>It developed a “shadow” about the size of a basketball right in the center of the screen.
I also have a Samsung 65” of the same vintage, it has a white spot lower center. Tolerable for now. Evidently there are diffuser lenses for the backlight which loosen over time.
https://tvnoob.com/samsung-tv-white-spots-on-screen-fix/
“Evidently there are diffuser lenses for the backlight which loosen over time.”
I tore apart a Samsung that was bottom lit. The very strong metal “backing” had stamped grooves to distribute the backlight. Between the backlight and LEDs were three thin panels of different types to further diffuse the light.
We kept the Samsung. The shadow in the center of the screen is also tolerable, but we had to act because the warranty was running out. Not sure what we’ll do with it.
The LG replacement had an issue. It wouldn’t “find” the Wi-Fi network, so it wouldn’t update. Didn’t matter after I hooked up a WiFi extender thru an HDMI port. Did updates fine. A little research on YouTube, I discovered there’s a ribbon cable inside that gets folded over & crimped during manufacturing. I’ve been too lazy to take the TV off the wall and pop the back cover to straighten it out.