Mom having issues selecting HDMI input on Samsung TV

[y_p_w]

The issue seems to be a combination of the lag and how she presses remote buttons. Different inputs on this TV are selected via a “source” button on the remote, then using the arrow buttons to select the input. But it can be laggy and she might not wait for it thinking that maybe it didn’t register the button press. The other issue is that she tends to hold down buttons, and if it’s down for more than a split second it sees that as a repeat where it keeps on going. I tried showing her how to tap, tap to go two, but she has some real difficulties with it.

The other issue is the source. Most newer sources communicate with specifics like the device name. I can connect a Roku box to this TV and it shows up as “Roku”. The device she uses is a specialty video programming box, but it just shows up as “Unknown”. If the Roku box is powered on, the TV automatically switches to it, but her video source doesn’t do that.

Not sure what else I can do. She’s been thinking of reconnecting a 15 year old TV since it has more basic cycling through the inputs with one button on the remote. But that TV is old and the picture quality is pretty poor (I think only 720p). But she just has a hard time figuring it out.

 

[HemiBenny]

Try resetting the TV.

When mine gets laggy, I hold the power button down on the remote and it shuts off and resets. It makes mine more responsive. It helps mine, hopefully it’ll help on hers.

 

[HemiBenny]

Also, I believe there’s a way to manually name an “unknown” source in the settings.

 

[y_p_w]

Also, I believe there’s a way to manually name an “unknown” source in the settings.

That’s not really a problem. She knows which one to select. But she can’t get a feel for how to properly get there. If her device allowed for auto switching, it would be pretty easy for her.

 

[jcy]

can you check if there's a samsung service remote for the tv that might be easier to use since those are generally very basic in usage. along those same lines, a universal remote that can do what you're asking for with the source inputs

 

[y_p_w]

can you check if there's a samsung service remote for the tv that might be easier to use since those are generally very basic in usage. along those same lines, a universal remote that can do what you're asking for with the source inputs

That’s the way it works. Press source button. Navigate to the source and press the center button inside all the arrows. It’s really not that difficult, but she can’t get a feel for a quick tap and tends to hold buttons down.

 

[jcy]

That’s the way it works. Press source button. Navigate to the source and press the center button inside all the arrows. It’s really not that difficult, but she can’t get a feel for a quick tap and tends to hold buttons down.

right. did you even look for a service remote to look at the button layout

 

[Nukeman7]

I would consider installing a physical in-line HDMI splitter switch that would allow her to manually push a button to switch between the ROKU or the specialty video device w/out using the Samsung remote. There are numerous models on Amazon, including some with multiple source inputs. I suggest getting one that has the exact number of source inputs she needs. The Anker model below only has 2 HDMI input ports.

 

[jcy]

I would consider installing a physical in-line HDMI splitter switch that would allow her to manually push a button to switch between the ROKU or the specialty video device w/out using the Samsung remote. There are numerous models on Amazon, including some with multiple source inputs. I suggest getting one that has the exact number of source inputs she needs. The Anker model below only has 2 HDMI input ports.

good suggestion but i think that particular Anker model does not have a remote. but i would def buy an Anker brand one

 

[iahawk]

can't help your issue but have the same remote control 'issues' with my elderly mother. She seems to think every button is mechanical and needs a full 1 second push to activate. She can't take a pic with my phone because she holds the button down and takes 30 rapid fire photos.

 

[y_p_w]

right. did you even look for a service remote to look at the button layout

The only one I saw still had a source button and arrow buttons. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t cycle through inputs. It would probably end up with the same issues. It’s using Samsung’s Tizen OS, which looks like this, although it’s slightly different on this model. And whenever the source button is pressed after power on, it usually reverts to the TV/Samsung TV Plus selection. Wait a few seconds and programming starts showing.

My mom was used to a TV input usually staying where it was before and not having to change the input. Her older Sony TV had an input button that cycled through the possible inputs one at time. Holding it down for 10 seconds wouldn’t do more than just go down to the next input.

It it’s not as if she was helpless with electronics. She used computers at work. I think she even took some programming classes years ago. But navigating the button presses (often too long) and the lag just frustrates her. I can be patient, press once or twice, then wait. But my mom thinks it’s not registering and presses harder/longer and it navigates to the last source. She can deal with it when it’s responsive. But not if it lags.

