Samsung LN46A750 46-Inch 1080p DLNA LCD HDTV with RED Touch of Color Review

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(More customer reviews)I have only had this TV for a few days, so this is not a complete review, but I wanted to warn others about some issues that they may find important.
Picture quality is great - I have not run a calibration or tested various known sources for difficult to reproduce scenes or motion. The blacks are so good that the image color looks over saturated at the factory default setting when placed next to a panel with lower contrast ratio. (It should be kept in mind that the eye has a logarithmic response to light, and a 50,000:1 contrast ratio may not be that much more than a 30,000:1 ratio.) In the store I was comparing this panel to a 46a550 and 46a530 all at their factory default settings. The 550's image was more natural looking at the factory default setting.
Watching SD analog content on digital TVs can be annoying with various artifacts visible in the conversion of the analog signal to the native digital of the TV. This TV does a very respectable job of this - with the SD images mostly just looking fuzzy and soft compared to digital content - pretty much what one might expect.
The TOC feature seems like a waste of time and may introduce some issues with light bleeding in from the environment. Not a problem for me in my home environment.
So, if I was happy with the image on the 550 why did I get a 750? Two reasons - Motion blur: the 650 and 750 panels have higher response times and higher refresh rates thus reducing LCD motion blur artifacts, and reason two: DLNA... DNLA is a very nice feature - super nice - I hope it takes off.
DLNA takes advantage of networking and media stored on a PC to provide viewable content through the TV. What's really going on here is that the TV designers are taking advantage of the computer they have inside the TV to enable them to do more digital media things with the TV. The TV has an Ethernet network interface - wireless or wired. We're computer geeks, we have a fairly robust network and my family has a strong interest in Internet downloads of various media content - in particular video. I have various foreign video content that I cannot get on a DVD. Netflix and others (Amazon, Apple, etc) have downloadable video content, although the DRM on much of this content is a problem. The rub is you have to watch this downloaded content on a PC, or a PC hooked directly up to a TV display or some other media PC kludge. DLNA helps get around some of these issues. The DLNA capability of this model is remarkable, not perfect, but still great. You have to install a piece of software on the computer that provides a way for the PC to share content on the PC through the network interface for the TV to "see". On the TV, you use the W.link feature to access the shared content on the PC. Music, Images and Videos stored on the PC are all accessible through the TV. Remarkably easy to access and view on the TV. Fantastic. There are a few glitches - The software on the PC was not able to handle all the media I threw at it in the first go around - I backed off (why would I play music through a TV?) and the software was able to complete it's build of it's database of content on the PC. I hope this problem will get cured in future versions of the DLNA server software that runs on the PC. Another small glitch was that when I decided to end my watching of these shows stored on the PC and I exited the w.link feature it appeared to crash the TV's OS. I had older firmware (1004), so I updated to 1007 and I hope this might cure the problem, although I have no evidence of this yet.
So DLNA looks very promising but it is not perfect. I have not tried viewing content that is locked with DRM of some kind, but I strongly suspect this is not going to work. Further proof that DRM is seriously flawed. Legitimate users (paying customers) should not be restricted in their reasonable use of the content.
The remote seems sufficiently user friendly - some lettering is large enough for older eyes to read easily and the back lighting feature works the way it should making it easier to _read_ the keys in the dark.
The manual's content seems complete and readable but the manual has a major and very annoying flaw. The manual is large with many many pages so being able to refer to page numbers is crucial. It does have page numbers but I defy you to read them in anything other than bright sunlight! They are black numbers printed on a gray field. Strangest printing setup I've ever seen. In the grand scheme of things this is only a minor detail but it is strange - the company knows about the importance of contrast. If I can download the manual as a searchable and linked pdf I won't care.
I have not yet discovered a way to edit the channel description in the channel list. A few digital channels have the information on what their station ID is, but many do not. I have not found a way to add or edit a description that tells me that, for instance, cable channel 117-25 is actually broadcast 33-1 or WBFS or some other more identifiable name.
I also am not yet aware if one can apply individual optimizations to each input. If one can this would be ideal.
Another minor point - I'm not too sure how "green" this TV is in it's energy use. I was quite surprised to discover it was noticeably warm when standing next to it while on.
Finally, my two major disappointments with this TV are:
1) PIP feature - which is quite limited, more like a cheesy cheap faux PIP. First, access to the PIP feature is not at all easy - one has to navigate various menus and sub menus to get at it. But the real problem is that the TV does not have a second tuner of any sort - you cannot watch two channels and swap between them without a second tuner connected through one of the external sources. In fact the PIP limits you to only being able to watch the built in Tuner content in the sub window of the main display which must be using an external source of a specific variety. Strange.... for a high end flagship product to have this kind of limited functionality... A little disturbing and makes you wonder what other cost cutting decisions one might discover with this product in the future.
2) The fixed base - the base does not swivel despite what the specifications at various sites say. I'll have to get a turntable.
Overall - where it matters most - the picture is spectacular. LCDs have come a long way. The picture makes me smile - it's just fun to watch.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung LN46A750 46-Inch 1080p DLNA LCD HDTV with RED Touch of Color

Revolutionary design. Ready to make a statement in your home. The SAMSUNG LN46A750 HDTV offers a truly unique entertainment experience with new Touch of ColorTM. And InfoLinkTM RSS lets you stay connected. Instantly access news, weather, sports and stock information at the push of a button. Seeing is believing with Auto Motion Plus 120HzTM. It creates a crystal-clear picture and wonderfully realistic action scenes. Upgrade your home entertainment with the latest in HD technology

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Sony Bravia Z-Series KDL-46Z4100/B 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV, Black Review

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(More customer reviews)I have had a Westinghouse 1080p 42inch monitor for a few years and have really been pleased with it. However, with the new features on the market (120hz, 24p, etc) I was ready to upgrade. I initially ordered a Samsung LN46A550 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV. The picture was actually really good on this set, but the glare on the case was VERY annoying. It also lacked the features I was looking for in a new set, but I tried it out because the price was so good. The glare was too much to put up with, so I sent it back and started to research Sony's since they are one of the few sets on the market that you can still get without a glossy case.
I sure am glad that I found Bravia Z series! WIthout going up to an XBR, the Z series is the way to go. If you look at the specs - most of the high end features offered by the XBR are already in the Z series, so it is a really good value when viewed that way. It makes sense why the Z is not offered in a 52 inch size - it would probably really impact sales of the XBR. What a great looking TV (both the picture and the case). I have been extremely impressed with both the blacks on this LCD as well as the vivid colors it produces. The amount of picture calibration offered on this setup is remarkable - especially compared to my old Westinghouse. I find the 24p mode on Blue Ray disk to be quite impressive - it really adds a whole new level of enjoyment to watching Blue Ray movies. The 120hz mode is also wonderful when watching football. I really cannot say enough good things about this TV - spend the extra money that the Sony brand demands, and you get what you pay for.
Although I did not have the issue with this TV, there is a lot of discussion around the Internet about a sparkle issue that this TV has. Be advised that this was an issue, but Sony has released a firmware update that resolves the problem. I have done the update and everything is running great.
If you are on the fence between this and the Samsung LN46A650 (which is in the same feature class as the Sony), be aware that the Samsung has a very glossy screen - not to mention a sure to be dated red outline on the case. This really kills one of the great features of LCD's! The only Samsung I would even consider against this Sony is the Samsung LN46A550 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV, but it lacks 120hz, 24p, and has that hideous glossy case. It seems to me that there is no viable competitor to the Sony Bravia Z-Series KDL-46Z4100!
Another side note... When my TV was delivered they also picked up the Samsung for return. The delivery guys were telling me that they have to pickup Samsungs EVERY day because people are returning them. He said they have never had to pickup a Sony. This is proved if you look at the used/new link under the Samsung and Sony's - you will see tons of open box Amazon Warehouse Deals on the Samsungs - but none on the Sony's!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony Bravia Z-Series KDL-46Z4100/B 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV, Black

