Attention all members whose names begin with "P" and end with "ippin"!

[Ska]

If you haven't got your monster tv yet...there's a crapload of new Samsung LCD's coming out now you might want to check out. They're also not going to be offering the 71-series anymore, I know we've got 'em all on clearance at CC.

Replacing that is the 650-series, and check this out:

120hz, newer version than the 71-series (looks a lot less blurrier to me & less motion trails)
50,000:1 contrast ratio

And if you were (somehow) still trying to decide between the XBR4/5 and a Samsung, I have noticed lately that our XBR gets pretty darn blurry and leaves a lot of ghost images during dark scenes. We were watching I am Legend the other day, and since half that movie is dark, I saw ghost images show up pretty badly (and regularly). Now, it's possible that our display is on the fritz, but I've heard other people say the same thing about the XBR4, so I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same problem.

May this aid you in your timeless quest for the ballinest TV ever.

[TL-Super]

I still have an Apple Pippin..does that count?

[Ska]

Originally Posted by TL-Super

I still have an Apple Pippin..does that count?

Ah, that's good enough, he probably won't even see this thread anyway.

What the heck is an Apple Pippin? Sounds like a dessert or something.

[Pippin]

Originally Posted by Ska

If you haven't got your monster tv yet...there's a crapload of new Samsung LCD's coming out now you might want to check out. They're also not going to be offering the 71-series anymore, I know we've got 'em all on clearance at CC.

Replacing that is the 650-series, and check this out:

120hz, newer version than the 71-series (looks a lot less blurrier to me & less motion trails)
50,000:1 contrast ratio

And if you were (somehow) still trying to decide between the XBR4/5 and a Samsung, I have noticed lately that our XBR gets pretty darn blurry and leaves a lot of ghost images during dark scenes. We were watching I am Legend the other day, and since half that movie is dark, I saw ghost images show up pretty badly (and regularly). Now, it's possible that our display is on the fritz, but I've heard other people say the same thing about the XBR4, so I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same problem.

May this aid you in your timeless quest for the ballinest TV ever.

You're right, I probably wouldn't have seen this thread had you not posted in Willie's thread that I hijacked in the main forum.

Now...I am still definitely in the market for that new TV. I just got the townhouse that I will be moving in, but the tenants didn't exactly leave the place in a good condition, so I will have to spend some money and time to get it all fixed up before I move in (also including filling up that gigantic hole above the fireplace).

With that said, I am still looking for a nice 52" Samsung. I was still undecided between Samsung and Sony but really I was 90% leaning towards Samsung. But now I know I'm going Samsung all the way. So the 71 series is all gone? Is the 650-series that you speak of so much better? Or should I just take one of the 71 series that's on clearance and save my ass some money? Also if the 650-series is so much better, does the price difference between the 650-series and the 71-series justify how much better the 650-series is?

I'm not "actively" looking right now but it's definitely lingering in my mind. I have to focus on getting this place fixed up (paint, clean, wash carpets...etc) before I can start think about anything else. But definitely let me know...I will be getting one very very soon

[Pippin]

I just went to newegg.com and saw that the 650-series is about $1k more than the 71-series.

I know the 650-series got 50,000:1 contrast ratio and the 71-series got "only" 25,000:1. But is the 650-series really $1k better than the 71-series?

I'm not too sure about the 650-series...that's a big price jump...

[Ska]

I honestly don't think the 650 is THAT much better than the 71, color-wise, but I do think the 120hz processing is a lot smoother and more natural-looking. Whether that's worth $1000...ah, I don't know.

You could probably get a 71 for a pretty good sale price if you get it soon.

[Pippin]

Originally Posted by Ska

I honestly don't think the 650 is THAT much better than the 71, color-wise, but I do think the 120hz processing is a lot smoother and more natural-looking. Whether that's worth $1000...ah, I don't know.

You could probably get a 71 for a pretty good sale price if you get it soon.

If I'm not mistaken Matt, I thought the 71-series has the 120hz processing too? Only the 65-series or below doesn't have the 120hz. So if the 650 and 71 both have 120hz processing, only that the 650 has double the contrast ratio than the 71, I'm not sure that justify the one grand.

Though I did find some cheaper prices at CNET.com, I think the cheapest new one for the 650 was like $2800-$2900ish.

[TL-Super]

Originally Posted by Ska

Ah, that's good enough, he probably won't even see this thread anyway.

What the heck is an Apple Pippin? Sounds like a dessert or something.

It's an Apple game console that never made it to commercial release. I got it years ago at an E3 conference, when some partners and I were trying to get the rights to market it.

