Best 37 to 40 inch LCD? Need to help a friend find a set

Not meaning to sound snarky, but do you really want "the absolute" best as indicated in the title of your thread or do you want one that's "somewhere near" the best based some of the criteria you outlined in the body of your post?

It really does make a difference on what we might recommend. For example, you mentioned wanting a good panel but you also said you like the Samsung 6000. Being edge-lit, Samsung is known to probably have more screen uniformity issues this year than any other major brand.

Check out the picture in this current thread regarding the Samsung UNxxD6000:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1358753

I never recommend anything to my "friends." If they have specific questions fine, I'll give them my 0.02 but at least 1/2 of it is subjective. If they are not even capable of purchasing an appliance for themselves I don't want them to look at the thing every day then go, "but Bob made me buy that &%^@#!"

Suggestions:

Sony 40" EX720
Sony 40" EX620
Sony 40" EX500
Samsung LN40D630
Panasonic VIERA TC-L37DT30 37-Inch 1080p 3D LED HDTV
Sharp LC40LE830U Quattron 40-inch 1080p 120 Hz LED-LCD HDTV

Anything cheaper or up to $200 more expensive than the Samsung LN40D630 40-Inch that is considered better? What about some of the 2012 models coming out right now?

I know this is an older thread, but I'm looking for this exact size for a bedroom. I was looking at the Samsung 6000 series either the UN40D6000 (2011 model) which is actually more than the UN40EXH6000 (2012 model). I tried a few sub $500 40" tv and I didn't like them. So I'm looking for something better for the bedroom and I don't care about the internet stuff.

I'd recommend a Samsung LN40D550 model, no internet stuff, but excellent picture quality.
Perfect for a secondary TV like for a bedroom.

Of course it will make a difference but since they didn't give me a budget I thought getting some recommendations on midpriced sets would also be a good idea. They'll likely go for an upper tier set.

+1, They are also on sale at many places right now because I believe Samsung is phasing them out.

Yes I was ready to buy the LN40D550 , but the 3 places I went all recommended the led 120hz Samsung like the UN6000 or UN6300 series because of contrast ratio. They also said the LN40D630 which is 120hz lcd, but much lower contrast ratio. Urgh they make it so difficult. And I watch more tv in the bedroom then the living room where I recently bought the LG55LW5600. And I see the new Samsung tv's are out and are cheaper than last year comparable models, like the UN40D6000 is more than the UN40EH6000, why? My budget was originally $500 to which is now $1000.00.

Perhaps, then, you should listen to the salesmen at the electronics stores who I'm sure research every TV that comes out whether they sell them or not rather than those of us who visit these forums on a daily basis, read nearly every review that comes out, and generally try to keep up with what's good and bad about many/most TVs on the market. I would still recommend the D550 or the D630 if you want 120hz (which I would).

However, if you want to listen to the salesmen who are trying to push products out the door even if it means selling TVs with known screen imperfections, then have at it. Don't forget your high-priced Monster Cables while you're at it rather than purchasing the perfectly acceptable tried and true cables from Monoprice.com, an AVS Forum sponsor.

And to answer your question about why the 2011 D6000 costs more than the 2012 EH6000, perhaps it's because the 2011 version is a "Smart" TV and the 2012 version has been "dumbed down" so that it has no "Smart" features.

But, I would have thought your salesperson would have told you that. Have fun shopping and remain secure in the fact that those guys in the stores have your best interests at heart.

Too bad all TV salesmen aren't as knowledgeable and caring as our own Steve S. and others on this forum.

Thanks Boiler, just need some convincing hehe. Yeah I get all caught up. So you thing the 630 would be the way to go? The price difference between the 550 and 630 is only $80. The price between the 550 and un40d6000 is $200. So I don't need to worry about contrast ratio? I actually liked the 60hx lcd that burnt up in my bedroom more that the led lg I have in the living room.

I'd sure recommend the D630. As for contrast ratios, they don't really mean much. Different manufacturers measure them in different ways. I've seen some Panasonics with great looking pictures with pathetic advertised contrast ratios.

Just to give you a bit more reasoning and not just run my mouth, the D630 (and D550) are both CCFL/LCDs rather than edge-lit LED/LCDs. CCFL (Cold Cathode Flourescent) gives a more uniform backlighting resulting in less clouding and flashlighting; hence, a more uniform picture. Edge-lit LCDs without some kind of micro-dimming capabilities tend to have serious picture uniformity problems.

So, bottom line, for $80 I think the D630 is the way to go unless you want to shell out the really big bucks for a TV with all the bells & whistles. Good luck to you.

Again, thank you. I'm going down today or tomorrow and getting this tv. Hopefully they still have them, they were getting rid of last years models.

TV salesman here--get the 630 if you can find one. Very good basic performer and excellent value for money at current closeout prices. You can do all the internet stuff with a BD player or game console.

Thank you guys, I'm now a current owner of a Samsung LN40D630. I almost bought the Panasonic P42S30 on clearance, but they were out. So I ended up with this Sammy for $640.00 plus tax at the local retailer. Oh and I like the fact that it doesn't have the flashlight look in the backround like some led's while on display. I'll hang and hook it up this weekend. I'll let you know what I think, awwww I couldn't wait. I put it up yesterday and all I can say is awesome. I really like the pic. even much better than my LG5600 series. The pic. has a much more uniformed look. Thanks again woot woot.......