[Dave_3]

I've been lusting after one of the new LEDTVs from Samsung. Pretty much fancy one of their 46" models. Simply stunning picture quality, deep blacks, huge contrast ratio, so slender and low power consumption and heat.

But ... got my hands on a 55" Samsung LEDTV this week.



I have been experimenting with ways to create full 1080P CGI Animations to play from the Media 2.0 USB port. Juggling AVI/X264/MP4 etc. Bloody minefield of standards and formats.

STUNNING result when you get it right. Even if I say so myself. My animations look incredibe. All playing from a memory stick

Also played an HD Matroska copy of Star Wars through it - connecting an external HD to the TV's USB port. Quite some time wasted testing that today ...

I need something like this at home. Was wavering, now cracking.

D.

[Steve A]

Dave i've actually got the 46" version on the wall, had it for about 3 months, with Sky HD and Blueray the picture quality is mesmerising.

I haven't had chance to use all its functionality apparently you can stream DIVx etc from a computer.

I'm very much liking.

[Walesy]

looking at one of these myself, comet scratch and dent in Glasgow have them with no box (thats all) 46" for £800 - £1000, is that good??

[SiKkBaSs]

John Lewis do good deals. My parents bought one from there. 5 year guarantee included in the price.

(no advertise)

[NFS]

Samsung are making some of the best displays at the moment.

I have 2 Samsung screens - a 42 inch LCD in the lounge and a 22 inch monitor for the PC. Both have been great.

Contrast ratios are miles ahead of the competition.

Samsung and Sony share manufacturing facilities and components.

[RockIt]

We have a Samsung 32" LCD that we bought about 3 years ago. Fantastic picture quality. Friends have Panasonic and Sony, but honestly can't see the difference. Thing is I really want to upgrade to a bigger screen, but am told that it will 'dominate the living room' too much. The room is plenty big enough to take 42" I reckon!

[Dr Dave]

I'm well into all this AV stuff, I have a dedicated Home Theatre PC sitting below my TV, holds hours and hours of music, DivX films, large 'collection' of .mkv HD films, all available at the touch of a remote control button.

All hooked up to a 50" Pioneer Kuro (Shame they aren't made anymore ) and running through an Onkyo AV amp and onto a KEF 5:1 system. Call me a geek but I love my TV/AV stuff!

[JLR1969]

I am in the market for a 46" TV. Whats the model number that I should be looking at??

[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by JLR1969

I am in the market for a 46" TV. Whats the model number that I should be looking at??

The exact numbers can vary from country to country and dealer (Currys, etc.) but look at the 6000, 7000 and 8000 models of the LEDTV from Samsung.

The varying models increase the extra functions (like Media 2.0 playback from USB, internet widgets, and refresh rate).

But the picture quality in all models is quite remarkable. The control of backlighting with the LED technology gives deep blacks and stunning contrast. Movement also looks very good out the box (not played with all the options).

I watched as many adopted the earlier flat screen TVs a few years back - but the quality was poor at best. These latest models are certainly much better than any old CRT TV now - especially with HD. Being greener : low energy and giving off much less heat than before is a bonus.

D.

[JLR1969]

Thanks for the info. My biggest gripe was that I did not want to spend good money on a large TV that had a worse picture than the 10year old CRT that is was replacing.

Seems in your view that this is now not the case. I will go and check out a few. Strangely enough 3 weeks ago I bought a 23" Samsung for the kitchen as it was the right money, spec etc.

[NFS]

It's not just the latest models. I would recommend any decent 1080p Samsung flatscreen TV produced in the last 12months.

Mine replaced a 10 year old Toshiba 32inch CRT and I was really concerned that the picture quality would not be as good. It needed some calibration, which included dropping the back light level down dramatically, but the picture quality is great. Really deep blacks and smooth motion.

[SiKkBaSs]

Originally Posted by JLR1969

Thanks for the info. My biggest gripe was that I did not want to spend good money on a large TV that had a worse picture than the 10year old CRT that is was replacing.

Seems in your view that this is now not the case. I will go and check out a few. Strangely enough 3 weeks ago I bought a 23" Samsung for the kitchen as it was the right money, spec etc.

Go LCD. 1080p.

(yes obvious)

[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by NFS

It's not just the latest models. I would recommend any Samsung flatscreen TV produced in the last 12-18 months.

Yes, but the LED backlight technology is really a step forward over the old LCDs .. much better contrast ratio, and black is now totally black. Also the new LEDTVs are remarkably slender. Almost no heat given off.

I wouldn't consider a Plasma now - smooth playback certainly, but bulky heaters.

D.

[NFS]

Originally Posted by Dave_3

Yes, but the LED backlight technology is really a step forward over the old LCDs .. much better contrast ratio, and black is now totally black. Also the new LEDTVs are remarkably slender. Almost no heat given off.

I wouldn't consider a Plasma now - smooth playback certainly, but bulky heaters.

D.

The backlight is a weakness on my TV. I have it set to 1 (max is 10). Anything higher and it starts to damage picture quality.

I've not seen the LED's in the flesh, but if they sort this out then that would be great.

Even so, the contrast ratio on my TV is about 10 times that of most rival brands and the blacks are proper CRT / Plasma black. I think this is in part down to the use of a high gloss screen coating.

Slimness of the new model is amazing though. It took two people to carry my old 32 inch CRT. I can pick up my 42 inch LCD with one hand and the new ones look lighter again.

Clever stuff.

[peterg1965]

Originally Posted by RockIt

We have a Samsung 32" LCD that we bought about 3 years ago. Fantastic picture quality. Friends have Panasonic and Sony, but honestly can't see the difference. Thing is I really want to upgrade to a bigger screen, but am told that it will 'dominate the living room' too much. The room is plenty big enough to take 42" I reckon!

Precisely the same situation....with SWMBO telling me that 40" is too big (finah finah ) . She also cannot see the difference between SD and HD... women eh?? I previously was keen on the Sony 40Z4500 200hz 1080p job, excellent picture quality, but I may take a look at the LEDs.