dalesky's Full Review: Samsung LN52A650 52 in. HDTV TV
What a picture!
Isn't that what it's all about? The picture? The rest of it is secondary to how YOU like the picture, really.
I'm at my neighbors recently, and I'm watching his TV, which happens to be this particular model. He is connected to DIRECTV with an HD DVR, and the picture is just drawing me in. I call the spousal unit over, and she is blown away too. It is just a brilliant, bright picture, with no artifacts during fast motion sequences, and has such an amazing dark/light contrast (black level) that I can't believe it. The depth of the HD image is amazing also.
We get home later that evening, and she says, "I want one of those, right here in the living room!" I'm a bit amazed, since we had been talking about getting a new larger TV in the upstairs room, which is equipped with the sound system and all. The living room is right off the kitchen, and is where we actually watch TV the most, but we were thinking to upgrade the projection set upstairs.
Keep in mind that the point of this is that my wife is not one to embrace technology like I do. The picture on this TV is so good you have to like it.
I start doing the research, and find that this is a top rated set by CNet, and a couple of other reviews love it also. The magazine which shall remain nameless, which accepts no advertising, rates it as their top 52 inch TV just recently tested. Of course they also show it has a $2700 price, which is a bit more than I was hoping to spend, especially for this living room location. Now, upstairs, with the amplifier and sound system, no problem, but I did not want to put in a great TV downstairs with no corresponding sound system.
I did have a DVR in the living room, but had to order a new HD DVR, at the ridiculous cost of over $200. For equipment I don't even own! Anyway, got that done, and started shopping prices locally. I did not want to have it shipped because if you have a problem, then what?
Costco and Sam's did not carry it, and neither did Circuit City. The only place around here was Best Buy. I had read that the big box electronics retailers would discount a high priced item if you asked, so I went there and asked. Well, turns out that what my neighbor paid for his 650A was $600 more than the current price. And, when I insisted on a lower price I got one! They took another $100 off the current price. Plus they have a 30 day price guarantee, so if it goes down again (think Black Friday) I could get a price match. Guess what? I took one home!
Out of the box it just was plug and play. I connected the satellite box with the HDMI cable (4 outlets on this set), went through the 5 minute set up and it ran perfectly. I later read through the manual (guys like to read them after they set something up, right?). Turns out this set has a number of features that set it apart, or at least impressed the heck out of me.
One thing I was concerned with was getting an LCD set that had fast response time. The latest thing is to buy a set with 120hz technology, instead of the 1st generation 60hz. This set is actually Samsung's 2nd generation 120hz. Many companies are still getting to their 1st gen with this technology, while Samsung is already refining it from their first attempt. I have seen nothing to complain about with fast motion so far. Reviews I have read all say they have a done a great job with this feature. I do have both my tuner and my DVD player connected with the HDMI cabling, which is the way to maximize sound and picture, not to mention how really simple it is. No multiple cables of all colors, and no way to get it wrong.
Another gotta have piece of technology is the fluorescent lighting of the LCD bulbs. Yup, this TV has that technology too. It is truly a cutting edge unit. Samsung has put a very large feature set on this model, which includes the following: 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio: up from 25,000:1 on 2007 models Blazing 4ms response time: down from 8ms on 2007 models thanks to a new high-speed liquid crystal Transparent and Opaque Color (TOC) bezel with infused color creates an ultra-sleek shape and appearance InfoLink: Get free RSS feeds of news, weather and sports right to your HDTV with a built-in Ethernet port 4 HDMI 1.3 ports: Simplay compliant, and up from 3 on 2007 models Sports and Game modes boost on-screen performance and interaction with the latest gaming systems Side-mounted USB 2.0 port: connect USB devices directly to your HDTV to view JPEG photos or MPEG movies or easily listen to your MP3 player through your HDTV's audio system or your home theater system.Compatible with Samsung's Home Digital Media Adapter (sold separately) for playback and navigation of Internet and stored PC multimedia Full 1080p HD Automotion Plus 120Hz image interpolation technology provides smoother motion 178-degree viewing angle from all four axes with Super Patterned Vertical Alignment Better clear panel technology for deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. Hidden speakers with SRS TruSurround XT audio. Cold Cathode Flourescent Lamp (CCFL) and Wide Color Enhancer technology offer a wider color range. Picture-in-Picture (PIP) enables convenient simultaneous viewing of TV programs and video or PC sources. Trilingual on-screen displays in English, Spanish or French. Variable sleep timer to turn the TV off in varying time intervals. Auto wall mount compatible. 3-dimensional operation via TV's remote control; no external IR receiver required. Swivel stand included 1 year parts and 1 year labor warranty (90 days parts and labor for commercial use), with in-home service, backed by Samsung toll-free support.
