Samsung TV World

The Samsung LN52A650 is a new TV with very high hopes. A leader in it's class, without a doubt.

Superb black-level performance; highly accurate color; improved 120Hz de-judder video processing; fine standard-definition processing; broad selection of picture setup options; can display weather, news, and stock info onscreen; energy-efficient compared with most like-size LCDs.

Unfortunately, it's quite expensive, red-colored frame isn't for everyone. Shiny screen reflects ambient room lighting, some artifacts when de-judder modes are engaged.

If you don't mind its red frame, the Samsung LN52A650 LCD HDTV will reward you with a massive feature set and excellent picture quality.

Samsung's LNA650 series incorporates the company's Touch of Color design scheme. Instead of the standard glossy black frame, the LN52A650 sports dark-red accents that suffuse the entire frame, but are most prominent along the top and bottom edge and either side. Other eye-catching elements include a layer of transparent plastic, which is visible along the extreme edges on all sides, and Samsung's trademark shiny screen (more on that below). The Touch definitely creates a unique look, but call us traditionalists: we didn't really like it. The photos above just can't capture how red the Touch makes the frame appear, especially in bright rooms, and if red isn't your favorite color, you're out of luck--no other colors have been confirmed for this year, despite the company touting a veritable rainbow at CES. In its favor, the red frame didn't really detract from the color fidelity of the picture.

The LN52A650 has a 120Hz refresh rate, which allows it to cut down on blur and to affect judder in motion with a video-processing mode Samsung calls "Auto Motion Plus." Check out David Carnoy's Fully Equipped column for an in-depth discussion of 120Hz, and the performance section of this review for details on how it's implemented on the LN52A650. Like most other LCD and plasma TV models on sale in 2008, the LN52A650 also has a native resolution of 1,920x1,080 (aka 1080p).

New for 2008, the 650 series also includes an Ethernet port, which allows the TV to access the Internet to display news, stock ticker information, and local weather. We liked the easy-to-read font in normal and large sizes, as well as the intuitive controls. USA Today provides the newsfeed, which can sit in the corner of the screen like a ticker (turn Desperate Housewives into Fox News!), or be expanded to allow you to read numerous top stories in a variety of topics. One annoying quirk was that we couldn't remove the Setup screen easily--hitting "return," as the manual suggested, merely turned off the whole service. Also, we'd really appreciate if the port allowed the TV to access firmware updates, but according to Samsung that's not in the cards. A USB-to-Wi-Fi dongle that allows the TV to connect to a wireless network is also available.

The LN52A650 has a similar type of shiny screen as last year's Samsung LCDs, and compared with a more matte LCD screen, such as the one on the Sony KDL-46XBR4, it reflects quite a bit of room lighting. With the windows open during the day and shining on the screen, we could clearly make out our reflection in the screen, especially during dark scenes, and it was a good deal more distracting than on the Sony or the Pioneer. Samsung claims the screen does increase contrast ratio and produce deeper black levels, which might be true given the LN52A650's black level performance, but we still found ourselves distracted by the shine in bright environments while watching dark scenes. We wish the company would make this television available with a matte screen, but again this year all of its higher-end LCDs get the shiny treatment.

The 52LN650 performed quite well with standard-def, and although it couldn't quite resolve every line of the DVD format perfectly, we noticed no untoward softness on program material. The Samsung did a superior job of removing jaggies from diagonal edges, and its noise reduction was very effective in the low-quality shots of sky and sunsets.

Via both VGA and HDMI, the Samsung LN52A650 made a superb computer monitor. It resolved every detail of 1,920x1,080 sources according to DisplayMate, and text looked crisp and well-defined.

So, if you're looking for a new TV and dont really mind spending 2,5 or even 3 thousand dollars, this is the thing for you. Very well balanced gadget that will ensure everyone will like it.

Samsung's latest 46-inch LCD TV boasts 1080p resolution and 100Hz technology for blur-free viewing. We turn on the F8 LCD to see how it measures up. From affordable 1080p panels, to monstrous 70-inch LCD screens, Samsung currently has a lot of different TVs in the market that cater to various consumers. Now Samsung wants to give users a better high definition experience with the launch of its F8, an LCD TV that incorporates 100Hz Motion Plus technology to provide a ‘blur-free' viewing in sports and action movies.

The Samsung F8 TV sports a piano black finish but has a brushed aluminium side panel that hosts the speakers and touch-sensitive control panel (right side of the unit). A silver sensor below the bezel emits a blue light when the unit is turned on and also functions as a power button when touched. The panel can be swivelled up to 20 degrees to the left or to the right, allowing users to move the screen to wherever they are comfortably seated.

Samsung has once again provided users with a multitude of ports, with the side panel (left side) hosting an HDMI port, a ‘Wiselink' USB port, an S-Video in, a Composite (A/V) port, and a headphone jack. Connectors at the back of the unit include the unit's power input, a D-sub port and audio-in jack, a Digital audio out (Optical), two sets of Component in ports, RCA stereo input and output jacks, a Composite (A/V) jack, a Service connector for service and for controlling the optional mount bracket, and two HDMI ports.

This new panel promises a maximum resolution output of 1080p, has a 100Hz motion plus technology that claims to display natural and fluid motion without any blurring or ghosting effects, has a dynamic contrast ratio of 25,000:1, a response time of 6ms, and comes with features like Digital NR, Movie Plus Mode, Active Colour, and DNIe.

