Samsung LN52A650 review
By Ben Drawbaugh 
posted Apr 25th 2008 12:00PM
posted Apr 25th 2008 12:00PM
Spring is in the air and the new HDTVs are hitting the streets -- and in the case of Samsung's Series 6 1080p LCD -- our labs as well. The latest 1080p LCD from Samsung once again is sportin' 120Hz and still possesses many of the things we love about Samsung's TVs, like a nice looking case, adequate remote and the pleasant little song that plays on power up -- well, not so much the last one.
The Good
- Easy access to ports on the side like HDMI and headphones.
- Just scan mode, aka 1:1 Pixel Mapping.
- Passed HQV video resolution loss test, very important for converting all that 1080i TV material to 1080p.
- Swivel base makes it easy to adjust when not sitting directly in front.
- No blue light on base -- this may be bad depending on your feelings of blue LEDs.
- Solid, usable ATSC and QAM internal tuner, including a nice signal strength meter; the scan automatically puts the channels where you expect them and removes the encrypted channels from the lineup.
- The info bar on the internal tuner (both QAM and ATSC) includes a bar graph of the position of a show, audio information, end time, and the call letters of the channel -- very nice.
- Info for other inputs shows frequency which can be great when setting up your system, 1080i, 24Hz, 60Hz etc.
- HDMI-CEC -- aka AnyNet -- worked as expected, including other branded products.
- We like being able to edit the names of the inputs.
- Plenty of pictures settings including ability to control 120Hz -- or turn it off completely.
- Speakers are heard and not seen, perfect considering how they sound; you're going to want a surround sound setup anyway.
- Sleep button is easy to find at the bottom right of the remote when you're tired.
- Impressive Closed Caption settings, including font size, opacity and a caption button on remote for easy access -- you know, for those times when the significant other is talking over the movie.
- In addition to a vanilla sleep timer it has three other timers (so you can wake up to TV) -- unfortunately, we couldn't figure out how to use 'em with the HDMI input.
- Can control the volume of the "melody" that plays when you turn set on or off, or turn it off completely.
- EX-Link port for motorized wall mounts, too bad it doesn't work for controlling the TV.
The Bad
- Glare is worse than the Kuro we had in the lab; Samsung should use a better anti-glare coating.
- Partial fail on the HQV film resolution loss test, a big deal if you watch a lot of 1080i movies (Like on HBO HD).
- Speakers don't sound great.
- Remote is typical Samsung, which isn't that fantastic, but the essential buttons are at least backlit.
- No EPG for ATSC.
The Ugly
- PIP is useless 'cause it only only works if one of the two sources is the analog tuner.
Conclusion
There is more to like than to dislike about this TV. Even when we solicited users for feedback online, we were hard pressed to find any complaints. We really enjoyed the time we spent with this TV and if the contrast of a plasma doesn't interest you, then we would definitely recommend that you check out Samsung's latest Series 6 LCD.
Dude, you say nothing about the most important thing: Picture Quality...How does it stack up next to the Kuro? Do the colors pop more? I sort of thought they did, seeing it in the store, and I thought there was more detail (likes pores, the fabric on a shirt, etc) though obviously not better blacks...But I want an educated opinion...Also, is it much better than last year's 65 and 71 series from Samsung? How does it stack up next to the Sony XBR4/5 series, which got better reviews last year than the Sammys. These are the things I want to know.
Anyway, wish you'd said more about all this stuff, because it's far more important than the inputs/the wall mount, the swivel base, the sleep button, etc.
Couldn't have said it better myself...
However it appears that we need to go to cNet. There the only website I rely on nowadays for tech news and reviews.
Couldn't have said it better myself...
However it appears that we need to go to cNet. There the only website I rely on nowadays for tech news and reviews.
See, SONY uses a 3M anti glare filter. These both reduce glare, which in turn keeps it from changing the color value, AND blocks a miniscule amount of light. The Bravia Engine Pro does a great job of Dynamic Range Optimization (it appears to behave like that) to bring out the dark details and maintain a dark gradient.
