Samsung Underestimating Apple's Potential Impact on Television Market?

[stevensr123]

Dumb tv + mac mini would probably beat anything apple could make IMO

That's not to say it won't be a good product (if they even do make a tv) but the power of a full computer that is so small and looks beautiful (mac mini) together with a beautiful + and LED tv , is a fantastic combination that can't be beat for me.

I can pick up a sony bravia 40" LED + a mac mini which in total would cost me $au 1300. Would an apple tv cost me more? Most likely a lot more, with less features as a LED tv hooked up to a full blown computer that has access to thousands of apps, games and high def content.

 

[25ghosts]

You might tell us what Samsung TV's you have experience with.
Mine works beautifully (D8090, 46")

beautiful is only as subjective as the viewers taste.. No Offense.

The Samsung looks just about as digital as digital could look. Very Hard edges.

I have the UE46C8790 - EUR 2k. Not cheap not expensive. Not good.

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You mean laugh. I'm familiar with the 10 year old philips plasmas and they are complete **** compared to todays Samsung LCD's.

Mine is a professional one that was designed to run non-stop. 12 years ago when it came out it cost about $60k. And it still beats any Samsung LCD

 

[Ubuntu]

I think what will happen is that Apple will pretty much kill off Sony. I used to work for Sony in sales and while I like some of their products I think they sit back and relax far too often and let someone else take over (The ereader, walkman, TV are all good examples). They also charge a premium for quality that isn't too different and when people make that crucial comparison to a similarly priced product they'll go with that other product.

I only know this from the Sony VAIO computers. They tend to cost around the same price as Mac computers, at most a difference of around £100 for similarly-specced machines (talking about a department store here, not online prices). For that extra £100 you can get a machine of much better quality as well as much better support and software.

I think if Apple enters the market and prices similarly to Sony they'll just blow Sony out of the water and give people a true option for a better quality product. Sony's issue is they still think that Samsung make cheap and cheerful products when Samsung has really caught up.

So I don't think Apple will be going for Samsung straight away. There's definitely a market for good quality TVs, and with the good software Apple makes I think they'll do a great job once Sony's out of the way.

 

[MonkeySee....]

no , don't misunderstand me,
Obviously you are Not one of them, because you did research and looked at the value vs return ..etc,so you appreciate design then i wonder , do you really need everything in your life to look the same ?

I prefer continuity if thats what you mean. I have a white iPhone so i'll probably go for a white iPad when the 3 comes out.

My house is painted white and I have white furniture and in the process of buying a silver fabric sofa. I like everything to flow. Maybe its an OCD but its what I like.

 

[2IS]

beautiful is only as subjective as the viewers taste.. No Offense.

The Samsung looks just about as digital as digital could look. Very Hard edges.

I have the UE46C8790 - EUR 2k. Not cheap not expensive. Not good.

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Mine is a professional one that was designed to run non-stop. 12 years ago when it came out it cost about $60k. And it still beats any Samsung LCD

I'm sure that's what you think. I have a hard time believe you even own a Samsung TV given your incredibly inaccurate post and hatred towards that company. I mean why would you walk into a store and willingly buy what in your opinion is one of the crappiest quality TVs and bring it into your home when you have such high standards?

 

[vito]

The vast majority of people don't care very much about picture quality unless they know what to look for or they have calibrated their displays, essentially the latter only applies to individuals who can spot the difference.

You even have to sit a certain distance away from the screen to benefit from HD video etc

In the UK the majority of programming is still shown in SD, so someone buying a very expensive TV to watch Coronation Street or Eastenders etc, they're not concerned with connectivity or media integration etc.

How many of these people watch anything other than local / satellite / cable broadcasts?

These types of people are more concerned with having the best aesthetically pleasing TV however more and more display sets are now advertising a connected and smarter TV with iPlayer, LoveFilm etc

A TV is seen as a long term purchase usually lasting a good few years, you'll be surprised at how much in addition people will pay for a good brand, bigger screen etc, they factor in the cost over that five year period for example, at least whenever I eavesdrop at John Lewis!

 

[firestarter]

The vast majority of people don't care very much about picture quality unless they know what to look for or they have calibrated their displays, essentially the latter only applies to individuals who can spot the difference.

You even have to sit a certain distance away from the screen to benefit from HD video etc

In the UK the majority of programming is still shown in SD, so someone buying a very expensive TV to watch Coronation Street or Eastenders etc, they're not concerned with connectivity or media integration etc.

