Samsung's new TXN series thoughts?  

I just got my new TXN3075WHF last weekend. I previously returned a TXM3096WHF to buy this unit.

The fine dot pitch crt's will only make a difference when viewing hi def sources, and as I don't have a hi def receiver I can't really comment on them.

The TXN3098 has the DVI but everything else is the same as the TXN3075 in terms of picture quality. The 3098 is also slimmer. It does not have a built in tuner. Samsung wil be releasing a model in August that does have a built in tuner but I do not know the intended list price.

In my opinion the TXN series has improved greatly in 3 ways over last years TXM models.

Firstly the chasis design is outstanding. This tv will be a true centrepiece in your living room. Much classier looking silver than last years dull charcoal.

Secondly all TXN models now have 3:2 pulldown where my old TXM3096 didn't.

Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, Samsung seems to have corrected an annoying phenomenon of the old TXM line - a light vertical band about 2 inches wide that runs down the center of the screen. My TXN3075 does not have it and the store model was fine as well, so I am assuming the problem has been corrected since all TXN tv's suffered from this.

Don't expect to be impressed straight out of the box either. I think Sony and Toshiba do a lot better job of calibrating their sets before shipping them. My Samsung had really bad geometry, red push and of course had brightness and contrast set way high. Interestingly it seems every Samsung model comes with different factory values set in the service menu. It appears to be somewhat random. Why I don't know but you will have to calibrate the TXN series with a setup dvd to get the best out of it.

The good news, once calibrated properly the TXN has excellent black level detail, accurate color decoding and provides a better image than my friends Toshiba 34HDX82 - excellent value considering this set is less than half the cost of the much more expensive Japanese brands. Please note this is based on DVD viewing only. I have not seen hi def on the TXN series and don't intend to use mine for hi def viewing anytime soon.

Other things to consider - the remote is pathetic and the user menu isn't the friendliest to use. There is only one custom menu so you will have to tweak a bit each time you view a different source. The supplied Dynamic, Standard and Movie modes are totally useless and would have been a much better idea to assign these as other custom settings. Lastly when viewing 480p sources you are locked into Wide mode. This doesn't bother me but if you don't want to see black bars on 2.35 material make sure you use a dvd player that zooms in progressive mode. Oh, and the deinterlacer they used in this tv is craptacular in my opinion. My Panny dvd player uses a Faroudja chip and shows how de-interlacing is meant to be done.

So let me sum up - great set once calibrated to view dvd's feeding the tv using a progressive signal. Used in this way easily equals Sony and beats Toshiba for picture quality. You will be dissappointed feeding this baby an interlaced signal. Viewing analog tv is fine. 3 line filter does its job nicely and stretch modes are acceptable. Can't comment on hi def quality as I haven't put it to the test. If you are mad keen on watching a lot of hi def now or in the future I would have to recommend something else and particularly a bigger screen to really enjoy the extra detail. Would perform very well for a standard digital broadcast tho.

Just wanted to add one thing. The TXN series will convert everything to 480p or 1080i. When converting analog tv to 480p it does a satisfactory job but then again I don't hold tv viewing to the same standard I want out of dvd viewing. I primarily watch news and sports, but if you want to watch a lot of pay per view movies as I mentioned earlier the deinterlacer isn't the best so you may be disappointed if you are as picky about film based materials as I am. The best thing going for this set is its ability to provide a very very good picture from a 480p feed and of course the price. I wouldn't bother spending the extra $300 to get the 3098 with DVI and Digital Natural Image enhancer (same as Sony DRC or Phillip's Pixel Plus). This set is really best bought with the intention of upgrading it in 6-7 years when Hi Def tv is fully fledged and 1080p and hi def dvd's may be available - and at this price you can.

Yes, the remote is the same as the old series. This set would be perfect for OTA HDTV for the next few years. Again I wouldn't bother getting the DVI version unless you really want it as you will probably be upgrading soon enough.

I am not sure about the 4:3 sets but the 16:9 sets are locked when using 480p. This does mean you will want to get a dvd player that scales to view 4:3 material with 480p and you don't want it stretched out (I only own one dvd in 4:3, Shrek, but the guy is fat anyways so you start to forget it is stretched).

Alternatively you can get a dvd player that can be toggled between interlaced and progressive. Then you can zoom in using the tv. But the de-interlacer on the Samsung isn't top notch but will do the job.

I bought a SONY KV32HS500 last weekend for video games and 4:3 videos for the kids. I have a 47 inch widescreen RPTV Panny for DVD and OTA HD. It was on sell for 1225.00 before tax. Is the TXN series comparable? Same store is selling the TXN3275HF for 999.99. Is it good enough to save the 225 or should I stick with the Sony? Any help would be appreciated.

