What do you think about the Samsung LED TV? (reviews, CDs, LCD)

[phoodie]

My old plasma is on it's way out and I took a look at the Samsung LED at a local retailer and fell in love - but I thought the regular Samsung LCD was really nice looking too. My question is - if anyone here has the LED, does it make a really big difference compared to the LCD monitor visually or is it just a cool looking tv because it's so thin?

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by phoodie

My old plasma is on it's way out and I took a look at the Samsung LED at a local retailer and fell in love - but I thought the regular Samsung LCD was really nice looking too. My question is - if anyone here has the LED, does it make a really big difference compared to the LCD monitor visually or is it just a cool looking tv because it's so thin?

You should understand a few things about so-called LED TVs.

1. They are LCD TVs. The only difference is that the "backlight" in an LED TV is an array of LEDs instead of a flourescent light source.
2. Samsung makes two kinds of "LED TVs" - the edgelit models which use LEDs mounted on the sides of the set and the "local dimming" models which use an array of LEDs behind the panel.

The edgelit models are designed to make the sets thinner. The picture quality isn't changed much.

The local dimming models dim the LEDs near areas that are supposed to be black or very dark. This improves the black level of LCDs, the biggest weakness of LCDs.

In my opinion thinness hasn't mattered for some time. Whether a set is 2 inches thick or one inch doesn't make a bit of difference to me.

I still think plasmas have the best overall picture. I would buy another plasma, spend less, and get a better picture.

[TFW46]

I still think plasmas have the best overall picture.

I agree! I bought two Samsung LCD's (46" and 52") last year. My sister has a plasma. I cant believe the difference in clarity and color. Plasma has it all over LCD.

[f_m]

If you are looking for good picture, then you have to look at dynamic LED, as hoffdano indicated "local dimming." Otherwise the picture won't be much better than older models. However, the dynamic LED backlight make the TV about $500-1000 more.

Edgelit is also used on laptop computers and small electronics, mainly to lower the weight/size/energy consumption.

[tnaw]

If you should compare the LCD TV ratings (http://www.smartratings.com/electronics/plasma_and_lcds - broken link) of various brands and read the expert reviews, there's no doubt that you will get the best bang for your buck.

Just my opinion.

[family first]

Bought two samsung LCD's in the last year...32" and 40", Very pleased with the brand and the style is sleek. No faults to date!

[TFW46]

family first, I wish you well with your Samsungs. I bought two Samsungs two years ago...48" and 52" LCD (the models with "the red touch of color"). The capacitors on both burned out within a year. When I googled the problem (TV clicking off and on), I found many reports of the same issue; the problems were due to burned-out capacitors or fried circuit-boards. The repairman said I was "lucky" they burned out in the first year, when they were under warranty, as he'd had many calls where they didnt burn out until after a couple of years. The TV's are nice but now I worry about how long the replacement capacitors will last.