Samsug DLP: maybe problem, maybe not...
 

I have had a Sumsung 50" DLP for a couple of years now (a HLR5067W, if
memory serves). Often, it appears as though there is a 9" wide
vertical "bar of dimness" (my wife's name for it) that runs down the
left side of the screen. The picture is simply not as bright in that
vertical band.

Sometimes it is more noticable than others. It could be from ambient
lighting around the TV, but I'm not convinced. I think it is still
visible when the lights are off and we're watching a movie (I haven't
really begun the process of elimination yet). It appears regardless of
input source also (360, DVD, or cable). Obviously, when the cable is
being broadcast in 4:3 this problem hardly impacts the show, but in
16:9 its a different story.

Does anybody have any experience with this occurence?

TIA.

Samsug DLP: maybe problem, maybe not...
 

On Fri, 18 Jan 2008 08:55:56 -0800 (PST), kastnna
wrote:

I have had a Sumsung 50" DLP for a couple of years now (a HLR5067W, if
memory serves). Often, it appears as though there is a 9" wide
vertical "bar of dimness" (my wife's name for it) that runs down the
left side of the screen. The picture is simply not as bright in that
vertical band.

Sometimes it is more noticable than others. It could be from ambient
lighting around the TV, but I'm not convinced. I think it is still
visible when the lights are off and we're watching a movie (I haven't
really begun the process of elimination yet). It appears regardless of
input source also (360, DVD, or cable). Obviously, when the cable is
being broadcast in 4:3 this problem hardly impacts the show, but in
16:9 its a different story.

Does anybody have any experience with this occurence?

TIA.

I had a similar problem with my Samsung HLS5687WX. My dim bar was on
the right side of the screen (as seen standing and looking at the
screen, my right side). Since I had bought an extended warranty (the
set was 1 year old at the time) I called it in for "repair". The
technician immediately knew what was wrong when I described it, and
scheduled a repair. He came out an changed out a huge module, it
included the lamp, lamp housing, and lots of other components, nearly
the entire inside of the set! He explained taht the problem was not
the lamp, but some mirror that had become unglued. It seemed to be a
major repair, and he told me that Samsung had authorized it as under
warranty even tho the set was just over a year old, and out of
warranty.

If your set is a year out of warranty, I don't know that they woulde
do it for free.... if not, you're looking at major costs, probably
about $500 for the parts. so definintely try to get it as a
warranty/defect repair. (that is, if it's the same problem mine had).

--
Charlie Hoffpauir
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~charlieh/

Samsug DLP: maybe problem, maybe not...
 

On Jan 18, 11:42*am, Charlie Hoffpauir wrote:
On Fri, 18 Jan 2008 08:55:56 -0800 (PST), kastnna





wrote:
I have had a Sumsung 50" DLP for a couple of years now (a HLR5067W, if
memory serves). Often, it appears as though there is a 9" wide
vertical "bar of dimness" (my wife's name for it) that runs down the
left side of the screen. The picture is simply not as bright in that
vertical band.

Sometimes it is more noticable than others. It could be from ambient
lighting around the TV, but I'm not convinced. I think it is still
visible when the lights are off and we're watching a movie (I haven't
really begun the process of elimination yet). It appears regardless of
input source also (360, DVD, or cable). Obviously, when the cable is
being broadcast in 4:3 this problem hardly impacts the show, but in
16:9 its a different story.

Does anybody have any experience with this occurence?

TIA.

I had a similar problem with my Samsung HLS5687WX. My dim bar was on
the right side of the screen (as seen standing and looking at the
screen, my right side). Since I had bought an extended warranty (the
set was 1 year old at the time) I called it in for "repair". The
technician immediately knew what was wrong when I described it, and
scheduled a repair. He came out an changed out a huge module, it
included the lamp, lamp housing, and lots of other components, nearly
the entire inside of the set! He explained taht the problem was not
the lamp, but some mirror that had become unglued. It seemed to be a
major repair, and he told me that Samsung had authorized it as under
warranty even tho the set was just over a year old, and out of
warranty.

If your set is a year out of warranty, I don't know that they woulde
do it for free.... if not, you're looking at major costs, probably
about $500 for the parts. so definintely try to get it as a
warranty/defect repair. (that is, if it's the same problem mine had).


