Newbie needs help--Samsung LNT5265F vs. Sony 52XBR4?

[HornsFan]

I have been an avid BR supporter since I sat in line for 30 some od hours to get my PS3. I am in the market for a new TV...I currently have a Sony 42" LCD that I bought three years ago that outputs 720P. I have been very happy with this TV seeing that I felt this was the best TV at the time of purchase (even though everyone kept telling me I needed to get the comparable Samsung DLP) and I feel still has an awesome picture for a 720P TV.

However, daddy needs a new TV. My first instinct tells me to buy the Sony XBR4, but I keep having little birdies chirping in my ear that I need to buy the Samsung LNT5265F. . So I want to hear from the experts here in the blu-ray.com forum what their advice is.

My father-in-law owns the Samsung and I have had my PS3 hooked up to it numerous times. I have tried 3 different HDMI cables (including the big daddy monster cable) and I still have major handshake issues with this TV. I have searched all over the internet and haven't found a resolution to this problem. From what I can tell, this is simply a known issue b/w the PS3 and this TV and hasn't been resolved yet. (I don't have these issues during BD playback or DVD playback...only on XBR menu and during gameplay). This is frustrating enough for me not to consider this TV...but if it has better PQ than the Sony, I could live with the handshake issues until the problem is resolved.

The local fry's in houston (off SW freeway) has a setup with the XBR4 and PS3 playing Spidey 3...can I just say WOW!!! It was the same feeling that I had when they had the XBR playing Transformers on the other format . The PQ was so lifelike that you feel like you are actually on the set while filming. Simply blown away.

So I went and rented Spidey 3 on BR (sorry...didn't care enough about the movie to buy it...but I did buy Meet the Robinsons...go big blu!!!) and played it on my PS3 on my father-in-laws Samsung. Now don't get me wrong, the PQ is still fantastic, but nowhere near the lifelike experience while watching the same movie, with the same player, on the XBR4 at Fry's. It appears to me there is almost a night/day difference between the two TV's.

Is it possible to reproduce that same "lifelike" picture on the Samsung? Could it be that I need a high dollar HDMI for the PQ to be comparable? I am just using a cheapie due to the fact the monster didn't fix the handshake issue--I didn't see the importance of spending $160 on a cable when my actual TV is only 720P. Could it be a setting on my PS3 or the Samsung TV that I am missing? If anyone has any suggestions on what I can do to really test the Samsung while I have it at my disposal that would be great. If not, I would like to get the members feedback on their feelings b/w the two TV's. It seems to me, unless I get swayed by someone in the forum, I might be the owner of a new Sony XBR4.

[clyon]

If you want the best PQ then look at RP or Plamsa tv's Not LCD!!!!

[Mensrea69]

Definitely go Plasma- for the Best PQ. Samsung or Sony are good choices. Just go with what you see. Remember everybody's eyes are different.

[Y3k Bug]

I have that exact Samsung model! I haven't had any handshaking issues between mine and my PS3. My picture looks as good as I've seen on any other 1080p TV. So if something looks off on the Samsung you used, it may be in need of calibration, or maybe something is wrong with it (the handshake thing might also be a symptom of that).

I can't knock the Sony though, they make a dang fine TV too.

I don't know if you are price sensitive or not, but Samsung has come out with the 5281f model (I think) that has the LED backlight. That looks to be even better than the 65f.

Hope that helps!

Also on the HDMI deal...a more expensive cable "shouldn't" gain anything over a cheap one (at least in short runs)

[Nicadian]

Well if you are considering samsung go with the new LNT 4081. Led backlight, 500000:1 contrast ratio. Is around the same price of the XBR 4

[daisuke149]

yeah man the issue is your comparing it to the xbr4..

If you want that kinda picture theres only one place to get it.. or 2 actually the xbr4.. or the pioneer KURO plasma's.

[Aldo]

I was debating between the two and bought the 52 XBR4.
Besides the technical aspects, the samsung screen is just too shiny, a real mirror. Even the frame is shiny. You see all the reflections of lights and windows, quite annoying...
The Sony screen is mate and doesn't have this problem.

[HornsFan]

Thanks everyone for all of the input