[dx31698]

I got a couple requests for an owners thread, so thats why im starting this one. Most of you who have been follwing the other thread on these know that I have had mine since Tuesday and love it. I would recommend anyone interested in one to go to a big bix store and try it out for the 30 days. I really like the color, but its a personal preference.


I think the amp has been toned down a bit but it seems to be working nicely. I mentioned last night I was able to watch Lost last night without any stutter or judder( I still dont really know the difference) where as i could never watch that show with any amp with my 69.


Give it a shot and you will enjoy!



---------------------------------------------------

May 14 2008 Update:


A New firmware has been put out for this set. ver 2001.3


Click on the link to see what it does

http://www.samsung.com/us/support/do...sp_nm=LN46A650





May 3 2008 Update:


FIRMWARE UPGRADES


The LNxxA650 LCD series had a flaw in the first run production units that caused the TV to turn off & on sporadically.

Samsung released firmware 1003.G after a few weeks of the TV's release to fix this.

The firmware not only fixed the reset problem, but also increased the strength of the Auto Motion Plus feature, but it had a bug that caused the AMP to be stuck & not be turned off when set to off.

The current firmware, 1003.M, was released 3 or so days afterthe 1003.G firmware. The new firmware fixed the reset problem & the stuck AMP bug, but also toned down the AMP strength to previous levels.


The current 1003.M firmware can be found at:
http://www.mediafire.com/?jexhkgj2uhl


The previous firmware 1003.G. can be found at:
http://www.mediafire.com/?4d5lz449etu



____________________________________________________________ __________________________

BUGS & KNOWN PROBLEMS


There are currently two know bugs still present with the TV. A audio bug where if you mute the sound & have it being run through a receiver or headphones, the sound will un-mute itself.

More posts talking about the audio bug can be found here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=5016
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=2743
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=6267
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=6727


There is also a bug where selecting a 1080p resolution over component will cause frequent dropouts, selecting any resolution other than 1080p will fix this.

The component dropout have also been confirmed to be on the Samsung LNxxA650 DLP series as well.


There have also been some reports of the stand of the TV being loose & wobbly.



____________________________________________________________ __________________________

PURPLE HAZE


There have been reports that some models of this TV have a purple haze to them. There has been no correlation on which models have this. There have been rumors that the haze may be from anti-reflective coating, but nothing has been proven. The haze seems to be a isolated incident with few owners reporting it in. The haze some have reported might also be from off-axis vertical viewing & not off axis horizontal viewing, as the vertical viewing angles seem to not be as good as Samsungs previous 71f LCD.


Pictures of the purple haze:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=6957
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5...0135160za9.jpg
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5...0135160za9.jpg
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5...0135160za9.jpg


Here is a picture of the German model with the purple haze:
http://i28.tinypic.com/hrwom1.png


Here is a off axis vertical picture showing the purple haze:

Here is some information on dialing down the purple haze:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=7265


The majority of owners have claimed to not have this haze at all.

Here are some picture of off angle viewing with no purple haze:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=7134
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=7135



____________________________________________________________ __________________________

AUTO MOTION PLUS


The strength of the AMP by default is toned down from than the previous version in the Samsung xx71f series LCD, but it can be upped to the same levels by going into the service menu:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=5192

Quote:
Originally Posted by RiVoLT /forum/post/13638106


For those that need to juice up AMP - FYI - I take no responsibility this is easy but it is at your own risk. Do not mess with settings that you are unsure of.


To increase AMP in the SM what you need to do is:


1. Turn off the TV

2. Press 'Mute' '1' '8' '2' 'Power'

3. The TV will start and you will be in the SM (give it a few extra seconds).


NOTICE: On this screen you will see an 'FRCM_Option' that is greyed out. ALSO take note of the 'View Log' option - you will need this in the end.


4. The first item is 'Optionbyte' go into that menu.

5. There will be an 'FRCM Option'

6. Click and set it to ON

7. Hit Return (maybe hit it 2x) to go back to the main menu

8. Now you will notice that the FRCM_Option is not greyed out.

9. Go into the 'FRCM_Option' menu

10. You will see Film_Low - Film_Medi - Film_High listed 4 times each. (SD or HD and 22 and 32)

11. To change say AMP 'High' setting change ALL FOUR Film_High options

12. Remember that '32' is off and '0' is full blast. I assume you are looking to make all four Film_High_?D_#2 options to '0' instead of 10 (default in 1003.M)


13. Once the changes are made hit return to go back to main menu.

14. Go back to OptionByte and turn off the 'FRCM Option'

15. Go back to the Main SM menu and you will see FRCM_Option greyed out again.

16. Go to the 'View Log' option and choose 'Delete Log'

17. Press the 'Right' corner of the 'wheel' on the remote or just right direction on another universal remote. The word 'OK' should appear to confirm that its deleted.

