Yes, another thread about purchasing a new HDTV

[demastus]

I'm in the market for a new HDTV. I'm not the most knowlegable about HDTV's so I'm out here asking for a little input. This is what I'm looking at: Samsung - 40" 1080p LCD HDTV - LN-S4095D (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7843854&st=lns4095d&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1142298457279)
or this one: Samsung - 40" Flat-Panel LCD HDTV - LN-S4092D (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7689192&st=lns4092d&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1138083504654)

Any other suggestions would be greatly appriciated.

[Google Guy]

This is easy. Hands down the Samsung - 40" 1080p LCD HDTV - LN-S4095D. Its much better.

[Æ N I M A 4 6 N 2]

Ask Scotracer ;)

[oneill]

Hi Demastus,

We are in the same boat. I'm also deciding between these two.

I chose to stick with non-1080p technology very intentionally, because it took all of these companies time to refine and perfect non-1080p displays, so to jump on the very first real flood of 1080p flat panels would be shortchanging myself, in my opinion. They have mastered signals up to 720p and1080i, so I want to stick with what has been mastered and wait a year or so until they have time to phase in 1080p.

So I decided to go with the Samsung LNS4092D, but dunno when I will purchase it, pretty soon yep yep.....

Pretty cheap on ebay....both are....

O'Neill::

[demastus]

Yeah, I guess sticking with the LN-S4092 would be the better option, but I can get the 95 for about $500 more on Amazon. Just thought that might outweigh the techno curve on the 1080p. But then again, I'm not really all-knowing about this tech, hence starting this thread for info. What would be the down side of going with the 4095?

[oneill]

There is no downside going with the 4095 my friend.....only diff between 92 and 95 is the 1080p and contrast ratio of 6000:1, which is nice.....and price of course!

Everything else is pretty much the same.......it all comes to your decision....if you want to go for the 1080p, go for it man.......I think they are still overpriced....but that is just me......take pics so we can see....

I went to Circuit City, just to take a look at those Samsungs. They had an 360 connected on a Samsung LN-S4696D. At 720p, I could not believe my eyes and started drooling all over the controller. For a screen so big, and still the picture was crisp and bright, thx to the 6000:1 contrast. It blew away the Sony Bravia models, imo. Samsung really hit it this time starting with LN-S4092D, 4095, 4096 models.

So go for yourself and check them out. Make comparisons, or best yet bring your own 360 and start testing some LCDs....:)

O'Neill::

[Scotracer]

Simple solution: If you are planning on playing your 360 on the HDTV, do NOT buy a 1080p set.

[demastus]

Simple solution: If you are planning on playing your 360 on the HDTV, do NOT buy a 1080p set.
I've pretty much decided on the 4092, but why wouldn't I want the 1080p set?

[Scotracer]

I've pretty much decided on the 4092, but why wouldn't I want the 1080p set?

Because, if you in-put a 720p signal into a 1080p panel, the image is scaled (distorted/stretched) to fit the new size, making it look awful. It will have a similar effect to playing a Xbox 360 through composite (480i therefore) on an HD panel. Remember, 720p is 1280x720 (1 megapixel) and 1080p is 1920x1080 (2 megapixel) that is a MASSIVE jump, so would look so bad you would think you'd had wasted all that money.

[oneill]

Scotracer said it well......but hey man if you want to buy the 4095 go ahead man.....it's your choice....like I said I'm not ready to jump ship yet to 1080p......1080p is still new and not main stream yet (standard).

They still need to refine and work all the bugs out. The only way you can watch 1080p now is only with HD-DVD or Blue-Ray and that's it. It's gonna be some long time when they start broadcasting in 1080p, although a 1080i signal will look awesome on a 1080p set.

Anyways 720p and 1080i are already mastered.......that is where I'm putting my money...

But that is just me, we can not decide for you, you have to decide what you want.

Getting my Sammy LN-S4092D in two weeks.....will put some pictures in the Show tread or here.

O'Neill::

[demastus]

Thanks for everyone's input. I've pretty much settled on the LN-S4092 and will be getting one next month. I just wanted everyone to know that I appriciated their insight.

[oneill]

I just orderd mine today Sammy 4092 for an incredible $1884 with free shipping from buydig.com...they have the best prices......awesome price.....next week prolly I will get it.....

Take a look on there webpage: Planet Xbox 360 Community Forums (http://www.buydig.com)

O'Neill::

[demastus]

That's a great price. Keep us posted on how it goes.

[oneill]

Up untill now, everything is smooth. I had some process errors and had to call them, but they just wanted me to confirm that I'm me :)......after that it was already to ship. Ordered it on Thursday, shipped already on Friday. That was fast, so I'm getting it sooner than I thought. Customer service was awesome also.

