[pdotcantu2]

I need help in deciding if I want to get the A650 or A750, I was thinkin about getting it in-store and this guy was telling me that all of the 650's were old and were going/getting replaced. . . but really there's no difference between the 2. Although, I didn't realize that the 750 has a different glass frame along the front of the display, and that the 750 has video playback for .avi's, mpeg's etc. Does anyone lean towards a certain model? even though they're pretty much identical. . . should I pay more for the 750?


Also, I saw some of the Sony XBR series, and it seems like the 120Hz on the Sony's look a little different from that on the Samsung models, maybe even better. . . does anyone else notice that or am I just seeing things?


And by the way, I already own a 360, but I was thinking about getting the PS3 just for a blu-ray player, is there anything else out there that can compete with that player or is there something better than the PS3?


Get back at me. . .

 

[Wooterz]

Well, first and foremost, the 650 is not by any means "old." Whoever told you that was lying to you. Next, the 650 and 750 models do have some differences. Taken from the Official LNXXA750 Owners thread ( http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1025681 )


Differences between the LNxxA650 and LNxxA750:


* 750 has an integrated woofer

* 16-bit processor vs. 12-bit in 650 (10-bit panel in both)

* 750 has DLNA features (can stream audio/video/etc. over a home network)

* 750 can play video off of DLNA/USB flash drive. 650 limited to images/audio

* 750 comes with 1GB internal flash memory pre-loaded with HD pictures, games, recipes, and a few other things

* 750's controls on the bezel have a red backlight. 650's controls have no backlight

* 750 has a square bezel compared to the 650's rounded bezel

* 750 has a square stand compared to the 650's oval stand

* 750 stand does not swivel (contrary to Samsung's literature)


Whether or not you find these differences worth the extra cost is up to you. In my opinion, the 750's bezel is must more aesthetically pleasing than the 650's (both have ToC but the 750's has an extra clear border around it that makes the ToC more subtle).


The new XBR's are great sets as well, some say their PQ is slightly superior to that of the Samsung's. However, there seems to be reports that the entire 2008 lineup of Sony Bravia's suffer from an annoying "sparkle" issue. Everyone's tolerance for minor issues are different so you should consider this as well.


I would go with the 750 because of my distaste with the 650's bezel and I think the DLNA features of the 750 make the TV more future proof, however, this is strictly my opinion.

 

[copen]

For me, the only reason to get the 750 would be for the built-in playback of video files over the network (DLNA). However, the 750 has limited codec support. This is a problem for me, because many of my files use rare codecs like xvid, or transport stream formats like .mkv. Heck my PC BeyondTV software won't even play .mkv files. Only VLC can play those files on my machine.


So if the DLNA is why you're considering the 750, don't. Hook up an HTPC to the 650, and use VLC to play back all formats. Also, the lack of swivel on the 750's stand is kind of a showstopper unless you're wall mounting to an articulating wall mount, because off-angle viewing on this LCD doesn't look as good as dead-on.

 

[Megalomania]

While I can't say that I'm an expert on PQ aspects of these TVs, I DO feel qualified to rant about the 750's "DLNA certification", e.g., its ability to play back certain video, sound, and music files. First of all, very few things can actually play "avi" files - AVI is a container format, allowing you to stuff in a video, multiple soundtracks, and other data. The format of the video is what matters, and the 7 series can play back probably most of whatever you have - it has support for formats such as DivX, Xvid, and I think H.264; however, there are plenty of improperly formatted AVIs or ones containing different codecs. Musicwise, it supports MP3, and I think it's just jpeg for photos.


Getting back to the crux of the matter, DLNA is a group that supports interconnectivity between devices over a local network - in this case, the idea is that you have a display, and if you hook it up to the network then you should be able to look at and hear things from whatever sources you have. For example, the Sony PlayStation 3 can look into your hard drive and play back videos you have (so long as your computer allows it, of course). Where the 7 series gets into trouble is that while any PC user will have a DLNA compatible server (WMP 11), the Samsung will only recognize Samsung's software, which I have heard is awkward to navigate.


If you are considering getting a PS3, forget about DLNA on the 750. The PS3 can do that for you and works with far more options (I use WMP 11). As a blu-ray player, the PS3 is a pretty solid bet since it can be and does get upgraded regularly by Sony, including which profile of Blu Ray discs it can play back. Blu Ray is still something of an unfinished standard, and we're currently on Profile 2.0 as the newest and shiniest standard. If the DLNA thing interests you, and perhaps you want a bite at those exclusive titles as well as a Blu Ray player, go for it with the PS3. (Yes, I own a PS3, and barely use it for games apart from CoD4).


With regards to Samsung/Sony 120hz processing, from what I've heard the Sony panels still have the upper edge. They do use different, proprietary technologies, so no you are not just seeing things.

 

[pdotcantu2]

Thanks for all of the feedback. Yeah I know Samsung has been coming out with new blu-ray players that are compatible with the new blu-ray profile that will be coming out, but from what I've heard is that the PS3 is great and the firmware and updates make it easy for any future transitions.


I actually plan on getting a MacBook Pro sometime soon, and I wonder how great it will look when hooked up to my tv. The only thing is, the MacBook Pro does not have an HDMi port so it would just be a regular connection. . . so I'm imagining pixelation and distortion. I've tried to look through threads and find sample pics of what the 750/650 looks like when hooked up to your PC/Mac.


Also, I've heard that the 750 DOES come with the woofer for audio but I've heard that it's NOT. . . a subwoofer? Is that correct? The bezel seems to be more transparent as the guy at BB was showing me. When I see the display Sony XBR's in stores and they're previewing a movie like Spiderman for instance, it seems like their Motion Flow looks a little more 3D? not that the AMP on the Samsung's look bad, but I thought all models would look identical when using that feature.


The DLNA sounds great and I'm sure I would use it often, the 650 has DLNA too if I remember correctly? Although you're limited to what you can access i.e. movies and playback of different formats.


For the longest time, even up until now I've still been deciding on whether I want the 650 or 750, or if I want the 46" inch or if I should pay a little extra and get the 52" inch. . . and I simply can't make up my mind. . .


What kind of speakers is everyone using on their Samsung? I was thinking about getting KEF's (British brand speakers) which has gotten great reviews.

 

[sharkcohen]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Megalomania /forum/post/14187863


Where the 7 series gets into trouble is that while any PC user will have a DLNA compatible server (WMP 11), the Samsung will only recognize Samsung's software, which I have heard is awkward to navigate.

My 750 is working perfectly fine with twonkymedia server on my Linux box.

 

[sharkcohen]



Quote:
Originally Posted by pdotcantu2 /forum/post/14187930


The DLNA sounds great and I'm sure I would use it often, the 650 has DLNA too if I remember correctly? .

The 650 does not have dlna.

 

[Megalomania]



Quote:
Originally Posted by pdotcantu2 /forum/post/14187930


I actually plan on getting a MacBook Pro sometime soon, and I wonder how great it will look when hooked up to my tv. The only thing is, the MacBook Pro does not have an HDMi port so it would just be a regular connection. . . so I'm imagining pixelation and distortion. I've tried to look through threads and find sample pics of what the 750/650 looks like when hooked up to your PC/Mac.

MBPs have DVI output (and no D-sub 15 [a.k.a. VGA] port, at least on the 17"). You can get an adapter for DVI->HDMI for maybe $10, and the HDMI 1 input port has a stereo audio input for this fairly common conversion. It will be the same quality connection (for video, at least) as if you had an HDMI output.


As to twonky working with the 750, cnet claimed they could only get the Samsung software to work. Oh well :/