First off, I have had an 40" Samsung for 3 years and have been very pleased with it. It has a matte screen so that is what I was looking for. I really didn't want any glare so I actually was looking at LG's since they are one of few companies that make 50"+ lcds with matte screens. CNET reviewed the LG's with high marks as well so I was pretty much dead set on an LG.
So I went to Fry's, Bestbuy, HHgregg, and local TV shop just checking out the products. I definitely liked the pictures of the LG's. The colors are on par with the Samsungs and the washout from off angles is also better. But I couldn't get over the simple fact that the Samsungs just looked better. Every store I went to I was like yeah there's glare, but when the screen is fully lit you don't really see it, plus you know we all were used to CRT glass screens for years. The LG technically had deeper blacks, but in reality the matte refraction light made the screen seem more grayish and the glossy screens appeared to have deeper blacks due to clarity. Also, the clarity of the images in the Samsungs was noticeably better. Just one of those things you just see and say yeah that's better. For a final look, I brought my wife for her opinion and she point right to the Samsung as the better picture.
So as a matte finish fan and all the technical abilities of the LG's I had to go with the Samsung. Beyond the amazing picture the style is so much better. So thin, lighter, and the UN55c6500 has a great thin border, actually charcoal matte, with a nice clear trim. Looks so clean.
I've read where some people have said that the picture is so good that it almost looks 3d. I have to agree, playing some video games and bluray, the picture is so good it does almost look 3d.
I also got the wireless dongle (free with purchase) and it works quite easily. No issue thus far.
There definitely are reflections, but glare isn't really too bad. I also did see the rainbow effect from my ceiling lights, but only if in direct view. The motion plus still makes everything look soap opera, but being able to turn it down helps a lot. Samsung has more settings for this than LG's.
I am very pleased with this buy. Samsung UN55C6500 55-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LED HDTV (Black)
we already had 4 HDTVs when I bought this one on 5/2/10- Sony 46", Sharp Aquos 65", Samsung Touch of Color 52", and Panasonic plasma 58". All but the Sony are less than 2 years old- and all look good. But that Samsung Touch of Color really stood out. The picture has always been a real step above the others. So, we went to Best Buy to look at the latest Samaungs, and ended up buying this one.
I have never seen a picture like it. It looks 3 dimensional- you can really place people and scenery in space. It's almost eerie. Another reviewer has complained of flash lighting- but I can't see any evidence of it. Plus the thing is energy efficient- 190w max- less when back lighting is down (which everyone will turn down I'd expect- it's very bright). It's better at not reflecting light than plasmas for sure- another plus- and looks great when the room is brightly lit. It's quiet when on- no "buzz"- and it's relatively cool.
I've (unfortunately) sent back large TVs in the past- including a 65" (which Amazon was great about). I couldn't be happier with this one- so far at least.
*edited 5/8/10- netflix streaming nor Blockbuster streaming worked initially- but a firmware release in early May corrected this. Apps work fine- and VuDu works great and streams in 1080p/24 with Dolby Digital sound anyway- so it's a better source for great looking content. Currently Netflix still sends only stereo (dolby prologic II) audio...
I had a 53" Pioneer Rear Projection for 6 years now and decided to upgrade to something that was slimmer and nicer.
Simply put, the picture on this set is awesome! I have had it more than a month and very pleased with it. I bought it with the assumption that I would try it and if I didn't like it just return it (since it is so expensive) and get something cheaper. I did a lot of research from seeing it multiple times and Best Buy and PC Richard and Sons to following an Audio Video Forum from actual owners regarding this TV.
Strangely enough there is a panel lottery as to what TV screen you will get. I received a SK03 panel and from what I read and know, the S panels have better off angle viewing than the C panels but more of a tendency to show clouding and spotlighting. I don't notice any real off angle viewing since I am watching it from the front and I am lucky to say that there are no spotlighting or clouding issues (believe me I looked hard!). A lot of the clouding or spotlighting can be significantly reduced with proper settings but there are some panels that just show it more than others. I have tested it in many dark movie scenes with bright foregrounds as well as letter box movies (can be found easier by watching bright scenes with dark edges. Unfortunately this is a problem with most LED Edge lit panels and the higher-end Samsung LED TVs have the ability to dim this.
I don't play games so I can't comment on that but a friend brought over his PS3 to see how it looked playing some of his faster paced games (I read some people had issues with speed and shadow images) and he absolutely loved it. We didn't encounter any issues with lag as others had. He was so please that he is planning to buy the same set to replace his Sony.
If you push the info button on the remote you see a little power meter that shows how much electricity this LED TV is using over a standard set. Not sure how true this simple meter is though...but it is still cool.
A couple words of advice:
Although the Auto Motion Plus looks great on (gives the picture a Soap Opera feel to it making it look a little too real). I personally set mine for Clear (or off if you prefer) as it causes more picture quality problems for me than it is worth and plus I can't get used to it. Maybe once I mount the set I will give it another try to see if I can get used.
Please note that the TV will never display 120 Hz in the TV info bar that appears on the top left corner. This displays the resolution that your TV is receiving from the set-top-box, DVD, etc and will always display 60 Hz rate and the resolution (720, 1080i, 1080p). This is not the Rate the set is processing/displaying. You can be assured that the set is outputting 120 Hz.
I connected a wired internet (CAT5e) cable to the set and downloaded all the widgets and upgrades needed. Youtube widget work perfectly and I wasted a good hour before I was done. (can watch these movies in small window or full screen (although a little pixilated)). I haven't used Facebook or Netflix yet but will down the line as it is pretty easy and convenient.
I haven't used the DLNA feature too much as I have dedicated Media player that connect to my NAS. However I did try it and instantly saw my NAS and PC (had to install Samsung PC Share Manager).
There is also an iPhone app for this series that let's you control aspects of your TV (makes it easier to type words on the screen (youtube, facebook, etc). TV and iphone must be using the same router. Not the greatest thing but kind of cool.
The greatest thing is this TV has SO many settings can you can tweak it to your liking
I advise people when you get this TV to look online for settings and forums dealing with this set and optimal settings as without changing anything I might have returned it. Set is simply breathtaking. - 120hz - Hdtv - 1080p - 55 Inch'
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