Firstly, let me say right out. I am truly amazed at the 3d effect of all digital media displayed on this TV. I am now a witness to being in the studio to watch the filming of MI-III, Transformers, The Dark Knight and others ("soap-opera effect"?). That's the incredible depth of this display. I have 2 others widescreens, plus one dead Sony (this one replaced it), as a comparison, plus the half dozen friends that have their own Widescreens. Nothing compares. I am considering that my display may be an anomaly - the picture is stunning.
Well now for the bad...
Believe it or not, although the TV has HDMI x 4.... (You send the perfect HDMI digital audio and video to the TV) Samsung decided that the audio output would be stripped of all but a left and right channel - that's right - ala 1980 2-channel output from the "audio out" jacks fed back to your amplifier/receiver. In my previous setup ALL of my audio/video went to the TV (which did output surround audio). My DVD Players and HD set top box audio also went to the amplifier/receiver. This allowed the ultimate flexibility with PIP. I do use PIP often, my wife and I snuggle while she watches "murder she wrote" and I watch UFC (LOL), and also every NFL Sunday. I might add that the LN55B650 built-in Tuner WILL send digital sound(i.e. 6.1 etc.)via the audio out, so it is possible - and all the more irritating. It is a poor decision to whack the HDMI audio input down to 2 channel audio output - why not allow the surround sound content to be output - strange...I recommend checking this out before purchasing any SAMSUNG brand - dont get surpised like I did ( in my particular set-up, my amplifier cannot accept input from all 4 of my sources, so going to the TV gave me the extra inputs - I may be forced to buy another amplifier, which I do not want to do)
And on the PIP...
The PIP only allows one Source selection... DVD OR cable box OR satellite, etc... THE OTHER SOURCE MUST BE THE BUILT IN TUNER. This is a disappointment. The previous 3 TV's in my home (2 still in use)could choose any 2 sources. I have read that when using PIP, only analog channels are displayed, this is not true, the QAM tuner will show ANY content - digital or analog, but the consumer should be able to choose his 2 sources for PIP display.
NOW.... that said, I re-emphasis, the LN55B650 display is absolutely jaw dropping and almost makes up for the other shortcomings.... a strong 4 rating, I wish I was watching it right now.......
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Samsung LN55B650 Wow!
I just got this yesterday and was immediately blown away by the picture quality, especially when compared to the 50" 720P LG plasma it replaces. The difference was as astounding for me as the plasma was over regular def TV. For live HD such as CNN and local news, the Samsung easily matches the sharpness and clarity one sees in the big box showrooms. I'm not so sure about other HD broadcasts. Some shows seem too bright, but when I adjust down the contrast and brightness, other shows are too dark. The colors also seem to vary more from one show to another than was the case with my plasma. I hope to be able to sort this out over time through the many easily accessed menu adjustments.
Samsung LN55B650 Samsung Is The Way to Go for LCDs
I now own three LCDs. Two of which are Samsung. I've always liked the fact that Samsung packs in a lot of features and quality for a reasonable price. For the past two years, I have been putting off replacing the TV in our family room, a 7 year old Sony 36XBR800, which is a mammoth of a set. However, our finally caved in for a number of reasons: (1) pricing on flat screens dropped, (2) wanted a television that supported HDMI, and (3) wanted a set that would help with the glare on the TV.
The glare on the TV was, believe it or not, the tipping point. Our family room has lots of windows, and the blinds don't block out all the sun, so with the old set I would get a lot of glare in the middle of the day coming off the TV. It was bad enough where sometimes I would just give up trying to watch anything. I did some research and LCDs do the best job cutting down the glare because of the matte finish on the screen. Plasmas tend to have a glossy finish, which reflects more sunlight. Plasmas also tend to eat a little more energy than LCDs. Those two points sold me on the LCD.
