Re: HDTV buying advice thread
Got the LA40C630 delivered around 30mins back. It has SQ01 panel.
Thank you Gannu bhai, for your inputs regarding demo and fresh item, which I queried him PM way.
Here are a few things I remember which I went through before the scanning of channels on local cable starts.
I had only local cable plugged in, and switched on the power.
1. Asks for Language "English" will be default shown on screen. Few more Indian languages are also there.
2. Asks the region. "Asia/Europe" will be default. Other regions like America, Africa etc will be there.
3. Asks whether TV will be used for "Demo Use" or "Home Use"
4. Perhaps, after this scanning of cable channels starts. IIRC, either while scanning happening in background or after the channel appears, it asks to set Current Date time which can be skipped. Also few more items appear such as how to use component setup, which can be skipped.
Overall these things will appear in the Initial Setup phase, before you can watch the TV. Hence, maybe this can be used to judge whether the LCD, is a Demo piece or a Fresh one.
I may have jumbled up the numbering above, hence it may not be the proper sequence.
Update: All the above steps are in the Manual provided in the Initial Setup section. Got to know after reading couple of pages today morning. Hence, please keep the manual with you, when you are setting the TV.
Another risky way:
One can also put the LCD in Standby mode and press Info-Menu-Mute-Power on the remote subsequently within 3 secs, which brings up the Service Mode, and one can check the "Panel On Time (Hour)" which displays the time LCD has been switched on in hours. I would rather caution to control your itching fingers to press any other button on remote, which may screw up the setup. To exit press "Power" once again. This is just to check the LCD running time.
PS: I have not tried the risky way, hence it may or may not work. Please do search the interwebz for further information.
Here is a link which gives some info to reach the Service Menu -
http://www.riddledtv.com/forums/samsung-tv-service-menu-codes-plasma-lcd-crt-rptv-t291.html
I hope the above information is useful.