Finally an alternative to Kuro?

[drummerman]

One thing out of the way first, Samsungs 46B7020W (I hope I got the model # right, I googled it after I came back, any mistakes and I'll edit it asap) is 'only' 46" so if the missing 4" compared to a Kuro is a problem, then it's no alternative. For anyone else, I would advise you to have it demonstrated to you before you make a decision to buy any other tv. It really is stunningly good.

I had a dem earlier and spent the best part of an hour with the set. The most impressive aspect of it, apart from looks (it is about an inch deep), is SD capability. I don't know what Samsung have done but the picture is superb with freeview with hardly any artefacts, great sharpness and lovely natural colours, brightness and contrast. Slightly better than a Kuro or philips latest LED/LCD's. BlueRay is no less impressive with a picture that just looks 'right'. I believe it's an LED/backlit set, Blacks are perfect as far as I could discern and the colours ... stunning. Detail, sharpness etc. are beyond what I could criticise as a non-expert.

I believe Kuro's (LX5090) are currently available for around £1700 (plus speakers/stands and extended warranty, if you need/want those things). The Samsung is around the same but it has of course speakers and a stand included.

Which one? If you want the extra 4" then its the Kuro. If not ... I'd probably choose the Samsung though your preferences as to a plasma or lcd picture has to come into it. For me, it's the best LCD this size I've seen yet.

Hope this helps.

 

[drummerman]

Waiting for a call-back from said shop. Sincere apologies but these model # confuse the hell out of me. By the way, the set retailed for close to 2k but this particular local dealer can be more expensive than some, highly regarded for service though ... apparently.

 

[drummerman]

It was indeed the correct model. It is available for even less than £1700 which, in my humble opinion, makes it a bargain. A 'Z' series Sony next to it neither had the subtlety of colours nor clarity of the Samsung, never mind the looks but then I would not say anything less than the X Bravia series compares to Pioneer's Plasmas. So, all in all, I was impressed. Check it out.

 

[ear]

Samsung=happy colors

 

[ear]

the led 6000 series as the same image.but less connectivity specs, for example dlna and internet wireless.

 

[matthewpiano]

I think Samsung are a company to watch increasingly across consumer electronics. They've always been big because of price, but I think their quality has improved dramatically. Some friends recently purchased a new Samsung LCD TV and I'm very impressed with it.

Slightly off-topic, but I've just got their latest Tocco Ultra Edition phone, and I have to say its excellent. Beautifully made, well thought out, and with excellent firmware. Its a much better product than Nokia's 5800 touch-screen phone.

 

[Anonymous]

I had decided to buy this set myself but I just saw a review on a well-known US site (sorry, don't know if it's against forum rules to post links to other sites etc., so I won't) but it it got somewhat panned in the picture quality department.... Not sure what to do now. Among the stuff mentioned was: "less-uniform screen than other LCDs; poor off-angle viewing; backlight fluctuates with program brightness"... I'd be really interested in hearing what owners here have to say about their set. Still haven't got my hands on a copy of the latest WHF (I live in mainland Europe) so I think I might be plunging back in there soon in search of inspiration.ÿ

 

[drummerman]

My advise, as always, would be to go and look at one yourself, buy from a reputable dealer which, if anything should be unsatisfactory, will sort any issue out.

My impression was purely subjective. It took place in a relatively dimmly lit showroom and I could'nt for certain say that the issues you mention have not been there.

Also consider the 'entry' Kuro. A little bit more expensive but superb and subjectively probably better but that's open to personal interpretation/preferences. It's a slightly different picture and a bigger screen with it. Best of luck.

 

[ear]

Some issues with led backlight in the A 7 and 8 series, so I would not yet buy a led display, unless I was totally sure I would be happy with it.the B650 is good enough

 

[Anonymous]

drummerman:
My advise, as always, would be to go and look at one yourself, buy from a reputable dealer which, if anything should be unsatisfactory, will sort any issue out.

My impression was purely subjective. It took place in a relatively dimmly lit showroom and I could'nt for certain say that the issues you mention have not been there.

Also consider the 'entry' Kuro. A little bit more expensive but superb and subjectively probably better but that's open to personal interpretation/preferences. It's a slightly different picture and a bigger screen with it. Best of luck.

Thanks. Yes, I actually have seen the set myself and was very impressed with the picture quality. But I'll probably wait for some more feedbackÿfrom other owners before deciding one way or the other. Cheers all the same.

 

[Anonymous]

Actually, I read the review carefully again and it's not nearly as bad as I thought. Backlight fluctuation seems only to be a problem in very dark scenes when viewed in a dark room.

 

[D.J.KRIME]

pingin:Actually, I read the review carefully again and it's not nearly as bad as I thought. Backlight fluctuation seems only to be a problem in very dark scenes when viewed in a dark room.

Is this not how most of us chose to watch a movie?

 

[Andrew Everard]

An alternative to Kuro?

It seems that's exactly how Samsung is pitching its latest sets in the States

 

[Anonymous]

Is a WHF head to head imminent?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Not imminent, but I am sure that when we come to test the relevant Samsungs we will include a Kuro, should there still be sufficient TVs in the market to make the comparison viable.

 

[drummerman]

Intrigued by my dem with the Samsung I just spent another good 45 mins with it this morning. Adjusting everything to levels which I thought where watchable long term. That included lower brightness/sharpness/contrast with all processing apart from motion flow (I can't remember Samsungs term for it, apologies) set to low. Unfortunately they don't stock Kuro's so my comparison is by memory only and therefore vague and certainly not accurate but probably still usable. They did have Panasonic's G10 Plasma next to it (Again, I can't remember the model # but can anyone these days ... ?).

My second outing perhaps was'nt as promising as the first one which initiated this thread. Whilst I without a doubt prefer the Samsung to the Panasonic (which in all fairness retails for much less, around £1400) I found detail strangely lacking on a BBC HD loop which I'm familiar with. It's a well balanced, bright picture with good natural colours but it seemed to lack both the fine detail and natural image from my Pioneer.

Neither is perfect and I'd probably choose on the basis of how I'd use the set. A lot of daytime viewing in a bright room and/or a lot of gaming I'd perhaps go for the Samsung. If you want the very best picture and are willing to sacrifice a bit of brightness and 'pop' for a more real and natural looking picture it's the pioneer, something borne out last night when watching the absolutely stunning SKY Arts HD broadcast of Ennio Morricone conducting the Roma philharmonic orchestra in Venice in 2007. Mesmerizing and I somewhat doubt any tv could do it more justice. My opinion only and you may disagree.

 

[Anonymous]

D.J.KRIME:
Is this not how most of us chose to watch a movie?

ÿ

Maybe, but most of us don't buy a telly just to watch movies in a dark room. Most of the time it's probably been watched in bright light. Even so, it's only one or two scenes that seem to trick the auto-dimming function -- most of the time it doesn't have a problem with dark scenes. It might be something that can be fixed through firmware.ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

drummerman:

I believe Kuro's (LX5090) are currently available for around £1700 (plus speakers/stands and extended warranty, if you need/want those things). The Samsung is around the same but it has of course speakers and a stand included.

Hi drummerman,

Do you know where you saw the pioneer 5090 at that price. Iïve seen it in shops for 2200 pounds.

Thanks