A vs B

Hi HDTech,
We're looking to buy a 46" HDTV for a room with lots of sunlight.

Can you clarify the rule for determining if a TV has matte finish?

i.e. What specific models/series have the best anti-glare surface?

Thanks,
Rob from Ashland, MA

robm26,

There isn't really a "rule". For the 2008 models, the 3-5 series LCDs have a matte finish (and I believe the LNxxA630 did as well). Everything else 6-9 series has the SuperClear panel.

One of the best ways to see how light *may* look is by turning off the television in the store, and watching how the ambient light in the room reflects off the screen when the panel is off. Often times, you'll find if you turn it on, that ambient reflection will disappear.

In many cases, the retail environment is the harshest indoor environment available. You'll be able to get the feel of how you'll deal with this issue between the benefits of the SuperClear panel (often with higher dynamic contrast ratings) versus the matte-finish (often times lower, but less reflective) panels just by looking at them in the off and on position.

I hope that helps.

--HDTech

Hi i just want to know what kind of video processor does the ln b550 has? is it similar or better than the beloved DNIe pro of the a650 series? i'm between those 2 sets -the 650 is only 100 bucks expensive- and good video processor is important to me.

Thanks for any help.

superstar2009,

I can say it's similar, and in conjunction some of the other technology, the end result has improved. Unfortunately, I can't speak on the processors or any internal components in the televisions.

--HDTech

...basically it's for my older Tivo connection.. I know the A series has S-video but Best Buy (my local retailer) doesn't carry the A series anymore.

Thanks!

chris3c,

No, S-Video is not available on most (if not all) of our 2009 models.

Does the TIVO have any other output connections that you might be able to use? Red-Blue-Green (component), for example?

--HDTech

HD Tech,
I am ready to by my LCD tv but I cant pull the trigger. I worry that the ultra clear panel will be too reflective. Do I really need 120 Hz? Should I go LED?

I have seen a new model that is only on the Best Buy website. It is the LN46B640. They are supposed to get them in this Saturday.
It is listed as 120HZ, 4HDMI, and black cabinet. Do you know anything about this model.

Why do some 46" models have a swivel stand and some don't. It seems like a simple feature that would be on all similar models.

Do all 46" models that have 120 hz have the shiny screen vs the matte screen.

Why are some A models still around and some aren't. Is the LN46A630 discontinued?

Thanks

pokeyreese,

I'll try to answer these the best I can, and if you need clarification, I'll be happy to assist.

I have not seen specs on an LN46B640, but I will check into it first thing tomorrow morning.

I'm not sure I have an answer to why some models have a swivel stand, and others don't. It's a decision process that I'm just honestly unaware of.

The "A" models are 2008 products, and the "B" models are the 2009 products, so the LN46A630 will be discontinued very soon if it isn't already.

Hope that helps!

--HDTech

The 60Hz vs 120Hz controversy is much like the 1080 vs 720 controversy.

Do you -need- 120Hz? No. LCDs have been 60Hz for a long time and although 120Hz will improve motion blur, you may only notice it during fast action scenes or sports. It really all depends on the set and whether or not you can validate the price difference by what your eyes tell you. Now, if you are an avid gamer, you should stick with a 60Hz unless the 120Hz has a Game Mode that will reduce the processor use to eliminate lag time. And, yes, all of the 46" 120Hz sets have the glossy screens. In fact, only the 3, 4, and 5-series still retain the matte finish regardless of refresh rate. These *do* reveal more vibrant colors and truer blacks, BUT they can be highly reflective to ambient lighting, so choose wisely or you will be stuck with a $2,000 mirror. The Ultra Clear Panel is supposed to minimize glare on the glossy screen, but I have yet to test this myself.

As for the LED screen... again, if you can justify the price-hike, go for it. It's a brighter, cleaner picture. It also boasts a longer lifespan compared to the LCD, but you aren't likely to outlive either of them anyway.

