Samsung LN-S4696D 46" LCD TV

Nice picture and elegant in looks!

Strengths: Great picture quality even on SD channels. Built in speakers produce good sound effect.

Weaknesses: Black finish easily attracts dust and hard to dust as well!

Summary: The picture quality right out of the box was not so great. I figured that the default settings on the TV are optimized for "show room" viewing. But a little bit of tweaking the setting on "picture" menu will yield a good picture that suits your living room conditions. I personally like either "standard" or "movie" modes. Other picture modes, though appear to result more brighter picture, tend to noticeably pixelate the image.

On HD channels the picture quality was awesome. I have not treid true 1080p on mu TV yet. My DVD player is only capable of upconverting to 1080i. But even in 1080i the picture quality is superb.

I wish to share my expereince of TV buying with you. After more than an year of on-line browsing and reading numerous user reviews, I figured that it is absolutely worth to pay a few extra dollars to buy the TV from a SAMSUNG authorized dealer. If we buy from one of those low-ball pricing on-line retailers, most of which are not authorized dealers, we may end up losing our manufacturer's warranty on the product. Samsung invalidates your one year warranty, if you buy from a cheapo on-line retailers.

Also, I got additional 3 months of extended warranty by Samsung, when I registered my TV within 10 days of purchase.

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Very happy customer

Strengths: Beautiful picture in HD 720i & 1080i and AMAZING picture in 1080p.

Weaknesses: Picture quality in SD is ok

Summary: Like so many others I did allot of homework and comparing of this TV to the Sharp LCD and of course the Sony. This LCD fell in the middle of the sharp and Sony and I am very happy of my decision. I have it hooked to a PS3 and Dishnetwork HD and the picture quality on the HD channels are great. Also have an HD antenna for locals and the tuner does a wonderful job on those as well. Have not had any problems with the speakers so far either. All in all I'm a very happy customer and very pleased with my decision to go with the Samsung.

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Top of Line HDTV

Strengths: Excellent HDTV picture quality. VGA for PC input. Sleek design.

Weaknesses: The design of remote control is not very good.

Summary: This HDTV has a beautiful picture. Sharp image and very deep Black levels, comparing other LCD TVs in the Market.

The response time of the manu setting is pretty slow from the remote.

The black frame of the TV looks very sleek and high quality. The painting is in piano class.

After a long investigation and comparing between different models, I end up buying this HDTV for my living room, and I am entirely satisfied with my choice. Although I currently has no 1080P resource, the image of DVD Finding Nemo from the Philips upconvertible DVD player blow me away. Very high quality colorful image. Sharp and Clear. Two built-in tuners are very handy. After searching process I receive about 20 free HD programs from my basic cable TV service. After installing a HDTV antenna on my roof, there are another 10 more HD programs available for free. There is a great improvement of the picture quality from analog to digital, and this HDTV allow you to enjoy all the benefits of the HD signal.

Buy this set, it worth every penny.

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Excellent TV with everything you need

Strengths: Perfect picture quality. Lots of input. PC VGA input.

Weaknesses: None so far.

Summary: After researching LCD HDTV for a while, I kind of narrowed down my choices to Westinghouse, Sony and Samsung. I have the legendary InFocus 4805 projector at home, and have been very happy with it. Unfortunately my new home doesn't have a big wall for me, so I was thinking of getting a 1080p HDTV. For me, the westinghouse is the budget buy, and Sony or Samsung being the luxury choice. I was put off by the price of Sony XBR2, and this TV fits my needs and budget perfectly.

The picture quality is exceptional, really nice contrast (close to plasma). SD picture is not bad, either. I haven't tried the HDMI cable yet, just using component input seems great already.

There have been online discussion going on, suggesting that this TV cannot be used as Computer monitor, since it does not do 1:1 pixel mapping, while the Sony XBR2 does. I was a bit worried about this, since I definitely wanted to hook my HTPC to this TV. Guess what, I connected my old PC to this TV using VGA cable (Yes, not DVI or HDMI), and let me tell you, it looked absolutely great at 1920x1080 even without the 1:1 pixel mapping. To have a monitor of this size, it is too big if you sit too close, your neck would hurt; but if you sit too far away (more than 5 feet), you can barely read the screen. So it really doesn't bother me at all that this TV doesn't do 1:1 pixel mapping. I am aware of the hack firmware available for this TV to make it 1:1 pixel mapping, but I wouldn't bother trying since I have no need for that.

