Samsung LTN1785W 17-Inch LCD Flat-Panel TV

This HDTV-ready set accepts not only the flicker-free progressive-scan output from your compatible DVD player, PVR, or gaming console, but also decoded 720p and 1080i high-definition signals from an external digital set-top box or satellite receiver. Its native image resolution, at 1,280 x 768, exceeds 720p resolution and is enhanced by a high (600:1) contrast ratio, an exceptional peak brightness of 450 candles/square meter, and wide (170 degrees vertical/horizontal) viewing angles so everyone watching can enjoy a clear view. Its lamp life is rated a 60,000 hours for years of entertainment.

The set sports stereo speakers with three watts audio power per channel, and WOW Surround is there to produce deep bass and spacious surround effects from just two speakers--even from monaural sources. For connections, you get a pair of high-definition component-video inputs and one each composite-video, S-video, and 15-pin D-Sub RGB video for your computer (with accompanying stereo analog RCA audio input). A headphone jack fosters private listening, and the set is stand or wall mountable with VESA standard mounting holes (the WMTL1700X/XAA mounting kit is optional).

What's in the Box
TV, TV stand, power adapter, power cord, 15-pin D-Sub video cable, remote control, remote batteries, user's manual, product-registration card.

Product Description
Samsung's new generation of LCD TVs with Multimedia PC/DVD/TV inputs represents the ultimate in flexibility, picture quality and style. Available in a range of sizes and styles to compliment your needs anywhere in your home, these powerful sets can be used as an HDTV monitor or just to watch the evening news. At just a few inches thick and under 11 lbs. these products' small size belies their powerful capabilities.

I note this set is list priced (currently) at about $999, but we got it for over $100 less by shopping around, then got $100 cable credit from Comcast and Samsung on a special offer. So, while initially pricey for a 17 inch set, the net cost was quite reasonable for this quality HDTV ready widescreen set.


Sound shortcomings   February 20, 2004
Ben Graham (New York, NY United States)
2 out of 4 found this review helpful

This TV is a decent device but a little overpriced for what you get.

My number one gripe with this TV has to do with the sound quality. The standard built-in speaker does not offer the clarity and crispness of the ordinary 10 year-old tube TV that it replaced.

The other annoyance has to do with the short muscial tone it plays every time the TV is turned on or off. It gets old fast.

My third peeve is with the monitor's on/off indicator light. When the TV is turned off, a red LED light glows red, and when the TV is on, the LED light disappears which is the total opposite way that I would have designed it to function.

On other hand, the picture quality for regular cable-TV channels/broadcast TV is good to very good, depending on the channel.

The HDTV option is a little awkward to work and not worth the trouble due to the limited number of HDTV channels available in NYC.

Bottom line, is I love the thinness of the TV but the speaker system needs improvement.


Hidden costs of the wide screen   February 10, 2004
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

Don't take me wrong - this TV is the great product. I use it in the kitchen, as everyone else. The picture is sharper and the colors are truer (in comparison, say, to LTM1755, which I owned briefly). But when I connected it to the old DirecTV receiver, the picture came out extended. So, I had to update the receiver, get cables (because this piece does not come with them), etc. If you want to use it mostly for watching non-HDTV programs in non-wide-screen format - don't get this monitor. Get Sharp instead it's less fussy.


Very Good so far !   November 30, 2003
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

I got my Samsung LTN1785W 2 days ago and so far it is a great TV. I saved space on my office table and the picture is very good so far. I have to connected any component so far but with normal cable it is fine. I will tell you more after I play so more with it !


Fantastic TV   November 23, 2003
Karen Moody (Manchester, NJ United States)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

We really struggled with spending $900 for a small TV for the kitchen peninsula but after buying a $200 16" Samsung tube TV and losing so much counter space plus the odd viewing angle, we decided to return the 16" and blow the wad. It turned out to be the right thing to do. What a gorgeous picture this thing has and being HGTV ready and wide screen, this will not be obsolete in 2-3 years. It has a crystal clear sharp picture with no light glare. It's not heavy and easy to move around. The extra space we gained really makes a difference. Everytime we watch it we are so happy we decided to go this route. Now we wish we could replace our other TV's with LCD/plasma, but guess we'll wait till the prices on the larger screens come down.