Quick Opinions: Samsung 7 Series LCD TV

[bluejays]

Ok, just a quick question for the CP Electronics junkies. We're in the market for a good TV, and normally I like to take my time and research this stuff (a good month), but have just come across this TV in Futureshop. It expires tomorrow and would just like some advice on whether or not to purchase it (or perhaps, if anyone works there, how does it compare to the 6 series?). Anyway, it's a 52" 120Hz Samsung 7 series (Futureshop exclusive) on same tomorrow for $2600 (normally $3200). Just wondering a few things:

1) How does it compare to the 6 series, and is it worth the addition dough?

2) I don't play video games whatsoever, but wouldn't mind getting the Wii, and watch hockey and sports. The panning from the store doesn't seem to be a problem on this one, do you think I should hold off and look into Plasma? I know burn in isn't much of an issue anymore, but it still is a problem I don't wanna handle down the road.

3) General reviews on the 7 series itself.

4) Any Futureshop employees in Toronto wanna hook me up?


Thanks everyone!

[OBCT]

First of all, I've never viewed either TV. My family does own an older Samsung, though, which we love!

Two outside threads already devoted to this topic might interest you:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1019413
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1003472

From what I can gather in my quick research, the main specs between the 6 and 7 Series televisions are quite similar. Here is a link to a direct comparison on Samsung's website: http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/s...LN52A650A1FXZA

Dynamic Contrast Ratio, Response Time and HDMI inputs are the most important factors to consider IMO, as the other specs are so similar and/or inconsequential they just don't add up to much.

$2600 CDN sounds like a good price to me. I wouldn't say great price though, since I don't really know what the market's like for Samsung Series 7 TVs in Canada. [I do know that the LN52A750 is going for $2200 at CircuitCity.com, for a U.S. comparison.]

[PsYcNeT]

I'm holding off on getting anything resembling a new TV until a cavalcade of the new LED LCD TVs come out.

Not only will all the light-box based LCDs (7 series and older) become cheaper, the LED LCD will be so amazing that you would question why you would buy an older one anyway.

http://www.trustedreviews.com/tvs/re...-LED-LCD-TV/p1

Likely, yesterday's release of the new LE series is already reflecting in the price of older LCDs

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

I'm holding off on getting anything resembling a new TV until a cavalcade of the new LED LCD TVs come out.

Not only will all the light-box based LCDs (7 series and older) become cheaper, the LED LCD will be so amazing that you would question why you would buy an older one anyway.

http://www.trustedreviews.com/tvs/re...-LED-LCD-TV/p1

Likely, yesterday's release of the new LE series is already reflecting in the price of older LCDs

Honestly, I know what you mean, but it comes down to marketing and positioning, and they'll probably discontinue the current series' after a couple year or two. While the prices may drop slightly, these companies want to position themselves in the upper end product segment, and once they lower it to a certain price range, they'll just discontinue the technology. I'm not sure if you can ever catch up with new technology as you'll never catch up.

This technology does sound very very promising, but it's a 2007 review. When is this thing going to be released to the open market and at what price? $5K for a 42" as introductory and 1 year later to bring it down to a reasonable price? Just a guess, but who wants to wait that long for this stuff.

[PsYcNeT]

My bad, didn't quite notice it was from last year. I had heard however that the newest LED LCDs are being released this month, and obviously got my review confused.

The difference is staggering however, the black level is just unreal. You said Dynamic Contrast is important, however, most higher end TVs now are rated at True Contrast, because the Dynamic rating was considered too subjective, and really wasn't standardised across all brands.

On further research, Samsungs latest 2nd Gen LED LCDs just shipped here last month, and are known as the Series 9 and run around $5500 :O

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

My bad, didn't quite notice it was from last year. I had heard however that the newest LED LCDs are being released this month, and obviously got my review confused.

The difference is staggering however, the black level is just unreal. You said Dynamic Contrast is important, however, most higher end TVs now are rated at True Contrast, because the Dynamic rating was considered too subjective, and really wasn't standardised across all brands.

On further research, Samsungs latest 2nd Gen LED LCDs just shipped here last month, and are known as the Series 9

Cool. I did look at the 8 and 9 series (not in store, but on their site) and didn't know what was so special about the backlighting was. Your review did clear it up though, and that's good to know it's already out (though it's damn pricey). I didn't know it contained this technology in it though.

[Vulcan]

The Samsung 650 and 750 are the same except for a few added bells and whistles on the 750. Future Shop has exclusive rights to sell the 750 in Canada.

This place often has good prices on TVs.
Here's the 650 52" for 2399.

http://www.gibbysaudiovideo.com/sams...tv-p-2611.html

Here's the 55" LED 950 for 4499.

http://www.gibbysaudiovideo.com/sams...0p-p-3068.html

I've 'heard' though that if you're going LED, the Sony LED is better, otherwise go Samsung for LCD.

[Vulcan]

Here's some reviews for you.

http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-t...?tag=mncol;lst

http://www.hometheatermag.com/lcds/s...a950_lcd_hdtv/

http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-t...7.html?subj=re

http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-t...-33182079.html

[bluejays]

Update: Thanks for everyone's help, picked this thing up on Tuesday for an absolute steal. Negotiated with 3 Futureshop's last week, got nowhere (even one salesguy called me ignorant, but that's another story @)) and finally went to my fourth FS and negotiated the price down to $2250 and the $520 stand down to $250, plus a cable HD box promo for $99. Total was $2925. The salesguy was a temp and helped me out in getting the manager approval. The great thing was he didn't push the extended warrenty like all the others did. Absolutely love it. Now I have to get Rogers to give me some HD programming to really set this thing up right.

[OBCT]

Originally Posted by fleury

Update: Thanks for everyone's help, picked this thing up on Tuesday for an absolute steal. Negotiated with 3 Futureshop's last week, got nowhere (even one salesguy called me ignorant, but that's another story @)) and finally went to my fourth FS and negotiated the price down to $2250 and the $520 stand down to $250, plus a cable HD box promo for $99. Total was $2925. The salesguy was a temp and helped me out in getting the manager approval. The great thing was he didn't push the extended warrenty like all the others did. Absolutely love it. Now I have to get Rogers to give me some HD programming to really set this thing up right.

That's what I like to hear. Good on you for setting a price and working until someone shared your view. Enjoy your new TV!

EDIT: You got all that for less than this! Nicely done.