Samsung LN40B540 or Sony KDL-40VL160

nflguy · 06-07-2009, 09:31 PM

I'm looking to get a new tv for our bedroom. My wife wants it to be an LCD and I need to get it at Costco because I have $200 in rebates at that store.

They have a 40" 1080p LCD 60hz Samsung LN40B540 for $899

They also have a 40" 1080p LCD 120hz Sony KDL40VL160 for $1299

This tv will be used mainly for watching sattelite HD programming (directv) but will also be used for blueray movies.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Loves2Watch · 06-07-2009, 10:33 PM

May I ask why a LCD and not plasma?

nflguy · 06-07-2009, 11:02 PM

My wife wants an LCD. We have a plasma in the living room and she doesn't like the fact that you have to worry about burn in when watching letter box movies etc.

Loves2Watch · 06-08-2009, 01:34 AM

That's not a problem anymore, at least with Panasonic.

nflguy · 06-08-2009, 03:14 AM

I heard it wasn't a problem when I bought my 42" Panasonic Plasma for our living room in March 2007. Still the Panasonic folks told me watching letter box movies or image that remains static on the screen will harm my tv.

Has something changed since 2007??

daleb · 06-08-2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nflguy

I heard it wasn't a problem when I bought my 42" Panasonic Plasma for our living room in March 2007. Still the Panasonic folks told me watching letter box movies or image that remains static on the screen will harm my tv.

Has something changed since 2007??

That's a standard warning on any plasma and normally is most important the first couple of hundred hours.
If you watch a lot fo 4:3 programming, then you can use gray borders.
You would normally not be watching LBX movies, but movies formatted for HD, besides regular full screen programming.
If you use a PC or game a lot, that could be detrimental over long term, otherwise should not be an issue on any modern plasma.

But if you are just getting a TV for the BR and casual use, probably does not matter much.
Plasma gives you a better picture under low lighting, especially for movies.
I am looking for an LCD myself, only because I will not be doing any critical movie watching with it. Plus, restricting myself to 32", and at that size plasmas can not be found.

40" will give you some fine plasma and LCDs...I prefer Samsung for LCD especially, but Sony is probably the closest competitor.
Although, Panasonic's & Toshiba's latest LCDs look pretty fine too.
You will have to read other reviews, etc. on all models. And watch for yourself if fast motion looks better with 120hz. etc. Some implement the feature better than others. Just like 1080p vs. 720p, as you get up to larger screen size, some of these things can make a difference. Viewing distance is certainly a factor in that case.

nflguy · 06-08-2009, 12:13 PM

It seems as though lots of blueray movies (Twilight for example) and HD movies on sattelite are widescreen letterbox. It stinks because you have to zoom in and that distorts the picture.

I do worry about the lighting since 99% of the viewing on this tv will be at night in our bedroom.

daleb · 06-08-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nflguy

It seems as though lots of blueray movies (Twilight for example) and HD movies on sattelite are widescreen letterbox. It stinks because you have to zoom in and that distorts the picture.

I do worry about the lighting since 99% of the viewing on this tv will be at night in our bedroom.

Then a plasma will look better, no doubt about it.

Letterbox is a method of 'sizing' an image to fit a 4:3 screen, NOT an HDTV (16:9) display.

Movies may or may not give you bars top and bottom on an HDTV (16:9) depending on the perspective of the original film. (It is not the same as letterboxing.)

I don't know of anybody having a problem with their plasma by watching such movies without zooming.

ckone180 · 06-08-2009, 01:13 PM

I would try to get a Samsung with auto motion plus. I have had mine for 4 months and love it. FWIW its 52".

nflguy · 06-08-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckone180

I would try to get a Samsung with auto motion plus. I have had mine for 4 months and love it. FWIW its 52".

what model # do you have? Is it 120hz?

**PFC5** · 06-15-2009, 01:16 PM

I agree if you are watching with the lights out in the bedroom, you would be better off with a new plasma than an LCD. Both plasmas and LCDs have improved since 2007, but LCDs just cannot match plasma still as they are both improving.

I watch mostly wide screen movies on my BD player and about half (or more) have the black bars at the top/bottom and I have zero issues with it. We also game a lot with a PS3 as well with zero issues on my Panasonic plasma.

I currently have a 47" 1080p LCD in my bedroom and I am thinking about changing over to plasma in my bedroom also because in a dark room plasma shines well above LCD for me.

Hope this helps!

numan2good · 06-15-2009, 01:43 PM

well yeah there was an issue before....
but many things changed since 2007...its been a long time so you know about the technology...its been changing every minute so how could this not...anyways if you still want LCD
http://www.nextag.com/ln40b750/products-html
have a look on this one and i guess its good.......

Cadssdac · 06-17-2009, 12:30 PM

Why not look LN40b550 ??
This is a great HDTV at a good price.

numan2good · 06-18-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cadssdac

Why not look LN40b550 ??
This is a great HDTV at a good price.

yups buddy
its also a good TV
http://www.nextag.com/Samsung-LN40B5...22/prices-html
no issues with that..if you want this you can have a look on the prices...

daleb · 06-18-2009, 04:10 PM

I've settled on the LN32B540 at Costco. I think there are a couple of sets around as capable but not for the price.
No one on the internet can be beat it, and even if they match it they can not beat the return policy. And this is based on the price with local tax.
While 32" is a perfect size for our use, too bad there is no plasma that small, but with some well applied ambient lighting it at night should be fine for BR use.
SD quality is quite good..actually better than I expected for an LCD.
Will probably add a soundbar to it.

