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Never expected this to happen but Samsung have today released a long promised software update for the SMT-S7800.
There doesn’t appear to be any sign of an OTA download, so the only way to update your receiver is via USB install.
The updates in version V6.0.376 include:
- Resolved the issue with YouTube log-in.
- Resolved the issue with the number of media files listed.
- Improved the recordings.
Note 1: Some users may experience schedule conflicts when recording some regional programmes in series because of broadcast information. Samsung is working with Freesat to resolve this issue.
Note 2: This includes major fixes or improvements, compared with V5.0.300 or V5.0.301.
You can download the software update from the Samsung website here
If you have this particular model, please leave a comment below letting us know how you get on with the update, as we’ve long felt that this receiver could be the best of them all, apart from the dodgy software!
(many thanks to Eamonn for spotting this)
September 5th, 2012 at 10:16 am
Wow – I was not expecting this. Fingers crossed it works.
JonQuote
September 5th, 2012 at 10:32 am
I’ve updated and noticed a couple of things already. In the Library it now states how much % of your hard drive is free in the top right hand corner. Also when you press the guide the picture kind of zooms out from full screen to the smaller PIP in the top left hand corner, at least I think this is new. I don’t have my Samsung connected to a network so I cannot check the Youtube log in. The most important issue is recordings going missing (which could only be retrieved with a full reboot), however that tended to happen every month or so will have to see if that one is fixed.
JonQuote
September 5th, 2012 at 10:46 am
Were you able to do an ‘over the air’ update or only via USB?
EamonnQuote
September 5th, 2012 at 10:46 am
Any sign of ITV player or any extra interactive features?
CastleQuote
September 5th, 2012 at 10:52 am
Eamonn – I just went into the link and downloaded the firmware onto USB. Really easy and quick to update. 21mb
Castle – It’s not pluged into my network so don’t know if ITV player has been added. If it had though I expect they would have announced it in the release notes.
JonQuote
September 5th, 2012 at 11:00 am
Just noticed something else. Previously when pressing the settings button it was quite slow to move from one option to another and the little animation use to lag a fair bit. But now it zips along really quickly.
JonQuote
September 5th, 2012 at 11:01 am
Sorry I meant Menu button
JonQuote
September 5th, 2012 at 11:11 am
Can’t wait to try it when I get the chance. Hope the YouTube log-in really is fixed and that the sound lag when watching files from a USB stick is fixed. Only have had the library disappear once since Nov 2011. If all these are sorted then, in my view, this box is a cracker and you can pick it up for around £150 a the moment.
EamonnQuote
September 5th, 2012 at 11:14 am
Just noticed that my local Richer Sounds branch is advertising these boxes at £149.95. Might be a bargain if this software fix makes this box a reliable machine, but the fact that it’s not available over the air suggests that Samsung are being cautious.
I think I’ll stick with my Humax…
lawrence pearceQuote
September 5th, 2012 at 11:15 am
lip sync has been my bugbear since having the box 18 months ago… both on iPlayer and media Player (over network) – along with the occasional hanging when playing back, that corrupts any recordings taking place… my scheduled recordings sometimes disappear but come back after a reboot usually.
Very co-incidental them releasing this so soon after new freesat specs eh? Is something else going on or is that wishful thinking?!
CastleQuote
September 5th, 2012 at 12:30 pm
Looks good – as Jon says. But for some reason the ‘Pop’ kids channels are now appearing only in 4:3. All other channels fine and aspect ratio set to ‘auto’. Changing it to 16:9 makes no difference. The ‘PiP’ in the guide now also has a channel label. No ITV player. Will keep playing.
EamonnQuote
September 5th, 2012 at 12:54 pm
With regards to the Pop channels, they are only broadcast in 4:3 ratio so they are now correct. If you prefer them stretched can you use your tv aspect ratio?
JonQuote
September 5th, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Not that impressed. The changes are relatively minor. I liked the fact the box used anamorphic widescreen to automatically stretch 4:3 channels to 16:9 ratio (much like sky). Now it doesn’t and I cannot even adjust it via my tv remote. My daughter liked the pop channels in 16:9 so its a bit of a disappointment from that perspective. The unit I feel is still slow to respond via remote through the guide etc. I bought this for what I thought would be value for money for the price. It still hasn’t impressed me yet. Kind of wishing I kept my Technisat.
Lee SQuote
September 5th, 2012 at 5:09 pm
Having used the box for a fair bit today, I’m quite impressed. It seems far more responsive than it previously was, even though it was previously loads quicker than the Humax HDR anyway. But if the old bugs appear this counts for nothing.