Thanks for the help Charlie. This sounds to be the same (or at least a
similar) problem.

My wife doesn't even notice it and it doesn't bother me that much
either. It remins me of the glare old CRT's sometime got (but not as
bad). I'll check into the warranty. These days, I'll buy a new TV
before I spend $500 on parts.

Thanks again.

Samsug DLP: maybe problem, maybe not...
 

Just a little more info for anyone else that encounters this problem:

After more research, the problem is almost assuredly caused by a
faulty light tunnel. Apparently, the mirrors in the light tunnel are
not very well secured and tend to slip (likely due to the high heat of
the nearby bulb). When one of them slips into the light stream they
cast a shadow (shadow is a much better word than "bar of dimness", by
the by).

It can cost $500 for a repairman to do it, but $70 bucks if you've got
the nerve and knowledge to replace it yourself.

I love my Sammy (also got an LCD), but this is definitely a strike
against them. The AVS forums are rampant with this exact problem.

Samsug DLP: maybe problem, maybe not...
 

On Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:28:26 -0800 (PST), kastnna
wrote:

Just a little more info for anyone else that encounters this problem:

After more research, the problem is almost assuredly caused by a
faulty light tunnel. Apparently, the mirrors in the light tunnel are
not very well secured and tend to slip (likely due to the high heat of
the nearby bulb). When one of them slips into the light stream they
cast a shadow (shadow is a much better word than "bar of dimness", by
the by).

It can cost $500 for a repairman to do it, but $70 bucks if you've got
the nerve and knowledge to replace it yourself.

I love my Sammy (also got an LCD), but this is definitely a strike
against them. The AVS forums are rampant with this exact problem.

Your description actually sounds a LOT more like what the service
tech told me. I think my next set (for the bedroom) will be an LCD
model. But I am glad I bought a 5 year service contract with this big
baby.

--
Charlie Hoffpauir
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~charlieh/

Samsug DLP: maybe problem, maybe not...
 

Lots of techs will replace the complete light engine if the customer has
extended service policy, otherwise it involves disassembly of the light
tunnel section of the light engine. Not rocket science but a bit delicate.
Involves relocating the light tunnel assembly and resecuring it. Highly
suggest getting service literature and a copy of the service bulletins
before attempting this procedure.
Cheers"" The Shadow knows ""
"Charlie Hoffpauir" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:28:26 -0800 (PST), kastnna
wrote:

Just a little more info for anyone else that encounters this problem:

After more research, the problem is almost assuredly caused by a
faulty light tunnel. Apparently, the mirrors in the light tunnel are
not very well secured and tend to slip (likely due to the high heat of
the nearby bulb). When one of them slips into the light stream they
cast a shadow (shadow is a much better word than "bar of dimness", by
the by).

It can cost $500 for a repairman to do it, but $70 bucks if you've got
the nerve and knowledge to replace it yourself.

I love my Sammy (also got an LCD), but this is definitely a strike
against them. The AVS forums are rampant with this exact problem.

Your description actually sounds a LOT more like what the service
tech told me. I think my next set (for the bedroom) will be an LCD
model. But I am glad I bought a 5 year service contract with this big
baby.

--
Charlie Hoffpauir
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~charlieh/

Samsug DLP: maybe problem, maybe not...
 

On Jan 18, 4:22*pm, "AJ" wrote:
Lots of techs will replace the complete light engine if the customer has
extended service policy, otherwise it involves disassembly of the light
tunnel section of the light engine. Not rocket science but a bit delicate.
Involves relocating the light tunnel assembly and resecuring it. Highly
suggest getting service literature and a copy of the service bulletins
before attempting this procedure.

Thanks AJ. I have read that most techs now recommend not replacing the
whole LE, just the tunnel, as replacing the LE opens up the
possibility for trouble in other components AND it will negate any
professional calibration done. I'm guessing the skill level and/or
laziness of the repair tech has something to do with it.

I don't plan on doing anything for the time being, as I'm not
convinced that is my problem. Looking at the pictures posted around
the web, my set is far less severe than average (for now). I do have
illustrated instructions if the time ever comes however.

Thanks for the heads up!