Terry, I started out with a search on the internet for a 46 and found a place where they recommended tv's with Samsung right at the top. There was one at Costco that was a 550 and on sale through July 5, but the time I had almost made up my mind the sale was over and moving to the 750 wasn't enough difference to put me back to the Costco one. So I had pretty well decided on the Samsung 46 when I came across recommended size for distance from the tv, our distance recommended from about a 44 to an 80 inch. So then I started looking at the one we bought and about the time we were ready to by that one two of our daughters who are living with us said we should investigate glare from the sun which can be a little bit of a problem where we are putting the tv. So with the glare issue in mind I called Samsung to check on the 52 and glare. It did not have an anti glare but there was a 55 model 650 which did and which was also about $100 cheaper at Amazon, although it was more expensive according to Samsung. However in talking to a level 2 guy at Amazon we concluded that the one we bought had a 150,000 contrast ratio as opposed to a 100,000 contrast ratio for the 55 and that the overall picture quality was better. In talking to the Samsung guy some more we decided the picture quality was the overriding consideration and that curtains and the fact if there was a glare issue it was early morning so the clear picture feature in the ln52 would be best. I never really thought I would go this expensive or it would take so long take that much research. So I hope we are happy. The entertainment center came today and is in place and we have appointments for the tv to be deliver Tuesday and DISH will be here Wednesday. If there are no other issues by Wednesday afternoon we should be functional.
Basically, I experienced the same thing when I shopped for my flat panel in Jan. of 08. I decided on a Sony but the Samsung was a close second. The reason I went with the Sony had more to do with the way the outer panel looked than the way the picture looked (the Samsung was a shiny sleek black which doesn't jive well with our living room). Like you Sid, I don't think there is enough difference in what the processor does for the picture to spend a large amount on one. I went with the old technology and love my TV. That said, there are times when I notice a little bit of the problem that the processor takes care of. I can't imagine the 240Hz being worth the money to upgrade over the 120 though.
I think that Terry was looking at the LED's which are more expensive. The one I bought is a 240hz. To give a comparison the 46 model that is a 240hz is $160 more than the 120hz. The contrast ratio is higher on the 240hz which may because of the 240/120hz I don't know. In fact I did not know the difference in the hz, but read what the 750 models offered and felt it was worth the difference. Here are the two I made the decision between in the end. LN55B650 120hz and LN55B750 240hz The Samsung site shows the 55 in as being $100 more expensive and Amazon actually had it about $100 cheaper. Since I am going to watch a lot of football on it the two deciding factors was the motion issue and the picture quality. As I said the Samsung rep actually seemed higher on the 52 in which according to their recommended prices was cheaper.
Bill, that's a great price for the newest features. I don't know what the difference is, but I completely understand that in today's world of rapidly changing technology, it's nice to feel comfortable that you got the best features available at a very good price.
Sid, I've belonged to Costco for a very long time and generally think they are hard to beat. However I've had very good luck with Amazon and have been turning to them more and more.
Cheeze, guys, you make me feel like such an oaf when it comes to buying stuff. I have three tvs, an 8yr old 27 in. Phillips Magnavox, a 65 in. Mitsubishi from Best Buy, 2 years old, I think, a ProView 37 in. which I bought in May after four weeks in the hospital and two weeks rehab. I bought the ProView to put in the living room so I could use a comfortaable recliner there. I bought the Mitsubishi since the previous set from Best Buy was recalled due to frequent problems with the audio. I traded up to the bigger set since it looked great to me along side of others and was on sale. Also it is for the rec room which is large rectangular and ideal for the surround sound from my huge speaker system. Comcast gave me a free digital converter for the old analog and picture improvement is noticeable. On another topic, for Father's day I received a Cuisinart coffee maker which grinds the beans and brews in one operation. Fantastic coffee. Is this country great or what? Oh, I forgot to mention that I got the Magnavox at Sears at cost since it was used, apparently returned for a picture defect which I noticed at home and called them about it. They installed a new picture tube and it has been great ever since. I bought the 37 inch from Amazon since it was the cheapest. Under $600.
Vic, until now I've been with you. Our three tv's prior to this one are a 27 in about 20 years old, a 21 in about 25 years old and a 15 in about 20 years old. I think we just made up for lost time. I hope your rehab went well.
With that little of a difference in price, I don't blame you at all for going with the 240Hz over the 120. Sounds like you got a good buy. You will not be disappointed!!