Overall, I am extremely happy with this TV, highly recommend it.

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Verrrry Satisfied

Strengths: Superb picture, lightweight, even the cabinet looks great

Weaknesses: Expensive, but price is still dropping

Summary: Bottom line up front, this TV is excellent! Tried first with a cheap, low dollar, rabbit-eared antenna, and saw, well, OK tv....then, ran a channel search, and saw other (HD) feeds available for each local over-the-air channel, and WOW...! As good as the in-store feeds. Just tried playing my DV camcorder thru the AV-2 side ports, picture is still very good. My opinion, rivals the Sony XBR sets, and is $100s less. So far, I'm happy, and even more important, the Mrs. is very satisified. Thanks Samsung, for a great product!!! Highly Recommend!!!

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Best TV without even considering the great price! SAMSUNG is #1

Strengths: This TV has the best picture / sound compared to sets almost twice in price, Samsung has now set the bar so high and is the industry leader in LCD.

Weaknesses: Can't perform the same Picture in Picture options that I am use to from Sony. The on-screen menus have pixel shift as if it were on a plasma, which are not needed on a LCD TV.

Summary: I did extensive research before I decided to buy this TV. After many, many hours on the net and even more hours at Best Buy, Circuit City and Sound Advice. This TV outperformed on Functionality, Picture and Sound that the other manufactures need to really take a good look at their products in comparison. This TV stood out head and shoulders above the rest. Now factor in the great price, and it becomes a No Brainier!

Sony & Sharp are on average $1000 more and have a worse picture, contrast ratio, black level, and refresh rate then this Samsung.

After a friend of mine came over and viewed a Blu-Ray movie playing on my PS3, the next day he order the exact same TV.

I highly recommend this TV, and I will be buying an even larger Samsung model next year when the prices come down lower for the 57".

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A very good TV for the price

Strengths: Great HD picture Simple easy to use remote Nice, modern look with piano black surround

Weaknesses: Instructions could be clearer for setup Some non HD channels are unclear

Summary: I've had this TV for about 2 weeks now, and I am very satisfied overall. The HD picture is amazing, and most non HD channels are clear. If you have a weak signal on a particular channel, you will really see the interference due to the size of the screen. One of the drawbacks to LCD is that if you sit or stand too close you can see the pixels. I only find this on some channels (usually the ones with the weaker signal), but when it happens it is annoying. I have the TV hooked up to cable, and I'm going to try to experiment with different connections to eliminate this. I also occasionally experience a background hum on the audio. It seemed to go away for a while but just returned. This may be one of the audio cables, but I'll have to experiment with this as well.

The only real complaint I have is the setup instructions. It shows a lot of different setup options, but not how to set up multiple things. For example, it shows how to hook up a VCR and how to hook up a cable box, but not how to hook up both in conjunction with each other. It took me a long time to figure it out, and I'm still not sure it's right. It also doesn't tell you much about the cable card hookup. Can I watch one channel while taping another when using the card? How do you hook up a VCR with it? I guess you have to call Samsung customer service for these answers.

Like I said, overall I am very satisfied. The picture is very good unless you have a weak signal, and it is a very modern, nice looking unit. It was much cheaper than the Sony, and I have heard Samsung quality is as good if not better.

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Best deal ever

Strengths: Crisp picture, integrated QAM tuner, USB for mp3 and pictures

Weaknesses: none

Summary: I got my Sammy in July. This 46" Samsung rocks, it's the best !!! It's wicked sweet. I had digital cable from Comcast when the set arrived. The set was stunning out of the box. The free HD channels were unbelievable. I plan to go to Direct TV only because I need to get a particular sports package (World series Cricket). Pros: gloss blank piano look, picture, numerous menu settings, sound is decent. Cons: None so far.

I am currently searching for a source or tool for making the picture even better (if thats even possible). I have heard of a DVD out there that can did this.

Back to the set, you'll love it....trust me. I say go with 46" if you sit 10' away. Go with 40" if you sit any closer.

