Samsung Smart TVs

[45R]

I will have to check that out. What is the purpose for the blue tinted glasses? Do I need a BLUE Ray DVD player or will a standard one work for this purpose?

[ibanezfoo]

I will have to check that out. What is the purpose for the blue tinted glasses? Do I need a BLUE Ray DVD player or will a standard one work for this purpose?

Works with the color calibration. The blue filters out certain things and you adjust until colored squares match and other weird things. Basically it takes you step by step and you adjust until the different things match up or things look a certain way. I guides you how to do it and what to adjust. The one I have is just a normal DVD but works for blue ray too (blue ray players play normal dvds as well).

[zio707]

We have last years Samsung 55" smart LED TV model and love it. We were on the fence between the Panasonic Plasma ans the Samsung but since we're not gamers we chose the Samsung LCD. As part of the package someone from the geek squad come out soon after to tune the colors, etc. with specialized equipment (laptop, cables, etc.) getting to the program settings not normally available to the normal user. We now have two optimized settings, one for day and one for night and the colors are amazing.

All the smart extras are cool but we don't use them that much. The HDMI connections are great and come in handy when hooking up a laptop or camera to the TV; so much simpler too to connect to the DVR, playstation, and surround sound with far less cables.

[moond0ggie]

If you want the best picture quality, go for a Panasonic Plasma! My Panasonic is connected to my home network and I can stream any files on my laptop to my TV. If I want to use my TV as my computer screen, I just connect HDMI.

Same here, I have the 2011 42" Viera, it has a beautiful picture & USB.
I'm using a wireless X-box as the streaming interface to the HDTV,
w/MS Media Connect 2 to facilitate XP pro as the media server.
I would sure like something better without the limitations of this arraignment.

[ocmsrzr]

I have a 60" E8000 plasma. It's a great tv, the only weak point is SmartHub. The SmartHub is great when it is working but when the SmartHub servers go down, Samsung is in no hurry to fix the problem.

[Rouge Recon]

Is the Smart TV a gimmick? Is it something any of you would be willing to give up in exchange of saving money?

I'm still unsure if a Smart TV is something I want.

[BigBoyPinoy]

60" in the living room 46" in the bedroom, don't really use the "Smart tv" functions since they're both hooked up to HTPCs.

Best picture for LCDs in my opinion, great sound even with flat speakers(15 watts/ch) decent if not using sound system

Enjoy the PIP options so you can watch tv and play games or web browse. Now with PC tuner installed, I can have 4 different programs on screen and web browse from the couch.

[ibanezfoo]

Is the Smart TV a gimmick? Is it something any of you would be willing to give up in exchange of saving money?

I'm still unsure if a Smart TV is something I want.

Depends on what you are looking for. If you just want to watch TV from the antenna or a cable box and nothing else than its probably not worth the money. External devices are generally better at all the extra media functions so if you have those theres no point getting a TV with them as well. But if you want these features without extra gadgets attached to your TV then its definately worth the extra money.

[45R]

I used this program and used the MP4 version to calibrate the TV. What a big difference! It was done in 10 minutes using their method.

http://lifehacker.com/5858625/how-to-calibrate-your-hdtv-and-boost-your-video-quality-in-30-minutes-or-less

[30rdMag]

I have has samsung for years. I still have one of the 1st samsung lcd 45 inch touch of color TV's and its still going strong at 6 years old.

I upgraded the bedroom tv to a new 38 inch mid level led samsung and never had any issues.

Then this last year I upgraded the main TV to the 55 inch LED 3d, 8000 series my single samsung remote controls all my HDMI samsung devices, my Samsung 7.2 and my Samsung blueray. Its very seamless and user friendly.

Few points or faults I hav come across....
Some lower Samsung TV's didn't have ARC, Audio return channel for HDMI, Which means any app from the TV needs to use internal speakers or you will need to use a fiber optic port. Which the FO port is really easy if your surround has it. Which it should if its worth even hearing.
That ARC is the main flaw, But Samsung has addressed this on upper non walmart sold units.

