- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 52 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
-
23 out of 24 people found this review helpful
4.5 stars
"Great monitor..supercedes last years LN-S3251D"
Pros: Twice the contrast ration of last years model (8000:1), more setup flexibility
Cons: Setup right out of box is too bright, SD channels not nearly as nice looking as HD channels
Summary: Preliminary: This is my first HD set. I've been studying the technology for about a year, and feel like I've made a pretty informed decision for a first time purchase! My HD source is DishNetwork VIP622 DVR HD system. My programming includes *all* of the HD offerings DishNetwork has, which includes all of the VOOM channels (DishNetwork evidently bought out VOOM). I've had the VIP622 for six weeks, before getting the Samsung, which gave me a chance to familiarize myself with it's operations/quirks. I was using it on a SD set (I guess that?s 480i) before finally deciding on the Samsung. It's a dual mode receiver meaning it can control two sets independently, although only one is HD. It is also a DVR that can record a HD program. It has all the choices of outputs, to match all the input choices on the Samsung. I can do composite video, S-Video, component video and HDMI. I chose HDMI, but have also hooked up a component set of cables to do an A-B comparison. HDMI is a digital signal, component being an analog HD signal. I wanted to see if there was a difference, especially in light of the fact that several people that have reviewed the DishNetwork VIP622 on CNET have complained about the HDMI output being unstable. I'm not sure what 'unstable' means, but all I can say is after one week of solid operation with the two, I've not had any problem with the HDMI signal. One curious thing about the HDMI stuff, I cannot find specs anywhere that specify the HDMI version on the Samsung LN-T3253H. I guess it's either 1.1 or 1.2. One last bit of preliminary info: I had initially decided on the Samsung LN-S3251D, which was a 2006 model. It got very favorable reviews for a 32" LCD sporting 4000:1 contrast ratio. When I went to make my purchase I found out the Samsung LN-T3253H (2007 model) was just released to replace the LN-S3251. It has 8000:1 contrast ratio, and has addressed some of the shortcomings that were inherent in the older model.
Ok, like I previously said, this is my first HDTV, and my first LCD. It's taking a bit of getting used to, as its...different then the traditional high quality CRT's that I've been used to. Looking at a 1080i HD channel is really great. The quality and resolution are sooo much better then NTSC standard def (SD) stuff. But, as anyone knows who's been to Europe and watched TV there, the US has been lost in the '50's with it's soon to be defunct NTSC standard. For those who don't remember...NTSC defined a scanning system that was built around a 60 cycle vertical refresh rate, with 525 *interlaced* lines. That meant that you only really saw 262.5 lines every 30th of a second. It was very crude, but it had design advantages for it's time (which is long past). The European PAL/SECAM systems had higher refresh rates, and thus *looked* much better then American TV did. For those who wonder what HD really is about, it's ALL about the resolution. Resolution takes into consideration refresh rate (an archaic concept since it's only pertinent with a scanning electron gun CRT), and aspect ratio. This Samsung LCD set can display a 1080i signal. That means that the resolution is 1920 X 1080 interlaced signal. So, you can see 1920 pixels horizontally, and 1080 vertically, although of the 1080 you're seeing 540 per frame. This really isn't a big deal, since most film movies are recorded at 24 fps, so there's a lot of up scaling/downscaling to match the signal with the set.
The Samsung's video controls allow you to manually set all of the available video settings: contrast, brightness, sharpness, color, tint, etc.. Or, you can choose from one of three presets: "dynamic, standard, and movie". The factory default is "dynamic", which has the brightness and contrast adjusted just a bit too..?gay? for my taste. I set it at standard and it seems to be a more natural picture. Other video settings include "color tone", which has different levels to choose (cool1, cool2), Digital Noise Reduction, Active Color, DNIe (Digital Natural Image engine), all of which are probably proprietary Samsung video settings, most of which I have only dinked with a little in an effort to get a natural looking picture. I suspect, that if I had a professional come in and 'setup' my set using color calibration equipment, this set would really show off its best, but as it is, I'll continue to play around and figure out the best combination of settings for the best picture.
One of the things I noticed immediately when I first started using this set, is that when the picture would change to a mostly black screen, there would be 'ghost' patterns on the LCD that would quickly fade. I think, this was due to incorrect video settings, as I don't seem to notice them anymore since I've tweaked it to my liking. This also might be attributed to the 8ms response time, which I suppose is faster then it used to be, but I know that Samsung is now making LCD gaming monitors that have 2ms response times. Speaking of gaming, this set has a 'gaming mode', which is useful for hooking a computer or game box to this set. I have no desire to do either, so I cannot comment on this aspect. I did out of curiosity hook my computer to the VGA input to see what it looked like. It was OK I guess, but again, I didn't get this to be used as a computer monitor, so its a moot issue. Speaking of inputs..this set has lots. It now has 3 HDMI inputs (one conveniently on the side for easy access), two component inputs, S-Video, composite video, audio (analog and digital) and a WiseLink USB port for hooking up jump drives and the like so you can display your JPEGS and home videos.
