RUI,
I'm not familiar with the Samsung LE 37 M87BD
(they use different model nomenclature around the world which sometimes makes it difficult to know what model in the US is the counterpart for comparison). I will say though that the SONY 40W2000 is a very nice display, and while it does use a Samsung LCD panel as mentioned in this thread already by G.T, it distinguishes it self in many other ways.
It is important to keep in mind that just because two models share the same panel doesn't at all suggest they will look the same, far from it. There are many, many different components in a display that impact the over all quality of the display.
Among the countless numbers of LCD displays you can find significant differences in image quality even though several will be using the same or very similar panel design.
Frankly though, the differences between similarly designed Sony, Samsung, and Sharp LCD TVs are going to be marginal at best. The three 'S' are leading the higher end LCD market, as they have for quite some time and will likely continue to do so.
I will say though, of the three companies, Samsung generally has been the value leader without compromising on quality, which is why they have been one of the best selling LCD manufacturers for the last few years... they also have a very interesting new screen technology that works similarly to how density lens filters work on front projectors to improve black levels and contrast.
However, with the latest crop of LCDs from any of these three companies, you are not likely going to go wrong. They all make excellent higher end displays that most anyone would be very happy to own. 👍
As for buying online, I imagine this is definitely a YMMV situation. I know here in the States at least, there are many laws that protect consumers, as well as the added protection you can get with your credit card companies, and of course there are so many very reputable online retailers now who have been selling successfully for well over ten years, but I'm also sure there this is not going to be the case everywhere, and that there are obvious pit falls and risks. Of course the same can also be said for many bricks & mortar retailers as well.
The best advice I can give is to buy from a reputable source, be sure you fully understand the return policy, and if you can, pay with a credit card that offers added buyer's protection. 👍
Doing all that, you'd be pleasantly surprised how many trouble free great deals there are to be had by buying online. I know I almost never post "online deals" in the 1080p thread, and instead post mostly B&M Costco deals, but that's because not only are many of their "deals" really great, especially compared to other B&M retailers, but that they also have an excellent return policy... although not nearly as liberal as it once was, but too many people were abusing the previous policy, so they had to change it.
Not sure how much help I've been as I think you already are headed in the right direction. 👍
Only in Sony's early days did they use samsung pannels when they hadnt started making the technology themselves, now all Sony's TV pannels are their own using the Bravia technology and made in japan.
I don't know where you are getting your info from, but until six months ago, all of Sony's BRAVIA displays were using Samsung LCD panels.
Yes, it is true that with Sony's latest 7th generation LCD displays, they are now finally using their own panels... but even today, Sony continues to sell many LCD displays with Samsung panels. and of course there is still a lot of 6th gen Sony stock in retail distribution.
I know this first hand as I
just recently bought my parents the 46" 1080p BRAVIA and after setting it up and calibrating it, it was clear this had the well known "backlight cloudy" issue. It took very little time to find out that this was a panel design problem and that the manufacturer of the panel in the BRAVIA was indeed Samsung.
).
Thanks again.