O'Neill::

[oneill]

This is my first LCD HDTV set. The LNS4092D has the picture quality you want from an LCD TV. I hold it up against the Sony Bravia. The picture and sound adjustments let you customize your set to your specific liking. The set-up and operation are very simple and easy to use from the remote. This TV impressed me from the moment I took it out of the box. When I first took a look at the TV, I could not believe my eyes how beautiful the black shine looked and made me feel that I had found a quality TV.

I went a lot of times to Circuit City to make comparisons and decisions about picture quality. The Sony BXR line and this Samsung model were the once I choose to have the greatest picture quality. In my opinion, compared side by side, I felt that the Samsung simply looked clearer and brighter, thx to the 5000:1 contrast. When I compared the shiny black finish and the hidden speakers, my decision was made.

The picture quality is fantastic and has many brightness modes as well as energy saver modes. Even SD looks decent. There is an obvious difference in picture quality, but SDTV looks pretty good on this set. I thought the sound was really good out of the hidden speakers and was not distorted at higher volumes. I am still yet to play a DVD with the upconverted picture quality through HDMI to get the full HD quality. The ipod connection feature is great.

I plugged it into my PC through VGA to test if for dead pixels, and found none, thank God. I could not believe my eyes how nice it will display as a monitor with resolution of 1360 X 768, not bad at all, still with analog connection VGA, it was nice experience.

This LCD is great for gaming. This is a great television regardless of what its uses are for. Mine is for gaming.

I have it hooked up to my Xbox 360 and the picture is by far better than on any other LCD I've seen. The colors are very vibrant, the contrast levels are excellent and the blacks are almost as dark as they get on plasmas.

There is no ghosting what so ever!

But you might want to turn off the "Game Mode" from the picture settings. Although it works the way it's supposed to. I hate the way the brightness levels adjusts itself on the fly as you transition from bright and dark areas during game play. Some might not have an issue with it, but I do since I find it a little distracting.

This isn't a negative on the LCD since it's a mode you can either keep on, or turn off. Afterall, it's a feature that's not even found on other LCD's.

I ordered the set online from Buydig.com. Delivery was fast, free shipping and customer service was nice and kind. They provide you with a tracking #, shipped with Fedex and got it 4 days. Unbelievable fast for free shipping and the TV box came in another bigger box filled up with those styorphone (dunno the spelling) small bits. I just check their price and now it's for $1795, free shipping, what a bargain. I bought it for $1884. Arg.......oh well :)

I can only speak for this particular Samsung model, the others are still very refined, but I purchased the LNS4092D and am writing this after a grueling gauntlet of test dvd's, WMVHD, IMAX high definition discs.

Samsung really hit the mark with this and I can honestly say that not only is this the first TV from Samsung I genuinely respect, it is also the one I chose over some very refined and stiff competition.

I can honestly claim Samsung has produced a machine that not only dresses well, but can also dance! I am proud of this television (the second piece of Samsung equipment I’ve purchased!) and would definitely consider it if looking at this size of LCD TV’s.

Everyone who sees this set is just as impressed as the last person who viewed it. I strongly recommend this model. It uses the same panel used in the Sony Bravia line and it costs a lot less.

O’Neill::

[oneill]

Here are some pictures. I'm sorry for the quality, since it's a camera phone. Side scroll on the bottom to see the full picture. Did not know the size was smaller.

Here is the big box that the TV came in. Buydig did a nice job to protect the main box the TV is in. Filled it up a lot of small bits of stryophones, so it won't move.
http://oneill.250free.com/img193.jpg

The main box that carries the TV. Almost as big as my bed. :eek: :D
http://oneill.250free.com/img196.jpg

The majestic Samsung for some testing.
http://oneill.250free.com/img198.jpg

This is the remote control. A tad big and a little uncomforatble, but I'll live.
http://oneill.250free.com/img202.jpg

Running on PC, not bad at all on 1360 X 768 reso @ 60Hz.
http://oneill.250free.com/img207.jpg

A closer look at the resolution.
http://oneill.250free.com/img208.jpg

[oneill]

Continue, side scroll on the bottom to see the full picture. Did not know the size was smaller.

Testing here Battlefield 2. What a experience to play on a 40". Great details and no ghosting at all,thx to it's fast 8ms responce time.
http://oneill.250free.com/img210.jpg

More Battlefield 2, waiting the Black Hawk to pick me up.
http://oneill.250free.com/img212.jpg

Testing here for dead pixels.
http://oneill.250free.com/img213.jpg

My old TV compared to the new one :hahaha:
http://oneill.250free.com/img214.jpg

This is just my temporay place for it. It's just my school desk as my media center.
http://oneill.250free.com/img215.jpg

My HDTV and my computer :)
http://oneill.250free.com/img216.jpg

Well that's it. I hope it interested you as it did for me.

Thanks,

O'Neill::

[Scotracer]

Very nice. That's the newer version of my TV (I have the 32"), also, I notice the Logitech's Z-680. VERY, VERY nice! I have them, myself (used to have Logitech Z-5500...I prefer the Z-680's).