Although I will have to say that overall the Plasma, in my opinion, does a better job of handling moving images than an LCD. LCDs have been known to have issues ("judder") with fast moving objects onscreen, which is something you may typically get while watching sports or playing video games. To correct this issue, TV manufacturers have introduced refresh rates, which you'll see advertised (60 hz, 120 hz, 240 hz). These refresh rates help to cut down the noise you get around the edges of moving objects. However, you'll notice that while watching some programs without fast-moving action the onscreen content can sometimes looks like a cardboard cutout. It's always a good idea to use the higher refresh rates for sports and games and save the lower refresh rates for all other programming. With that said, I looked at some sports programming on both 120 hz and 240 hz sets and the improvement was marginal. At the time of my purchase the cost to go with a 240 hz set was almost $500 more (over 120 hz), which was not worth the marginal gain. If the gap came down between the two refresh rates I would definitely reconsider, but remember that you are paying for a fix by the manufacturer to the technology.
So, after all my research between the two competing technologies I still went with the LCD because my main concern was glare and here are the breakdowns of my pros, cons and "somewhere in between" for this set.
=====================
PROS
=====================
+ Price: At the time of my purchase it was hard to find many other sets offering the same quality with the same feature set.
+ Inputs: With 4 HDMI, 2 Component, 2 Composite, 2 USB and 1 PC input you'll have enough to plug in all the most popular components (e.g. video game systems, DVD/Blue-ray Player, DVR, etc.). You'll be able to hook up a card reader and browse pictures on the TV, watch movies from your camcorder and anything else you can think of doing with all those inputs.
+ Picture Quality: The quality of the picture at 1080p is simply amazing. You will not be disappointed. At this size of a screen and with such a high-quality of picture you'll see things you've never noticed before in your favorite movies and shows. There were times when I felt like I was watching a movie live. It felt like a theater performance.
+ Ability to Combat Glare: Mission accomplished. On a number of occasions I have been able to switch picture options in the middle of the day to be able to see what I am watching.
+ Options: If you like tweaking than you'll like this TV set. You can tweak settings by input, which means that you can get an optimal picture and sound all the time no matter what source you are using. The menus are also easy to navigate and understand. I've used TVs in the past where all the options were buried, which wasn't the case with this set.
=====================
NEUTRAL
=====================
= Internet Connectivity: This is what I would classify as a "nice to have" feature. It's nice to be able to browse YouTube, view pictures from Flickr, check sports scores, read news and more all using Yahoo! Widgets. However, there's a bit of a lag with all these features between the remote and the onscreen menu. For example, you'll notice that if you're searching for a video on YouTube, you won't be able to crank out the search text in a few seconds. It may take you some time, but nonetheless it beats crowding around a small computer screen. In short, I'm not going to stop using my computer to watch videos on YouTube or read the news, but it's nice to occasionally have the option to do it on my TV.
= Speakers/Audio: Nothing amazing here. I would say it's slightly better than average. Then again, I am using the TV with a home theater system, so the sound on my set is turned off, but I did test the sound for the purpose of this review. If you sink this much money into a TV you should do yourself a favor and get a decent home theater system to complement.
=====================
CONS
=====================
- PIP: I was disappointed with the Picture in Picture options. I was hoping that the Picture in Picture would allow me to select an input other than the cable or antena hooked up to the TV, but that was not the case. On my old Sony I was able to play a game on a console, while having HD programming via my cable box on the PIP display. Basically, I was able to use any input for the TV as the source for the PIP. Samsung limits this option.
- "Judder": I mentioned this earlier in the review and I have to say that I did notice this when watching sports and playing video games. I did notice an improvement when setting a higher refresh rate, but you'll still notice some noise. Part of it may be psychological as well, since I know the issue exists. There's also a game mode under the picture settings that further corrects this issue, but you lose some crispness from the picture. Again I want to mention that this was a minor issue and I almost classified it as neutral, but though it was worthwhile to point out.
Overall I would give this set an 8.5/10. If I had the opportunity to go back I would still have gotten the same TV. If the price difference between the 240 hz and 120 hz was somewhere around $200, I would have made the jump to improve the picture slightly for gaming and sports. However, I am still amazed by the quality of the picture and it's the best TV I've owned to date. I love to tweak and this set meets that need very well with an endless array of options. I'm enjoying all the same programming as before, but with a much bigger smile.
