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Rating: 
Summary: The good (picture), the bad (cute noises), and the remote.
Review: I bought the TXM3298HF sight unseen, except for the fact that I'd peeked at a few of it's cousins in the store (the 97 is the same TV, basically, with a bulkier frame). I'd never owned a Samsung ANYTHING before (generally a Philips/Sony guy) so this was a big leap.
The good...
1 - We REALLY enjoy the picture - it makes even regular cable look better, right out of the box. A few tweaks with the Avia DVD, and all is well. Compared well to the Sony and Philips...maybe a notch below the Toshiba.
2 - Also - the PLENTIFUL connections...The fact that it has TWO HD-capable component inputs was a bonus that some others in this category (Philips and Toshiba) didn't have. So, though we don't have the HD set-top box now, when we get one we'll be able to see that programming in 1080i and still see awesome video through our Progressive Scan DVD player (which we do have now) on the other HD input. No VGA port, and the one S-Video jack is inexplicably on the side...but not deal-breakers.
Other items in the "plus column"...
The sound...We mostly use our home theatre to listen to sound, so it's adequate but probably more than I'd need from the Monitor.
The price...you can generally find it for 1100 or 1200 with no tax and no shipping, so it compares well to the Toshibas/Philips/Panasonic HD monitors out there with fewer features.The bad...
1 - A minor nit - but it is irritating. There is this little "be-be-BOOP" cheap-Atari-2600-playing-Galaga noise EVERY time you turn the TV on or off. It's slowly driving my wife insane. Someone told me it's part of the Samsung "brand." This chirping would be understandable - maybe even cute - coming out of a cell phone, but not a television.
2 - The remote has many functions (which is nice) but has the look and feel of something from 1981 (which is less nice). Especially annoying is the flip-up cover. I don't know if I'm supposed to be happy over these hidden "bonus buttons" or what, but uncovering them anytime I need them is a pain. For example, the Picture-in-Picture button is a main (non-covered) button. The PiP-manipulation buttons (swap/channel/input/etc) are under the flip-cover. So, you end up navigating all around the remote just to do a simple task. A saving grace is that this may be self-correcting if the flip-cover is designed to pop off when the remote is thrown at the wall by a spouse driven crazy by the television's "be-be-BOOP" noises. Overall, we're very happy with it, since it delivers in a big way what we really wanted: an awesome, and affordable, picture. The beeping startup and weird remote are tolerable in the context of the rest of the package.
Rating:
Summary: The good (picture), the bad (cute noises), and the remote.
Review: I bought the TXM3298HF sight unseen, except for the fact that I'd peeked at a few of it's cousins in the store (the 97 is the same TV, basically, with a bulkier frame). I'd never owned a Samsung ANYTHING before (generally a Philips/Sony guy) so this was a big leap.
The good...
1 - We REALLY enjoy the picture - it makes even regular cable look better, right out of the box. A few tweaks with the Avia DVD, and all is well. Compared well to the Sony and Philips...maybe a notch below the Toshiba.
2 - Also - the PLENTIFUL connections...The fact that it has TWO HD-capable component inputs was a bonus that some others in this category (Philips and Toshiba) didn't have. So, though we don't have the HD set-top box now, when we get one we'll be able to see that programming in 1080i and still see awesome video through our Progressive Scan DVD player (which we do have now) on the other HD input. No VGA port, and the one S-Video jack is inexplicably on the side...but not deal-breakers.
Other items in the "plus column"...
The sound...We mostly use our home theatre to listen to sound, so it's adequate but probably more than I'd need from the Monitor.
The price...you can generally find it for 1100 or 1200 with no tax and no shipping, so it compares well to the Toshibas/Philips/Panasonic HD monitors out there with fewer features. The bad...
1 - A minor nit - but it is irritating. There is this little "be-be-BOOP" cheap-Atari-2600-playing-Galaga noise EVERY time you turn the TV on or off. It's slowly driving my wife insane. Someone told me it's part of the Samsung "brand." This chirping would be understandable - maybe even cute - coming out of a cell phone, but not a television.
2 - The remote has many functions (which is nice) but has the look and feel of something from 1981 (which is less nice). Especially annoying is the flip-up cover. I don't know if I'm supposed to be happy over these hidden "bonus buttons" or what, but uncovering them anytime I need them is a pain. For example, the Picture-in-Picture button is a main (non-covered) button. The PiP-manipulation buttons (swap/channel/input/etc) are under the flip-cover. So, you end up navigating all around the remote just to do a simple task. A saving grace is that this may be self-correcting if the flip-cover is designed to pop off when the remote is thrown at the wall by a spouse driven crazy by the television's "be-be-BOOP" noises. Overall, we're very happy with it, since it delivers in a big way what we really wanted: an awesome, and affordable, picture. The beeping startup and weird remote are tolerable in the context of the rest of the package.
