how important is the contrast ratio here?

flogen

So I'm looking at two different Samsung TVs - a 40" series 8 (here) and another 40" series 7 (here).

As you can see, their specs are similar in some regards and the price is only marginally different.

For that reason I'm leaning towards the series 8 model - mainly because some of the additional features (like DLNA) are quite attractive; it being slimmer isn't such a bad draw either.

That said, the series 8 has a contrast ratio of 70,000:1 compared to the series 7's 2,000,000:1... now coming from the assumption that bigger is better that makes the series 7 far better quality, but in the real world will that make any odds at all, or could the 2m:1 contrast ratio actually be a bad thing?

I'll happily forgo the slim design and DLNA link for the sake of a better picture but I wonder if it will really make any odds.

In other words, which would you go for?

I'll mainly be using it for watching TV, playing the xbox360 and streaming content from my PC (either through the xbox or the TV, depending on the set I get).

Thanks.

Zonda999

This review should be of help to you. That input lag would annoy the sh*t outta me anyway.That may not be an issue if you aint a gamer but clearly you are.It is an amazing tv aside from that, though. Hav'nt seen any review of the series 8 yet.

Have you considered a 40" series 6. That could be got for under a 1000euro now.

flogen

LED backlighting sounds like a great idea but it's a shame if it makes things so laggy when gaming...

That said while the review does refer to a general input lag problem I have to wonder if many of their problems were based around a bad connection, given that they were trying out the gaming performance on Xbox Live.

If it is a general problem with games it'll make the TV a write-off for me, unfortunately.

The 40" series 6 looks nice, although it has a slightly lower contrast ratio to the series 8 one, which is now the main contender.

Would 70,000:1 be all that much better than 50,000:1?? For the sake of around €300 in difference (and keeping in mind the other extras the Series 6 doesn't have that the Series 8 does)?

Zonda999

flogen wrote: »

The 40" series 6 looks nice, although it has a slightly lower contrast ratio to the series 8 one, which is now the main contender.

Would 70,000:1 be all that much better than 50,000:1?? For the sake of around €300 in difference (and keeping in mind the other extras the Series 6 doesn't have that the Series 8 does)?

Personally i would'nt think its worth that much more. The contrast ratio is the only meaningful thing it would do better than the series 6, and the series 6 already has really dark blacks, the best available on lcd until this latest round of tvs came along. Go to a shop and you'll see that the series 6 is already an amazing set. I dont think any more is needed

flogen

Zonda999 wrote: »

Personally i would'nt think its worth that much more. The contrast ratio is the only meaningful thing it would do better than the series 6, and the series 6 already has really dark blacks, the best available on lcd until this latest round of tvs came along. Go to a shop and you'll see that the series 6 is already an amazing set. I dont think any more is needed

I agree that the S6 is an amazing set - no doubt about that. Have yet to see the new series' in shops so can't really comment on them; can't imagine them being worse but the question is how much better they are.

I guess if the contrast ratio is not worth that much more, which I have a feeling it ain't as you say, I guess it's a question of how much extra I'm willing to pay for the more cosmetic features like DLNA etc.

Not a lot, to be honest, but will hold my decision for a little while either way.

Rew

A PS3 will do all the medai features and play Blu-Rays so i wouldnt be hung up on DNLA etc. All the ey witness stuff I have read about the 786 is that it blows away the 656 visually.

nakano3153

I have a Samsung le52A856 bought from the UK for 1,700 sterling (Crampton & Moore). I'm very happy with the picture quality in HD. SD really depends on your signal.
I bought this one because of the positive reviews and based on seeing the 756 in store.

I paid the premium for DLNA and the slim depth (43mm or thereabouts) - but DLNA turns out to be very restricted in what in can handle. Better by far to have a separate box handle media streaming. The built in internet service is useless (fixed RSS feeds of news/weather/business). Maybe they will offer better content down the line.

The slimness of the TV is great, but if you want to hang it on the wall, you still need space behind it esp if you need to use a scart cable.

I would say the 756 is a better value.

The blacks on Samsung are better than similarly priced Sony equivalents, mainly because of the panel coating on the Samsung (Ultra clear panel), the screen is reflective, but not as bad as you might think.

Rew

nakano3153 wrote: »

I have a Samsung le52A856 bought from the UK for 1,700 sterling (Crampton & Moore). I'm very happy with the picture quality in HD. SD really depends on your signal.
I bought this one because of the positive reviews and based on seeing the 756 in store.

Did they deliver, how much?

I paid the premium for DLNA and the slim depth (43mm or thereabouts) - but DLNA turns out to be very restricted in what in can handle. Better by far to have a separate box handle media streaming. The built in internet service is useless (fixed RSS feeds of news/weather/business). Maybe they will offer better content down the line.

With the 856 you should be able to stream media from your PC to the screen. What your describing is Samsungs online media features which are nothing to do with DLNA.

nakano3153

Rew wrote: »

Did they deliver, how much?

I bought the TV and wall mount at Christmas, they delivered by TNT within 2 working days for 145 Sterling. Total cost was considerably cheaper than buying the lowest price 756 here. I couldn't find the 856 in Ireland anyway...

With the 856 you should be able to stream media from your PC to the screen. What your describing is Samsungs online media features which are nothing to do with DLNA.

Uh, no. When I referred to the built-in internet feature, I am talking about 'InfoLink' (didn't want to use the marketing term). The DLNA comes into play when you use 'WiseLink' which allows access to media files on a USB stick, or from a DLNA-compliant server via ethernet.

The restrictive number of file formats officially supported over DLNA mean that without transcoding at the server end to something the client understands, many many files won't play.

nakano3153

'nother thing: about those published contrast ratios - they are rubbish, tricks using settings designed to achieve outrageous figures. The contrast on my 856 is really good though - although the blacks are a bit crushed (I guess you have to live with that on any LCD panel). Only way to judge these things is to see for yourself in the end.