I've been searching and noticed Samsung has some of the lowest prices (around $1,000) for some of their HDTV's. I don't think I've owned a Samsung product and want to know if I would be buying crap or not. Btw, I stopped by The Home Theatre Store today and left with a boner. Wow. That store has the best setup for viewing tvs. They go all out to seduce you. I don't know how I left the place with my pants on and wallet in pocket.
Whatever happens do not buy a SHARP. Everything Sharp makes is bad. I havent heard anything horrible about Samsung. I think they're probably pretty similiar to all the other name brands. Sony is very good but so much more just b/c of its branding. Ive also heard that Mitsubishi is excellent for Big Screen TVs
I bought a Samsung, and it is ok, nice features too. DaDakota PS. I had it only 5 months and replaced it with a large flat screen, not because the Samsung sucked, but because I wanted a bigger tube.
Samsung isnt too bad at all. My friend has one and for what he paid the picture wasnt too bad. I myself always have liked Sony best though and thats all I buy.
I got a Samsung cellphone and it's ok. All their stuff is made in Korea. Samsung flat screen computer monitors are supposed to be good so I'd imagine the TV's are decent, too. Still, Sony is prob gonna look the best. And as mduke said, Panasonic is prob #2 of the mainstream brands. There is a European brand I'd consider if you want the real shiznit: Loewe.
5 months ago I bought the Samsung 47" HD rear projection and I love it. The picture is equal to anything I've seen and when it's in HD everyone always raves over how beautiful the picture is. I have a small room for my TV room/home theater so 47 was as large as I could go and it was very affordable. I bought the extended in home warranty because, like you, I had no idea about their reliability. I did some research on the web and emailed a couple guys who owned some in other states and they all had good things to say so I went ahead with the purchase and have been very happy. Hope this helps.
Samsung is rated fairly decently these days, and I've been pretty impressed with their picture (when I was looking a few months back). Consumer Reports highest rated big screens in both HDTV and non-HDTV both came from the same company: Hitachi Sony was also rated up there fairly high, but only on their more expensive models, Pioneer also came in fairly high. Panasonic was somewhat in the middle with Mitsubishi a little bit lower. The one I bought, and my favorite for the money (and it was also rated pretty high) is Toshiba. Also, when I was in the market a few months back, JVC had their first entry in the rear-projection market, and it was easily the brightest screen I'd ever saw. Still, this report didn't take into consideration the new DLP chips in the Samsung TV's (I don't think they were out yet). If I was buying my TV today instead of several months back, I probably would buy one of those new Samsungs with the DLP chip. I haven't actually tried one out, but I've read about them all over the place....from HEC mags to Wired Magazine. Everyone is raving about this TV.
I am a Samsun 55" HDTV that I use with my Dishnetwork. I get a great picture. Crystal clear even without HDTV reception. I had a Mitsubishi HDTV before that. Honestly, I can not tell a difference between the two with regards to quality. The key is, keep your contrast setting very low. It makes the picture look so much better.