As for why the A models are still around... it's most likely because they need to be sold to be liquidated... just because new models come out, doesn't mean they don't sell last year's until they're gone. A models are great sets and rated among some of the highest when compared to other LCDs. The B models have yet to prove themselves and some are finding they perfer the A models over the Bs.

Other features to realistically consider are pixel response rate (the lower the better), the contrast ratio (the higher, the deeper the blacks) and whatever else is important for your personal tastes, such as internet access, USB ports and other inputs.

As for the swivel stand, I assumed they all had this... but I may be wrong... I've just never seen one without it.

Info on the LN46B640 is almost identical to the LN46B650. The only difference is the 640 has a Dynamic Contrast Ratio of 80,000:1 and the 650 has a higher ratio of 100,000:1. Since the 650 is $10 cheaper with a higher contrast ratio, it's a no-brainer to buy that one (if you were trying to choose between the two).

katspunx,

Wow, nice to see someone who has their models down. Indeed, the specs you noted are correct. It would be splitting hairs to mention that the 640 model will have a charcoal grey TOC, while the 650 remains red this year.

Thanks for jumping in!

--HDTech

That's what happens when your social life is degraded by college... you extensively research AV Systems to buy so you can just replace it.

LOL

Thanks for the advice.

There are always more questions.

I am leaning toward the LN46B640. I wanted to see a display but they didn't have it up at my Best Buy yet. Has anyone seen it? Apparently it is a model exclusive to Best Buy. If this is the case why do they do this? Is it at other stores under another model number.

Are the Ultra Clear Panels a response to an 'original' shiny panel that was too reflective or did they immediately follow the matte panel.

Can you turn the 120hz option off?

pokeyreese,

The UltraClear panel is an improvement on the SuperClear panel, and will still have somewhat of a glossy finish, from what I know today.

A 120Hz panel will convert any signal (24hz, 30hz and 60hz) to 120Hz because the panel will only show a 120Hz signal. To get that signal, it has to be upconverted.

Now, there is processing you can adjust called AutoMotion Plus on televisions that have 120Hz, and that will adjust some of how the picture is displayed on the screen, including turning that additional processing off. However, the upconverting to 120Hz is something that cannot be turned off.

Hope that helps!

--HDTech

as bad as it sounds Im leaning towards the more expensive worse contrast 640 my self. Mainly for the charcoal grey bezel. Its impossible to get any TOC other than Red in under 40" and I've been waiting a year. I already have a 52A650 and a 25" computer monitor that are practically identical. I got them because of the specs. But I dont need a 3rd one like that.

In 32" will the ratio difference really be noticeable?
and is there a LN 37A640? I can only find the 32" 40" and 46" at Best Buy online. Also Does anyone know if the Color Enhancer 3 (in 630 and 650) is much better than the Color Enhancer 2 (as 610s and 640s supposedly have)?

I want to make sure I understand this correctly. Is the B640 panel matte, ultraclear or superclear? I have a panel of windows that the TV would be facing, so the superclear won't work for me.

Just when I think I have this all figured out, Samsung releases another model with a subtle difference. In this case, I would prefer the grey TOC over the red, but I need the matte screen. If the ultraclear is not as reflective as the superclear, this might be an option. Has anyone seen this B640 up close and personal that can comment on the reflectiveness?

I am more interested in their Internet and LAN features. From the spec, looks like 46B630 only supports Infolink, B650 only supports DLNA but B640 supports both. Is this true. In that sense, is B640 better?

twinclouds,

The B630 and B640 both support InfoLink, but the B650 models (40" and up) also supports the wireless DLNA and InternetTV features. The B640 doesn't support DLNA with the information I have available.

--HDTech

Thanks for your response. I got the information from the following link. Is that not true?
http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/spec.do?group=televisions&type=televisions&subtype=lcdtv&model_cd=LN46B640R3FXZA
If not, I think Sansumg need to change the Web page.
Also, does, B650 supports Infolink? Thanks.