Author Topic: Samsung LA37CA550 (Read 4990 times)

akosiempoy · « **on:** Feb 06, 2011 at 05:12 PM »

Looking for co-users here to ask for tips and tricks.. Just got my LA37C550 at SNS last week. Actually, it was a last minute change in plan coz i was originally opting for LG37LD460.. the features that made me choose samsung is the DLNA capabilty and dts support on embedded media player which the ive read that LG doesn't have. the difference in price is not that much.

Research2Buy · « **Reply #1 on:** Feb 07, 2011 at 02:40 PM »

Got my Samsung LA37550 from SNS last week (Feb.3)
I used my old trusted CRT for 11-years and had Never watched any movie on a modern wide screen, until now.
Any advise you could give me on getting the picture as dark-black as possible, while keeping the picture bright and vivid enough...?
My first impression is that my old 29" Samsung CRT produced better picture-quality, LCD seems faded where it should be black or dark. $:-\$
As of this moment I am disapointed with the picture of this LCD compared to my old 29" CRT.

raider125jeigh · « **Reply #2 on:** Feb 07, 2011 at 02:54 PM »

Based sa mga tropa ko sa office na naka SAMSUNG LCD ayun ang feedback masyadong bright ung screen. I will ask them if they configure something to somehow lessen the brightness.

Have you tried na paglaruan ung settings sa contrast and brightness?

Carlo777 · « **Reply #3 on:** Feb 07, 2011 at 05:52 PM »

@Research2Buy

I'm not surprised! Same feeling when I bought my Samsung R8 and M8 a few years back to replace my Philips CRT TV.

Often times, a regular CRT TV will better an LCD in the area of Cable viewing and non upscaled standard DVD runs. The overly bright nature of some LCDs (actually most) will tend to showcase the imperfections of our local cable broadcast. For DVD, you'd need a player that can bump it's resolution to match native resolution of your LCD TV.

I remember after bringing home my 1st LCD, I was not too happy about them, for nearly the same reason you have. I'm also glad you're not one of those peeps who subscribe to the "brighter is better" concept.

In the meantime here is what you can do:

1)Choose a "cinema" setting or keep your contrast to just about half. (Avoid "Dynamic" or "Normal" picture settings)
2)Lessen the output of your backlight.
3)Don't watch your LCD in a dark room or in a room with low lights. This is LCD, they sparkle in a showroom environment. So try to keep as much light "ON" as possible.
4)Since you purchased your LCD from SnS have them calibrate your picture settings

Let us know...

On the flip side, LCD works like a charm with true high definition content.

jao143 · « **Reply #4 on:** Feb 07, 2011 at 06:11 PM »

mga sirs, my humble suggestion is avia home theater calibration dvd. It will make your tv and movie watchng worthwhile

raider125jeigh · « **Reply #5 on:** Feb 07, 2011 at 08:18 PM »

Quote from: jao143 on Feb 07, 2011 at 06:11 PM

mga sirs, my humble suggestion is avida home theater calibration dvd. It will make your tv and movie watchng worthwhile

sorry TS OT

better go with LG/samsung/panasonic HTIB... thanks

Research2Buy · « **Reply #6 on:** Feb 08, 2011 at 09:56 PM »

1) I use my television all night long in my bedroom, watching and using it as background/diversion, while working until falling a sleep.
2) With my old 29" CRT I would start with a bright screen at 5pm and be dimming the contrast, brightness & collor 3-4 times every night (reducing & finally closing all lights in my bedroom)
3) Given the fact that I use my television mostly at night, watching Television series like: all 600+ episodes of "star trek", Cosby show, Friends, etc. (HD is not that important to me)
=> DID I MAKE A MISTAKE BUYING THE Samsung LA37550 from SNS last week & Should I have bought a PLASMA instead..??

Carlo777 · « **Reply #7 on:** Feb 09, 2011 at 02:02 AM »

Quote from: Research2Buy on Feb 08, 2011 at 09:56 PM

1) I use my television all night long in my bedroom, watching and using it as background/diversion, while working until falling a sleep.
2) With my old 29" CRT I would start with a bright screen at 5pm and be dimming the contrast, brightness & collor 3-4 times every night (reducing & finally closing all lights in my bedroom)
3) Given the fact that I use my television mostly at night, watching Television series like: all 600+ episodes of "star trek", Cosby show, Friends, etc. (HD is not that important to me)
=> DID I MAKE A MISTAKE BUYING THE Samsung LA37550 from SNS last week & Should I have bought a PLASMA instead..??

