Samsung UE40B7020 Mild Clouding

[MyWhatHiFi]

I recently took the plunge and purchased the Samsung 40". (UE40B7020 LED). So far, I am happy but I wanted to know if anyone had come across some mild clouding on this tv, and I hope that my knowledge of clouding is correct when I say mild ...

I'm also wondering if WhatHiFi spotted any of these signs as nothing was caught in the review. Its very slight in the corners and maybe just a patch at the very top - but only seems to appear in dark scenes and mainly on the 'letter' box areas of movies.

Can anyone help with this? Or is this in fact something this type of TV suffers.

Thanks

 

[ElectroMan]

There's at least one review online that mentions this (search for "UE40B7020 test" on Google and you should find it).

It's generally a 'trait' of LCDs, some more than others (trying searching for Sony and backlight on this forum for instance!).

 

[Andy Clough]

We didn't notice any particular backlighting issues on the Samsung, but did on the Sony KDL-40W5500.

 

[ElectroMan]

It's virtually unnoticeable on my 40W4500, not good to hear that the new version you tested has it pretty bad!

 

[MyWhatHiFi]

Hi Andy,
Thanks for responding. May I ask, and sorry if this is caught on a different post - but at what stage do you class clouding on a TV? =
Standard TV viewing - or on DvD/BluRay viewing? I tend to notice clouding when LCD (or in this case LED) the picture is in a totally black mode/view? I'm trying to understand what is generally classed as bad clouding. It seems mostly that people spot it on only some occasions during viewing. In other words, is this something I can/should complain about? I wish I hadn't of read about it as I may not have even looked for it prior!
Hope this make sense.

 

[MyWhatHiFi]

Electroman - Hmm, yeah spotted that. Oddly its almsot described it as I see it. frustrating. It doesnt evect normal viewing whatsoever, and maybe a general purchaser of this TV may not spot it.

 

[Anonymous]

hi just read ur post and am a bit confused. So r u saying that u r seein the clouding when wathcing something with a dark seen like i am legend or is it only when in idle ( just on a totally black screen with no picture/details)

 

[MyWhatHiFi]

Hey - thanks. Yup, exactly that - and in fact THAT film. When there is a blank scene or black picture, the clouding in the corners is niticed, and a slight patch to the top middle.

Its also noticed in the black bars top/bottom of the 'letter box' of films. I've adjusted the settings which helps slightly but I am 50/50 wether to call Samsung and make inquiries. ie: Typical LCD issue or in fact a fault.

The picture itself isnt effected 100%. only on rare occations, for instance in I Am Legend the dark scenes the LCD cloud (or 'bright area) seems to be niticeable.

 

[Andy Clough]

We usually only see clouding when there's no picture on the screen, ie it's completely blank with no broadcast picture or DVD/Blu-ray playing, or in exceptionally dark scenes.

It's rare that the clouding will be visible once there's a picture displayed on the screen, but this did happen on the Sony KDL-40W5500 which is what surprised us.

 

[MyWhatHiFi]

Thanks, that helps.

 

[Clare Newsome]

Have you tweaked any settings on your Samsung? LCD TVs are typically supplied with their backlights set to stun - a quick tweak with THX Optimiser, or even just by eye for quick starter solution, can often work wonders.

 

[MyWhatHiFi]

Thanks Clare, the optimizer was my next step. I sat and amended the settings for a good hour and seem to have taken the sting out of the patchy backlight.

This TV larks becoming more involved than I thought! What with blogs, forums, settings, backlight, sounds, cables .....