|
Reviewed by UK Guest, 30th Dec 2006. |
| Review Summary: 'Triffic TV - bring on BBC HD broadcasts now please |
Overall Score: 5/5
 
|
Review: I spent many hours comparing specifications of some Panasonic 42" plasmas against Samsung's R74 and M73 ranges. I plumped for the Samsung LE40R74BDX.
The Plasma has a better contrast ratio, and a deeper colour spectrum, but I also want my TV to serve as a monitor for my Mac. For this purpose, the Samsung is way better - Panasonic can only give a 1024x768 resolution, whereas this TV is perfect at 1366x768.
The 8ms refresh is slightly noticeable for very fast moving images, but this hasn't detracted from the TV. The contrast ratio on this model is excellent at this price point in late 2006 - 5000:1. The M73 Samsungs are at 6000:1 and have an additional bit for colour (giving 25 billion colours instead of the "mere" 12 billion on the R74s), but come on - are you really going to notice?
Panasonic and the other plasma manufacturers launched a web site attempting to dispel the "myths" they perceive are spread about plasma - namely "burn in", greater energy consumption etc. compared to LCD TVs. I needed reassurance that any plasma I'd buy would not suffer from burn in. Panasonic's web site was very clear stating there is no appreciable burn in with modern plasmas. Great. However, if you download their product manuals from their web site, you'll notice they warn about "burn in" and suggest PC images, or on-screen images (such as the "press red" buttons on many broadcasts") can become permanent and that Panasonic would not consider this a fault against their warranty! This put me off plasma completely: it's a bit rich to warn you in the manual that comes with the TV you've just purchased!
The choice was thus between LCD TVs. The latest Sony Bravias are very nice, but you have to be quite Bravia about the impact on your credit card.
My choice came down to Toshiba, LG, and Samsung. Toshiba's Regza range at the similar price point only have about a 1000:1 - 1500:1 contrast ratio. LG and Samsung make their own LCD panels, but Samsung have another advantage - great design. The gloss black frame looks superb.
I'd advise you use an external AV receiver amplifier - all these sets don't have brilliant speakers, but if you're just watching the news they are acceptable.
Beware that the standard definition Freeview broadcasts will not look as good on any of these sets as on a decent CRT TV (of which there are many excellent large Sony Freeview CRTs on eBay currently :)
However, fed from a PC or Mac, or using the component inputs, this Samsung performs fantastically. Go into anywhere where their is a Sky HD box connected to it, rather than the pathetic component distribution systems in the large chain stores (PC World seem to have Sky HD boxes hooked up to their Samsungs) and you'll see what this TV can do.
So, cost v. benefit, this Samsung makes sense. I've not regretted any part of the ownership experience at all. However, I'd be really grateful if Auntie could get round to announcing a "Freesat" type system to start BBC HD broadcasts rather than the trial they're currently running.
|
Ratings
| Value For Money: |
|
5 |
| Review Score: |
|
5 |
| Recommended? | |
Yes |
|
|
DVD, TV & Video