Picture controls, by which I mean the ability to adjust the many aspects of color, brightness, warmth, etc., are comprehensive. More than the average person will ever use. Once you set a custom level you may select it from the menu any time you have changed away to the standard settings.
I have found the remote control, which is lighted (on demand, not automatically) to be easy to use, with the exception of the jog wheel. You don't have to use the jog wheel, which is a bit slow to respond. Instead, just use the up and down arrows or the left and right arrows to click around. Actually, once you have the TV set up how you like it, you probably won't use this remote much. If you watch satellite TV you will use your tuner or DVR remote. Mine quickly programmed to this TV with the very first code I tried. It works on almost every function that the Samsung remote does. I don't need the TV remote now, instead just picking up the DIRECTV remote.
Any input source you have conncected will be recognized when you use the Input button on the remote. In other words, if you have an external antenna attached, or a VCR or DVD player, the on-screen menu will illuminate to allow you to choose that source.
After some reading in the manual I decided to try the USB port to view some pictures. This port supports many mass storage devices, including card readers. I inserted a key drive with hundreds of pictures on it, and was amazed at the software that is part of this TV for viewing pictures. They may be sorted in many different ways, shown one at a time, or you can run a slide show at 3 different speeds. You can group for slideshows, delete, and zoom. Also as part of this function, called the WISELINK, is the ability to load audio files and even use them as background music for a photo slide show. The options for both audio and video are quite amazing.
In addition, the TV supports network connections via InfoLink. It wil work on LAN ports as well as modem ports. You can set up wireless, cable or satellite networks. Using InfoLink you can view weather information, news services and stock info.
If there are software upgrades to the TV itself, these can be loaded via computer to a key drive and then using the setup menu you may upgrade the firmware. I noticed one such upgrade on the Samsung website recently.
Regarding the red frame, here's what Samsung says about it- Samsung's Series 6 marks the first appearance of TOC (Touch of Color) design in the 2008 LCD HDTV line-up. Inspired by designs from the automotive and fashion industries, Samsung's unique unique Transparent and Opaque Color molding process creates a clean, smooth finish infused with a hint of a translucent color during the manufacturing process for an ultra-sleek appearance. What this actually means is that there is a very subtle dark burgundy tint to the frame. It is not very noticeable, and I think it is very classy, setting this model apart from others you will see. I like it. Some people hardly notice it, or may take a day or two to see it.
The frame and screen are highly reflective, which means that this may not be the best TV for a room with a lot of ambient light. You may need to close blinds or drapes during the day. On a cloudy day or in the evening this will not be an issue. And really, this TV has such a bright picture that it may not be a problem at all for you. Many larger flat screen TV's have shiny surfaces. It comes with a small dusting cloth, and you can use a wool duster also, which I prefer. Just read the manual about care of the screen and frame.
The attached swivel base works very smoothly, which is nice, since the off angle viewing of any LCD is not usually very good. If I am not on the couch directly in front I just swivel it a bit. From a standing position I find the viewing angle to be fine.
The back of the set has a cord management plastic tie built in. With it you can run your cables over and down just behind the center post of the stand. This effectively hides them from view in the front. It's simple but works fine. I have my set on top of an open credenza, so any cables running down in back of the TV would be visible.
The sound is of course lacking, compared to external speaker systems. The down-firing built in speakers are ok, and the various adjustments, including an equalizer, help, but bottom line here is that you need better sound for a complete movie experience. I am now looking at the sound bar systems, which are composed of single narrow long speaker enclosure with multiple speakers inside, and a sub-woofer. They simulate true 5.1 surround sound, but also are simple and unobtrusive, especially compared to the complicated and noticeable wiring needed for multiple speaker systems. UPDATE on Sound Bar-- I did try out some sound bars, and decided to go with the Sony system. See my seperate review of this under Sony HT-CT100 Theater System. The sound bar made a huge difference.
I plan on just putting the main speaker bar on my credenza, just in front of or in back of the TV, and placing the sub at the side of the furniture. No TV will have great sound, and that's not what you buy a TV for is it?
I have compared this set to others costing far more, and find that the HD picture is the equal of any I have seen. It's size is significant, and often shows a person's head at full size or better on close-ups. It's truly displays a wonderful picture in HD, or on DVD. I do not have Blue Ray, but am not at all disappointed with my low priced up scaling unit. I can't wait to buy and hook up a gaming system now that I have such a great screen.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
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