Samsung, as far as i know,is using stock ATi processors and hasn't adjusted it too much. They just 'let the light shine through' with what appears to be EXACTLY the same coversheet as a SONY XBrite laptop. In other words, more light is 'more contrast' technically, BUT, uh.. wow, the glare sucks big time.
I tell everyone to treat these Reflective LCD Panels the same as a Plasma in where you want to place it. People still seem to like these to plasma since they appear to be sharper with 120htz. If Panasonic or Pioneer implement 120htz motion frame interpolation on their 480htz effective plasma panels, they would solve that issue.
For my money,the best TV's on the market are Panasonics with AntiGlare coatings (better than their Anti Reflective coating) and an XBR4 or XBR5.
Mid Range, Toshiba's look really nice when you turn down the Green Drive and increase the Blue Drive to compensate for the human eye's reception preferences.
There is not enough significant difference between a Toshiba and a Vizio to warrent buying something that lowend. So, if you aren't spending much money, a lowerend SONY V panel or a Toshiba, if you are spending money, you need to check out the first two i talked about.
I have the 46" version of this TV and love it. The glare is not a problem, the only time I recognize it is in the mornings but I have this problem with my CRT as well.
Hey,
How come no mention of the most important thing: Picture Quality? How does it stack up next to the Kuros, XBR4s, and Sammy 65s and 71s from last season?
Saw it in the store for a few minutes and it looked to me like the color popped more than the Kuros and better detail too, but obviously not blacks...But wondered what you thought after testing side by side...
"and if the contrast of a plasma doesn't interest you, then we would definitely recommend that you check out Samsung's latest Series 6 LCD."
That should read
"and if the contrast of a plasma doesn't interest you, then we would definitely recommend that you check out your nearest mental hospital, or just wipe my hairy ass with the cash you spend on this piece of poop that will blind you every time it attempts to display a dark scene"
LCD blacks are actually getting pretty good on high-end sets like this. I watch my 71F in a completely dark room, and only in very dark scenes do the blacks look a tad greyish.
I avoided plasma because I use my HDTV for a lot more than just movies. Image retention on my friend's Panny plasma was terrible, but that model is a couple years old now so I'm sure the technology has improved.
"LCD blacks are actually getting pretty good on high-end sets like this."
Thats the funniest thing I have heard in a long time. I have a tub of dog turd covered in lights and its presented in a nice box. It improves the black levels on any tv. You might buy it from me? It seems you will buy any crap marketing companies tell you.
Its not possible for LCD to have good blacks, short of manufactures creating mini black holes to suck all the light in.
Science is my friend.
Dude, you just made like...three independent posts about hairy poop. What the hell is going on in your head? We get it, you don't like LCD. You, and the other nine or ten people who like Plasmas better can all, well, display do something involving that hairy poop that you're so fond of.
The PQ seemed nice on this set (happened to see it in CC), but I'm not a fan of the red "touch of color". I'm glad I bought their previous LCD instead (4671F).
The new 6 series Samsung's are absolutly amazing. i work for a large retailer and I can tell you first hand that the 6 series is brighter than the 65 or 71 from last season. Thats due in part to the increased contrast ratio. 50,000:1 compared to 25,000:1 on the 71 and 15000:1 on the 65. Also colors are alot sharper and more true than that of previous models. Also the touch of color is really nice on the bezel to help reduce the horrendous glare from the piano black frames. Features as always top notch from Samsung. Now somebody asked how it compared to the XBR4, and honestly the 6 series makes the XBR look dim and dull. Not putting the XBR down but since its a model from last season its really not a fair comparison, and the new XBR's haven't hit stores yet, but when they do Im sure Sony will have something for Samsung.
"50,000:1 compared to 25,000:1"
Thats like saying my crap smalls a little better than yours. Meaningless numbers. If you really work for a large retailer and think LCD's look good its not wonder Plasma is just hanging on to life like a piece of poop around a dogs bum hair.
My god things have changed from my day when sales people pointed the customer to the best product, not the one with the flashing lights.
When do you anticipate Sony's new releases?
Does the zoom still not work on HDMI and component, as on last year's Samsung? That prevents zooming on windowed cable stattions.
