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Question of the Day: How frequently are you watching FIFA World Cup 2026 matches?
Samsung LA-40B532
- Thread starter sjaak
- Start date
I'm assuming it's pretty much the same as the LA40B530. The main difference will likely be a 2010 model vs a 2009 model.
What I can say for definite is that the TV is a Series 5, thus is one of the mainstream TVs in their range. This means you don't get a spectacular refresh rate, so VERY fast moving images might seem slightly laggy. This effect is less noticeable from further away and with lower brightness levels.
In my opinion, the TV will be sufficient for watching sport; I have a Series 5 Samsung, and fast moving images don't cause my any annoyance with the settings I'm running. The only time I even notice the lower refresh is when watching slow-panning, high-contrast video; not the kind of thing you often see with sport.
I can also attest that the picture quality is great if you take it from a proper feed. HD video looks fantastic. If you're going to be watching something like Supersport HD, then you'll be very happy (even though the feed is only 720p, while the TV is capable of 1080p).
Regarding the price, I'm not sure what that particular TV goes for, but I would assume that the B532 doesn't differ much from the B530 which, on occasion, goes for as low as R7999. If you're willing to wait for a special, then it might be worth waiting for.
As many will say, if you primarily want to watch TV (even HD DSTV), then it might be worth considering a plasma. The true benefit of mainstream LCDs is only really noticeable when using proper 1080p content, like gaming, PC use, etc. However higher-end plasmas handle this type of content just as well (at a price). But for sport, you'll find that the "refresh" of plasma is more suitable. And larger size screens are more affordable than equivalent-sized LCD (in the mainstream ranges).
What I can say for definite is that the TV is a Series 5, thus is one of the mainstream TVs in their range. This means you don't get a spectacular refresh rate, so VERY fast moving images might seem slightly laggy. This effect is less noticeable from further away and with lower brightness levels.
In my opinion, the TV will be sufficient for watching sport; I have a Series 5 Samsung, and fast moving images don't cause my any annoyance with the settings I'm running. The only time I even notice the lower refresh is when watching slow-panning, high-contrast video; not the kind of thing you often see with sport.
I can also attest that the picture quality is great if you take it from a proper feed. HD video looks fantastic. If you're going to be watching something like Supersport HD, then you'll be very happy (even though the feed is only 720p, while the TV is capable of 1080p).
Regarding the price, I'm not sure what that particular TV goes for, but I would assume that the B532 doesn't differ much from the B530 which, on occasion, goes for as low as R7999. If you're willing to wait for a special, then it might be worth waiting for.
As many will say, if you primarily want to watch TV (even HD DSTV), then it might be worth considering a plasma. The true benefit of mainstream LCDs is only really noticeable when using proper 1080p content, like gaming, PC use, etc. However higher-end plasmas handle this type of content just as well (at a price). But for sport, you'll find that the "refresh" of plasma is more suitable. And larger size screens are more affordable than equivalent-sized LCD (in the mainstream ranges).
Two more questions:
How good is the Samsung LA-40B532 in comparison with the Sony 40v550 wich also sells for 10k at Makro,but has a guarantee of only 1 year (the Sammy 3 years)
How long will I have to wait for a good offer on the Samsung,I have been looking for one for a month now and found nothing.....
How good is the Samsung LA-40B532 in comparison with the Sony 40v550 wich also sells for 10k at Makro,but has a guarantee of only 1 year (the Sammy 3 years)
How long will I have to wait for a good offer on the Samsung,I have been looking for one for a month now and found nothing.....
They're mostly the same, except that the Samsung B532 supports Wiselink, which will allow you to view media (supported movies, pictures, music) straight from the TV's USB port using a flash drive or external hard drive, out-the-box. Not so with the Bravia, AFAIK.
The Bravia, however, has 1 extra HDMI port (4 vs 3).
The contrast ratio is a sticky topic; you should 99.99% disregard this spec. There is no standard way of measuring it, and the stated spec is usually a dynamic contrast ratio, which is, for all intents and purposes, useless. The TRUE contrast ratio is what you're more interested in, but these sets should be plenty good enough for all but the super enthusiasts.
You should have a look at what other equipment you're going to be connecting it to; I find that like-manufacturer products integrate better than non-like manufacturer products.
You can't go wrong with either set, but the Samsung looks like the best deal by far; has Wiselink AND a longer warranty (this second point is a MAJOR plus as far as I'm concerned).
Remember that you won't see the true benefit of a 1080p picture unless you're watching 1080p media. This means you need to use Blu-ray, HD video files, a next-generation console gaming system or a PC. So unless you see yourself buying one of these (if you don't already have one) in the future, you should really consider pumping up the size and going for a plasma.
