Mum in law's 15 year old TV ceased to function a few months back and we went to the local electronics store to buy a new one. We looked at the various possibilities and I have to say that I prefered the Samsung (we have Samsung at home) but SIL's companion, supposedly a TV expert recommended LG. She decided on the LG to save a few €s. Mistake!!!
Naturally I was stuck with setting it up and trying to teach MIL to use the controller. I have to say that the interface of the LG is rubbish. Samsung is much more logical and far easier to use. In my opinion the picture of the Samsung was superior too.
In smaller TVs we have Telefunken mainly because the models we chose, for jnr. and the holiday house, have an inbuilt DVD player. I find the interface on those quite good too.
My recommendation for a TV of around 49" at the moment would definitely be Samsung. They have a good range of choices too.
Samsung 49" Smart TV