LCD still not thin enough for you?Then look no further than the KDL-Z4100. With a striking slim bezel design, Motionflow' 120Hz for the reproduction of smooth, lifelike images, BRAVIA Engine 2' and ACE for a deeper blacks and better shadow detail, now your TV design matches the picture. Ready for the latest technology to go along with the design and picture- The KDL-Z4100 also include DLNA' compatability so you can access your digital photo collection over your home network (additional DLNA' components required; sold separately), and Sony's unique DMex and Digital Media Port technology.

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Sony BRAVIA W-Series KDL-52W4100 52-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this TV in June 2008 and have found it to be an absolutely great buy. I bought my at RC Willey. Yes, I read the CNET review and the reviewer marked down the TV because of the dark shades changing. I looked at this in the store for several minutes and have lived with it for a month and have not noticed that problem at ALL! Personally I think they guy shot down the SONY because Samsung is running TV advertisements on CNET. This is a super sharp TV with excellent colors and deep deep blacks. This TV is much better than the old 2007 W. Here is why I bought this TV...It is super clear in digital broadcast and does a much better job in Analog/420p SD (old) transmitions than any other TV I have seen (no jaggies..thanks to Sony noise reduction/DSP). Sony knows Bluray- they invented it, they know what skin tones should look like like (they own a movie studio), thier menus are really easy/simple to use (vs. Samsung 650), it has a built in TV guide (You can get rid of that Monthly cable box fee) and it has future expansion capability.
On pure picture quality vs. Samsung 650:
* Picture: It is pretty darn close in digital broadcast. I looked at both side by side. Samsung has a slight edge on clarity in analog broadcast. Samsungs have more glare, Sony is a matte screen but blacks on samsung are pretty darn good because of the glossy screen. When viewing a BluRay DVD though, the Sony slightly more details. No fade from bright to black issues on sony as noted by CNET (he must have had a protype system). Colors are nice a bright and bravia 2 engine is even better than XBR4 or near it. I have heard the Z series may be better but they don't make it in 52'' yet.

* Menus: Samsungs menus are made for Engineers (lots of tweeks, but really confusing for average user). If you doubt it, download the user manual to the A650 and KDL524100 and see for yourself. If you and your family are highly technical, go for the Samsung. If you don't want to fiddle (aka get lost in menus), but get an excellent picture, go with the Sony. Sony's are really simple and easy to use, plus it automatically find digital channels and is somehow able to display all the channel icons (it is like I have a built in cable box).
* Features: The Sony may not have the Ethernet and built in weather/news of the 650 Samsung, but it does have the built in TV guide and future expansion. Realistically, if you want Internet in your TV, you are better off connecting an external device (Playstation, Apple TV, etc). The TV guide feature in the sony is great and the Bravia Sync is a big plus (especially when you use a Sony DVD upconverter 1080p (nice one at costco)- why?...TV remote controls it all. Sony Picture n' Picture is nice as well allowing you to view pictures/video from HDMI while at the same time viewing cable TV (regardless if it is SD or HD signal)
* Asthetics: My favorite feature on the sony is that the power buttons on on the top of the TV... helps with preventing kids from turning tV on/off. I believe Samsungs are too low. I personally didn't like the Red on the Samsung and the glossy screen. The remote on the Sony is really easy to find/use vs. the Samsung. But the Samsung's remote lit up at night...which the Sony's does not.
Bottom line: if you are a videophile and your family (wife) can deal with the techno menus (plus you want to upgrade the firmware to fix the Samsung A650 on/off bug), get the Samsung. If you want the a super clear Picture (videophile made easy), easiest to use LCD with features that make every day TV viewing smooth and easy... The sony is excellent- Plus it is future expandible.
Recommended Evaluation settings: Picture mode custom, backlight 7, Picture 95, Brightness 45, Color 50, Hue 0, Color temp Neutral, Sharpness 4, Noise Red. off, MPEG Noise red. off, Advanced settings-> Black corrector: med, Advance C.E Med, Gamma off, clear white low.

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Ready for a TV and a technology that will change the way you see TV and movies?Sony's 1080p KDL-52W4100 with Motionflow™ 120Hz technology creates a new standard for picture performance, with smooth, lifelike image quality that responds to the demands of even the fastest moving images with ease. Add to that unique features like the enhanced Xross Media Bar with 3D graphics and integrated TV Guide program information, built-in DMex functionality, and other picture quality technologies like BRAVIA Engine 2™ and ACE contrast enhancement, and you can see why we call the W-series the new standard in 120Hz performance.

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Sony Bravia V-Series KDL-52V4100 52-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)I used to think of a TV purchase as a VERY long term commitment, like marriage. And at $2k and up there's a lot of truth to this. However in this case I was faced with a difficult decision, one that I would probably repeat given the opportunity.
First let me say that I love just about everything about this set. The picture quality (as long as the scene or people aren't moving) is super, the audio is really good out of the bottom-front speakers (although an add-on stereo makes it even better), and the flexibility from an input/output point of view is outstanding.
All that being said, there are some compromises, and thus my quandary. I bought this TV fully knowing that for a *mere* $500 more I could have the 120hz scan mode. It just wasn't worth it to me...I think. I would have been better off if the 120hz model didn't exist, then I'd look at the set and be amazed. Maybe I'm nuts, but now I find myself looking critically at scenes where there's fast motion and wondering whether the "better" model would be noticeably smoother.
The fact of the matter is that over time I will just accept how it looks and allow myself to enjoy the many fine aspects to this set. Moving on, you probably want to know some of the other things that are also not so wonderful. Here goes.
1. Unlike some sets that have a base that allows rotation, this one just sits. No pivot at all, and very hard to move. I ended up making my own pivoting base out of a couple pieces of (nice) wood and a $10 rotary table. Wonderful, but took some effort.
2. Even though this set has the ability to have the screen turned off with the audio still on (nice!) it's buried down really deep in the menus (not nice!). I don't want to always burn 300 watts to listen to the music channel on our cable box, I wish it was easier. Yes, a very minor point, until you have to do it once or twice every day.
3. I'm not a fan of shiny ANYTHING on the front surface of TVs. At least the screen has a decent anti-glare finish, but the edge is the now-mandatory patent leather black shine. Why oh why!!!
4. The remote is a TV remote. Period. Which means either you have to use some other remote for your other stuff or buy and program a multi-function. Cheat, really cheap.
5. When switching between modes (1080i, 480p, 4:3, 16:11 or whatever) the tv and sound go dead. Seems like an eternity, but it's probably only a second or two. Should be faster.
I could probably come up with a few more, but those are the biggest ones for me. Not very big really. Nice set, now if they could only give me a way to upgrade it to 120hz without buying a new one...


Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony Bravia V-Series KDL-52V4100 52-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

Ready for HD done the Sony way? Sony's KDL-52V4100 brings 1080p picture quality home with amazing, Sony-exclusive features like the XMB (Xross Media Bar) with 3D graphics, DMex capability so you can add functionality to your TV, and picture quality technologies like ACE (Advanced Contrast Enhancer) and BRAVIA Engine 2™. Add to that a sophisticated, piano black design, 24p capability so you can get the most out of the movies you watch on Blu-ray and DVD, 4 HDMI™ inputs along with three other HD-capable connections, and what you have is a television that can bring dreams to life.

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Samsung LN52A650 52-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color Review

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(More customer reviews)When I purchased this TV from Amazon.com I had already decided on this Samsung 52" series and was trying to decide between the 650 and the 750. At the time there was a small price difference between the two on Amazon.com. I ended up choosing the 650 because I was placing the TV inside a nook that had limited space.
The 650 has a less bulky frame around the LCD screen and therefore it was only 50.2 inches wide as compared to the 750 which is 52" wide. Both screens have the exact same visual display area. Beyond trying to accommodate my limited space, I felt that the smaller frame looked nicer on the TV than the larger frame.
The other reason I chose the 650 is that it can swivel on the base, whereas the 750 is fixed on its base. Because I have placed the TV in a nook, this swivel feature has come in very handy as I have had to get behind it from time to time to plug in cords, etc.
I have read a lot about screen reflection and was bracing myself for a potentially unpleasant experience during daytime viewing, especially since the room the TV is in has windows all the way across two walls and is full of sunlight daily. I'm happy to report that screen reflection is absolutely no problem. The TV that I was replacing with the Samsung LCD was an older 32" Panasonic Panablack analog TV with the glass screen, which had a lot of reflection. As a point of reference, the Samsung has about 20% of the screen reflection of my old TV (judging from when the TV is off). When the TV is on, the Samsung has about 5% of screen reflection compared with what I used to have with my old TV, which may be due to the incredible brightness of the display.
I spent a number of months on this decision and I feel like I hit a home run with this purchase. Samsung has certainly exceeded my expectations with this model and I have been very satisfied with my first experience of buying a TV online from Amazon.com.
DEC 20, 2008 UPDATE: I've now owned the TV for more than 6 months. No regrets. The TV has survived well in a family with 5 kids under age 10. It's taken some direct hits to the screen with toys thrown by a 2-year-old but any marks on the screen easily rubbed off. It still looks just like the day I first got it and runs perfectly. I'm very happy with this purchase.
JUNE 7, 2009 UPDATE: Still going strong after 1 year. Absolutely no problems with the TV. Best purchase I ever made. Everyone who has seen it can hardly believe the picture quality. I get positive comments all the time.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung LN52A650 52-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color

Get innovative HD design and performance on a brilliant 52-inch LCD screen. The Samsung 52" LCD HDTV has superior picture quality with a unique bezel design. The Touch of Color accents the top and bottom edges of the bezel with a unique amber tone. Full 1080p HD resolution and 50,000:1 dynamic-contrast ratio offer stunning image detail and vivid colors. Auto Motion Plus 120Hz and Ultra Clear Panel technology work together to offer the smoothest motion and boldest bright and dark tones. Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp - Provides colors in your picture that were not available before Fast 4ms response time minimizes blurring of moving video Widescreen NTSC/ATSC Tuners with Clear QAM Ultra clear panel enhances contrast and reduces reflection Viewing Angle - 178 x 178 Degrees DNIe (Digital Natural Image Engine) delivers a crisp, lifelike picture that is closer to film Auto volume leveler Audio amplifier - Watts per channel - 10 Watts x 2 channels to bottom downfiring speakers SRS TruSurround XT sound delivers virtual surround using built-in speakers 4 HDMI, 2 Component video, RF antenna inputs S-video, A/V, PC inputs Hook up your MP3 player or digital camera via the Wiselink USB 2.0 connection Headphone output HDMI-CEC allows peripherals to be controlled by remote control Stereo broadcast reception (MTS & SAP) with 181 channels Picture-in-Picture V-Chip Auto wall mount compatible - 3-dimensional operation via TV's control Swivel stand Wheel key remote control English, Spanish & French on-screen displays Variable sleep timer Dimensions - without stand - 50.2 x 31.7 x 4.1; with stand - 50.2 x 34.1 x 12.8 Weight - without stand - 64.6 lbs.; with stand - 76.7lbs.

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Sony Bravia XBR KDL-40XBR7 40-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)This is my third LCD set. The first being a 32" Sharp Aquos 720p (touted to be the best at the time of that purchase). The second being a 40" Sony V2500 1080p unit. This third being the 40" XBR7. Oh my have things changed over the years.
In the comparison of apples to apples (V-series from 2 years back against the current XBR7), the difference in picture quality is amazing. The color contrast is better (without the need to be in 'torch mode'), and the "blurring" is almost gone.
If I am comparing the unit to another, please assume it's the Sony KDL-40V2500 unit unless otherwise specified.
Menus:
The XMB menu system is great. There is a bit of lag when switching from category to category though. It's just in the animation. The function isn't hindered. The adjustments (that make everyone's heads spin) have some added comments to help you decide which setting is best. It's a nice added feature, but I would still use the best tool to adjust the set: your eyes. Many home theater "elites" will criticize all of the added "picture enhancers" Sony has added. I would ignore their advice of "turn if all off" and simply adjust the set to what looks best to you. Of course, a simple calibration baseline does do wonders: Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics [Blu-ray]
Source: DirecTV HR21 HD-DVR - Connected via HDMI to Receiver, then to TV
The HD content has a more crisp and clear look to it. The "MotionFlow" should be either set to Off or "Standard", as the "High" setting is a bit dizzying. It gives a smooth "flowing" visual effect which makes content look great OR horrible (depends on your eyes and personal preference). Many movies (HBO HD, 1080i broadcast, I think) look fantastic. It's almost as clear as having the actual BluRay. The SD content PQ has slightly improved, but nothing amazing.
Source: Playstation 3 (60 gb Launch model) - Connected via HDMI to Denon Receiver "Pure Mode" (bypasses any receiver processing), then to TV
Stunning. That is the word that best describes the quality. The first thing I watched after setting up the TV was Batman: The Dark Knight. The detail in the dark scenes were quite impressive. Most LCDs will produce a very dark gray since it's near impossible to reproduce black. This unit get's VERY damn close in my opinion. Details can actually be seen in the dark scenes now (the V2500... couldn't distinguish much). Film content (24p) is best viewed with MotionFlow OFF. With the feature on, it looks like the main subject(s) on the screen are slightly popping out from the rest of the scene. It's an interesting look, but it's not for me.
When gaming, there is no motion blur (1080p and 720p) that I noticed. The V2500 had some blur issues. The colors are crisp and vibrant. Details can be seen even in the darkest of rooms. This is definitely a noteworthy contender if gaming is the main function of this TV.
Source: Lenovo T500 Notebook via HD15 - Directly connected to TV
Intel on-board graphics test... will test ATI Graphics at a later date
Everything looked fine. I was running the native resolution for the notebook's screen (1600 by 1050, or something in that ballpark). The text was easy to read. I haven't been able to do full resolution (1920x1080), but will try the next time I connect it.
Overall, this is a great unit. There were very little gripes I had about the unit. It's near flawless. Some say the XBR6 quality is the same. I unfortunately didn't have the luxury of a XBR6 and XBR7 side by side for a true comparison. To save a few bucks, I'd recommend checking out the XBR6 also. The only difference that MIGHT exist is a 8bit (XBR6) versus 10bit (XBR7) panel... but Sony never indicates what the XBR6 actually has. Rumors have it that they both use 10bit panels and it's just hidden in the XBR6 documentation so the XBR7 will have a larger arsenal to market with.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony Bravia XBR KDL-40XBR7 40-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV

Sony BRAVIA XBR7-Series LCD HDTVs leverage our HD expertise to deliver Full HD 1080p resolution and stunning picture performance. A BRAVIA Engine EX fully digital video processor helps reduce noise, sharpen image detail, and improve color accuracy, while Motionflow 120Hz technology enhances motion to deliver a smoother and clearer looking picture. An Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE) circuit dynamically adjusts contrast, producing deeper blacks in dark scenes while preserving shadow detail, and Live Color Creation technology works in concert with a special WCG-CCFL backlight to further refine colors and deliver a more realistic picture. In addition, DMeX functionality3 lets you expand your HDTV's capabilities when you attach optional BRAVIA Link modules (sold separately).

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Samsung LN52B630 52-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color Review

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(More customer reviews)After spending way too much time researching and viewing these TVs at big box stores, I eventually bought this set from Amazon, and could not be happier.
I was in the plasma vs LCD debate for a while and decided that I needed/wanted the brightness of an LCD, didn't want to worry about any burn in issues (I know they are almost non-existent today anyway). I wanted 1080p and most plasma sets with 1080p are close to this price point as well. I debated for about a month between last years ln52a630 and the ln52a750, and which one to buy. The matte screen on the 630 was its highlight for me, but there was a sacrifice in the contrast ratio and other miscellaneous little "bells and whistles". The A750 being the more expensive model, the price point dropped so much, it was now pretty much an even swap. Hearing about the problems associated with the 750 including glare, halo and TOC flaking issues, I decided the 630 with its matte screen was the TV for me.
So, I price shopped the A630 for a few weeks until I stumbled across the new version of the set, the ln52b630. A little more money is WELL spent when upgrading to this TV. The contrast ratio is double 40,000:1 vs 80,000:1, and even dominates last years 50,000:1 A750's contrast ratio. Again, this TV also has the MATTE SCREEN! Almost no glare issues in my very bright viewing room, that has multiple windows and a sliding glass door.
The TV's picture quality is the best my friends and I have seen so far from an LCD. Deepest blacks and brightest brights are the comments I have been hearing when people see this TV in operation. The clarity in blu-ray 1080p with 120hz is breathtaking, you almost don't want to take your eyes off the screen. I have it connected to Dish Network's HD service and the PQ in 1080i is also superb, a slight loss in clarity and blur in fast moving sequences that is non-existent in 1080p. Standard def programing also looks great as well.
As far as audio, I have it setup through surround sound, so I cannot comment.
I have yet to connect an ethernet cable to use those features as well.
**UPDATE** I have attached the ethernet cable and the "infolink" features do work as advertised. It is a nice feature, news stories, temperature/weather, stocks all positioned in the corners of the screen. Will i ever use it, probably not. But, it works as advertised. I wish it was a way to update firmware for the TV rather than for these features.
The USB media port is another excellent feature. It allows you to play movies, music and pictures directly from the side of the TV with a USB flash drive or external hard drive. It will play almost any codec you throw at it, supposedly even x264(HD), have not been able to test this.
The remote is nicely designed and easy to use. Samsung eliminated the dreaded "click-wheel' on this years new models.
Delivery: Pilot was my shipping service, and I cannot say anything bad about the service. The delivered early and made the necessary phone calls to arrange delivery. The box was in great shape, as well as the TV inside.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung LN52B630 52-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color

With Samsung's LN52B630, you're connected to great HD entertainment and up-to-the-minute online info. Enjoy a Full HD feast for the eyes, courtesy of the 1080p resolution and 52-inch LCD screen. Check sports scores, stock quotes, weather and other update able RSS content at just the touch of a button on your remote, with the InfoLink feature. Samsung's Auto Motion Plus120Hz technology keeps even the fastest on-screen motion smooth and natural. Enjoy bold black tones with an impressive 80,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. Four HDMI inputs give you fast and easyconnection options for your Blu-ray Disc player and gaming system. And the stylish yet subtle Touch of Color design adds a red accent to the bezel's border – perfect in any modern home.

