Samsung LE52F96BDX Review

Samsung LE52F96BDX

Another Samsung review, I hear you say? I can’t help it: they keep coming out with televisions that generate lots of interests (as shown in our VIP Poll). But more importantly, they are one of the few manufacturers who respond quickly to my requests for HDTV samples. If only other companies are this obliging (yeah I’m referring to you Sony).

Back to the 52″ F96. Those of you who have been following the developments in the AV industry will know that it uses a local dimming LED backlight which makes it possible to attain true blacks. The technology certainly isn’t new – Brightside first unveiled their HDR (high dynamic range) displays powered by IMLED (individually modulated LED) back in 2005 – but in the case of the Samsung LE52F96BDX, the affordability is.

I’ll be honest with you: I was pretty excited when I received the LE52F96BDX from Samsung, because it was the one television that I thought could – on paper at least – give the Pioneer Kuros a run for their money. To see how I got on with it, here’s my Samsung LE52F96BD review.

Panasonic TX32LXD700 Review

Lyris just reminded me that I haven’t announced his Panasonic TX32LXD700 review (it has been a busy few weeks), so here it is. Before you ask, a) Lyris doesn’t have any calibration equipment (yet); b) he refrained from recommending it because he saw too many interpolation artifacts caused by [100Hz Motion Picture Pro] which cannot be disabled on the LXD700.

9 comments

  1. Thanks for this. I’d be really interested to see a comparison of this with the Sony 52X3500, although I note your remark about the difficulty of getting samples from them!

    You did not comment on the presence/absence of 110Hz Motion Flow on this model versus the F86. Anything to say about that?

  2. I don’t know I like Sony because they make soild TVs, but I don’t really know and doubt if the new 52X3500 can top this, and we all know that this LED Samsung has been anticipated for a very long time now, & it seems to have deleivered, come on something that even compares in any aspect in a review to Pioneer Kuro?? good job Samsung…

  3. By the way Vincent how didn’t this set take the “Refrence Level” from your Pioneer PDP4280XD? thanks in advance…

  4. Interesting, does anyone know if the 46″ variant is as good as the 52″? The bigger of the two is just a bit much for my room. I think the Samsung’s are catching Sony, but not quite as good just yet as their X Series, which I would love to see given a thorough test against the Kuro and the Samsung.

  5. Hi there

    Will this arrive in a 46″ version, and also I’m very suprised this new LED screen does not use less power than the models it replaces

    I thought LED was meant to use less power?! No mean point when a screen like this can potentially be drawing 310w all the time it’s on.

  6. Any change of a review of the Pioneer LX508, the 1080p version of the 508XD? Some dealers have stock now, and I’m dying to see it reviewed in the depth you manage.

  7. Hi,
    Being in the stages of trying to convince my other half that we “Need” a new TV to replace the 37″ JVC LT37DS6 that we have I am eager to know if there are any sources you can dig into to find out if the F96 will ever be released in the more living room friendly 40″ & 46″ varieties.

    Also should there not be any indication that the LED version will be available in the smaller sizes and I went for a F86 instead would I see a HUGE quality increase over my current set mentioned above?

  8. These is something that could be improved in the review process. Each review uses a different DVD or Blu-ray. On my TV, some BD look fantastic (Casino Royale, POTC2) whereas other don’t (Eragon).

    I ‘d like to suggest to select a set of scenes from various DVD’s and high definition discs and to use the same set for each review. The set of scenes should include e.g, dark scene, fast moving action, fast camera span, … plus anything that the reviewers from this find would find appropriate.

    I like the review, by the way.

    Bruno

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