Samsung LN37A450 LCD HDTV

Product Description

Enjoy the clarity of HD in a stunningly modern design with a unique bezel and frame to suit your decor. True 720p resolution offers amazing LCD image detail, complemented by a 10,000:1 dynamic-contrast ratio for vivid colors and bold blacks. Three HDMI inputs let you connect quickly and easily to your peripherals. Call up a variety of menu options and preferences via a smart user interface. Speaking of smart, the intelligently hidden speakers ensure a sleek, clean look that fits in almost any surroundings. TruSurround delivers a compelling, virtual surround sound experience through any two speakers playback system, including internal television speakers and headphones. It is fully compatible with all multichannel formats up to 5.1 channels Stereo broadcast reception, (MTS & SAP) with 181-channel capacity. Hidden bottom speakers with 10 Watts x 2 audio power SRS TruSurround XT - TruSurround is a patented SRS technology that solves the problem of playing 5.1 multichannel content over two speakers V-Chip system allows blocking of rated TV and movie
programs determined by the parent to contain objectionable content Trilingual on-screen displays in English, Spanish or French HDMI-CEC allows peripheral devices such as a DVD player to be controlled by TV remote control Auto wall mount compatible Channel coverage - VHF 2-13, UHF 14-69, and CATV 1-125 (up to 181 pre-selected channels) Antenna - CATV/VHF/UFH 75-ohm, F-type Connections - 3 HDMI High Definition Multimedia Interface (2 rear, 1 side), 2 Rear Component (Y/Pb/Pr), Rear RF Input, Side S-video input, Composite AV (Rear, Side), Side Headphone, Rear PC D-sub, Rear optical sound out, Rear RS232, and Side HDMI-CEC Dimensions - Width 36.1 x Height 22.7 x Depth 3.8 / 36.1 x 25.9 x 11.8 with stand Weight - 33.3 pounds / 40.3 pounds with stand

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #25963 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: Black
• Brand: Samsung
• Model: LN-37A450
• Dimensions: 23.70" h x 3.80" w x 36.70" l, 33.00 pounds
• Display size: 37

Features

• 720p HD Resolution
• Wide Color Enhancer
• 3 HDMI Inputs
• 6ms response time

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Product Description--March 24, 2008
A sleek design with hidden speakers keep Samsung's Series 4 large flat panel HDTVs one of the best 720p HD options around. Upgrades over last year's models include a response rate a 6ms response rate that's faster than many more expensive 1080p models, for smooth motion even with fast-moving sports and action movies, and a a higher dynamic contrast ratio of up to 10,000:1 (up from 8,000:1 last year), and for deep blacks and crisp lines. Please note that this description applies to Series 4 models 32 inches or larger. Models 26 inches and smaller have slightly different specifications.

What's New?

• 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio: up from 8,000:1 on 2007 models (Learn more)
  
• 6ms response time: down from 8ms on 2007 models thanks to a new high-speed liquid crystal
  

Features Overview

• 178-degree viewing angle from all four axes with Super Patterned Vertical Alignment (Learn more)
  
• 3 HDMI 1.3 ports: Simplay compliant (Learn more about Connectivity)
• DNIe Digital Natural Image Engine improves the picture by enhancing the contrast, detail, and white balance (Learn more)
  
• Clear panel technology for deeper blacks and more vibrant colors (Learn more)
• Hidden speakers with SRS TruSurround XT audio (Learn more)
• Wide Color Enhancer technology and Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL) offer a wider color range (Learn more)
• Picture-in-Picture (PIP) enables convenient simultaneous viewing of TV programs and video or PC sources
• Entertainment Modes: for sports, games, and movies
  
• V-Chip system allows blocking of rated TV and movie programs determined by the parent to contain objectionable content.
• Trilingual on-screen displays in English, Spanish or French.
  