If HD is not that important to you (Normally, with situations/needs like this, I'd suggest keeping the CRT), then a plasma would have been the better choice.

bryaxe · « **Reply #8 on:** Feb 11, 2011 at 05:36 AM »

I have a 40C530 LCD which I believe is mostly the same with the C550 models. Through AVForums I found a calibration settings that pretty works for me as it minimizes over brightness. Maybe you could use this also.
Let me know if this improves your PQ.

http://www.avforums.com/forums/12939306-post347.html

akosiempoy · « **Reply #9 on:** Feb 11, 2011 at 01:32 PM »

thanks for sharing bro..

Research2Buy · « **Reply #10 on:** Feb 12, 2011 at 12:01 AM »

Quote from: Carlo777 on Feb 09, 2011 at 02:02 AM

If HD is not that important to you (Normally, with situations/needs like this, I'd suggest keeping the CRT), then a plasma would have been the better choice.

Hi Carlo777,

1) Is the panasonic P42V20V essentially the same as the 42X20 with USB for movies from HDD & DNLA? (similar to the features on the samsung 37LA550)
2) Should I expect it to be significantly more power hungry than the 42X20 at the same light settings?

Carlo777 · « **Reply #11 on:** Feb 12, 2011 at 12:39 AM »

@Research2Buy

The Panasonic 42V20 is a FULL-HD plasma that is better (not way much though), than the X20 for native high definition devices like Blu-Ray, some media players and/or High definition video game consoles, very much like your Samsung 550. Except that the V20 performs well with Cable TV and regular DVD players (a given plasma strength).

However, since most of your projected or current usage seems to gear towards standard definition programs like Cable and regular DVD. The Panasonic X20 will be more than good enough to fill your needs, and with the extra push, if and when you decide to take a dip towards native high definition contents.

Do note, that the X20 is a very reflective TV, so it's best "watched" in a room with a controlled lighting environment. Tis best that you check the X20 for yourself just to see if it's "reflectivity" is something you can tolerate.

Never used a USB devise to watch movies from my Panasonic plasma units and my Samsung series 6, so I can't give out an intelligent comment there.

All the best.

iAMhitek · « **Reply #12 on:** Feb 12, 2011 at 09:14 AM »

Quote from: Research2Buy on Feb 12, 2011 at 12:01 AM

Hi Carlo777,

1) Is the panasonic P42V20V essentially the same as the 42X20 with USB for movies from HDD & DNLA? (similar to the features on the samsung 37LA550)
2) Should I expect it to be significantly more power hungry than the 42X20 at the same light settings?

in addition to Carlo's very informative post:

at the same setting, the 42V20V consumes more power than the 42x20V since the full HD panel of the 42v20v has more pixels (2 million vs. 1 million) as compared to the HD 42X20V.
I took the power (watts) readings for both units with exactly the same settings (DYNAMIC and NORMAL) and video material displayed:

DYNAMIC setting : 42V20V = 290 watts average
42X20V = 218 watts average

NORMAL setting : 42V20V = 200 watts average
42X20V = 180 watts average

zanctfiedwes · « **Reply #13 on:** Feb 17, 2011 at 06:39 AM »

Does anyone here experience problems when playing MP4 files for more than 2 hours? The movie just stops abruptly and returns to the Media Play menu. Even if you scan through the whole movie it still stops to that exact point. I've used HDD with external power, HDD 2.5 USB powered and flash drives with no luck. Even if I stream the same movie from my laptop it stops to that same point. This does not happen to other file extensions like AVI but only on MP4. Any suggestions guys?

iamtom · « **Reply #14 on:** Feb 17, 2011 at 10:18 AM »

Quote from: zanctfiedwes on Feb 17, 2011 at 06:39 AM

Does anyone here experience problems when playing MP4 files for more than 2 hours? The movie just stops abruptly and returns to the Media Play menu. Even if you scan through the whole movie it still stops to that exact point. I've used HDD with external power, HDD 2.5 USB powered and flash drives with no luck. Even if I stream the same movie from my laptop it stops to that same point. This does not happen to other file extensions like AVI but only on MP4. Any suggestions guys?

