The fact that it significantly undercuts every other comparative TV is impressive enough – the fact that it’s also better than most of them is astounding
I'm a bit puzzled. I just took delivery of my le40b550 on the basis of the Hifi best buy (advice that hasn't gone wrong in the past) but I've been horrified by some of the picture quality. My old tv, a panasonic viera th 37px80b has got great colouring and black tones (it's a plasma) and never required any adjusting but now I find myself fiddling and fiddling with the settings. It just seems like this LCD really has to struggle hard to get something natural. I mean, the black tones just don't get anywhere near what my plasma does. Is that just lcd vs plasma - I had been persuaded that they're all equally good these days! or is that just at a higher price range?
I've been watching dvds on a dvd player, and freeview signal, so granted it's not the best signal.
What do the experts say? Is this tv simply not as good as my old panasonic with freeview/ dvd? Do I need to go upmarket to get a 40'' hd lcd that can do black tones as well? Should I play with the settings?
For now, I'm thinking of returning it and buying a good old sony. Any advice is appreciated!
reading through some other forums online, I'm glad to see I'm not crazy.
1) there are several different versions of this tv (as shown by the last letters that come after the main model code), and the lesser ones appear to be widely disliked for the way they deal with SD images (interlacing etc.) - I had the same thing. Beware which model you buy! Apparently the WXXU is the good one getting all the rave reviews, and the WQXU is a bit shabby..
2) as for the poor treatment of darkness, other reviewers acknowledge that this TV is subject to the "usual limitations" LCDs have. I guess that coming after a panasonic plasma the difference is more striking to me.
So I am going to return mine. Any ideas for a 37-40'' full HD that will deal well with dark hues and also do well with sports (wimbledon)?
Hi - Thinking of getting this TV and wondered which home cinema package to go with it. Looking at the Samsung HT-BD1220 or the Panasonic SC-BT200 or another which you think would be better. Trying to keep budget down so looking for something with good vfm - thanks
In response to Abanrath, your comment about the different models has been puzzling me for some time. I first purchased this 40b550 in August last year and I received the WXXU, then i was forced to buy another (after my partner decided a 26 was too small for the bedroom). This was in Feb of this year and I got the WQXU, to be honest I have not seen a difference at all. They both run fine with no problems. I had a look into it and the last 4 characters seem to refer to the batch in which these units were produced. So I am assuming the WXXU had sold out at some point between the dates I had purchased my set. I have compared the manual both the same. I asked the retailer and there was no difference, same info I got from Samsung, so I am not sure where the myth of the WQXU came from, as I certainly cant figure it out. For anyone considering buying this unit, I would call up the retailer to confirm. Don't forget you always have 7 days to return the product if you are not happy, and if a fault does occur, then its still under warranty so it shouldn't put you off. I would buy another if I had the space and purpose.
Finally I have not been able to find any 'OFFICIAL' reviews stating a WXXU or WQXU being better or worse, or even mentioning the different model at all.
Comments
Alan Read
It's from Ninja Assassin.
I'm a bit puzzled. I just took delivery of my le40b550 on the basis of the Hifi best buy (advice that hasn't gone wrong in the past) but I've been horrified by some of the picture quality. My old tv, a panasonic viera th 37px80b has got great colouring and black tones (it's a plasma) and never required any adjusting but now I find myself fiddling and fiddling with the settings. It just seems like this LCD really has to struggle hard to get something natural. I mean, the black tones just don't get anywhere near what my plasma does. Is that just lcd vs plasma - I had been persuaded that they're all equally good these days! or is that just at a higher price range?
I've been watching dvds on a dvd player, and freeview signal, so granted it's not the best signal.
What do the experts say? Is this tv simply not as good as my old panasonic with freeview/ dvd? Do I need to go upmarket to get a 40'' hd lcd that can do black tones as well? Should I play with the settings?
For now, I'm thinking of returning it and buying a good old sony. Any advice is appreciated!
reading through some other forums online, I'm glad to see I'm not crazy.
1) there are several different versions of this tv (as shown by the last letters that come after the main model code), and the lesser ones appear to be widely disliked for the way they deal with SD images (interlacing etc.) - I had the same thing. Beware which model you buy! Apparently the WXXU is the good one getting all the rave reviews, and the WQXU is a bit shabby..
2) as for the poor treatment of darkness, other reviewers acknowledge that this TV is subject to the "usual limitations" LCDs have. I guess that coming after a panasonic plasma the difference is more striking to me.
So I am going to return mine. Any ideas for a 37-40'' full HD that will deal well with dark hues and also do well with sports (wimbledon)?
Thanks!
Could anyone tell me what film/DVD is show on the screen???
Hi - Thinking of getting this TV and wondered which home cinema package to go with it. Looking at the Samsung HT-BD1220 or the Panasonic SC-BT200 or another which you think would be better. Trying to keep budget down so looking for something with good vfm - thanks
In response to Abanrath, your comment about the different models has been puzzling me for some time. I first purchased this 40b550 in August last year and I received the WXXU, then i was forced to buy another (after my partner decided a 26 was too small for the bedroom). This was in Feb of this year and I got the WQXU, to be honest I have not seen a difference at all. They both run fine with no problems. I had a look into it and the last 4 characters seem to refer to the batch in which these units were produced. So I am assuming the WXXU had sold out at some point between the dates I had purchased my set. I have compared the manual both the same. I asked the retailer and there was no difference, same info I got from Samsung, so I am not sure where the myth of the WQXU came from, as I certainly cant figure it out. For anyone considering buying this unit, I would call up the retailer to confirm. Don't forget you always have 7 days to return the product if you are not happy, and if a fault does occur, then its still under warranty so it shouldn't put you off. I would buy another if I had the space and purpose.
Finally I have not been able to find any 'OFFICIAL' reviews stating a WXXU or WQXU being better or worse, or even mentioning the different model at all.
- Robbie C