TOSLink Issues

Support
1

New TV, in the New House. A beautiful Samsung The Frame Pro. I am having issues with the TOSLink connection. Every little bit, the sound will mute for several seconds. Very annoying.

First I got a better TOSLink cable. I chose a real glass fiber cable, and had just enough improvement to notice it, but pretty much still there.

I did some research, and learned of a lot of complaints citing fairly poor TOSLink implementation, over many years, in the Samsung TVs.

I, for one, thought that the ancient TOSLink SPDIF technology was trivial to implement at this point in time.

I bought a $25 HDMI->TOSLink converter, which totally corrected the sound issues. This proved that the cable is sufficient. Sound was good, with no gaps. However, there is too much delay introduced, making the system still unpalatable.

There was some discussion about “PLL” modes, and that changing that on the DAC side could clean up the poor signal.

Has anyone dealt with this issues, on any TOSLInk source? And if so, is there a solution.

I would also like to know if there is a TOSLink guru at MSB that might know of a solution.

Thanks. I am not ready to try and return a wall mounted 65 inch TV over this. I can try support. Just not sure replacing the box (this unit has a separate box to connect to the TV, which has minimal actual ports (power, mini HDMI and USB only)

2

Toslink has always been a format geared for the lowest possible cost. It is trivial to implement, but all the components are very low quality regardless of price. It’s difficult to say what your exact problem is but if you get any sound at all then it is probably not the toslink receiver which is essentially just a tiny solar panel. It tends to either work or not work at all. The TV electronics, transmitter module or cable could all be equal possibilities for problems. Some potential problems are wrong transmitter brightness, malformed s/pdif packets, poor light transmission due to malformed cable ends, poor light focus or simply too much jitter to support a stable link. (AV equipment often has unbelievable jitter because it prioritizes video and the audio is an afterthought). The cable is the easiest to try but may make no difference if the problem is elsewhere.

3

I’m pretty sure it’s the Samsung implementation. The 3 toslink cables I tested work perfectly with the MSB toslink receiver, using 2 other sources. I was hoping some else had seen/solved this issue for Samsung. Or if there was any other settings of the receiver that could be tried.

Thanks for the help

4

If the sound is acceptable with the HDMI to Toslink converter you can try the video mode button centered just above the volume control wheel. It reduces the audio processing delay. It is often solves the problem without affecting the sound. Be sure to get out of video mode for critical listening.

5

Thanks for the advice. I have the TOSLink (and perforce the RCA SPDIF) set to video mode automatically with the new firmware options. I have also adjusted the delay within the Samsung menus. Neither were able to get anything close to synchronizing the audio to the video.

This week, I will be contacting Samsung support, and hopefully get a replacement for the “One Connect”, and maybe get functional SPDIF output.

If not, I will need to return the whole thing, and go back to a Sony TV, which has always worked well for me in the past. It’s a pity though, the Samsung The Frame Pro is a beautiful unit, and has the brightness, and glare resistance that is needed in my room.

So first choice is to get it functional for my needs. One of my needs is to be able to watch TV with my headphones. The Samsung TV does not even have any audio out connectors. Much as I prefer using the DAC, audio out to the Pre-Amp would be enough.

1 Like
6

Keep us posted, good luck!

7

Went through a session of Best Buy tech support, and now waiting on service call with Samsung. Probably will need to replace the One Connect box.

8

Samsung tech here, and was able to get him to appreciate the issue. Long session with Samsung Tech Support. He replaced the One Connect board (has the SPDIF mounted on it). The new board had exactly the same issue.

I demonstrated to him how the same cable, and my DVD player worked fine, without drop outs. It was escalated up the Samsung Support chain.

Currently, the service company was directed to swap out the boards that connects the One Connect box to the TV (custom WiFi boards). Those need to be ordered, and not sure of availability at this point. I don’t have a clue what is wrong at this point. I can still listen to the TV speakers, so it’s functional at least. I also hooked up the BluRay player with the Coax SPDIF, so movies at least I can watch with the good sound system. The One Connect Box does not have coax, nor any form of analog output.

