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Here's a dilemma for all the Techhies....... Lookin to buy a 40' TV. My final 2 choices are the Samsung LN40A550 or the Sony KDL-40V4100. So, i need all the expertise to come out and decide my decision. Also, would a Panasonic TH42PZ80U be a better choice than these 2 LCD?Oh yea, gaming is inputed alot(50/50) in my decision on picking these TVs.
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Before we go any further, we need to know what you're looking to spend on this 40 - 42" LCD or plasma before we continue.
No More than $1600.00 those 2 LCD are the same price 1400.00, the plasma as well too.http://forums.cnet.com/5224-6142_102-0.html?forumID=60&threadID=296410&messageID=2784167
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first of all if your gaming, do not go with a plasma. Second i personally own the a550 and love it. I actually sell TVs for a living so im around them ALL day long. Both of the TVs you are looking at are good TV's. The sonys have been know to have a little better quality tuners in them, so if you watch a LOT of TV then you might want to take that into consideration. However, if you want my personal recommendation i would (and did) go with the samsung. Like i said i own this TV and have nothing but good things to say about it. Phenomenal picture, beautiful design. The HD picture comes through crisp and bright. And with DNIe on it really helps. The samsung also has a higher contrast ratio. The blacks on the 550 are super deep and the whites are ultra bright. Like i said i work with these TVs all day long and i REALLY prefer samsung tvs, sony is good but slightly overpriced for what you get. If you put the two TVs side by side you will see what i mean, the blacks on the Sony have a more blueish hue while the samsung's blacks are truly jet black.
By the way i paid 1249 for my ln40a550. Wait for a good sale at BB or CC or some local TV shop. If you take that price to sears they will price match and give you another 10% back of the difference. Dont pay 1400 for the LN40a550. I got a LN46a550 for my wifes grandparents for 1449.
Lol i hope my rambling helps, if you have any other questions lemme know.
From a side-by-side comparison, even tho the Samsung LN40A550 has good image quality and black levels, the KDL-40V4100, imo, handles fast motion better, and offers a more defined, crispier image. If I were you, I'd look at that one, since it retails for $1500, which is right within your budget.
Unless you play for 6-8 hours at a time, Panasonic and Pioneer plasmas will not get burn-in like older plasmas did with video games that have static images to them.
Its true that the burn-in issue is less a problem now than it was in the past, but in this guys situation i would personally stick with the LCD. On a pesonal note I own an LG plasma with pixel orbiter on and i still have some burn in that i have to clear up with white wash. The sony and the samsung are both great TV's no reason to risk burning in a plasma. if he was debating between a Panasonic/pioneer plasma and a visio, olevia or westinghouse LCD then i would say go with the plasma.
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