Customer Reviews
Excellent choice for the price 
2008-10-06
Well, after 14 years with our 32" tube TV, we decided to upgrade to HDTV. However, we are not upgrading our satellite service as yet. So - which kind of TV to get? The choices are LCD, Plasma, and DLP. We ended up getting this model, but first let me say why we did NOT get one of the others:
LCD:
The advantage of a LCD is that is doesn't burn in images, and it has a very bright display.
The disadvantage is that it can tend to blur the moving images, unless you spring for the more expensive models. I think that most people get used to it. However, it does not look as good with Standard Definition (SD) inputs. Since we need SD input, LCD presented problems for us.
Plasma:
A plasma display has good color, great black, and works well with SD inputs.
The disadvantage with plasma is that it can burn in parts of the screen, especially if they don't change much. Since my son plays games a lot, there would be static "control areas". The newer Plasma displays have pixel shifting, where the entire screen moves (but won't be noticed), and have ways to fix any burn in. But it was still a worry.
DLP:
The DLP does not have any problem with moving images, and it has a great display. Also, it tends to be very inexpensive for the larger sizes. They are also light weight for their size, and have a thinner bezel (the area around the edge).
The disadvantages of DLP are that they use a color wheel and bulbs, both of which can fail. Also, they are deeper in back (about 16" on this model), so they are less suitable for wall mount.
The choice:
This model has all the advantages of DLP, but it also adds some features that diminish the disadvantages.
- It uses LED to light the screen, and the bulbs should last a very long time.
- It does not use a color wheel, so that will not wear out.
- LEDs are more efficient, so it uses less power.
Now on to the TV itself:
There are a lot of customizations available. It has three built in modes: Standard, Cinema, and Dynamic. Each ones sets the TV to certain video settings. The cinema works great with up-converting DVD players (I don't own a blu-ray disk yet). Or you can do your own "custom" settings. The audio is fine for normal listening - I use the TV audio for HDTV via the antenna, and a home theater system for satellite and DVD playback.
Broadcast:
Great. It will automatically scan the airwaves and assign the channels. One gripe I have is that it assigns both the air channel (analog), which looks terrible, and the corresponding digital channel, which look great. There are controls to have the set automatically read the screen resolution and change it as appropriate, and other controls to automatically adjust the volume when the channel is changed.
Standard Definition:
Very Good. Our Dish Network system runs through a home theater, which uses component video inputs to the HDTV. The picture looks almost as good as on our tube TV, when we set the screen ratio to 4:3. I haven't seen a program that did not look good yet, including our DVR playbacks.
DVD:
I am using a Panasonic blu-ray player with DVI connection to the TV and a optical sound connection to the home theater. The up-converting DVD output looks great.
Controls and connections:
All of the inputs are on the right side, which is unfortunate for me because my satellite and home theater are on the left! But it works fine with longer cables. The on-screen controls are easy to use. One thing I like is the capability of "renaming" the various inputs, so that the family knows that it is not just "component 1", but rather that it is the Cable/SATV. I'm using a Wii connected to component 2, a home theater receiver connected to Component 1, and the DVD player connected to the HDMI connector.
Problems:
The only issue I have had so far is that the WII connection via component input has a hum on the main screen and some of the game screens - not while playing, but while choosing options & etc. I will have to investigate this further. The picture looks very good.
The other issue is that stupid blue circle under the screen, which is annoying, but I finally found the menu to turn it off.
Conclusion:
This is a great choice if you have room for a 61" screen - make no mistake, this is some serious television real estate!
SAMSUNG 61" DLP HDTV 2008-10-03
I've had my SAMSUNG TV for almost one month. The picture is absolutely amazing. Everytime, when I watched my TV, I had to tell myself that my money was well spent. I really enjoy my TV. You cannot find a HDTV with this quality for the price. Amazon is my favorite vendor. We have purchased a lot of stuff from Amazon, and have never been dissapointed. It took me a while to find a suitable TV stand because I have a big center speaker and a receiver. I bought a Bush TV stand (Model# VS74962) at Best Buy for $249.99. The SAMSUNG TV looks beautiful on the stand.
