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"SAMSUNG is the new KING of LCD ." on by jamesmiguel
Pros: Produces deep blacks with excellent shadow detail. Incredible amount of picture control. Excellent connectivity. Very sleek looking package.
Cons: Input cycling is a little slow. VGA input will not accept XBOX 360 so far.
Summary: Like many of you out there, I research all my expensive purchases before I buy. This model was just released so not even CNET has it rated yet. Choosing a television at your local electronics store is no help either. Sure its fun to look but poor calibration, split signals and pushy salesman prevent us from making the perfect choice.
Not wanting to regret my purchase, I went to a yearly held electronics expo held in my home town. I saw many displays that day and they all looked great but only one in my price range really caught my eye. The SAMSUNG LNT5265F was running PEARL HARBOR off a new Blue Ray player. This TV was a little big for my needs but the picture was estonishing and really put SAMSUNG on top of my list of contenders.
The LNT4661F is one of SAMSUNG's high end 1080p displays and its size was just right. Altough it does not have the same contrast ratio as its brother the LNT4665F. It does retain most of the same specifications and features but without the reflective coating. This actualy was the deciding factor in my choice because of the anoying reflections I would get with my old bubble screen. I have had it for a little over 3 weeks now and tested it with pretty much everything I will be using it for and so far the good defenetly out weights the bad.
Design
This is one of Samsung greatest achivements in design. The bezel is made of black piano plastic with an approximate 1 inch and a half inch border which really helps perceived contract. There is a stylish mirror trim at the bottom of the screen that serves to redirect sound from the speakers but also gives it a very classy look. It is mounted on an oval shaped base made of the same material that swivels 20 degrees both ways. The remote is somewhat disapointing. It lacks dedicated input buttons. This is a minor anoyance because you have to cycle trew each input to get to the right one. It also lacks propers backlighthing for every button. I already had a LOGITECH HARMONY remote so it dosent really mater but I really expected more for the money.
Connectivity
The amount of inputs on this TV is impresive. I won’t name them all, I will let you check out the specs on SAMSUNG's web site. I will say that there are more inputs then on most other units. All of these Inputs give the user plenty of options but it also causes a small problem. This TV has input detection so that you only jump to inputs that are receiving a signal. The problem is that this detection is a little slow. Add the fact that you can’t go directly to the right input with the remote and you can get quite annoyed. Samsung has however allowed you to directly access the proper input by selecting it trew the main menu.All three HDMI 1.3 inputs are 1080p capable so you can benefit from the latest in digital signal transfer technology. I also connected my PC via the VGA input. The picture quality at 1920 x 1280 is great but small text is hard to read so you have to sit much closer to the screen then you would think. I also tried hooking up my XBOX 360 via the VGA input. I have been unsucessful so far in receiving a signal. I was forced to use one of the component inputs which luckaly accepts 1080p.
Video Performance
I highly recomend video calibration using a DVD ESSENTIALS or AVIA disk. Like most electronics companies this Display is sent out of the plant with extremely abnormal settings. I was pleased to see that SAMSUNG included alot of customization settings in the menu but I found that at times these settings would often cancel out each other making it a little difficult to get a perfect picture. The color accuracy on this unit is very good except for a small decoding error in the green channel that is unnoticable during regular viewing. I am pleased to report the Black's and shadow detail is extremely good without any noticable black crush like its predecessor.
Picture quality from HDTV and HD-DVD deliver excellent results. I watch alot more discovery channel then I normaly would because of the prestine life like images I get on this set. Most HD channels look great. Digital channels differ from one to the other but the best looking compare to DVD in quality. Standard definition TV is subpar when compared to CRT but that is to be expected with these types of sets. The best picture is still from HD-DVD. The shapness and contrast of the picture really showcases this displays talents. I was so mezmorized by the picture that I ended up going trew my entire collection in a week. DVD was much better than I expexted. Altough not as sharp as HD it is still very pleasing to watch.
High definition gaming with the XBOX 360 is extremely satisfing. Every game I played brought a smile to my face. The increased brightness and sharpness of LCD coupled with an 8 ms response time equaled many hours of killer gaming time. Gaming enthusiasts will be plased to know that Samsung worked closely with Microsoft to create a special Game Mode that optimiizes image quality, sound and response time for more realistic video game play. Activating this feature in the main menu makes the screen noticably brighter, Allowing me to see in darker portions of the image.
Viewing angles on this TV are very good with a 178 degree Horizontal and vertical range. There is a slight wash out past 35 Degrees but the picture is still very watchable.
Audio performance
Sound is adequate considering the small size from the speakers. Samsung has included a custum EQ in the main menu so you can tweak the audio all you want. This TV is equipped with SRS surround for simulating 5.1 but obviously does not replace a good sound system.
All things considered I beleive that SAMSUNG has a real winner on its hands. The LNT4661F has almost all of the benefits of its slightly more expensive brother the LNT4665F but without any reflections. Altough its not the case for me. If you have no problems with ambient light I would defenetly go for the 65F because of the small price diference. No matter what model you get I'm sure you will be happy. -
"Excellent color, blackest black, very happy" on by markc50
Pros: great picture, impressive colors wonderful TV
Cons: None at this time
Summary: I spent a long time reading reviews and waffling between the different formats: DLP, Plasma, LCD. LCD's had some issues with clouding, but then I read a review that the Samsung 4661 with True Black had solved that problem. I went to Best Buy, and the TV's were on sale for $2849. I asked the salesman if that was the best price and he told me that because the 4661 was a new model, they had wiggle room and sold it to me for $2449. I mentioned I had to upgrade my Comcast to Digital when I got home. He told me if I did it at the store, I'd get an additional $100 off. So, for $3048 I got the 46" TV, a 4 year warranty and a glass and chrome TV stand.