The glare on the TV was, believe it or not, the tipping point. Our family room has lots of windows, and the blinds don't block out all the sun, so with the old set I would get a lot of glare in the middle of the day coming off the TV. It was bad enough where sometimes I would just give up trying to watch anything. I did some research and LCDs do the best job cutting down the glare because of the matte finish on the screen. Plasmas tend to have a glossy finish, which reflects more sunlight. Plasmas also tend to eat a little more energy than LCDs. Those two points sold me on the LCD.
Although I will have to say that overall the Plasma, in my opinion, does a better job of handling moving images than an LCD. LCDs have been known to have issues ("judder") with fast moving objects onscreen, which is something you may typically get while watching sports or playing video games. To correct this issue, TV manufacturers have introduced refresh rates, which you'll see advertised (60 hz, 120 hz, 240 hz). These refresh rates help to cut down the noise you get around the edges of moving objects. However, you'll notice that while watching some programs without fast-moving action the onscreen content can sometimes looks like a cardboard cutout. It's always a good idea to use the higher refresh rates for sports and games and save the lower refresh rates for all other programming. With that said, I looked at some sports programming on both 120 hz and 240 hz sets and the improvement was marginal. At the time of my purchase the cost to go with a 240 hz set was almost $500 more (over 120 hz), which was not worth the marginal gain. If the gap came down between the two refresh rates I would definitely reconsider, but remember that you are paying for a fix by the manufacturer to the technology.
So, after all my research between the two competing technologies I still went with the LCD because my main concern was glare and here are the breakdowns of my pros, cons and "somewhere in between" for this set.
=====================
PROS
=====================
+ Price: At the time of my purchase it was hard to find many other sets offering the same quality with the same feature set.
+ Inputs: With 4 HDMI, 2 Component, 2 Composite, 2 USB and 1 PC input you'll have enough to plug in all the most popular components (e.g. video game systems, DVD/Blue-ray Player, DVR, etc.). You'll be able to hook up a card reader and browse pictures on the TV, watch movies from your camcorder and anything else you can think of doing with all those inputs.
+ Picture Quality: The quality of the picture at 1080p is simply amazing. You will not be disappointed. At this size of a screen and with such a high-quality of picture you'll see things you've never noticed before in your favorite movies and shows. There were times when I felt like I was watching a movie live. It felt like a theater performance.
+ Ability to Combat Glare: Mission accomplished. On a number of occasions I have been able to switch picture options in the middle of the day to be able to see what I am watching.
+ Options: If you like tweaking than you'll like this TV set. You can tweak settings by input, which means that you can get an optimal picture and sound all the time no matter what source you are using. The menus are also easy to navigate and understand. I've used TVs in the past where all the options were buried, which wasn't the case with this set.
=====================
NEUTRAL
=====================
= Internet Connectivity: This is what I would classify as a "nice to have" feature. It's nice to be able to browse YouTube, view pictures from Flickr, check sports scores, read news and more all using Yahoo! Widgets. However, there's a bit of a lag with all these features between the remote and the onscreen menu. For example, you'll notice that if you're searching for a video on YouTube, you won't be able to crank out the search text in a few seconds. It may take you some time, but nonetheless it beats crowding around a small computer screen. In short, I'm not going to stop using my computer to watch videos on YouTube or read the news, but it's nice to occasionally have the option to do it on my TV.
= Speakers/Audio: Nothing amazing here. I would say it's slightly better than average. Then again, I am using the TV with a home theater system, so the sound on my set is turned off, but I did test the sound for the purpose of this review. If you sink this much money into a TV you should do yourself a favor and get a decent home theater system to complement.
=====================
CONS
=====================
- PIP: I was disappointed with the Picture in Picture options. I was hoping that the Picture in Picture would allow me to select an input other than the cable or antena hooked up to the TV, but that was not the case. On my old Sony I was able to play a game on a console, while having HD programming via my cable box on the PIP display. Basically, I was able to use any input for the TV as the source for the PIP. Samsung limits this option.