Next, The HDMI cables, 1.3c or 1.4 cables, Anything else and don't waste your money on a 120hz+ TV, You will not see a clean picture. Course this also depends on the source.
When I picked up the last TV, I made the plunge and upgraded to Monster HDMI cables, Mainly because no one but them was really printing which version cable they were selling. Some say its no big deal. But I can tell you its a hell of a difference in going to Moster cables. My PS3 also loves them and the graphics are improved. Every watch planet earth on blueray? upgrade your cables and see what your missing. And 3d will not artifact..
If you do 3d you will also like the increase data rate, mine pull 24gb/ps and when my buddies called me out. I swapped cables and they were sold.

Keep in mind also that the higher end Monster HDMI cables are directional. Took me 2 weeks to figure this out after the last move. And the higher end cables also come with a free upgrade replacement for life. If Monster comes out with a better cable, bring them in for that free upgrade.

And as posted above, Calibration us huge too, and make sure any TV you buy is NOT on store DEMO mode as they ship most from the factory in.
As for the Samsung apps, They are good on mine and I use them. I use them more from my Samsung blue ray player.

Something also worth talking about is their droid apps. (Samsung remote)Lets you use your droid powered device to control your samsung device. I can control the TV from the bathroom on my tab, Always good fun for those I own your remote types..

(Allshare) lets you wirelessly play music, videos or photos from your phone of Tab,
(Samsung wireless dock)
Docks your handheld device to the TV and turns the TV into a phone or alarm clock or anything your handheld can do.

(All Share Control)
Lets you stream wirelessly, your handheld or pc to the TV,
Controls the A/C- Heater
Controls the Washer and Dryer
Controls the TV, Blue Ray
Controls other samsung network enabled devices as well over the home network/internet

And I am in the process of converting my house over to the Samsung network. With the new house all my appliances are going in as Samsung as I can control them over the internet. The thermostat is what sold me. Ever been 200 miles away and wonder if you closed the garage door or turned off your A/C?
Also the samsung CCTV system also is plug n play and comes up on your handheld.
This is all stuff I have learned over the years. I have yet to see anyone else roll this stuff out with their TV's and my friends have had to get their other brand TV's repaired. Mine are still going strong.

And when buying a TV, keep it upright. Laying it flat can ruin the screen during transport.

[45R]

I was thinking about picking up a Samsung Blu Ray wireless player with All Share.

Will wireless streaming decrease the quality of the Blu Ray or is it better that I just go HDMI from Blu Ray to TV for best picture?

[30rdMag]

Its going to take away from the quality. How much I am not sure.
If you drop the coin, why not just go full HDMI, Its like .22 with a 5.5x22x56 nightforce scope...

For Samsung,
55 seems to be the best, you should measure off your viewing area. before picking TV size.
LED is best and throws off less heat. Plasma and LCD can increase room temp 10-15 degrees. Quick test, Go to a TV store and place your hand in front of TV,
Refresh rates, These are only as good as the source, and cables.
All new Samsung stuff has Allshare that I know of.

Samsung also makes a great blueray/7.1 system, wireless sub for $300-350 depending on where you shop. Going that route means less cables

What model were you looking at?

[Yugo]

Your rooms lighting should be addressed first, then you pick plasma or LCD (LED is an LCD with LED back lighting)

If you want a good picture dont buy a samsung (vivid overly bright colors)
Sharp, Panasonic, Elite, LG, Sony

DO NOT BUY A TV FOR THE APPS

Buy a TV for the SCREEN/PICTURE quality and put a media player/small computer to it with wireless keyboard/mouse

You will thank me in the long run.

[InFamous20]

How thick or thin are they?

[45R]

Its going to take away from the quality. How much I am not sure.
If you drop the coin, why not just go full HDMI, Its like .22 with a 5.5x22x56 nightforce scope...

For Samsung,
55 seems to be the best, you should measure off your viewing area. before picking TV size.
LED is best and throws off less heat. Plasma and LCD can increase room temp 10-15 degrees. Quick test, Go to a TV store and place your hand in front of TV,
Refresh rates, These are only as good as the source, and cables.
All new Samsung stuff has Allshare that I know of.

Samsung also makes a great blueray/7.1 system, wireless sub for $300-350 depending on where you shop. Going that route means less cables

What model were you looking at?

I just tried the Samsung BDE5400..........it's going to get returned. It has terrible issues with freezing.