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Sony Bravia XBR-Series KDL-46XBR4 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)We purchased an XBR4 and brought it home last night from a brick-and-mortar store. I didn't think they would be available for another month. I've been trying to decide what to purchase for almost 4 months (a common story from what I've read on the internet). Every time I stood in Frys Electronics, or Best Buy, or Circuit City the Sony XBR series would catch my eye. In my opinion they simply are better than all the rest.
I looked briefly at Plasma but our living room has lots of windows so we couldn't tolerate the shiny screens. The latest and greatest Samsung LCDs also have shiny screens so alas they were excluded.
We compared the Sharp Aquos 52d82 with the Sony XBR3 and once again the sharpness and clarity of the Sony outstripped the Sharp. This is all subjective mind you. You might very well be quite satisfied with another brand. For me I would never be happy had I purchased something else, knowing these XBR series were out there.
Last night the Sony 46" XBR4 was sitting between two Plasma TVs in the store. The Sony was sharper and had deeper blacks than the two Plasmas.
I was itching to purchase a Sony but I knew the XBR4 & 5 were coming soon with the 120Hz refresh, 10 bit color, 3 HDMI 1.3 inputs, PC input, 15000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 2000:1 true contrast, and the BLACK bezel. Yes the XBR4 came with the black bezel which I prefer over the silver of the XBR2.
Setup was as easy as the traditional CRT TV the XBR4 replaced in our living room. Plug it in, stick the Playstation 3 HDMI cable into the back, turn it on, select the game input and away we went.
We have a library of over 300 480i DVDs. I was concerned they wouldn't look good. I've read many user reviews about poor quality 480i presentations on the previous XBRs. While they can't hold a candle to the Blu-Ray Planet Earth series the standard DVDs look quite respectable on the XBR4.
The Sony remote is quite long compared to our other remotes. It has single buttons to change the Picture from Wide Zoom, to Normal, Full, and Zoom. You can quickly also select Vivid, Standard, Cinema, or Custom Picture Modes. The remote is a "universal" type that will control a Set Top Box, DVD, Blu Ray disk player, or of course the TV. The remote picked up my Sony DVD player without me having to do anything to set it up. However we have a Logitech Harmony 890 (Amazon has a great price) so won't be using the Sony remote.
There are 10 input selections, TV, Video 1 (which we named DVD), Video 2, Video 3, Component 1, Component 2, HDMI 1 (which we named Game for the Playstation 3), HDMI 2, HDMI 3, and PC. I did hook up my PC which has 1080p capability and surfed the internet for a while. I don't think these big screens make good PC monitors though as you have to sit close enough to read text and at that point they are too large.
There were no dead pixels, and I haven't seen any "clouding" that was the bane of the XBR2&3.
Yes it is pricey but in my opinion it is the best.
September 27, 2007 update
Now that I've had this LCD for over a month I'm very pleased with it. One additional comment is the built in speakers are quite good. I also recently purchased a 34" Sharp with built in speakers and immediately noticed the difference in the poorer sound quality in this Sharp. The Sony sounds so good I haven't spent the time to hook the sound output jacks up to my surround sound system.
Changing channels could be quicker, but my guess is the TV is trying to figure out what kind of signal it has (480i, 720i, 1080i) and make adjustments.
I've had issues with dropping sync with some digital TV channels but I have no way of knowing if it is the TV itself or the quality of my cable. It will lose sync for about 5 seconds then re-sync.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony Bravia XBR-Series KDL-46XBR4 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

The Sony BRAVIA XBR KDL-46XBR4 46-inch 1080p LCD Flat Panel HDTV continues Sony's tradition of making outstanding televisions. With a 46-inch screen, you'll be able to see every little detail without any need to squint. Sony does not hold back with any technologies, and the XBR series is its flagship line--so with the XBR, you know you'll get the best quality home theater experience available.
Top-Notch Video Performance The XBR KDL-46XBR4 is a 1080p television with a full 1920 x 1080 resolution, the highest resolution available for the sharpest, clearest picture. The KDL-46XBR uses the most recent HDMI 1.3 interface, which houses both audio and video signals in one connector and has the bandwidth to support the data needed for the high resolution. Sony's Bravia Engine Pro Full Digital Video Processor upconverts all video signals to 1080p so you can watch all your old DVDs on this glorious display.
Sony complements the high resolution with the latest technology in color reproduction. The KDL-46XBR is a 10-bit display with 10-bit processing. Most panels are only 8-bit. The added bit depth here means a larger color palette for more faithful color reproduction and smoother transitions from one color to the next. Additionally, the display also supports the new x.v.Color standard, which dramatically increases the available color space. The end result is a picture that is so detailed, colorful, and vibrant, you'd have a hard time distinguishing it from real life.
The KDL-46XBR4 features Sony's Motionflow technology, which automatically adjusts for and applies the proper processing for optimal motion reproduction depending on the video input. This includes support for 24 frames per second (24p) video, which displays video content at the 24-frames-per-second rate at which it was originally filmed or recorded. With 24p, you get the most faithful possible reproduction of the original.
A Wide Variety of Inputs This Sony television's wide variety of inputs ensures compatibility with your other home theater components. There are three HDMI connections for Blu-Ray, HD DVD, and other technologies requiring the high bandwidth, and two component video inputs, three composite video inputs, one S-Video input, one PC Audio and Video input, and five analog audio inputs. Even with a collection of legacy components, you shouldn't have a problem connecting to the KDL-46XBR4.
Stunning Looks The KDL-46XBR4 not only displays stunning video but is itself a head-turner. It features Sony's unique floating glass frame along with a black bezel that can be interchanged with optional color bezels to match the display to your decor.
Outstanding Ergonomics and Simplicity of Control Sony's Xross Media Bar interface is an award-winning, intuitive on-screen display that makes setup a breeze, with menus and controls logically laid out for quick access. The KDL-46XBR4 also features Theatre Sync technology, based on the HDMI-CEC standard, which means you can easily connect to and control compatible devices. For example, when the KDL-46XBR4 is connected to a compatible DVD player, you can turn on both the DVD player and the television and start playing a DVD with a single push of a button on the remote. When you're done, another push of a button powers everything down. With Theatre Sync, you can spend time enjoying the movie rather than waste time setting everything up.
More Than Just a Television Because more and more people expect to view photos on their HDTVs, Sony developed a Photo TV HD mode that optimally sets the sharpness, gradation, and color to make digital photos look like printed photography.
The KDL-46XBR4 is backed by a 1-year limited warranty for parts and labor.
What's in the Box KDL-46XBR4 46-inch LCD flat panel HDTV, remote control, 2 AA batteries, AC power cord, operating instructions, quick setup guide, warranty card, table top stand, and support strap.