- "Judder": I mentioned this earlier in the review and I have to say that I did notice this when watching sports and playing video games. I did notice an improvement when setting a higher refresh rate, but you'll still notice some noise. Part of it may be psychological as well, since I know the issue exists. There's also a game mode under the picture settings that further corrects this issue, but you lose some crispness from the picture. Again I want to mention that this was a minor issue and I almost classified it as neutral, but though it was worthwhile to point out.
Overall I would give this set an 8.5/10. If I had the opportunity to go back I would still have gotten the same TV. If the price difference between the 240 hz and 120 hz was somewhere around $200, I would have made the jump to improve the picture slightly for gaming and sports. However, I am still amazed by the quality of the picture and it's the best TV I've owned to date. I love to tweak and this set meets that need very well with an endless array of options. I'm enjoying all the same programming as before, but with a much bigger smile.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Samsung LN55B650 Reviews
Manufacturer's Review (April 20, 2009)
With the Samsung 55-inch LN55B650 HDTV, you're investing in a high-quality LCD TV that offers top-of-the-line picture quality with 1080p high definition resolution. Enjoy the sharpest details and vivid color with a 100,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for more realistic images and Samsung's Wide Color Enhancer 3 technology for a more natural rendering of colors. It also incorporates a number of innovative features to reduce the motion blur and image judder, which traditionally plague LCD HDTVs when displaying fast movement. This B650 series HDTV combines an ultra-fast 4ms (millisecond) response time with Samsung's Auto Motion Plus frame interpolation technology, which utilizes a 120Hz refresh rate helps ensure crisp, easy viewing of sports, video games and movies.
With the Samsung 55-inch LN55B650 HDTV, you're investing in a high-quality LCD TV that offers top-of-the-line picture quality with 1080p high definition resolution. Enjoy the sharpest details and vivid color with a 100,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for more realistic images and Samsung's Wide Color Enhancer 3 technology for a more natural rendering of colors. It also incorporates a number of innovative features to reduce the motion blur and image judder, which traditionally plague LCD HDTVs when displaying fast movement. This B650 series HDTV combines an ultra-fast 4ms (millisecond) response time with Samsung's Auto Motion Plus frame interpolation technology, which utilizes a 120Hz refresh rate helps ensure crisp, easy viewing of sports, video games and movies.
Samsung LN55B650 Features
Features
- 55-inch LCD HDTV with full HD 1080p resolution for the sharpest picture possible and red Touch of Color design
- Auto Motion Plus 120Hz for amazingly fluid motion, 100,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 4ms response time, Wide Color Enhancer 3 for more vivid colors
- Internet@TV online content service from Yahoo!, Flickr, YouTube via your broadband connection
- Inputs: 4 HDMI-CEC, 2 component, 2 composite, 1 PC, 2 USB, 1 Ethernet, 1 optical digital audio output
- Includes removable stand; measures 51.6 x 35.2 x 12.1 inches with stand; 15-watt x 2 bottom mounted speakers with subwoofer
Samsung LN55B650 Product Details
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #31 in Television
- Color: ToC Red
- Brand: Samsung
- Model: LN55B650
- Dimensions: 33.10" h x 51.60" w x 3.10" l, 64.80 pounds
- Display size: 55
Samsung LN55B650 55-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color
Product DescriptionSamsung’s LN55B650 takes your HDTV enjoyment, and capabilities, to new heights. The power of Full HD 1080p resolution delivers clear, vivid images on a 55-inch LCD screen. The Medi@2.0 feature lets you access countless hours of online content from partners like Yahoo! and Flickr using customizable widgets, all controlled by your remote. Auto Motion Plus120Hz technology renders the smoothest, most lifelike HD action. DLNA technology means you can harness your entire home network through your HDTV. Connect your DVD, cable or satellite HD box, or Blu-ray Disc player easily, using any of four HDMI inputs. Experience truer, more natural dark tones and shadows with the 100,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. And highlight nearly any room in the house with a unique red accent at the bezel’s edge, courtesy of the Touch of Color design.
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