I am looking at buying a Samsung HL-S5086 or 87 and due to what I have read, DLP and LCD projections are the highest repaired TV tech out there, so I would like to get a warranty with it. At the same time I have heard horror stories about the warranties from places like Circuit City, Best Buy, Fry's, etc. I have found that Samsung offers their own extended warranties on their DLP sets that can be purchased anytime before the standard warranty expires. I was wondering if anyone out there had one of these plans and exactly how they work. Samsung CSR said from what he understood, when you buy the warranty, you are in essence getting a bulb replacement included. So that even if the extended warranty is over, but you never used the one time bulb replacement, you can call them and still get a bulb. So for example, the standard warranty is 1 yr, and I buy 1 extra year, for 2 year total. But my bulb doesn't burn out till year 3, I will supposidly still get a bulb replacement even if it is out of warranty. That sounds a little too good to be true. Also, guy at Circuit City said Samsung will not cover color wheel or mirrors on DLP chip, that also sounds wrong as those items are how the tv operates, so how could they not cover it. Sounds like their way of attempting to say they cover more. Sorry this is long, any help on details as to what is covered and stuff would be helpful if anyone has gotten an extended warranty from Samsung on their DLP set. thanks

First realize that extended warrantees are a big money maker for CE stores so they are always going to push them. My personal opinion is that for electronics most problems occur in the first 12mos and Samsung will extend that at no cost to 15mos. However, like other insurance many people like the comfort of additional coverage. Samsung will cover the color wheel and mirrors as long as the problem is not within a spec. For instance they have a spec for how many stuck mirrors and where they are at. If you fall under that spec they may refuse to fix it, but I have been using Samsung DLP's since 2002 and have not had any problems. Samsung will also cover the lamp replacement if it occurs within the 12mos warrantee period of the lamp. CC, BB and other will generally cover the lamp replacement for the life of the warrantee. Lamps runs about $200, I replace one lamp in three years of use, most of the extended warrantees caost $400-$600 which equals 2-3 lamps so I think I come out better without the extended warrantee. I am sure though that you can find other where the extended warantee paid off for them, I just never buy them and so far have never needed one for any CE purchase.

Thanks for the advice. I have only purchased a warranty on my tube hdtv and never ended up using it. I really have not ever had any problems on any of my CE purchases. But after reading many threads in this forum, it seems DLP/LCD projection/LCOS all have the most problems and I rather be safe. I figured the CC guy was lying when he said samsung wouldn't cover mirror or wheel etc. I know they have their own line that they draw for how many dead pixels on a lcd etc so it is no different.