Rating: 
Summary: Great picture, great buy
Review: I couldn't be happier with this TV. OK maybe a little - the picture is great, the inputs are plentiful, the set-up was easy, PIP splitscreen w/ two tuners is wonderful - the only slight negative is that the TV seems bulkier than it needs to be (I have the 3297). The chirping doesn't even bother me.
Rating:
Summary: Great picture, great buy
Review: I couldn't be happier with this TV. OK maybe a little - the picture is great, the inputs are plentiful, the set-up was easy, PIP splitscreen w/ two tuners is wonderful - the only slight negative is that the TV seems bulkier than it needs to be (I have the 3297). The chirping doesn't even bother me.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent TV for the money
Review: I've had this TV now for about 6 mos. and am very happy with it. However, I also bought the Samsung HD TS160 Directv converter and realized once I got it home that the TV did not have DVI (HDCP) input and was very disappointed. However, I got the TV for a very good price here at Amazon and can't complain. It was my fault I did not look for that interface on the TV and believe me I really did a lot of research. The one other thing I wish this had was the capability, ala Sony, to detect automatically and change from 16:9 to 4:3 or vica versa on it's own. Other than this, the picture is excellent, I mean really, really nice.
Rating:
Summary: Almost Perfect
Review: The samsung 3298 is our 1st HDTV, and our decision to purchase it was based on 4 things.
1. The picture is phenominal. On display in a store, side by side with the Sont XBR series, the Samsung's line doubling circutry provided a smoother, deeper, and more vibrant picture.
2. It has all the up to date features common in this category. 2 tuner PIP, a large array of inputs in the back, side inputs, and built in sub-woofer.
3. It has the sexiest cabinet, serioulsy its a beautiful HDTV.
4. Lastly, given all of the above, the Samsung 3298 is priced $200-400 less than any of its competitors. ...
Rating:
Summary: beautiful monitor, great price
Review: The samsung 3298 is our 1st HDTV, and our decision to purchase it was based on 4 things.
1. The picture is phenominal. On display in a store, side by side with the Sont XBR series, the Samsung's line doubling circutry provided a smoother, deeper, and more vibrant picture.
2. It has all the up to date features common in this category. 2 tuner PIP, a large array of inputs in the back, side inputs, and built in sub-woofer.
3. It has the sexiest cabinet, serioulsy its a beautiful HDTV.
4. Lastly, given all of the above, the Samsung 3298 is priced $200-400 less than any of its competitors. ...
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic set. Great picture, awesome value.
Review: The Samsung TXM3298HF is a true winner in every regard. I spent weeks looking at televisions of every make and model in electronics stores all over town, and the Samsung came out on top in both picture quality and price. Compared to a 32" HDTV Sony Wega, the Samsung was just as crisp and beautiful, yet sold for hundreds less. On top of that, the Samsung was also 3 inches slimmer (depth), so if you have a tight space that requires a semi-shallow depth, yet you don't want to scrimp on screen real estate, the Samsung (which is only 22 inches deep) is the way to go. I've watched DVDs on it, and even bought a component video cable for my Nintendo GameCube, and it all looks stunning. Digital cable looks wonderful as well. Like others in these reviews, the color does take a little fiddling with to find the right setting for your environment. But once you get that right, it truly does offer a stunning, rich picture that'll leave you glued. Set also comes with tons of video / audio component inputs and outputs on the backside, plus a few handy ones on the left side in case you want to quickly plug in a DV cam or other device. The remote is easy to use and well designed, and can be programmed to handle your VCR, DVD, or Cable box. The set is heavy - at least 120lbs or so - so if you purchase one online and have it delivered, keep in mind you'll need a friend or two to pick it up.