So, I'm pleased with the picture now that I've tweaked the video settings a bit, although SD signals look boring. I have the Samsung set for "just scan" meaning it will take the incoming signal and just scan whatever resolution it's transmitting without alteration. That means that SD (non HD DishNetwork satellite channels) is displayed in a 4:3 box with black bars on the side. Its OK I guess, but what can you expect from a signal that was developed in 1950! Ultimately, in the next two years, the FCC will be converting ALL signals away from NTSC to a new digital standard (not necessarily HD, but digital just the same). Oh, BTW, this Samsung has a built in ATSC digital tuner for picking up over the air digital transmissions. So does my DishNetwork VIP622. I cannot comment on either one of these, since I live in the boonies of southwest Virginia, where over the air reception (analog or digital) is impossible, even with a good outside antennae.
One last comment about the video...I mentioned that I hooked up both HDMI AND component video so that I could A-B the signals. There's very little difference between them, all things considered, but I have to say that I think I prefer (why I'm not sure yet) the component input over the HDMI. It's very subtle, but it's just a bit easier on the eyes to look at. Then again, the Samsung allows each input to have individually set video/audio settings and preserves them in non volatile memory (an improvement over last years model). When I was A-B?ing the two sources, I'm not sure that I had the exact same video settings between HDMI and component, which might account for my slight preference towards component.
The audio of this Samsung is pretty good, with two speakers hidden under the front panel. Anyone who is really serious about home theatre (I'm getting there!) will ultimately use an external surround sound system for audio.
I should comment on the looks of the LN-T3253H. It?s gorgeous. It's finished in a shiny piano black enclosure that I think looks great.
Some people have commented on the Samsung's remote control being too clumsy. I don't know how I feel, its ok I guess. Basically, I'm not really using it anymore since I've programmed the DishNetwork VIP622 remote to control the Samsung as well. It takes care of most of the basic functions, so it ends up being one less remote I have to worry about!
All in all, I'm pleased with this set. I got a great price on it from www.ButterflyPhoto.com. I chose a 32" because it fits my needs. My living room is small, and I didn't want something that shouted: "BIG SCREEN TV HERE" when you walked into the room. I do wonder though, if a comparable plasma would have a better picture all things considered. Of course, a comparable 32" plasma would cost more then what I got the Samsung for, so it?s not worth losing any sleep over! I think I will be very happy with this purchase, and intend to keep it for a long time!
Oh, about my "9" rating. I'm not a qualified reviewer, just an "enthusiast". At first I thought an "8" would be fairer, but like I said at the top, this is my first HD set, and I'm real excited to finally get it!Updated
ammendment: 5/01/07
After having this HDTV for several weeks, a curious problem has developed. Sometimes, the audio will just drop out. Cycling the mute doesnt fix it, the only way to get audio back on the HDMI input is to either power cycle, or cycle through the inputs (I also have cable connected). I called Samsung tech support, and naturally they want to blame it on everything else but their TV. The DishNetwork receiver, the HDMI cable, Jupiter mis-aligned with Mars, etc. However..another user review on CNET stated that he was losing audio occaisonally using his Xbox and HDMI, so I'm leaning towards this being a problem in the Samsung. Right now, it happens infrequent enough to be a minor PITA, so we'll just wait and see what develops.Updated
Samsung has finally acknowledged the audio problem and has a fix for it. If you call their technical support department, they'll send you a free USB thumb drive that has the new firmware on it. Since I applied this 'fix', I have not experienced any more audio drop-outs! Yey for Samsung!!!
- 3 replies to this review
-
I'm having the same problem with the audio dropouts. I have 2 DVD players,1 toshiba HD and the other is a Sony 75H both connected over hdmi. This happens enough to make it bothersome. And your right the only way to fix this problem, power down the TV. Other than this I love the television.
-
"Great picture. Sound is superb, when you can hear it!"
-
I agree that this set is beautiful in virtually every aspect except the sound drop off. Several times per day the sound will simply disappear. The sound returns upon restarting the tv or the cable. I also discovered a similar complaint on the circuit city website. I plan to return the set to Best Buy today, and think about whether to accept the same model or try another brand. I am leaning toward giving the Samsung another try.
Samsung LN-T3253H:
