Customer Reviews

Samsung HCN4226W 42-Inch Widescreen Projection HD-Ready TV

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Had this TV about a month and find it a great value. Very good performance on SD program material. Dark scenes have some randomely appering light vertical bars that are annoying when using anything but the DVI connection, but I hesitate to call for service in fear they will mess something else up. This set is a great value. I was going to buy the $3000 DLP unit, but when I saw the performance of this set, especially on SD, I did not feel the DLP was worth another $2K, especially when you consider the lamp replacement. At 10 or so feet viewing distance, it is very difficult to see the difference in resoultion between the two, in a side to side comparison. One suggestion, do not skimp on cables. My SD performance increased 100% with a good quality S-Video cable. If you are hesitating on getting into HDTV because of the SD performance, you will find that this unit gives you acceptable performance.

I do not have a problem changing the aspect ratio on progressive scan DVD's as a previous rater suggests. The one catch I had was that this TV has two sets of component jacks (Red-Blue-Green and two audio jacks). The CATCH is that component 2 cannot be used for DVD. Hence, our Digital TV box (Comcast Cable) must be used in component 2 and the DVD must be hooked up to component 1. This was not in the manual. Also, when I put my cable in component 2, it did not work until I hooked up a DVI cable from the TV to the comcast box. Not sure why. But looks great all the same. I have a Panasonic progressive scan DVD and typically set the aspect ratio of the TV to "DVD" which allows me to adjust the screen to take up the entire screen. Looks fantastic in progressive scan DVD playing. HDTV, I guess it depends on the signal you are receiving, does not allow for changing of aspect ratio. The Masters golf tournament was awesome, although an LCD in HDTV would blow it away, it still makes HDTV worth the price. I get Phillies games on HDTV and I cannot change the aspect ratio (bar at top and bottom) and I dont think its the TV's fault. The Masters as in most HDTV stuff takes up the entire screen. I found everything else about this TV to be satisfactory, it is not as deep as some big screens and does not overtake a room. The small shelf it sits on that comes with the TV houses the Comcast box and probably would fit the DVD player but that is it. You will need to put your Sound Receiver and any other component elsewhere so be aware of that when you go out and spend money on cables. I use a DVI cable that came with a Dell flat screen and it works great. Monster DVI cable ($129!!) would be overkill. I also use GE componnent cables which had I gone with Monster brand cables all around I would have spent an extra $300!!

What a mistake I made purchasing this Samsung TV. I have had a bad experience with this product. I purchased it around the end of 2003 and after a year one of the color tubes went out, and needed to be replaced After about 4 months, just like that the television stopped working, due to a problem with the power supply circuit board.

I will never buy another Samsung product and recommend everyone follow suit!

This product gives Samsung a bad name for all its products.

We bought this TV from CircuitCity and I purchased the Advantage Plus protection to cover the lamp replacement and anything else that might go wrong. Well, after 3 years, the colors began to fade in and out and the picture became blurry. We had CircuitCity repair the TV. The local repair vendor had the TV for 3 weeks (they said it would take 5 days). They returned the TV in worse condition than they got it in; the problems were still there and they put a 5 inch rip in the screen. After two weeks of working with CiruitCity they finally agreed to an exchange. So really my problem is more with CircuitCity than with Samsung. For the first 3 years the TV was awesome.

The only problem I have with this TV is that when in compnent 1 HDTV mode through charter I have to keep it in the cool 1 color setting. If I don't the color gets real bright then real dark in and out. Other then that this TV is great no complaints exspecailly for the (970) price tag I bought it at!!!!!!

For me - this tv lacks two things.

1. Theres no way to change the aspect ratio when the tv is receiving a 480p (progressive) input signal. This is bad when you want to watch a Simpsons DVD with a high quality signal and its stretching it to meet the dimensions of the tv rather than allowing you to change the aspect ratio to 4:3

2. Of the two component inputs, only one allows for both 480p and 480i - and with problem #1, you would periodically have to change the signal from a progressive to an interlaced, and therefore be required to use the only input that gives you a choice of signals. the other input is a straight 480p / 1080i input.

I felt like i was having to calibrate it too often and the edges of my screen were blurry. I think the picture was quite good and the price was fab.

We have had problems with the tv, but have not had any problems getting it serviced. Works fine now.