Samsung 47" Widescreen HDTV HCL4715W

[jcamp]

New to this forum and the HDTV craze so bear with me plz. I was just reading some of the problems with the HDTv and the different problems with new sets being obsolete. Now I really cant afford to spend my time reading every bit of info out there and know every tv in and out. I love a good dvd on my sanyo 32" so definately I thought I was moving up my system when I spent $1500 on this Samsung HCL4715W 47" widescreen HDTV. Does anyone thats in the know have and info for me. This tv requires me to spend $400 for a HDTV box to be added later. Is this a good tv for the money?? And is it going to be obsolete? I very much appreciate any help I cant get. Thanks!

[jcamp]

wow guys not all at once !!!!!

[Drifter]

I have a similar set, and It has performed great for me. I would recommend going with sets without built in tuners b/c you can always upgrade to the newest tech, + some places are unable to get a signal from antennas.......

[laveller]

jcamp...I faced a similar decision a few months back...I went with a relatively inexpensive LCD projector and a seperate STB (samsung) for my reception. The project is great, hugh picture, but the quality of the image is somewhat dependent upon the quality of the source...ota and cable ntsc signals are fair...standard digital, as in from directtv, is pretty good, dvd's are good to very good and hdtv (either ota or directtv) are outstanding. my screen is about 140inch diagnol and watching "signs" a couple of nights ago scared the crap out of me!
Things to look for in any hdtv...dvi inputs, component inputs, 1366x768 resolution for a projector or plasma...1080 lines for a crt...most come with only fair speakers so most people use a seperate a/v reciever for a/v signal switching and sound.

chao.

[jcamp]

First off thanks very much guys for replying. Heres some of the specs for the tv Im looking at. I really dont understand the dvi stuff but from what I have read this one doesnt have one. I guess what my question can anyone tell me if this set is a piece of ##$@ or not. Im supposed to go pick this thing up at BB tomorrow and really need some opinions thanks!!!!



1080i/480p display capability
16:9 widescreen display for optimized viewing of HD and anamorphic DVD sources
Digital ProChip upconversion system changes standard broadcast signals to 480p, vastly improving picture quality
2-tuner picture-in-picture lets you watch 2 shows at once without a second video source
3-line digital comb filter for color purity
PerfectFocus auto convergence system with manual multipoint adjustment option
Integrated high-contrast protective screen cover
Dedicated HDTV (1081i) and DVD (480i/480p) component video inputs; 3 A/V inputs (1 front, 2 rear); 2 S-video inputs (1 front, 1 rear); 1 A/V output
Trilingual, advanced translucent on-screen display (English/French/Spanish

Samsung 47" 16:9 Widescreen Rear-Projection HDTV Monitor with 2-Tuner Picture-In-Picture
Model: HCL4715W

This TV's 16:9 aspect ratio and 1080i/480p display capability deliver a visual experience you must see to believe! Progressive-scan upconversion dramatically improves analog signals, too.
PRODUCT FEATURES
1080i/480p display capability

16:9 widescreen display for optimized viewing of HD and anamorphic DVD sources

Digital ProChip upconversion system changes standard broadcast signals to 480p, vastly improving picture quality

2-tuner picture-in-picture lets you watch 2 shows at once without a second video source
3-line digital comb filter for color purity

PerfectFocus auto convergence system with manual multipoint adjustment option

Integrated high-contrast protective screen cover

Dedicated HDTV (1081i) and DVD (480i/480p) component video inputs; 3 A/V inputs (1 front, 2 rear); 2 S-video inputs (1 front, 1 rear); 1 A/V output
Standard-definition (SD), enhanced-definition (ED) and high-definition (HD) digital TV monitors require an optional set-top box to receive digital signals


PRODUCT DETAILS
HCL4715W

Screen Size
47"

Aspect Ratio
16:9

Digitally Compatible
Yes

Digital Capabilities
HDTV monitor

Display Type
Rear-projection CRT

Digital Convergence
Yes

Vertical Scanning Lines (Native Mode)
1080i

Comb Filter
Yes

Picture-In-Picture
Yes (2-tuner)

Horizontal Resolution
Not rated

Front A/V Jacks
Yes

A/V Inputs
3 (1 front, 2 rear)

S-Video Inputs
2 (1 front, 1 rear)

Component Video Inputs
2 rear

VGA/SVGA Inputs
0

RF (Antenna) Inputs
1

A/V Outputs
1 rear

Audio Outputs
Yes (fixed and variable)

Watts/Channel
15

Speakers
2

Simulated Surround
No

Sound Leveler
No

Language Options
English, French, Spanish

V-Chip
Yes

Sleep/Alarm Timer
Yes

Channel Labeling
Yes

Commercial Advance
No

Remote Control Type
Universal

Cabinet Color
Dark gray

Product Height
47-3/8"

Product Width
44-5/8"

Product Depth
23"

Product Weight
158.5 lbs.

