Volume 7, Issue 10
Consumer Electronics Newsletter
October, 2012
Samsung Electronics America
Samsung Tech Talk Your source for service information
Inside this issue: Plasma TVs: TShooting the Y Buffer Board
Plasma TVs: T-Shooting the Y Buffer Board 1
Quick Tip: Handling 3 Broken Optical Connectors New Logic Board Sequences for the PNE490
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5 Testing Network Connectivity Using a Free Hotspot App Use This Free Wi-Fi Analyzer App
Tony Perkins Regional Technical Trainer Once they have determined that a Plasma TV shutdown problem is caused by a failed component on the Y-Main or Y-Buffer board, many technicians stop there and order both boards –at great expense—for the repair. This costly solution can be avoided, however, if you follow a few quick troubleshooting steps to confirm that the Y-Buffer board has actually failed. First, a little tip on buffer board construction: The number of scan (buffer) IC’s indicates the resolution of the panel. Since each scan IC has 90 output pins and each output pin corresponds to one horizontal scan line on the panel, the number of IC’s multiplied by 90 equals the horizontal resolution of the panel. Example: 8 scan IC’s equals 720 horizontal lines (8 x 90 lines = 720p Panel).
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Help! The Picture is 8 Upside Down! 2012 TV Option Byte Lists Now Available on GSPN
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Smart Hub App of 10 the Month: FIOS TV 2012 RTC TV Train- 12 ing NESDA—Ohio NPSC 14 2012 Conference
8 IC’s X 90 = 720p Panel
12 IC’s X 90 = 1080p Panel
Now back to the T-shooting: Located on the Y-buffer board are two test points (TP) labeled “Out_L” and “Out_H”. Depending on the panel, they may look different, but their operation is the same. Checking these test points will help you determine the condition of the board. Perform a “diode” test between the two test points, then reverse the meter leads and check again. In the forward
Volume 7, Issue 10
Consumer Electronics Newsletter
Samsung Tech Talk
Plasma TV: T-Shooting the Y Buffer Board continued (FWD) direction DMM should show a good voltage drop (.6 -.7Vdc). In the reverse direction (REV), it should show “infinite”. Next, check for a short between each TP and the chassis. If each checks good, then power the unit up and check for proper operating voltage: ~140 to 150Vdc (depends on the panel size). See the pictures below: Good Buffer Board
FWD
FWD
REV
Out_H to GND
Out_L to GND
REV
DCV
GOOD
Finally, if you discover a short or the operating voltage (Out_L to Out_H) is incorrect, remove the Y-Main and panel to isolate the buffer board and redo the “diode test” at the Out_L & Out_H test points. Caution: Do not power up the unit and allow VS voltage to the Y-Main while the Y- Buffer board is removed. You can damage the Y-Main.
Please Send Us Your Comments! Something you’d like to see in the Samsung Tech Talk Newsletter? If there a topic/issue we haven’t covered that you’d like us to write about, LET US KNOW! Please send your comments to:
[email protected]
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Volume 7, Issue 10
Consumer Electronics Newsletter
Samsung Tech Talk
Quick Tip: Handling Broken Optical Connectors Michael Vigliotti Assistant Manager, Product Support Some of the older optical connectors on Samsung’s Blu-ray and Home Theater main boards had an issue that caused the cover to come off when the optical cable was removed. Some service centers have been replacing the whole main board to resolve this issue. This is unnecessary. What you should do, whenever possible, is replace the optical connector only.
Symptom: The optical cable is easily broken when the optical cable is removed from the player. Cause: A mechanical design problem Solution: The design specifications for the optical connector have been changed. If the optical cable breaks, do not replace the main board. Instead, replace the old optical connector with the new version of the connector. The part number for the new version of the optical connector is 3707-001103. Before you install a new connector, make sure you have the improved version. Please refer to the illustrations below to see the difference.
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Volume 7, Issue 10
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Samsung Tech Talk
New Logic Board Sequences for the PNE490 Nicholas Webert Regional Technical Trainer
Samsung Plasma TV logic boards have a built-in blinking light that alerts you if the logic board is sensing a problem with one of the other boards. (X, Y, or logic buffers) In all Plasma TVs built before 2012, the light would blink once every second if operations were normal and change to a series of slow, long blinks if the logic board detected a failure. This process has been modified in the new 2012 PNE490 models. For normal operation and for driving voltage problems, the speed of the blinks has changed, and a new blink sequence has been added for logic board failures. The new and modified blink sequences are described in the illustrations below. Normal operation: LED blinks once per 0.5 seconds (instead of once every second as in the past models).
Driving Board Problem (DRV Reset): LED ON for 5 seconds → LED Off for 2 seconds.
Logic Board Problem: LED blinks once every 8 seconds.
