Customer Reviews

Samsung LNS4096D 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is really an excellent set. I have waited a long time to buy my first HDTV and I finally bought this because it had a price I liked and the right features. I haven't yet been able to test it on a high def picture (that will happen tomorrow), but it's terrific for standard definition. I have tried it on VCD, Divx, DVD and regular cable and it looks great on all of them. I do have a few suggestions on how to get the best picture from this set.
1) Some will disagree, but if your source is not 16x9 (either anamorphic DVD or widescreen HD broadcasts), you really should watch it in 4:3 mode and not have it needlessly stretch the video to 16:9 mode. You can change the viewing mode with the remote control. If you don't like black sidebars on 4:3 viewing and only want to see full screen for everything, don't complain if the stretching makes the imperfections in the original source more apparent.
2) Use a component (NOT composite!) output or HDMI output from your DVD player to the TV and set the output on the DVD player to progressive (if it supports it). My DVD player is a cheap Philips DVP-642 and the output of everything I have tried looks great. Even low resolution VCD looks really good on this TV. My DVD player is too old and cheap to support HDMI output, but component output looks great. I compared S-Video output with component output and component is the way to go.
3) Don't sit too close. My viewing distance is 9 feet and the TV looks great at this distance. If you sit only 2-3 feet away, imperfections are somewhat more noticeable. If you are going to sit very close to your TV, you need a smaller screen unless you can live with being able to see every minute imperfection in everything you watch.

I've had the Samsung LNS4096D for about a month. Lacking previous knowledge or experience with HDTV I researched the subject extensively on the web and in several stores, comparing this model to Sony XBR and others. The Samsung has met or exceeded my expectations in almost every area. If I were to make my buying decision today I would again select this model.

Pros: excellent picture quality, connectivity options, swivel is handy. I was surprised by how good my old $75 DVD player displays, guess it's because it has progressive scan. Also, concerns about pixel blur with subjects in motion were unfounded.

Cons: sound is somewhat tinny, not same quality as picture - but hooking up an old pair of powered speakers solves the issue for me.

There's still a lot I don't know about "Definition." Some non-HD broadcasts look as good as they do on my older Sony Wega SDTV while others are poor. And one week an NFL game on an HD channel is crystal clear but the next week it looks like SD. I switched to Verizon FIOS thinking that an all-digital transmission would make everything look at least as good as the digital content on Comcast's Digital package. But that has not been the case. I guess it has to do with the entire video chain, from capture to transmission to display. And that LCD still has trouble matching SDTV on a CRT set. Hopefully the dissappointing channels/shows will only get better as broadcasters upgrade their technology.

I have two words of horror for you, Electronics Expo. I purchased this set through Amazon, who then relied on Electronics Expo to send the TV. First off, they sent it via UPS rather than a qualified TV delivery service like Amazon uses. When I hooked up the TV, the picture worked for 30 seconds then went to a green screen and blinked once in a while. I called Samsung and they said that they would send someone out in about a week, but if the problem occurred during shipping, the waranty wouldn't cover the repair. I decided to email Electronics Expo to request a new set and ask for a shipping label. They emailed me and told me that they wouldn't accept a return of a TV over 20 inches! I read the return policy and noticed that it only applied to returned items for unwanted items, not defective items. Electronics Expo then ceased to return my emails. I called and spoke to a manager who tried telling me that if the item was damaged while shipping, I would have to wait for them to be reimbursed by UPS before my new TV was shipped! The TV looked great for the 30 seconds that I actually saw a signal, but if this is being shipped by Electronics Expo, play it safe and spend the extra money to buy it elsewhere.

This Samsung 40" LCD model is fantastic. Easy to use, easy to set up, amazing picture - great color quality. Sound quality is also quite good - however we have the TV linked up to a surround sound system. From what I understand, the audio is average if the TV speakers are the only ones utilized. Overall, we are extremely pleased with this TV and highly recommend.

