I've already learned one important lesson in my limited experience with HDTVs - it's not all about the picture.In the case of this unit, the picture quality was very comparable to the 23" Sony Bravia HDTV I had recently bought (slight pluses and minuses for both), but the Samsung is far more well thought-out and user-friendly.I'm really surprised at how big of a difference that makes, but it does.This TV will change channels fairly quickly (about the speed of a non-HDTV), whereas the Sony Bravias (and I assume others) are painfully S-L-O-W.This was irritating enough when I was just using the relatively small number of over-the-air channels, with cable it can drive you absolutely crazy.
Also, the Samsung will sense what inputs are actually being used, so that it will only go to the ones that are hooked up to a VCR, DVD, etc. and not S-L-O-W-L-Y cycle through them all, as does the Bravia (where it's a real drag if you hit that button by mistake).
Another nice feature is that the LNT2653H has separate coax inputs for antenna and cable.If you, like me, want to use both, this makes life much easier.
There are actually a few other smaller items that are superior on the Samsung as well, but the real epiphany to me was that usability is so significant an issue in these HDTVs.Don't get me wrong, picture quality IS important too and this one looks to me as good as any, but you can't really judge that aspect very well in a showroom anyway.Once you get it home you have to actually use it - and the differences there are striking.
I'll also mention that, at the time of purchase, the price at Amazon was significantly better than at any other reputable dealer I could find.The unit came quickly and in good shape.
I'll give it 4 1/2 stars, because as good as it is, it's still not perfect.
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Product Description:
Offering an unparalleled sleek design and one of the best 720p LCD panels available, Samsung's 2007 model LNT2653H 26-inch flat-panel LCD HDTV is an updated successor the super popular 2006 model LNS2651D. Compared to the previous year's model this one offers an updated cosmetic design, a better contrast ratio at 5000:1, hidden speakers, side A/V inputs, and 2 HDMI connections.
The Samsung Digital Natural Image engine (DNIe) Video Enhancer refines all analog NTSC and wideband video inputs for an overall improvement in picture quality. DNIe improves contrast, white level, picture detail and incorporates digital noise reduction to improve lower quality video inputs. The 3D Y/C digital comb filter constantly analyzes the three dimensions of picture height, picture width, and picture changes-over-time to dramatically reduce edge image artifacts while improving transition detail.
High-quality virtual surround sound can be experienced with just the speakers built into the TV. SRS TruSurround XT technology delivers an amazing, simulated 3D effect with clear dialog and powerful bass through hidden side speakers. TruSurround XT audio adds three audio enhancement technologies to produce an amazingly immersive sound experience.
Dialog Clarity brings movie dialog into Focus during the playback of any surround-encoded material to make speech much clearer and crisper.
TruBass creates incredible deep rich bass allowing a person to perceive significantly deeper, richer low bass tones that are far beyond the physical low frequency capabilities of the speaker itself.
The SRS WOW feature widens the soundstage by processing standard two-channel stereo material as well as multi-channel encoded material for a dramatic improvement in the playback of any stereo audio over a two-speaker system.
Connections:
HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) 2
R/F in 1
Component (Y/Pb/Pr) in 2
S-Video input 2(1 side/1 rear)
A/V input 2(1 side/1 rear)
PC input 1
Headphone jack 1
What's in the box: Samsung LNT2653H LCD TV, remote control, 2 AAA batteries, Power Cord, wall mount kit, cleaning cloth, owners manual, warranty card.
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