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Volume 7, Issue 10
Consumer Electronics Newsletter
Samsung Tech Talk
Testing Network Connectivity Using a Free Hotspot App Juan Morales Regional Technical Trainer In last month’s issue, we explained that you could demonstrate that a Smart TV—which had connected to a customer’s router, but not the Internet—was capable of connecting to the Internet by using an Android smart phone as an Internet hotspot. We suggested using an app that only gave you 5 minutes of hot-spot activity per day. In this issue, we suggest another FREE app (from Foxfi) that you can download to your Android enabled phone that will give you unlimited hotspot activity with no rooting or tether plan required. Simply install it and turn it on. The app will let you connect the TV to the Internet and open up the web browser, demonstrating to the customer that the TV is in perfect working order, and letting you suggest that the connectivity issues are caused by the customer’s router settings or ISP (Internet Service Provider).
In the Google Play Store, download the FoxFi application.
FoxFi will use your data, but there are no extra monthly charges associated with its use.
Once you have downloaded the app, be sure NOT to activate a password. Operating without a password helps speed up the connection process.
After you have connected the TV to the phone hotspot, open up the web browser on the TV to demonstrate a successful Internet connection. Smart Phone Screen
TV Screen
Android Smart Phone
You can also scan this Quick Response (QR) Code to download the app to your phone.
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Volume 7, Issue 10
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Samsung Tech Talk
Use This Free Wi-Fi Analyzer App Chuck Russo Assistant Manager, Training Have you ever tried to convince a customer that the Wi-Fi Router on the second or third floor of their house does not have a strong enough signal to provide a good network connection for the Samsung TV on the first floor? Now, using a free app called Wifi Analyzer on your smart phone, convincing should be easy. Wifi Analyzer reveals Wi-Fi signal strength anywhere in a customer’s home with a visual meter and an accompanying Geiger counter type audio beep whose speed increases and decreases with the signal strength. It also provides other valuable screens that show adjacent channel interference and the best channel selections. You can download Wifi Analyzer from the Android Play Store. Using Wi-Fi Analyzer: A Step by Step Example 1. Identify the Wi-Fi network whose signal you want to test. 2. Push the center of the Meter screen. The Select screen appears.
3. Select the network whose signal strength you want to display. The Meter screen appears displaying the Signal Strength reading.
4. If you want, press Sound on the bottom right of the Meter screen to activate a Geiger counter type audio beep. The Beep increases in speed with an increase in Signal strength. Page 6
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Use This Free Wi-Fi Analyzer App continued Other Screens You Can View Available channels, used channels, and recommended better channels
Spectrum of selected and other Wi-Fi Signals showing competing and overlapping Signals.
Names of Wi-Fi Devices with signal strength
Signal Strength of selected and other Wi-Fi Signals
Use these valuable screens to help evaluate the customer’s Wi-Fi Signal and local Wi-Fi competition for band width. Information available includes:
Whether the customer’s Wi-Fi Router is operational
Whether the Wi-Fi Router is outputting a strong enough signal in the area of the TV
The necessary changes to the location or signal strength abilities of the Wi-Fi Router
An evaluation of competing Wi-Fi signals in the area
A list of better channels for optimum exclusivity
This and other similar free apps are available and can greatly assist in troubleshooting and repairs. Note: This article about Wi-Fi Analyzer is provided for your information only. Samsung does not recommend any specific apps and cannot guarantee their functionality and accuracy. Also, If WiFi Analyzer does not work for you, you can try using another free app, Portable WIFi Hotspot. It offers similar functions. Page 7
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Help! The Picture is Upside Down! Jorge Tavora Product Support Manager Scenario: You ordered the main board for an LED TV and GPCA sent you a sub-main board. After installing it, you notice the picture is upside down. DO NOT reorder the main board. First, make sure the OPTION BYTE settings are correct. If setting the Option Byte settings does not correct the problem, enter the service mode and adjust the HV FLIP settings (Toggle the setting on or off ). Entering Factory Mode To enter “Service Mode” press the remote control keys in this sequence: MUTE 1 8 2 Power On. Then, select Control Config Option HV Flip. See the illustrations below.
After you have changed the HV Flip setting, power cycle the TV (turn it off and then on) to lock in the setting.
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Volume 7, Issue 10
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Samsung Tech Talk
2012 TV Option Byte List Now Available on GSPN Scott Whitman Manager, Product Support The Option Byte lists for 2012 TVs are now available on GSPN. Search by Model number under Service Tip.
Whenever you replace a main board or panel, always refer to the Option Byte list to verify that the settings are correct. Option bytes mainly match the correct drive to the panel, but can also have effects based on feature functionality. Some of the settings, if not set correctly, may cause minor defects in the overall operation of a TV. These defects are often not immediately obvious and may be discovered by the customer days after the repair. To prevent a callback or “REDO”, it is imperative that you check these settings.
