of the fellas in the call center.

The answer I have is that I don't have an answer. I've got little consistency, except for Netflix, which seems to be the buffer or PQ change.

My advice to you would also be the same as what I gave to UncleSpud. If you aren't happy with your product and you have the opportunity to return it for something you think would work better, then that may be the best move for you. I'm not so convinced that this is a Samsung-related problem, but I'm also not willing to gamble with your investment dollars, either.

Funny, the "single customer" voice IS the voice I have, so consider your situation represented. I project and repeat what you say, along with my analysis, too.

--HDTech

Online Brand Ambassador

- Click here to visit the Samsung forum
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Me also. Watching Netflix on a Samsung led 3d tv las constant blinking. Instead of Netflix saying it is a Samsung problem and vice versa why don't you two pick up the phone and figure it out. There is something not compatible between the two!

I have a similar issue I believe with a tv I just bought for my girlfriend. From what i've seen/read it is slightly different though:
First of all, I've only noticed it when using our Nintendo Wii with component cables (only have this issue on this tv so its not the cables or the system)
The issue is that randomly (once every couple minutes, sometimes more) the screen will go black (audio cuts out too) for half a second, then it comes back on and it will display the input source info in the top left corner (Component, resolution, refresh rate, and time). This doesn't seem to happen when we are watching regular cable, only when using the component input.
This happens no matter what we're using the wii for also (at the wii menu, playing a game, or streaming netflix).

Is this the same issue, or is there a setting I can change to prevent this from happening?
Thanks

I have had a Samsung 7000 series 3D plasma for two and a half weeks and I've had the blinking problem as well. It happens when using the Netflix app through my Samsung 6900 Blu-Ray player and while watching cable television through a Motorola cable box/dvr connected via HDMI.

I recently reset the Blu-Ray and that might have fixed the Netflix problem but I haven't watched long enough be certain.

The problem with cable tv persists. I have tried two different HDMI cables and two different HDMI ports but no change.

Samsung phone rep told me to make sure the firmware on the cable box is updated. My cable provider assures me that they push out updates automatically. With that said, I don't know why Samsung would be selling tv's that aren't compatable with boxes being used by a major cable provider in the first place.

I have a little more time to return the tv and I will be doing so unless Samsung can tell me why this is happening.

Kanata22,

The screen may go into eco power mode in this situation. Are you losing actual footage of the movie, or is it just dipping down between scenes? If it's the latter, it's designed to run a low power for the viewing screen, and then dim for black screens. But is it blinking during credits?

I know that's part of the ECO solutions for the LEDs. I'll have to check on the plasmas.

--HDTech

Online Brand Ambassador

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

See here for possible resolution...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1283084