Leatherballs

I'm quite close on my final decision on a new TV set...and right now I'm going for the Samsung 30" Widescreen HDTV model TXM3096WHF...because I'm trying to keep money a little tight and I want a widescreen HDTV. But I've been reading some reviews that the picture quality isn't actually that good, and when playing DVDs or video games, the image will appear washed out or jagged (I got all those impressions from amazon.com reviews). Before I take the plunge and spend a healthy amount of cash, I was hoping maybe you guys could give me some impressions and tips on whether I should get this TV or not. I wouldn't mind shelling out a little extra cash, but I really want a widescreen HDTV...but any help would be appreciated.

Shawn

Sorry, I can't really help you, but I wanted to say that the thread title really cracked me up.

borisdisco

I have been eyeballing this set lately too. What is the best price you have found?

Leatherballs

So far....999 at Best Buy.

d2cheer

I bought it last week and I must say I am very impressed with it.

The Widescreen picture hooked up to my Progressive Scan Malata DVD player is amazing!! Digital cable is what I have and the picture is very good. Some day I will get the HDTV box but I'm very pleased with my purchase and I even got it $150 off of the $999. It was an open box item with full warranty... temptation set in and I had to get it and I will say I love the thing!!

What is pretty cool is if you watch TV in the Panorama setting it fills the whole screen and looks pretty good that way. Not too stretched out I mean.

borisdisco

I found one at a local B&M for $899. I was very impressed with the sound quality from the speakers, although if I get it I probably would never use them. They also had the TXM3098WHF, It was $1299.

Donnie Eldridge

You should get the 97 not the 96. The 97 adds 3:2 pulldown and an extra component input.

xboxundone

i have 96. And you cant go wrong with any of Samsugn Dynaflat HDTV's all are GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!! Plus can't beat the price!

Joshic

You should get a TXM3097WHF instead of the TXM3096WHF. Go to the Samsung website & compare the specs - the TXM3097 is A LOT better, but only costs a little more. In fact you can get a TXM3097 for $999 at www.jandr.com - same price you would pay for a TXM3096 at bestbuy. Plus if you don't live in NY you don't pay taxes. jandr.com is an authorized retailer and I've bought stuff in the past from them - they're very good.

Of course the TXM3098WHF adds a 3D filter so it's even better - and you can easily get it for $1199. Again, at jandr.com

Joshic

Actually the above info is incorrect. Both models have 2 component inputs. But the 97 does indeed have 3:2 pulldown, as well as 2-tuner PIP and split-screen side-by-side. So unless your budget is really, really tight, I STRONGLY recommend you get a 97 instead of 96. But really you should get the TXM3098WHF. The $1199 price at jandr.com as I mentioned above is not a final price. You could call them and probably go a little lower.

Toofpaste

I noticed that model too this weekend. I wasn't that impressed with the picture. I went ahead with the Samsung HCM4215W. It was a little more at 1499.99 with 42", but the size and picture fitted my needs. I think.

Does anyone have this model or know how well Samsung is?

Joshic

Samsung used to have a reputation as a low-cost, low-performance electronics company. These days they are trying to change that image (and succeeding reasonably well, IMO) and produce better quality products at a reasonable price.

They've entered several new markets (like MP3 players & HDTV), and are trying to earn a good reputation.

I bought a Samsung Yepp YP-700H MP3 player several months ago, and am very pleased with it so far. At the time it was one of the few flash-based 256MB players available, and the design was very sleek. The software used to upload files to it was (and still is) very cumbersome to use, but it is a minor gripe in what is an otherwise great product. The thing that made me get the MP3 player was ultimately the buttload of features that were available on it.

To me, the MP3 player that I have is a good example of Samsung's products these days. They're not keenly refined, but they do have great quality, tons of features, and are reasonably priced. But still not high-end.

Edit: Also something I forgot to mention is that Samsung seems to be good at finding holes in the market and filling them quite nicely. The MP3 player that I bought filled a hole in the availability of small, 256MB flash players. And their line of 27" and 30" HDTV's do the same - there are no 27" HDTV's except the ones made by Samsung & Zenith.

xboxundone

well i wanted to buy somewhere local when i bought mine. And between 96 and 97 there was 400 dollar difference and to me it wasnt worth it. I Greatly enjoy my TV and highly reccomend it to anyone looking for a good Budget HDTV. But if you can afford to get the 97 or 98 version go for it same great picture with some extra features!

Joe Molotov

I bought the TXM3096WHF a few days ago, and I just want to say that so far I've been very pleased with it. I'm just wondering though, what's a good DVD to REALLY show it off? I mean, sure anything looks better than it would on my old 19" TV, but what's something that really looks awesome, perferable in the 1.78:1 - 1.85:1 ratio range so I can show off it's lack of black bars. So far I think my favorite DVD to watch on it is Shrek, just because the colors are so rich and vibrant.

xboxundone

another great one is monsters inc or toy story