Samsung updates A950 series of LED-based LCDs
Update Dec 10, 2008: After a subsequent conversation Samsung's representative did provide a bit more information.
"The newer A950 sets feature a slight enhancement to black level performance which improves the already excellent picture quality of the A950. That said, most of the Samsung A950 sets sold in the market now feature this upgrade. Customers who have already purchased an A950 set can find out if their TV is the enhanced version or not by calling 1-800-SAMSUNG (1-800-726-7864). If customers would like to upgrade their A950 TV, a software upgrade will be provided free of charge in the form of a USB stick. This software upgrade, available within 30 days of request, will enable performance similar to that of upgraded A950 TVs."
Unfortunately, we have not been able to get more information out of Samsung on this issue, and the company still has not provided a clear way to distinguish between products that have the update and those that don't. The best advice we can give for A950 owners concerned about the problem is to contact Samsung and try to get a resolution, and comment here about your experiences.
--David
Samsung has updated the A950 series, the company's flagship line of LED-based LCD HDTVs, by introducing changes that affect picture quality. In accordance, we have updated our review of the 46-inch LN46A950.
Samsung's LN46A950 looks the same on the outside, but received a minor performance related update recently.
While the change will have a minor impact on picture quality, it probably irks current A950 owners to find out that they don't have the most up-to-date version of the television. Here's the relevant section from the review's updated performance section, describing the differences we saw:
To assess the picture quality impact of the changes, we compared our original LN46A950 review sample side-by-side to a new one, and will use the new one in all comparisons involving the A950 going forward. The differences we saw concerned black levels primarily. The company has raised the black level in very dark scenes--those with a very low "average picture level." In those scenes the new model showed improved shadow detail and eliminated some of the worst blooming effects we mention below, while the older model reproduced darker overall black levels--its LEDs appeared to dim more aggressively, while the new ones stayed more illuminated. We didn't notice any differences between the two Samsungs in the vast majority of scenes however, which have higher average picture levels. As a result, we're not modifying the rating for this review.
According to Samsung, all A950 series sets sent to market after September 20, 2008, will feature the upgrade. Of course that means A950 series TVs sent to market before that date, whether still on store shelves or comfortably at home with their new owners, won't have the update.
This is hardly the first time we're aware of Samsung updating one of its HDTV models in the middle of the product's lifespan--see also the LN-T4671F, the LN-T4681F and the PN50A650. Previous updates also involved minor picture-quality improvements that, frankly, were often inspired by findings published in CNET reviews. The changes were usually addressed by downloadable firmware updates, which is an imperfect method compared to online updates, but at least it's something.
Unfortunately, there's no way for owners of current A950s to easily get the upgrade or perform it themselves. According to a contact at Samsung, one could perform a service-menu-level change that would approximate the update, but ideally new hardware, specifically the new "local dimming" board, is required. Intrepid owners who contact Samsung customer support (1-800-SAMSUNG) and persuade the representative that they need the upgrade (hint: claim the set is "defective" and mention a "loss of extreme shadow detail") might be able to get the company to send a tech out with a new board. But that's an even more imperfect method, in our opinion.
Bottom line: Samsung should offer the update, free of charge, to current A950 owners without having to hack into a service menu or navigate the customer service labyrinth.
David Katzmaier reviews HDTVs for CNET. E-mail David.
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Thank you.
I took delivery of my LN55A950 on 10/16/08, the day the cnet blog about the update was posted. I called Samsung and spoke with the technical people who informed me at first that there had been no update to the 950 series. When I quoted cnet's blog I was then told there was an update but that there was no way to determine from outside the unit, including the serial number, version etc, whether the unit was an updated model. All they could tell from the serial number was that it was manufactured some time in September, but not if it was after September 20th. They then gave me the name of a tech group in my area who they said could look inside the unit to see the if updated dimming board was there----at my expense.
Since the unit was brand new and I had purchased the full service package with the TV I called Best Buy/Magnolia and explained to them what Samsung had told me. They agreed to have the Geek squad come out to check out the unit for the new dimming board. Two weeks later the tech arrived but didn't know in advance why he was there. I explained the problem once again and he called Samsung who told him there had been no update to the 950 series and therefore there was nothing to see. I mentioned the cnet article(the tech said he had never heard of cnet) and he asked me to print a copy of it for him, some of which he read over the phone. In the end he didn't look inside and left.
I did call Best Buy to let them know what had transpired at the tech visit whereupon they insisted it had to be an updated unit simply because they had sold it in October.
So this was as far as I got. Someone more persistent or enterprising will perhaps do better. I think it may take a bit of prodding from someone like cnet rather than individual consumers.
I would assume though if you call Samsung and can confirm from the serial number that your unit was manufactured in October or later you have the updated model. For those of us with models manufactured in September it is not so clear.
Good luck!
Thanks to David and all the editors of CNET for their insightful reviews and for keeping manufacturers honest. Your service is much appreciated by A/V enthusiasts everywhere.
And my thanks as well to CNET for looking out for the consumer.