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General discussion

LN40A500

Nov 22, 2008 11:48PM PST

I have seen this item for sale today on Circuit City, Best Buy, and Sixth Avenue Electronics and I was thinking about purchasing it. But I don't see ANY feedback on this unit. Besides the fact that is a 1080p LCD HDTV with 2 HDMI inputs, 2 component inputs, and a 20000:1 contrast ratio; there is not else much known about it. I'm mostly interested in the picture quality, but I read about issues concerning the S, C, and A panels for Samsung LCD HDTV's. The panel issue alone has me wary of buying a Samsung TV. From what I have read; if you don't get a S panel, you are screwed. The S panels are made by Samsung, so they have the best picture quality. The A and C are really poor. Can someone give me some feedback on the LN40A500. I mostly concerned with the picture quality and the reliability/durability of the Samsung brand. Also, if anyone can give me some factual info on this panel issue, it would be appreciated. That will be the thing that might push me away from this deal.

Discussion is locked

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S Panels
Nov 23, 2008 7:23AM PST

Savoy Prime,

I'm not at liberty to discuss that specific model until I am cleared to do so.

However, the S, A and C panels only had to do with one LCD IT computer panel model, and that issue was addressed and resolved over two generations ago. I recognize that there is still some discussion about it on the internet, but suffice to say that you need not be concerned. I've seen several notations on that very topic in some of these threads, and no-one has yet responded with information supporting such a claim.

--HDTech

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Thanks!
Nov 23, 2008 8:09AM PST

Thanks for replying.

From what I have gathered about the Samsung brand, their picture quality ranges from very good to excellent. So I'll take the plunge on this deal and get the LN40A500. I pray that it is the same quality as the other Samsung LCD HDTVs I have seen reviews on.

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S/A/C panels are now on TVs!!! including mine!
Dec 18, 2008 5:18AM PST

what do you exactly mean by that the "A/S/C panel issue was resolved"?? There are 100's of 550 series owners posting a LOT at AVS forums about the problems they're having with C and A panels and not with S panels. those are TVs, not IT lcd monitor panels, and if you look at the back of any 550 series TV it CLEARLY states which panel it has, so obviously CURRENT Samsung TVs DO have different panels, AND it seems they perform different.

If you want some in-depth details/info about the 550 series problems with different panel types, please look at the following thread (last 4-5 pages especially) on AVS: Most these people have posted pics of the problems with C panels:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1005722&page=218

so I really don't understand why you say that "it has been resolved". Again, these are TVs, NOT computer IT monitors.
I have a 550 series TV and it has a C panel!

Thanks in advance for any feedback you have on this.

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I have it!
Nov 23, 2008 8:39AM PST

I just bought it from CC and I have to say that it's great! I played PS3 and Xbox 360 on it and it played very nicely. For $799, it's just a steal. Congratulations on buying one, assuming you bought it already.

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Great!
Nov 23, 2008 9:02AM PST

Yeah, I just purchased it from Sixth Avenue Electronics. It should arrive this week. The main reason I was getting it was for my 360 and PS3, so I'm glad that it worked out for ya. Did you have to make any adjustments to the screen or was it perfect out of the box?

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Amazing
Nov 23, 2008 9:11AM PST

The colors are amazing right out of the box. The TV is kind of heavy, so you might need another hand when you place it on the stand.

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Thanks again!
Nov 23, 2008 9:33AM PST

Thanks for the feedback. I was really worried about the purchase since there was no feedback on the set anywhere (I even did a Google search to find some reviews and feedback). I really can't wait for it to arrive now thanks to you! Glad to hear I won't have to make any adjustments to it once I get it out of the box.

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No Problem
Nov 23, 2008 10:54AM PST

No problem. There aren't any reviews at the moment, because Samsung just rolled out this model a few days ago and there are limited amounts of this model. Samsung made this model just for the holiday season.

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Gaming
Nov 28, 2008 11:49AM PST

I havn't opening mine, was waiting for a review of some sort. I have three questions if you could help me out? When your gaming is there any jagged lines, or apparent lag due to the TV? Is it at all too dark (like shadowed areas are black instead of shadowed)? Lastly, is there red in with the black at all?
Thanks!

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LN40A500
Dec 20, 2008 9:12AM PST

I justs got mine a couple of weeks ago and I mainly use it to play Gears of War 2 on my 360. I liked how good it shows all the crisp details and graphics thru HDMI. The only problem is when i first opened the box, there were no info stickers on the side panels saying the model # etc, and the bezel were not protected by that clear clingy plastic cover, it was only on the base. Please let me know if you had the same problem?

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did you check the back?
Dec 20, 2008 9:23AM PST

I have a different model TV, BUT:
there should be a sticker stating model# and serial# etc on the back of the TV I think.
I'd be concerned about a TV without a sticker with manufacturer info.
Call the place you got it from and tell them about your concern.

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Limited...
Dec 20, 2008 9:27AM PST

This was a limited-time manufactured unit.

I don't know if there were supposed to be stickers or not, since we anticipated that these units may not go on display as much as they would be sold quickly.

I'll see if I can check on that.

--HDTech