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- 55" widescreen HDTV (54.6") -- 16:9 aspect ratio
- Touch of Color high-gloss finish
- built-in digital (ATSC) and analog (NTSC) tuners for over-the-air TV broadcasts (antenna required)
- built-in QAM cable TV tuner receives unscrambled programs without a set-top box (cable service required)
- Ultra Clear LCD panel (1920 x 1080 pixels)
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Product Description:
55" widescreen HDTV (54.6") -- 16:9 aspect ratio * Touch of Color high-gloss finish * built-in digital (ATSC) and analog (NTSC) tuners for over-the-air TV broadcasts (antenna required) * built-in QAM cable TV tuner receives unscrambled programs without a set-top box (cable service required) * Ultra Clear LCD panel (1920 x 1080 pixels) * | | | | |
Average Rating : 
Rating : - Visibly better than Samsung LN46A650
We bought the Samsung LN55A950 and the LN46A650 at the same time - one for the family room and the other for the bedroom. Side-by-side, the difference is very noticeable. Even though I set the image parameters the same on both sets, the colors on the 950 are definitely more vivid. You need not be a videophile to see the difference. Even when I view the 650 by itself in our bedroom, I can tell the subtle difference. It's still a great picture, but it just lacks the "pop" of the 950. Also, when viewing the two sets in total darkness but still powered-up and in the absence of any video signal, the 650 screen is a dark navy or gray, while the 950 is nearly (but not entirely) invisible. Granted, no one ever watches a blank screen in the dark - but there really is a difference in the black levels between these sets.
Both sets have the "glossy" screen, but to my delight and great relief, they pose absolutely no problem whatsoever. Both our sets are located in rooms with windows and overhead lighting. Can I see any reflections? Sure, if you look hard, you can see them - as I could on my old CRT TV. Before I turned-on the sets, my wife commented on the reflections, but no one has ever commented about reflections when the set is on.
As other reviewers have noted for the 650, the 950 also takes 3-4 seconds to pick-up the video signal on start-up. Images do not instantaneously appear as soon as you turn-on the set. This is a very minor issue.
I looked over the games, recipes, and other content that you can access with the 950. I actually found a good recipe for beef kabobs, but the material is mostly forgettable and this content would not be a deciding factor in my purchase.
I paid $4200 for the 55" 950 and $1600 for the 46" 650. Is it worth the difference? Of course, the screen sizes are quite different, but if I were to do it again, adjusting for the different sizes, would I pay $1000 - $1500 more for the better picture? Hmmm, that's a tough one. If you can afford it, I would go for the 950. The 950 made our holiday houseguests all wonder what was so different between our HDTV setup and theirs. That satisfaction is certainly worth something. However, I would definitely be very happy with the 650 and if I had not seen the 950 first, I would not be dissatisfied or wanting in the least.
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