Samsung Series 7 46' TV

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ZollyMonsta

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#29283 1-Jan-2009 12:45

Hi,

We're looking at getting one of these sets. Has anyone else looked at, or purchased one of these?

Took a look at Noel Leeming and looked pretty good. I particuarly like the ethernet connectivity.
The manual seems to imply you can play mp3s and also video files, though I could not see these
listed in the menu on the demo unit (perhaps its set up from the PC server side?). The demo unit
only had the provided demonstration files.

Would be interested in comments, good and bad, on this model.

Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Screen Size: 116 cm Diagonal
Built in Freeview HD digital tuner
DLNA - Network connection via Ethernet
Full 100Hz
70,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
4 x HDMi (1.3) connections
HDCP compliant
Ultra Clear Panel
Wide Viewing Angle 178°
1080 24P Real Movie
Wiselink pro USB (video streaming)
In built 8GB of Content Library

A link from the noel leeming site: http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/tvs-dvds/televisions/lcd-televisions/40-lcd-tv/samsung-la46a750d-46-full-hd-series-7-lcd-tv/prod10471.html

sbiddle

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#186908 1-Jan-2009 14:18

I've got a 40" Series7 here at present which I'm writing a review on. Overall they are a good TV but do have some odd qwirks.

I've just sent you a PM as well.

JimmyH

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#186985 2-Jan-2009 11:09

I just purchased a top-of-the-range Series 6 model (Boxing Day extravagance) and as far as I am aware there are only very minor differences between the Series 6 line and the Series 7 line.

I did quite a bit of homework before I got it and am very happy that I did. Side by side with a W-series Sony Bravia (the other model I was looking at) with the same signal the Samsung was a better set. It was only a marginal difference with HD signals, the samesung seemed marginally less "jerky" in panning shots, However, the difference was pronounced with SD signals - the Samsung displayed them well even when there was fast motion, which is important to me for sport etc, whereas the Sony was HORRIBLE - whenever there was motion it pixellated and artifacted like crazy. My sky box is a PACE 230 which I connect to the TV using component leads, and this makes a big difference to picture quality - the Samgsung renders the sinnal really well.

The quality of the picture is really good with (to my eye) deep blacks being achieved (which can be a problem with many LCDs), good contrast ratio, and good handling of motion. The sound quality is adequate (a bit tinny) but I run sound through my sound system anyway so I don't care. Four HDMI inputs is nice, but two component inputs and two AV inputs (only one of which can do SVHS) is a bit miserley - would have preferred three of each. Also, the initially setting of channels is bit of a pain in the backside - I have them all scanned and working but have yet to map them to the right buttons on the remote.

Just make sure that you get one of the models with 100Hz scanning, which makes a big big difference to handling motion etc.

NB: I understand that the Samgsung and SOny panels are identical - out of the same lines in the same factory. The only difference is the electronic brains which, IMO, Samsung has done a much better job of than Sony.

sbiddle

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#186987 2-Jan-2009 11:28

I've found the 100Hz motion plus to be a good thing and a bad thing. It makes some material look good and can make some seem like it's sped up. At least you do have the option of turning it off.

THe most glaring problem with these sets (and the series 6) is that you can't select AC3 audio. While watching Freeview|HD the TV only picks up the AAC audio and there is no way to switch to the AC3 stream. The TV has an optical out but there is no way to get the 5.1 AC3 feed from TV3 out of the TV to an extermal amp since so you're stuck with AAC stereo.

IMHO Sony LCD TV's as the biggest piece of junk on the market. SD content looks absolutely terrible and it's hardly surprising Sony only like their TV's hooked up to their HDTV demos instore. These new Samsung's do a good job with SD material but I still far prefer SD content on my 50" Pioneer Plasma. I've played with a few full HDTV's lately and would go as far as saying that SD content looks better overall on a 720p set than a 1080p set. This isn't really surprising because the TV has to upscale to 1920x1080 and when you consider that commercial TV networks have an upscaler that is (so I've been told) worth around $50k you can't expect a TV do be able to deliver the same results.

There doesn't really appear to be any significant differences in picture quality between the 6 and the 7, it's mainly extras like the DLNA support and the content library as well as being able to play video off USB which you can't on the series 6.

JimmyH

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#187060 2-Jan-2009 20:03

Yes, I was planning to buy a Sony, but after a bit of research and checking out the models I also came to the conclusion that they were overpriced dross - premium pricing for a model which underperformewd fairly drastically in some key areas.

When I looked at the W4500 salesman had a blu ray demo disc on (which looked fabulous) but was very reluctant to switch it to a SD signal. When he did I saw why, and was a bit miffed when I pronounced the picture god awful. Mind you, Sony was the only brand they sold. He tried to tell me that all HD Plasma and LCD TVs did the same thing. Funnily, when I was in a store with a couple of different brands and I got them to run an identical SD signal through the wall of TVs the Panasonic and the Samsung did really well, the LG looked OK, and the Sony picture (V series this time) just fell apart. While HD is neat, most signals I actually watch off the Sky box etc are SD and so ability to display SD well remains fairly key.

like Pannasonics (have another Panny TV, 2x Panny DVD recorders etc) but concluded that the Samsung had the edge and was available at a better price so I bought that. Some other features (4 HDMI instead of 3) also weighed in. As I said previously, I am very happy with what I got, and would go for another series 6 or 7 Samsung without any worries.

sk8dude

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#189563 14-Jan-2009 15:34

I purchased a Samsung Series 6 LCD over Xmas.
I am very pleased with it particularly the picture etc. My only issue is with not getting the AC3 stream through the Optical output as "sbiddle" has mentioned. (I find this quite annoying personnely).

I wonder if this can be resolved perhaps by way of a firmware update? I have noted that there are similar gripes with North American Samsung LCD's and it appears to be at least possible (when using HDMI sources also).
(See http://forums.cnet.com/5208-13973_102-0.html?forumID=146&threadID=317010&messageID=2910710&tag=forums06;search-results#2910710, and
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-13973_102-0.html?forumID=146&threadID=317518&messageID=2913641&tag=forums06;search-results#2913641)
There are many posts on the CNet forums that suggest that Dolby Digital is possible via the Optical Output.

I bought my LCD from JBHiFi. Its model is LA46A680D which I think is originally from Australia.
When looking for firmware updates for this model I see that there are none on the Samsung.co.nz site, but there is a recently updated firmware on the Samsung.com.au site (http://www.samsung.com/au/support/download/supportDownDetail.do?group=television&type=television&subtype=lcdtv&model_nm=LA46A680M1F&disp_nm=Series%206%20%2046inch%20(LA46A680)%20&language=&cate_type=all&mType=FM&dType=D&vType=R&cttID=1954302&prd_ia_cd=02010100).
I am tempted to load the Australia firmware version but think that this firmware may not be applicable to NZ's settings (Freeview etc). Does anyone know if this is do-able?

sbiddle

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#189568 14-Jan-2009 15:47

Definately do not upgrade your firmware with an Aussie file - you will have an expensive brick sitting in your lounge!

As for the audio out issue the manual clearly says that optical out using a HDMI input will only be 2 channel audio. 5.1 output does work on this set for AC3 DVB streams from the internal tuner, it's just that there is no way to select the AC3 audio stream here in New Zealand. Hopefully Samsung do look at a firmware upgrade for this!