37in LCD Picture Sound Features Usability Value The Samsung is justifiably part of a leading pack of 37in LCD TV's. Rating: 91%

Reviewed: 04 May 2009

  Black levels

  Widget technology a bit 'gimmicky'

Design

 

It is difficult these days to introduce a flat panel TV which stands out from the crowd without appearing to be over embellished. Samsung have managed to do this with a minor stylistic touch - the curved lower edge of Samsung's LE37B650 gives the panel a distinctive but subtle appearance - a 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 LE37B650 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

Having made a connection to the internet (through an Ethernet cable or an optional wireless dongle) Samsung's LE37B650 series presents a selection of widgets in a dock at the bottom of the screen. These widgets typically offer access to information such as stock quotes or weather reports. Once a widget is selected, the content overlays the main picture down the left side of the screen and can then be resized.

	Screen: 37in 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.

 

Yahoo widgets are in fact a much broader concept than internet through the TV, the technology being a comprehensive development platform developed by the search engine company to provide internet based content for a wide range of entertainment devices. According to Yahoo, more than 300 separate developers "are interested in developing" widgets, from individuals to large content publishers

Samsung's implementation of the technology actually allows viewers to browse the content provided through their own internet portal. Although the number of widgets are limited, they are likely to grow quickly and the portal has recently become much more interesting with the addition of YouTube and Flickr (the photo storage/exchange site).

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 LE37B650'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 LE37B650 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

Not so long ago, the LE37B650's ability to create deep luscious blacks would have placed it well apart from its mid range flat screen competitors. While similar performance can be found on other manufacturers products (most notably Sony's new W5500 range) the Samsung is at the forefront of a leading pack of manufacturers who have managed to push LCD technology to new heights in a relatively short space of time. While the black level ability of the LE37B650 can't quite match the best plasmas or LED equipped LCD's, for a mid range offering it produces some of the finest graduated detail in darker scenes we have seen.

Taking full advantage of the supreme backdrop of rich deep blacks, the LE37B650 puts in a remarkable colour performance. Few TV's can match the sheer vibrancy of colour while avoiding the trap of producing an over saturated palette. The accuracy of colours is immediately apparent along with the subtlety with which these colours are blended to create wholly realistic complex scenes.

Samsung have made a significant contribution to the process of web and TV integration with the introduction of their 'widget' technology. Casual users will appreciate easy access to weather reports and delight in the display of YouTube clips on the big screen. The rather sluggish operation of the interface will frustrate some however and for serious browsing we can't help thinking that a dedicated portal however broad will never satisfy hardcore internet users. As Samsung improve the speed of their widget interface and expand their online content we are sure that a dedicated following will develop - being an open development platform, 'widgets' can be developed by third parties.

With slightly less work to do upscaling the 576 or so lines of Freeview onto a 37in screen, the LE37B650 manages to produce an even better Standard Definition picture than its 40in sibling - the difference is only marginal however with the improvement as much to do with how we perceive content on a smaller screen. Again, there are better standard definition performers out there, but not for the price. There is some visible on screen noise with Freeview, but improve the quality with a cable or satellite feed and you will be rewarded with one of the most accomplished SD pictures around.

The way people react to the various implementations of 100Hz technology is a very subjective matter. We have always thought that Samsung's  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 LE37B650, while not having quite the impact that it does on a larger screen, is still one of the most involving experiences we have witnessed. 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 Full HD resolution of 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, was pretty good. Flat panel TV's have been notoriously average in this respect and the Samsung impresses with a much stronger level of 'Bass' than most. The speakers only start to 'creak' with the more demanding sound tracks.

Conclusion

Internet functionality adds another dimension to the viewing experience but the important part of the package is a flat panel LCD which is a strong performer in most areas and outstanding in others.

  Black levels

  Widget technology a bit 'gimmicky'