18. Go back and select 'View Log' instead of 'Delete Log' and it should say 'Log does not exist!!'

19. Now that you've 'covered your tracks'. You can hit 'Power' to turn off the tv and then turn it back on and magically your 'AMP' will be 'Juiced up'.


20. Enjoy!

.

Increasing the strength can cause more motion artifacts & Samsung states that going into the service menu will void your warranty.



____________________________________________________________ __________________________

SERVICE MENU


In case you need to know what the original values of the service menu were, RiVoLT took pictures of the service menus in all three firmwares available:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=4816

SM Screens for 1002.3 (~35MB)

SM Screens for 1003.G (~35MB)

SM Screens for 1003.M (~35MB)


His observations of the differences between the three firmware changes:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=4828



It is also possible to reset all the settings back to what they were when you bought the TV if for whatever reason you need to.

Znutz had posted how to perform a factory reset:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=7134

Quote:
Originally Posted by znutz /forum/post/13768070


A. Factory Reset[/b]

1. Turn off the TV

2. Press 'Mute' '1' '8' '2' 'Power'

3. The TV will start and you will be in the SM (give it a few extra seconds).

4. Select Optionbyte

5. Select Factory Reset twice

____________________________________________________________ __________________________

TOUCH OF RED & GLOSSY SCREEN


The LNxxA650 has a dark crimson colored bezel, that can be seen in extreme lighting conditions, here are some pictures that show the crimson:
http://www.fuelslut.net/ihost/files/17006/TVBlack2.JPG


Samsung also announced that there would be multi colors of the bezels for the A650 series during CES, but there has been absolutely no information of any new colors being available anytime soon:

The LNxxA650 also has a glossy screen, which is said to have slightly better anti-reflective coating over the previous Samsung 71f LCD series.


Here are some comparison pictures of the matted Samsung LNxxA550 LCD vs. the glossy LNxxA650 LCD (thanks to the A550 thread):

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attac...3&d=1206562261



____________________________________________________________ __________________________

UPSCALER


The A650 has a very good upscaler, vastly superior to the previous ones Samsung & most other LCD makers has used:

Some pics of shadow hearts running at 480i:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=6592



____________________________________________________________ __________________________

BACKLIGHT CLOUDING/MURA/FLASHLIGHTS


Some owners have complained that their sets have flashlight on the corners of the TV:
http://i26.tinypic.com/2ccmipd.jpg

or some backlight clouding/bleed/mura (example):
http://i29.tinypic.com/2zi7oqp.jpg


Here is the official LNxxA650 thread for Clouding & flashlights:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1018338


Here is a tip to try AND remove or lessen the problems:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...78&postcount=6


The official Sony backlight thread can be viewed here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=748779

The thread has nearly 9,000 posts about backlight bleeding about the Sony XBR2/3 series, but the discussion can be applied to any LCD.



____________________________________________________________ __________________________

CONTRAST & RESPONSE TIME NUMBERS


The Samsung LNxxA650 series has a quoted dynamic contrast of 50,000:1, but Podol, a Korean ISF calibrator that did a review of this set came up with different numbers:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...9&postcount=61

Quote:
Originally Posted by Podol /forum/post/13515899



Regarding contrast ratio, 71F's dynamic CR's are better in my measurement.

But A650 is better in panel's static CR with turning off any dynamic backlight control.

71F(Korean Model# F81BD)'s Max CR measured 27525:1(even better than Samsung's own 25000:1 spec) and then blacks read 0.012 nits that time.

That's close to Pioneer Kuro's blacks(0.013 cd/m² initially, 0.006 cd/m² after few seconds)

On the other hands, A650's max dynamic CR is limited to around 10K to 1, still better static CR than 71F.


Most new TV's from any major brand, IMO, have enough blacks and CR's unless you're watching it in a darkened room

A650 has around 2000 to 1 non-dynamic, static CR.(2291 : 1 for my measurement)

And that's pretty good enough and better than 71F, I think.

I assume Samsung changed their dynamic backlight control algorithm less aggressively this time and that's why 71F has more CR.

But A650's panels static CR's higher than 71F.

The TV is quoted to have a response time of 4ms. How that figures into real numbers has not been tested yet, but as a indication hometheatermag.com tested Samsung's previous 120hz model with 8ms. response time & they came up with 600 lines motion resolution.
http://hometheatermag.com/images/arc...8hdtest.5b.jpg


____________________________________________________________ __________________________

CALIBRATION


The Offical Samsung LNxxA650 Calibration thread is here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...9#post13515899


cNet calibration for this TV is here:
http://help.cnet.com/9602-12576_39-0...sageID=2510694



____________________________________________________________ __________________________

REVIEWS


cNet review of the LN 52A650 is here:
http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-t...7.html?tag=tpr


Podol's Korean review is here (translated by google):
http://www.google.com/translate?u=ht...&hl=en&ie=UTF8


A Youtube video review can be found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBAXH9LvX74



____________________________________________________________ __________________________

INPUT LAG & AMP MOTION ARTIFACTS


borf posted numbers on input lag on his Samsung's xx69f 120hz LCD series here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=960548


All that information can be applied to the xxA650 series as well. The only difference is that Game mode on these sets seem to really reduce input lag.

