Nowadays most flat-screen TVs come with glossy screens. With all the negative crituque concerning reflections from them, it seems a bit odd that two of the most prestigious TV-ranges today have probably the glossiest screens: Samsung B-series and Panasonic G/V-series (plasma). I want this thread to be filled with opinions and user feedback concerning these glossy screens.
Take Samsung for instance. I had to choose a good 42-46" TV for my parents, and the reflection issue with glossy screens made the decision very hard. It is easy to just say "pick a matte screen, pick a matte screen", but the reality is that glossy screens are beating them in just about every area. So should we sacrifice PQ in order to get less reflection? In the end, it came down to Samsung 46B750 (which has probably the glossiest screen, well actually the whole B-range does, in the market) and Panasonic 42V10. I chose 46B750 because it had such a following here and amazing reviews: low power consumption, excellent PQ (according to CNET, better than the EdgeLEDs), great design and, according to a few reviews, better suitability for sports than even a Panny G10 (yes, better motion handling than a Panny plasma). I'm confident I made the right choice although I fear my folks might think the screen size is a bit too much (viewing distance 9-10 feet or 3 meters).
Just before I confirmed my order (got an amazing deal), I went to a local electronics store and reviewd the models in the point of view of reflections. First of all though I have to say I enjoyed the PQ of Sammy LCDs more than Panny plasmas. I know that plasmas are at their best in darkness and that in lit areas they tend to look a bit washed up. I also know that plasmas tend to shine only after they have been calibrated and watched at home. However I do have to say, watching Eurosport HD (rowing), I enjoyed the picture of Sammy B-series more than Panny G-series.
Getting back to reflections... I compared the screens of Panny plasmas and Sammy LCDs. It is true that a Sammy B-series model has more a more reflective screen than a Panny plasma. Don't get me wrong, a Panny plasma has a reflective screen as well but watching the telly from dead on, I could see myself in the screen more clearly with a Sammy LCD (with a Panny plasma my reflection was a bit faded, not so clear).
However, here comes the most interesting finging. Even though a Sammy LCD will reflect more, it is more enjoyable to watch. Why? The Ultra Clear Screen keeps its rich colors, brightness and viewability even when in well-lit areas. I also found that if you don't focus on the reflections you see in the screen, they will not bother you. On the other hand, when I saw a Panny G10 that had extreme lighting pointed towards it, the picture was unwatchable (you lost actual screen areas to light).
EDIT: I know about the store policy of maxing out the brightness in the Sammy LCDs to make them look so tempting, but that doesn't change the fact that the Ultra Clear Panel, while it's the worst choice to prevent reflections, it's also the best choice for fighting against them.
I own a matte Sony LCD myself (Sony 40D3000) which doesn't reflect but I've got say I just love what the glossy screen does to the colours and brightness. We probably get the 46B750 tomorrow and the final truth will come out after calibration. I am a bit worried about reflections but based on what I saw in the electronics store, I'm confident I did the right thing not choosing Panny 42V10 (which would've only been a slightly less reflective but which would not have been with that Ultra Clear Panel that powers through reflections).
Two cents, anyone?
Take Samsung for instance. I had to choose a good 42-46" TV for my parents, and the reflection issue with glossy screens made the decision very hard. It is easy to just say "pick a matte screen, pick a matte screen", but the reality is that glossy screens are beating them in just about every area. So should we sacrifice PQ in order to get less reflection? In the end, it came down to Samsung 46B750 (which has probably the glossiest screen, well actually the whole B-range does, in the market) and Panasonic 42V10. I chose 46B750 because it had such a following here and amazing reviews: low power consumption, excellent PQ (according to CNET, better than the EdgeLEDs), great design and, according to a few reviews, better suitability for sports than even a Panny G10 (yes, better motion handling than a Panny plasma). I'm confident I made the right choice although I fear my folks might think the screen size is a bit too much (viewing distance 9-10 feet or 3 meters).
Just before I confirmed my order (got an amazing deal), I went to a local electronics store and reviewd the models in the point of view of reflections. First of all though I have to say I enjoyed the PQ of Sammy LCDs more than Panny plasmas. I know that plasmas are at their best in darkness and that in lit areas they tend to look a bit washed up. I also know that plasmas tend to shine only after they have been calibrated and watched at home. However I do have to say, watching Eurosport HD (rowing), I enjoyed the picture of Sammy B-series more than Panny G-series.
Getting back to reflections... I compared the screens of Panny plasmas and Sammy LCDs. It is true that a Sammy B-series model has more a more reflective screen than a Panny plasma. Don't get me wrong, a Panny plasma has a reflective screen as well but watching the telly from dead on, I could see myself in the screen more clearly with a Sammy LCD (with a Panny plasma my reflection was a bit faded, not so clear).
However, here comes the most interesting finging. Even though a Sammy LCD will reflect more, it is more enjoyable to watch. Why? The Ultra Clear Screen keeps its rich colors, brightness and viewability even when in well-lit areas. I also found that if you don't focus on the reflections you see in the screen, they will not bother you. On the other hand, when I saw a Panny G10 that had extreme lighting pointed towards it, the picture was unwatchable (you lost actual screen areas to light).
EDIT: I know about the store policy of maxing out the brightness in the Sammy LCDs to make them look so tempting, but that doesn't change the fact that the Ultra Clear Panel, while it's the worst choice to prevent reflections, it's also the best choice for fighting against them.
I own a matte Sony LCD myself (Sony 40D3000) which doesn't reflect but I've got say I just love what the glossy screen does to the colours and brightness. We probably get the 46B750 tomorrow and the final truth will come out after calibration. I am a bit worried about reflections but based on what I saw in the electronics store, I'm confident I did the right thing not choosing Panny 42V10 (which would've only been a slightly less reflective but which would not have been with that Ultra Clear Panel that powers through reflections).
Two cents, anyone?
