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Which TV? Samsung or Sony?

McGiord

McGiord

macrumors 601
Original poster
Oct 5, 2003
4,558
290
Dark Castle
Hi MR community.

I am looking to buy a new LCD TV , still undecided over the screen size. It could be 40", 46" or 52". Therefore my price range is USD 1,000 ~ 2,500.

The features I would like to have are 120Hz and at least 4 HDMI inputs.
High contrast ratio, view angle and no screen glare.

It seems that there are many 'old' models in stock out there.

I'm not sure which Sony and Samsung models are comparable, and what model is the current best bang for the buck.
Also if there are known problems in some particular models that I should avoid.

Thanks for your suggestions and comments.

McGiord
 
They are both top of the line. I own a Sony 40" XBR4 and my friend just bought
a new Samsung B750 series. Amazing pictures. If you want a current Samsung get that series imo.
In the Sony line the XBR9's or Z series for 2009.

Crutchfield is selling the Sony XBR7 40" for $1200 (2008 model-while they last) which
is an outstanding (I mean great!!!) deal. Like half price. I want to buy one and my set is just 2 years old.
 
I just bought a Samsung B750 after a bunch of research and have no regrets.
 
From what I have heard, seen, and used... Sony is the best in LCD and Panasonic is the best in Plasma...however Sony will cost you your arms and legs whereas you may get a better deal on Samsung...but that is just a general statement individual results may vary...good luck with your decison
 
MowingDevil said:
That one looks sweet as, do you find the 240hz makes a big improvement over 120hz? I'm not even considering the 60hz models.
Click to expand...

I'm not convinced that 240Hz is any improvement over 120Hz. I bought a 240Hz model for the other improvements in picture quality offered by buying a higher-end model.
 
upinflames900 said:
From what I have heard, seen, and used... Sony is the best in LCD and Panasonic is the best in Plasma...however Sony will cost you your arms and legs whereas you may get a better deal on Samsung...but that is just a general statement individual results may vary...good luck with your decison
Click to expand...

Samsung and Sony built an LCD factory in Mexico a few years ago, so both LCD TVs come off the same assembly line. But the Sony costs more..... I love the Samsung picture quality! Samsung just came out with one of the first LED TVs also...an amazing, amazing picture!

I am on my second Samsung. The first one bought in 2006 was 780p, the new one is 1080p. Should be here today or tomorrow. Crutchfield is doing a promo with free cable labels and a free Sanus wall mount, (retail $100). While Crutchfields price was a little higher for the LCD TV, was still cheaper with the free wall mount.
 
I've got a Samsung 40" LN series. 60hz, not LED. 1080P

I could not be happier. It looks and performs wonderfully. No ghosting, beautiful image, and super easy to get rid of overscan problems on the Mini.

The Samsung models consistently get top reviews from various sources.
 
You have to go to a store and see the picture for yourself.
Disclamer: I have a 46" Sony Z series 2008 model.
I shopped for about 2 months and came down to what alot of people come to: Samsung or Sony. I personnally thought the picture quality on the Z series vs the Samsung 650 series was equal. But I do not like the glossy screen on the Samsungs. It reflects too much background lighting.
I do think that Samsungs give you a better value, but for me the couple of extra hundred the Sony cost was worth it since the Sony had a matte screen.
 
Samsung Luxia LED. The 46" is likely within your price range on sale.

I let my eyes do the judging and the LED stuff is great. Not saying its better than the CCFL top end stuff but LED maintain their brightness over the lifetime of the set better so the dividends come later.

I like Sony but if there's a premium over the Samsung I wouldn't pay it. Samsung has earned their spot amongst the top tier.
 
Samsung

I just bought a samsung LNT4071F 40" for $700 off of craigslist, and it was the best decision I could have made (IMOHO). The 120Hz is incredible, even when watching streaming stuff off of netflix via our xbox, ESPECIALLY when it is presented in HD. The xbox does a terrific job displaying SD material too, most people think he have an HD player. I am saving up to get a PS3 to start renting blu-rays and blowing minds.

My mom had purchased the top of the line Sony XBR, and when she came over and saw our new TV, she was amazed, especially considering she spent wayyyy more to get a brand new Sony, and ESPECIALLY because our set was a year or so old and was a STEAL.

My advice: Cruise craigslist. If you buy a NEW tv from a store, it will probably be replaced by a bigger and better one in under half a year, leaving you feeling like a sucker. Most craigslist sellers will even lop off a couple hundred from the asking price. I haggled the guy down from $900 to $700, AND got him to throw in a monster HDMI cable, AND a new Ikea coffee table to put it on!

But more in regards to your question, go with the SAMSUNG, it will get you more bang for your buck, and Samsung is a VERY respected company. I have been nothing but surprised and VERY pleased with my Samsung.:eek:

EDIT: Re: Glossy screens, I LOVE the gloss screen on the set. It takes the 120hz and makes it look almost 3d. I hardly notice the glare (minimal) anymore.
 
Samsung

I have bought two Samsung HDTV in the past year one LCD, one plasma, both are amazing! Well above the quality of some of my past Sony purchases, I full heartedly endorse and recommend any and all Samsung products!

