I purchased this TV in 2005, working reasonably good during its warranty period. The first complaint I had was with the tuner. It could not lock the channels, so called the technician and replaced the tuner. All service provided only by Samsung customer care. The replacement tuner lasted for almost a year after which it again konked out, but I didnt bother as I had a Set top Box from where Digital channels could be selected.
The next complaint was witht he EHT transformer. It was making a reasonably big hissing sound in the monsoon and otherwise. Called the Samsung technician who suggested that the EHT transfromer needed change. I smelt a rat(not literally) so I didnt have him change it but replaced the EHT cable which connects the transformer to the picture tube. That did the trick! No noise and saved the expense. This happened twice after a year, the contact at the picture tube gets corroded so have to clean it and fix another cable.
The third and last time, there was no picture only sound and the EHT cable had been burnt. So replaced the EHT cable again but did not work. Called up Samsung, the techincian diagonized it to the EHT transformer or an IC. He replaced the transformer but the TV did not work. He claims the IC is out of stock and not available with the service department because the model is more than 5 years old. What nonsense! I have complained to their Customer care again but no response so far. Its already a week since I have complained and I am sitting with a dead TV because the manufacturer cannot stock spares. Can you believe this? They want you to buy a new TV after 5 years, The old one has to be scrapped. I found out through other sources, everything can be made available but this modus operandi is common, how else will the company survive if you keep using the same product for long. If push comes to shove the entire mother board can be replaced, almost the cost for a new TV. So either way they make money. This is called daylight fleecing.
I own a Samsung TV, refrigerator and DVD player. Never ever will I purchase another Samsung product neither will I recommend to friends.