Need Some Advice - Buy UN55B8500 Now, or wait until UN55C8000? So I realize the UN55B8500 has been discontinued and supplies are extremely tight for this TV, however, I've been given the opportunity to purchase this TV brand new from a local mom and pop store for $2899, not including tax. My local Best Buy also has some in stock still, and they said they's do it for $3K, not including taxes, however, I really think I can get them down to $2900, too. Anyhow, I'm a little gun shy b/c I know the UN55C8000 is coming out shortly (although without local dimming, which is a complete bummer)... So my question is this: Should I jump on the UN55B8500 deal, or should I wait until the UN55C8000? I think 3D would be pretty sweet on the UN55C8000, but quite honestly, I don't know if it's worth trading local dimming for edge lit dimming. What do you guys think? Thanks! Need Some Advice - Buy UN55B8500 Now, or wait until UN55C8000? So I realize the UN55B8500 has been discontinued and supplies are extremely tight for this TV, however, I've been given the... » Read More Need Some Advice - Buy UN55B8500 Now, or wait until UN55C8000? So I realize the UN55B8500 has been discontinued and supplies are extremely tight for this TV, however, I've been given the opportunity to purchase this TV brand new from a local mom and pop store for $2899, not including tax. My local Best Buy also has some in stock still, and they said they's do it for $3K, not including taxes, however, I really think I can get them down to $2900, too. Anyhow, I'm a little gun shy b/c I know the UN55C8000 is coming out shortly (although without local dimming, which is a complete bummer)... So my question is this: Should I jump on the UN55B8500 deal, or should I wait until the UN55C8000? I think 3D would be pretty sweet on the UN55C8000, but quite honestly, I don't know if it's worth trading local dimming for edge lit dimming. What do you guys think? Thanks! « Show Less
2032208
D. Reese,Thanks for the feedback. I more than appreciate it!I decided not to purchase the UN55B8500. I agree, 3D is worth waiting for. I saw the demo at Best Buy, and I must say, I'm pretty impressed. One a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the best), I would put the 3D experience in at about a 7 or an 8. I wasn't completely blown away, however, I was impressed enough to wait until the UN55C8000. Plus, with the free 3D Starter Kit with the purchase of the 3D TV and the 3D Blu-Ray player, I really think it makes sense to go with the 3D option. The sales guy at Best Buy said the free 3D Starter Kit promotion starts on 3/21/2010, and that the UN55C8000 should be available in early April.Thanks! D. Reese,Thanks for the feedback. I more than appreciate it!I decided not to purchase the UN55B8500. I agree, 3D is worth waiting for. I saw the demo at Best Buy, and I must say, I'm pretty impressed. One a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the best), I would put the 3D experience in at about a 7 or an 8. I wasn't completely blown away, however, I was impressed enough to wait until the UN55C8000. Plus, with the free 3D Starter Kit with the purchase of the 3D TV and the 3D Blu-Ray player, I really think it makes sense to go with the 3D option. The sales guy at Best Buy said... » Read More D. Reese,Thanks for the feedback. I more than appreciate it!I decided not to purchase the UN55B8500. I agree, 3D is worth waiting for. I saw the demo at Best Buy, and I must say, I'm pretty impressed. One a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the best), I would put the 3D experience in at about a 7 or an 8. I wasn't completely blown away, however, I was impressed enough to wait until the UN55C8000. Plus, with the free 3D Starter Kit with the purchase of the 3D TV and the 3D Blu-Ray player, I really think it makes sense to go with the 3D option. The sales guy at Best Buy said the free 3D Starter Kit promotion starts on 3/21/2010, and that the UN55C8000 should be available in early April.Thanks! « Show Less
2032209
Best Buy in St. Louis, Missouri. Just call any Best Buy in St. Louis, MO and ask them to check the warehouse for the UN55B8500. As of 2 weeks ago, they had about 30 left in the warehouse, brand new. My guess is that they'll have at least 10 or more left.
2032210
Get the 8500!!! You wont regret it! The 20o10 line-up pales in comparison..
2032211
I own the UN55B8500 and the picture is fantastic. DO NOT buy an edge lit set to achieve 3D. Early adopters will pay through the nose for 3D with minimum viewing material available. Edge lit will sacrifice picture quality.Wait for the full local dimming led technology with 3D. Wait one year to 18 months and there will be plenty of inventory with both features and the prices will start to come down. Both Samsung and LG will have sets soon with both features. Worth the wait and if you can wait a little longer prices will come down.
2032212
no get the 8500 its the only back lit led from samsung. the 3D is edge lit crap.