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Samsung LN46A850 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with RED Touch of Color Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First off let me provide some basic info so you have an understanding of the use, location, and expectations for this TV. Let me state that this is the first HDTV we have ever owned. This is a replacement for a functioning 25" Zenith color console with a rotary dial (only has a flat UHF and VHF input) that we purchased new 25 plus years ago. We have basic cable (Time Warner) that was hooked up to the old TV through a VHS and DVD (separate) player. We started researching HDTV's last year. After information overload from all of the various manufactures as to why they were better we settled on the Samsung brand just to start narrowing it down. After that we took up the Plasma vs. LCD. We settled on the LCD and then quickly narrowed it down to the 46" model based upon our living room layout. We have three interior and one exterior wall, with the exterior wall facing east and is all glass. We have a fireplace at the end of the room and that is where the TV has always set. After all of that was done we were ready to pull the trigger and purchase the LN46A650 but waited for a while ($$). By the time we were ready to purchase, Samsung had just released the 850, 860, and 950. Jump back into research to see what the differences were. Well thin is what we needed to help with the room arrangement so we quickly changed to the 850 (ToC red) / 860 (ToC blue) model. We purchased the 850 on Cyber Monday. It arrived the following Monday.
1. CEVA Logistics, Just after placing my order I received a confirmation from Amazon with the tracking #. Goggled CEVA, placed the tracking # in the main web page to locate the TV and there it was, at the warehouse outside of Harrisburg Pa. I checked it several times that week and followed it through their system. I received a phone call from the local agent on Friday who setup a delivery time on Monday (7 days after the order) for a delivery between 9 and 1. They arrived at about 10:00 with a small urban type delivery truck. The two deliverymen were college aged and friendly. They met me at the door and we inspected the package together. They advised me before stepping into the house that they were only to unpack and check that it powered on. They did just that and there were no issues. I tried to tip them but they politely refused and went on their way. I am mentioning this here as some reviews were all over the place on them.
2. The TV, It was easy to hook up. Screwed in the cable to the back and turned it on. It went through a couple of quick menus and then it was searching for channels. It even tells you on the screen where it is in the process. We only get about 60 basic cable channels so I was quite surprised when it said that it was up to about 150 and still going. Once it reached the end it stated "removing scrambled channels" which brought the number back down. It found all of the HD channels that Time Warner provides free and I never new they were there.
3. Navigating the built in menu system is fairly easy. Once you get the hang of the remote you can set up the entire TV in about 30 minutes (in my case).
4. I will say that the remotes are pretty particular that they are pointed at the lower left side of the screen. One remote has everything on it. The second remote in the box that is pretty basic. It will turn the TV off and on; change the channels and the volume.
5. ToC, this is a non issue in this model. You can barely see it at all and there is no glare that we can detect at all through the sides that affect the picture.
6. The black bezel is extremely glossy and looks spectacular. When our room has all of the lights on you can see the reflections off of it but it has not interfered with our viewing. We mostly have one light on in the room at the far end in the evening and it is not noticeable. Daytime viewing, in the morning the room is brightly lit as it gets the rising sun. The screen is not affected from it.
7. Factory defaults, from the start we left them alone till we had a better feel for the TV. We have been tweaking here and there and believe that everyone can customize to their tastes. The picture is just exceptionally clear and the TV does a great job of adjusting the straight 4:3 broadcast into what ever format you want. I think that there are 5 different settings here (4:3, 16:9, zoom 1, zoom 2, wide fit) and you can set to your tastes.
8. DVD Player, Hooked it up to the TV with component cables as the connection. The player is a 2001 model and is pretty basic. We placed a Star Wars DVD in because of the THX calibration (Google it) and was utterly amazed that it looked that good. We did not do a calibration and left all of the settings alone. The TV has a built in surround sound emulator that can be turned on and off if you do not have external speakers. The sound was absolutely great compared to what we had before. I am sure that it does not match a true 5:1 or 7:1 but in no way is it weak as other reviewers have claimed.
9. Update on DLNA (12-20-2008),(additional info posted under comments, 1-19-2009) You do not need to install the software if you have Vista Home Premium, Vista Ultimate, or Windows Home Server. The DLNA hooked up while I was trying to figure out the instructions in the manual. That is about the only good I can say about this at this point. The instructions in the user manual are almost worthless. It makes it seem that you have to install the software which is not the case if you have any of the 3 OS above. The DLNA found my extensive home photo library and that part works OK. The USB on the side of the TV will not support anything but FAT 16/32 formatted keys. It will not allow the running of an external hard drive on the port. Home Movies and an extensive music library will not play on the TV. DLNA supports a very limited set of formats and codec's. Nothing that I have will run in either of these two categories without an error message "format not supported". How many folks will want to convert hundreds of gigs of home movies and music? After doing a little research I am finding that there is software that will sit between your storage devices and the TV that will convert on the fly. It will be till January sometime that I have a chance to try that out.
Final Thoughts on DLNA, I am disappointed that Samsung did not choose formats that more closely resembled what the general population has sitting on their home computers. The use of converters and the shortcomings here are a major let down as compared to the rest of the TV. I will say that my photo library looks stunning on the TV. Samsung has a way to go to support home movies and music. While this is a major shortfall it does not take away the viewing quality that this TV produces when watched. Just be aware that you need to be somewhat Techy to get DLNA working.

10. Infolink, The INFOLINK found everything the first time. News, Sports, Weather, and Stocks etc can be programmed fairly easy.
Final comments, the channel search found double channels on all of the major broadcast affiliates (NBC, ABC, FOX, ETC). It is easy to go through the menu system and tell which is analog and which is digital. Delete the analog as you can see a major difference in the quality. One can hit an "info" button on the remote and it will give you all of the technical stuff on the channels. I really like the feature that tells you which format the broadcasts are in, 4:3 or 16:9, and the resolution 420i, 720P, 1080i. The HD channels and shows themselves are clearly awesome as you see features on the shows that you have never seen before, blemishes on the actor's faces, individual strands of hair, subtle makeup differences in shades ETC. The swivel stand is nice and the TV itself is not that heavy. It comes with a micro fiber cleaning cloth. Only time will tell if this model will give us the longevity that we are accustomed to. We are totally pleased with our purchase.
Thanks
GM


Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung LN46A850 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with RED Touch of Color

Samsung's 850 Series has the Touch of Color design with a slim depth and narrow bezel and features a built-in tuner, full high definition 1080p resolution with Auto Motion Plus 120Hz.A fast 4 ms response rate with a Ultra Clear Panel produces smooth-motion scenes for sports and action movies and a dynamic contrast ratio of 50,000:1 makes for deep blacks and crisp lines.Superb connectivity and networking with 4 HDMI 1.3 ports (3 rear/1 side).Turn your LCD into a full-scale home viewing gallery and watch your favorite photos in a slide show and listen to your MP3's with WiseLink (USB 2.0). Samsung's InfoLink provides RSS feeds of customizable stock quotes, weather, and brief news articles.

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VIZIO E420VA 42-Inch Full HD 1080p LCD HDTV, Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This isn't a horrible TV by any means, picture is decent, and everything works as it should. However... for an $580 TV I have found quite a few things I am very unhappy with, that I didn't really consider before buying.
-the TruSound feature had to be turned off within the first two hours... horrible volume fluctuation at the wrong times...
-from the time you push the power button expect about 15 seconds before you see a picture (seriously I counted)
-once the picture is up...expect another 2-3 seconds for any sound
-the same is true for changing channels, NO QUICK SCANNING, its takes about 7 second start to finish one channel to the next, after you enter the channel about 5 second before it turns, then another second or 2 before there is a picture, and yet another couple seconds before there is any sound. **THIS SEEMS LIKE AN ETERNITY WHEN YOU ARE SWITCHING BETWEEN CHANNELS OR SURFING.
-my other complaint is the volume control... there needs to be at least three more volume numbers between one and 5. One is able to be heard easily from the next room. TWO is already almost too loud if your the only activity in the house. 3,4, and 5 show very little fluctuation in sound, which I wish was the case for 0-3!

Click Here to see more reviews about: VIZIO E420VA 42-Inch Full HD 1080p LCD HDTV, Black


VIZIO's E420VA 42" LCD HDTV delivers full 1080p HD picture quality and superior audio at an amazing value. This flat screen LCD HDTV features SRS TruVolume and SRS TruSurround HD audio for advanced virtual surround sound, 50,000 to 1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio giving you deeper blacks and brighter whites, and four HDMI ports to connect up to four HDMI devices to your TV. Finally, when the unit is turned on the E420VA also exceeds ENERGY STAR 4.1 guidelines to reduce energy consumption and utilizes built-in ambient light sensing technology, which automatically adjusts backlight levels to the brightness of its surroundings.
Auto-adjusting sensors provide efficient ambient lighting.

