Samsung 52" 1080p 120Hz Flat-Panel LCD HDTV

"We purchased this tv at the end of 2009. It's picture quality is excellent. The remote is user friendly. It has an input for a network cable (LAN) and also for a thumb drive which is supplied by Samsung for software updates. It has 4 HDMI inputs and various outputs for audio and video in case you have a home theater system. It comes with an attachable stand if you prefer not to place it on the wall. It's an excellent tv for the price. Note: This reviewer may have received a benefit, like a sweepstakes entry or rewards program points, in exchange for writing this review. The benefits were not conditioned on the positive or negative content of the review."

"Has the best user interface for calibration ever without having to enter the service menu. The colors are precise and consistent across the full spectrum of media from on-air HD signals to SD DVDs to Blu-Ray to Xbox 360 and PS3 Games.



After using a calibration disc, I had to tweak a few settings after about 100 hours of use. Since then, the set has been rock-solid. As each input holds it's own calibration setting, the set can be tuned for each unique input device.



If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would not have believed it, but I am convinced that the blacks produced by this set are very close to the blacks of a Pioneer Kuro...and I can play games for hours on end and never even have to think about burn-in.



The speakers are nothing to shout about, but who is going to watch a 52" monitor without an external audio system anyway?



At the price this unit sells for it is, in my opinion, the best priced large screen monitor on the market today!



I've added some images of the calibrated images I put up on the AVS forum for LN52A650 calibration after the post 100 hour calibration. As great as they look, they simply can't do justice for this incredible set!"

"I did a lot of research before buying this particular set. It was best rated for the size, (being 52") it has a clear sharp picture, the sound is really good, none of the change in volume as you change chanels, it's like having a movie theatre in your home. We hung it above a fireplace and have two recliners we sit in to view it. We hung it a little higher than most people probably would, but from our chairs it's great!! Nothing in the room gets in the way of your viewing including people who walk by. The only drawback is when my husband sits down to watch, he is so engrossed in the set that it's hard to get his attention. I would recommend this set to anyone who is looking to purchase a larger set. I haven't found ANY not so great things about it yet. If I do I will certainly send a revised review. Thank you so much!!!"

"Its subdued red outlined bezel looks great,the game mode works great,a smooth clear picture,Superb picture quality, loads of options and settings,wonderful detail deep blacks bright vivid colors."

"After repeated problems with our 57" HD Rear Projection Hitachi, we were finally approved for a replacement TV under the "No Lemon" guaranty through the Master Care plan we originally bought, and then extended, from Sears. (Long & Painful process - but how can you complain about a free replacement of a 4yr old TV in the end).



We had been looking at LCD's for a while, and after a ton of research & review reading, we're torn between the Samsung and Sony when it came time to make a decision. First choice was the Sony due to their long standing history of making some of the best LCDs, and consistently topping the reviews until recently.



Fortunately/Unfortunately, we had a powering on problem from the time the Sony was first delivered. Before choosing a replacement, we actually went out and bought the Samsung to do a side by side comparison of the two sets in our living room.



Here's what my wife, a friend, and myself all unanimously found after watching a variety of different sources on both sets Cable box with HDMI, analog cable direct to TV, my high end gaming PC hooked up with a DVI to HDMI cable, and standard DVD & Blu Ray discs played through a PS3:



The Samsung consistently displayed a much better picture out of the box, regardless of the source. Samsung was absolutely crystal clear, whereas even after hours of extensive adjustment, the Sony was a bit blurry at times, displayed some shimmering/ trailing of moving images, and was quite grainy during darker scenes. Sony also displayed some intermittent white pixels on certain video sources, which the Samsung was able to filter out. The Samsung's screen surface is just a slight bit more reflective of other light sources in the room than the Sony, but not noticeably greater when the TV is on.



The Sony on the other hand, had much better on board sound with it's speaker bar located on the front of the TV. The Samsung's speakers are located on the bottom of the set and point straight down, making the sound seem like if it's coming out of a tin can (especially if placed on a glass topped TV stand). This probably won't be as much of an issue if your going to wall mount your set, but if not, external sound is a necessity with the Samsung.