Outstanding HD DLP TV 2008-10-02
I bought this set from Amazon not knowing how unbelievably good the picture quality really was, the local retail store lighting did not do the picture quality justice. The USB connection (WiseLink) feature is cool too. I've connected a USB drive loaded with all of our family pictures and our favorite MP3's which makes for a great party kiosk. In my opinoin this is the most bang for the buck TV out there, and the LED lighting long lifespan takes care of the dreaded DLP bulb replacement every couple years. The USB is also for firmware updates that you can download from the Internet as needed. Excellent HDTV!
Love It 2008-09-30
After looking at LCD, Plasma & DLP - I bought this one. Extremely happy with it.
Great TV, Amazing picture 2008-09-30
Ordered this via Amazon from 6ave.
TV arrived in great shape, and the pictures are just amazing.
Would recommend this to anyone looking for a big-screen, rear-projection HDTV. Samsung is the best value for money there is right now, for RP HDTVs.
Really nice, but not really great 
2008-09-30
61" widescreen HDTV (16:9 aspect ratio) * built-in digital (ATSC) and analog (NTSC) tuners for over-the-air TV broadcasts (antenna required) * built-in QAM cable TV tuner receives unscrambled programs without a set-top box (cable service required) * Cinema Smooth 1080p Light Engine (1920 x 1080 pixels) * LED light engine eliminates color wheel and improves color reproduction * 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio *
Yeah, its that good 2008-09-30
I bought this TV after 4 months of exhaustive research, and yes...it is as adveratised by the reviews on this and every site out there.
I am a movie nut, and own over 200, but I am not a videophile who needs everything to be just like a theater...and I am not rich, but damn if this wasn't the closest to perfect I could have come. This tv can fit into any budget, especially seeing how far it is falling in price. The picture is ridiculous. I loved (and still love) my forty inch sony 720p hd, but this thing is so much more screen and detail that I can't even imagine going back. Football is so clear on this and there is no motion jutter to speak of. The standard settings are just fine for normal veiwing, but in a dark environment, setting to movie makes for some amazing black levels. The LED thing is for real too. Not having to replace lamps is a big BIG deal. My cousing has 65" Sony Grand WEGA and has replaced the lamps twice in four years. And, at 200 a pop, that aint cheap. This TV will need LED replacement (expensive right now, very expensive) in about 15 years. Considering Samsungs dive into LED tech for there backlighting, I see this getting alot cheaper in the next few years for those of us who will need a replacement in 2023. And the imputs are many and varied, handling all of your video tech with room to spare.
The menus are a bit extensive, so be ready to go default when it gets too confusing. The sound, which is the only drawback to this TV is ok if your watching the news or weekly whatever, but not so great with external sources or movies. Highly recommend a home theater set up. Mine was just waiting for this TV.
I bought this from Ultimate Electronics (yeah, I paid tax, but they matched Amazon and I got it that day) and wouldn't trade it for the most expensive plasma. Nobody will beat the picture at this size, not plasma, not LCD, untill oleds become reasonable and viable.
Don't wait any longer. Figure out your budget, find your retailer, and pull the trigger. Best decision I could have made.
Great value 2008-09-29
I've had this TV almost 3 months, and I love it. I've had no problems. For this price, it can't be beat. DLP is less expensive, but the picture quality is still amazing. Early DLP models had some issues/complaints with the lamp and the color wheel, but the LED-powered model has no incandescent lamp to replace and no moving color wheel. Everyone who sees it is amazed by the size.
I can't comment on the speakers, as I have an external sound system. The interface and controls are easy to use. The only downside I can see is that it is not wall-mountable like an LCD or Plasma, but I really have no interest in wall-mounting a television anyway.
Overall, highly recommended. I think it's definitely worth getting a DLP and forgoing the wall mount, because the size you get for the cost is much bigger.
great picture 2008-09-23
This T.V. has one of the best pictures out there.If you're going to buy a big screen, look into this one.
Satisfied Customer 2008-09-19
I am thoroughly satisfied with Amazon.com and Samsung with my first large item purchase through the internet. Amazon.com was exceptional in ease of ordering, fast and hassle free delivery, great pricing and price guarantee policies. Actually, I had originally ordered from another vendor, but the television was delivered late and damaged, was returned and put on backorder, so I eventually cancelled, and I have yet to receive credit. So, I have experienced another vendor to make a comparison. The television is great!! Once we got it hooked up to HD satellite and all the proper cables, the picture is an exceptional entertainment experience.
