have translucent spot in center of my Samsung Rear Projection

[Hank355]

I just bought a Samsung 56" rear projection DLP, i got their top model (5689S). When I put it on its stand I noticed that in the center of the screen there was a spot that was slightly lighter than the rest of the screen. At first I thought it was a reflection, so I turned off lights, turned on different lights. Then when I sat down in front of it, as if i was going to view it, and I noticed that there is pretty much a vertical line that is just slightly, but noticeable, in the center of the screen running from top to bottom. Is this normal? Does anyone else get this on their TV?
FYI I just bought the set and haven't actually run a signal thru it yet being that they delivered it early and i am still wiring my surround sound processor. I plugged it in to see the white noise but it was hard to notice. Being that it is new i was just wondering if anyone else had this set or the similar issue with the set and if it was normal. I would appreciate an answer being that I am in full worry mode that I bought a defective tv (which I got from Crutchfield-they were the only ones that had it in stock). Thanx in advance!

 

[The Chukker]

I just bought a 6189S (same model as yours only slightly bigger) and mine had the same problem. I returned mine for a new unit within a few days of receiving the faulty unit and had a new one delivered the next week. The new unit did not have this issue; perhaps they are having quality control issues with the new LED technology. The guys at Magnolia A/V did not get a bulletin from the factory warning of this issue but it sure is troubling to hear that I was not the only one who ran into this problem. FYI, I had a slightly translucent "ghost image" in the upper right hand quadrant of the screen that never went away and was quite visible in dark scenes. Hopefully your retailer has the same no questions asked return policy as mine. Good luck.

 

[Hank355]

Thank you for the reply. Wish the news was better though.... I still haven't ran a signal thru it. But you think this is definitely a defect? And once the signal is run thru, and I am watching lets say a blu ray disc, will it be noticeable (I can't do this until i configure my system, and I just wanna know if I should just call Crutchfield myself right now to complain, or wait a couple of days until this thing is wired)? Cause I was thinking that maybe the light (my room light) was going thru the screen and on the inside of the TV some areas just happened to be darker than the center, maybe cause light is reflecting off of something in there that once the picture is turned on, it will go away and my screen will be perfect... I probably should call them right away, what do you think?

 

[The Chukker]

I would say without the benefit of seeing it that yes, it is definitely a defect; the screen should be completely dark without any noticeable artifacts. Is there any way you could take a picture and post it? Turn the flash off, lower the lights, set on a tripod (or timer) and set the shutter to remain open a bit.

 

[Hank355]

I called Crutchfield and they're going to send a new one out. But it comes from Cali (I'm in NYC) so I am looking at about a week wait. I am going to hook it up now. Will try to take a photo if I have time tonight, if not within the next couple of days. Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it.

 

[The Chukker]

No problem, hope everything works out for you; if I hear anything new about this particular model I'll PM you.

 

[Hank355]

ok, it is almost 5am NY time and I set it all up. Having trouble with my Denon components, but the TV looks great. Despite the fact that they are coming to swap it, I see no problem once the TV is turned on. I do have a question for you, though. I read in one of these forums, that the 89 series (5689, 6189 etc.) are great TVs but they are set up horribly. My picture looks good without doing anything to it (I just left all of the adjustments alone). But if I can enhance the picture by setting it up better, I would like to try, any suggestions?

 

[The Chukker]

I am going to use AVIA to calibrate my panel as soon as I am done getting my BD player issues worked out. As a side note, my panel was generating a fairly audible buzzing noise from its power supply so I am having my retailer swap it out for a new and hopefully quieter one. I would check your new panel for this issue when it gets there. This is my third Samsung panel and they have all had minor teething issues that needed ironing out before I was satisfied. Good luck and let me know how everything turns out.

 

[The Chukker]

Got an update from Magnolia A/V concerning the LED DLP models. There is an official bulletin out now regarding an internal part that causes these screen artifacts. Apparently the geniuses at Samsung decided to put in a silver/shiny gasket through which the projected image travels and if only slightly out of alignment will account for "ghost images" of differing sizes and shapes to be displayed on the new LED models. Apparently the manufacturer will replace the gasket with a flat black one that eliminates the problem. Hope this helps anyone with a similar issue.