Sanyo HT32744 vs Samsung TXP3275HF

[tstef13]

I've been doing a lot of research on the forums here about the Sanyo tv and it looks like a great deal. However, I can get the Samsung 32'' TV for $100 more and was wondering if it is worth it. I know the general opinion of the Sanyo, but haven't seen anything about the Samsung. Any opinions would be appreciated. Also, I can get the Samsung TXP2775HF for $100 less than the Sanyo. Any comments on the 27'' Samsung would be appreciated also.

[JamesMH]

Are you going to be using the OTA 8VSB or QAM decoders in either of the sets?
The Samsung firmware is very buggy in both.

[bhenley]

Originally posted by tstef13
However, I can get the Samsung 32'' TV for $100 more and was wondering if it is worth it.

I have the Sanyo HT32744 but was considering returning it for the Samsung TXP3275 /71 (and paying more than your $100 difference). Primary reason was the Samsung would have a Program Guide for the ATSC tuner. The TXP3275 only showed up at stores here recently but when I went to try it, a couple things sent me away. I guess I'll live with the Sanyo's lack of an EPG. I don't especially like that the Sanyo's split screen requires one side to be a digital OTA (/QAM but I can't get cable). Turns out the TXPs didn't have a split screen or PIP. The biggest negative for me was the lack of a zoom mode on the TXP that would spread HD 4:3 content linearly. A lot of OTA is still 4:3 content but when it is shown on an HD station (720p/1080i), it has pillars and letterbox. On the Sanyo, I can Zoom (both horiz & vert) to fill the screen. The only Zoom available when viewing 4:3 content (in an HD broadcast) with the 32" TXPs would fill the screen vertically and keep pillars on the sides (faces became long). Choosing postage stamp or distorted was a deal breaker for me so I didn't continue w/ picture quality issues.

Awaiting reviews of KD36XS955, but it is $1000 more than the Sanyo. It does have the EPG and Zoom (as far as I was able to test on a 34"). Neither may matter to you at all.

[JamesMH]

The EPG on the Samsung is not at all useable, where I am in LA, only one channel puts information in the EPG, this is KTLA - WB. A few PBS put 'DTV program' for everything, the rest of the channels put nothing.

It takes several minutes to display the EPG, it displays a handfull of channels at once, then scroll up one screen, then wait several minutes again . . . i.e: not useable.

If you have a weak signal, the whole TV hangs. I have a Zenith 420 STB that is twice as good as picking up the signals, never hangs.

One PBS near me has 5 sub channels, channel 5 has nothing on it, this hangs the Samsung.

No matter what information this TV gets from any TV station, it should not hang, it should display an error, but not hang.

As good as their tech support is (ie.: BAD), this does not surprise me anymore.
My Samsung goes back to Best Buy on Saturday, already boxed up.

[tstef13]

Thanks for the replies so far. It's too bad that Samsung seems to have been falling in quality lately, specifically with features it claims and doesn't deliver on. I have a 20'' Samsung set that I really like and would have easily spent the $100 more on the Samsung based on previous experience. I won't be looking at the Sony becuase it is not in my budget right now. Basically I am looking for a decent set that can last me a few years in an apartment before I really start considering a bigger and better set. Any more comments would be great.

[cstu]

Are opinions still the same about the Sanyo vs. Samsung? I'm very close to purchasing the Sanyo, but the Samsung is about the same in price.

[mboy]

I just had a 3 year old Samsung 3295hf fail on me last week. Powerboard went and costs $500 to fix.
I now own a Sony KV32HS420 and couldn't be hapier.

Buy the extended warranty no matter what you buy!

[jsp2000]

I've had the Sanyo 32 for a month and thus far I'm extremely happy with it. The HD picture is solid, and DVDs look great. XBox as well. Geometry looks fine as well. I'm sorry to hear that Stygian had such bad luck...I tend to think he just got a couple of bad sets. I looked at the Samsung, but was ultimately swayed by the good Sanyo reviews and the much lower price. So far, so good (knock on wood).