All the specs seem to be the same??? Samsung LNR408D Sony KDLV40XBR1 Samsung LNR409 Display Samsung LNR408D Sony KDLV40XBR1 Samsung LNR409 Screen Type LCD LCD LCD Screen Size 40" 40" 40" Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:9 16:9 Comb Filter Type 3D Digital 3D Digital 3D Digital Picture In Picture 1 Tuner No 1 Tuner Color Temperature Control Yes Yes Yes Outboard Media Box No No No Hide Similar Features Compatibility Samsung LNR408D Sony KDLV40XBR1 Samsung LNR409 1080i Compatible Yes Yes Yes 720p Compatible Yes Yes Yes 480p Compatible Yes Yes Yes CableCard Compatible Yes Yes Yes Built-in HD Tuner Yes Yes Yes
if specs are the same, my bet is that the SONY will cost more but unless picture quality [bottom line] is also better, go with the Samsung. another usefull hint regarding buying electronics is this: regardless of brand, buy anything with a "Made in Japan" label.
Sony makes a better quality product, IMHO. If I were in your shoes, I'd go with the Sony and spend the extra $$.
The new Sony- KDSR50XBR1 is the best thing going right now. It was just released earlier this month so it's hard to find, but it's worth the trouble finding a dealer that has one on demo.
I'd love to get something bigger but my stupid victorian house has really small rooms so I need a tv in the 36-40 inch range. I can't believe the architects of the early 1900's didn't plan for the big screen TV...... Talk about short sighted.
Thats like when they built my house! they didnt plan for two daily drivers and a Ferrari, now that is definitly short sighted Back on topic, I would go for the Sony. I havent ever had a problem with my Sony tv's, my last sony tv lasted for ten years, then a magnet got near it and the color got all f'ed.It was time to replace the tv anyway. But it was a good tv none the less, a little more expensive but worth the money. I believe, you also get a one year direct warenty from Sony, you can extend the warrenty longer if you want for some more $$$
Jim, My small family business sells & services tvs. Sony has much better reliability than Samsung. We have sold sony for over 10 years and been very happy. We sold samsung for a couple of years and had nothing but problems. The only way I would consider samsung is having an extended warranty, a good local repair facility, and a spare tv!
I have a Sony 65" rear projection HDTV for six years without a problem. My parents have a Sony 43" tube TV for over ten years without a problem. My best friend has two 36" Sony tube TVs for about 7 years w/o a problem, so my experiences with the brand have all been favorable. Consumer Reports seems to review TVs quite a bit, you can sign up on line to read past articles to see how they feel about various brands. I am not sure why you need that specific model Sony over other offerings from the brand. I would choose a different model Sony over a different brand.
I currently have a 36 Sony XBR Grand Wega and aside from it being HUGE I haven't had one issue since I bought it about 7 years ago..... I guess it is the Sony.
Not to be a wise arse... but how about picking the TV that looks best to your eyes? Throw the specs out the window. Which one do your eyes like the best?
That is nearly IMPOSSIBLE to do in a store UNLESS you bring a calibration DVD with you and spend time to calibrate each unit. Am sure everyone here knows TV manufacturers usually purposefully askew from a proper calibrated setting and use something more, eh hem, attractive to the eye. Also, the ambient lighting in some stores are horrible so making a determination even after calibration can be problemsome in very bright lighting. RCA loves to oversaturate their colors and too high contrast Sony goes for more neutral than RCA and Sony favors green yadda yadda yadda
The japanese (and sony certainly) make excellent electronics. However korean electronics aren't to bad. I have a samsung cell phone and its great also have a samsung dvd player that works great. I've owned two hdtv's (53in and 57in) both hitachis and they both still work great.
