Comments on: Samsung updates A950 series of LED-based LCDs

Samsung has updated the A950 series, the company's flagship line of LED-based LCD HDTVs, by introducing changes that affect picture quality.

[LN46A950]

I just took delivery of the LN46A950 on 11/23/08. I would like to know which version I received. I will keep checking this blog in hopes that someone will have an answer soon.

Thank you.

[streamwork]

Hopefully cnet will be able to get this information because I gave what I thought was a good effort and failed. Here is what happened to me.
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!

[rajz06]

Here is how you can get the exact build date of your Samsung. Go to the Samsung website and choose product registration. The following URL should take you to the registration page(http://www.samsung.com/us/mysamsung/product/myssMyProductRegist2.do). You will first need to fill in your personal details and create an account upon completion of which you will be able to register your Samsung product. As soon as you enter the full serial no. of the product, the exact manufacturing date is provided. My Samsung 950 that I purchased online last week has a build date of 09/30/08; if the information provided by CNET is indeed accurate, my TV should have the upgraded local dimming board. I hope this information was helpful.

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.

[streamwork]

Thanks rajz06. I just registered my Samsung and was also given a manufacturing date of 09/30/08. At this point unless anyone knows otherwise I'll assume that means that the update was incorporated into this unit. Odd that Samsung couldn't have told me this when I called them. In fact they told me there was no way to determine this from the serial number. It seems so straightforward.
And my thanks as well to CNET for looking out for the consumer.

[rajz06]

Streamwork, thanks for the update. I do find it a bit of an odd coincidence that both our TVs were manufactured on the same date. I'm now curious whether this date is supplied as a default for all September build products. Hopefully, the original poster or someone will chime in to clarify this.

[streamwork]

The best comment I got on this coincidence was "They must have been really busy that day."

[rajz06]

Well, I did a little more checking on Samsung's product registration site and here's what I found: The 9th digit in the serial no. represents the month of manufacture, "9" in the case of September. You can change this digit to indicate any other month, say "4" for April or "2" for February, but no matter how you play with the other digits, the build date is always the last date of the month! So I guess we may never find out the real build date of our 950s! Ignorance in this case would indeed have been bliss but that's a road I've yet to travel!

[streamwork]

So I guess we are back to looking inside the unit to see if the new dimming board is there. Now if Samsung could just tell the techs that service these units what the new board looks like or someone post a picture of the new board then we'd have half a chance of getting an answer. Of course Samsung would have to acknowledge the update in doing this and, more to the point, if you do have the 'old' unit then what?

[streamwork]

David---Thanks for the new information on the A950. As you suggested I did call Samsung, I explained the information you provided in your blog including the comment about an update via a USB stick and after they identified my unit I was put on hold. When they came back on line I was told that since this wasn't posted on Samsung's website as far as they were concerned it didn't exist. I was then strongly advised to ignore any reference to this issue that came from any website other than Samsung's. In short my inquiry was summarily dismissed. An embarrassing experience. It was like I was reporting a UFO.

[edlowjr]

I purchased a 46A950 on 12/15. I was having problems with my TV menus lagging, it seemed to be locking up. I googled the TV, found this article, and called Samsung. After fighting with a "level 1 tech", and being told "there are no updates to this TV, a "level 2" tech actually knew about the local dimming board issue. He did not know of any issues with the TV menu. He checked my serial number, verified my build date, and scheduled the repair. A tech came to my house today, and within 5 minutes had removed the old board, and put a new board in. Four screws, and 3 quick disconnects... painless. Menu lag appears to have disappeared, although it has only been an hour. I will keep you all updated.

[edlowjr]

Well, the menu lag problem has reappeared... it seems to only happen after the TV has been on for an hour or two. Overheating maybe...