You can also consider Makro's special on the 40" Sammy plus a Blu-ray player. The same deal is available with the Sony V550 and HD PVR at the same price, or with a Blu-ray player but it's slightly more expensive.
However you'd be paying an extra R2000 for a Blu-ray player, which won't be that much better than a Playstation 3 (if AT ALL better), which is easily available at retail for R3799. Then you have a Blu-ray player, gaming system and media centre.
/me awaits all the fanbois
I thought the Samsung LA-40B532 doesn't have the usb port but I don't think it is an important feature for me.
The guarantee is a major difference...
I have never handhold a BR disk ,can you rent them for a reasonable price or do you have to buy them?
Perhaps DVD's look better on a FHD LCD when played with a BR player?
BTW the only gaming we do is on a Wii so I would to have a component connection but I guess all modern screens have one.
The guarantee is a major difference...
I have never handhold a BR disk ,can you rent them for a reasonable price or do you have to buy them?
Perhaps DVD's look better on a FHD LCD when played with a BR player?
BTW the only gaming we do is on a Wii so I would to have a component connection but I guess all modern screens have one.
According to the Makro site, it does have USB playback capability.
DVDs look better when played through a device that does proper upscaling. BR players tend to have this feature, but so do many DVD players.
I use a PS3 for upscaling DVD, and it looks fantastic. My brother has an HDMI DVD player, and it looks about the same; fantastic.
BR discs are still relatively expensive in this country, but the prices are dropping sharply. You can buy most BR movies for R300. Many titles are cheaper. And if you buy from overseas, it's a LOT cheaper. Most Blu-ray titles are also not region locked (although some are, so you need to check that out).
Most stores have Blu-ray titles for rent at the same price as new-releases.
Well the TV obviously has component video in too. But if you decide to go the PS3 route, you can also use HDMI; carrying high definition audio and video all at once. And HDMI-CEC (Samsung calls it AnyNet, Sony calls it Bracia-Sync) allows you to use your TV remote to control other devices (or use other devices' remotes to control the TV). Which is pretty awesome
Honestly,
Both the Sony and Samsung above are good, The sony does also come with a 3 year warranty, check with Game, they will even beat the makro price if you simply ask.
A entry level 42 inch Plasma may be good and save you a few grand, Direct deals in Woodmead got them for R5600,
http://www.directdeals.co.za/adverts\starsmaller.jpg
you can buy a HD PVR and a Ps3 with the change
I would recommend the Sony though, it has a later video processing engine versus the sammy in that it has a BE3 chip, well hey "it's a SONY"
Good Luck
Both the Sony and Samsung above are good, The sony does also come with a 3 year warranty, check with Game, they will even beat the makro price if you simply ask.
A entry level 42 inch Plasma may be good and save you a few grand, Direct deals in Woodmead got them for R5600,
http://www.directdeals.co.za/adverts\starsmaller.jpg
you can buy a HD PVR and a Ps3 with the change
I would recommend the Sony though, it has a later video processing engine versus the sammy in that it has a BE3 chip, well hey "it's a SONY"
Good Luck
Wasp_21
Expert Member
Good Choice. In hind site, i did pricings for the exact tv's you were looking at. I eventually settled on R9400 for Sammy B532 and R8400 for KLV550 (red bezel, looks awesome). I got my dad and brother the sony's for christmas, and WOW, they are beautiful. Sony and Samsung had a special for the 3 year warranty between Oct09 and Dec09, but i think sony has extended it.
Do you mean you got the KLV550 for R8400? Where did you get that price?
Wasp_21
Expert Member
Sony produced too many of the red bezel models, and they selling them off around R8500 ( i bought for R8400). To me the red bezel is flippin smart, but it's about personal choice. Samsung has their 3 year warranty special running till the end of January, like sony, and because sony is doing it.
I am Penguin
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May I be your other halfbrother or even pimp?
LancelotSA
Banned
So any first hand feedback on the performance of this monitor when it comes to watching sport? I too have a problem with some LCDs that have comet trails.
I am either considering the Samsung LA-40B532 40" LCD (now R7999) or the Samsung PS42B450 42" Plasma (for R7899) or the LG 42PQ10 42" Plasma (at R6999)
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sand_man
Honorary Master
Samsung plasma ought to do it. I have the PS42B430 and performance is impressive. I also suggest you treat yourself to an HD PVR. You realize how poor SD feed is after experiencing HD...
LancelotSA
Banned
Yeah, I leaning towards plasma but even then the problem lies with choosing a brand and a model! They all state figures that are pretty meaningless. I suppose you really need to go into a shop and see them all side by side but you hardly ever find all the ones you fancy in one shop!