Samsung 37" LN37A550 1080p Review - Blu-ray Forum

Jhodi · 05-28-2008, 11:37 PM

Anyone else have this tv?

It's pretty new, as am I to HDTV.

So I am wondering if anyone else is experiencing a lot of "ghosting" and graininess on standard def programming. Is this the way all HDTV's are when playing SDTV?

Thanks for the input.

prankster · 05-28-2008, 11:58 PM

Don't have the same TV, but standard def content looks like garbage on an HDTV.

time for you to upgrade to HD digital cable or satellite!

Edh63 · 05-29-2008, 02:58 AM

I agree with prankster. Remember this about what you see on your set, your picture is only as good as the source transmission. Cable providers and/or satellite companies are fed a transmission that then gets fed to your home. In all the moving of information the signals become compressed and PQ and AQ are diminished to certain degrees. Time Warner and Comcast are the two biggest perpetrators of signal compression. This mostly applies to HD channels and the pixelations and paneling you'll see at times during broadcasts.

Providers are in a race to offer the most channels quickest, and because of that, you're going to see PQ degradation. This issue is all based on bandwidth and how much information can be transmitted within the "pipeline". Fiber Optics providers don't compress their signal and these providers are your better bets.

SD TV can look like crap on large sets. However, as prankster suggests, HD channels are the way to watch television these days. If you subscribe to the HD packages, then you can live in the loftier, high numbered channels and watch all your shows in HD. But remember, even in HD your PQ will be determined mostly upon the source transmission. I have seen HD channels look crappy, compared to others HD channels, because the source transmission is poor already.

There's a saying... "You can't make chicken salad out of chicken shit". Take viewing SDTV with a grain of salt and don't judge your set too harshly according to what you're seeing all the time. Reserve your final judgments when you've watched a BD and have just tasted another sip of the water. Then you will be satisfied young grasshopper.

Jhodi · 05-29-2008, 11:50 AM

Dish man came out yesterday and told me I had too many trees and that my HDTV signal would go in and out all the time and so we bagged the idea. I wasn't too happy.

As it stands right now, the Dish goes out when it gets stormy or SUPER windy, but not too often. He said the HD is even much more so inconsistent.

Yes, he drove a DISH van, had a DISH shirt on, and seemed to work for DISH.

DO i need a second opinion?

Edh63 · 05-29-2008, 12:37 PM

I personally wouldn't have Dish, or satellite in general. As you've pointed out, it's all too unreliable, contingent upon weather conditions and line of site. Now, if this is the only choice you have in your logistical area for providers, then you're kinda stuck with it. Cable providers are a more reliable source provider and fiber providers are even better. But, fiber isn't everywhere unfortunately.

Nevertheless, weather is weather and that is going to be a separate issue when discussing how bad SDTV can look on your set. Even if you have the perfect set-up with satellite your PQ will still be at the mercy of the source transmission.

Can you re-locate your dish? Can you cut the trees for line of site?

Jhodi · 06-14-2008, 04:06 PM

This TV randomly goes to a black screen. What should I do?

I bought it from Best Buy last month.

Do I take it back to them or ship it to Samsung? And no, I didn't buy the Service Plan, but of course it is still under warranty.

Is this a problem known to occur in Samsungs?

yyyiiikes · 06-14-2008, 04:38 PM

take it back to them.... you may want to visit with them in the store before hauling it in.

Regarding your satellite issue - pole mounting is also an option that I have seen. Obviously I don't know your landscape nor your elevation requirements, but it would seem feasible to cut a view for the signal.

I have been very pleased with my DirecTV service since 1996.

Jhodi · 06-17-2008, 03:55 PM

Ok, since I haven't had this tv 30 days, I am simply returning it.

The next question: what should I replace it with?

If 1080P offers no better visual quality that is NOTICABLE at my distance of 15 feet....maybe I can save money and just go with a 720P?

PNF · 06-17-2008, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jhodi

Ok, since I haven't had this tv 30 days, I am simply returning it.

The next question: what should I replace it with?

If 1080P offers no better visual quality that is NOTICABLE at my distance of 15 feet....maybe I can save money and just go with a 720P?

15 Feet!?!?

37" is not big enough at all at that distance.

You need at least 46 or 50"..

but 37" and if you really do sit at 15" constantly.. get a 720p, you wont notice anything.

Then again, if you decide to put that 37" else where in the future, at a short viewing distance, you'd wish you have 1080p.

theprophecy247 · 06-17-2008, 05:47 PM

verizon fios

Jhodi · 06-17-2008, 06:20 PM

I thoughtlessly designed my built-in entertainment center to only house a 37 inch when I built the house. A boner move, no doubt.

I can't go any bigger.

Nor is it a designated viewing room where I can set up the seating closer.

