Samsung magnetic field problem

He everyone, I need some trouble shooting help with my new HDTV.

So, we got it from Best Buy. Open box, looked at the picture there at the store and everything was fine. They gave me a remote and we paid and took it home.

It didn't have a box, so we put it in the bed of our truck, and drove home.

Put it in the same place our last TV was (20inch SD tv) and powered it on. instantly noticed the familiar hue shift in the corners of the TV, from magnetic interference.

We let it go a few days, they tried to figure it out.

We removed anything electrical from around the TV, including the Sub, speakers on the wall, Yamaha AV receiver, VCR, DVD player... XBOX... everything.

Still had color shift on the top left and right. (I'm feeding it a RED background from a long component cable so we can tell the color shift easily.)

I put it on the ground a few feet from the TV stand (stand is 3ft high) and the problem was still there...even worse. When I move it around on the floor, it changes intensity.

Now, I could return it, and ask for a refund / replacement. But i'm afraid the same problem would happen with any CRT HDTV.

I was hoping that unplugging it would force a degauss, and help or fix it. but no help. The service meny didn't have anything either.

Any ideas?

It's a Samsung TX-P3071WH

Have you tried different cables? Flourescent lighting? ceiling fan?

Sounds like the set needs a powerful degausing. If it is under warrantee, you could try to get a serviceman to come to your location to do it. I'd try the tack that since it was an open box unit the store must have had it displayed or stored near a high magnetic source, like a subwoofer or an open frame speaker even. Truth is, you don't know where it was while at the store.

Also in order to rule out your area as a potential magnetic source, get a small compass and see if you can isolate the source of the magnet. If you don't find one then the tube is magnetized and needs degausing.

I have seen kitchen magnets find their way into the darndest places.

Thanks for the input.

I was hoping that I'd be able to degauss it myself, but maybe that's not an option.

there is a ceiling fan in the room, but it's about 5 feet away. I could try to move the TV outside and see if that helps. =)

If I can't find a way to degauss it mself, I'll call samsung and see if they will send someone.

I don't want to have to load it in the truck again.. argh.. heavy thing.

thanks again

If the ceiling fan is not running - it won't bother it. As usual - rbinck probably hit the nail on the head.

You used to be able to get a degausing coil at Radio Shack, but they dont sell them anymore. You could try a computer store for a bulk eraser, but not many of the carry those either. Sometimes a soldering gun (not an iron) can be used. Any coil of wire with an A/C current will act as a degauser. Also each time the set is turned on, it should degause. You should hear an audable hum for a short while.

I'll take a WAG and say there's a magnetic source under your floor, a transformer perhaps... but this CRT should be degaussing itself to eliminate the problem... I think it's degausser is broken... I'd return it...

Well, we called Best Buy, and a Service Tech came out within 2 hours. (just happen to be in the area)

He moved the TV all around the room, and the same problem was all around the room. I mean, the pattern changed as the TV moved. It was only better when it was in the hall.

He said there wasn't anything he could do, and it looked like we were on a nautral magnetic field.

*shrugs*

His only suggestions were either take it back and see if a new TV does the same thing, or adjust the room to where the TV looks best. But we can't really do that because of how our room is.

The fan is off, and flouresent lights in the basement are off too.
We removed everything from the room and still no love.

Now, our older, smaller SD 20inch TV didn't do this.

Is there some kind of sheilding I could buy for the sides of the TV? like.. Lead Leaf =)

bryan

You might try a different technology... LCD shouldn't be as sensitive to magnetic fields...

Ouch. We had to stretch to get this one.. and the LCDs are so much more for the same inch (30" Widescreen)

Maybe I'll... I'll... hmm.

*stares at screen*

You didn't say if the Service Tech degaussed it????

I wasn't there when he came by, but my wife said he didn't.

He said it was a "natural magnetic disturbance" and it was the 2nd time in 10 years that he had seen it happen.

My wife said he seemed intelligent... *shrugs*

Hey, what if I got some lead sheeting from McMaster Carr (dotcom) and put it on the sides of the TV?

I mean, if they can shield a surround sound speaker, I should be able to at least help it some right?

Anyone thing this will help/work?

bryan