( 121 reviews )
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Posted: Jul 25 2009
Oh. Wow. I have had this TV for six months now. I originally purchased a Samsung 52-inch A550, but it was too big and it stuttered playing Blu-ray movies due to the 60hz refresh rate. So I traded it for the A650. Every time I turn it on, its like being transported to another reality. Seriously, the color depth, the clarity, the contrast -- everything on this TV is pretty much, well, perfect. It is loaded with features, including this auto-smoothing effect that makes standard 24- or 30-fps content feel like its playing at 120fps, and it causes a really eerie, all-too-lifelike effect, like the TV isn't a TV, its a Window, and all the action is literally taking place in front of your face. I leave this feature turned off, its just too intense for me. I've never had a technical problem with the TV. Its super easy to operate, the menus are friendly, and the "Red Touch of Color" -- which at first I worried would bother me -- adds just the subtlest hint of elegance. You barely notice it unless there's light from behind, and then its actually kind of cool looking. I can't say enough good about this product, but I don't want to talk your ear off -- I will just say this: If you are thinking about purchasing ANY HDTV in this price- and/or size-range, you'd be doing yourself a favor to take a good hard look at the Samsung 46-inch A650.
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Posted: Jul 21 2009
I have had my TV for well over 8 months now and it runs perfectly. I had upgraded from a previous Samsung that was only 13 inches. So needless to say it took some time to get use to the picture size. One thing that many have not comment on is that the TV produces a 3D like effect where the people in the foreground do stand out from the background. Some people complain about this but I think it makes the scene very realistic and gives you the feeling you are there. All friends and family agree with me. . . If you still fell its an issue after a while your eyes get use to it and it is not noticeable. At the time this is one of the top of the line models, and even though LED is coming out driving the price down of all LCD models I purchased this TV because I knew it had longevity. Why well its 1080p, 120Hz, a high contrast ratio, and the Samsungs I have purchased have lasted me over 13 years! I believe the TV now cost 1300 dollars which I believe is still worth the value. I got it at 1500. Of course you need to have HD channels to really see the worth of the TV, but it does a fairly good job on none HD channels. I have a PS3 and playing COD or watching a blue ray (even non-blue ray) looks amazing on the TV. Granted you need an HDMI cable and PS3 enhances regular DVDs. Many are blown away by the detail it shows. So what are some of the downsides we can't always be biased. The TV runs hot. . . it needs to have a spacious room so the heat will not overwhelm a room. I usually keep a fan on when I turn on my TV just so my room stays cool. Also when you turn it off it always makes a sound to notify you that it is turning off. I personally could have done away with that. Tried to find the option to mute it but didnt find one. Misc. tid bit. The TV turns on relatively quick within 5 seconds. My family has a Sony Bravia and that takes forever (15 seconds) to turn on. Though it is a small thing I find it important. I would recommend this purchase to anyone looking for a quality LCD TV that they can still enjoy with the fact that LED will soon take over the market.
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Posted: Jul 20 2009
I'll save the more substantive reviews for the real videophile types, and just say that I think the picture is better than on some of my friends' slightly older TVs and much better than a four year old Samsung plasma that I have. Bright, good blacks, no motion blur to speak of. Good tv. I docked it a star though because of the 'touch of color' business. It really isn't that obtrusive or annoying, honestly, but a) why does it only come in red and b) why don't they make this tv without it? Again go look at one, and you'll likely find it isn't a massive issue, but I definitely would have chosen a plain black frame if I had a choice. I don't find the remote to be too bad, as many do. Maybe I haven't been exposed to many remotes, but they all seem more or less the same to me when you get used to them. Maybe if I really had a true universal remote I would change my tune but as for a regular old remote, it seems fine to me (though I do wish they would make more remotes using bluetooth or other similar technology instead of making us rely on line-of-sight infrared technology...seems very ten years ago that we mostly still use IR remotes).