Looks like I'll get the 720o...maybe the Samsungs will go on sale now that the 1080p is available.

Is there a 37 inch 720p?

05-28-2008, 11:37 PM	#1
Jhodi Active Member Member since:May 2008	Samsung 37" LN37A550 1080p Review Anyone else have this tv? It's pretty new, as am I to HDTV. So I am wondering if anyone else is experiencing a lot of "ghosting" and graininess on standard def programming. Is this the way all HDTV's are when playing SDTV? Thanks for the input.

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05-28-2008, 11:58 PM	#2
prankster Expert Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:LA/OC, California Blu-ray collection:408	Don't have the same TV, but standard def content looks like garbage on an HDTV. time for you to upgrade to HD digital cable or satellite!

05-29-2008, 02:58 AM	#3
Edh63 Senior Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Wimberley, TX	I agree with prankster. Remember this about what you see on your set, your picture is only as good as the source transmission. Cable providers and/or satellite companies are fed a transmission that then gets fed to your home. In all the moving of information the signals become compressed and PQ and AQ are diminished to certain degrees. Time Warner and Comcast are the two biggest perpetrators of signal compression. This mostly applies to HD channels and the pixelations and paneling you'll see at times during broadcasts. Providers are in a race to offer the most channels quickest, and because of that, you're going to see PQ degradation. This issue is all based on bandwidth and how much information can be transmitted within the "pipeline". Fiber Optics providers don't compress their signal and these providers are your better bets. SD TV can look like crap on large sets. However, as prankster suggests, HD channels are the way to watch television these days. If you subscribe to the HD packages, then you can live in the loftier, high numbered channels and watch all your shows in HD. But remember, even in HD your PQ will be determined mostly upon the source transmission. I have seen HD channels look crappy, compared to others HD channels, because the source transmission is poor already. There's a saying... "You can't make chicken salad out of chicken shit". Take viewing SDTV with a grain of salt and don't judge your set too harshly according to what you're seeing all the time. Reserve your final judgments when you've watched a BD and have just tasted another sip of the water. Then you will be satisfied young grasshopper.

05-29-2008, 11:50 AM	#4
Jhodi Active Member Member since:May 2008	Dish man came out yesterday and told me I had too many trees and that my HDTV signal would go in and out all the time and so we bagged the idea. I wasn't too happy. As it stands right now, the Dish goes out when it gets stormy or SUPER windy, but not too often. He said the HD is even much more so inconsistent. Yes, he drove a DISH van, had a DISH shirt on, and seemed to work for DISH. DO i need a second opinion?

05-29-2008, 12:37 PM	#5
Edh63 Senior Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Wimberley, TX	I personally wouldn't have Dish, or satellite in general. As you've pointed out, it's all too unreliable, contingent upon weather conditions and line of site. Now, if this is the only choice you have in your logistical area for providers, then you're kinda stuck with it. Cable providers are a more reliable source provider and fiber providers are even better. But, fiber isn't everywhere unfortunately. Nevertheless, weather is weather and that is going to be a separate issue when discussing how bad SDTV can look on your set. Even if you have the perfect set-up with satellite your PQ will still be at the mercy of the source transmission. Can you re-locate your dish? Can you cut the trees for line of site?

06-14-2008, 04:06 PM	#6
Jhodi Active Member Member since:May 2008	This TV randomly goes to a black screen. What should I do? I bought it from Best Buy last month. Do I take it back to them or ship it to Samsung? And no, I didn't buy the Service Plan, but of course it is still under warranty. Is this a problem known to occur in Samsungs?

06-14-2008, 04:38 PM	#7
yyyiiikes Member Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Austin, TX	take it back to them.... you may want to visit with them in the store before hauling it in. Regarding your satellite issue - pole mounting is also an option that I have seen. Obviously I don't know your landscape nor your elevation requirements, but it would seem feasible to cut a view for the signal. I have been very pleased with my DirecTV service since 1996.

06-17-2008, 03:55 PM	#8
Jhodi Active Member Member since:May 2008	Ok, since I haven't had this tv 30 days, I am simply returning it. The next question: what should I replace it with? If 1080P offers no better visual quality that is NOTICABLE at my distance of 15 feet....maybe I can save money and just go with a 720P?

06-17-2008, 05:47 PM	#10
theprophecy247 Special Member Member since:May 2008 Location:Shadow Moses Islands Blu-ray collection:42 Blu-ray reviews:5	verizon fios

06-17-2008, 06:20 PM	#11
Jhodi Active Member Member since:May 2008	I thoughtlessly designed my built-in entertainment center to only house a 37 inch when I built the house. A boner move, no doubt. I can't go any bigger. Nor is it a designated viewing room where I can set up the seating closer. Looks like I'll get the 720o...maybe the Samsungs will go on sale now that the 1080p is available. Is there a 37 inch 720p?

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