Is the DVI on these units PC compatible?

Kensai

The 32" 4:3 Sammy has a list of $999.00. You could probably get it on sale of $100 less from a big chain retailer.

I am not sure what features the Sony model has but in terms of picture quality, once tweaked the Sammy will yield very very good results. In my opinion Sony is not ahead of the rest of the pack anymore. They still have substantial brand name recognition tho. I have found Sony, Toshiba, Samsung and Phillips all to yield great results once calibrated. I have been researching a demo-ing widescreen tube tv's for the longest time. So I would look at quirks, features and reliablility as the determining factors. If the Sammy has all the features you want and costs less and you don't mind taking the Sony back then I would certainly recommend it.

Just one note about Samsung's TXM/TXN series. You must setup with an AVIA dvd or similar. For some reason Samsung will not ship these sets with quality factory settings. Expect bad geometry and red-push (which are easily corrected). Samsungs pre-set modes (Dynamic, Movie and Standard) are all useless. Their color temps (Cool 2, Cool1, Normal, Warm 1, Warm2) are also way off. Can't comment for Sony's temps but my friends Toshiba temps were also way off as well. So bottom line after purchasing a Samsung you will have to enter the service menu to correct red-push, turn down or off VSM, correct grey-scale, and of course correct geometry. Just make sure to record all the original factory settings before you tweak. Once performed you will be amazed at the transformation.

Lastly for Kensai, my unit does not have DVI but in the service menu is a bunch of PC settings under the DVI menu, so I am guessing they are PC compatible. When the DVI models come out go to the store and confirm.

A few days ago, I saw a display TXN3075 at CC for $999.99. It was displaying the CC DVD and was alongside several other HDTV ready TVs displaying the same program. Other TV in this lineup included a Zenith, RCA, Sony 32HS500, Sony 34XBR800, and Panasonic TAU. Other than the 32" Sony, all others were 34" 16:9 sets.

It appeared that the Samsung TXN3075 showed more detail, but the picture had a reddish cast (is this red push?). The only 30" 16:9 in the lineup made it look much smaller than the 34" and 32" sets. IMHO the beige color was odd as well.

After a long search for a HDTV ready set, I'm going to close the books on either this set of its more endowed brother, the TXN3098.

I'm planning to purchase the 27" TXN TV how do I access the service menu to calibrate?..new to the forum

To access the service menu do the following;

Using the remote turn off the tv. Then on the remote press "mute", "1", "8" then "2". Now using the remote turn the tv back on. You will now see the service menu.

Here are tweaks once in the service menu -

In the Video Adjust 1 menu:

1) Change COL Axis to 1. This will correct red push.
2) Change CTI and LTI to 0 if you want a pure, unenhanced image.

In the Video Adjust 2 menu:

1) Change DPIC, DC Trans, VM Level and SHP CD to 0 for a pure, unenhanced image.

These changes will correct red push and turn off the tv's artificial image enhancements so your set will display the original source in all its original detail (very close to film quality).

You can also enter the Option menu and turn PIP on to activate one tuner PIP and also turn BBE on for enhanced sound (make sure to select BBE in the sound menu after you reset your tv).

Next reset the tv and your changes will take effect. Now you can enter the custom setting in the normal user menu to setup your preferences. As a guide I use:

Contrast 60
Brightness 55
Sharpness 22
Color 47
Tint G 54/R 46

I also use the Warm 1 setting.

These will be different depending on your own dvd player and for other sources but are a good place to start. On my TXN3075 and using my Panasonic RP56 dvd player set to darker the image is breathtaking. No pixelisation even from 2 feet away.

I agree Teeh that the Samsung TXN line will easily equal any of the other manufacturers in terms of picture quality (and IMO better them all). I don't know why Samsung doesn't make a 34" model but when you get the 30" home it looks a lot bigger than in the store. Just don't plan on sitting more than 8 feet from it.

Does anybody know if the 3098whf will be carried by circuit city?

I'm guessing the TXN3098WHF will be carried by "hi-end" stores rather than your big chain stores so check your local independant a/v store in a few weeks. The list is $1299.

I can get the 3075 at employee cost which is a very good price and Im hoping they will also carry the 3098 so I can use the dvi on my STB. How do you guys feel about the new zenith widescreens coming out compared to the samsung's?

>I can get the 3075 at employee cost which is a very good price

Just out of curiosity, what is the employee cost for it? It would give a good approximation of what the store cost for it is (and thus how much bargaining room there is).

