WARNING: Samsung consider the buzzing of the 64" E8000 to be "normal"

[Spunkywunky1]

Ok, I purchased the Samsung 64" E8000 on the 15/5/2012. I was initially overjoyed with it. But then, after a little while, I began to notice something. The TV had a buzzing noise. Not something that sounded like a weed-eater on a Sunday afternoon; but that low, irritating hiss/buzz that you hear in quiet moments in a movie. Or cricket/tennis/news; as I have discovered. Simply put, it makes my B&W MT30 set and Denon 1910 sound like there is interference running through the speakers. (note that this is from a viewing distance of 2.5-3.5m)

I then read up on the internet, and posted on a forum. Result - Samsung sets can buzz, but generally improve over time or you can only hear when up close. So, I gave it a chance with the "improving over time" thing. It did not improve.

So, not to bore you with more elaborate drama, herewith a synopsis of the events:

- Physically visit Audio Vision and inform them ( to be fair, on a very low key level - I say I will take it up with Craig (the salesman) on a serious note. They say it is likely unshielded HDMI cables...offer to sell me some HDMI cables....

- I phone Craig. Tell him I am not happy. But I love the TV in terms of picture; and regardless that the CPA (Consumer Protection Act) allows me to choose repair, refund or replacement; I just want a replacement. Although being very pleasant, he tries to tell me that it depends upon what "Samsung" says. I tell him I bought the TV from Audio Vision, not Samsung.

He also tries to tell me that the CPA is only valid for 7 days.

[Spunkywunky1]

Sorry, a continuation:

Craig realises I am right about the CPA (6 mths).

Since then (and ignoring many phone calls)

- Samsung agents (Let Me repair) come out to my place while I am at work. Phone me to say they cannot hear this buzzing I am talking about
- I say, "nooit!" and shoot off from work
- get home, and ask them why they thought they would hear it over my housemaid cleaning, and the people replacing a ceiling due to a burst ceiling.
- You right, I will come back, says Francois.
- Have to phone a week later - Samsung tell me their service agent says there was no audible noise.
- I let rip.
- "Let me repair" come back again {second time] - francois again and a new chap called Andre.
- Francois struggles to hear buzzing noise; Andre can hear it.
- they try and tell me it is "normal"
- I ask if they can hear it from 2.5 to 3 meters away. They agree. I ask them to submit in report. They say yes....
-get a phonecall from "Sylvester" from Samsung - to tell me the second report from "let-me-suck-samsung - i.e let me repair" is that the buzzing noise is "NORMAL. And no reference to the fact, as I has asked them, to state that the buzzing was audible from viewing distance.
- I go mental.
- *-/--
- Sylvester says we going to get different agents in (I say, the set buzzes - we all agree on this)
- New agents phone me; want to collect. I say give me a written guarantee that you will cover any damage.
- They say cool, let me get my manager to confirm (this is Wednesday).
- get a call from Sylvester (today) - he tells me I told his second service agents I refused to let them pick up the set....

[Spunkywunky1]

The point is - Samsung are trying to say that the buzzing noise is "normal". I say cool - if you had let me know before I spent R40000 on a TV that makes my sound system sound like it has static running through it's speakers.

I warned them fudgers. Sylvester/Sipewe (?) and Craig. What amazed me though was the reluctance of Sylvester to give me his number, and then when I asked to get his managers number (Sipiwe - I think). And when I asked Sipewe for his managers number he basically refused.

Samsung - your customer service sucks. It's not like I bought an entry level set. Then again, it does not matter.

Anyone here got the number of someone at Samsung who actually cares about customer service?

[FNfal]

Did these bright sparks explain WTF was supposed to be buzzing in a 40 grand TV

[Fudzy]

Have you tried the TV outside of your house?

[Fudzy]

Did these bright sparks explain WTF was supposed to be buzzing in a 40 grand TV

Have you tried contacting Samsung directly?

[Spunkywunky1]

Did these bright sparks explain WTF was supposed to be buzzing in a 40 grand TV

Yep - the technicians said that in a big TV the "capacitors" can buzz. So what said I. They also tried to tell me it would have been audible in my previous 50" Panny. Which I had had for 4 years. I said no. They said you must have - I asked if they were calling me a liar

I kept on asking to speak to a manager; I kept on telling them I was about to give them the worst possible advertising on internet forums; they kept on not giving me numbers or managers names.

[reactor_sa]

Of all my many sets, only the samsung DON'T buzz. The Philips, the LG all have buzz.

[Spunkywunky1]

Have you tried contacting Samsung directly?

Now thats the thing hey - point is, I bought it from Audio Vision. They have basically disclaimed all responsibility and I know fight with Samsung directly. Which is cool. I told them I am going to go ape-**** on every forum. This was just my first attempt

[FNfal]

Did these bright sparks explain WTF was supposed to be buzzing in a 40 grand TV

BTW i have 3 Samsung TVs and non buzz
Have you gone to any shops to see if their 64"s buzz ??

[Fudzy]

Now thats the thing hey - point is, I bought it from Audio Vision. They have basically disclaimed all responsibility and I know fight with Samsung directly. Which is cool. I told them I am going to go ape-**** on every forum. This was just my first attempt

I would let Samsung know their local reps are crap, it might even get the local guys to do something.

Have you tried plugging it in somewhere other than your house?

[Fudzy]

Yep - the technicians said that in a big TV the "capacitors" can buzz. So what said I. They also tried to tell me it would have been audible in my previous 50" Panny. Which I had had for 4 years. I said no. They said you must have - I asked if they were calling me a liar

I kept on asking to speak to a manager; I kept on telling them I was about to give them the worst possible advertising on internet forums; they kept on not giving me numbers or managers names.

Assuming it was plasma?

[Spunkywunky1]

Of all my many sets, only the samsung DON'T buzz. The Philips, the LG all have buzz.

Well, good for you. Are you paid by the hour?

BTW i have 3 Samsung TVs and non buzz
Have you gone to any shops to see if their 64"s buzz ??

Indeed - I have hunted high and low to find shops with my 64" E8000 on display, and then told everyone else to "shhhhhh" while we tried to hear what the Samsung agents called a "normal" buzzing...

I would let Samsung know their local reps are crap, it might even get the local guys to do something.

Have you tried plugging it in somewhere other than your house?

Report locals so locals will do something...might work...

But thanks for my new sig else where; "Have you tried plugging it in somewhere other than your house?"

Yeah man, I tried plugging my 64" up my butt first - it felt a bit loose; so I tried it up the butt of my African grey parrot. Didn't fit either. Go figure hey.

Assuming it was plasma?

[Fudzy]

Well, good for you. Are you paid by the hour?



Indeed - I have hunted high and low to find shops with my 64" E8000 on display, and then told everyone else to "shhhhhh" while we tried to hear what the Samsung agents called a "normal" buzzing...



Report locals so locals will do something...might work...

But thanks for my new sig else where; "Have you tried plugging it in somewhere other than your house?"

Yeah man, I tried plugging my 64" up my butt first - it felt a bit loose; so I tried it up the butt of my African grey parrot. Didn't fit either. Go figure hey.

Hey just trying to help, some electrical products components could suffer from resonance if the supply frequency is a bit off. Some items are more sensitive than others.

[Rickster]

Have You tried using Optical audio cables for the sound output, yes i know you use HDMI but the sound could be distorted from there.