Samsung 30" HDTV $899.95

[Darkstar757]

Wow I wish more people were like you. Thank you so much for the info. Well I guess ill just wait and save up for the tuner. Cause one year vs 4 and i think 4 is better. I wish the tuners werent so expensive cause i want to see some hdtv on my HDTV.

 

[theBUK]

and i think 4 is better

That's your ticket!

Thanks for the good words, Darkstar757.

We should all start keepin' an eye out for tuner deals....

-theBUK

 

[Darkstar757]

im wish i had money and i could get both wide and regular cause wide screen is cool too. I just hope i dont regret this.




I really want to see something in HDTV on this puppy. Right now i have nothing to see it in.

 

[theBUK]

You will not regret it.

Among other research, SAMSUNG stated that "no more than 15% of weekly viewing on a 16:9 aspect ratio tv/HDTV monitor should be done in 3:4 mode."

Thus, if one can't get regular programming offered in WIDE 16:9 and doesn't like to "stretch" 3:4 images into 16:9, the 3:4 viewing with black bars on the sides will Burn-in the unit.

....and I bet BB or SAMSUNG wouldn't want to cover that via warranty, as it's a "usage" issue, not a "mechanical or electronic" failure of the unit.

Sit back. Enjoy....

-theBUK

 

[Darkstar757]

Yes I will.


dude same me as a buddy. I nice to know informative nice people like yourself. If i find deals ill pass them alon to you. Now if i could only find a tuner for 50 bucks.
I need a tuner badly so i can see something in HDTV.

 

[Overzeetop]

DVI or firewire is guaranteed obsolescence. If they hobble the analog (RGB) signal, do you really think they'll send the digital signal unencrypted? They'll want the signal to be encrypted from the moment it leaves the broadcast facility to the instant the electrons leave the guns. No...until a copy protection scheme is universal, there's no real hedge against future technology.

 

[Darkstar757]

Where that might be true. Im here to tell you that they have sold too many units already and for them not to make it backward compatible will be the Death of HDTV. There will be more law suits that you can swing at.

 

[OrlandoTiger]

Darkstar Im sure you are right about the lawsuits part.
Overzeetop I fear you are also right.I also think that the content providers have a higher opinion of their product than they should.Changing things now and cutting off multiple thousands of consumers from the full use of their hdtvs would be just plain wrong,greedy,and thoughtless imho.Thats also why they'll probably do it...

 

[meefmah]

I had a Samsung TXM3096WHF, purchased @ BestBuy B&M for $900 w/$100 GiftCard MIR.
First off, the TV is not 200lbs. The 27" is 101lbs., the 30" is 122lbs. and the 32" is 148lbs.
My sample was extremely sensitive to magnetic interference and black level was very poor (did the AVIA calibration and dropped the gamma in service menu). When adjusted to produce a satisfying black level, all the shadow detail was lost.
The right side was severely pincushioned.
It doesn't have independent color/contrast settings for each input.
I imagine most of these problems could be addressed with a professional calibration ($250-$450), but that would severely reduce the "Bang for the Buck". If you get one that works well, then enjoy HDTV. I wasn't so lucky.
The warranty is 90 DAYS LABOR/1 year parts/2years CRT, per Samsung's warranty card (in the box). BestBuy states that the warranty is 1yr. labor/1yr. parts. As far as getting reliable information on the coverage of their extended warranties, I would NOT take the word of any employee of BestBuy. When push comes to shove, documentation may be your only support.
Oh, and a 32" 4:3 will have a widescreen image that is comparable to a 30" 16:9, the 32" being slightly smaller.

 

[Darkstar757]

Gee Thanks I feel so much better after that. Fark and I threw the TV box out already cause it was so damm big in my small apt. I dunno what i should do. Ill have to play with the Tv more when I get home and look at some things.

 

[Oxonium]

The whole DVI/firewire mess is a perfect example of implementing a technology without fully developing standards first. Before requiring TV stations to broadcast any HDTV content, there should have been standards in place either by the FCC or another standards group on how that content will be delivered to the television. But instead, the FCC went ahead and told the broadcasters that they must be broadcasting in HDTV by certain dates depending on the market. Manufacturers began making TVs but different manufacturers developed different strategies for content delivery, hence the DVI/firewire/other debate. Not to mention the ruckus by the RIAA over their copyrights (not that I think any of their arguments hold any water). So now we've got a standards war, which I think eventually the FCC will have to step in on if they really want HDTV to catch on (besides my other arguments in my previous post). It's the same problem as VHS/BETA, DVD+RW/DVD-RW, HD-DVD, etc. In the end the consumer loses. I don't regret buying my HDTV even if it's not compatible with future standards. Sure I'll be upset, but it suits my needs now and for the forseeable future (and makes me glad I didn't buy an expensive one )

BTW, what was the FCC thinking by not requiring HDTVs to have built-in tuners for at least over-air broadcasts? Who on earth would buy a TV for high-def broadcasts without a tuner to get those broadcasts? I'm glad I'm not the only sucker.

