The case for online HDTV firmware updateAnybody who owns a Sony PlayStation 3 knows all about software and firmware updates. Every month or two, Sony sends out an update notification telling users that it's time to head over to the update section of the menu and wait 10 minutes to an hour to download and install the latest features, bug fixes, and what-have-you.
 Should firmware and software updates be available to HDTVs via an Internet connection? The same goes for cable, satellite, IPTV, HD settop boxes which are updated so frequently that as reviewers, we find it impossible to keep up. We believe the new-generation HDTVs that connect to the Internet should also allow firmware updates. Should firmware and software updates be available to HDTVs via an Internet connection? Among HDTV makers, we suspect Samsung will be the first to offer an "update" service on its Internet-connected HDTVs. When we heard about models with Ethernet connections, such as the Series 7 announced at CES this year, our first question to the company's reps was whether that jack allowed firmware updates. We were frankly surprised when the answer came back "no." In the last couple of years, Samsung has issued numerous firmware updates for its HDTVs including the LA46F81BDX, but they've only been available via download from the company's Web site. To update your TV, you not only have to know about the existence of an update, but you then have to download it to a USB drive and install it on the TV yourself. Granted, the Samsung updates so far have fixed minor performance issues, typically 1080i deinterlacing, but I think most HDTV buyers would be interested in improving the performance of their sets regardless of how minor the update. Tags: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Firmware Update, HDTV, software update, software |
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