[Ska]

Originally Posted by Pippin

If I'm not mistaken Matt, I thought the 71-series has the 120hz processing too? Only the 65-series or below doesn't have the 120hz. So if the 650 and 71 both have 120hz processing, only that the 650 has double the contrast ratio than the 71, I'm not sure that justify the one grand.

Though I did find some cheaper prices at CNET.com, I think the cheapest new one for the 650 was like $2800-$2900ish.

Right, the 71 definitely has 120hz processing, but I think the 650 does it better. To me it looks more natural and a bit less jerky...but then again, I sit there and stare at TVs all day, I notice these things.

And as far as the double contrast ratio goes, that's definitely true...although all I can say about the 650 is that it looks REALLY bright on default settings. I'm gonna mess with it at work tomorrow to try and see what it can do, and then maybe I'll have a more concrete opinion.

[Pippin]

Originally Posted by Ska

Right, the 71 definitely has 120hz processing, but I think the 650 does it better. To me it looks more natural and a bit less jerky...but then again, I sit there and stare at TVs all day, I notice these things.

And as far as the double contrast ratio goes, that's definitely true...although all I can say about the 650 is that it looks REALLY bright on default settings. I'm gonna mess with it at work tomorrow to try and see what it can do, and then maybe I'll have a more concrete opinion.

Yeah definitely keep me updated Matt on your expert opinion regarding the difference between those two amazing LCDs.

As far as prices go, based on CNET.com (and I'm looking for NEW ones, not refurbished), the lowest for Samsung 71-series I found is about $2500 and the lowest for Samsung 650-series I found is about $2800. So that's only a $300 difference, and I can definitely swing that if the 650-series is a better buy with that price.

Also is it ok if I buy stuff from those online stores as opposed to CC or BB? I don't see the harm as long as I know what I'm getting (seeing the real deal in stores and knowing that's exactly what I want) and those stores have some sort of guarantee that if it's damaged during the shipping they will replace it. It's just so much cheaper to find deals from online stores than in real stores. And I will probably get a 2-3 year extended warranty just because with an investment like this, might as well protect it. What do you think?

[Ska]

I'd say go ahead and buy it online, it's going to be cheaper and you don't have to deal with salesman BS. I've never heard of something like that going wrong, and I'm pretty sure Slynky got his 58'' panasonic plasma like that (could be wrong, but I think so).

And as far as extended warranties, READ THE FINE PRINT. Like, I know with a lot of manufacturer warranties, they say they'll cover screen failure (i.e. pixels going out), but only if it covers a certain portion of the screen, like 20% or something. Same goes for power surges and crap like that. Find out exactly what you're getting, make sure you know all the exceptions and stuff, and then make a decision. Repairs for these suckers are expensive though, I think I read somewhere that the average cost is a few hundred bucks for a repair or something. Somebody posted an article in the lounge a few weeks back about it.

[Ska]

Originally Posted by TL-Super

It's an Apple game console that never made it to commercial release. I got it years ago at an E3 conference, when some partners and I were trying to get the rights to market it.

Interesting, I've never heard of that. I'm guessing it never went anywhere?

[TL-Super]

Originally Posted by Ska

Interesting, I've never heard of that. I'm guessing it never went anywhere?

Yep unfortunately, it had promise but I guess the bigwigs at Apple thought it was too far from core business.
Still works..some interesting beta games came with it.

[Pippin]

Originally Posted by Ska

I'd say go ahead and buy it online, it's going to be cheaper and you don't have to deal with salesman BS. I've never heard of something like that going wrong, and I'm pretty sure Slynky got his 58'' panasonic plasma like that (could be wrong, but I think so).

And as far as extended warranties, READ THE FINE PRINT. Like, I know with a lot of manufacturer warranties, they say they'll cover screen failure (i.e. pixels going out), but only if it covers a certain portion of the screen, like 20% or something. Same goes for power surges and crap like that. Find out exactly what you're getting, make sure you know all the exceptions and stuff, and then make a decision. Repairs for these suckers are expensive though, I think I read somewhere that the average cost is a few hundred bucks for a repair or something. Somebody posted an article in the lounge a few weeks back about it.

Yeah I don't see anything wrong with purchasing it with some online store. As long as I am protected against anything that's not my fault, then I don't see any harm in it.

I agree with you with the extended warranty, I definitely will research thoroughly and find out what is covered and what is not in relation to the price, then I will decide to get it or not.

Thanks Matt for all your help so far, please do let me know what you think after carefully comparing the 71 and 650 the next time you're at work. Thanks again

[Pippin]

I know you must've worked this weekend, so where are you Matt?!?

Anyway, I saw that they also have the Samsung 52" 550 Series, how is that different than the 650 series? And how does the 550 compare to the 650 and the 71?