Samsung LN52A650 52 in. HDTV TV

Buying TVs in this technological age can be a daunting task. The choices are immense with hundreds of new TV models entering the market every month with a variety of features, many of which fail to compare across brands/models. In the large size (46"-60") category, this Samsung 52" Series 6 LCD HDTV stands out in a variety of ways making it the forerunner not only in design but in technology in this highly competitive market segment.

The Samsung LN52A650 immediately separates itself from the rest of the large LCD lineup in its simple, revolutionary love-it-or-hate it design. TOC or touch of color, as Samsung likes to call it, is a new design concept in which the bezel, or framed surround of the TV screen itself is infused with, well, a touch of color. This subtle red is actually a feat of new-age technology with a high tech story behind it - the color is not a veneer: it's actually mixed into the hybrid plastic material itself for a luminescent ethereal effect that is both muted, but also makes a bold statement. The rich scarlet color complements most wood tones and almost any interior color. In the dark, it blends into the glossy blackness of the frame for an unobrtusive viewing experience, but in the sunlight stands out to make a sophisticated yet refined statement. If the red color isn't your thing, Samsung plans to release new series for the Fall 2008 season with options for a cool blue, and silvery gray. The entire color infused bezel is covered by a clear layer which makes the screen appear to "float". The screen is covered in Samsung's trademark glossy coating which aids in color reproduction and dynamic contrast ratio. In bright sunlight, reflection can be a problem, however the benefits over a traditional dull screen are more than apparent in proper viewing conditions. Samsung has also opted for the less-is-more approach when designing this new TV - unlike Sony's new S, W, V, and XBR series, there is no glowing logo to detract from the movie viewing experience. In summation, the LN52A650 is as beautiful in use as it is off. It screams sophistication and aesthetic perfection without actually screaming it.

The picture quality of the 52LNA650 is unrivaled in large size LCD HDTV's, and only top of the line plasma sets over $6,000 dare compare. The color reproduction is phenomenal - Planet Earth on Blu-Ray looks dazzling with vivid colors, rich deep blacks, and blur-free motion. Fast paced sports on ESPN-HD look sharp and true to life. The 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio is unparalleled in LCD TV's, and even LG's new elite Scarlet sets fail to reach this new standard at 30,000:1. While contrast ratio numbers brand to brand continue to be hotly contested because this measurement lacks a fixed benchmark, the set boasts some of the most inky blacks ever shown by an LCD, a common shortcoming accompanied by this technology. While the black level is markedly better than the Sony XBR series, the colors are so bright and vivid that on the "dynamic" setting, they appear to be almost artificial and falsely enhanced. However, there are ample picture tweaking options, and dimming the brightness and balancing out the sets bias toward "cool" colors will fix this problem.

One of the most notable features of this TV is its ability to display standard DVD's in unparalleled crispness. While almost any 1080p TV will display Blu-Ray movies with some "wow" level, I have never seen another TV of any kind (LCD or plasma) display standard definition DVD's with such clarity. With an upscaling DVD player, this set translates a regular DVD movie into a near true high definition multimedia experience. While I thought I would rush out and replace the majority of my movie collection with high definition versions, this TV does such a superb job of displaying upscaled standard definition media that I have decided to hold off. The upscaled picture, which on my XBR looks grainy, dull, and slightly washed out, finds new life on this television.

This set also includes support for 120hz which, although continues to be a hotly contested issue in the TV market, can indeed cut down on stuttering and motion blur when watching fast moving scenes in sports or high definition movies. This new set greatly improves over Samsun's prior generation (71 series) with 120hz removing many of the artificats and "noise" when the anti-blur setting is turned to "high". However, be aware that a self-updating third generation blu-ray player and $130+ HDMI cables are required to use 120hz. All in all, despite the controversy, 120hz is a feature favored by major television producers and expect to see it emerge in high-end sets from LG, Sony, Samsung, Sharp, and Toshiba.

The LN52A650 is chalk full of other useful features. Info-Net is Samsung's newest gimmick, however after a few days of use, I find myself appreciating the feature. InfoNet is available with a connection to a broadband network via ethernet in the rear panel of the TV. After an active connection is established, a dedicated service by Samsung searches the net for weather daily or by the week, top stories in news including sports and politics, as well as self-entered stock quotes. Although not a full-scale internet browser, InfoNet isolates the most useful information and provides it to you with just the click of a button. Gimmicky? Yes. Useful? Absolutely.

One of the most overlooked features in electronics right now is the ability for the hardware to upgrade itself to new software or "firmware", updates provided by the company to maximize the useful lifetime of the item and to future-proof it in order to prevent the item becoming obsolete. WiseLink is Samsung's answer to this problem. Via USB, software/firmware updates can be provided to the TV in order to fix problems, update software, and stay ahead of the technological curve. Expect all new Blu-Ray players to come equipped with this technology as well. With both a self-updating TV and Blu-Ray player, the consumer will be set for the future with no worries of being left behind in the technological dust.

Several complaints come up after a week of use - the remote control is frustrating. The supposedly easy to use wheel on the remote is not only finnicky, but there is a stated delay between scrolling the wheel and the on-screen response. However, a $99 Logitech Harmony remote not only solves this problem, but will help you control the rest of your home theater empire with just one remote. This TV also has a problem with spontaneous restarting during viewing HDMI source inputs. Samsung has confirmed that there is FREE USB WiseLink software updates to solve this problem.

The sound quality on this TV is at the top of the barrel: SRS TruSurround XRS provides realistic virtual surround for SD cable, however for true maximization of the phenomenal picture quality, a decent home theater is a must.

All in all, Samsung has provided the ultimate answer to your home theater quandary. The LN52A650 provides not only a powerhouse that excels at picture quality beyond any competition, but wraps it up in the most attractive package in the industry. Feature-packed, alluring, and cost-effective, this TV should top the list when you begin your large-size HDTV search. Hands Down.