• Variable sleep timer to turn the TV off in varying time intervals.
• Auto wall mount compatible: 3-dimensional operation via TV’s remote control; no external IR receiver required.
• Swivel stand included
• 1 year parts and 1 year labor warranty (90 days parts and labor for commercial use), with in-home service, backed by Samsung toll-free support

Step Up Features

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  Series 5: Full 1080p HD; up to 30,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio; 5 ms response time; USB 2.0 port: connect devices directly to your HDTV--view JPEG photos or MPEG movies or easily listen to your MP3 player through your HDTV's audio system or your home theater system

  
  
  
  
  
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  Series 6: 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio; AutoMotion Plus 120Hz image interpolation for smoother motion; 4ms response time; Transparent and Opaque Color (TOC) bezel; Ethernet port with Infolink free RSS feeds; 4 HDMI 1.3 ports; Compatible with Samsung's Home Digital Media Adapter for playback and navigation of Internet and stored PC multimedia

  
  
  
  
  
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  Series 7: Internal flash memory (1GB) with pre-loaded interactive content such as cooking recipes, children's entertainment, HD artwork and more; Integrated woofer for an enhanced audio experience; DLNA-Compatible: for better interoperability with electronics, computers and mobile devices from many different manufacturers (Learn more)

  
  
  
  
  
• Series 8: super-slim 1.9-inch thick profile

Audio Features

TruSurround is a patented SRS technology that solves the problem of playing 5.1 multichannel content over two speakers. TruSurround delivers a compelling, virtual surround sound experience through any two-speaker playback system, including internal television speakers and headphones. It is fully compatible with all multichannel formats up to 5.1 channels. High-quality virtual surround sound can be experienced with just the two hidden, downward-firing side-mounted 2.2-channel dome speakers built into the TV.

SRS TruSurround XT technology delivers an amazing, simulated 3D effect with clear dialog and powerful bass.

TruSurround XT audio also adds three audio enhancement technologies to produce an amazingly immersive sound experience.

• Dialog Clarity brings movie dialog into Focus during the playback of any surround-encoded material to make speech much clearer and crisper.
• TruBass creates incredible deep rich bass allowing a person to perceive significantly deeper, richer low bass tones that are far beyond the physical low frequency capabilities of the speaker itself.
• The SRS WOW feature widens the sound stage by processing standard two-channel stereo material as well as multi-channel encoded material for a dramatic improvement in the playback of any stereo audio over a two-speaker system.

Stereo broadcast reception is offered for MTS and SAP with 181-channel capacity. A sound leveler keeps audio volume consistent during channel changing.

Customer Reviews

High quality, mature product from solid manufacturer
I bought this TV for my bedroom. It is my third Samsung, but my first LCD. The other two that I have are both plasmas, the HPT5064 and FPT5084. I think that this is a great TV if you only care about 720p (which is all you need in a bedroom.) If you are on a $1000 budget or this is a secondary TV, I can't think of why you need more than 720p right now. This will absolutely change in the future, of that I have no doubt.

The TV comes in a great package - very clean lines, not a huge bezel, the Samsung piano-black finish that you either love or hate (I love). This TV doesn't have the flat touch buttons of the 5084, but that is a much higher-end TV I guess. The LCD panel is not as matte as some that I have seen. It outputs a great picture out of the box, with minimal tweaking (though I am sure that you can teak it to your heart's content).

It is a relatively light TV at ~45 pounds, so can easily be carried upstairs by one person. Sound quality is surprisingly good for a flat panel, though that is a relative measurement. The speakers face down on the bottom of the TV. Picture quality is bright, excellent contrast ratio (almost as high as the plasmas). The TV doesn't have the glowing blue lights on the front that the other Samsung's I own have, guess that was just a fad. The design is definitely a cross between the somewhat clunky 5064 and the more elegant 5084.

Standard def output is as good as you can expect, but in 2008 you can really spend 80% of your time watching HD content unless you have a few offbeat or retro shows that you like. I have this TV hooked up to a DirecTV H20 DVR and it works like a charm. I output the native mode signal and the TV handles 720p or 1080i in very well. I don't have an Xbox or PS3 on this TV, but I can guess that they would look great based on the overall performance I have seen so far.

I have ordered a Peerless wall mount for the TV, apparently it is in the gray area between 32 and 40" TV's and it falls into the higher side of that range as far as what size mounting bracket you need. In other words, look in the manual of the TV and look at the detailed specs of the mounting bracket before you pull the trigger to make sure that they adhere to the same standard mounting bracket size.

This is a great TV at a great price and I highly recommend it for those in the market for great mid-size HDTV who don't feel a compelling urge to get 1080p. If I have problems I will update them here.
Just a great tv
After doing some decent research I finally decided on this Samsung. This tv is a beauty. I'm very happy with it.