Rating:
Summary: Almost Perfect
Review: When I purchased this TV, I was in the market for a direct view 32" HDTV. My goal was to find the TV set with the best possible picture (for both analog cable and progressive scan DVD playback) regardless of brand name or price (in the past, I have usually bought Sony or Toshiba). After weeks of research, I narrowed the field to Sony, Toshiba and Samsung Tantus. All 3 received very good reviews from Consumer Reports and CNET, among others. All 3 were comparably priced, with the Sony being slightly higher. In showroom viewing, all 3 TVs performed extremely well, displaying vibrants colors and sharp detail, with both cable and DVDs. They clearly stood out from the others. When properly tuned using the Avia DVD, the Samsung Tantus produced the most brilliant colors and sharpest detail. Toshiba was also excellent; its picture quality was nearly identical to that of the Samsung. The Sony was very good as well, but it seemed to fall short when displaying text; instead of the sharp, fine edges produced by the Toshiba and Samsung, the Sony produced text that was a bit pixelated and choppy. In the final analysis, I concluded that you cannot really go wrong with any of the 3 (Samsung, Toshiba, Sony), as they are all very good TV sets. Distinguishing between these 3 sets is somewhat a matter of personal preference. In terms of personal perference, I also took into account these additional non-picture-quality-related factors: 1) Aesthetics of the cabinet (Samsung had the coolest looking cabinet, followed by Sony, and then Toshiba). Samsung's cabinet is simple and zen-like, yet very stylish. It goes well with any decor and accompanying components. 2) Ease of use (Sony was best, then Toshiba, then Samsung). This is Samsung's biggest shortcoming. Although Samsung's on-screen menus are not difficult to use or confusing, the on-screen displays on the Sony and Toshiba required fewer steps and were more intuitive than the Samsung. 3) Remote control (again, Sony was best, then Toshiba, then Samsung). 4) Annoying "bee-bee-bop" sound when you turn on the Samsung TV. Fortunately, you CAN shut off this "feature" through an on-screen menu option. So, this is not really a factor. 5) Inputs (Sony had the most, then Samsung, then Toshiba). All 3 sets had two component inputs. Again, this was not a factor, as all 3 sets had adequate inputs. 6) Sound quality (Samsung and Sony were a notch above Toshiba). Samsung comes with excellent BBE enhanced sound as well as a subwoofer mounted inside the cabinet. It also has EQ controls (a nice touch). The Sony also had very good sound. All in all, I am very pleased with my Samsung Tantus TV and enjoy watching it daily! Overall, I would give it an A- grade. It's almost perfect and certainly the best TV I have ever owned. If you're in the market for a 32" HDTV, I hope the above helps you make an informed decision.
Rating:
Summary: Almost Perfect
Review: When I purchased this TV, I was in the market for a direct view 32" HDTV. My goal was to find the TV set with the best possible picture (for both analog cable and progressive scan DVD playback) regardless of brand name or price (in the past, I have usually bought Sony or Toshiba). After weeks of research, I narrowed the field to Sony, Toshiba and Samsung Tantus. All 3 received very good reviews from Consumer Reports and CNET, among others. All 3 were comparably priced, with the Sony being slightly higher. In showroom viewing, all 3 TVs performed extremely well, displaying vibrants colors and sharp detail, with both cable and DVDs. They clearly stood out from the others. When properly tuned using the Avia DVD, the Samsung Tantus produced the most brilliant colors and sharpest detail. Toshiba was also excellent; its picture quality was nearly identical to that of the Samsung. The Sony was very good as well, but it seemed to fall short when displaying text; instead of the sharp, fine edges produced by the Toshiba and Samsung, the Sony produced text that was a bit pixelated and choppy. In the final analysis, I concluded that you cannot really go wrong with any of the 3 (Samsung, Toshiba, Sony), as they are all very good TV sets. Distinguishing between these 3 sets is somewhat a matter of personal preference. In terms of personal perference, I also took into account these additional non-picture-quality-related factors: 1) Aesthetics of the cabinet (Samsung had the coolest looking cabinet, followed by Sony, and then Toshiba). Samsung's cabinet is simple and zen-like, yet very stylish. It goes well with any decor and accompanying components. 2) Ease of use (Sony was best, then Toshiba, then Samsung). This is Samsung's biggest shortcoming. Although Samsung's on-screen menus are not difficult to use or confusing, the on-screen displays on the Sony and Toshiba required fewer steps and were more intuitive than the Samsung. 3) Remote control (again, Sony was best, then Toshiba, then Samsung). 4) Annoying "bee-bee-bop" sound when you turn on the Samsung TV. Fortunately, you CAN shut off this "feature" through an on-screen menu option. So, this is not really a factor. 5) Inputs (Sony had the most, then Samsung, then Toshiba). All 3 sets had two component inputs. Again, this was not a factor, as all 3 sets had adequate inputs. 6) Sound quality (Samsung and Sony were a notch above Toshiba). Samsung comes with excellent BBE enhanced sound as well as a subwoofer mounted inside the cabinet. It also has EQ controls (a nice touch). The Sony also had very good sound. All in all, I am very pleased with my Samsung Tantus TV and enjoy watching it daily! Overall, I would give it an A- grade. It's almost perfect and certainly the best TV I have ever owned. If you're in the market for a 32" HDTV, I hope the above helps you make an informed decision.
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