40in LCD Picture Sound Features Usability Value The best picture performance and range of features of any TV at this price. Rating: 91%

Reviewed: 09 April 2009

  Overall picture performance

  Widget technology a little 'Gimicky'

Design

 

Although just a minor stylistic touch, the curved lower edge of Samsung's LE40B650 provides welcome relief from some of the purely rectangular flat screen TV's on the market.

Even without the pleasing wave like form at the lower edge of the screen the LE40B650 would be capable of providing a stunning centerpiece to any living area. An object lesson in simple clean design, a slim, perfectly rectangular pedestal joined to the TV with a conical translucent column creates a stunning stylistic statement.

Features

Hot on the heals of LED and 100Hz processing, the Samsung LE40B650 features the technology which seems to have picked up the mantel for being the latest must have component on flat screen TV's, 'Widgets'. These widgets provide access to weather reports, stock quotes, RSS feeds etc.

	Screen: 40in 16:9 Tuner: Digital Sound System: Nicam Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Contrast Ratio: n/a Other Features: 100Hz processing, Ultra Clear Panel, DNLA compatible. Sockets: 4 HDMI, 2 SCART, Component Video, Composite Video, PC input, Ethernet port, 2 USB ports, Common Interface Slot.

 

Although most of us are aware that 'Widget' technology provides some sort of access to the internet, this access might not be all that you imagine. The technology actually allows viewers to browse the content provided by Samsung's own internet portal. However, this portal has recently become much more interesting with the addition of YouTube and Flickr (the photo storage/exchange site).

The LE40B650's internet functionality (Internet@TV) is driven by Yahoo widgets, a development platform developed by the search engine company to provide this sort of content for a wide range of entertainment devices. We can expect the range of widgets to develop over time (anyone can develop their own widget). Whether the technology proves to be a passing fad or something more far reaching remains to be seen.

Complementing the widget technology is Samsung's Content Library which contains a wide range of pre-loaded material such as photo screensavers, recipes, children's stories and songs along with some basic games.

Slipping quietly under the radar with all the fanfare surrounding Toshiba's upscaling technologies, Samsung have been developing their own take on the technology and included it within the LE40B650's circuitry. The upscaling technology has been designed primarily to improve the performance of Standard Definition (SD) presentation.

With an innovative mix of high and low reflection layers, Samsung's 'Ultra Clear Panel' works to improve contrast ratio and black levels whatever the lighting conditions actively adjusting its responses depending on ambient conditions. 'Ultra Clear Panel' is Samsung's evolution of their 'Super Clear Panel' technology found on previous LCD and Plasma screens.

Samsung's take on 100Hz processing, 'Motion Plus' inserts extra frames (up from 50 frames per second to 100fps) to produce a smoother viewing experience by eliminating on-screen 'flicker' (the noticeable transition of picture 'frames' with faster on-screen action). Three pre-sets are available increasing in strength from 'Clear' to 'Standard' and finally 'Smooth'. There is also a 'Custom' option which allows the user to tweak settings.

Elsewhere, the LE40B650 offers a Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution screen along with 4 HDMI inputs, 2 USB ports, Ethernet and a Common Interface Slot. Content such as still JPEG's, MP3 or even video files can be played through the USB ports or alternately through a DNLA compatible PC (DLNA enables the easy sharing of digital media through a wired or wireless network in your home).

Performance

We can't help thinking that 'hardcore' internet users will quickly tire of the LE40B650's 'widget' technology. The rather sluggish operation of the interface will frustrate some, and at the moment the breadth of content is just not available. However, the integration of TV and the internet has a definite place and even in this rudimentary form will appeal to those who appreciate the convenience of internet functionality having settled in for a night in front of the TV. A browse through some YouTube videos on the big screen or a quick weather check add another dimension to the viewing experience.

While not quite up to the jaw dropping standards set by the likes of Pioneer with their range of plasma TV's, the LE40B650 demonstrated a black level ability that places it amongst a select group of flat screen performers. The depth and consistency of black is never in question, with the LE40B650 going on to produce some of the finest graduated detail in darker scenes that very few TV's can match.

A decent black level ability produces a perfect backdrop for colour which the LE40B650 takes full advantage of. Colours this precise and with such vibrancy are found on very few flat panel TV's. What's more, the LE40B650 avoids the trap of producing an over saturated colour palette, just rich wholly believable colour tones which perfectly reproduce tricky areas such as facial tones.

Whatever goes into the mix that is Samsung's upscaling technology manages to produce some of the best Standard Definition pictures we have seen on any flat screen TV. There are better performers out there, but not for the price of this mid range LCD. A lower quality Freeview source produces some familiar problems of noise interference, but considering that the LE40B650 is taking 576 or so lines from the format and presenting it on a Full HD screen, the results are quite commendable.

Although Samsung's 100Hz technology produces that strange effect of making 'film' appear as if it has been shot as video, the results can be tweaked to give 'softer' results. This implementation of the technology actually appears to have a worthwhile effect on the presentation of faster on screen action. Disappointed by other manufacturer's implementations of 100Hz, Samsung's motion plus system can reduce 'blurring' quite significantly.

The High Definition (HD) performance of the LE40B650 is predictably good given the screen's Full HD resolution. Panasonic's range of Full HD LCD's still provide just that little extra clarity and sharpness, but only just, and there is not a lot in it. The Samsung is still capable of producing the kind of jaw dropping HD picture that provides full immersion into the on screen content. Close up shots reveal the true ability of this screen with every nuance of detail pin sharp and presented in gloriously vibrant colour.

Coming as a pleasant surprise, the acoustic performance of the LE40B650, despite its hidden speakers, came as a pleasant surprise. Flat panel TV's have been notoriously average in this respect and the Samsung impresses with a much stronger level of 'Bass' than most which only starts to creak with the most demanding sound tracks.

Conclusion

The Samsung LE40B650 is quite possibly the most accomplished flat panel LCD TV we have come across for the price. There are no areas of weakness, and the internet functionality, albeit in a limited form at present, adds another dimension to the viewing experience.

  Overall picture performance

  Widget technology a little 'Gimicky'