First I did some internet research. I knew I wanted at least a 37" and price was an issue. I found no professional reviews on this particular model so I relied mainly on customer feedback (CNET had a favorable review of the 32" version). All over the web comments on Samsung tvs in general are almost universally positive. I was happy about that because I've always been confident in the Samsung brand. They make quality products. So I went to the various retail stores and did a lot of staring at the various models. I went to quite a few different stores because I wanted to see the same models with different hookups and signals. To be honest, you really can't go wrong with most of the top brands. Give or take minor differences most of them look good. Sony, LG, Panasonic etc. But, it comes down to trusting your own eyes. There was something about the picture on the Samsung that kept drawing me to it. It looks the most NATURAL. Not gimmicky like some others.

This tv has a very nice looking on screen menu and it's easy to navigate. There are a good amount of options for picture adjustments, including advanced controls for color and white balance, good for perfectionists. I've spent some time on fine tuning but it looks great right out of the box in "standard mode". I ended up toning down the picture slightly because these tvs are set for retail display and it's initially a little too bright (I turned off "dynamic contrast" to be specific).

There are 3 HDMI inputs and I'm using 2 of them, one for an HD cable box and the other for a Playstation 3. Games on the PS3 look fantastic and I noticed no motion blur. I only watched one blu-ray so far and it looked very good. On a side note I love the PS3, it's a good value at 399 considering you get a blu-ray player, the free Playstation network where you can rent and buy movies, and a bunch of great games. I'm using the inexpensive HDMI cables they sell here at Amazon. One from DVI Gear and the other is Eforcity. Nice quality and they seem to work great. With shipping they're 5 dollars each, I can't imagine buying those overpriced cables.

HD channels on my cablebox look fantastic. Some channels and shows look better than others. Ballgames on the YES network look pristine. There is occasional, slight motion blur depending on what you're watching. I expected that with LCD, and it's slight enough where it doesn't bother me. I didn't really compare motion blur with other bands in this price range. The LN40A650, a 40" model two steps up from this, is 120mhz and has a 4ms response time. Supposedly these features reduce motion blur, but it didn't matter to me because that tv is way out of my price range. It's only 3 inches larger yet over 600 dollars more. If someone cares enough I advise trying to find these two models at a store and look carefully for motion blur differences.

Standard definition channels look as good as you can expect. As others have mentioned the sound is only decent. Not great. It can be adjusted to sound better, but I'm hooked up to an external system so it doesn't bother me. The remote is nice and the buttons are in the right place. It's not backlit.

By far the best price I found was on Amazon so I bought it here. Their free white-glove delivery with CEVA worked fine. It did take about 7 days for the tv to get delivered but others have reported quicker times. Just make sure your correct phone number is in your Amazon shipping info. You can see that on the checkout page right under your address. CEVA has to call you to set up a day and 4 hour window.

On a final note, I actually was going to buy a Vizio at first. The main reason was price. They're at least 100 dollars cheaper for a 37", and the picture looked nice. However, after comparing the Vizio with other brands, I noticed the picture is clearly not as good. In the end I'm glad I went with this Samsung. It was worth the extra money. I love it.

[UPDATE 8-13-08]:

Out of curiosity I checked out the LN40A650 at a store. And wow that picture is fantastic. I only looked at it for a few minutes but yes it didn't appear to have any motion blur, and actually I think it may have the best picture out of all the tvs I looked at regardless of price. It was just noticeably superior. However that was only from a few minutes of looking. It all comes down to what a person can afford and I didn't want to spend that much. I'm still very happy with my tv and have no regrets.





Samsung LN37A450 and Customer Service
I've had this TV for less then 2 months and I'm already having issues. When you turn it on the picture will show up then a few seconds later will go away. I've tried new HDMI cables and when they are unplugged it says no signal so thats not the problem. Sometimes when you turn the power on it doesn't have a picture at all. Once you've unplugged the power or wiggled the cables the red light will show back up and you can turn the TV on and maybe get a picture. The problem is not constant but it is very annoying. I've already had to contact Samsung and I'm waiting on a repair person to show up.

What a joke. I was given a service center to work with and they refuse to do any work for Samsung because they have an issue with parts or getting paid.

I called Samsung again this time they gave me another service center. this service center only repairs TV's purchased from them.

I called again and was told they would call me in 2 to 3 days and try to find me a service center.

10/10/08 : Well I still have no TV. Samsung has never called back. I called them and was told to call back Monday morning and they would start working on a exchange for a new TV. When I called back and was put on hold for almost 30 minuts with Executive Customer Relations I was told an exchange is not an option. They have to fix the TV but they don't have a service center where I live that will work on it.

I will never in my life purchase anything Samsung again. I had heard such wonderful things about this company and they have failed me badly.