You've already seen what apple does in your digital life, see what samsung can do for your entertainment needs, and wants.
 
When buying a TV you have a few things to consider:

How long do you want the TV for?
If you are just looking for a tv that will get you by for 2-3 years and then make its way to the bedroom in way of a newer tv, don't worry about buying top of the line. If you plan on having the tv for 6-7 years, try to buy the most futureproof tv you can afford. Remember, new tech is released every day, so you will never always have the top of the line, but it is possible to buy a nice enough tv that in 5 or 6 years it will still be a decent set.

What is your budget?
This determines the size and type of tv you can get.

Type of room/ intentions with the tv.
Do you need a wide viewing angle? Go plasma or LCD. If you need a bigger size go for DLP which can generally be had in larger sizes for less money. If you plan on gaming you may want to stay away from Plasma. All things to consider. Price will also determine which one you should get.

Consider all of the above, and then make your decison. It is also important to consider the sources of your video. If you don't own a bluray player, and/or your tv is under 40" and/or you plan on upgrading in 3 years, don't even worry about buying a 1080p tv. Too many people buy into the marketing hype of full HD, but don't realize that the cable that comes into your house is NOT broadcast in 1080p, and likely will not be for at least 5 years due to bandwidth. BLuray is the only thing that is 1080p, so if you don't have bluray, don't pay extra because you will gain no benefit from having it. If you are going to upgrade in a few years, you may as well buy a decent set now and save up to buy a top of the line in a few years when LED's are more prevelant and bluray is more of a standard. Internet connected tv's are becoming more popular, so if you are buying your first HD tv, I would suggest a decent 720p samsung or similar. You will still be impressed with the picture, and as you learn to calibrate, etc. in 2 or 3 years buy the big daddy and you will really appreciate it. IMO the top of the line tv's are kind of at an awkward novelty stage right now. Intenet widgets and netflix or youtube streaming are just starting to roll out, so if you give the tech a few years, I think you are really going to start to see a lot of cool stuff and then you will want to upgrade anyways.
 
Thanks so far for the advice and comments.

I went to Best Buy and spent good amount of time watching the TV sets.

It seems that the Sony XBR9 is very similar to the Z series, and I don't beleive is worth the price difference.

The Samsung looks great, and I agree that they have very good prices, but I can't stand the glare.

My plan is to move my old Sony 40" XBR2 (60Hz) to my bedroom, which has big windows and prone to light.
And put the new one in the basement with all my HD stuff: Apple TV, cable, Netflix, Bluray, MacBook Pro...etc..

I plan to keep my TV sets until they die. So far I had Sonys and they perform great, not sure about Samsung reliability.

So when time comes to get a bigger TV set for the basement, I will move this soon to be bought one either to my room, or the living room. So the glare is a show stopper for my plan.

Base on this I am narrowing down my decision to a Sony model could be a XBR7, XBR8 or 2009 Z series with 120Hz.

Once I make my decision I'll let you know.

Meanwhile please keep posting and making suggestions, specially if you are ware of any quality issue or if there is an equivalent Samsung set that doesn't have the screen glare.

Thanks!
 
120

You want 120, at least. Trust me. I feel like im watching an archaic set when I watch my emerson 720p, compared to the samsung with 120hz. It changes the experience 100%, and is well worth the money, imo
 
MattSepeta said:
You want 120, at least. Trust me. I feel like im watching an archaic set when I watch my emerson 720p, compared to the samsung with 120hz. It changes the experience 100%, and is well worth the money, imo
Click to expand...

I admit I don't see a "huge" difference in the store with 120hz. How do you explain the effect it had on you? I'm guessing that once you have a 120hz set you get acclimated to the smoothness and then find 60hz TV "jerky" afterwards.
 
nuckinfutz said:
I admit I don't see a "huge" difference in the store with 120hz. How do you explain the effect it had on you? I'm guessing that once you have a 120hz set you get acclimated to the smoothness and then find 60hz TV "jerky" afterwards.
Click to expand...

that's because the stores in the middle earth are not displaying the right stuff...
:)

In my opinion when watching a Bluray video with fast action scenes you will notice the difference when playing it on a 60 Hz vs the 120 Hz.
 
Panasonic should be coming out with MATTE LED's very soon, so I'd maybe research and wait a little if you want the Samsung quality LED picture (even though it probably won't be as good) on a glare free screen.
 
definitely SAMSUNG. i used to be die-hard SONY where every TV we have was
sony..however it came time to get a nice 46" LCD and it came down to the Samsung series 8 Touch of color OR the Sony Z as they were essentially the same in price at stores..

Sony after hardcore research seemed to hav washed out colors..this is bcause they hav that dull matte like touch...

Samsung has deep colors and so on bc they hav a glossy like display like the glossy MBP...this allows for deeper blacks and what not...however if the glossy concerns u dont let it. i dont hav ne glare and it just allows for amazing colors and blu-ray and everything..4 HDMIs perfect.. it just makes for an amazing tv!

GO SAMSUNG all the way. no regrets here..SAMSUNG for life
 
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