Maybe an isolated case of corrupted file. Have you tried other movies in MP4 format?

akosiempoy · « **Reply #15 on:** Feb 17, 2011 at 11:51 AM »

it is not an isolated case as i am experiencing the same, already played 2 MP4 files but they automatically stops at 2:03:18.. corrupted file is out of question, i finished watching it by hooking up a laptop. already emailed samsung regarding this but it seems they dont give a damn. they just reply with vague answers. kulang nalang sabihin, bahala ka sa problema mo eh.

meron ba matinong samsung service center dito.

@iamtom, what model of 5series do you own? no problem ba sa more than 2 hours of MP4 files?

TimSavvy · « **Reply #16 on:** Feb 18, 2011 at 09:33 PM »

Get an HD Media Player instead. XTreamer is highly recommended.
I guarantee that both sound and PQ will noticeably improve.

hth.

akosiempoy · « **Reply #17 on:** Feb 20, 2011 at 06:01 PM »

no thanks. i rather try fixing the issue instead.

i wouldn't buy a tv with a built-in media player if media tank was on my mind before.

zanctfiedwes · « **Reply #18 on:** Feb 21, 2011 at 03:56 PM »

Do we have any news of updates with the firmware to resolve the issues with 2 hours MP4 moview playback?

v1per1 · « **Reply #19 on:** Feb 28, 2011 at 09:23 AM »

@ akosiempoy. Sharing the settings as well for comparison. I have a Samsung LN40B530 but these settings work pretty well for me. I have been using them for almost a year already and have been very happy with them.

Link: http://reviews.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/lcdtvreviews/samsung-ln46b650-calibration.html

White Balance Settings
Red - Offset 28
Green - Offset 25
Blue - Offset 16
Red - Gain 17
Green - Gain 25
Blue - Gain 21
Picture Settings
Picture Mode: Movie
Color Temp: Warm 2
Brightness: 47
Contrast: 95
Color: 49
Tint: G49/R51
Sharpness: 0
Backlight: 7
Picture Settings
Black Tone: Off
Dynamic Contrast: Off
Gamma: -1
Flesh Tone: 0
Edge Enhancement: Off
Digital NR: Auto
HDMI Black Level: Low
Film Mode: Off
Auto Motion: Standard
Blue Only Mode: Off

Hope that this helps!

akosiempoy · « **Reply #20 on:** Feb 28, 2011 at 12:45 PM »

thanks for sharing bro. compare ko with the one posted in avforums.

Verbl Kint · « **Reply #21 on:** Mar 02, 2011 at 01:52 PM »

Maybe you can copy and paste what you see on avforums here.

akosiempoy · « **Reply #22 on:** Mar 03, 2011 at 09:35 AM »

just scroll upwards.. may link sa taas.

Research2Buy · « **Reply #23 on:** Mar 06, 2011 at 10:08 PM »

Quote from: Carlo777 on Feb 09, 2011 at 02:02 AM

If HD is not that important to you (Normally, with situations/needs like this, I'd suggest keeping the CRT), then a plasma would have been the better choice.

Thanks!
I am now very satisfied with the panasonic 42x20 plasma

(I exchanged my LA37CA550 at SnS, within 30-days)

Carlo777 · « **Reply #24 on:** Mar 06, 2011 at 10:25 PM »

Quote from: Research2Buy on Mar 06, 2011 at 10:08 PM

Thanks!
I am now very satisfied with the panasonic 42x20 plasma
(I exchanged my LA37CA550 at SnS, within 30-days)

Good for you buddy, now you shouldn't be posting around here you should be watching

akosiempoy · « **Reply #25 on:** Mar 22, 2011 at 09:44 AM »

just an update:

samsung service center already fixed the mp4 playback issue of my unit. seems that this issue comes along with the problem of being unable to update to a newer firmware. The fix was to change the board who controls those adapters. Now, no need to spend for a separate NMT.