One thing to point out: You have your TV too high off the ground. With LCD, you want to be viewing the TV straight on (perpendicularly versus panel). I would wall-mount it, if you can.

[oneill]

Thx Scot for your reply.

Hum.....you have a very good point there. I thought about before, but now you confirmed it for me.Thanks.

So Scot, what about I take that part where the TV sits and just put it on the desk, becuase that part just pops off. I'll give it a shot and see how it goes and take a pic for you guys.

About the Z-680, why is it better than the Z-5500, because I wanted to upgrade for the Z-5500 for the Xbox360, since it's cheap on newegg, and put the Z-680 for the PC. So what's the catch?

O'Neill::

[Scotracer]

The two systems are basically the same. Both are 550W RMS, both have a very similar maximum SPL. The Z-5500 has a larger subwoofer and I find it a bit too much; 8 inch is more than enough, the Z-5500's one just booms and sounds awful, even at lowest setting. The sound quality of each system is superb, both having over 100dB SNR. The only advantage the Z-5500 has is it's 96k/24Hz support, which gives increbible sound quality, but not many pieces of equipment support it, let alone out-put it.

Back to TV:

The height you are suggesting sounds better. Just make sure it's around head height when you are playing on it.

[oneill]

Hey Scot, thx man....it looks much much better and nicer too. Take a look. I forgot to include two more pictures while the 360 was running. Just stunning, again it's just my camera phone that sux a bit, otherwise a well worth investment.

Since you know a lot about LCD's and other gadgets, it makes me feel good that you chose Samsung. I made a good decision on investing on this one.

The new placement and much better view. Looks much better ehh?
http://oneill.250free.com/img233.jpg

360 running!
http://oneill.250free.com/img219.jpg

More 360 running!
http://oneill.250free.com/img218.jpg

O'Neill::

[Scotracer]

C'est magnifique!
I like the way you've set up the loggies, almost perfect ;)
Just 1 more question:
With your Set-up in the corner of your room, how have you configured the rear satellite speakers?

[oneill]

hehehehe......yeah I realised it after I took the picture. I was exited to show you. It's fixed now :)

Here are the sat. spkrs. My bed is in front of the TV.
http://oneill.250free.com/img236.jpg

[Scotracer]

I'm glad to see you recieved the pillow I sent you...

Anywho, that's a over-all very nice setup and I will post some pics when I get mine finished (but, will be with my 19 inch HDTV as my 32 is downstairs in the new theatre room...oh well, HD is HD).

[demastus]

Nice pics oneill, makes me itch to get mine purchased.

[oneill]

Thx Scot, I'm proud of my Sammy.

hehehe :love: you made me blush........I keep it close to my heart Scot, I can't sleep without it. :D

HD is HD........but your theater room deserves a bigger TV ehh? What do you say?

O'Neill::

[oneill]

Nice pics oneill, makes me itch to get mine purchased.

Thx demastus, now hurry up :motz: and go get one :)

For your viewing pleasure demastus, --------> go get it,lol,

GRAW is amazing on this baby.
http://oneill.250free.com/img235.jpg

O'Neill::

[Scotracer]

Thx Scot, I'm proud of my Sammy.

hehehe :love: you made me blush........I keep it close to my heart Scot, I can't sleep without it. :D

HD is HD........but your theater room deserves a bigger TV ehh? What do you say?

O'Neill::

Well, it was out of personal choice, but really, I have no need for a massive TV in my room....pics will come next week ;)

[oneill]

Lol there are no more pics...b00000........ :eviltongu

[Scotracer]

Keep your hair on, they will come soon. :)

[BRUTAL1TY]

Because, if you in-put a 720p signal into a 1080p panel, the image is scaled (distorted/stretched) to fit the new size, making it look awful. It will have a similar effect to playing a Xbox 360 through composite (480i therefore) on an HD panel. Remember, 720p is 1280x720 (1 megapixel) and 1080p is 1920x1080 (2 megapixel) that is a MASSIVE jump, so would look so bad you would think you'd had wasted all that money.

wont the dashboard update fix this soon though?

[oneill]

So what about the Dashboard are those also displayed in 720p or now in 1080p? Or it depends what you choose?

O'Neill::

[Scotracer]

wont the dashboard update fix this soon though?

It will be partially fixed as the games will just be now up-scaled by the console rather than the TV (most, if not all TV scalers are commodities. Worthless) so there will be a noticeable difference but as to how it compares to native 720p (on a 720p HDTV) it remains to be seen. There is no doubt that the games will now look better on 1080p TV's than before.

So what about the Dashboard are those also displayed in 720p or now in 1080p? Or it depends what you choose?

O'Neill::

The dashboard is displayed in the resolution you choose from the dashboard.



NOTE: a game natively displayed in 1080p downscaled to 720p by the console/TV WILL look better than natively displayed 720p (marginally). So, when/if native 1080p games appear, you will automatically get a boost in visual quality (less jaggies is the usual difference), so don't run out to get your 1080p beasts just yet.