The case for online HDTV firmware updateThe flip side of firmware upgradeThe flip side of this argument is that HDTVs shouldn't need updating--they're fine as they are, and their only purpose is to display content, so why would they need updates? Our answer is that updates can seriously improve performance. A great example is the above-mentioned Samsung F8 which was its first attempt at 100Hz de-judder. A firmware update toned down this motion enhancement and the resultant haloing artifacts. It's true that such updates can't fix poor off-angle performance and etc, but they can evidently improve video processing at least.Another argument is that firmware updates allow manufacturers to rush imperfect products to market, knowing they can fix the problem later. With a little more quality assurance testing, for example, perhaps those issues wouldn't have occurred with the Samsung TVs mentioned above. But we notice performance issues all the time during HDTV reviews, and in the majority of cases they're not addressed at all. Offering a fix to a problem, even if it's relatively late, is better than ignoring it as far as I'm concerned. If done correctly, as with the PS3, firmware updates to HDTVs via the Internet can be painless, instill a sense of confidence, and ward off obsolescence. If you've ever appreciated the added functionality or performance after a PS3 or settop box update, you know what we mean. Tags: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Firmware Update, HDTV, software update, software
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