Of course, if you feel uncomfortable posting the info, I understand, but as you haven't identified the store you work for and I don't think the info is classified anyhow, I think it's fair game. :-)

I too am wondering where the 3098 will be carried. I asked my local HHGregg and they were clueless. I'm wondering if it's only Tweeter/Hifi buys type of places, which would thus limit bargaining power to a certain degree (more stores = more competition = better deal). . . .

I have not heard anything about this years Zenith model. I know last years came with an integrated hi def tuner but only had 480i component input! Hopefully they have corrected this overlook and will include 480p inputs this time around.

victoras, i dont mind telling you how much it is because my location listed isnt near where I will be working for the summer. Anyhow, I can pick up a 3075 for a mere $682.50. This is why if the 3098 is not carried by my store I will have a hard time convincing myself to pay an extra $600 for dvi. On a high dollar tv, yes, but when it doubles my cost, i don't think so........

If $682 is the delivered cost on these units I can't believe circuit city is selling it for just $999. I heard there wasn't the typical full-service store markup (100%) on these sets but I didn't realise the margin was so small. No wonder CC wouldn't budge an inch on the price without an extended warranty purchase.

I guess Samsung really wants market share, and with a top quality product and an outrageously low price they have mine! Bring on the 26" widescreen for my bedroom please CC.

hey widescreen, how wide & deep is your 3075? I would like to go for a 30" but I may have to wait for that 26" since its for my bedroom....

Oh any by the way, my experience with whoesale has shown me that there is normally a 100% markup on rear projection televisions alone. The only direct view tube tv I remember being marked up 100% is the f38310.

My 3075 is 34 5/8" wide, 22" tall and 23 3/4" deep. I had a very tight fit placing this and had about 1/4" to spare depth-wise. I saw the 3071 at Sears the other day. I guess it is the same as the 3075 but looks very very ugly. Stick with the 3075 if you can. Can't wait to see what the 26" looks like. At $799 (for us normal folk anyway) looks like it will be a killer deal!

I just picked up my 3075 yesterday...and love it to death! Beautiful beautiful TV...and for the price...mmm its money!

Congrats Josh. Yeah I love this set as well! You described it perfectly.....beautiful.

Great thread, forgive me in advance for my limited knowledge but what is the story on the TXN3071WHF?

It is the only TXN 30 inch on the Samsung site, the others that are being discussed here are not listed from what I can find.

I don't know why Samsung doesn't have the other models on their site yet. These TXN models just came out so I guess they need to do an update.

The TXN3075 and TXN3071 are identical except for:

1) the 3075 is in a class called "Neo Side" which means it has different styling (much much more pleasing to the eye if you ask me) and has the tv buttons on the side of the set instead of the front.

2) the 3075 has 10W more audio power.

If your choice is between these two sets get the 3075. It costs the same amount but looks way better.

The TXN3098 to be released soon is just like the 3071/3075 except it will have DVI, an artificial image enhancer called DNIe (similar to Sony's DRC or Phillips Pixel Plus), built in small subs and is a bit slimmer. The 3098 has a list of $1299 compared to $999 for the 3071/75.

Samsung will also be releasing a $799 26" wide beauty in the next few weeks. I know the 3071 is sold at Sears and the 3075 at Circuit City. I think it is on Circuit's website but not for sure.

If you are interested in a 30" widescreen I whole heartedly recommend these sets. Performance is top notch while price is low ball. A winning combination for me. Samsung has already made a name for themselves with their excellent hi def tuners and by producing quality sets like this they will be a household name for tv's before too long.

You may wish to check out Akai's website (akaiusa.com I think). Akai is made by Samsung. The only distributor in the USA is Sam's Club. They will supposedly be selling a 26", 30" AND 34" tube widescreen this year in the US. So if you want a top quality 34" widescreen at half the cost of a Sony check them out. Akai (Samsung in disguise) owns the widescreen tube market in Europe and Asia (and my home country Australia) but I think Samsung wants its name on that market share over here within the next few years.

Anyone know the release date on the TXN3098? It isn't listed on Samsung's site yet and if I'm going to get a new TV I would like to have DVI as I don't buy new TVs often (current one is 10+ years old). I saw the TXN3071 at CC the other day and while they might not carry the 3098, I expect SoundTrack to carry it.

If you go to the press release section on the Samsung website they have a bit of info on the TXN3098. I don't know the exact date but the 3098 will be available very soon and to be sold by "hi end" stores only. I also know in August they will be releasing a 30" widescreen like the 3098 but with a built in hi def tuner added. Sure to cost a bit more but might also be a bargain.

Anyone know if these sets have discrete input or power commands? Thanks.

I am not totally sure but a recent thread was dedicated to that topic if I remember correctly. Scroll down to the last page of posts and it should still be in there.