Samsung LN46A650 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV
CLICK above photo to view all customer reviews.To date, the Samsung LN46A650 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with RED Touch of Color is the top rated HDTV in online giant Amazon.com's inventory. 779 customers provided their reviews, and gave this HDTV an average rating of 4.80 out of a perfect 5.00. 88% of reviewers gave a rating of 5 stars, while another 9% gave a rating of 4 stars. The remaining 3 % gave a rating of 3 stars or lower.
Here's a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the product as indicated by the customer reviews -
MOST HELPFUL POSITIVE REVIEW:
"I spent over a year and a half researching flat panels. I came close to purchasing a Samsung 71F series, but when the salesman told me that new 2008 models were coming out in March, I decided to hold and do more research on those models. I almost purchased the 5 series, but when I found out that it does not have 120hz refresher rate, I decided to research the 6 series and ended buying the 46A650.
I briefly looked at the 7 series, but when I found out the only difference between the two was that the 7 series has a USB port for your MP3 player and 1 GB of cache, I figured it was not for me. I use a dock connected to my receiver when I play my MP3, so to me that was a useless function to fork over extra $$$ for. In addition, I have a PS3 so I don't really need the 1GB of cache to use the TV as a multimedia center. If you don't have a PS3 and plan to use your TV to view pictures and play music then the 7 series might be for you.
Pros:
I have the 46" and I was amazed at how light it was. I was able to pick it up by myself and put it on the stand. The red is absolutely amazing. That's the favorite thing my Fiancée likes about this TV. Personally, I like the red because it is very subtle and goes great with our family room.
The first night we got it we watched the movie Ratatouille on Blu-Ray Disc. Let me tell you after watching the movie my jaw was sore because I think I spent more than 3/4ths of the movie with my jaw open from the amazing picture. The picture was so clear and concise that we paused it and we were able to even see the little freckles on the mice throughout the movie, including the separate hairs.
As I said earlier I play video games with my PS3, so the 120 hz refresher rate was critical to have. MLB the Show 08 is insane. Just looking at the players faces and even the fans blew me away. My brother has a 46" inch Vizio 1080P and he recommended it to me saying that there is not much difference from the two so I am better off saving. Let me tell you, he is absolutely wrong. I've watched his Vizio and to be honest, it can't even hold the jockstrap of the 46A650 if it was a male. There is a big difference believe me. The only TV that could probably match-up to this one is the XBR Bravia with 120HZ. That would've been what I would have purchased if I had not gotten this one. Up until now, I have absolutely no regrets.
The reason I researched for over a year and a half is because I wanted to get a TV that if something new came on the market a few months later, I would not regret my purchase. I feel very strongly that I will not regret this purchase down the line.
I love having 4 HDMI inputs. This was very important for my purchase also, since I have separate HDMI components. The TV also has an ethernet port, so I have it plugged into the internet. I can get weather, news and stock quotes through it. I'll admit, I haven't used it much, but it's nice to know, I can check the temperature at the touch of the button.
The blacks on this TV are awesome and I can have my curtain open on my huge family room window and I can see the tv clearly during the day. I love the TruSurround feature, since right now I only have two speakers and a subwoofer. This feature is meant to improve the sound quality for people who use two speaker systems. I plan to get a surround sound system eventually, but it's going to be a while. That's where this tool comes in handy
The screen is glossy, but I don't have an issue with it. I like the glossy look and besides, it is meant to make the colors more vibrant and intense. I've played with the different viewing modes, but actually, I like standard the best. The movie mode is a little too dark for me and the game one is a little too bright. Standard mode is my desired preference.
The remote is oddly shaped and takes a while to get used to. It also has an ipod like scroll. Some people complain that it is an ugly remote. This is ridiculous; I'm sorry, but I did not purchase this TV for its remote. Anyway, I'm planning on upgrading to an RF Logitech remote this summer anyway.
Cons:
The TV is so good that on the tv stations with weak signals, you can see the weakness of the signal. On some you could see the lines and imperfections, due to having a weak signal. That is only a with a few channels. It's a negative, but that's what you get when the picture is very detailed; You will not only get the good qualities, but the bad also, if the signal is not strong. Regardless, that issue will be moot next year when the tv stations will be required to broadcast by digital signal.
