Samsung LN40B630 40-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color

Comment: At the time I bought this TV for $950, Best Buy was selling it for $1300 (which would've actually been $1420 after tax). That makes it the best bargain I've ever got. Thank you Amazon. The quality of the picture is amazing and it's so lightweight compared to other TV's sold for similar prices last year. My only problem is that it tends to tilt forward. The angle views are amazing too.

Comment: I'm going to keep it short but I really like this TV. I still haven't got to all its different functions, but the main thing is the picture is beautiful. If the specifications and inputs match your needs, I don't think you'll go wrong with this one.

Comment: I found this TV locally on clearance for $699 so the retailer could make room for the new 2010 model LN40C630. Even at Amazon's reasonable price, I think this TV is a much better value over TV's several hundred dollars less - a cheap piece of junk is still junk in the end, no matter what. You're better off banking that money in savings until it accrues enough interest to make up the difference between the models!

This TV has two sets of component inputs, which makes it more legacy compatible for those of us that can't afford the latest gear, and the upscaling processing I think is really nice. Closeup comparisons of my Xbox 360 running over component show that the TV's upscaler provides a sharper picture than running the Xbox at 1080p directly.

I spent about an hour in the store subjectively comparing this TV to a Toshiba model and a Panasonic model flanking them that both had decent reviews, and every time I'd change a setting, I ended up liking the picture on the Samsung more than any other model. Even if the panels in the sets are identical as my salesman claimed they were (so why not buy the cheaper one!), Samsung's image processor seems to have a lot more refinement than other less expensive brands, and I think that it really justifies the slightly additional cost of this TV. There is more color and detail subtlety viewable in the image on this Samsung than in its competing TV's, and the color is better and more naturally represented, even in the (tacky and over-bright) Dynamic mode.

The same retailer had a LN40C650, which has more features than the 630 model TV. I have a PC hooked to this TV as well and so fancy internet features hold no interest for me, but moreover the 650 models have a glossier screen which I actually do NOT prefer over the semi-matte finish of the 630. If I am trying to watch the TV in any type of light, the glossy screen increases reflections significantly, and I would rather take a minimal hit on the real-world-unattainable contrast ratio instead of hating my TV every sunny Saturday afternoon.

If you are not going to calibrate the TV, I'd recommend setting it in Natural mode. It was too dim viewing in the store, but most retailers have lights that are exactly one hojillion times brighter than in your home. If you view especially in the evening or in dim rooms, the brightness level is set very good by default in this mode, and I (subjectively) feel that the color balance is the most realistic. Rendered content doesn't 'pop' as much without the oversaturation, but isn't bleeding color problems the reason I got rid of my old CRT in the first place?

With regard to Digital Noise Reduction, the 120Hz processing, and other features: I do not see a huge difference, personally. None of the content that I have viewed so far on my TV has shown me much different sitting 11 feet away. My suggestion is to play with every setting, and find the viewing preferences that suit you. Each persons preferred content will play a role in what settings are best, so I will not suggest any. Just know that you can always say "Reset Picture" and start over if you muck them up too badly!

Thanks for reading.

Comment: We love this TV! The picture quality is outstanding, though we need to take the time to read the manual and really understand all its features. We compared it to other well-known brands at a store and we liked it best. I don't think you can go wrong with a Samsung TV.

Comment: When I turn is on it says 1980p @ 60 Hz. wish I bought a 240 HZ. Way too much blur when any motion. Even when someone is walking across the screen it blurs. Everything else is good.