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LN-S4696D

Strengths: Clear, sharp picture, with qam tuner, 1080p

Weaknesses: remote response is slow

Summary: I got it from frys for only $1699, it is a steal for this price. It is perfect for HDTV. Although the newest model is begin with LN-T and with higher contrast ratio, this LCD HDTV's contrast ratio 6000:1 is good enough compared with other no name brands. I read a article stated that if you are not an expert sitting in a puely dark room, you would not tell any difference between 1000:1 and 10000:1 contrast ratios. I guess nobody put this TV in a purelly dark room, so higher contrast ratio seems does not make any difference. This HDTV also features a 1080p highest resolution in the world although no cable companies proveid 1080p signal. If you use it as a big PC LCD monitor you can fully use it 1080p resolution.

The Samsung LN-S4696D 46" LCD TV (16:9, 1920x1080, 6000:1, HDTV) is very impressive to me, I stronlgy recommend it to you!

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Best HDTV

Strengths: Impressive picture quality, good sound, can be rotated to left or right. Two HDMI interfaces, Many new functions

Weaknesses: I do not find weakness.

Summary: 2007-07-07 17:12:56 I compared SAMSUNG, VIZIO, Sceptre, Sharp 46" 1080p HDTV and finally decided to take samaung. My choice is based on the follwoing. Vizio and Sceptre are cheaper but contrast ratio is too low compared with samsung, furthermore, the picture is not vivd as samsung. Sharp may have color bonding issues which I read from other reviews. My choice is correct. I am very satidfied it. It has more new functions which you can operate compared with my old 32" Viewsonic.

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LN-S4696D 46

Strengths: Great picture, no dead pixel, integrated ATSC/QAM/NSTC tuner, USB, IEEE1394 port

Weaknesses: None

Summary: I got it for $1699 from frys. It is a great deal on a named brand SAMAUNG. Other sellers sell it above $2000 (bestbuy $2999). The pciture is amazing! It can play free HD channels with cable and antenna. The QAM tuner inside can decode more than 10 channels after I hook it to my cable. I have not tried ATSC yet. USB port can be connected to external storeage to play MP3, photos without PC needed. IEEE1394 can be used to connected to other media player to form a network. Well, you cannot go wrong if you buy from SAMAUNG.

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excellent TV

Strengths: Great price and vivid picture quality

Weaknesses: firmware 1012 is old and have to upgrade to firmware 1024

Summary: 2007-07-06 17:08:34 I love this TV a nd it is a great deal in terms of price and qaulity. The picture is vivid and colorful. The only thing you might be aware is the firmware may need to be upgraded to newest version after you receive it.

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Great TV

Strengths: Picture quality, PIP (only LCD with it), price, reputation, HD picture

Weaknesses: Black really shows up as too black, dark colors appear too dark and are an eyesore.

Summary: I did a ton of research on which type of television to buy before choosing this television. The Sony Bravias were much more expensive, and did not have the PIP. When I looked at the difference in picture quality between the Samsung and the Sony, I could not tell much of a difference. The ratings between the two were pretty even as well. The other model I considered was the Sharp Aquos 46" model, but it had nowhere near the features of this model.

I would highly recommend this television. For our setup, we have a "great room" living room and a lot of light. What my wife loves about this television is that the picture is the same no matter what side you are looking at it. The price was just reduced on where I bought it (Crutchfield) to $2399, that's $400 difference in a little over a month from when I purchased it. I do not think you will regret this tv if you are looking for a high quality LCD television.

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No regrets with this purchase

Strengths: Picture quality in both HD and SD is excellent.

Weaknesses: Although plenty loud the sound quality is one-dimensional.

Summary: After researching several different sets and manufacturers I choose the Samsung LN-S4696D. I'm glad I did. I've been using the set for about a month now and can't imagine how I managed without it. Watching the Super Bowl on this set was a real treat.

I've also used the set as a monitor for a MacBook Pro laptop. It's great to be able to surf the web from the comfort of your favorite armchair.

Setup instructions could be more clear. Especially for making multiple connections between the TV, set-top box and DVD/VHS recorder, for example.

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Amazing!

Strengths: Best Picture for the money. Easy set-up. Great stand that swivels.

Weaknesses: Heavy. Remote is not very universal (didn't have codes for my Cable Box or Sony products)

Summary: Like the guy above, I started looking for a new TV in November. Went to all the stores, spent lots of time online and had narrowed my choices to the rear projections from both Sony and Samsung as well as the LCD. The Sony XBR3 is very nice, but this Samsung beats it not only in picture but also by at least $1000.

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