 

[OrlandoTiger]

From what Ive seen looking around at various tv makers,90 days labor is not uncommon.As far as the BB typos Ive seen others there and at other sites on important stats.Thats good info meefmah. The magnetic interference info might be a concern but Im sure that can be overcome.I cant say im much suprised about your findings with calibration.
Darkstar what is important is that you are happy with the picture.You cant expect perfection or even close from a hdtv in this price range the way I see it.

 

[Darkstar757]

Yea Tiger I agree I mean only a G is not alot of money at all. What bugs me most right now is what should i do with this warrenty. I mean should I keep it or get a HDTV reciever with that Money. Also if I bought Reciever how good would my picture be with only a set top antena. I cant get a big one due to my apt. Any suggestions guys.




Darkstar757

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: Darkstar757
Thanks Tiger for the info


Well I dont have HDTV SAT but i do have regualr DTV and I do watch DTV alot and I also watch Alot of DVDs too. I just dont want the picture to suck a$#@ on regular TV??

which city do you live in? NYC?

 

[OrlandoTiger]

I didnt see if you said,what did you pay for the extended warranty?The set top boxes start around 200 and that would be used.Check this site for your reception info.Also give your local radio shack a try during the day as theyll probably have a feel for your area to tell you what you can expect.They also have a lot of indoor antenna options.

 

[Darkstar757]

I live in Knoxville TN

 

[Darkstar757]

I also paied 299 for the warrenty and look at how many digital Channels I have to choose from I think the warrenty is going back.

 

[meefmah]

Originally posted by: Darkstar757
I also paied 299 for the warrenty and look at how many digital Channels I have to choose from I think the warrenty is going back.

BestBuy often has the Samsung SIR-T151 OTA/STB, open box, for $320-$330. No Sat. or cable, just OTA. Some of them make a high-pitched scream. Some scream worse when turned off. If you have sensitive hearing, this may be an issue. Try it and see (or rather hear).
Zenith makes the HDV420, it's an affordable ($300-$400) OTA/STB with good performance.
My friend has his outdoor antenna attached to the ceiling of his apartment. He screwed a clamp to the ceiling and uses a very short mast that hangs down. He then covered the antenna with a big piece of fabric (look like the inside of a tent). It works great and not as weird-looking as you might think. I would first try a set top antenna, you can always exchange it.

 

[Darkstar757]

HDTV BUMP

 

[SP33Demon]

Guys,

I would like to get an HDTV, but it would mainly be for playing video games/doubling as a computer monitor. Would the Samsung suffice? I wanted to play Doom3 (when out) and currently Warcraft on it at 1080i resolution... was thinking about getting the HDTV adapter for my ATI Radeon 8500. Anyone know how the adapter hooks up to the TV (Svideo?)? Would this be worth it?
Thanks,

Rob

EDIT: Guys, found a FAQ on the ATI Adapter here.

It seems like the new drivers have corrected the 5% overscan at the 1080i resolution... think I might pick the Samsung up now!!

 

[JHawk]

Meefmah--I picked up the 151 for $199 open box at BB. Have it hooked up to a 36" Sony HDTV and it looks great but can only get 2 channels. Don't think my wife woulg go for your friend's setup If you can get the OTA tuner cheap you won't regret it even if you can only get a couple of stations.

 

[Darkstar757]

SHOULD I RETURN THE WARRENTY GUYS????

 

[Empire_DNH]

very good info thanks to "TheBuk"

just want to add I have a 32HS500 Sony TV

very please w/ the picture

!chao!

 

[OrlandoTiger]

Darkstar,I would return it but thats just me.Id either put it towards a set top box or consider saving it for your next set on that day in the future when you want to upgrade to your next hdtv,which will have dropped a lot in prices by then... Weigh your risks,thats what the insurance company did when they took that money for the policy to start with.

 

[Darkstar757]

Yes tiger I going to retunr it tomarrow. Cause I thought hard about it and whats the point of having the HDTV if I cant recieve and HDTV content. Plus im not to big up on comcast cable and MY buddy has the HDTV but is only getting like three channels in HDTV. Im wondering if Ill get a good picture from OTA signals?