Not so long ago, Tone was praising the Samsung Peony 40-inch LCD panel, the first full HD offering we had seen from this major television manufacturer. Now we’re in the test biosphere watching its successor, the 6 Series.
The newcomer also marks what Samsung says is its emergence as the country’s largest seller of flat panel LCD and plasma televisions, and as the top television brand worldwide. So the company has set itself a high bar. There are subtle differences in specification between the 6 Series and its predecessor. For example, the dynamic ratio doubles to 50,000:1 and the response time quickens to 4ms from 6ms. And the set gains another HDMI port for a total of four.
But here’s the best part: the list price is $2999, a full two grand less than its predecessor! While homeowners may now be familiar with percentage drops of this magnitude, how many other necessities of life (we’re talking Tone readers here) are going down in price like this? In a few years, will a 1kg block of cheese cost as much as a full HD 40-inch LCD panel?
To labour the point a little more, the top model in the 6 Series, the 52-incher, costs $4999 and its immediate predecessor $9999. A 32-incher and a 46 round out the range.
We hooked the monitor to Samsung’s excellent Blu-ray disc player, the BD-P1400 that so impressed us back in Tone 67.
The thing with incremental improvements such as those made by Samsung in the new model is that they do not represent any major breakthrough. In most situations the picture won’t be much different to that of the previous model, which is to say very good indeed. Perhaps most obviously the 4ms response time provides slightly better clarity in fast action scenes.
Rarely on an LCD panel have we seen such richness in the blacks and such subtle detail in dark areas. Colours are accurate and skin tones well rendered. Watching movies like the Blu-ray Casino Royale — one of our reference discs — there’s what I like to call a “plasma look”. Home theatre aficionados will know what this means and what a tribute it is to say it of an LCD panel.
I also liked the broad range of setup options, accessed via the large glossy-black remote with giant-sized buttons. These allow very specific customising, including picture-in-picture. Unlike many panels we test, the parameters I finally set were quite close to the factory defaults.
Nicely laid out on the back of the panel are all the usual audio and video RCA-type ports, a trio of HDMI slots and a jack for a PC. On the left-hand side (viewed from the front) and easily accessible you’ll find the fourth HDMI slot, a Wiselink USB port, headphone jack point, camcorder jack and audio-out RCA plugs.
This Samsung is one of the best LCD panels I’ve seen. I’m really brassed off that not so long ago I paid way more for a set that now, sadly, doesn’t come close.
PHIL HANSON
We’ve seen monitor makers try all sorts of things to add interest and a point of difference to the physical appearance of their products. After all, TVs spend a lot of time just sitting there not playing anything, so they need to look good. These efforts range from surrounds that glow to backs moulded from red plastic that you glimpse from some angles.
Samsung’s point of interest — and difference — is that the screen surround includes a deep and deeply subtle red material with a crystal effect that filters light in a way to blend with its surroundings. Samsung says it’s done with a new plastic injection process.
The idea was to provide a “design experience” to match the quality of the picture. Which it does, in an understated sort of way.
“If you don’t mind its red frame, this LCD HDTV will reward you with a massive feature set and excellent picture quality” – Cnet.com (of the technically similar 52-inch version)
Screen Size: 40 inches
Resolution: 1920 x 1080p
Contrast ratio: 50,000:1
Response time: 4ms
Sound output (RMS): 10W x 2
Dimensions: 998 x 638 x 83mm (W/H/D) without stand
Weight: 20kg
Hugely impressive, especially at its price point
This review is from Tone issue #72.
There are a few changes to this issue of Tone. We’ve said farewell to our fine cover girl in favour of some lads in white (it’s not a statement of preference, but the World Cup only comes around once every four years). In order to stimulate maximum creativity, our designer hasn’t slept since the last issue went to print, resulting in some crazy new fonts and unbelievably sleek breakout boxes possessing a level of sophistication not previously imagined. Like Saruman forging his army of fighting Uruk-Hai, we’ve dug new writers from the earth’s very gut, who now swarm across the world’s gadgets, crafting their infernal reviews. Though we’ve changed a little on the outside, we’re still the Tone you know and love on the inside. As always, we’re committed to providing the latest technology news and the best, unbiased, independent reviews of hot new products – and that’s never going to change. Enjoy.
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