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Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

us.community.samsung.com

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Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#191

Post by ethan_smith »

the_snooze wrote: post #188
ethan_smith wrote: post #171

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I completely agree with both points and would add a third: design for offline use first (maybe treat every OTA update as - this might be the final version this device ever receives). Products should work perfectly fine without an internet connection, heck that's how they worked until 5-7 years ago. Core features should never depend on cloud services, and updates should be opt-in, not forced. Offline first approach re…

But you see, the problem with offline use is the manufacturer can't claw back value in the future. How will you keep shareholders happy if you can't arbitrarily push ads, hobble existing functionality, or impose a new subscription service?

Exactly - that's the flaw in trying to extract infinite growth from finite products. We've turned durable goods into rental services without consent, all to please quarterly earnings reports.

The tragedy is that "respecting customer ownership" is now seen as leaving money on the table rather than building lasting brand loyalty through quality.

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#192

Post by 0x457 »

basch wrote: post #140
koolba wrote: post #136

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why else would a soundbar need updates anyway? It either performs its well defined functions when you bought it or they sold you a device that doesn’t input/output sound. Updates for these types of things always fall into three categories. Either they’re gimping some unanticipated usage, they’re trying to insert ads, or they’re trying to gather more usage data.

Maybe a new codec? New streaming app support? New wireless protocol? CEC bugfix?

Yes, all of those are in the realm of possibilities, but has it ever been the norm?

In my experience, products like this are only get updates when the company finds a way to extract more money:

- add more ads

- add more ads that pretend not to be ads

- to remove functionality, so it won't cannibalize sales of more expensive product

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#193

Post by hbn »

napolux wrote: post #59
eYrKEC2 wrote: post #39

My Samsung TV got more and more unusable with every update. Over the years, saved apps, like Youtube, started to disappear every time it woke up. Then it would default to their Samsung TV app, rather than your last app. Samsung TV app happened to be on the Baywatch channel every time my young children started the stupid thing. Finally, after it took 2 minutes to load the youtube app, I factory-reset the device, disco…

I have a similar experience with my high-end Samsung TV from 2013. The TV itself still works perfectly so I'm not replacing it soon (still 1080p, not 4K, but...), but over time, Samsung has steadily removed key features with each update. When I first bought it, it supported Skype video calls (and now the integrated webcam can't be used at all), IPTV streaming, and various third-party apps — all of which are now gone.…

Well I'm not sure what use you'd have out of Skype integration when Skype itself is being axed in a couple of months

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#194

Post by hadlock »

eYrKEC2 wrote: post #39

My Samsung TV got more and more unusable with every update. Over the years, saved apps, like Youtube, started to disappear every time it woke up. Then it would default to their Samsung TV app, rather than your last app. Samsung TV app happened to be on the Baywatch channel every time my young children started the stupid thing. Finally, after it took 2 minutes to load the youtube app, I factory-reset the device, disco…

We bought a samsung tv in 2016 and it slowly became unusable by mid-2020. Fortunately it got dropped by the movers and we were able to justify buying a new TV (LG). The LG UI/UX is awful though, I wish we'd bought a sony. LG TVs don't have a way to simply select "HDMI1/2/3/4" you're stuck using it's "smart" detection system, which can only be reset by physically unplugging the HDMI cables from the back of the TV, which is never easy to get to. Apparently the solution is to buy Sony and just pay the extra price.

I have a "smart" Samsung TV in my home office but it's never been plugged into the network and has a chromecast and various networked devices plugged in to it as a "dumb tv", that has been working out great, the TV still turns on/off easily and is as fast as the day I bought it (makes sense, it's still running the factory firmware).

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#195

Post by 0x457 »

basch wrote: post #134
EvanAnderson wrote: post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> A failsafe firmware reset back to factory state. This doesn't work if your threat model includes denying rollbacks to prevent exploiting bugs in old firmware. I'd love to be able to roll-back firmware on some of my devices to allow me to "jailbreak" them using old firmware. In some cases your newer firmware may be blowing e-fuses that prevent old firmware from functioning. See the Nintendo Switch, for an example. T…

Blow the fuse after its confirmed working. Or always allow a one version rollback. Im not a fan of firmware lockdowns but I understand other people may value security over moddability.