06-07-2009, 09:31 PM	#1
nflguy My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5	Samsung LN40B540 or Sony KDL-40VL160 I'm looking to get a new tv for our bedroom. My wife wants it to be an LCD and I need to get it at Costco because I have $200 in rebates at that store. They have a 40" 1080p LCD 60hz Samsung LN40B540 for $899 They also have a 40" 1080p LCD 120hz Sony KDL40VL160 for $1299 This tv will be used mainly for watching sattelite HD programming (directv) but will also be used for blueray movies. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

06-07-2009, 10:33 PM	#2
Loves2Watch SPAM Police Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: AZ, NM, TX, MX Posts: 13,928	May I ask why a LCD and not plasma? __________________ Theater 1 - Panasonic TH-85PF12U Plasma TV, 6 Conrad Johnson LP275M Amps, Anthem Statement D-2 Pre/Pro, 6 Thiel SCS4 Speakers, 2 REL T-1 Subs, Infinity Interlude 120S Sub, Simaudio MOON Orbiter Universal Disc Player, ELP Laser Turntable, 2 Dish Network ViP 622 DVR's, Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player, Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD Player. Friends don't let friends buy Korean brand TV's.

06-08-2009, 01:34 AM	#4
Loves2Watch SPAM Police Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: AZ, NM, TX, MX Posts: 13,928	That's not a problem anymore, at least with Panasonic. __________________ Theater 1 - Panasonic TH-85PF12U Plasma TV, 6 Conrad Johnson LP275M Amps, Anthem Statement D-2 Pre/Pro, 6 Thiel SCS4 Speakers, 2 REL T-1 Subs, Infinity Interlude 120S Sub, Simaudio MOON Orbiter Universal Disc Player, ELP Laser Turntable, 2 Dish Network ViP 622 DVR's, Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player, Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD Player. Friends don't let friends buy Korean brand TV's.

06-15-2009, 01:16 PM	#11
PFC5 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 28,349	I agree if you are watching with the lights out in the bedroom, you would be better off with a new plasma than an LCD. Both plasmas and LCDs have improved since 2007, but LCDs just cannot match plasma still as they are both improving. I watch mostly wide screen movies on my BD player and about half (or more) have the black bars at the top/bottom and I have zero issues with it. We also game a lot with a PS3 as well with zero issues on my Panasonic plasma. I currently have a 47" 1080p LCD in my bedroom and I am thinking about changing over to plasma in my bedroom also because in a dark room plasma shines well above LCD for me. Hope this helps! __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier

06-17-2009, 12:30 PM	#13
Cadssdac High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 33	Why not look LN40b550 ?? This is a great HDTV at a good price. __________________ Car GPS Reviews Reviews LCD TV

06-07-2009, 11:02 PM	#3
nflguy My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5	My wife wants an LCD. We have a plasma in the living room and she doesn't like the fact that you have to worry about burn in when watching letter box movies etc.

06-08-2009, 03:14 AM	#5
nflguy My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5	I heard it wasn't a problem when I bought my 42" Panasonic Plasma for our living room in March 2007. Still the Panasonic folks told me watching letter box movies or image that remains static on the screen will harm my tv. Has something changed since 2007??

06-08-2009, 12:13 PM	#7
nflguy My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5	It seems as though lots of blueray movies (Twilight for example) and HD movies on sattelite are widescreen letterbox. It stinks because you have to zoom in and that distorts the picture. I do worry about the lighting since 99% of the viewing on this tv will be at night in our bedroom.

06-08-2009, 01:13 PM	#9
ckone180 SOCOM is so game! Join Date: May 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Age: 29 Posts: 358	I would try to get a Samsung with auto motion plus. I have had mine for 4 months and love it. FWIW its 52".

06-15-2009, 01:43 PM	#12
numan2good High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 581	well yeah there was an issue before.... but many things changed since 2007...its been a long time so you know about the technology...its been changing every minute so how could this not...anyways if you still want LCD http://www.nextag.com/ln40b750/products-html have a look on this one and i guess its good.......

06-18-2009, 04:10 PM	#15
daleb High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Clovis, CA Posts: 7,350	I've settled on the LN32B540 at Costco. I think there are a couple of sets around as capable but not for the price. No one on the internet can be beat it, and even if they match it they can not beat the return policy. And this is based on the price with local tax. While 32" is a perfect size for our use, too bad there is no plasma that small, but with some well applied ambient lighting it at night should be fine for BR use. SD quality is quite good..actually better than I expected for an LCD. Will probably add a soundbar to it. __________________ Samsung PN50A650 plasma, Arcam AVR350, Dali Ikon6 (Vokal2&OnWalls), Outlaw Audio LFM-1EX sub, Anti-Mode 8033B, Oppo Digital BDP-83, Polk XM Tuner, Furman Elite power conditioner

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