Posted by
sunitas
15 yrs ago
Hi,
I just moved here with my 40 inch Samsung series 530 TV. Samsung support in US told me I just need a voltage converter, so I brought one along. The TV works (turns on) and when connected to my macbook, also works fine. But pccw came over to connect their HD decoder, and it didn't work. Says "Mode Not Supported". He said I need a signal converter (ntsc to pal), he also said local home theatre system WONT work with my TV, which really disturbs me because I was under the impression the DVD players only look at DVD region not signal differences. Even Fortress said I only need a voltage converter but I don't know how to take someone's word for it and drop 4000 on a hometheatre system that won't work!
Has anyone fixed a similar issue? It's an expensive and good TV and if Samsung had given the right advice I would have probably sold it. So far, their sales support has been utterly useless and don't return any calls.
Please help me. I live alone, and have had a hard time finding a hardware store.
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I must for once disagree with cara. It depends on your TV and I don't think that tech was completely up on the problem.
NTSC and PAL transmission formats are only really a problem on older "box" TVs since the resolution was built into the hardware. Newer LCDs and Plasmas have panels that can handle various resolutions so it's just a question of the electronics "inside". Thus most can handle both NTSC and PAL. Many DVDs and all BluRays use neither NTSC nor PAL but other HD resolutions.
Is this your TV? Samsung series 530 40"? http://www.samsung.com/hk_en/consumer/tv-av/televisions/lcd-tv/LA40B530P7MXZK/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail . I checked the user guide and it supports PAL, SECAM and NTSC. See here http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/200905/20090526131531375/BN68-01029F-00-0430.pdf on page 8.
For that matter, do you even need a voltage converter? Check where the power plug goes in. There will be an information sticker listing power requirements. If it says 100-240 volts, it is auto-sensing/switching and you are able plug it in here with either a plug adapter or a new power cable with a UK type plug. If it says 100-110 volts, you need a power converter since HK power is 220-240. (Just a disclaimer. Please don't blame me if you manage to blow your TV up.)
It would be helpful if you posted the exact model number. Should be on the info sticker next to the power stuff.
I have a thing to try about the PCCW box. Your TV presumably has both component (yellow plug) and composite (normally green, blue, red plugs) inputs. Both methods also use white and red for audio. So either you have a total of three plugs (1 video, two audio) or a total of five plugs (3 video, two audio). My PCCW box has component (three plugs total) but since the plugs look the same physically it is quite possible to plug component connectors into a composite input, which will give you an error or no picture. Long story short, check your connectors.
If you are using HDMI (small flattish connector) that uses neither PAL nor NTSC so it should be fine.
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Hi,
thanks for the detailed reply. The model number is LN40B530P7FXZA. Version CN01. I do need a voltage converter since its a 100-110V only supply, no issues in this regard as I've plugged it into a converter.. no fireworks yet ;-)
I used the HDMI input of the NowTV decoder and it said mode not supported. When the guy connected the component cables instead, there was a black and white image, but it was fuzzy and off-centre. So the question still remains as to whether American-made Samsungs support PAL or not. I wouldn't be surprised if they didnt but Samsung support in the US could have warned me (they basically told me that all I'd need is a voltage converter, idiots!!!)
Regardless, I am hoping that at the very least I can hook it up to a decent home theatre system (don't care about not having cable at the moment) but with stores here not having a return policy, there is no way for me to "try" this out.
Just spoke to Samsung tech support and they said they still cannot confirm if my TV supports PAL or not (yeap, they want me to call US support instead).
No luck so far...
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If anyone knows any specific electronics/hardware stores in HK please do let me know..I am shooting in the dark here.
If all else fails, I can offer to sell it to someone relocating to an NTSC region at a FABULOUS discount :-D
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Hiya. Thanks for checking the exact number. I have downloaded the manual from the US download center here. http://www.samsung.com/us/support/downloads/LN40B530P7FXZA .
I am flabbergasted that the specifications have no mention of NTSC or PAL at all!!! Coupled with the 100-110 volt only power supply, I would guess that this TV in fact does NOT support PAL. The fact that I only saw it on the Samsung Peru and US websites is also telling as both are NTSC countries. Way to cost-cut, Samsung...
Having worked in support myself I have no illusions as to the level of intelligence of the average support guy.
You should be able to hook up home theatre for BluRay at least, but at this point I wouldn't risk spending any more on that TV.
Interestingly there is a firmware upgrade available in the downloads (next to "Manuals" you can see firmware) with an update. Firmware is the "operating system" if you will. There is a very remote chance that the firmware update includes support for other TV formats, but I doubt it since that would be a pretty big change.
So sorry to hear about this. You did exactly the right thing by calling Samsung and yet. :(
My only suggestion is that for your next TV, you get a model that supports worldwide power (100-240) and all three TV formats (PAL, SECAM, NTSC). As mentioned before many, perhaps even most, modern panels do so.
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Thanks for the kind words axptguy!
I do intend to call Samsung and give them a ton of sh*t for screwing me over. Will also ask them if this firmware update is any good.
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190k
15 yrs ago
Try going through the TV setup menu or system menu there might be a way to manually change the format
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No issues Cara, Samsung just "apologized" for misinforming me the first time around...like I can take that to the bank! They said they can't do anything since both my unit and I are now in Hong Kong...what is that supposed to mean? Anyway, it sucks big time that they screwed me over, I could have just sold it in NY, had they told me then what they tell me now.
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You could try putting it up for sale on this site. Lots of families move back to America. Then again a new 40" is less than 10k nowadays so you wouldn't get a lot for it.
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I intend to.. I dont want much for it :)
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You could always use it as a secondary TV and plug in a NTSC game console or DVD player.
Or even better, you could feed it a signal from a computer (laptop or second hand desktop would do the job) throught the DVI, HDMI or VGA input, and watch DVDs, Digital media, TV through the internet via sites like Veetle, etc... You wouldn't even need TV channels (Now TV is overpriced and the airwave channels are mostly in Chinese).
You can even connect a good sound system to the computer and get yourself a good HiFi multimedia setup...
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unclefrank, agreed, it seems to do a kickass job of being a 40inch secondary monitor for my macbook...in terms of sound system though, I do need to splurge on a multisystem (NTSC/PAL) compatible hifi..which is more expensive.
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Well, if the audio feed comes from the computer, then you'd hook the hifi to the computer, not the TV. Or am I missing something?
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Ack! You're right..that's what I used to do. Silly me. :)
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Regardless if anyone who reads this knows someone relocating to an NTSC country, please let them know that I am offering my TV up for sale. 4000 hkd. Appreciate all your help, it's my first time using a forum and it's nice to see how promptly everyone responded. :-)
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