Thats because sammy lower end models (and even some of their higher end ones) do not use S-LCD panels =.=. They use AUOs

S-LCD uses their propriety technology. Sorry the tech name slipped my memory =.=. Most of it tends to have better PQ compared to the cheaper AUO and CMO panels. Not to say AUO panels are bad. They too have high end panels, but most suppliers tent to opt AUO for cost saving purposes, thus they usually will source the cheaper panels. Also, have to factor in production volume la. If samsung's S-LCD plant is unable to churn out enough panels to meet demand, then they usually make the switch to AUO.

This caused quite a big hoo haa in the US when consumers found out that their high end samsungs do not contain samsung panels =.=. PQ difference was noticable enough for them to make noise.

if i not mistaken, A is AUO, C is CMO
S panel is SLCD.

AUO and CMO are the cheaper ones. Both are taiwanese made. SLCD is korean made.

Actually most if not all makers source from these few LCD makers (and to a lesser extent, Sharp).

That isnt a good reason to consider plasma over lcd.. If you want to argue black levels, if you want to argue response time, then its a valid arguement. But to say that you should choose plasma because people change panels in their product does not hold water. Why? Because its common activity in any design of mass produced consumer product to carry out cost cutting activities. Everyone does it. Even plasma tv makers do this. Its common design practice. If not how can 'price drop' of a model occur? How do you expect Samsung or any other LCD TV makers give you hundres or even thousands in discount for their TV as they approach the end of the product's life?

Thats why, for fast moving technological based products such as electronic items, etc etc, its better to purchase them towards the beginning or early mid-life (after most of the problems have been ironed out), than towards end-life, because by then, most of the products will have cheaper parts on it.

The general consensus is AUO is better than CMO, and SLCD better than AUO, but it really is dependant on:

1) Type / model of LCD used. AUO and CMO both have their high end products, but their cheaper, mid-end to low-end panels are the fast movers because they are used by various LCD companies (both LCD TV and computer monitor companies). So most of the time, you'll see the low/mid-end AUO/CMO used in companies such as Samsung which have their own LCD producting plant.

2) Processing engine. AUO lcds can look better than SLCD lcds if the software/hardware running the AUO is better than the one on the SLCD.

http://news.cens.com/cens/html/en/news/news_inner_29818.html

its not as simple as A panel > C panel.

just like AUO, CMO also have an extensive line of LCD panels, from high end panels to low end panels. their lcd panel line up is very very extensive. they cater to all types of lcd market, including PC monitors, peripheral monitors, laptop monitors, etc etc.

So, just their LCD line, they have many many types with different specs. Now just knowing whether its "A" type or "C" type wont be enough to tell u which panel is better. Even A panels in different series, or sometimes in same series but different time of the year, might differ in performance and characteristic. It really depends on the costing of the company, the panel production capabilities of the various LCD makers, etc etc. Of course it would be ideal for Samsung to stick with SLCD throughout the lifetime of a particular model, but in reality, SLCD might not be able to maintain their production quantity to keep up with the demand. Or, Samsung might need to 'slash' their model prices as it nears end of year, or end of product life, so they cant continue to use SLCD panels, and decide to use cheaper ones.

All this changes in LCD panels are basically inevitable, unless of course you want to continue paying the same launch price of a LCD TV, even after the product is 1 year old. That said, what matters the most, is that all these changes can be justified, IF, the LCD TV makers are able to maintain the quality/reliability/performance/characteristics of the model, throughout the lifetime of the product. If they are able to maintain that, even after changing panels, then it would be good.

This post has been edited by daijoubu: Nov 25 2009, 12:54 AM

LED is still LCD