Samsung has released a new Tizen operating system update for its QLED, OLED and Neo QLED TVs from last year. The update brings visual changes to the user interface and further modernizes it in areas that may have seemed a bit outdated. But apparently, it is causing audio problems for some users.
The new update upgrades the firmware of Samsung's 2023 QLED, OLED and Neo QLED TVs to version 1402.5. According to the official changelog, it brings the following changes:
- Optimization of notifications in power menu.
- Improved self-diagnosis.
- Improved stability and security of downloaded applications.
- Optimizing sound output with Adaptive Sound+.
- Network connection optimization.
- Voice control improvements in the YouTube app.
- Integration of the Knox service logo into the user interface.
- Improved SmartThings app integration and device registration.
- General color adjustments.
- Improved picture quality in game mode.
- Fixed a bug causing problems with audio playback through external speakers.
- Fixed source display bug when soundbar is connected via HDMI.
Two very welcome changes concern the Settings and All Settings menus. The Settings menu no longer extends to the bottom and side edges of the screen. It is now presented in a floating banner that is a bit transparent and makes it look much more modern.
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As for the All Settings menu, it has also gained some transparency and its corners are more rounded. In addition, the font has changed, the list of options on the left is wider and the icons look more modern. The change also applies to the Media screen. It now features an unusual rectangular banner between the Apps button and the first app shortcut in your Favorites list. This banner cannot be moved, deleted or edited. It only exists as a UI element that can be highlighted with the remote, but cannot be interacted with.
However, it seems that the new update does not bring only positive changes. Some users are on Reddit they complain that the update is causing them problems, both visual and audio. These are said to manifest themselves, for example, in random sound outages and other glitches.
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Apparently, these issues only affect users of Samsung soundbars. The TV's built-in speakers are supposed to work well when the Korean giant's soundbar is unplugged, and soundbars from other brands seem to work fine. So if you have a Samsung Neo QLED, QLED or OLED TV from last year paired with its soundbar, don't install the new update just to be safe.
I have an oled 2023 and a soundbar 2022 and after the update no problems.
I have a Samsung QE55QN85CAT TV and after the update and version 1402.5 I have a problem with sound drops through an external sound source (Onkyo) connected to the TV via optics.
The colors have also changed, especially the presentation of red.
I have an OLED S95C and a Q700C soundbar and after updating to 1402.5 I also had problems with sound dropouts. I changed the settings from HDMI-ARC to HDMI-eARC and the sound settings from Surround to Adaptive Sound and since then no dropouts. Hopefully it will last until the patch update.
So current info: a service technician from fy arrived this morning (for exactly one minute). SIRIUS Zlín (probably contract service, they make several brands) with a new digital board. I was surprised that this board is not in that black box, and directly in the display(!!!!). We took it off the wall, put it on the table and he used a plastic "spatula" to peel off about twenty "patents" that hold the whole back... to my surprise there are more rather complex plates. Snapping the board out and snapping the new one in including snapping in the back wall was a 5 minute job. Holt, a real pro! Then came tuning the TV because it behaved like a brand new TV. The first after connecting to the Internet (supported my theory that 5 GHz WiFi is better than cable) the first disabled the automatic upgrade sw. And here came a big surprise: the board had sw version 12xx and the upgrade only offered the possibility of the latest upgrade version 1310.3 !!! Version 1402 disappeared from the Samsung menu overnight!!!! In his opinion, it is thanks to the technical support of Samsung, who understood that something was wrong. Unfortunately, he confirmed that a downgrade is not possible, only replacing the board (immediate solution) or waiting for a corrected sw version. So we agreed that we will keep the manual option to upgrade and when a new one comes out and there are good user testimonials, it is worth upgrading…so it's up to you which way you choose. For me, satisfaction, it plays "how young"!