Another issue we found is that the “nice” glass TOSLink cable I purchased does not actually fit into the socket well. I will be replacing that one. We tried the system, out of the box, with the cable clicking in well (obstruction by the case is the issue, with the port being recessed just a bit much) Looking into cables atm. Im finding several details about a TOSLink plug. The actual male part is pretty standard, but the are varying amounts of impinging material right adjacent to this part. Some have a short, round, section 1-2 mm right next to it, which would allow entry into boxes with slight recessment of the female plug. Some don’t, and have large barrel sleeves to help make the cable handle and look better. My “nice” cable does not have the short section, and a large barrel, which is blocking full seating of the plug.

To be continued…

9

The Saga continues! Curious to hear how you like that TV overall as well. I find the form factor to be quite attractive and may be a product I end up using.

10

I really like this one, so far, assuming the TOSLink issue can be resolved. In the past, I have stuck with Sony TVs, having bought a set for the previous house a decade ago.

For this new house, I did get a Sony OLED TV for the “den” where we watch shows together. It’s a dark room, with limited windows. This TV works great with a Sony receiver, and the in wall speakers. I added a wireless subwoofer to make it a 5.1 system to watch streaming shows and movies. It also has a Sonos Port attached, to allow the wife to play her music in there as desired.
I was limited to 55 inches for this TV due to the in wall speakers. I would have preferred 65 for this room, specifically as it is just about a theater room.

For my room, there are too many windows, and a lot of light, behind the listening spot. The new “The Frame Pro” has the brighter QLED pixels, and an anti-glare surface, that works remarkably well. Other versions of “The Frame” have inferior LED panels, and were usually recommended against for regular TV/Move watching. The Pro has a much more recent QLED panel. I guess it’s not the “the best”, but it costs 2K vs the 3-4K cost of the top of the line ones. I have no real need, or use case. for paying for 8K.

Having used the “smart” functions of the TVs has me liking the Samsung Tizen version of the Google OS. The OS’s are, of course, fairly similar being both Google based. The Sony upscaling is supposedly better, says the reviews. I also have an Oppo Blu-ray player in this system, and due to the TOSLink issue, I hooked it up to the Premier DAC with Coax, and the sound is divine.

I am still exploring the “cordless” thing, and just have 1G fiber internet. I am finding that it encouraged “thoughtful” video watching, over just flipping channels to something out of boredom. I have a set of Apple TVs from the previous house, but found them to be superfluous with functional smart TVs.

Currently, I just put up with the gaps during casual viewing. Waiting to hear back from the local Samsung support group on them returning when the get a few parts in.

We are baby sitting the neighbors 2 boys in a few days. I hope to introduce them to the Speed Racer series that I have on DVD. :smiling_face_with_sunglasses:

1 Like
11

Newest update. I got a text yesterday from Samsung report offering a nearly $1800 Samsung store credit for my TV (I paid $2400 with taxes a month ago)

I asked a few questions back about whether repair of my TV was still a possibility, and why they offered so little store credit. I would normally expect a replacement device, when the new TV has a non repairable defect from the date of sale.

Today I was notified that the repair action on my TV was not going forward. (I think there is probably not repair parts available to continue trying to figure out what is wrong, the TV is too new)

I sent my Best Buy receipt pics, and asked if this was a universal problem with these TVs, or if mine was an isolated device issue. I would want to know before getting another TV.

Still awaiting answers, and to choose a resolution. My final recommendation on this device is still a question. Looks and image are great. The HDMI eARC works fine for input to an AV receiver. The Samsung service, here in Seattle, is wonderful.

12

Yikes, that is worrisome support for defective product especially if they do not intend to fix it.

Yes, this seems ideal for the living area but not perhaps the best viewing experience. Seems like a good fit for your application.

Sounds like a grand time, enjoy!

13

Final resolution is fair. I am getting Samsung Store credit for the full price I paid, and a check for the tax.

Good - they are admitting they can’t fix the defect ( or even know what the issue is) and making the finances whole to me.

But - I have Samsung Store credit only, and can only use the coupon once. This pretty much ensures I either get the same TV, move up the line, or lose $ buying a lesser one. Same TV, spend another 1k, or lose 1k.

If you like this TV, I would wait. I’m sure they will fix the problem, but I would not jump on the TV until then.

14

Sounds like a positive way to look at the situation and hopefully what comes next is a better solution. Thanks for the updates.