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Samsung LE-19R86BD Review |
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Reviewed: 08 December 2007
Design
The Samsung LE-19R86 manages to introduce an element of fun into its design, without going over the top, by incorporating a stylish rounded undercarriage. With the usual Samsung standards of build quality and finish, this flat panel screen should have mass appeal as a second TV.
Features
This is the smallest HD ready TV that Samsung produce, and although the feature list is good, connectivity could be hampered with just the one HDMI(1.2) input. There are also 2 Scart sockets along with the usual Composite, Component and S-Video inputs as well as a PC input.
Screen: 19in 4:3 Tuner: Digital Sound System: Nicam Resolution: 1440 x 900 Contrast Ratio: 2000:1 Brightness: 450cd/m2 Other Features:DNIe picture processing. Sockets: 1 HDMI, 2 SCART, Component Video, Composite Video, PC input.
Impressively, the LE-19R86 features Samsung's familiar Digital Natural Image Engine (DNIe) picture processing technology.
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. Samsung also claims a wider colour gamut and four times as many colour gradations.
Two 3-Watt speakers form the audio capability of the LE19R86 with SRS TruSurround XT technology promising simulated 3D effect enhanced dialog and powerful bass.
Performance
Although most consumers will be considering the Samsung LE-19R86BD as a second TV, maybe for the bedroom, it could easily function as the main TV for a small living room.
Although it is HD ready, don't expect anything approaching the experience you get from say a 32in screen if you hook up a High Definition (HD) source. The smaller screen resolution, and the nature of the viewing experience on the smaller 19in screen reduce the impact of the better quality input source. The HD quality is certainly better, with sharper more well defined pictures, but the disparity between Standard and High Definition is reduced dramatically.
The Standard Definition (SD) performance of the LE-19R86 makes it a perfect TV for anywhere around the home. Even with the worst quality Freeview the Samsung manages to produce a picture remarkably free of interference. Video noise is there, but you have to look hard to spot it, and it never encroaches on the viewing experience.
The lower contrast ratio has an impact on black levels, with an element of greyness visible on darker scenes. Although the graduation across darker scenes does not display the subtlety of class leading LCD TV's, the performance is competent enough to maintain a largely convincing viewing experience in this respect.
With good motion handling capabilities (a small element of smearing is visible) and vibrant colours with either SD or HD sources the LE-19R86BD manages to put in a better than average performance in virtually every important area.
Conclusion
The Samsung LE-19R86BD does well in all areas without being class leading in any respect. Combine solid all round performance with excellent value, and you have a very serious TV option.
