Is this Samsung TV worth getting?

[Pure Apathy]

I get 20% off one item at work (Wal-Mart) and I'm trying to figure out what to use it on. I'm planning to use it on something that costs a lot of money that I plan to get for a Christmas present. I'd like to get a TV, but not really for sure if I should buy one from Wal-Mart or not.

This is the TV I'm looking at:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5691359

It would cost around $640 before tax. Should I get this TV or hold off for something better and just use my discount on something different?

[superstevedogg]

That's an extremely low end samsung. The Wal Mart Sony's are extremely low end as well. You'd almost be better off spending 600ish on a Vizio and getting the 3 year protection plan. Samsung makes good tv's generally, but that series seems to be made from parts that are like 2 years old in quality.

[whoknows]

I have a similar Samsung that's a little better and I love it. Not sure how much worse that one is.

[mykevermin]

I have the "same" TV (considering the possibility that this may have a unique WM-only model number that makes it "different" from mine).

I'm very happy with the video quality of the set, even if it maxes at 1080i (on a 32" set you'll never notice). The one problem I encountered with it came when I switched from satellite to cable. The SD channels coming through HDMI aren't displayed as nicely as directv looked via s-video. Not a huge ordeal, but something to consider.

[Demolition Man]

Don't worry myke... soon you'll be able to watch those Santino promos on RAW in beautiful 1080i Widescreen. ;)

[Vinny]

I have the "same" TV (considering the possibility that this may have a unique WM-only model number that makes it "different" from mine).

I'm very happy with the video quality of the set, even if it maxes at 1080i (on a 32" set you'll never notice). The one problem I encountered with it came when I switched from satellite to cable. The SD channels coming through HDMI aren't displayed as nicely as directv looked via s-video. Not a huge ordeal, but something to consider.

1080i vs 720p will be noticeable to most people no matter the size because 720p produces a better picture. And on a 32", I'd say the resolution does matter.

But am I missing something? It says in the description that the TV supports up to 720p.

[Pure Apathy]

If I went with a Vizio this would be my choice. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5623472

$477.60 after discount and before tax
720p
700:1 contrast ratio
8ms response time

Samsung http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5691359&sourceid=22745045142718562444
$636.80 after disout and before tax
720p
5000:1 contrast ratio
8ms response time


Are there any other TVs from Wal-Mart that would be worth getting?
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=3996

Are the Samsung TVs from Best Buy a lot better?

[mykevermin]

1080i vs 720p will be noticeable to most people no matter the size because 720p produces a better picture. And on a 32", I'd say the resolution does matter.

But am I missing something? It says in the description that the TV supports up to 720p.

vs 1080p, not 720p.

[Killer Rabbit]

Overall Rating: http://reviews.walmart.com/1336/4_0/5/rating.gif 4 out of 5
Remote, 11/08/2007
By ThriftingAgain, Atkanta, Georgia http://reviews.walmart.com/static/1336/more_reviews_icon.gif (http://reviews.walmart.com/1336/655dd940bac6f0c8dc92f4f20d21135b/profile.htm) Read all reviews by this reviewer (http://reviews.walmart.com/1336/655dd940bac6f0c8dc92f4f20d21135b/profile.htm)

Value for price paid: http://reviews.walmart.com/1336/5_0/5/ratingSecondary.gif 5 out of 5 Meets Expectations: http://reviews.walmart.com/1336/4_0/5/ratingSecondary.gif 4 out of 5 Picture Quality: http://reviews.walmart.com/1336/4_0/5/ratingSecondary.gif 4 out of 5 Sound Quality: http://reviews.walmart.com/1336/5_0/5/ratingSecondary.gif 5 out of 5 Features: http://reviews.walmart.com/1336/4_0/5/ratingSecondary.gif 4 out of 5

I think the remote is complicated and I do not like the delay when you turn the set on.

Recommends this product? Yes
Age: 65 or older
Gender: Female
Has owned product for: 2 - 7 weeks
Uses product: Every day

Was this review helpful to you? Yes (http://reviews.walmart.com/1336/5691359/submission.htm?bvpage=reviews.htm&action=AddPositiveFeedback&format=embedded&user=__USERID__&return=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fcatalog%2Fpr oduct.do%3Fproduct_id%3D5691359&review=135293&loginparams=__BVLOGINPARAMETERS__&submissionparams=__BVSUBMISSIONPARAMETERS__&campaignid=BV_NONE&submissionurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fcserv ice%2FwriteReview.do) No (http://reviews.walmart.com/1336/5691359/submission.htm?bvpage=reviews.htm&action=AddNegativeFeedback&format=embedded&user=__USERID__&return=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fcatalog%2Fpr oduct.do%3Fproduct_id%3D5691359&review=135293&loginparams=__BVLOGINPARAMETERS__&submissionparams=__BVSUBMISSIONPARAMETERS__&campaignid=BV_NONE&submissionurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fcserv ice%2FwriteReview.do)


Well, there ya go. Don't buy the set; that complicated remote will drive you apecrap. It probably has a full eight buttons on it. Those scumbags!