2032213
I actually just bought the 8500 today, at my local Besy Buy. They had one brand new one left at the store (although they did say that they had about 30 left at the warehouse here in St. Loius). I was able to get it for $2950. The salesman said I basically paid their cost for the TV. Not sure really believe that... Anyhow, I must say, this is quite possibly the best picture I have ever seen on a TV. I was going to wait until the 3D 8000, however, after reading a bunch of reviews, and seeing the 3D 8000 at my local Ultimate Electronics, I decided to just go with the 8500.
1887436
One big difference between the UN55's and LN52's is the UN55's have a super-slim porfile at such 1.2 inches thick. You can hang it on your wall just like a slim picture frame, and with the superb image resolution it functions just like a picture frame. That was one of the main reasons we ended up getting the UN55. You maybe able to get a better price on these during Thanksgiving weekend (black friday). To get further 8% cash-back and save on sales tax you can do the following (courtesy bing and ebay): 1. Use bing.com to search for "ps2" and then follow it's cashback link for ebay. 2. Once you land on ebay with the cashback logo, use that window to search for UN55B6000 (or any other TV). 3. Follow instructions carefully to pay with paypal (also make sure you are pre-registered for live.com and login to your live.com account) to get 8% cashback from bing.com ... which is $160+! Makes sure the cashback logo shows up all through paypal checkout. You will save on sales tax too. Hope that helps!
1710562
Matt, the price creep is really annoying! I was about to buy this thing last week for $2199, but wanted to wait till I got home because I had $75 worth of Amazon credits that I wanted to apply. By the time I got home, the price has risen by $85!!! So unfuriating! Then it dropped another $15. I felt like I was watching the stock market! Feeling like a sucker, I finally bit the bullet yesterday and purchased the TV for $2269. I'm glad I didn't wait until today because the price increased another $50! I don't know why they do this, but it makes me very uncomfortable as a customer. Will the price drop again by tonight? I feel like I'm a rat in a market-testing experiment. I wonder whether all of Amazon's customers see the same price or do some customers get higher prices depending on how often they express interest in a product by re-visiting the same page? I remember a few years ago Amazon gave slightly different pricing info to people who had an item saved to their wish lists.
275996
Have been watching this as well. Look at the ratings. I own one and its the best LCD on the market at the moment IMHO. The lowest price I have seen here at Amazon was $2940.00 USD a while back. Which is what I got it for. Since folks have been buying it, and the ratings continue to be 4.75+ stars, the price has been creeping up towards what the local BB and CC are charging for it ($3800+ in my area). I think once the 71 and 81 series hit the streets, this one will drop for sure. But until that time, this one is top dog, at least in my house. The picture maxed out in 1080P will just blow you away!! Have been watching this as well. Look at the ratings. I own one and its the best LCD on the market at the moment IMHO. The lowest price I have seen here at Amazon was $2940.00 USD a while back. Which is what I got it for. Since folks have been buying it, and the ratings continue to be 4.75+ stars, the price has been creeping up towards what the local BB and CC are charging for it ($3800+ in my area). I think once the 71 and 81 series hit the streets, this one will drop for sure. But until that time, this one is top dog, at least in my house. The picture maxed out in 1080P will just blow you... » Read More Have been watching this as well. Look at the ratings. I own one and its the best LCD on the market at the moment IMHO. The lowest price I have seen here at Amazon was $2940.00 USD a while back. Which is what I got it for. Since folks have been buying it, and the ratings continue to be 4.75+ stars, the price has been creeping up towards what the local BB and CC are charging for it ($3800+ in my area). I think once the 71 and 81 series hit the streets, this one will drop for sure. But until that time, this one is top dog, at least in my house. The picture maxed out in 1080P will just blow you away!! « Show Less
471863
Ok I am in the same boat about which plasma to get. I have gone to BestBuy numerous times and I like the Samsung PN42A450. I heard any tv in the 40s does not need 1080, as it would be a waste of money. I then saw the PN50A450 on Amazon for a great price, but it is 720. Just curious about if I get the 50, would standard tv look bad, and how about using a PS3 via DMI. Would it look bad because it is only 720 vs 1080? I know the 42inch would look nice, just concerned about the 50inch, and if I should get 42. It is for my bedroom so it will be somewhat close to me. Any comments regarding this would be helpful, thanks! Ok I am in the same boat about which plasma to get. I have gone to BestBuy numerous times and I like the Samsung PN42A450. I heard any tv in the 40s does not need 1080, as it would be a waste of money. I then saw the PN50A450 on Amazon for a great price, but it is 720. Just curious about if I get the 50, would standard tv look bad, and how about using a PS3 via DMI. Would it look bad because it is only 720 vs 1080? I know the 42inch would look nice, just concerned about the 50inch, and if I should get 42. It is for my bedroom so it will be somewhat close to me. Any comments regarding this... » Read More Ok I am in the same boat about which plasma to get. I have gone to BestBuy numerous times and I like the Samsung PN42A450. I heard any tv in the 40s does not need 1080, as it would be a waste of money. I then saw the PN50A450 on Amazon for a great price, but it is 720. Just curious about if I get the 50, would standard tv look bad, and how about using a PS3 via DMI. Would it look bad because it is only 720 vs 1080? I know the 42inch would look nice, just concerned about the 50inch, and if I should get 42. It is for my bedroom so it will be somewhat close to me. Any comments regarding this would be helpful, thanks! « Show Less
903260
the one i bought at Best Buy was a 530! is that a lesser or is it more? i paid $800 out the door. two weeks ago, i can still take it back and save $. BTW, i LOVE this TV. I feel like i could jump right in and join the parade!
