What going on at Samsung ?

[Herbonbay]

About 4 months ago I had decided that the HDTV I wanted was the Samsung HLP 4674 DLP. As I was in the process of ripping out a livingroom wall, I used the dimensions of this set to size the recess that would eventually contain my sound system and the yet to be purchased TV. About 2 months ago the HLP 4674 was removed from Samsungs active models on it's website. The 4674 could still be found in the archives section on the site. It had been replaced by the HLR 4677. As the 77 seemed almost identical to the 74. I wasn't too concerned. I think they added a tuner and dropped a few connection options. A few weeks ago, the 77 disappeared entirely from the site and the 74 was moved out of the archives and reposted as an active model. I think I still want the 74, but this unusual activity on Samsungs site before either model truly made it to the market place has me a little confused and concerned. Does anyone have any experience ( good or bad) with either of these models and does anyone know why Samsung keeps playing musical chairs with them. I can only conclude that one, or both, have some problems.

[aud19]

Have you tried e-mailing Samsung?

[Herbonbay]

I actually called Samsung. I think it may have been easier to call George Bush to ask a few questions about Iraq. In any case, I was finally able to speak with someone in tech support. He said the HLP 4674 had been discontinued and the HLR 4677 is still in production. As to the situation on the web site, he attributed that to a problem with the site. When I asked if either set had any inherent problems that would prompt Samsung to move them on and off their site, I received a very dead pan reply of " none what so ever". I don't even know why I asked such a question? What was he going to say? They cause sudden heart failure in children? I asked anyway. The fact remains, that I have seen only one 4674 on display at Best Buy, and it was one of 2 they had in stock. They don't sell, and don't plan to sell, the 4677. The long and short of this is that the whole situation has changed my mind about the Samsungs, unless some of the Samsung owners on this site can convince me otherwise.

[aud19]

All I can wager a guess at is that it probably had more to do with production problems than any quality issues. Ie: a part used in one models was no longer available or not in high enough numbers, became too expensive etc. Or perhaps they introduced some other models that no longer required them to produce the model with the tuner to meet federal requirements....? Who knows?

[zpkingfw]

I recently heard from a sales manager at Best Buy that Samsung is going to be introducing some 1080p models in November/December don't know if this would affect the availability of the model you are looking for or not but just an FYI.

[jimmyp58]

For whatever reason, and I can't get a straight answer, two of my distributors have dropped Samsung.

[Herbonbay]

Frustrating isn't it ! I think I've decided to go with the new Sony 42 inch 3LCD. It has a great picture and sells for about $1000 less than the Samsung. My current tube is a Sony and it's been a spectacular , trouble free TV.

[Snap]

Herbonbay,
The new Sony's are AWESOME! The 42A10 is a SWEET RP LCD. For those that want a flat pannel "my sources" tell me that the New Sony XBR 40 inch LCD is going to be shipping in Sep! And for around 3K it is going to be a sweet unit!

[Lex]

3K for a 40" set sounds high to me, anything but sweet.

[Snap]

Lex we are talking Sony's XBR line. Last years LCD's were lots more than that. And the around 3K is MSRP so figure less than 3K if you shop around. You are looking at high 3's to 4K to get a sharp in that size range. Now if you are just compairing sets in 40 inch range than yes Lex I would agree that 3K for a 40 inch TV is not sweet. But compairing LCD's to LCD's throw in the fact that it is a XBR. That is a sweet deal. just MO though. The 37 inch westinhouse (not that westinghouse should be in the same sentence as Sony XBR) but you are talking 2100 or so for 37 inches. Upgrade to the Sony....get a few more inches MUCH better PQ....etc.

That is why I said it was sweet.

[KJP]

They cause sudden heart failure in children?

No thats only in plasma displays. Its the real reason companies are dropping the technology.