Another issue is, that when you turn it on it takes about 3-4 seconds to pick up my digital cable signal from my DVR box. In addition when you switch between sources it takes around the same amount of time to pick up the signal. I'm impatient, which is a negative quality of mine. In our household, it seems like it is an issue only with me, since it does not bother my fiancee at all or any of our friends. Maybe it would not be a con if I was not so stupidly impatient.
Those are really the only two issues I have with the TV and to me they are very minor ones. I just pray I don't start getting the issues, the first reviewer experienced.
Overall:
I am very happy with my purchase. I am very satisfied and do not feel guilty or have any regrets about making this purchase. Up until now, I feel this TV is worth every penny I paid for it. I'll be updating my review as I learn more about this TV. I hope my review helped you, even if it was only a tad bit helpful, before making your investment on a flat panel television. Good luck with your search."
MOST HELPFUL CRITICAL REVIEW:
"I was excited to have my new LN46A650 delivered today. From what I had read from the reviews and from my other research I had one fear about the TV, reflection from the screen surface. I'm sad to report I am going to be returning my Samsung for a model with a flat/matte finish on the screen.
I was really disappointed when I turned this on. The reflections from the windows were terrible.
My setup has the TV on a wall which is parallel to an exterior wall with (2) 30x60 windows approximately 10 feet away. The glare IMO is unbearable, bad enough that I am willing to pay the return shipping charges. I also see quite a bit of glare from a floor lamp I have in the corner of the room. It surprises me very much that this is not an issue for more people.
I went as far as taking my Westinghouse LCD off the wall in my bedroom and setting it up right next to the Samsung to compare the amount of glare between the two. The cheapy Westinghouse wins hands down. No reflections whatsoever with the Westy, but with the Samsung I can actually see my neighbors house very clearly out the window in the reflection in the screen. The reflections are worse with dark screens, but are still noticeable while watching a baseball game.
The picture is the best I've ever seen, and the "Touch of Red" gives it a classy look, but if you have a worry about windows reflecting on the screen, I would suggest going with a model that does not have the glossy/glass finish screen. If you are building a home theater where reflection is not an issue or if you always watch TV in the dark then this is probably the TV for you. But if reflections in the screen bother you I would think long and hard before buying this TV. "
Here's a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the product as indicated by the customer reviews -
MOST HELPFUL POSITIVE REVIEW:
"I spent over a year and a half researching flat panels. I came close to purchasing a Samsung 71F series, but when the salesman told me that new 2008 models were coming out in March, I decided to hold and do more research on those models. I almost purchased the 5 series, but when I found out that it does not have 120hz refresher rate, I decided to research the 6 series and ended buying the 46A650.
I briefly looked at the 7 series, but when I found out the only difference between the two was that the 7 series has a USB port for your MP3 player and 1 GB of cache, I figured it was not for me. I use a dock connected to my receiver when I play my MP3, so to me that was a useless function to fork over extra $$$ for. In addition, I have a PS3 so I don't really need the 1GB of cache to use the TV as a multimedia center. If you don't have a PS3 and plan to use your TV to view pictures and play music then the 7 series might be for you.
Pros:
I have the 46" and I was amazed at how light it was. I was able to pick it up by myself and put it on the stand. The red is absolutely amazing. That's the favorite thing my Fiancée likes about this TV. Personally, I like the red because it is very subtle and goes great with our family room.
The first night we got it we watched the movie Ratatouille on Blu-Ray Disc. Let me tell you after watching the movie my jaw was sore because I think I spent more than 3/4ths of the movie with my jaw open from the amazing picture. The picture was so clear and concise that we paused it and we were able to even see the little freckles on the mice throughout the movie, including the separate hairs.
As I said earlier I play video games with my PS3, so the 120 hz refresher rate was critical to have. MLB the Show 08 is insane. Just looking at the players faces and even the fans blew me away. My brother has a 46" inch Vizio 1080P and he recommended it to me saying that there is not much difference from the two so I am better off saving. Let me tell you, he is absolutely wrong. I've watched his Vizio and to be honest, it can't even hold the jockstrap of the 46A650 if it was a male. There is a big difference believe me. The only TV that could probably match-up to this one is the XBR Bravia with 120HZ. That would've been what I would have purchased if I had not gotten this one. Up until now, I have absolutely no regrets.
