Everything stated below... Brightness, Brightness!!! Just love the motorized A/V front door, Center Channel Speaker.

2 component vid share 1 aud, Prologic

I don't feel it is neccessary to repeat the reviews here. All I can say from the average consumer point of view is WOW!!! Agree the 2 component video shared with 1 audio input was stupid on Samsung's part, but fixed that with a Audio switch.

I almost bought the Hitachi.. because it had Digital Dolby, but then it dawned on me that my A/V receiver would deal with that and I would simply use the right/left speakers on the Samsung. To bad that Samsung did not allow Center Channel to be driven externaly. The tube warranty finally sold me, 2 years!!! For what you get for the $, you just can't beat this set.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer, Mitsubishi, Sony

As stated in previous reviews...

Screen Glare, Prologic, 1 Aud for two Component Video, no 720p or 720p down/up conversion

I have a progressive scan DVD player and DBS satellite... the 1 Audio in for DTV component vid is a significant problem... I would also like a menu opt to turn off line doubling in S-Vid & 480i component inputs. Samsung is your listening you need to support 720p. SVGA mode produces a very dim unfocused picture due to line doubling that cannot be turned off. Center Speaker is nice, but useless with Prologic, a dead Dolby format. Keep the Center Speaker, but add a center channel input from an external source.

Other than that... the picture is super bright provided you do not use the SVGA input. Screen Glare is an issue in a bright room, you should not be able to come your hair in the reflection of the screen... The Front A/V inputs should have also been split to the back... Cannot hang additional A/V equip cable from the front especially of the motorized A/V door could lop them off or break the motor powered door.

Other than that this set exceeds my expectations... and competes with it's overprices highend rivals well.

For the $ this set cannot be touched by the competition. I have a DishNetwork 6000 and in HDTV mode, this set truly looks like you are watching a DVD. I am not a techie, but I would like to purchase a Progressive Scan DVD player at some point. The advise from fellow reviewer's to acquire a component video switch is helpfull to understand that the Samsung only has one DTV input, which appears to be common across most manuf/vendors. The good news is that the delivery person is also a tech at Fry's, so he did the initial convergence setup and the picture is excellent.

The following link also looks quite interesting and I will order a Samsung Service Manual so I can get into the hidden 64 point convergence menu/screen should I need to adjust at some point. http://www.keohi.com/keohihdtv/usefulinfo/samsung/samsung_convergence.html

I agree with my fellow reviewer's that DTV should be selectable from the Video select menu for universal remote use and hopefully future models will have two DTV inputs. When I bought the unit I did understand that it only supported Dolby Prologic, but I intended to use the set as a center channel only, because the 6000 connects optical to my A/V receiver and I already have 4 surround speakers.

I looked strongly at the Hitachi for about $200 more which includes Digital Dolby, but the picture was a bit better on the Samsung, and I did adjust every setting possible on both on the dealer showroom floor before I made a decission.

I am not sure I understand the Sony references, which I looked at also... but price and picture quality was my deciding vote, even if it says Samsung. Yes, the motorized A/V door is cute, but did not impact by choice...

Price and Performance, I give this set a total thumbs up..

Viewable in bright room

No Anti-Glare Screen, Dolby Prologic?, 1 Aud In for DTV/DVD

Great Set! Only two issues, screen reflects.. Cannot get Prologic to decode to rear speakers... Must use audio switch box when using both DVD and DTV set top box connected via component inputs. Almost bought the Panasonic, but this set has 2x brighter picture...

Similar Products Used:

RCA, Sony

Dolby Prologic, One Aud in for two Component Vid in, Screen Glare

Had this set since Oct 2000... Had convergence alignment performed today and the tech got into a special mode that brought up menus and convergence screens on this TV that are not user accessable. I was ah struck to say the least because the user convergence screen is lame.

I asked the tech who works specifically on HDTV sets how he ranked this one... He said that he gets two service calls a year on Samsung HDTV's for other than recommended annual convergence alignment, but gets alot of service calls on Sony & Mits HDTV's, and not for convergence.

He said that if you where to buy a new HDTV today, that he would rate Samsung #1, followed by Hitachi, and Pioneer. "The old tried and true manuf's rely on their previous successes, their current products are very disappointing..." Samsung is the only one offering a two year tube warranty... "Tubes are the #1 item I have to typically replace in rear screen sets. I have yet to replace one on a Samsung"

Similar Products Used:

Sony, RCA, MITS

Motorized door exposes front A/V

Owned this HDTV since Oct 2000, no complaints... Excellent picture, does need a convergence tune up after first few months of burn in... It says Samsung, but Quality of picture & motorized A/V door seems to irriate my Sony friends...

My convergence was also setup by the tech. Bright, clear, colorfull picture. HDTV awesome.

Learned about the DTV remote issue. Dolby ProLogic. DVD input does not support DVD PS.

I am unaware that this set has been discontinued as it still appears on the Samsung website as a current model. Attractive set, brighter than most rear screen models. I was aware of the sets strengths and weaknesses when I bought it less discovering the DTV select option is only available via the remote control.

For the price, this set cannot be challanged. So far I have seen reviews here comparing against their $5000+ models, and few sour grapes from people that received their sets DOA or was delivered by a delivery guy, not a tech. I am not going to dis Sony here, FAQ Sony PS DVD players use a propritary modulation scheme via component video. Samsung and most manuf choose the open DTV standard. It is not a limitation of this set.

If I where to buy this set over again, I would have choosen the Samsung 5525W. You loose Prologic, big whoop. But you gain DTV selection via universal remote control and a 2nd component video input that supports 480i and p from a DVD PS Player that supports the industry standard modulation.

Samsung makes a fine product and your choice should be judged by picture quality and features, not by an over inflated price and brand recognition.

Final note, I had a DirecTV RCA HDTV receiver. This model adopted Sony's aspect ratio specs, the result is that the aspect ratio does not fit into the industry standard accepted DTV standard. Switching to DishNetwork the aspect ratio is perfect and you gain 3 additional HDTV channels.

Great picture, value for the money

no zoom mode

it is a hdtv what i was looking for.
I am really satisfied and happy to buy samsung product.

I purchased this unit after reading multiple reviews including the reviews on this site. I compared this unit to a Mits of the same size and in the showroom the picture quality of the Samsung was far better.

Once I finally received the product my nightmare began. The set was seriously misconverged. DVD quality was horrid and very grainy. I called and had a tech come by and agree that something was wrong.

To make a long story short...

Three trips and a cancelled visit later they still cannot seem to order the correct part nor can they get me set to work. It seems Samsung just up and changes parts and designs but never updates the service manuals. After taking time out of work over and over I finally returned the TV. I went for one of the 36" Sony WEGA systems and am very pleased with it.

Please, do yourself a favor and stay clear of this set, don't let a low price tag convince you to pick it up because it isn't worth it in the long run. You'll just end up missing work to meet the repair man at your home!

Color, 16:9 display, HDTV converter on board.

Some digital pixelzation, but the color produced by the set far offsets this occasional issue. No progressive scan compatibility with the TOSHIBA SD9100 DVD player.

I've been enjoying the Samsung sets noted above for over a year now. I've not observed color this rich on any set I've ever owned. Excellent choice, and even though this particular set only has the 7" guns, its performance is excellent. Still waiting for DISH Network to get their act together so I can view HDTV via satellite on a regular basis, as I've no local off air capability w/o constructing a 100' antenna. I'd highly recommend this set for anyone venturing into a 16:9 set for the first time. Once widescreen, never back.

Enjoy!

Similar Products Used:

HCH551W