Samsung forum: Unbelievable Samsung Still Has NO Variable Audio Output

Zmandfw,

Most people don't use headsets on large panels, which is what variable audio outputs are usually used for. Partly because the headphones would need very long cables to reach the back + the distance of sitting back quite a distance from a large screen, and partly because most people use an amplified receiver these days. Any audiophile worth his salt wouldn't recommend using variable audio with a receiver. Sending a "too amplified" signal could damage some receivers, or cause distortion.

But on one point, I agree with you - if this is a deciding factor to being happy (or not) with a TV, then consider all your options. We don't have variable control on our audio outs. That's not been a secret - as you correctly noted - for years. It's not "beyond comprehension", however, because there are logical reasons why variable isn't on a large screen TV, and I hope some of that was addressed here. Those are logical reasons the feature wouldn't be added.

Also, not all models of Sony have variable audio, and LG doesn't advertise it either way. I understand that this situation angers you somehow, and I'm sorry you're not happy. But before we encourage everyone to run and jump in the competitors' pools, let's make sure there's water before someone picks up a Sony KDL-32BX330 or a KDL-55BX520 thinking it has more than the same "fixed" audio feature. I looked on their site, and they advertise both of those sets as "fixed" audio options.

I'll be happy to escalate your post and opinions to the decision-makers, but it's not uncommon for that feature to be absent in today's televisions.

Though we may disagree, I hope perhaps this at least gives you some perspective from a different point of view.

Best,

--HDTech

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Picked up a OnkyoTX 8255 receiver to add external speakers to my Samsung HLN507 can't get any sound, can anyone help

Man, you are all wet.

Some of us like to control our TV with the cable remote - Thus, having one remote. Yep, I have smart remotes and learning remotes, HOWEVER, I want at least three remotes and the cable box remotes are easy to come by and replacement is free.

Setting up a cable remote for a TV is much easier than doing so for an amp even if it was possible. I want to set my amp's audio control AND FORGET IT. I also want to do the same for the cable box. Why, you might ask? Because I feed more than one TV from the cable box, that's why. So, varying the audio level from the cable box would affect all of the TVs.

So, yes, it does anger me that Samsung has made (and continues to stand by) the idiotic decision to not offer variable audio out. I mean, really, how much would that cost? A change to the TV's software?

What's more, it would allow Samsung to potentially sell to guys like me who PREFER Sony because the folks at Sony understand there is more than one way to set up a home entertainment system and want their TVs to be flexible enough to fit the needs of a broader market.

Maybe a financial incentive will wise up the bean counters at Samsung! But, I doubt it because I have been on this issue for YEARS - All the way back to when my Mits 26 incher went belly up. Sony was the only choice and, at $2 grand in 1999, it wasn't a cheap one. I'd like to buy a Samsung UN40EH6030 for $497 as a backup TV. But, the fixed audio out is a deal killer. So, I will have to ante up another $200 for the Sony.

You can believe what you want about headphones but I want variable audio out and have never used headphones with a large TV.

Again, how much would it cost Samsung to add variable audio out? And, if the answer is "not much", why the hell haven't they done it?

Being slightly deaf and despite using a very advanced pair of hearing aids, I find it very useful to use a headset occasionally.

It is facile to suggest that long leads are required for large screens because one can use a simple Bluetooth adapter to connect. There was no problem at all to do this on my old 'Non-Smart' Sony TV so why can I not do so on my band new Samsung 'Smart' TV (a Samsung UE40ES8000 model)? If I plug in a headset it completely cuts out the TV's built in speakers. How utterly stupid to actually design such an arrangement. .

Would connecting a sound bar facilitate the use of headphones?

I too find this very disappointing. I wouldn't have bought a Samsung if I knew this in advance.

Is there any meaningful way of letting Samsung know this feature is important to some?

Perhaps to file a Request for Enhancement?

I wonder if this is something that could be fixed in the firmware