How many of these people watch anything other than local / satellite / cable broadcasts?

These types of people are more concerned with having the best aesthetically pleasing TV however more and more display sets are now advertising a connected and smarter TV with iPlayer, LoveFilm etc

A TV is seen as a long term purchase usually lasting a good few years, you'll be surprised at how much in addition people will pay for a good brand, bigger screen etc, they factor in the cost over that five year period for example, at least whenever I eavesdrop at John Lewis!

Well, those are good arguments for people preferring connectivity and good looking design over picture quality.

But those connected services you mention - iPlayer, LoveFilm etc. are all services that Apple has failed to get on it's current Apple TV box.

If Apple does stage a coup and get a lot of US network programming added to a new Apple TV, there's a strong possibility that we in the UK will be left out again. If that happens, it doesn't matter how pretty Apple's offering is - takeup here will be dismal.

 

[HishamAkhtar]

It's increasingly sure that apple is moving into the home screen business. It's not a rival with TV makers, it will rival the networks. If you got a huge amount of content, free and ad-free, with every Apple TV, would it be a deal-breaker? Might they have deals with more than one cable net? What about the outside? HD Podcasts? All kinds of different content, and an intuitive, simple interface.

I think, in the strictest sense, Apple won't be making a TV, but another kind of television. How big? How about seperate screens that you can AirPlay to?

Yeah but for the consumer that would still mean picking an Apple TV over another TV and it's not guaranteed that will happen

 

[Dbrown]

Mine is a professional one that was designed to run non-stop. 12 years ago when it came out it cost about $60k. And it still beats any Samsung LCD

What BS, no plasma from 12 years ago can outperform even a low end Samsung., "professional" grade or not. Professional displays have the same image on screen over and over for a long period of time, and if you even own it this so called professional grade plasma, its riddled with burn in by now

 

[iTard]

Mine is a professional one that was designed to run non-stop. 12 years ago when it came out it cost about $60k. And it still beats any Samsung LCD

It's not Samsung's fault that some people aren't just too bright to use their TV, then people proceeds to bitch about the company and their products.

 

[DanteMann]

Yeah, I don't think Samsung has anything to worry about. They have some of the industries nicest TVs. Picture quality and looks are top notch. This gorgeous display will be my next tv come spring. 60 inches of pure beauty. Super thin bezel, camera and mic are just gravy on top of that screen. And you can bet my Home Theater PC kills anything out there for content. I buy TVs for their beautiful screens. My HTPC takes care of the software. Nothing comes close to a HTPC. And as soon as Samsung release their OLED later this year, I'll be in line. If Apple decides to do TVs, and come in with an LCD, ummm...well how cute of them. Leave the real heavy stuff for the big boys.

Holy mother of god. That is a Gorgeous TV. I just took a look at Samsung's 2012 lineup and early hands on reports are saying the TVs are even more amazing that 2011's line up. Samsung just doesn't innovate, it INVENTS! Once they bring out their OLED TV this year, yes you can say goodbye to everything else.
And I totally agree if Apple decides to come in and do an overprices LCD, proves that they are not going for full out picture quality, but what sells the most.

 

[kaizenmx]

It's not Samsung's fault that some people aren't just too bright to use their TV, then people proceeds to bitch about the company and their products.

You're right. Some morons just downright bash the company just because they lack brain cells to work it appropriately.

And apple defense force claiming 1990s plasma TV being better than recent Samsung HDTVs is just laughable.

It pretty much shows how far their head is shoved up on their ass.

 

[25ghosts]

What BS, no plasma from 12 years ago can outperform even a low end Samsung., "professional" grade or not. Professional displays have the same image on screen over and over for a long period of time, and if you even own it this so called professional grade plasma, its riddled with burn in by now

Spoken like a true layman....

Got that TV right here in my living room and compare it directly against the samsung. HUGE difference. 12 year old plasma MUCH richer.

ANYONE - friends, mother etc... Picks the 12-year old over the Samsung.

New does NOT equal better. AT ALL. Most folks think it does, though. And THAT is exactly what the companies want. Folks like YOU buying a new set every 2nd year... HA

You either know or you dont.

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It's not Samsung's fault that some people aren't just too bright to use their TV, then people proceeds to bitch about the company and their products.

I'll remember to tell my clients that next time I do a $50,000 display-stand job for them !

 

[MonkeySee....]