At least, so sayeth a 65+ year old woman who has owned the product for a solid two-seven weeks, and lives in beautiful "Atkanta, Georgia."

There is also a "delay when you turn the set on." When a 65 year old woman complains about a delay, you know she's serious. I mean, think about it. At sixty five, she's lucky she can still dictate while someone else types for her. She probably measured the tv set's delay by counting how many times her heart beat from the time she pressed the Remote of Mind Boggling Confusion's "Power" buttonto the time the TV displayed a picture. From her scathing one-sentence review, I gather that her heart must have beat at least four times in the period. So you can expect to wait about two and a half hours after you plop down on the couch until you can start watching General Hospital.

All in all, I give her review a 6 out of ten. That run on sentence is a killer, but I still have to give her major props for living in a nonexistant city. That takes guts. Also, she may or may not have figured out how to operate the Remote of Mind Boggling Confusion.

[Pure Apathy]

Myke, did you get your TV from Best Buy? http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8423903&productCategoryId=abcat0101001&type=product&tab=7&id=1181832388132#productdetail

[whoknows]

I have this one if you want to compare: http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Samsung-32-LCD-HDTV-LN-T3242H/sem/rpsm/oid/173636/catOid/-12867/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

[superstevedogg]

The contrast on the wal mart specific samsung is not nearly as good as the one that whoknows has. I thought it was like 2500:1, although 5000:1 is a lot better I suppose. I was confusing it with the awful M series sony's that Walmart sells. It's just a stripped down version of better samsungs. Gaming really doesn't matter too much as it'll be great, but SD content won't be spectacular on either that or the vizio if you have basic cable.

I'd suggest doing a side by side at the store, and look for fast moving action and black levels.

[mykevermin]

Myke, did you get your TV from Best Buy? http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8423903&productCategoryId=abcat0101001&type=product&tab=7&id=1181832388132#productdetail

Yep. My previous TV (a sharp aquos) developed a strange problem they couldn't repair, so I got that as a substitute.

[Pure Apathy]

The contrast on the wal mart specific samsung is not nearly as good as the one that whoknows has. I thought it was like 2500:1, although 5000:1 is a lot better I suppose. I was confusing it with the awful M series sony's that Walmart sells. It's just a stripped down version of better samsungs. Gaming really doesn't matter too much as it'll be great, but SD content won't be spectacular on either that or the vizio if you have basic cable.

I'd suggest doing a side by side at the store, and look for fast moving action and black levels.

To be honest, I'll probably only use the TV to play my 360 on. My main TV is a 60 or so inch RCA rear projection TV. It is horrible because the screen is sorta fuzzy and I cannot read small text at all on some of my games.

When I take my 360 over to my moms so I can play on XBL (broadband not available in my area) I play on a Sanyo wide screen HD TV (not an LCD). I believe it is 480p or something like that.

[Pure Apathy]

Yep. My previous TV (a sharp aquos) developed a strange problem they couldn't repair, so I got that as a substitute.

How long have you had your TV for, and is the problem you described above the only thing bad thing about it?

[xdl]

I actually have an older model than this that I bought last year from Walmart. Almost the same specs as this, the one in the OP is a little better on the contrast. No complaints at all, a little slow in between channels, but that never really bothered me. I have compared my set in 720p/1080i and others at 1080p and there was no justification for spending the extra to have it. Works perfect for me, sitting about 6 or 7 feet from it. I might be a bit on the fanboy side here, but generally anything Samsung makes is going to be of quality. Granted this is a lower end TV, but I personally would be more comfortable with a low end Sony or Samsung versus a higher end TV by a lesser established company.

[snoopfighter]

http://www.warehousedeals.com/Samsung-LNT4061F-40-1080p-LCD-HDTV/M/B000N4Z42C.htm

that tv is beautiful but is a little more expensive... hell of a deal.

[Pure Apathy]

This seems like a good deal too
http://www.warehousedeals.com/Samsung-LNT4065F-40-1080p-LCD-HDTV/M/B000OE02G4.htm

How do they do their warranties on there? If it is sold as-is I'm going to have to pass.

[superstevedogg]

Warehouse Deals has been in operation since 2004 with a five star customer rating. If you are unsatisfied with the product for any reason, you can return it in its original condition within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. We'll also pay the return shipping cost if the return is a result of our error.


----from the site.