 

[iahawk]

my Samsung has the same source menu and ours needs to be reset every time we turn it on as it always defaults to the BS samsung tv plus. (I run everything through a Denon AV receiver). Yes, there is a significant lag and it is not very responsive. Really a PITA to use. I can see how it would be challenging for an older person to use. Not sure if there is an easy fix other than a new/different tv?

 

[CarLuver]

our samsung is laggy also . on the input showing , our old ubox did not show up as ubox on the input . we have the latest one and it does show up as ubox now .

 

[Pew]

There's an option in settings -> privacy to stop the TV from starting in Samsung TV/startup in last known device. I'll check when I get home.

 

[jcy]

The only one I saw still had a source button and arrow buttons. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t cycle through inputs. It would probably end up with the same issues. It’s using Samsung’s Tizen OS, which looks like this, although it’s slightly different on this model. And whenever the source button is pressed after power on, it usually reverts to the TV/Samsung TV Plus selection. Wait a few seconds and programming starts showing.



My mom was used to a TV input usually staying where it was before and not having to change the input. Her older Sony TV had an input button that cycled through the possible inputs one at time. Holding it down for 10 seconds wouldn’t do more than just go down to the next input.

It it’s not as if she was helpless with electronics. She used computers at work. I think she even took some programming classes years ago. But navigating the button presses (often too long) and the lag just frustrates her. I can be patient, press once or twice, then wait. But my mom thinks it’s not registering and presses harder/longer and it navigates to the last source. She can deal with it when it’s responsive. But not if it lags.

is the lag possibly from really cheap or overly long hdmi cables
maybe try a generic universal remote and see if it will cycle inputs w/o a confirmation press

edit: also, which device is plugged into the hdmi-cec port, and swap to see if that effects the lag

 

[y_p_w]

is the lag possibly from really cheap or overly long hdmi cables
maybe try a generic universal remote and see if it will cycle inputs w/o a confirmation press

edit: also, which device is plugged into the hdmi-cec port, and swap to see if that effects the lag

I don’t believe the lag has much to do with the inputs per se. It seems more like general performance issues with the operating system. I suspect the way it works with bringing up the menu and navigating to the selection can’t be overridden with a different remote. Now there are some instant select buttons for Netflix and Samsung TV Plus. Maybe there’s some way to program some other buttons (there are A-D) as a shortcut. It’s this remote:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/SAMSUNG-TM1240A-TV-IR-Remote-Control-VG-TM1240BN-ZA/5340366066

 

[Vil_Riker]

Our samsung can be laggy especially when the TV Plus is having issues. Reboot sometimes helps but not always.

I've grown to accept that this is a feature on the TV set...

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

OP. your post reminded me of my late mother, She died 3 years ago and never owned a smart phone, or computer as her mind was sadly closed to anything tech. She had Spectrum ( Time Warner ) and use a cable box with her TV. She was always hitting the wrong buttons on her supplier provided remote control and I was always riding over to fix things.

Mom got her a roll of silver duct tape and covered all the remote buttons except the volume and channel! It worked for her...

I have not shopped TV's in sometime but the Roku TV's ALL had that siple Roku purple rounded remote that was EZ to operate but I also recall about the time ALL TV's went "SMART, I know I installed a Onn Roku TV in a Church and when you power the TV on / off it always defaults goes to the smart app section and NOT the connected HDMI the Church uses so one must always set the input each time the TV is turned on.

Mot sure of a fix besides duct tape...

 

[Nukeman7]

I don’t believe the lag has much to do with the inputs per se. It seems more like general performance issues with the operating system. I suspect the way it works with bringing up the menu and navigating to the selection can’t be overridden with a different remote. Now there are some instant select buttons for Netflix and Samsung TV Plus. Maybe there’s some way to program some other buttons (there are A-D) as a shortcut. It’s this remote:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/SAMSUNG-TM1240A-TV-IR-Remote-Control-VG-TM1240BN-ZA/5340366066

The A/B/C/D buttons should be programmable to select the desired shortcut functions on that remote. I can't locate the manual online, so you might need to get ahold of the TV's operating manual.

 

[Pew]

Checked mine.

Settings > General > Smart Features > Make sure Autorun Last App is the only thing bubbled. Turn off the other two.

I pressed those colored buttons, didn't look like they did much except go to Samsung TV