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Volume 7, Issue 10
Consumer Electronics Newsletter
Samsung Tech Talk
Smart Hub App of the Month: FIOS TV Paul Kim Assistant Manager, Product Support Samsung is the first to offer the Verizon FIOS TV app for Smart TV. This app provides a true Internet Provider TV (IPTV) experience – TV through your Internet connection - and does not require a set-top-box. Using the Verizon FIOS TV app, you can watch movies from FIOS On-Demand and 26 live TV channels from FIOS Live TV. To use the app, you must subscribe to both FIOS TV and FIOS Internet. Installation The Verizon FIOS TV application is now listed in the Samsung SmartHub App Store. Simply select the app and install it on your TV. Once it is installed successfully, you will see the Verizon FIOS app on the SmartHub main page as shown below:
Main Page To launch the app, your TV must be logged in to the Verizon FIOS Internet. There are two services available as shown below, On Demand and Live TV.
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Smart Hub App of the Month: FIOS TV continued On Demand The On Demand service requires a Verizon FIOS account login with Credit card information so that you can purchase and watch On-Demand movies
Live TV The Live TV service provides 26 live channels. Depending on your FIOS TV subscription, you may not get all channels.
The FIOS TV App is available on the following TV Models that have the latest firmware: 2012:
LED: ES6100/6150/6500/6550/6580/6600/6820/6900/7100/7500/7550/8000
PDP: E550, 6500, 7000, 8000
2011:
LED: D6000/6050/6300/6400/6450/6500/7000/7050/7900/8000
PDP: D8000
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Volume 7, Issue 10
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Samsung Tech Talk
2012 RTC TV Training Samsung Training 2012
For 2012, Samsung introduces a new way of training. To help you with your demanding schedule, updated training on new 2012 TV products will be one day long. To be eligible to attend the one day training session, techs must have attended and successfully completed 2011 TV product training in one of our training centers. Samsung will still hold 3 day Basic classes quarterly. These classes are intended for new techs who have never attended a Samsung training, or for techs who need extra help to improve their skills. Attend the in-depth, hands-on 1 day Update or 3 day Basic training at one of our RTCs! You can reserve your seat in training by emailing
[email protected]. You can always obtain the most up to date training list by sending an email to
[email protected]. Additionally, TV training is available on-demand 24/7 at https://my.plus1solutions.net/clientPortals/samsung/. Training Schedule:
Date
City
Comments
October 2 - 4, 2012
Bensenville, IL
FE 3 day Basic Training
October 4, 2012
Houston, TX
FE/ASC 1 day update training
October 18, 2012
Dallas, TX
FE/ASC 1 day update training
October 23 - 25, 2012
Little Ferry, NJ
FE 3 day Basic Training
October 30, 2012
Bensenville, IL
FE/ASC 1 day Update Training (Session 1)
October 31, 2012
Bensenville, IL
FE/ASC 1 day Update Training (Session 2)
November 1, 2012
Bensenville, IL
FE/ASC 1 day Update Training (Session 3)
November 2, 2012
Bensenville, IL
FE/ASC 1 day Update Training (Session 4)
November 27, 2012
Little Ferry, NJ
FE/ASC 1 day Update Training (Session 1)
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Volume 7, Issue 10
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Samsung Tech Talk
2012 RTC TV Training continued
Date
City
Comments
November 28, 2012
Little Ferry, NJ
FE/ASC 1 day Update Training (Session 2)
November 29, 2012
Little Ferry, NJ
FE/ASC 1 day Update Training (Session 3)
November 30, 2012
Little Ferry, NJ
FE/ASC 1 day Update Training (Session 4)
Samsung Electronics America 85 Challenger Road Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660 Phone: 201-229-4251
The information in this bulletin is published for experienced repair technicians only and is not intended for use by the public. It does not contain warnings to advise non-technical individuals of possible dangers in attempting to service a product. Only experienced professional technicians should repair products powered by electricity. Any attempt to service or repair the product or products dealt with in this information by anyone else could result in serious injury or death. Information provided in this bulletin is subject to change or update without notice.
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Volume 7, Issue 10
Consumer Electronics Newsletter
Samsung Tech Talk
NESDA—Ohio NPSC 2012 Conference Chuck Russo Assistant Manager, Training
Thirty nine techs and additional members of NESDA of Ohio’s Organization of Professional Electronics Service Centers attended this year’s NPSC 2012 held at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, in Hudson, Ohio on September 13, 2012. This year’s presentation, Samsung 2012 TV Training, included live demonstrations of the Interactive Smart TV Motion and Voice Control functions on both the E8000 Plasma and ES8000 LED TVs. Also discussed was new circuitry and troubleshooting for 2012 as well as Network, Bluetooth, 3D, and other important features. The group showed great interest in the detailed troubleshooting of LED Backlight operation and the demonstration of Samsung’s “Remote Management” application, which is used for controlling and testing the operation of Samsung TVs over the Internet. The Techs attending were from ASCs and Non-ASCs in both the surrounding and extended areas, with one attendee traveling in from a location in the Bahamas. Although the number of attendees was fewer than in previous years, the enthusiasm and dedication of those attending continued to be strong.
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