That's a helluva samsung model, and was their best until a few months ago. I'd jump on it, but I hate buying refurb'd stuff. I suppose if they give the same manufacturers warranty it's good to go.

[SuppaMan]

I hate to tell you but 1080i is nothing. No TV produced right now is has a native resolution of 1080i, well because that wouldn't even make sense. HDTV's are natively 720p (though one could argue because the actual 720p standard isn't followed in any TV native resolution, most are actually 768p) or 1080p.

All having 1080i on a 720p set means is that it accepts 1080i and scales it to the 720p native resolution.



Whoever said Samsung is quality is definitely right in saying they might be a fanboy. There shit has as many issues if not worse than some lower end models. Just scan avsforums or any other TV place and you'll find out. Samsung is a second-tier company who promotes and through agressive strategies has made consumer's view them as a top-tier brand. They still can not be placed in the same category as Panasonic and Sony in overall electronics, and not in the same category as Pioneer, Panasonic, and Sony in TV's.


The new larger Sammy's (like for example the 65 listed above) have a reflective screen on them worse than plasma's. If you have a lot of light in the room that will be an issue.



Depends what you want out of your TV also. Picture quality wise, size, price range, uses, room conditions, etc.


edit: Raw you were nice to be helpful with me, any tv questions just ask, I researched high and low efore I bought a Panny 42" 700u a little over two weeks ago. Some insight like I said in what you are looking for in picture quality, size, price, etc would be helpful. I won't give you a definitive answer (plus you should see any tv in person before buying, even if you buy it online), but I will try to help guide you so you are happy and get the best value for your money.

[Ice2Dragon]

I hate to tell you but 1080i is nothing. No TV produced right now is has a native resolution of 1080i, well because that wouldn't even make sense. HDTV's are natively 720p (though one could argue because the actual 720p standard isn't followed in any TV native resolution, most are actually 768p) or 1080p.

All having 1080i on a 720p set means is that it accepts 1080i and scales it to the 720p native resolution.



Whoever said Samsung is quality is definitely right in saying they might be a fanboy. There shit has as many issues if not worse than some lower end models. Just scan avsforums or any other TV place and you'll find out. Samsung is a second-tier company who promotes and through agressive strategies has made consumer's view them as a top-tier brand. They still can not be placed in the same category as Panasonic and Sony in overall electronics, and not in the same category as Pioneer, Panasonic, and Sony in TV's.


The new larger Sammy's (like for example the 65 listed above) have a reflective screen on them worse than plasma's. If you have a lot of light in the room that will be an issue.



Depends what you want out of your TV also. Picture quality wise, size, price range, uses, room conditions, etc.


edit: Raw you were nice to be helpful with me, any tv questions just ask, I researched high and low efore I bought a Panny 42" 700u a little over two weeks ago. Some insight like I said in what you are looking for in picture quality, size, price, etc would be helpful. I won't give you a definitive answer (plus you should see any tv in person before buying, even if you buy it online), but I will try to help guide you so you are happy and get the best value for your money.

I paid 1499 for my Samsung DLP 57' tele 1080p :) ANd I enjoy the hell out of it.. so no idea about "fanboy for samsung" here

[mykevermin]

I paid 1499 for my Samsung DLP 57' tele 1080p :) ANd I enjoy the hell out of it.. so no idea about "fanboy for samsung" here

I have the TV set in the OP and happen to think it does the job fine with a few SD-signal scaling issues, so that must make me a fanboy. I guess I should listen to the expert who has had their TV for 2 whole weeks. That must mean it'll work forever, right!

:roll:

:lol:

Since this Samsung does 720p, your little rant above is rather irrelevant, don't you think?

RiJ, this set is a great deal with your 20% off coupon, but you may be able to find some better deals out there. My only other advice is to (1) buy the PRP/PSP with any TV you buy, and (2) avoid refurbs.

You should also get a PS3 to watch pretty, shiny Blu-Ray movies on your new set. ;)

[Vinny]

Myke, do you remember what Sharp model it was and maybe give me a bit more detail on it? I currently have an Aquos so I'd like to know ahead what to look for.

I have this one, BTW, and some of the reviews ain't so hot. Too bad those came after I bought it...
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sharp-32-AQUOS-LCD-HDTV-LC-32D43U/sem/rpsm/oid/186142/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

[mykevermin]

It was a 1" vertical stripe that was green going down the screen near the right edge. It would go away, but after 30 minutes or so (which was pretty much the duration of my tv viewing at the time). First showed up after about 3 months of owning it. Probably anomalous, as that series of sets is quite highly regarded.

I'll look up the model number later, but it's not the one you have. It was a 26" 720p number.

[Pure Apathy]

Thanks for the help everyone. I'm just going to go with the cheap Samsung 32''.