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Samsung LN40A750 40-Inch 1080p DLNA LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)... buy this model. We got it to replace a three year old, 32-inch Sony that has served us very well in our bedroom, but we wanted a bigger screen. We got the bigger screen in a better looking cabinet, and, a much better picture, much better sound, and a much better tuner.
UPDATE (8/24/08) - If I could give this TV more than 5 stars, I would. When I registered my TV with SAMSUNG online (as opposed to mailing in the warranty card), they automatically extended the warranty from 12 to 18 months. Then, 2 days ago, I got a box in the mail from SAMSUNG with their USB wireless network adapter. For free! I attached it and gave myself a crash course in setting up wireless network security. At first I used automatic network setup on the TV menu. It worked well but intermittently with WPA-PSK encryption, but, flawlessly when I used manual wireless setup. The content this gives you is from USA Today. I found out what "That Darn Wheel" on the remote is really for. When you read a multipage news story, you have to use the wheel to turn the pages. There's no other way.
I ordered a cheap HDMI cable from an Amazon independent vendor (cost $6, including shipping) and hooked the TV up to a Philips 160 GB HDD/DVD recorder with a built-in digital QAM tuner. Got rid of all the other cables to neaten up the cable tangle situation. The recorder does 1080P upscaling if you use the HDMI interface and the TV automatically senses and adjusts its resolution mode to match. Makes even regular channels look almost as good as the HIDEF ones. I don't use the recorder's tuner all the time for normal TV viewing, but when I need it, its there to add a new dimension for enjoying this TV's many features.
I got almost $150 back during the 30 day grace period, and the price has fallen another $159 since, but I got it when when I needed it and don't regret not getting a better price. Every time I turn it on, I am glad I chose this model.
Back to my original review -
PLUSES -
CABINET - The jet black bezel has a subtle tinge of red, and is accented with a clear rim. It's stunning.
SOUND- I chose this model for the internal subwoofer. We don't want multiple speakers in our bedroom, and the Samsung's internal speakers work fine. We loaded a Blueman Group DVD and the internal woofer was pretty powerful. I turned up the bass on the built-in equalizer and had to throttle it back to neutral so the room wouldn't shake. The factory settings are fine.
PICTURE - The picture is sharp, even on analog channels. Digital channels look even better. The wideband flourescent backlight delivers the promised color performance. The factory settings make both analog and digital pictures look fantastic, but I detuned the picture to dim down the light emitted into the room and set the energy saving feature to high which also degrades the picture. Know what? It still looks great.
TUNER - We don't have and don't want to use the cable company's box, but, we can get all the analog content and unscrambled digital, high def channels they offer (NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, and PBS). The Sony's tuner used to break up on Fox and ABC high def channels, but the Samsung's tuner locks in tight on everything. The Sony took a few seconds to lock on digital channels and the Samsung does this much faster.
MINUSES - Not many.
PRELOADED CONTENT - The content the factory loaded on the internal flash drive seems silly. It includes games, artwork, recipes, and entertaiment. The artwork includes high def works by Monet, Van Gogh, and Latrec. I can see that it might be nice to use the TV as a picture frame, but who needs it. The other content is OK to look at once, but after that, never again. You can't add content to the internal memory, but you can use MP3 and JPEG content on an external USB thumb drive.
THAT DARN WHEEL - Overall, the remote is also great, but the wheel is twitchy and there isn't a single thing you can do with it that you can't do easier by just using it as a 4-way switch (up, down, left, right). It's more awkward to twist the wheel with your thumb than it is to push down on the wheel's edge, but if you aren't careful the slightest twist will change the function you are trying to adjust. It's not hard to master the feel, but the wheel is a totally unnecessary feature. Wonder how much it adds to the remote's production cost. The remote lights up when you touch it, which is great while you are learning where all the buttons are, but it does run the batteries down faster, so the instructions say. You can easily enable and disable the light function.
Amazon's price was right and it dropped $45 between the time I ordered and when it was delivered. Getting a refund for the difference took less than 5 minutes on the phone. The TV was delivered 5 days earlier than promised.
Directions on how to adjust the TV on/off melody sound, which is annoying, are on page 61 of the manual. Navigate to menu/setup/external settings/melody. then select "off."

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung LN40A750 40-Inch 1080p DLNA LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color

A little Touch of Color(TM) is all it takes to shake up the HDTV world. One look at the industry-leading color-infused bezel on this new HDTV series confirms it. The LN40A750 is a truly exceptional HDTV and offers an incredible entertainment experience. SAMSUNG's new Touch of Color(TM) design is sure make a statement in your home. And InfoLink(TM) RSS lets you instantly access news, weather, sports and stock information. Seeing is believing with Auto Motion Plus 120Hz(TM). It creates an amazingly clear picture and more realistic action scenes. Satisfy your craving for the latest in HD technology with the SAMSUNG LN40A750 LCD TV.

