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<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid"><br>FWIW, I did do an "in-store" side-by-side comparison of a Samsung<br>(PN50C550, which is the same as the PN50C540 but with an additional<br>
HDMI, AFAIU -- the 540 and 550 certainly share the same user manual) set<br>and an LG (1080p plasma) and I just found the LG picture washed<br>out/faded. It didn't seem as brilliant as the Samsung picture.<br><br>Thots?<br>
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<div>I find that most side-by-side picture comparisons are worthless. Sure the LG looked washed out, perhaps they aren't over driving the color to make their set more appealing in the store (like most manufacturers do)... properly calibrated, it may actually be the better set.</div>
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<div>My belief is that most TV's can be made to look excellent with some tweaking... so don't focus on picture quality. Instead, look at things like how many controls you have to adjust the picture, the quality of the remote and menus, the speakers, the physical look/feel, any bonus features (love the ambient light sets), and most importantly the warranty and support from the manufacturer.</div>
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<div>Keep in mind that you will likely use the set for 10 or more years (perhaps not as your primary tv the whole time) so buy one that you think will last. And buy one from a company you believe will stand behind the tv.</div>
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<div>I like the LED backlit units, mostly because I know LEDs almost never burn out... and I know several people who have had to have their backlights replaced.</div></div>