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I'm planning to buy a big-screen HDTV within a few weeks and have budgeted $4K for this purchase. Friends and co-workers recommend Pioneer Elite, Sony, and Mitsubishi, but I have heard some favorable remarks concerning Samsung. Unfortunately, it's hard to take any company seriously about their HDTV's when they are also selling refrigerators. Yep, took my wife to Best Buy earlier today to look for a new frig and on display were several models from Samsung. In any event, I would appreciate knowing whether Samsung HDTV's are to be taken seriously or should I stick with the other brands? Also, do I go to the 16:9 wide-screen format or stick to the 4:3? Lastly, if I get digital cable do I still need to buy the HDTV receiver or will the digital cable box suffice?Since I am still a novice any and all feedback is appreciated.
Follow Ups:
Panasonic makes shavers, phones, air conditioners and hi-tech toilets.Yamaha makes motorcycles.
Mitsubishi makes cars and has a bank.
Sony makes computers and phones.
RCA/Thompson makes just about everything.
While I personally prefer brands like Pioneer Elite, Mitsubishi and Toshiba, I would judge the Samsung on its own merits. BTW, a brightly lit BB or CC sales floor is no place for a meaningful demo of a RPTV.
I think that you should qualify yourself for what kind of RPTV you really need. A DLP based RPTV will cost you much more than a similar sized CRT. And a DLP unit won't be able to match in picture quality, or black level. This is not to say there is no need for a DLP. They are a great choice for rooms that have a lot of light intrusion, or for placements that require either a lower profile than a CRT, or a shallower depth (17-18")for placement on an existing shelf. If you still are considering DLP, besides Samsung's 50" model, Panasonic has a new 52" coming out, that has dropped in price considerably since last years model. Good luck big guy!
SAmsung is a very legit player. They make the coolest widescreen Direct View TVs I've seen....they arenot as flashy as say, Loewe, but they are a great value.I just bought a couple of DirecTV receivers from Samsung that perform flawlessly and have the smallest footprint I've seen yet.
Sta AWAY from BB for Mitsu models! They get special models made just for them which have several features missing from the regular lineup. I would also look at Hitachi SWX or TWX models in this pricing (rated #1 this year by many). Note Hitachi MAKES most of the CRTs used by all other vendors. Note you also need to budget an HD receiver (unless you have cable and can rent the HD box), or get a TV with an integrated tuner (not the best solution). The Samsung 165 is highly rated ($500-600).
A believe that Samsung is the first or at least one of the first to offer rear projection DLP technology. That sounds like a pretty serious player to me.
You're probably right, but when you're a novice like me and see that the manufacturer is also selling refrigerators you have to get as many opinions as possible.
Don't let the corporate name worry you. Like Japan, bur to a lesser degree, Korea organizes their businesses into the huge hodgepods of nearly unrelated businesses under a very loose management umbrella. Mitsubishi is my favorite example: satellites, aircraft (rember the "Zero" fighters, kitchen apliances, HDTV, microwave gear, Corning glass, cars etc.)Samsung also includes petroleum, chemicals, steel, heavy construction, insurance, computers, displays, PCBs, ICs on and on... They don't have much conection with each other except common financing.
Some names like Pioneer, Denon and so on are part of similat groups.
Slowly but surely, I am learning. Based on what I have read on this website (as well as "AVS Forum" and "Home Theater Forum"), it sounds like I would do well to consider both Samsung and Hitachi. The Pioneer Elite models get some rave reviews, but it is hard to justify spending an additional $2K for what will likely be only a modest improvement in overall quality. That money would go along way toward other components. Suddenly, I feel less convinced about going with either Sony or Mitsubishi. Decisions, decisions......
definitely with 4k to spend, you can get a very nice 16x9 widescreen ptv. Although i'm unfamiliar with most of samsungs tv's i do like mitsubishi's line of ptv's which are very affordable compared to the likes of pioneer elite (which are also very nice). As for going widescreen, that is the only way to go. You'll love your decision when you watch dvd's and high def programs on your new tv set because almost all content from that comes in form of widescreen.
And depending on where you are from, the high def programming offered from digital cable i believe all comes from your provider. Right now in the bay area, there isnt high def content from AT&T broadband cable.... so satellite is the only way for us to go....
...you'd have one cool TV that would show the big game AND dispense beer!
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