I heard the 1080i problem was fixed with an updated firmware. What version did you guys test it with? If it's not the newest one, then this review is null.
"Its not possible for LCD to have good blacks, short of manufactures creating mini black holes to suck all the light in."
You couldn't be more wrong. Last years Sammy model had the best blacks of ANY HDTV on the market. You should do more research before talking about of your ass.
That is just a blatant lie, the Sammy's black levels don't even compare to the Kuros. Have you seen them side by side at Magnolia? Not even a fair comparison.
As a very satisfied owner of the model you're discussing... I have to disagree. When you see it in "Dynamic" mode the blacks are unbelievably dark, but they're also completely crushed (no detail). A well-calibrated 71F does have good blacks with detail, but I don't think they beat the top-end plasmas.
"Its not possible for LCD to have good blacks, short of manufactures creating mini black holes to suck all the light in."
You couldn't be more wrong. Last years Sammy model had the best blacks of ANY HDTV on the market. You should do more research before talking about of your ass.
A review that does not make real world comparisons to the immediate competition is useless. Contrast ratios provide misleading information to the consumer. 50,00 to 1 compared to 25,000 to 1 in reality should provide a markedly better picture. It never does, does it? A serious review should mention these numbers as being useless right up front.
First off I never said anything about it loking better than plasma. I personally like plasma better. So try not to take my comments out of text. Second the contrast ratio is only a good number when comparing models if the same brand. Secondly I do point out to whats fits customers I was just taking time out of day to answer a previous posts questions. Get your head out of your ass and read not assume.
If this is the series 6 LN52A650 TV, why does the TV say series 5 on it (take a look at the golf photo with the guy with the red pants) ??
Hmmm... that's odd :-) It's definitely the 6 series though because it has the red coloring in it (a very nice touch by the way).
I think one of the more nice features of this TV is its Internet connect-ability shown on cnet. Things like checking the weather and rss feeds remove the need for me to boot up a laptop while I am on the couch to check email or plan my day. I mean you could essentially use those features for, weather, light mail checking, news, Movie theater times, and engadget HD updates. Maybe even Bens personal blog so I can check on what not to do with vista...I would really like to see those features put into a firmware update on the Kuro Pros with IP connectivity.
Lets not forget that the 50,000:1 is DYNAMIC..which means that they are pulling numbers out of the air and putting them on a sticker. Don't get me wrong, but the screen still looks incredible but if you put a series 6 52" next to a 5271 and set the contrast and colors to the same levels playing the same input there is not that much of a difference (I actually made Circuit City, Ultimate, and American do this so that I could see them in different lighting conditions).
"Science" yourself.
I have compared a TH50PZ700A Panasonic Full HD Plasma right next to an LA40F81BDX and the Samsung had much better black levels and better colours overall.
That's right. The LCD had better colours and tones compared to the Plasma.
I assume you believe Plasma's don't suffer from backlight issues, which is true, they do not use backlights. They do however suffer from black-level issues as Wikipedia states "Plasma is often cited as having better black levels (and contrast ratios), although both plasma and LCD have their own technological challenges. Each cell on a plasma display has to be precharged before it is due to be illuminated (otherwise the cell would not respond quickly enough) and this precharging means the cells cannot achieve a true black."
Yes, maybe Wikpiedia is not THE best reference but it's better than whatever you've provided.
Compare a good quality LCD like the high-end Samsung range and you will start to realise that LCDs have come a long longe way. I'm not saying it's better than the new Kuro but it's certainly better than a lot of other Plasmas.
Sets like this are illustrating why Plasma's days are numbered. Black levels, while still not quite at Kuro levels, is getting pretty darn close especially if you look at the LED models. Image retention is still Plasma's downfall and it is always under-rated by reviewers who review the TVs in a one off test. Image retention and picture degradation is something the person who buys the TV has to live with.
A LOT of TV & movie material is still in either in 4:3 mode or or has black bars on the top and bottom of the screen. To stretch a sub SD quality 4:3 image to 16:9 will give you a hideous picture especially on modern high resolution Flat panel TVs. Its best to watch it in its native format. You really cannot do this with Plasmas because you will eventually cause damage to the screen.
