Buying or own a Samsung LCD TV? Read this

Joined
Nov 29, 2001
Messages
3,283
Seems as though Samsung uses different panels in their sets with varying degree of picture quality. They don't acknowledge this, though.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/is-your-samsung-lcd-made-by-samsung-not-always/

If the back panel, after the Model number, has an 'S' in the upper right corner of the info label, you have a good Samsung made panel.

Many, especially the 5xx series, have a 'C' or an 'A', made in China, lower quality, problems. Now coming to light, just in time as Samsung announced 12/29 in digitimes.com they are raising their LCD prices!

I know various OEM's share parts, especially Sony/Samsung, or LG/Philips, but I feel if you are spending the money to buy a Samsung, you have a right to expect a true Samsung made product, not some Chinese crap of dubious quality.

As always, Buyer Beware.
 
Seems as though Samsung uses different panels in their sets with varying degree of picture quality. They don't acknowledge this, though.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/is-your-samsung-lcd-made-by-samsung-not-always/

If the back panel, after the Model number, has an 'S' in the upper right corner of the info label, you have a good Samsung made panel.

Many, especially the 5xx series, have a 'C' or an 'A', made in China, lower quality, problems. Now coming to light, just in time as Samsung announced 12/29 in digitimes.com they are raising their LCD prices!

I know various OEM's share parts, especially Sony/Samsung, or LG/Philips, but I feel if you are spending the money to buy a Samsung, you have a right to expect a true Samsung made product, not some Chinese crap of dubious quality.

As always, Buyer Beware.
Thanks for the info. I'd venture to guess that this goes on a lot more than any of us would ever imagine.
 
Not TVs. If you read the article, it talks about LCD computer and laptop MONITORS. Not televisions. Also, the "source" on this article is an anonymous Samsung insider. I'm sure there are issues, but lets hope someone forces Samsung to make an official explanation.
 
I literally just bought about 4 hours ago a Series 6, 46" Samsung LCD TV to get ready for the Steeler game this weekend and I see this post...

Needless to say I hiked downstairs just now to check the dang info label... fortunately I have the "S".

jeez...
 
Google it some more.. it IS TV's also. Especially the 52" models, but others too.
I went to Best Buy tonight, the LN40A530 on sale had a 'c' on it. Made in Chechu whatever. The guy at BB was knowledgable and helpful, "Dave", but he thanked ME for showing him how to tell.... they didn't get that part in training. The 6xx series and higher have all 's' panels. I guess 530, 550, etc are 'entry-level' and don't deserve true Samsung quality.
 
Most of the electronics manufacturers are doing the same thing. It is very confusing to the consumer when they buy a branded product and think that they are getting a product that is the same as the brand's reputation.

It is not just televisions, but includes computers, DVD players, amplifiers, etc. They have the one with premium parts and the one with the cheap stuff inside.

They make a "Walmart" version to satisfy the discount retailers and then a high end which sells in the major high end stores. The problem is that most people think that they are getting the same thing. Like you point out, a store like Best Buy has both lines.

Your post helps to eliminate some of this misleading information. thanks
 
I bought the Wally Samsung, and knew what I was getting. The contrast ratio is one hint, plus the fact that there are Big Box special versions made just for the Door Buster crowd.

I didn't have an extra $400 laying around for the primo model. Upgrading from an analog set is good enough, and my geek son has assured me most people can't tell the difference side by side anyway. I couldn't at the store. If anything, retailers need to set up an old used analog TV just to make the difference obvious. Most of the difference I could see was in brand presets for color and contrast, or the the obvious slight wash out between a $200 1000:1 contrast and a $1000 30,000:1.

It's like Chinese pocket knives - a company like Samsung isn't going to put out crap any more than Benchmade or Spyderco. As long as we know up front (!) it's no problem. Thanks for the tip.
 
Back
Top