JonQuote
September 5th, 2012 at 7:46 pm
Done a bit of playing.
YouTube log-in and account works fine.
Watching videos over network works fine with no lip synch issues (only tried Xvid files). MP3 files played fine too.
Watched Xvid files from USB stick with no issues either.
I have emailed Samusng to ask if there will be an ‘over the air’ update and also about the disappearance of the amamorphic widescreen on the ‘Pop’ channels.
So a pretty good update so far.
EamonnQuote
September 5th, 2012 at 8:55 pm
It’s been pointed out to me that another bug that’s been fixed is that you can now get info on planned recordings.
EamonnQuote
September 5th, 2012 at 9:11 pm
Can anyone confirm if the BBC sport multiscreen now loads in non-freesat mode via the red button menu? Or does “Please wait…” just remain on screen.
Thank you
ondemandQuote
September 5th, 2012 at 9:13 pm
One thing about this box that still annoys me is that when I power up the box it first goes from just ‘blue light’ on front to ‘LED clock on front’ and then another ‘on’ push to get the box fully working. I just want it to power fully up with one ‘on’ button push. If anyone has a solution to that problem I’d be very happy.
EamonnQuote
September 5th, 2012 at 11:29 pm
No need to worry, the BBC will be removing Sport Multiscreen soon, making the problem go away
MuzerQuote
September 6th, 2012 at 9:29 am
Has anyone noticed that some video files that previously did play now say codec not supported?
CastleQuote
September 6th, 2012 at 2:52 pm
My biggest gripe is the terrible search function which only allows you to search for a programme that might be on on an individual day. My old BT Vision box had a cracking search that looked at the 14-day EPG and On Demand services and gave plenty of results, including repeat showings etc. Any changes to that? Otherwise, you seem to have to use the internet to find out what’s coming up on various channels. (Or have I been using the EPG search facility wrong all along?!)
ColinQuote
September 6th, 2012 at 8:29 pm
Oh dear. The sound has disappeared from BBC iplayer. It was there yesterday.
EamonnQuote
September 6th, 2012 at 8:43 pm
Did a bit of investigating. If in the Sound Options ‘Dolby DTS/Digital’ is set to ‘On’ then BBC iPlayer gives no sound. Once ‘Off’ it plays just fine. Bit of a pian as I pipe the sound through a 5.1 home cinema system so will have to adjust it each time.
By the way, Samsung replied to me and said that there would be an ‘over the air’ update (no date given) and that they are investigating the loss of anamorphic widescreen on the 4:3 ratio ‘Pop’ channels.
EamonnQuote
September 6th, 2012 at 9:57 pm
I’ve updated now and it the red button can’t be accessed at all now in non-freesat mode. I’ve manually scanned and added the red button ‘channels’.
ondemandQuote
September 7th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Following this update I have 2 major problems via HDMI:
a) No sound,
b) the only screen resolution that produces a picture is 576p (any other
value just produces digital noise).
I can get both sound/picture via SCART.
I tried performing a reset to defaults and switching HDMI leads but both had no effect.
My box is connected via HDMI to a LG LCD TV.
Contacted Samsung with the above, they replied with try a reset to defaults! Have just asked them to think again, awaiting their reply.
MikeSQuote
September 8th, 2012 at 7:54 pm
thanks for the updates Eamonn, the 4:3 problem is very annoying. Also like it on True movies etc
Lee SQuote
September 9th, 2012 at 8:45 am
Lee – yes very annoying, especially as when you switch from a 16:9 channel the ratio stays that way for a moment and then the box detects that it’s broadcasting in 4:3 and switches to that. I’m no expert but would it be so hard to get the box to think ‘if 4:3 signal switch to 16:9 anamorphic if ratio setting to ‘auto”?
I can only suggest you raise a query with Samsung, as I have done, who say they are looking into it.
EamonnQuote
September 10th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
I have just done the upgrade and the sound works fine on iplayer. I have no sound issues via hdmi. The 4.3 issue seems to be solved by setting it to 14.9, ok not ideal but acceptable. Everything else works fine and I love the tv guide zoom in and out.
It seems to work just fine, will let you know if I find any problems.
Mark IQuote
September 10th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
Eamonn – yes I will raise the problem myself with Samsung. Mark – I understand what you are saying by switching the ratio to 14:9, however this cuts some of the picture from the screen.
Due to all modern tv’s being widescreen (apart form a few CRT tv’s we may keep around the house!), the vast majority of programming is already in 16:9 therefore is designed to fill the screen. There are just a few channels that broadcast in 4:3 ratio now due to the older content of the programming, however, unless the person viewing is a technical expert who prefers to view the program in its native format, I for one would like all channels to automatically fit my tv screen. It worked great before so I am not sure what the problem is now. I used to get the same problem on my old Goodmans Freesat+ box hence one reason why I sold it.