The reason I researched for over a year and a half is because I wanted to get a TV that if something new came on the market a few months later, I would not regret my purchase. I feel very strongly that I will not regret this purchase down the line.
I love having 4 HDMI inputs. This was very important for my purchase also, since I have separate HDMI components. The TV also has an ethernet port, so I have it plugged into the internet. I can get weather, news and stock quotes through it. I'll admit, I haven't used it much, but it's nice to know, I can check the temperature at the touch of the button.
The blacks on this TV are awesome and I can have my curtain open on my huge family room window and I can see the tv clearly during the day. I love the TruSurround feature, since right now I only have two speakers and a subwoofer. This feature is meant to improve the sound quality for people who use two speaker systems. I plan to get a surround sound system eventually, but it's going to be a while. That's where this tool comes in handy
The screen is glossy, but I don't have an issue with it. I like the glossy look and besides, it is meant to make the colors more vibrant and intense. I've played with the different viewing modes, but actually, I like standard the best. The movie mode is a little too dark for me and the game one is a little too bright. Standard mode is my desired preference.
The remote is oddly shaped and takes a while to get used to. It also has an ipod like scroll. Some people complain that it is an ugly remote. This is ridiculous; I'm sorry, but I did not purchase this TV for its remote. Anyway, I'm planning on upgrading to an RF Logitech remote this summer anyway.
Cons:
The TV is so good that on the tv stations with weak signals, you can see the weakness of the signal. On some you could see the lines and imperfections, due to having a weak signal. That is only a with a few channels. It's a negative, but that's what you get when the picture is very detailed; You will not only get the good qualities, but the bad also, if the signal is not strong. Regardless, that issue will be moot next year when the tv stations will be required to broadcast by digital signal.
Another issue is, that when you turn it on it takes about 3-4 seconds to pick up my digital cable signal from my DVR box. In addition when you switch between sources it takes around the same amount of time to pick up the signal. I'm impatient, which is a negative quality of mine. In our household, it seems like it is an issue only with me, since it does not bother my fiancee at all or any of our friends. Maybe it would not be a con if I was not so stupidly impatient.
Those are really the only two issues I have with the TV and to me they are very minor ones. I just pray I don't start getting the issues, the first reviewer experienced.
Overall:
I am very happy with my purchase. I am very satisfied and do not feel guilty or have any regrets about making this purchase. Up until now, I feel this TV is worth every penny I paid for it. I'll be updating my review as I learn more about this TV. I hope my review helped you, even if it was only a tad bit helpful, before making your investment on a flat panel television. Good luck with your search."
MOST HELPFUL CRITICAL REVIEW:
"I was excited to have my new LN46A650 delivered today. From what I had read from the reviews and from my other research I had one fear about the TV, reflection from the screen surface. I'm sad to report I am going to be returning my Samsung for a model with a flat/matte finish on the screen.
I was really disappointed when I turned this on. The reflections from the windows were terrible.
My setup has the TV on a wall which is parallel to an exterior wall with (2) 30x60 windows approximately 10 feet away. The glare IMO is unbearable, bad enough that I am willing to pay the return shipping charges. I also see quite a bit of glare from a floor lamp I have in the corner of the room. It surprises me very much that this is not an issue for more people.
I went as far as taking my Westinghouse LCD off the wall in my bedroom and setting it up right next to the Samsung to compare the amount of glare between the two. The cheapy Westinghouse wins hands down. No reflections whatsoever with the Westy, but with the Samsung I can actually see my neighbors house very clearly out the window in the reflection in the screen. The reflections are worse with dark screens, but are still noticeable while watching a baseball game.
The picture is the best I've ever seen, and the "Touch of Red" gives it a classy look, but if you have a worry about windows reflecting on the screen, I would suggest going with a model that does not have the glossy/glass finish screen. If you are building a home theater where reflection is not an issue or if you always watch TV in the dark then this is probably the TV for you. But if reflections in the screen bother you I would think long and hard before buying this TV. "