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Samsung LN52A850 52-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)So, if you're like me you research and research, obsess a bit, and then research some more before making a television purchase. So, I thought I would offer a few simple thoughts that might help. First this is an amazing television. The picture is simply amazing, the slim design is wonderful, and the remotes and features are very fun if not all that necessary. Here are some goodies to think about.
As you read on, you'll see that Amazon has pulled the various prices out of my review. Sorry about that, but I'm guessing this review will last a while and that prices always change. Anyway, the general gist is still there.
1. 120 LCD televisions (especially Samsung) are designed to give a 3D-ish effect. They do this through inserting extra film clips between the regular clips. This means that sports look AMAZING, but that movies look like you're watching stage theater. Truly, like it's live video. For some people this is amazing, for others it's completely horrible. I personally hate it. But don't worry. Simply turn the 120 htz off or switch the TV to "Game" setting and you'll have a traditional wonderful movie picture.
2. Is there a difference between the 650, 750, and 850? YES!! Your decision should really come between the 650 or the 850 if your focus is on the picture. If you feel that you want to consider sound as a big part of the package then the 750 should come into the mix too. The 650 and 750 have the same picture and the 750 has a bit more bass. However, the 850 has a higher grade of pixel and produces much deeper blacks and richer whites. You won't find this on the basic specs, but trust me...it's true. There is also some thoughts that the thinner design contributes to the higher black levels. However, looking at a 650 and 850 side by side is enough to easily see the difference. The 850 adds greater depth and detail to your picture. I think it's fully worth the difference in price.
3. The sound question: Consumer reports says that the 650 has "Very Good" sound and the 850 has "Good" sound. I think this hits it just right. The 650 has nice rich tones and you could easily get away with not having a big stereo system. THe 850 is nice too. Just lacking those rich tones. It sounds more like a regular television. Just fine, but you're not getting a "wowswer" effect. However, the 650 is not going to replace a nice surround sound system by any means. The 750 does have a nice bass speaker thrown in which surpasses both. However, my view is that you should focus on your picture when it comes to the television and then look at a surround system for sound. The 850 is just fine for regular TV and the 750 would be nice for a movie, but nothing compared to a good surround system. My advice, by the 850 and save up for a nice mid-range three to five hundred dollar surround sound system from Costco. You'll be blown away.
4. Ohhhh, but maybe a plasma. Yep, plasmas are nice. They glare a bit, but so does the 650-850 series. Plasmas are not as sharp and crisp, but have higher contrast. They won't give you that "stage" look though. I looked at a lot of plasmas and went with the 850. I thought it had wonderful contrast and still maintained those crisp features that are all part of the LCD experience. You'll pay more, so if you want to save 600 or so I might jump down to a Plasma. Fully reasonable choice. Not as good a picture in my mind, but very rich (too rich for me) colors.
5. Ok...maybe a Plasma then: Sure, if you do you might consider panasonic. I haven't researched them as much, but they process at a higher level 480 hrtz vs. the 180 hrtz that a Samsung processes at. Doesn't make a big difference, but Panasonic has been making plasmas a long time and brags about how strong the glass panal is on the front. Supposedly more "wii" safe. Granted no one is playing wii next to the 850. ;) Also important to know that burn in is never covered by a warranty. You should also know that the repair costs for a plasma tend to be twice that of an LCD. The average repair cost for a Samsung LCD is about [...] Plasma average 400-900. If you go plasma, you might want to consider that [...] extended warranty.
6. Be ready to tweak: All high level televisions, including Samsung are built to really dial in. You're going to love your picture out of the box, but if you are bothered by something mess around with all the settings. Kick back and say "I'm going to take an hour to just play with the picture settings." Different combination gets different results. Some increase a "real" look. Others soften. It's going to take some time to dial in. Enjoy it. You can always "reset" the picture if you get too far off.
7. White Glove: Let me save you some time. Amazon has the best deal. Truly. They deliver within a week or two, the guys set up the television wherever you want it, and they are outta there. You sign the papers, and hit power on the remote. They'll even take the box...but you might want to save it. 2% of Samsungs have a problem with clouding (whiteness on the screen in uneven patches) or something else. Watch your tv for a while, if you're in doubt Amazon is awesome about sending a replacement and they will (if asked) take and deliver on the same day. You only have 30 days though so watch that calendar.7.5: The Jutters: So, you'll see characters jutter across the screen at times. You'll think "I just spent two grand on 120 hrtz to avoid this." Don't stress it. It's not the televisions fault. First, all big screens jutter. Plasmas do it, DLPs do it, and yet, LCDs are famous for it. Flip on a NBC HD game and you'll see nothing but perfection. Here's the deal. Jutters come from a few places. First, it happens on normal televisions too, but often the picture is so small we miss it. Next, the input has everything to do with it. Some DVDs, Blu-Rays, and television stations produce a signal that has a jutter to it. Once you know this little fact you can stop blaming the TV, and realize that on ANY set you'd be seeing that jutter. Funny thing, once you start looking for it you'll see it everywhere. I was jogging and noticed the goal post juttering on my track. Our eyes can only track so fast. ;) The other thing to note is that you're jumping up to a 52 inch television. The people on the screen can be one to two feet high! You're just going to have to process a lot of motion. It takes some time. After a bit, it doesn't even matter. Again, sit back and enjoy.
8. Random things I learned that you might want to know:
1. Go to best buy or someplace and look at the televisions. You need to see your choices. Have them reset the pictures so they are all on the same settings and look. That needs to be your biggest selling point. Then buy from Amazon. They might match, but Amazon has AMAZING customer service.
2. If you register your Samsung within a few weeks of delivery they will give you 3 extra months of warranty for free.
3. Prices jump around all the time. Haggle. Usually a television at this level should come with some sort of promo (150 off a blu-ray) or something of that nature. However, once you purchase from Amazon the largest fluctuation I've seen is 50.00. They are pretty steady. Best Buy and Circuit City will jump [...]
4. HDMI cords. You want a Version 1.3. Those are the highest grade available that what this TV supports. You have four inputs. I find the best configuration is xbox, blu-ray, ROKU (check it out at Netflix), and Cable into the TV, with a digital optical out from the tv to my sound system. VERY simple set up. Of course, choose the four devices that work best for you.
5. Cables: Amazon will offer you some HDMI cables at [...] a pop when you purchase your television. I might consider it. I purchased mine from Costco at 20 dollars a piece because they were gas filled and all super cool...did it make a difference. I don't know. But They were a nice tan color that doesn't stand out too much. I like that. DO NOT BUY ANY 70.00 HDMI cables. That's just a rip off. Save your [...].
6. I'm crazy about reading the manual. The biggest thing that popped out was the fact that the 850 screen must only be cleaned with water or LCD specific cleaners. The cabinet is water clean only. There are all sorts of other products out there that say they are safe...but why risk it right. So, keep that in mind.
7. The sand vs. the wall. Both are equally safe. The stand is very wide and strong on this TV. A wall mount MUST hit both studs. You will then have 4-6 of play to center your TV on sliders that are build into the stand. A plus is that the stand swivels and you don't see cords. A wall mount could get you...3-4 inches closer to the wall. It's a personal call, but make sure you've really found studs when mounting. Many older homes have lath and plaster or 1/4 layer of wood behind the drywall. This can give you a misreading on a stud finder and "could" cause a bad mount. You might be fine, you might not. IF you're worried higher someone that guarantees their work or just use the stand.
8. The FAN question: You'll read some reviews about fan noise and this TV. I haven't heard it yet, I'll keep you posted. It has a lot of venting so I would be surprised. If it does have a cooling fan I would be amazed to have it be louder than the television itself. I'll keep you posted.
9. Remote Control Block: You'll read that this television blocks a cable remote from working. This is no longer the case. New TV's aren't a problem and if it is, there is a firmware update that will fix the problem. Firmware is a file that you download from the Samsung website onto...Read more›

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung LN52A850 52-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color

Samsung's 850 Series has the Touch of Color design with a slim depth and narrow bezel and features a built-in tuner, full high definition 1080p resolution with Auto Motion Plus 120Hz.A fast 4 ms response rate with a Ultra Clear Panel produces smooth-motion scenes for sports and action movies and a dynamic contrast ratio of 50,000:1 makes for deep blacks and crisp lines.Superb connectivity and networking with 4 HDMI 1.3 ports (3 rear/1 side).Turn your LCD into a full-scale home viewing gallery and watch your favorite photos in a slide show and listen to your MP3's with WiseLink (USB 2.0). Samsung's InfoLink provides RSS feeds of customizable stock quotes, weather, and brief news articles.

Click here for more information about Samsung LN52A850 52-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color

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