INFORMATION & PICTURES OF MOTION INTERPOLATION ARTIFACTS

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...&postcount=342


All these can be applied to the A650, except the stutter which seems to have been reduced greatly.



____________________________________________________________ __________________________

INSIDE THE PANEL


Mikl1984 has posted info & picturs on the actual panel inside the frame:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...&postcount=142
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...&postcount=173
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...&postcount=590



THE GAMERS INPUT LAG THREAD


Samsung LNxxA650 Gamer's (Input Lag) Thread
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1110472




FYI Big River is a codename for Amazon.com people invented here, so quit asking.

[/quote][/quote][/quote]

 

[D92Mike]

Thanks for starting the thread. And in case anyone is looking for the series 5 thread, you can find it here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1005722

 

[bleednd82]

Dx I would repost those pics you had up. Maybe also add all the specs from the Tv as well. Seeing you started it!

 

[dx31698]

Im at work, dont have access to the pics. Maybe the other guy who just posetd his pics, can post them on here.

 

[taurus2007]

Or you can save them to your computer first and then upload them to your first post, giving credit to megapopular.

 

[dx31698]

I really didnt even know how to upload them in the first place, it took us like 25 minutes to figure it out. I dont care who gets credit, as long as everyone enjoys the tv

 

[megapopular]

Pic 49 is a non flash pic... natural lighting from a side kitchen window... you can see that the outer frame (bezel) does catch the light... the screen itself doesn't reflect too much. No doubt about it, the screen is reflective to a degree but once it has an image fed to it, it isn't a problem... for me anyway... next up is a close-up pic with flash!

 

[gilesmcgrath]

Thanks for the pics. The TV looks great. The remote however....ugh that thing is ugly as sin. Good thing we can get universal remotes.

 

[fenix31]

bout time we get some good pics thanks

how about with the tv on

and what are your first impressions?

 

[metal83]



Quote:
Originally Posted by gilesmcgrath /forum/post/13379027


Thanks for the pics. The TV looks great. The remote however....ugh that thing is ugly as sin. Good thing we can get universal remotes.

Yeah its not the best looking remote in the world thats for sure, but it looks easier to navigate than the one for the 71. I personally could care less about the remote, more interested in the tv

.

 

[sirris4]

I got my delivered at 7am and set it up this morning. Awesome set. I got the 40" model with my employee discount at Best Buy. I'd been watching the 71/81 models for months and months but the AMP was just terrible on both. With my little bit of tinkering this morning I have to say that so far the AMP is rock solid. I even did a crosshair test with some PS3 and Xbox 360 shooters. There was no visible halo effect or delay that I could discern. The black levels appear to be richer. Less "blue" than the 71's tendency toward that. The tweaking options are insane also. Highly recommend this set to avid 71 lovers & haters of the 81s issues.


Edit: Also the picture seems to run the best with the backlight at about 5-7. Settings 8-10 was just wayyyyy to bright.

 

[Eddy13]

hey so hows the pq mega how does it compare to the 71 and to the sony...

 

[megapopular]

What do you think?

 

[gilesmcgrath]



Quote:
Originally Posted by metal83 /forum/post/13379057


Yeah its not the best looking remote in the world thats for sure, but it looks easier to navigate than the one for the 71. I personally could care less about the remote, more interested in the tv

.

I agree, now I just cant figure out if I am going to go for the 52A650 or the 52A750. It's a hard life.

 

[megapopular]

AMP is very smooth... no dead pixels... haven't done any detailed settings besides putting it on Full Scan on all inputs...

 

[sirris4]



Quote:
Originally Posted by metal83 /forum/post/13379057


Yeah its not the best looking remote in the world thats for sure, but it looks easier to navigate than the one for the 71. I personally could care less about the remote, more interested in the tv

.

Yea. But the scroll wheel sucks. Just not feeling it.

 

[PENDRAG0ON]

Mega, that Casino Royal picture seems a bit overblown color wise, what picture mode was that taken on?

 

[Eddy13]

hows the glare compared to the 71 and would u say that this sets pq is equal to that of the 71 or sony

 

[metal83]



Quote:
Originally Posted by gilesmcgrath /forum/post/13379088


I agree, now I just cant figure out if I am going to go for the 52A650 or the 52A750. It's a hard life.

I hear ya, but i dont think the 750 is coming out for a little while. And if all it has is a couple useless features it may not be worth it. I am seriously thinking about just returning my 71 tomorrow and ordering the 650. Only thing that would suck is it not being any better than the 71. But i have a feeling it will be. Its kind of do or die right now, i cant wait till they actually get the 650 in stores to go look at it because my 30 days is up on monday. Tough, tough decision.

 

[durangojim]

I can't tell, is there a reflective (high contrast) screen on this set or is it like most other lcds with a flat screen?