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Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

us.community.samsung.com

291–300 of 580 posts

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#291
post #153

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Then we should strive to improve computer literacy. I think technological solutions should still ultimately empower their users.

I can only assume you’ve never worked in desktop support if you think that is something the general populace is remotely interested in. Smartphones are a step in the right direction for the tech illiterate and uninterested. There is zero reason to give lay users enough rope to hang themselves with despite that being the opposite of what I or most users of this site would like for ourselves.

I actually did work with customer support in my very first job :) We had a limited IT crew, so programmers on-site would often go to the users' office to help with software and hardware issues.

My anecdote is the opposed of yours: they were interested in knowing why something wasn't working, but only as long as you're willing to be patient, talk slowly, and explain any unknown concepts to them, if required.

Insulting them, or just telling them it's their fault something wasn't working would be a sure way to get a negative reaction instead.

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#292
post #136

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This doesn't get enough attention, waaaay too many of these issues are traced back to the vendor trying to "prevent" someone from using their product in a way that they don't like.

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.

While I agree with your broad statement, I have a TCL (with built-in Roku) TV that has a bug in the sound processing. Either it becomes very quiet, drops out completely, or comes in and out with a lot of stuttering. Happens irregularly, typically though not always weeks apart (though on no schedule I've identified), solved with a reboot of the TV (which of course can't just be done by turning it off and back on - you have to select "restart system" from the menus).

I owned it for at least six months before this occurred the first time.

In theory, I could do a USB update of the firmware and hope that fixes it. In practice, they want my serial number to let me download it. No thanks, I'll pass, even though it's never been connected to WiFi or Ethernet and never will be. I'll just reset it every once in a while.

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#294
post #136

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This doesn't get enough attention, waaaay too many of these issues are traced back to the vendor trying to "prevent" someone from using their product in a way that they don't like.

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.

To install an AI update you didn't ask for, do not need and cannot turn off?

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#295
post #235

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> "A failsafe firmware reset back to factory state" A failsafe firmware reset back to a safe and secure state yes. The factory state is not necessarily that, so no. I think devices should keep a last known good state firmware but keeping a full factory state immutable firmware would be irresponsible for many usecases.

What hardware reset typically does, in my experience, is to reinstall the last firmware you installed. Many don't even have the space to keep some original and/or safe image in addition. I'm working on one device where we delete much of the existing system to make space for even downloading a new firmware image. It's wild.

iirc for computers doesn't gigabyte have some kind of patent on dual bios design (active vs backup bios chips). I'm sure there are other ways to implement it but I think thats true.

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#296
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…

I have a laptop, steamdeck, Nintendo Switch and chromecast all connected to an LG TV and all the ouput switching and remote pass-through works as expected. Maybe just a lucky combination ?

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#297
post #68

I made the mistake of connecting my bose noise cancelling earbuds to the phone app so I could disable autoplay. They updated without any warning and now they won't charge properly and the noise cancelling sucks. It used to be amazing. Never connect anything and never take updates unless you need a specific fix.

FYI: The Bose app also phones home with your media metadata by default. There's an option to disable it tucked away on the same screen as the Privacy Policy.

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#298
post #209

I hate smart TVs. Why put all the functionality in one device when a small part of it is going to become obsolete real soon while the TV part will continue to work for a decade or more. I buy dumb TVs and a separate "smart" component like Roku that can be replaced as easily as a shoelace.

My strategy is to buy cheapest TV on the market (which is usually an ad loaded Crapware like hisense) and then never ever connect it to the internet but use HDMI to plug into a dedicated computer.

Basically all I need in a TV apart from the display is an HDMi. It works amazing, been using like this over 10 years now.

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#299

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I hate this idea that software "rots" all by itself when it's just left on a device and is impossible to keep working. I would at the very, very least expect my device to work exactly as it did on day one, for the next 50 years, assuming I don't change the software. It's bits on a flash drive! It doesn't rot, outside some freak cosmic ray from space flipping a bit. If you're saying the software stops working because…

Certificates expire.

Google learning this the hard way with the recent chromecast outage[0]

[0]: https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Streaming/Regarding-a...

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#300
post #56
post #23

Similar to Crowdstrike failed auto update incident. What was the need for the global instance 0->1 rollout of the firmware over the air ??????????????? could they perhaps test it on a small subset? perhaps on Samsung CEO's home system, not the customers'?

he uses apple may be... previous used https://appleinsider.com/articles/12/12/13/samsungs-chief-st... new one uses, but just does not tell it. apply display is good with apple tv. and ceo dislikes automatically installed free to play tv apps and ads. as samsung does.

https://www.reddit.com/r/assholedesign/comments/co5aw4/unrem... 2500 usd samsung tv with unremovable ads.

and here unwanted apps installed randomly

https://www.reddit.com/r/privacy/comments/ztuv0l/samsung_sma...

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