Samsung LN22B650

Samsung LN22B650
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GENERAL INFORMATION
This set is being used in a kitchen, replacing a 5-yr-old 17" Phillips LCD (not digital/HD ).
Reason for replacement is I wanted more viewing (screen) area.
Viewing distance typically ranges from 8 feet (during meals) to 15 feet (meal preparation & clean-up).
Typically used to watch national news/stock market ticker.
Connection: Comcast cable - no cable box nor cable card.
The following descriptions of picture quality were made using analog channels.

PROS
- Screen displays a picture within 8 seconds of powering on, compared to 15 seconds on the replaced 17" Phillips LCD.
- The 'blank' time between (changing) channels is about three seconds less than the Phillips, but comparable to two other 32" Sony digital/HD TVs.
- Initial setup was reasonably intuitive. I scanned the Quick Set Up Guide before starting.

CONS
- During set up, before initiating the 'Find channels' step, I was directed to select the cable signal type used by the cable provider (Comcast), and given a choice of STANDARD, IRC & HRC; there was no explanation/definition provided in the Quick Setup Guide. I didn't know what the instruction meant, so tried each one (resetting the channels selected between each choice). IRC & HRC resulted in no digital/high def. channels being found, which left me with a reasonable guess of what to choose. However, to verify my choice, I looked on-line and found directions to use IRC [...]. But since that still didn't find digital/HD channels, I called Comcast and was told to use STANDARD, which added perhaps 50 hypenated channels (e.g. 132-1), including a few labeled HD on the viewed channel. Lacking a cable box, scrambled channels didn't display.

- The picture on the old 480 resolution Phillips was slightly superior to this 720 Samsung. I've tweaked the picture settings (brightness, contrast, sharpness, color & tint), but still haven't been able to match more natural skin tones that were displayed on the old Phillips and three other, larger Sony digital/HD TVs. Additionally, lack of picture sharpness is particularly annoying; objects often appear grainy and people's faces appear to have an excess of makeup to the point of blurring definiton of detail. That also applies to other scenes. The previously-mentioned Sonys (also viewing analog channels) have a similar problem, but not quite to the extent of this Samsung. I discussed it with a TV-repairman friend, who said it had something to do with the lack of processing power of the TV. I had wanted to buy a 22" Sony (Model KDL-22L5000), but waited too long (discontinued by Sony), and the location of the TV (between shelves) restricts using a larger size. In fairness, a Sony in this size-range may have similar problems - I've not viewed one. And of course if I wanted to pay Comast an additional [...]/month for another converter box, the problem might be moot, because I'd use the digital/HD channels. But that's not worth it to me for a set that gets about 60 minutes of use most days. Comcast already gets more of my money than I would like.

-Sound quality (out-of-the -box) was lousy, but tweaked to acceptable, by using TruSurround Sound and increasing the three lowest equalizer frequencies (bass side) significantly. Volume levels are lacking. The old Phillips was usually set at one-third of max-available volume. Depending on which channel is being used, this Samsung is often set closer to 45 percent of available volume. Maxing the volume is uncomfortable, but not overwhelming (No, I'm not deaf). Additionally with Auto Volume on, there is much less consistency of volume from channel to channel - some channels are harshly loud while others are far too soft. Disabling Auto Volume helps maintain levels from channel-to-channel, but the sound level (volume) drops a bit.

- The set is described on Samsung's web site as having "Touch of Color(tm) (which) adds a sophisticated touch to the bezel". The Samsung site shows it as a different color/shade on about 1/3 of the frame. The set I received is solid, glossy black. This point isn't an issue for me, but it's not what's described.

- When channels are stored as 'Favorites', they cannot be recalled from a list of Favorite channels. Push the button - a Favorite channel displays. Push it again for another Favorite channel, etc - in numeric order. If there's a way to display a list of ONLY the Favorites and then select one to watch, I haven't found it. Again, annoying.

SUMMARY
The set meets my criteria for a larger viewing area in the space available, but the (analog channels) picture quality is mediocre. I viewed the model at Best Buy before buying - it looked good, but was connected via digital/high def. Unless I add a converter box, I'll not be completely satisfied with it. Full disclosure: excepting the 17" Phillips, and this Samsung, the other three digital/high def. TV sets I own run through a cable box (1) or cable card (2).