Finally replaced my old KV27HFR..

[Glocksman]

With a Samsung LN40B550 that I got for $1049 total after paying sales tax and $99 for a five year extended warranty.
I normally avoid extended warranties, but enough of my friends have had their LCD panels die after 2 years that I considered the extra $99 to be worth the peace of mind.

My original purchase was a floor model Sony KDL-40v4100 for $799, but after I got it home and examined it under bright light, I noticed scratches on both the bezel and the screen itself.

I took it back and said unless they could offer me a similar deal on a NIB set, I wanted a refund.
The manager looked it up and said he could give me the Samsung NIB for $899.

Considering that Best Buy wanted $1,099 at the time (today on sale for $934) for the set, I said 'sure'.
The store was a locally based chain (Risley's) and the manager was Mark Risley.

Would Best Buy have offered me a similar deal?
Personally I doubt it.

Heck, the swivel stand makes it worth the extra $100 over the Sony, never mind having a 'NIB' set over one that's been used as a demo for over a year.


Also, upon the strength of both a friend's recommendation and the freeware 'media server' available for it, I bought a PS3 for Blu-Ray and media streaming.

So far, it's a beautiful setup.

[Stargate Nerd]

Congrats. Enjoy watching glorious 1080P Blu-Rays.


Movies are grouped by visual quality here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=858316

[Memnon]

My dad used to be a Sony fanboy, and I can tell you this about them:
their consumer electronics are shiny, but reliability is so-so and their tech support is bad.
Besides, their company policies (eg towards DRM) are wholly unreasonable.

Edit: Best Buy prices are typically horrible. I only go there to get games and some items I need ASAP.

[TimothyC]

Good Choice going away from the Sony Glocksman - the 40V4100 has a return rate about three to four times higher than the equivalent Samsung (the LN40A550 - Last Year's TV, which you got the replacement for). I might have gone with an LG (42LH30) if the price was right, but the 40B550 is a good solid TV.