Samsung HPR4272 42-Inch Flat Panel Plasma TV
Excellent picture - but don't count on Samsung to back it up
This TV has an incredible picture, but don't count on Samsung to stand behind their products.  For picture quality I would give it 4 or maybe even 5 stars.  But it only gets three stars  because of Samsung's horrible customer service.    I went through three units before I finally got one that worked - and looked - like it should.    The first one was replaced (by the dealer, not by Samsung) due to a cosmetic manufacturing flaw in the bezel of the panel that looked like a cat paw and reflected sunlight like a mirror.  It was distracting and not something I felt like I should have to put up with, especially when you consider that $3000 would pay for a really nice family vacation.    The second unit had the plasma 'buzz' that I could hear from fifteen feet away.  This is not a problem that, except at very high altitudes, any plasma panel should exhibit. (To prove this  to myself, I visited no less than six stores and listened for the 'buzz' on dozens of panels from different manufacturers, including other HP-R4272's.  I heard nothing - from any of them.  Samsung did not consider this information to be an indicator that my particular unit was faulty.)  Even my wife, who often looks at me like I'm nuts, commented on the noise the second  TV made.  Samsung's contract support technician came to my house and based on his opinion - and only his opinion - Samsung considered my second unit to be 'within spec' and basically   told me to go away, they would not do anything about it.  When I told the factory support rep that NONE of the plasmas that I listened to made any noise whatsoever, they still insisted  that this was 'normal' - because the technician told them so.    So the dealer, ListenUp in Colorado (who I can't say enough positive things about), agreed to give me a THIRD panel.  This time one of the sales people from the store came with me to my house to help me install it.  All looked good until the TV had been on for about five minutes.  Then, down the middle of theright half of the TV a line of flickering pixels about  two or three inches wide appeared.  The salesman and I tried everything and finally decided that the panel had some faulty electronics.    On to the FOURTH unit.  This one was on the dealer's floor - it looked good, had no cosmetic flaws, had a barely perceptible buzz, and all the pixels seemed to work.  I took it.  So far,  so good.    If you're looking for a great picture and don't care about customer support (or potentially horrendous buzzing) I would recommend this TV.  But keep your fingers crossed that  the set you get is OK because if it isn't, you may be stuck.  Luckily for me I purchased this unit from an outstanding retailer, ListenUp, and they DO stand behind their products.  The lesson here: do your homework, educate yourself so that some technician or factory support person can't pull a snow-job on you, and buy from a reputable dealer.    For me, I've owned my last Samsung audio/video product.    Update 3/12/06:    The TV has developed a stuck red pixel that twinkles like a little beacon, reminding me of what a bad purchasing decision this piece of junk really was.