The overall style and subtle deep red hue of the TV's frame (Touch of Color) on the Samsung really are a nice touch, and help the TV blend in with the room; rather than sticking out like the Sony does with it's more traditional style.



As far as TV features, menu navigation, and remotes - both sets are comparable. Both have various picture presets like Cinema, Sports, Standard; which can all be adjusted to your liking. The Samsung's remote does have a neat motion activated back-light feature of the keys, which great if you watch a lot of movies/TV in a darkened room.



Finish and quality of materials on both sets are pretty much equal, and the tech who came to look at the Sony actually confirmed that Sony and Samsung even get their LCD displays from the same manufacturer.



Our Overall Consensus

Picture Samsung, hands down

On-board Sound Sony, hands down

Sound with External Surround Sound - Tie

Features, Menus & Remote Tie, slight edge to the Samsung

Style Samsung

Price Samsung



Providing you can overlook the inferior on-board sound, the Samsung gives you the best bang for the buck by far for a 52 TV in this price range. The picture is absolutely amazing and even superior, or at least rivalling, those of sets costing a hundreds more."

"Excellent 52" LCD TV. I've had my eye on this particular model since it first came out in 2007. Amazing picture, makes regular DVD even look better without having to upgrade to Bluray player. Price was way to good to pass up.[...] Thanks again Abe's of Maine !"

"We use this TV in our brightly lit living room. It is mounted above our fireplace.It does have a slight glare, but we mostly watch it at night anyways. The set-up was easy and the connections are great. We love the red trim around it, makes it unique!"

"We set up a simple surround sound system with our tv.........when watching a movie it's like being in a theater. We love it. On HD, it's like you're right there in the movie! Very happy with our purchase[...]!"

"I use my HDTV as my primary TV - viewing regular programming, Blu-Ray movies, and video games. From the first instant I saw the picture quality in my home I knew I had a product that will meet and set standards in HD for years.

The colors, sharpness, and, clarity are just amazing. Blu-Ray movies are definitely the way to go. To see your favorite movies in full 1080p will give you a whole appreciation for them. This TV handles video games very smoothly. Some HD sets tend to produce less than fluid action. There is some visual lag (the picture is fluid but it lags about 2 milliseconds behind the sound), though, making rhythm games a bit more difficult. But this is common with almost all LCD's. And most of the current music games have a calibration feature to remedy this. Even when the unit is off it is beautiful. The dark red hue of the bezel is gorgeous, and looks even better with dark wood grain furniture.

The few drawbacks I found are the remote and the menu. Both seem to be haphazardly concocted. The menu, to me, is counter-intuitive. Couple that with using a less than capable remote to navigate through it and you have a frustrating combo. I have since purchased a Logitech universal remote and I am happy with it. Also, depending on where the TV is positioned, there is still a very noticeable glare, but the brightness of the picture usually renders that a nonfactor.

There is not a day that passes that I regret buying this TV. I have seen other HD sets in my friends' homes, and in stores, and doctor's offices and I'm reminded each time of the awesomeness of my TV. For the price you simply cannot find a better TV."

"I have owned a couple of smaller 720P LCD TVs (32 and 26 inch) since 2005, but I did not realize what I was missing in terms of hi-def picture quality until I got this set. Obviously, a bigger set will usually add more oomph, but the sharpness, color, and contrast of the 52A650 easily blows away my smaller and older LCD sets. Technology and quality sure has come a long way since three years ago.



Before deciding on the 52A650, I was pretty much set on a plasma set because plasma usually handles black level much better than LCDs, and they also have an advantage in resolving fast motion scenes like sports. However, after some research, I found the Samsung 650 series do a very good job of both. The deciding factor is the bright vibrant picture that this set can produce. The fact that it is much more energy efficient than the plasma helps as well.



Other things I like about the set is the abundant HDMI inputs (4) and I like the classy red bezel look. The swivel stand is great for getting at the back to hook up the cables.



I recommend some blu-ray movies to really show off the set: Cars, Ratatouille, Blade Runner, Pirates of the Carribean: Curse of the Black Pearl, and finally Planet Earth."