VU+Solo2 Software Update

[John57]

Morning All

Just like to say that I performed a couch flash today from 4.2.005 / to 4.2.010, backed up my original image and then updated. The update from 4.2.010 well well with a small exception. I have a new Samsung KS9500 4KTV and when the update was completed the actual TV picture was placed inside a white boarder.....I then went into my TV settings and changed the aspect format from ON/to Auto this resulted in the picture filling out the screen completely. I then powered off the VU+ and rebooted, after rebooting I reverted the aspect ratio back from Auto to ON and all is well. I thought I it might be a positive step to share this info as I have read in a previous thread that someone was having issues with screen set up/overscan.

The overall picture quality from my VU+ on the Samsung is amazing, very happy with the overall performance of both products.

Regards
John

[DaMacFunkin]

Make sure your OSD settings are set correctly on the solo2.
in a/v settings choose 16:9 letterbox, 4:3 just scale
make sure you are outputting 1080i (your samsung will do a much better job of de-interlacing than the solo2), you can set either 50hz or multi for for refresh rates, should not matter.
You need to be choosing on the samsung 16:9 Standard and / or fit to screen. (different models in the range may only give you the fit to screen option).
Don't choose Auto for anything.

[John57]

DaMacFunkin

Thank you for your prompt response I will check all the settings just as you have suggested and report back once completed but I really appreciate you taking the time to give me a few heads up.

Kind Regards
John

[John57]

DaMacFunkin

All done and it looks good, can I ask what function Automation resolution has as mine is set to disabled?

Regards
John

[DaMacFunkin]

Do you mean automatic resolution on the solo2?
If you enable it, it will give you the option to have your solo2 scale some picture sizes or send them to the TV to let it do the scaling, it is a good idea if you think that the SD channels are being output from the solo2 look too soft or too sharp, the down side being it can take an age for the resolution on your tv to keep changing as you browse from one resolution of a channel to another.
IMO the solo2 is fine scaling the SD channels.

[John57]

DaMacFunkin

Yes I did mean the resolution from the Solo 2, but in truth I am happy with the overall quality of the SD channels as the TV does do a decent job of upscaling.
I looked long and hard at a very good 4k TV, my preference was the Panasonic DX902 but when I found out that the firefox system was no longer going to be supported via Panasonic it left me thinking what will happen in the future with software updates. Looked at the LG (that Andy is always recommending) but for the money (in Germany) I opted for the Samsung KS9590 65" model, managed to get a good deal on this set for 2900 euros.

DaMacFunkin, thanks for your valued input.....looking to get a 4k UHD player now, top of my list will be the Oppo UDP 203(new 4k model)

Kind Regards
John

[Stanman]

DaMacFunkin

Yes I did mean the resolution from the Solo 2, but in truth I am happy with the overall quality of the SD channels as the TV does do a decent job of upscaling.
I looked long and hard at a very good 4k TV, my preference was the Panasonic DX902 but when I found out that the firefox system was no longer going to be supported via Panasonic it left me thinking what will happen in the future with software updates. Looked at the LG (that Andy is always recommending) but for the money (in Germany) I opted for the Samsung KS9590 65" model, managed to get a good deal on this set for 2900 euros.

DaMacFunkin, thanks for your valued input.....looking to get a 4k UHD player now, top of my list will be the Oppo UDP 203(new 4k model)

Kind Regards
John
Should have gone for the DX, better telly imho. TV OS is never future proof as they want to sell next year's model.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[DaMacFunkin]

The KS95000 has won so many awards it is stuffed with the best tech, people get very snobby about these things but by using their own proprietary technology instead of off the shelf dsp chips Samsung manage to give you more bang for the buck, it's also a reason why they always manage to continually increase performance with upgrades that improve rather than fix, I don't doubt that the support and performance of their mid to low level TVs can be a bit ropey but their top 3 models every year will match or outperform their rivals every year.
I have always bought Panasonic TVs and they are very good TVs, I own a VT50 which is considered one of the greatest 1080p TVs ever made, I love it, but my first Samsung TV was their top model and the features they have added and tweaks they continue to make 2 years later are amazing, I can't fault them and I would certainly consider buying a top end Samsung again.
Mate I'm dead jealous of your KS9500 it is a stellar tv any every review of it will say the same, when they upgrade the HDR10 in it to Dynamic HDR for free all your mates will be dead jealous too.
Ps I'm also waiting for the Oppo, I bought the cheaper Samsung in the meantime and so long as you hide it in a cupboard it is a very good deck for the money.

[John57]

Stanman, I agree with you that the panasonic DX902 is a great 4k tv and it was on top of my list for such a long time but my real concern was down to the operating system which Panasonic has said they will no longer be supporting (Firefox) which left me worried as to what future updates and support one might get.

I looked at all options available and the Sony ZD9 was also a consideration but for me the it was hard to spend that much on a TV considering what I paid for the Samsung. As I researched more and more an unlikely model started to gain my attention namely the Samsung KS9590 (German model - KS9500 UK variant) and two weeks ago I purchased it.

DaMacFunkin has correctly written about all the good and positive reviews and awards that this model has attained and I looked long and hard for a new 4KTV that was to replace my beloved Pioneer Kuro 500A which gave up the ghost early this year which served me well for six years. I have had the Samsung now for about two weeks and I am still tweaking with the settings but overall I am really pleased with the results and will be fixing it to the wall after about four weeks of use. I have it set up so that I have HDR+ on while watching HD content as was recommended via a detailed and comprehensive German YTube video.

After spending a few hours today/tonight watching TV and I have started to notice (subjective) that the overall picture from my VU+Solo 2 is maybe not as good as it was before upgrading to 4.2.010 (from 4.2.05) but its only very minor.

The new Oppo should be out soon and for the estimated price that is touted over the internet it seems to be the most sensible choice for a 4K UHD Blue Ray compared to the Panasonic and Samsung alternative......again all very subjective as the Oppo has as of yet to be fully tested in a real environment.

Regards
John