Purchased the HL-S4266W on the 19TH of January, noticed a small black issue, it wasn't that bad, but I watched World Trade Center which had alot of darkness in it, and me and the wife couldn't stand it!

Opened up trouble ticket 1/20/07

Samsung, said they have heard of the problem and I fall under "special authorization" which means nobody within 50 miles of me to service the tv, so they have to possibly beg with other service centers. I live in Houston Texas, how the hell is their no Samsung center near me, whatever. They explain to me, basically they call various electronic repair places, and will offer to pay their mileage its up to them. If the servicer doesn't want to drive, they will exchange the set with a new one. That call was on 1/20/07

1/28/07 Tried my luck went to Circuit City, showed them the problem they said they never heard of it before, but they swapped it, old model was July 06 Build new one was July 06 build, wooh lucky me.
Power up set, holy **** the black grass is 10 times as bad and streaks down the middle of the tv. At this point I wasn't gonna bother with CC anymore, cause I think its redicolous Circuit City should take the hit, for samsung's problem products.

1/28/07 Called samsung again and told them I tried the new set and still bad problem, they said special authorization takes 7-14 days. Blah blah. I said what happens when you guys keep sending me TV after TV with continuing problems, she said at that point we will have to reaccess the situation, I said damn can't I just upgrade to the 46" , they said if it comes to that, I will but I will pay.

I am sorry but I am a poor college student 1k, may not be alot for some people, but I work hard for my money and I wanna be satisfied period.

I am waiting till Wednesday to call again and will update you guys, wish me luck.

1/28/07 Tried my luck went to Circuit City, showed them the problem they said they never heard of it before, but they swapped it, old model was July 06 Build new one was July 06 build, wooh lucky me.
Power up set, holy **** the black grass is 10 times as bad and streaks down the middle of the tv. At this point I wasn't gonna bother with CC anymore, cause I think its redicolous Circuit City should take the hit, for samsung's problem products.

I'm pretty sure they get a credit from the manufacturer for something like that. And you're still in the return window, so you have the option of getting something completely different if you've soured on Samsung.

The picture quality is extremely good though, and its perfect for my apartment sizewise, I am just so irritated with Samsung, about this special authorization process.