The 4661 is glossy Piano black. I turned the backlight down to 4 instead of 10, and the picture is still plenty bright. There is no evidense at all of pixelation. I am thoroughly impressed with the picture, and the sound is very good also. I like the swivel base. The remote is easy to use. I ordered a HDTV Calibration Wizard from the Imaging Science Foundation for $30. When that comes I'll calibrate the picture. Right now I had turned down the brightness to 6 and the contrast to 7. I use Normal picture setting. That may change with the calibation DVD. This is my first foray into HDTV and I couldn't be happier. Samsung has made an excellent product, at a very reasonable price. -
"High recommendation" on by likesdalmations
Pros: Picture, physical appearance, matte screen
Cons: Remote, sound, software bugs
Summary: I've had this TV about 4 weeks now as a replacement for Samsung's LN-S4695 which would occasionally lock up and go blank. Simply put every word in CNET's review of the LN-T4661 is accurate in my experience. The picture is excellent and there are a numerous controls that can be used to make it even better. I would also note the improvement that Samsung has made in the finish of the piano black cabinet. The 4695 was a bit wavy here and there. The 4661 is very flat and smooth. You will appreciate the matte screen in a viewing room with normal lights and other light sources. The version of this set with the shiny screen noted in CNET's review may be annoying to many people.
I have downgraded the rating for 3 specific areas that could stand improvement. The first is the remote. It is frustrating to use as others have stated. I will admit that the buttons are well differeniated by size, shape and color which to a degree offsets the bad others have noted. I like the others have become used to it or bought a learning remote which doesn't require knowing Samsung's digital codes.
I have also downgraded the set for sound. I know that many people connect the TV to a receiver so these comments won't apply but some of us do use the internal speakers and controls and deserve better. The LN-S4695 had better sound. The sound is somewhat tinny and the cabinet does vibrate very slightly but only on certain frequencies. Not serious enough to bump this set out of your selection process especially if you do not plan to use the internal sound system.
However, the software behind the Auto Volume feature that is designed to level out the volume between different stations or programming simply does not work satisfactorily. It does indeed limit the volume but the volume is limited to such a low level that I found myself operating the volume at 100 on certain programs and it still wasn't loud enough for a medium sized room. Samsung Service was called in and they were able to increase the volume in the Auto mode somewhat but not enough in my opinion. So in my situation I don't use Auto Volume and just tolerate the volume changes between stations or inputs.
There are at least 2 more software bugs I've found in my set. The first has to do with the above Auto Volume menu selection. If the Auto Volume feature is selected by choosing YES, Auto Volume is actally defeated. When Auto Volume is unselected by choosing NO, the feature is enabled. If you plan to connect the set to an external amplifier this is a non-issue because the audio from the output jacks is not affected by the Auto Volume setting.
The other software bug I noted is similar and concerns the LNA (low noise amplifier) feature. Selecting YES for the LNA feature actually defeats the feature. Selecting NO enables the feature. If you use use cable or satellite you will not notice this issue. If you receive over the air, as I do, you simply need to be aware of issue and set the LNA (which works very well) accordingly (OFF to boost the signal and ON to not boost the signal).
I have not noticed any other features with this sort of logic inversion.
If you want to experience real frustration just try to explain subtle issues like these to the Samsung tech who comes to your home to correct it! These kinds of programming bugs are not what you'd expect from a major manufacturer.
OK. Now that I have finished critizing the very few shortcomings of the set, I still have to give it a 8 overall because these faults may not affect others who buy this set and because the picture is outstanding.
I'd sure like to hear from others who have experienced these or other similar software issues. -
"Big Improvement from the Vizio" on by rob_seltzer
Pros: Overall excellent for an LCD TV
Cons: None if you prefer and LCD TV
Summary: I bought a 47 inch Vizio LCD TV at Costco. After installing it on a wall mount with a full surround sound system, I discovered that it had some very disappointing characteristics. The off angel viewing was really poor and the contrast rations were relatively low. Even a few degrees off angle caused picture degradation, particularly in low light scenes. After spending weeks trying to adjust the problems away, I decided to replace it. I researched all of the 46 inch LCD TV's (46 inch was the perfect size for the location on my wall). My research resulted in the Samsung LN-T4661F as the best overall solution for my situation. I must say, I am very happy! The TV is all that I expected. The off angle viewing is excellent (for an LCD TV). Color saturation, blacks, contrast ratios are very good to excellent. I am not crazy for the design of the frame (very subjective point) but, other than that and, the slow transition on jpeg pictures from the USB port. I am a happy camper!
PS, Costo accepted the return of the Vizio.
I purchased the TV through Buydig.com. They delivered ahead of time and the price and service was excellent. -
"Beautiful on and off" on by lasergeek
Pros: great picture, decent sound, great look, 3 HDMI
Cons: needs calibration, busy remote
Summary: I traded in a Sony 40" V2500 to get this 46" Samsung (the 46" sony was too big for my cabinet). At first I was very disappointed with the picture. The Sony's colors were outstanding right out of the box. The Samsung red's were all over the place. Playing with Color, Tint, Color Tone made little difference. Then I went to the "Detailed settings". TURN OFF: Active Color, Black Adjust, Dynamic Contrast. These "auto" controls fight your attempts to calibrate.
If you buy at CC, don't forget the 10% off coupon from AAA.
Now I love the picture. Skin tones as good as the Sony!
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