Warranty Term — Parts
1 year

Warranty Term — Labor
1 year

[57U]

This TV will not "accept" 720P signals. Something to be aware of if you are an avid "Gamer". All STB's convert the HDABC 720P signal to 1080i, so that is not typically a problem.

It appears that the upconversion of SD is "only" to 480P. This is a lot less than some other makes I could name that upconvert to 540P, 960i, 1080i, depending on brand.

[jcamp]

Finally got my Samsung home and WOW!!! Awsome pic no flaws and its not even broken in yet. The wide screen aspect is really nice for Dvd movies just watched the remastered Conan widescreen and it was awsome. Ill keep it posted how this unit continues to hold up. For the $ This tv is well worth it.

[rfgmdporsc]

I also own that 47" Samsung model. It has worked great for me. I use "panorama" for watching most Directv programming and "wide" for HDNet, HBOHD. Unfortunately, I am only just now acquiring an RCA transcoder to connect the VGA outputs on my RCA DTC 100 STB to the Samsung component inputs. I hope I don't have any problems with that. DVDs look great. The set is a good value for around $1500 in a world of really expensive sets.

[edollete]

Hey rfgmdporsc?...I also have the same Samsung model for almost 1 year and really like it very much...just wanna know, do i need a digital cable box to get the HDTV signal from HBOHD and HBONet? :confused:

[rfgmdporsc]

If your cable box or satellite box has component outputs, you should be able to get the HDTV signal. My set top satellite box required an adapter to convert its VGA output to componet input on the Samsung. Of course, you have to subscibe to a digital service and have a digital cable or satellite box.

[edollete]

got it...tenks...

[meenseen]

I have the same model and haven't had much of a chance to play with it. Got it a great price so I'm real happy with it.

So my question is though, what is panarama view, and what will it do for me?

Thanx

[edollete]

...i use PANORAMA view 99% of time for watching local/cable channel...for me they're much better than a WIDE view...what it does is it stretches the left and right of display to make use of the whole 47" screen...since most of the local/cable channels are still in 4:3 format...to avoid the vertical bars and screen burn...

...we have to wait until 2006 (i think) for the HD signal broadcast...then we can buy a HDTV tuner to capture those HD signals...i cant wait for that day...

...have you tried playing XBOX (this is what i have) on your 47" Samsung?...oh man they're cool...if you have kids who wants to play console games they will be stunned...just adjust the video (brightness, contrast, sharpness, etc) to a lower settings, since they come with factory settings...

[vurbano]

I have the samsung HCN4727W. I love it too. 1500 bucks last year! great deal.

[PANSSY]

I play PGR2, RS3, and Ninja Gaiden on my new DLP by Samsung, and I am speachless. The only problem is I had to by the monster cables, and now I have to buy another 30$ wire for 5.1

[forsakenZen]

Yeah the HCL4715W is great for about a year and a half then the mainboard and amplifiers blow out. I've found numerous complaints about it around the web after mine did the same exact thing. Looks like every year and a half I'm gonna have to fork over $500 to fix the damned thing.

My Advice is either spend anothe $200-$300 and get a Mitsubishi or be sure to get an extended warranty on it.

[PANSSY]

is this true?

Can someone vouche for this?

Thanx

[LocoEsE]

My HCL4715v just died the other day. I bought back in Jan 2003. It's not even 2 years old and what happened? The screen shows a double picture and then there's smoke comming out of the back and smells like somethings burning. I've been searching around lately to see what's up with it. Unfortunately I'm finding out that others are having problems too. Right now I got a friend who's dealing with Samsung. This is BS that you spend 1.7k on a TV you expect it to last, not die as soon as the 1 year warranty runs out. If anyone knows of other people or websites that talk about problems witht eh HCL4715W plz email me. I want to have some proof of a defective product and want compensation! Feel free to email me if you got more stories and info.

I have to agree with others the Tv was great while it lasted but 1yr and 10 months is BS! I'm definately going to do better research when I buy a TV nowadays thanks to this forum.

[rlmccoy30]

I agree with you on this issue.
I have had the TV for 2 1/2 years and the convergence went on me.

Blue and Red are ok, but Green is all messed up. I bought the extended warrantly and thank god for that. It took 2 weeks to get the part, 4 more days to schedule the repair date and then the convergence board did not fix the problem.
Because of exteme heat, some parts of the circuit were open and had to be re-soldered. I wait for another few days for another part to come in and see if that will fix it.

Not a happy camper with this purchase. I have an old Toshiba that has been around for 14 years and never had a problem.