648257
I was at Best Buy for a special event, and there was a Samsung rep there. He told me the A950 is still there flagship model. The differences in the two are back lit vs. edge lit LED's that why the b8000 is so slim. While the b8000 has a faster refresh rate (240 to 120) the a950 has dynamic contrast where the set is constantly scanning to give better blacks. Oh, and I think there's one more HDMI port on the a950 than the b8000 if I remember correctly. I did ask the rep if there was a 9000 series coming out. He said there is one in the works, but wouldn't say when. I'm thinking late fall in time for Christmas, or next year in the spring, but that's a guess. If anyone knows a exact release date for the 9000 series please post. I'm leaning toward the a950 for a few reasons better blacks because of the dynamic contrast scanning, and on the b8000 I did notice while watching at Best Buy the set did bleed light from the edges in letterbox. (The black bars weren't completely black. Kinda bugged me.). $4000 vs $3600 for the a950 plus three yrs. interest free at Best Buy this week. I may pick one up, unless Amazon has a better deal going.
1828245
I was also unsure, hence why I grabbed the U edition right here on Amazon and it was delivered brand new fresh in three days. The TV was manufactured in August I believe too. Very happy. I'd say grab the U model just to be safe.
551698
Jonathan,Which model did you end up going with? I was super interested in this TV, but it apparently doesn't support 1080i, which is no good for my Xbox 360. Also, does anyone know what the difference is between the older model (32HL67) and this one (32HL67U, "U" indicating a newer iteration)?
1705802
Bill, thanks for replying, I agree with you. I could not wait anymore, and I bought mine at Costco a few weeks ago, $639 was just too good to pass up. I think it's fine for a room with little natural light, but yes is seems dimmer than my old 37" panasonic plasma. But I am very happy with the picture quality and it's bright enough for my setup. I really like the TV so far.Marcel.
1536525
The price now is still set fairly high but keep in mind that amazon does like to set prices low for a day or two and then raise them on the fly. Once these sell out which they will the price will probably go up once this happens, it wont be the MSRP price but I beleive it will be a tad bit higher than what it is now. I just bought mine for $2849 I beleive it will be superior to the 55C7000 which had some back lighting issues (which everyone already knows about) so I would encourage those on the fence to go ahead and grab one, because this price is "reasonable" for this kinda Tv.
2139120
Apparently this TV is on back order. Amazon called today to try to get me to substitute the TV for the 55UB8500 model. Not sure if it's worth it yet, still researching and comparing the two models.
1412066
Sheila: At $278, that wasn't an issue for me. At that price, it's almost a throw away. I'd ask Google. BTW, stay away from extended warrenties. They are not worth the price. If a TV has something wrong with it, you'll know in short order.
950667
Ed, did you buy 2 TVs? (1 post in November and another in January), each at $950 total?!?Is Andorama a store? looks like a portal with ads... do you have a link?Thanks!
1236782
The price has gone back up significantly. Just before xmas it was about $1899, and as soon as the shipping deadline passed for xmas it dropped to $1595 and stayed that way most of January. Now I see it selling for $1,999.99 When the price was $1595 the TV was being sold by Amazon, now it appears that the TV is being sold by Cruthfield which is why there is a drastic increase in price. If you really want this TV, I would wait until Amazon starts selling it again.
16522
I am looking to buy this tv as well. Bestbuy has it for the same price. + tax of course. i hear alot about a buzz. that is why i am thinking best buy might be the way to go just in case of a return.
1947745
Would any of you who own this TV please speak up your experience? I'm considering a buy until seeing this thread. Please help. Thanks. Luan