40" LCD - Samsung LN40A650 vs LNT4071F vs Sony KDL-40XBR4

[Mr. Furious]

So, I'm about a month away from pulling the trigger on one of these new sets. I'm retiring an old direct view and putting this in the basement. It won't be my main TV, but it will be pulling heavy duty.

Goals:

- Xbox 360 (Video Games)
- HD Movies/Broadcast TV
- PC Integration
- SD DVD

I thought I had decided on the LNT4071F, but the release of this new generation of TVs, its now a harder call. The LN40A650 is a 10-bit panel, higher contrast, and a faster pixel refresh. It also exceeds the specifications of the Bravia in several areas, but I've read that some people still believe the Bravia has the sharper image. Also, I'm expecting to see the LNT4071F and the KDL-40XBR4 drop in price to deal with the introduction of this new offering.

Any opinions?

[Ruined]

XBR4 is my vote...

[Mr. Furious]

Interestingly enough - prices have been all over the board for these guys.

Best Buy appears to be charging FULL MSRP for all of the above mentioned TVs. Amazon has been pretty aggressive, but their price for the LN40A650 has actually been going up.

I just got a 12% off rewards member coupon from Best Buy, but I have to use it this weekend... which sucks because their price is already rediculously high. I'd rather use it in conjunction with a price markdown.

Oh well, we'll see what happens.

[youcde]

I'd say go for the Sony, and it's also not that expensive, the Sony KDL-40XBR4 is on sale for only $1850 at a deal site, maybe you can give it a look

[EM3]

I've got a Samsung DLP and I love the picture on it. I have seen some of the smaller Samsung LCD's 32 inch model and loved the picture on it.

Sorry no help.

[Mr. Furious]

I ended up buying the LN40A650 last weekend (Amazon). I haven't had a chance to fully calibrate it or look for flashlighting or clouding.

However, I will say that it look simply amazing with SD DVD (upconverted) and HD DVD. I have it wall mounted on a Sanus 4-axis arm.

[Sehnzeleid]

CNet thinks the 52" Sammy 650 is superior to the 46" Sony XBR4.

CNet: Samsung LN52A650 Review

[Ruined]

Ugh, that Sammy has a high gloss screen. Glare city.

[docfletcher]

Greetings, They claim the high gloss screen enhances color and resolution.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by docfletcher

Greetings, They claim the high gloss screen enhances color and resolution.

It may make things more contrasty but I'm not sure thats a positive. As for enhancing resolution, not possible. Any benefit from it is outweighed by the exacerbated reflections glossy screens cause IMO.

[Sehnzeleid]

You sound like you're just grasping at straws on this one.

It's like you're throwing the display's fantastic performance out the window merely because on your XBR biases and the high gloss screen, which will matter 0.00% in critical viewing in darkness.

[Mr. Furious]

As an 650 owner (and now fan), I could see how the glossy screen could be a massive drawback to some. If your room has a lot of natural light in it, the reflections can badly damage the presentation. For light controlled rooms, the merits of the TV far exceed the comparable XBR. It's really a personal situation that is going to affect that issue.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by Sehnzeleid

You sound like you're just grasping at straws on this one.

It's like you're throwing the display's fantastic performance out the window merely because on your XBR biases and the high gloss screen, which will matter 0.00% in critical viewing in darkness.

Nope, if you plan to watch in the daytime or your room has any ambient light non-glossy screens stomp the glossy ones which exacerbate reflections and glare. Same reason I recommend XBR4 series over XBR5.

[Sehnzeleid]

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by Sehnzeleid

hey its my opinion, and its a pretty reasonable one. You don't have to agree, but that doesn't make it necessarily eye-roll worthy considering glare off glossy screens has been an enemy for HT enthusiasts for some time.

Haven't you heard of all the people who ask ISF calibrators to remove the protective/gloss screen if possible? Thats done for a very good reason, to de-emphasize ambient light and room reflections.