Samsung LN55C650 HDTV Review

Date: 2011.01.05 | Category: Samsung | Tags: 55-inch hdtv,lcd hdtv,samsung hdtv,samsung tv

Although not a 3D-ready set, this 55-inch CCFL-backlit model is one of the best-performing LCD HDTVs we’ve seen in quite some time, offering deep blacks, high contrast ratio and stunning high def and standard-def picture quality is one of the 10 best HDTVs we’ve tested.

Design and controls

The LN55C650 sports an updated version of the familiar touch Samsung’s Color design, glossy black bezel is tinged with red accents, but the reddish effect is more subtle than the TOC finish used on LED-based last year UN40B7000. The cabinet measures 3.4 inches thick and sits on a rectangular base with an adjustable mounting arm that is a bit too thin to support the 62-pound 55-inch screen so there is a little wiggle. Another small gripe-labeling used to five touch-sensitive controls located on the right side of the lower ring is too small to identify and dark, making it almost unreadable, unless you happen to keep a flashlight handy. You’re better off using the supplied 8.25-inch remote control for all your modifications, as it has 43 good-size backlit buttons and a rocker, all clearly marked and responsive.

Connectivity

You get a good selection of connectivity ports with this model. Two USB ports, a set of composite A / V jacks and an HDMI port mounted on the right side of the cabinet, and there are three additional HDMI ports around back. Also at the rear PC audio and video (VGA) inputs, two sets of component A / V ports, optical and analog audio outputs, a coaxial TV signal connector, and an Ethernet port (to the set connect to a network, there is no integrated Wi-Fi). All of the rear jacks are recessed and provide a little leeway for connecting cables when the device is attached to the wall.

Sound and Vision Controls

Image adjustment options are plentiful. Four picture modes are Standard, Dynamic, Natural, and Movie, the latter is the best choice for movies and TV broadcast. Image settings are brightness, contrast, backlighting, Sharpness, and Tint, plus you get a wide range of advanced features. Five Digital Noise Filter modes are available, but I was not able to make a difference between the three highest settings (Medium, High, Auto) message. In fact, I found that TV broadcasts and Blu-ray images looked best with this feature disabled. Also, the Auto Motion Plus (120Hz) is best left disabled unless you prefer that your movies look like they were filmed with an HD camcorder. Other advanced settings include HDMI black level, shadow detail (to increase brightness of dark objects), Gamma, White Balance and Edge Enhancement.

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The Sound menu offers five audio presets (Standard, Music, Film, Clear Voice and repeating) that several high and low ranges for specific applications to use. Here you can also enable SRS TruSurround HD, which they simulated a credible multi-channel audio experience provides, and SRS TruDialog, which allows you to vocal production to encourage more to be heard over background noise and music. There is also an equalizer so you can sound your own profile. I was impressed by the LN55C650′s audio output, two 15-watt, down-firing speakers are very loud. While the speakers put out the kind of booming bass you get from sets like the Mitsubishi LT-Unis, 46249 (2599 dollars) (that is the advantage of 16 integrated speakers and a wireless subwoofer), they offer enough low-end to produce a solid, flat wall of sound.

Web Apps

The LN55C650 is loaded with interactive Web Apps goodies courtesy of Samsung, which Blockbuster, Netflix, Vudu, DailyMotion, CinemaNow offers, and Hulu Plus film and video channels. The British version of The Office on Hulu Plus and man on a wire at Netflix and both looked good and flowed smoothly, but as is usually the case with streaming video, image quality was not as clean and detailed as you get from television broadcasts or a Blu-ray player. Lifestyle Web apps include Twitter, Facebook, Pandora Radio, Picasa Web Albums, and Getty Images. Information channels, such Rovi TV program, a news ticker AP, USA Today, Accuweather, Google Maps, and Samsung Support TV round out the selection.

Performance

When it comes to image quality and overall performance, LN55C650 shines. After performing our fundamental darkroom calibration using patterns from the DisplayMate HDTV setup script, the panel returned an excellent 11,915:1 contrast ratio, one of the highest we’ve seen on a HDTV. The reading of 0.03 cd/m2 black level is more in line with what I would expect from the plasma, which usually exhibits superior black-level performance. In fact, the black level measurement LN55C650 is similar to that of the Panasonic TC-P50G25 plasma. High contrast ratio and deep blacks are only part of the picture, however, colors were bright and spot-on accurate, and grayscale performance was top-notch.

The LN55C650 treated each HQV high-definition and standard definition video quality tests without noise reduction and anti-fading options enabled. During testing, I enjoyed the very graphic Repo Men on Blu-ray; picture was incredibly sharp detail and deep blacks gave the colors perfect degree of pop. Results were similar using our satellite TV signal, both HD and SD programming looked excellent, with accurate flesh tones and no noticeable artifacts. The picture remained clear when viewed from the side, and while a very slight loss of color saturation when I moved out to an extreme angle, the effect was minimal.

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CCFL LCD HDTVs are not known for their energy-saving features, especially compared to the latest crop of energy-efficient LED-backlit models, but LN55C650 is still relatively cheap to operate. It attracted an average of 178 watts, while viewing high-definition content from a Blu-ray player. This equates to approximately $ 3.13 per month (based on 2009 national average cost of 11.55 cents per kWh to five hours use). Not bad, but not nearly as profitable as the same size of LED-based Toshiba 55UX600U, which draws only 90 watts. Compare, 50-inch Panasonic TC-P50G25, plasma uses 250 watts.

If you’re in the market for a large HDTV, when it comes to performance and features, the Samsung LN55C650 is hard to beat. It is not slim and sexy as LED-backlit Today’s models, and it is still not ready for 3D, but it delivers a stellar picture with high contrast and deep blacks, a robust audio system, and a rich feature set, all that deserves our Editors’ Choice for the big-screen LCD HDTVs.

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