At very least, it should be two partitions: previous firmware and current firmware.

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#196

Post by AceJohnny2 »

mikepurvis wrote: post #152
koolba wrote: post #136

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why else would a soundbar need updates anyway? It either performs its well defined functions when you bought it or they sold you a device that doesn’t input/output sound. Updates for these types of things always fall into three categories. Either they’re gimping some unanticipated usage, they’re trying to insert ads, or they’re trying to gather more usage data.

Sibling mentioned CEC fixes— this one is huge. CEC is lovely in concept but I ended up having to disable it completely across my setup as there was just way too many bits of weird behaviour with devices turning themselves on and then switching the TV or AVR to their input apropos of nothing. I feel like CEC tried way too hard to be magical instead of exposing enough control for the user to be able to block certain co…

Absolutely this.

The frustration when I turn on the Steam Deck and the Apple TV goes

"Look at me. Look at me! I'm the output now"

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#197

Post by baxuz »

I got a good deal for an S90C + Q990C combo. It was 50% off off their regular price which was already quite a bit cheaper than the comparable LG/Sony counterparts.

After 1 year, I am 100% sure that I will never again buy a Samsung product, no matter how cheap it is.

Just look at the first sticky here: https://www.avsforum.com/threads/2023-samsung-4k-s95c-s90c-s...

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#198

Post by genewitch »

I have been boycotting samsung since ~2014; because of my experience with two, brand new, ~$1000 samsung devices, neither a phone. Their customer service blew me off, because both devices had intermittent issues. I tell people to avoid the company and its products.

both devices were malfunctioning within the first month.

1) 4k60 32" monitor, the power button always flaked and it would randomly shut off, thus necessitating unplugging and plugging it back in, 2-3 times a day. customer service: "unplug all monitor cables and plug just power in. what is on the screen? oh, then it's fine. have a nice day!"

2) Refrigerator. Intermittent fan issues were the reason i called. i ended up having to replace, for cause, the heating elements in the refrigerator side as well as the fans due to ice damage to the impellers; then the ice machine started leaking inside the freezer door somewhere, and that leak would freeze on the bottom of the freezer and push the door open, letting water just drip on my floor for hours, nearly damaging the subfloor. I also had to replace the motherboard. So now i have a water-less, ice-less refrigerator.

i could go on about how their SD cards are quite fast but don't last long if you have them in outdoor devices (like dashcams, trail cams, security cameras) - the only raspberry pi i've ever had to throw away had a samsung SD card in it that overheated to the point of contact burns - i went to unplug it to reboot it and received a welt from the SD card for my troubles.

I'm just one person, but read enough anecdotes and you can ignore them all!

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#199

Post by KeplerBoy »

napolux wrote: post #59
eYrKEC2 wrote: post #39

My Samsung TV got more and more unusable with every update. Over the years, saved apps, like Youtube, started to disappear every time it woke up. Then it would default to their Samsung TV app, rather than your last app. Samsung TV app happened to be on the Baywatch channel every time my young children started the stupid thing. Finally, after it took 2 minutes to load the youtube app, I factory-reset the device, disco…

I have a similar experience with my high-end Samsung TV from 2013. The TV itself still works perfectly so I'm not replacing it soon (still 1080p, not 4K, but...), but over time, Samsung has steadily removed key features with each update. When I first bought it, it supported Skype video calls (and now the integrated webcam can't be used at all), IPTV streaming, and various third-party apps — all of which are now gone.…

Still appreciating my 2011 high end Samsung TV. I believe it's the last non-smart product year. It could stream videos from a network share but that's about it.

Judging by current trends i will have to replace the attached chromecast before the TV breaks.

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#200

Post by mnau »

marcodiego wrote: post #22

Should be codified by law: - If a firmware can be updated, it must keep a minimum ROM feature so it can be recovered. - No device should be updated without the *owner* explicit intention to do so. - Full docs must be released if the vendor stops supporting it.

In EU, Cyber Resilience Act requires automatic updates, so the second point is moot.

Most owners want just plug and play, so it makes sense.

Even third point is pretty moot. We don't do that for hardware, why for software... A component is no longer manufactured? Tough luck, hopefully you stockpiled it.

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