Samsung LE40F86 Review

40in LCD

Picture
Sound
Features
Usability
Value

Hugely impressive all round package with picture quality to match the looks.

HD Ready:

yes

Resolution:

1920 x 1080

Rating:

92%

Reviewed: 08 November 2007

Design

Like a growing number of flat panel manufacturers, Samsung have long since realised that LCD and Plasma screens can sell on looks alone. As a result, these type of TV's are becoming increasingly stylish, and the LE40F86BD is no exception.

Features

The Samsung LE40F86 is basically an upgraded version of the M86/87 series, the important additions being the inclusion of 100Hz processing, an increased contrast ratio (up from 10,000:1 to 25,000:1) and additional USB functionality.

Screen: 40in 16:9

Tuner: Digital

Sound System: Nicam

Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Contrast Ratio: 25,000:1

Brightness: 500cd/m2

Other Features: Full HD (1920 x 1080), 100Hz motion plus, Super clear panel, Movie Plus.

Sockets: 3 HDMI, 2 SCART, Component Video, Composite Video, PC input.

With 100 Hz Motion Plus, the LE40F86 converts the number of images from 50 to 100 frames per second by interpolating an extra frame between each two frames. The process is not merely a simple insertion however, with motion estimation and compensation processing operating to produce a seamless graduation from frame to frame. The idea is that a more natural motion can be realised without degrading other aspects of the TV's performance.

The Picture Processing heart of the LE40F86 is Samsung's trusty Digital Natural Image Engine (DNIe). The technology focuses on improving black levels, improving colour saturations, tone and sharpness.

DNIe has four main feature areas, Motion Optimizer, Contrast Enhancer, Detail enhancer and Colour Optimizer, and has a track record of producing impressive results on previous Samsung screens.

Complementing DNIe is Samsung's Wide Colour Enhancer which has been designed to deliver more vibrant colours, especially around the edge of panels where they are more likely to appear washed out. By adding a full 27 per cent more of the real worlds colour gamut, Samsung claims a four times as many colour gradations than you would normally see from a PAL picture.

With full HD enabled 1080p screen (1920 x 1080 pixel resolution), the LE40F86 can map a 1080i source such as Sky pixel for pixel onto the screen with a potentially far superior picture than an LCD which has to scale 1080i to fit.

Movie Plus, another proprietary technology has been designed, by improving the video signal, to eliminate a bug bear of LCD TVs, motion judder. To speed up response times and produce a sharper picture for gamers the LE40M86 sports something called 'Games Mode'.

Performance

The most impressive aspect of the LE40F86's performance, and where it follows in the footsteps of the M86/87 series, is the incredible black level performance. The depth and richness of blacks on this panel is well into Plasma territory. The achievement is due in no small part to the presence of Samsung's 'Super Clear Panel'.

There will inevitably be mixed reactions to Samsung's implementation of 100Hz processing, and we had mixed feelings on their take on an increased rate of frames per second. 100Hz processing can be switched on or off and comes with three settings (low/medium/high) to meet the needs of different situations. It can produce positive results if tweaked, but unless you are willing to spend an awful lot of time adjusting the setting to suit the current material, then you will probably achieve a more satisfying viewing experience by leaving it off. The good news is that the motion handling capabilities of the LE40F86 are pretty good with it off.

With High definition (HD) material the LE40F86 also excels, producing class leading levels of sharpness and detail. Colours are rich and intense without being oversaturated, and are never less than wholly realistic with tricky areas such as skin tones. Of course, the outstanding level of contrast perfectly enhances the rich colour palette.

We were half expecting a class leading HD performance from the LE40F86, but we weren't expecting quite such a good performance with Standard Definition (SD) material. There are still faults, and the performance is not quite as good as CRT or the best Plasmas, but the difference is becoming negligible. It is testament to the quality of Samsung's 'Super Clear' panel that the LE40F86 displays minimal amounts of motion blur and video noise with terrestrial Freeview and puts in a wholly credible performance with Sky or Virgin as the source that will make the transition away from your old CRT a thoroughly enjoyable one.

Conclusion

A 40in LCD that will cause the leading Plasma manufacturers to start looking over their shoulders. Not much more than six months ago this would have been the best flat panel available.