I think all channels should be adjusted accordingly to 16:9 format as before regardless of the program showing and leave a 4:3 option for people who want to view the broadcast in its native format.
Also, on a quick note I notice that Samsung are advertising their Smart LCD TV’s as the only Smart TV with ITV Player. I just only wish they would implement the Freesat version asap as we have all been waiting ages. Anither reason I chose this box was because there was a sticker on the front panel advertising the imminent launch of ITV player. Let’s hope this is included in the OTA update.
Lee SQuote
September 10th, 2012 at 4:47 pm
Found another issue with timer recording. While Record timers work, Watch timers do not. When a Watch timer is set, the box comes to life for the duration of the programme as with a Record timer, however the REC symbol is not displayed on the units display screen and nothing appears in the library.
Sending my box back to Samsung for repair.
MikeSQuote
September 10th, 2012 at 5:37 pm
But if you are setting watch timers then it won’t record anything. A watch timer is just a reminder to watch a show. If you want to record something set the box to record. Am i misunderstanding this issue?
EamonnQuote
September 10th, 2012 at 6:02 pm
Yes Lee S I know this but when the program is made in 4.3 expecting it to be in 16.9 is just asking a bit much. 14.9 is a compromise which works and does not make everything look strange and people like they are from the Mr Blobby family.
I think you are being somewhat silly over this.
Mark.IQuote
September 10th, 2012 at 6:11 pm
Watch timers and recording timers work correctly for me !
Mark.IQuote
September 11th, 2012 at 5:51 am
Lol, Mark.I, i’m just reiterating what most manufacturers have on their receivers including Sky, Virgin, Freeview boxes etc…. if I wanted black lines down the side of my tv I would have bought an old fashioned tv set. I have zoom features on my tv if I want to cut the top of the screen off. I’m just saying if something isnt broken, why try to fix it? I’ve never had a problem with picture distortion on my tv. 16:9 looks great in all programs.
Lee SQuote
September 11th, 2012 at 7:54 am
Prior to the S/W update, if I had a watch timer set and the box was in standby mode when the timer occurred it would record.
MikeSQuote
September 11th, 2012 at 2:28 pm
Quite a clever feature I guess if you planned to watch – but I guess one knew! Personally never turn the box off so wouldn’t work (-:
CastleQuote
September 11th, 2012 at 2:28 pm
(mean “no-one knew”)
CastleQuote
September 15th, 2012 at 7:45 pm
Another update is on the way
(admin – sorry stillgotabox, no links to DS on here)
stillgotaboxQuote
September 21st, 2012 at 11:58 am
Is there a guide to adding channels in non-freesat mode for the samsung anywhere? I went in to this mode but had no idea what I was doing and what, if any, co-ordinates I needed to add to the various satellites listed. Thanks.
EamonnQuote
October 15th, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Since upgrading I’ve had the following issues:
Box rebooted twice in the middle of recording programmes
Temporarily lost most scheduled timers set to record (could be EPG issue)
Finding the box had turned itself on during the night, but stuck at boot up sequence and must have been running for a number of hours as quite warm by the next morning!
Well done Samsung……. not
MikeQuote
October 25th, 2012 at 5:38 am
Just noticed that ITV Player now works on this machine.
EamonnQuote
November 1st, 2012 at 3:59 pm
Another update for the SMT-S7800 firmware appeared today. Looks like USB only so far. http://www.samsung.com/uk/support/model/SMT-S7800/XEU-downloads
EamonnQuote
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:54 pm
This may be old news now, but noticed today that the itv player is now WORKING !!!!
GeoffQuote
November 7th, 2012 at 3:58 pm
Can someone please tell me where im going wrong? Ive downloaded the update and put it on a usb, but when i try to update it onto the box it just says ‘FILE NOT SUPPORTED’?????
DaveCQuote
November 13th, 2012 at 9:47 am
Can someone help, I have downloaded the latest update, flashed the machine and rebooted but no sign of itv player in the tv guide on-demand.
DaveyQuote
November 13th, 2012 at 11:38 pm
I’ve just googled the upgrade to see if there had been one as I’d noticed a few things (% in corner of library, picture zooming out from full screen to the smaller PIP in Guide). Found out that there’s an update from here and I haven’t manually updated so it must be coming over the air. ITV Player now works! Hurrah! As with others, I’m keeping fingers crossed that the library wipe out has been fixed – that rest to defaults and adding back all your timers was a pain!