While we love the TV, we were not so pleased with Amazon. When we placed the order for the TV, the price listed (you had to click another link to see the "special" price) was $1,899.99 with free shipping. This sounded like a great deal at the time (it is now listed for $100 less). However there are additional vendors linked up with Amazon that sell this same model and one was being sold for $2,099.99. Our TV arrived and a month later, I realized that $2,099.99 was charged to our credit card. After calling Amazon numerous times for assistance and not getting anywhere, we have decided to put the issue to rest. We lost $200 and will think twice before we order any expensive items on this site again. This is the only reason we gave 4 stars as opposed to 5.

Word of advice - PRINT your receipt once the order is finalized - I really regret not doing this now.

I was deciding between the Samsung lns4096 and the sony xbr2. After comparing televisions i was really impressed with the samsung. It is just as sexy and you get more bang for your buck.The only retailer that carried it was Magnolia at Best Buy and it was priced at $2500. When i saw it advertised on Amazon for $1900 with shipping and tax included i couldnt resist. This tv is awesome. Ive had it side by side with my brothers new xbr2 and the samsung has a better picture. I have an hd dvr from brighthouse and use hdmi and the picture quality is amazing. I have seen some poor reviews about the sound but am yet to notice anything subpar about it. Besides its functionality this tv also looks like a piece of art on my bedroom wall. This was also my first time with an online purchase and amazon exceeded my expectations. Shipping was very fast only a few days and i was told to expect 10 days. I would definetley recommend.

Very happy with the LNS4096D. Considered more expensive sony xbr and some pricey elite plasmas. Picture quality is awesome! Only thing that caught me by surprise is PIP doesn't work with cablecard as it needs the extra cable-box tuner. Will probably go back to hd-box anyway for the tv guide & xtras. Highly recommend!

JUST HOOKED IT UP! THE TV IS AMAZING. No wonder it is number 10 on the official christmas list this year out of hundreds of electronics. Strongly recommend buying it online thought, and saving about 1000 bucks! WALL MOUNT IT ALL. LOOKS AMAZING!

Had it up and running in one hour. Unbelievable picture. Only using S-video input and its great. Haven't got the HDTV yet. Using Directv standard input. With standard DVD receiver put into A/V inputs on side of set. Controls are very easy to use and understand. I can't wait unitl I get HDTV Sat. I am waiting until Directv puts up its next 5 birds so more content will be available. Very, very happy with unit. Recommend it highly. Easy-Mount wall mount from Amazon worked easily and looks good...

I purchased the Samsung LNS4096D TV about 3-weeks ago. It's truly amazing! The picture is crisp and clear. Movement is fluid and the contrasts are amazing.

I was also considering Sony's KDL-40XBR2 but noticed a number of reviews with "Clouding" problems. I went to a local store and noticed "clouds" on the Sony in-store display! I did extensive research between the two TVs and found out that Samsung makes the LCD panel for Sony. In fact, the LCD panels are exactly the same! The only differences are Sony's shell and the internal image processing that's driving the display. Sony must be pushing the LCD backlighting too far and it causes clouds. A side by side comparison (between the Sony and the Samsung) will reveal Sony has a slightly better contrast but it comes with the chance of clouding.

I highly recommend the Samsung. I bought one and I'm very pleased (and I'm a very picky person). The bottom line: Great picture and a great price. Careful, you may find yourself watching HD programming you would normally hate just because it's so clear. It's addictive!

I love this TV. It has a great picture when watching HDTV channels, especially with Over-The-Air HDTV signal using TERK HD-TVS Slim Profile Outdoor HDTV Antenna. Standard channels look same as on my 6 year old Sony TV. One thing you must upgrade is the sound which is very basic and week compared to other models I saw in my local electronic store. I bought one piece surround system by SHARP SD-SP10, which is great and I really like watching movies now with simulated surround sound.
If you want to enjoy you DVD home collection and have the best picture 1080P quality go for OPPO DV-981HD 1080p High Definition Up-Converting Universal DVD Player with HDMI.