Tuner Audio issue with the Samsung DVD-R120

[Mark F]

I am having a problem with the Samsung DVD-R120 regarding the MTS stereo tuner. It does not put out stereo audio if the station's audio also has a SAP signal. On MTS stations without a SAP subchannel (typically cable channels), the stereo is fine. However, on stations that do have a SAP subchannel, the main audio channel that should be in stereo is in mono. I have verified the lack of stereo separation by comparing it with a VCR's tuner output.

Here are the tuner sound indications I see on this unit (text displayed after the channel number):
-none for a mono, non-MTS station
-"Stereo" for a MTS station not sending a SAP subchannel (these are cable-only channels on my system)
-"Main" for the main MTS channel, which should be in stereo if the program source is in stereo
-"SAP" for the mono SAP subchannel, this is selected by pushing the Audio button on the remote

Has anyone else with this model experienced this? Should I be seeing "Stereo" instead of, or in addition to, "Main"?

I exchanged the unit for another and it also has the same problem, but the serial numbers were only different by 25, so they are probably from the same lot.

I also attempted to update the firmware from here:
http://www.samsung.com/download/Model_Select.aspx?type=DVD+Player&typecode=3&subtype=D...e=FM&language=

When I attempted the firmware update, it rejected three different CDs I tried (burned on two different burners) with a message of "this disk cannot be played" and ejected the CD. I followed the instructions at the above site. Is there anything special you need to do to update the firmware, or does the US model block this ability (along with Divx and VCD playback)? I notice the US support site only has manuals and no firmware for this model.

[Mark F]

I exchanged the unit for another, this one had a mfg date of 10/05 vs 8/05 on the earlier models. Unfortunately, no change, no stereo separation on the main audio channel from stations that broadcast a SAP channel. Stations broadcasting in stereo without a SAP channel have great separation. I called Samsung tech support and they said I should get a stereo signal when "Main" is displayed, and they said they were not aware of anyone else having this problem, which I have seen on all three units I have tried.

Can someone with a Samsung DVD-R120 verify that they can or can not hear stereo separation on a channel that displays "Main" after the channel number?

[iafzal]

I just got a Samsung R120 and have just made one copy of my old VHS video. Went easy and smooth, checked the DVD on Nero and it was all gree. I am newbie so you will have to tell me to what exactly you want dme to verify as I am not familiar with what you mention. Btw, I have Dish not cable.

[iafzal]

I forgot production date on my DVDR is Sep 2005

[Mark F]

The problem I had was no stereo separation out of the tuner on the main audio of broadcast channels when a SAP signal is present.
A way to test for this:
1. Connect the unit's audio output to a receiver
2. Listen to the unit via the receiver using headphones
3. Tune the unit to a broadcast station with a MTS signal ("Main" will appear after the on-screen channel number)
4. Listen for differences between the left and right channels. You may have to try a couple of stations to find one where the source is not mono. A good source for stereo programming is a network station.
5. If you hear no separation between the left and right channels on all of the stations where "Main" is displayed, you have duplicated my problem.

Note that stations that display "Stereo" after the channel display will have good left and right separation. These stations do not have a SAP subchannel.

I tried two units made in August 2005 and one made in October 2005. All had this problem.

[Mark F]

Sorry, I just noticed you said you had Dish, not cable. My problem is with the tuner on the DVD-R120, which you will bypass if you are using the line inputs.