AngelaQuote
November 14th, 2012 at 8:12 pm
my box upgraded itself over the air (or possibly internet as its always plugged in to my home network) all by itself
ed wQuote
November 18th, 2012 at 8:46 am
Installed the new firmware Otr. Impressed with new features but has wiped library! Anyone else had same issue.? Do I need to do a reset to default?
StuQuote
November 19th, 2012 at 6:37 pm
Update is good. Slowly getting to where Humax were five years ago. I do like that it now remembers the volume setting after you power down the unit.
Just need to be able to search the TV guide for 14 days as one day search is useless. I can do a manual search for one day.
Also please allow us to move TV programs to a USB stick. It seems to be half implemented. I see the option to move to USB but when selected nothing happens.
Finally, give us the option to switch off the blue light at the front of the unit. Way too bright.
CRS_SalQuote
November 19th, 2012 at 9:33 pm
Stu
I did a reset for the umpteenth time as library lost and it did an otr software update and library re appeared. Wife is now watching some Kirsty Allsop Krap so cant explore new bits.
DaveQuote
November 19th, 2012 at 11:57 pm
I have a similar problem as MikeS. Since the upgrade I have problems with the hdmi connection. I have the pvr connected to my Sony home cinema receiver which in turn is connected to my Samsung 720p plasma. Before the upgrade I had sound via hdmi and was able to set picture resolution to either 720p or 1080i and display hd pictures. I now have no sound via hdmi (only from scart or optical) and setting 720p or 1080i resolution results in no picture just snowy interference. I can only get a picture by setting the resolution to 1080p which I would have thought should not work on a 720p screen. This setting also seems to cause resolution detection problems when switching between other devices (ie PS3). Any help or further advice on getting round this would be welcomed. Will also write to Samsung to alert them.
JCQuote
November 20th, 2012 at 12:16 pm
Just now my machine stated upgrade software as I turned it off manually to watch a movie via USB on my trusted old HT-Z310 home cinema system which plays back USB movies far better than the S7800.
Connected it to the home hub via Ethernet and its downloading new software so that works which I hope will make things a lot better.
All hooked up to my much loved Samsung PS42b451 plasma TV which after 4 years from new works as new still because I always turn the lot off at the mains every night. The home cinema HT-Z310 does play up now and then but it’s so easy to resolve when it decides to piss me off…
Jay LovesayQuote
November 20th, 2012 at 1:35 pm
So does no one know why my box wont take the upgrade? When switched the box on standby it started to do a over the air software upgrade but didnt really do anything, still saying it had version 5 of software on box??????
PLEASE SOMEONE HELP!!!!
DaveCQuote
November 20th, 2012 at 1:36 pm
Or could someone here email me the files you need to do the upgrade on usb, im sure im not doing this right even though ive followed the instuctions on the pdf file
DaveCQuote
November 27th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
After many failed attempts at updating I performed a ‘Reset to Defaults’ which cured the problem.
Steve WQuote
November 29th, 2012 at 2:41 pm
Any idea if an upgrade will appear to allow the use of the new freetime epg and roll back of programs?
Ben CQuote
November 29th, 2012 at 2:45 pm
Won’t be possible due to the processing power required.
adminQuote
December 6th, 2012 at 7:16 pm
My box updated itself last week (it had been in storage for a while) since then I have no sound over HDMI to my LG LCD TV. Is there anywhere I can download the older firmware or are Samsung aware of this issue and working on a fix?
Keith RQuote
December 30th, 2012 at 10:49 am
EPG problem. On moving around within EPG it always returns to the starting point after about 15 seconds. Extremely annoying. OTA upgrade plus reset does not stop this. Problem was there before Upgrade and persists.. Not connected to Internet. HELP PLEASE.
Robert JohnstonQuote
February 18th, 2013 at 12:27 am
Why does my Samsung freesat box stop recording before the end of the programme…. grrrrrr. Also, if one recorded programme finishes at say 6pm, then the next programme to be recorded starts at 6pm, why does the freesat box fail to record the second programme.
Damm Samsung……. can this be fixed ? waste of money IMO.
Frustrated.
FrustratedQuote
March 22nd, 2013 at 10:23 am
Hi,
Is anyone else still losing scheduled recordings even when using the latest software version 7.0379?
For several weeks and twice in the last week alone, nearly all of my scheduled recordings have been disappearing and the only way to correct the problem is to perform a complete reset to default settings and then set up all the recordings again.
I have emailed Samsung support (not easy, as the SMT-S7800 is not an available option in the email reporting system!)
Just can’t trust the box to record properly any more. Does anyone know of any available fixes?
Thanks
Peter RigdenQuote