Samsung DLP - buy the extended warranty

Prior to buying my Samsung DLP tv, I had a Toshiba that weighed about as much as an elephant on steroids.The Toshiba was not a bad tv at the time we purchased it, but I love the picture quality on the Samsung.I can watch tv and have a clear, crisp view.I looked at other tvs and felt this one has the best picture and was the best value.I use an HDMI cable and definitely recommend this for a crisper picture.It is worth purchasing this cable.For my DVD player, I have an S Video cable.

The TV only weighs about 90 pounds and it is not bulky like the older model tvs.Not that I'm moving it around a lot, but the few times we have had to move it, it is so light my wife can even handle it.

Here are my negatives.....If a store ever carries a defective item, I have a knack for always bringing that item home.Within 1 month of owning the tv, the sound went out.We have surround sound hooked up to the tv and would not have noticed, except for the fact that we were using a Nintendo Gamecube, directly into the tv - bypassing the surround sound.We contacted HiFi Buys and they sent someone out and replaced a sound board.Within a month, we heard another noise.Made another call to HiFi Buys and they replaced the entire tv - no hassles.We did not have to go through the manufacturer.

After owning the tv for just over a year, we now have another problem.There is a dark line or shadow going down the side of my Samsung DLP screen.It is transparent, but it is there.After doing some research, this is a known problem with the Samsung DLPs.From what I have read it is the light tunnel and possibly the light tunnel engine.I found a message board online where numerous people have this same issue.Now, this can happen with any tv - not just Samsung.I am out of my warranty, but feel that if it is a widespread problem, there should be a recall and Samsung should make it right.

I wish I would have bought the extended warranty and probably will in any future tv purchases.As the technology on these tvs increase, so much can go wrong.

I took a picture and you can see the black line going down the left side of the screen.

Update On Nov 25, 2008: Samsung did extend the warranty on the Light Tunnel Assembly. This past May, I heard a boom and the tv went out.The shadow was caused a mirror broken on the light tunnel. I called Samsung and they had a repair person come out. They replaced the entire light tunnel assembly and now the tv works and the shadow is gone.