Holy mother of god. That is a Gorgeous TV. I just took a look at Samsung's 2012 lineup and early hands on reports are saying the TVs are even more amazing that 2011's line up. Samsung just doesn't innovate, it INVENTS! Once they bring out their OLED TV this year, yes you can say goodbye to everything else.
And I totally agree if Apple decides to come in and do an overprices LCD, proves that they are not going for full out picture quality, but what sells the most.

I have complete faith that if Apple bring out a TV it will be better than Samsungs current line up.

You can quote me on that.

Samsung "Invents"?

 

[Dbrown]

Spoken like a true layman....

Got that TV right here in my living room and compare it directly against the samsung. HUGE difference. 12 year old plasma MUCH richer.

ANYONE - friends, mother etc... Picks the 12-year old over the Samsung.

New does NOT equal better. AT ALL. Most folks think it does, though. And THAT is exactly what the companies want. Folks like YOU buying a new set every 2nd year... HA
I'll remember to tell my clients that next time I do a $50,000 display-stand job for them !

I suppose you can get a "much richer" experience (whatever the hell that's supposed to mean) if you forget about the burn in and image retention. Oh and the fact that it's not even HD resolution. And make sure you stand 12 ft away so you dont see SDE.

The same people that pick a 12year old plasma over a new Samsung are the same idiots that would pick a 12 year old computer over a new one.

 

[linux2mac]

Are you completely incapable of liking anything but Apple products?

It's tough for me to like anything else once I made the switch to Apple. After leaving Windows I went to Linux and loved it. What drew me to the Mac is that it's *NIX under the hood but with the added bonus of a very polished GUI and hardware. The iPhone is hands down the best phone out there. The iPad owns the tablet market and will leave the competition further behind in just a few weeks here with the release of iPad 3. My Apple TV is great (awesome GUI) and will be even better when the 1080p version is released. My Airport Extreme blows away my old Linksys router that had to continually be reset on a regular basis. In summary, Apple makes the best tech products and computers, which leaves not much else to like.

 

[rjohnstone]

I'd like this project manager of Samsung come home in my living room and take a look at my samsung LCD TiVO. Then he can compare it to my 10 year old philips Plasma TV and weep.

Mine is a professional one that was designed to run non-stop. 12 years ago when it came out it cost about $60k. And it still beats any Samsung LCD

So how old is it again... 10 years or 12 years.
What is the model number?

Looking at the specs on their plasma TV line from 1999 to 2007 (they stopped making them in 2007) I see nothing spectacular about any of them.
Any plasma screen made before 2006 will look like utter crap by now if it was used for daily viewing.
The older panels were notorious for screen burn in and going dim after a few years of use.
Modern plasma panels don't have this issue now that you have pixel orbiting and various other anti image retention tech built into them.
You will still get ghosting if you have a very bright image on a screen for a period of time, but unlike burn in, ghosting goes away after a few minutes.

The most expensive display Philips ever manufactured and sold was a 42" display that sold at Sears for $15k back in 1997. It is low res (852x480) by today's standards. It was labeled and EDTV.

 

[2IS]

I would take a well-cared-for 12yo Sony G series over any LCD tech made today. (if I had space for it) Convenience and bulk is the reason we went away from such tech, not picture quality. Not even close. Mouthing off with ALL CAPS seems a bit over the top to me when I doubt you even know what I'm talking about.

Funny, my cousin once said the same thing about his Pioneer Elite Plasma, it was the one with a separate box for all the inputs. Then he got a newer Pioneer Kuro (non elite) both 720p plasma sets and the image quality on the Kuro was leaps and bounds better than the old Elite, whats more, the old Elite was professionally calibrated while the Kuro was straight out of the box.

Sorry but nostalgia is not going to stop technology from improving with time.

 

[Renzatic]

My Airport Extreme blows away my old Linksys router that had to continually be reset on a regular basis.

I've had my Linksys WRT54G for about 4ish years now. It's a bit long in the tooth these days, but it runs, and runs well. In all that time, I think I've reset the modem, maybe, 3 times. I can spend months at a time without even touching the thing.

I will give you the benefit of the doubt, though. I've got an old friend who lives out in the wild wily boonies. We're talking so far out in the wilderness that you can step outside his front door and hear coyotes...I dunno...killing cows and stealing babies, I guess. Whatever coyotes do for fun. It's a creepy damn place. So creepy in fact, that every time I'd leave, I'd feel the need to check the backseat of my car to make sure there weren't any ax murderers back there. Or ax murder victims. Or coyotes.