Bottom line: If the movie picture quality on LCD is getting close to Plasma - then its an absolute no-brainer which is the better buy - LCD. There is a good reason why Pioneer is going to stop making Plasmas.
I work in Home Theatre and I've checked the pioneer Kuro with the Samsung 71 series side by side with the same feed and when the image is paused and both are displaying blacks, the Samsung's is definitely better. Does this make it the better TV? No because it is far more expensive than the Kuro. What this does mean though is that LCD's have caught up to Plasma's with their blacks, think why Pioneer is going LCD. Also the perception of the unknowing public (which is a big percentage of customers) perceive automatically that LCD's are more friendly because of their misconceptions (good for any room, longer life span because they can change their bulbs after 60,000 hours, better for video games, better for computer monitor use) and you see why they would rather pay more for these and which of course negatively impacts on Plasmas.
"Its not possible for LCD to have good blacks, short of manufactures creating mini black holes to suck all the light in."
I and a lot of other users love your comment as stated above. It's just so funny.
I own this TV and all I can say is it blows away any other LCD out. I was just reading a post from a pro calibrator who just got through calibrating this model TV and his comment was " This is the best LCD i have ever calibrated, bar none, it even approaches Kuro in blackness after calibration".
This guy is an excellent calibrator who uses $40,000 in equipment to get peoples sets to that level. He also commented on the new Viera plasmas and says don't waste your time, you can't get the correct skin tone on them no matter what.
I hope this helps some out there, you can go to AVS forums and look in the 650 calibration thread for the info I just provided.
Mosh~~
What happened to LED backlights on Samsung TVs? As I understand it, the 650 and 750 series are the latest generation sammies... but the LED equipped 81 is an older model.
One of the big factors in my choosing LCD was I detested glare; yet it seems all the sets now have glare galore with highly reflective screen surfaces, just like plasmas. BIG step backwards for LCD technology...
I have been researching HDTV for months; including Consumer Reports and many visits to retailers. Had decided on LCD (room is bright) which lead me to Sony XBR 4/5 and a final visit to a retailer. WOW Stop the PRESSES... the new Samsung 6 series was amazing. I can attest to that because they were side my side and both playing iRobot simultaneously. Movies and sports are of particular interest to me and I was initially leaning plasma because of "jittering" in heavy action sequences. I was AMAZED at the Samsung. You could really see the difference!! No comparison. Jordan was right on ALL accounts and being a Sony fanatic, I will wait till Sept to see what new Bravia engine is released.
Seeing is believing!
"Wisdom begins with the definition of terms" Socrates
I love how you guys get off topic.
1. You are comparing a 50in(Kuro) to a 52in(Sam)
2. Plasma(Kuro) to LCD(Sam)
3. Price $2800 to $2000(Sam)
Just due to those 3 points alone the Samsung WINS allround. Now if I wanted to go spend $2800 on a TV is sure would not be the Kuro there are better TVs out there.... then the Kuro ((get off the cNet bandwagon)) and do more research...cNet even states that the Kuro does not even have the best color....true it has great blacks...but what good are true blacks if you have poor color!
I'm always amazed at how people can assess the quality of $3000k + electronics without once referring to technical details.
Your TV room and your input sources dictate what you need in terms of size, resolution, contrast ratio, etc. Bigger numbers might be "better", but often unnecessary. For example, I laugh at those who inisist that they must have 1080p sets even though they don't have and upconverting DVD player and have never heard of Blu-Ray. Save your money.
After you've nailed down the minimum performance requirements, it's a price-feature war, which usually comes down to personal preference and how much spare change is under your sofa. Today display technology doesn't matter - both Plasma and LCD technology will fit your true performance requirements, so don't even bother to use that as a criteria in your selection. Remember, when you're in your living room, you're supposed to be enjoying the picture on your one set, not analyzing color details and black levels between different DVDs.
Those who state that "i looked at both side-by-side and unit X has better color than unit Y" are delusional. at this price level and above, you can adjust the color of these sets to be accurate (or inaccurate, if you prefer) enough for everyone except the expert technician with calibrated equipment to be unable to tell the difference.