Out of the box, users would first have to run the Plug and Play Feature on the F8. This feature will automatically memorize and store all of the available channels and set the date and time for the television set. Users can then opt to go with the LCD's picture mode (Dynamic, Standard, and Movie) or do some self-calibration by adjusting the unit's Contrast, Brightness, Sharpness, Colour, Tint (G/R), Colour Tone, and Backlight.

The unit also comes with a Digital NR mode (reduces noise of picture), Active Colour mode (increases green and blue/sky tones), Auto Motion Plus 100Hz mode, and Digital Natural Image Engine (DNIe) mode that aims to improve the overall viewing experience.

We have connected several devices to the LA46F81BD and played various movie clips (Indiana Jones, Star Wars, X-Men) to test the F8's performance. In Star Wars, we were able to find that the screen was able to produce and display deep blacks and better gradations. Of course, it still cannot be compared to the blacks that plasma TV can produce, but nevertheless, this 46-incher is still able to perform.

Conclusion:

Those looking for 1080p screen that can catch up with their favourite sport or fast-paced action movies are advised to take a look at the Samsung F8. This LCD TV is a strong performer with very minimal flaws and will give you a thrilling high definition experience every time you turn the unit on.

Product Specifications:

Video:
Screen Size: 46-inch
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 25,000:1
Viewing Angle: 178 degrees
Response Time: 6ms
DNIe: Yes
HD Ready: Yes
Brightness: 500cd/m2
Backlight: CCFL
LCD: 100Hz

Audio:
Sound Output (RMS): 10W x 2
Stereo Type: Nicam/A2 Stereo
Sound Effect System: SRS TruSurround XT
Input and Output (Side):
HDMI: 1
Composite (A/V): 1
S-Video: 1
Headphone: 1
Wiselink (USB): 1

Input and Output (Back):
RF Input: 1
Component (Y/Pb/Pr): 2
Composite (AV): 1
HDMI: 2
PC Input (D-Sub): 1
Optical sound out: 1
RS232C (for service): 1

Cabinet:
Colour: Black
Swivel: Yes
Front Cabinet: Glossy
Back Cabinet: Non-Glossy

Dimensions:
Set size with stand: 1,222.3 x 752.9 x 319.9mm
Set size without stand: 1,222.3 x 686.8 x 111.0 mm

Weight:
Weight with stand: 32.8kg
Weight without stand: 27.7kg

Samsung now offers 1080p HD Ready - the highest definition you can get. This is an LCD TV that takes you to new heights in picture quality. These HDTV images have riveting impact - showing you lifelike detail, clarity, and colour like you've never seen before!

HDTV allows you to experience television like never before with the widest range of colours and the clearest images. High Definition contains four or five times as many pixels making the image much clearer than standard definition. This is a cutting edge technology that, combined with our 1080p Full HD, gives you the most realistic black reproduction you've ever seen. Blacks will never again appear grayish and you will see fantastic details even in dark scenes.

Samsung's unique technology, LED SmartLightingTM, allows multiple LED backlights to partially turn on/off depending on the image brightness on the screen, which results in: Dramatic levels of contrast ration (500,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio) Superior blacker blacks and much clearer picture images.

Three High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connections make your TV a multimedia centrepiece. Connect HD digital devices like disc players, game consoles, satellite dish boxes into the 2 rear connections and use the side-mounted input for cameras, camcorders and laptops. HDMI is the best performing interface for displaying an HD source on a HDTV.

This exclusive technology delivers more brilliant colours, even in bright areas of the picture where blues and greens are washed out on conventional screens. The system presents a wider colour gamut and four times as many colour gradations, showing you true colours; the fresh green of spring foliage, and the intense blue of the summer sky. Conventional LCD TVs are plagued by motion judder when showing fast moving action in movies and sporting events. The moving person or object looks shaky or blurred, like a series of still images, instead of a smooth moving picture. Samsung's exclusive Movie Plus completely eliminates this judder, presenting smooth action, no matter how fast it is going.

Samsung LCD TVs offer unparalleled picture quality that can be optimised for gaming at the touch of a button. It allows for H-sharpness and a faster response time in the games.

In addition, its powerful surround sound effects produce a magical environ-ment of wonder that is filled with excitement and joy.

Product Type LCD TV
Diagonal Size 70" - widescreen
Dimensions (WxDxH) 177 cm x 42 cm x 108 cm - with stand
Weight 96 kg
Colour Black
Digital Television Certification HD ready 1080p
Resolution 1920 x 1080
Display Format 1080p (FullHD)
Input Video Formats 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, 480i, 576i, 576p
100Hz Yes
HDCP Compatible Yes
Technology TFT active matrix
Progressive Scan Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9
TV Tuner 1x analogue, 1x digital
Digital TV Tuner DVB-T
Analogue TV Tuner PAL, SECAM
Multi-channel Preview Picture-in-picture (PIP) (1 tuner)
Features Gamma correction, video noise reduction, Auto Power Off, on-screen menu, sleep timer, DNIe (Digital Natural Image engine), game mode
Sound Output Mode Stereo
Speaker System 2 speakers
Sound Effects SRS TruSurround XT
Stereo Reception System NICAM, A2
Remote Control Universal remote control - infrared