Samsung LE46A656 Review

46in LCD

Picture
Sound
Features
Usability
Value

One of the most accomplished large LCD TV's we have come across.

HD Ready:

yes

Resolution:

1920 x 1080

Rating:

92%

Reviewed: 01 July 2008

Design

By employing a unique manufacturing process to produce their A656 series of LCD TV's, Samsung have managed to create a uniquely stylish range of panels. Describing the finish simply as 'Rose-Red' doesn't do justice to Samsung's 'Crystallization' process which gives the 6 series a subtle hint of deep red which gets deeper towards the edges of the screen.

Samsung have managed to retain more than a hint of their trademark black gloss finish and apart from the new manufacturing process employed in the production of these screens, a smooth slightly curved frame tapering away at the edges with a translucent edge makes for a supremely stylish piece of kit.

Scoring another industry first Samsung have become the first flat panel manufacturer to dispense with the use of either glue or screws in the manufacturing process. The result is a flat panel which looks like it has been hewn from a solid block.

Features

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).

Screen: 46in 16:9

Tuner: Digital

Sound System: Nicam

Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Contrast Ratio: 15,000:1

Other Features: DNIe Pro picture processing, 100Hz motion Plus system, Ultra Clear Panel.

Sockets: 4 HDMI, 2 SCART, Component Video, Composite Video, PC input, USB.

It is worth noting that the LE46A656 also offers a 120MHz mode. This has been designed to generate smoother playback of 24fps sources (such as most films) as 120MHz is an exact (x5) multiple of 24fps, which help to keeps the processing algorithms simple.

The LE46A656 benefits from the latest developments of Samsung's proprietary picture processing technology, DNIe (Digital Natural Image engine). In its latest guise, 'DNIe Pro' with its Motion Optimizer, Contrast Enhancer, Detail enhancer and Colour Optimizer, works to improve these four main aspects of the LE46A656's performance.

With an impressive 4 HDMI inputs (v 1.3), 2 Scarts, CAM slot, PC input, USB port along with the usual Composite, Component and S-Video inputs, connectivity on the LE40A656 is class leading.

With the panels built-in USB port you can display digital still JPEG's or play MP3 music tracks. An intuitive slide show function allows you to set the speed of a slide show and even select an MP3 track to have as background music.

For the more adventurous amongst you, a little 'digging' into the Samsung's picture setup menu will reveal noise reduction, flesh tone correction and black level booster options. There are also some useful picture-in-picture functions.

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.

Performance

Testament to the progression of LCD technology in general and in particular Samsung's own efforts to overcome the problems associated with large LCD panels, the LE46A656 handles Standard Definition (SD) sources extremely well. We have to put this performance into context however with the better plasma screens highlighting some shortcomings. The Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution 46A656 does a remarkable job translating a low quality SD source onto a 46in panel although there is an element of 'noise' within the picture and compared to the smaller models in the range an element of that crisp sharpness is missing. The intrusion, however, is minimal and the LE46A656 is one of the better large screen LCD TV's for SD display.

We had expected a great High Definition (HD) performance from a Full HD panel allied to Samsung's highly regarded DNIe picture processing technology; what we hadn't expected was a supremely accomplished performance which rivals are benchmark Panasonic PZ85 for picture sharpness, detail and sheer presence.

With both standard and High definition sources, 100Hz processing brings an element of composure to fast moving action. Samsung's implementation of the technology is not perfect with an element of posturization and slight loss of detail, but on the whole we feel it adds to rather than detracts from the viewing experience.

The LE46A656 continues to impress with a black level performance that few LCD TV's can match. Its not just the depth of black that impresses but the subtle graduation of shades which reveals detail in even the darkest of scenes. Of course such an accomplished black level provides a good backdrop for colours which on the 46A656 are supremely vibrant while managing to avoid the trap of becoming too 'garish'.

As with most large panel LCD TV's we were somewhat underwhelmed by the acoustic abilities of the LE46A656. Manufacturers have generally made a concession to style with the majority employing some form of hidden speaker system. Inevitably, the acoustics are not as powerful as they could be, Samsung being in the same boat as other manufacturers in this respect.

Conclusion

On the large 46in screen, Samsung's innovative crystallized design has incredible visual impact. To a large degree fulfilling the promise of its impressive spec, the LE46A656 is also one of the best performing large LCD TV's we have come across.