Anyway, all he has access to is a flaky at the best of time DSL connection. For years, he had to contend with his Linksys router resetting itself every 3 hours. You could literally set to your watch by it. If he wasn't downloading anything, it'd kill itself off. Over the years, he had to go through 5 routers before he found one that consistently worked. Each time he got a new one, and the problem persisted, he'd call up the telco, only to hear them pass the blame. "Your router isn't compatible with our service". Now, I don't know that much about the tech surrounding DSL, though I'm still fairly certain that was a cop out answer. Still, he managed to get it to work...after two years of trying. It was a fairly recent Cisco router that finally did the trick.

So maybe it isn't the hardware that's a problem. Maybe you've had a string of bad luck. Considering your past experiences, that's about the only answer I can think of.

 

[JAT]

Funny, my cousin once said the same thing about his Pioneer Elite Plasma, it was the one with a separate box for all the inputs. Then he got a newer Pioneer Kuro (non elite) both 720p plasma sets and the image quality on the Kuro was leaps and bounds better than the old Elite, whats more, the old Elite was professionally calibrated while the Kuro was straight out of the box.

Sorry but nostalgia is not going to stop technology from improving with time.

If the G90 was continued, and improved year to year with advancing versions of the same tech, your story may apply. LCD started so far behind a real CRT that it still hasn't caught up, yet. Plasma also started well behind, despite being a cousin tech to CRT. Videophiles mocked it for years, including the best Pioneer models, most finally settled on LCoS or 3 chip DLP when forced into digital tech.

Personally, I now have LCoS. I would put that nearly on a level with good CRT, and ahead of everything else being discussed here. And mine isn't calibrated, yet, either. Having some HDMI issues, getting in my way.

Again, the ONLY reason the industry went away from CRT was the inconvenience. It is far too large, temperamental, and difficult to maintain. The pic quality was undeniable, matching to film. At least, for those old enough to have seen it.

I'm sure something will completely surpass both film and CRT eventually, probably OLED first if they can ever make a screen bigger than my hand worth owning (maybe even this year), but we aren't quite there, yet.

 

[linux2mac]

So maybe it isn't the hardware that's a problem. Maybe you've had a string of bad luck. Considering your past experiences, that's about the only answer I can think of.

Apparently I am not the only one with bad luck.

"And the other day, when my mom was complaining about startup times, printing, and wireless networking, the words, 'you should get a Mac' were out of my mouth before I could stop them."

"Windows Vista drove my family into the arms of Apple. Now we have a Macbook Pro, a Macbook Air, three iPods, an iPhone, and an Apple router...not to mention two sound systems with iPod docks. Why? Because they don't suck."

Why Apple Is Winning
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31322_3-57379818-256/why-apple-is-winning/

This is why Apple will succeed in TV.

 

[Renzatic]

For every Windows horror story, I could point out a story of someone perfectly happy with the platform. For every Mac success story, I could point out a story where someone had nothing but trouble out of theirs. If I were to correlate all these various stories together, I'd come up with one answer:

No matter which platform you happen to prefer, all computers are stupid 50% of the time.

Like you and I. I've never had much problems out of my Windows machines. They're smooth, quick, and work as intended. You? Apparently haven't had nothing but trouble until you switched to a Mac. What does this mean? Hell if I know. But I don't think I've ever met anyone who proselytizes quite as much as you.

 

[*LTD*]

For every Windows horror story, I could point out a story of someone perfectly happy with the platform. For every Mac success story, I could point out a story where someone had nothing but trouble out of theirs. If I were to correlate all these various stories together, I'd come up with one answer:

No matter which platform you happen to prefer, all computers are stupid 50% of the time.

Sorry, no. Anyone can provide anecdotal evidence for either side. None would be worth more than the other.

Give us consumer satisfaction numbers. User satisfaction measured on a grand scale, not "my buddy experienced this" or "my cousin says that." Cuts through all the baloney right quick.

 

[RHatton]

By this philosophy we'd all be driving around ferrari's with prius engines because it "looks good".

Whether Samsung wants to admit it or not, product experience/user interface is more important than how many pixels you shove into a flat panel. The remote is an outdated device and I believe this is what Apple is taking aim at, not the picture quality.

 

[uknowimright]

linux2mac how much did you say you spent building your own PC? you know the one that you couldn't put together correctly apparently, since it was always having issues