| Overall Rating |   |
| Picture Quality | |
| Value For Money | |
Samsung LN55A950 Review
The Samsung LN55A950 HDTV
When it comes to the feud between LCD HDTVs and Plasma HDTVs, Plasmas clearly have an edge over LCD HDTVs in terms of the deep black levels that they can produce. But now with the onset of LED LCD HDTVs, the edge Plasma HDTVs had over LCD HDTVs is fast diminishing. This is especially true with Samsung’s second generation LED HDTV, the Samsung LN55A950.
Design
In keeping with its trademark style, this HDTV comes with Samsung’s Touch of Color, wherein the black frame is accented with a gray hue. The frame around the screen is a bit wider than other models, but it is made of clear glass giving it a hint of class. A set of touch-sensitive basic controls are found at the lower right of the HDTV and are almost completely invisible as to not distract you from your viewing experience. The menu system on this HDTV is simple and clear, making navigating quite enjoyable. The menu system also comes with a help guide to help you figure out the menu options available.
The remote control is neatly laid out with large buttons for easy navigation. Samsung also redesigned the four-way rocker by incorporating a jog wheel similar to that found on an IPod. This is a welcome addition to the remote but may sometimes get confusing. The remote control is also fully backlit for easy reading at night and equipped with a motion sensor that automatically turns on the backlight once you pick it up the remote. Though this is a handy feature, many would find it a bit too sensitive as it tends to turn on with the slightest hint of movement.
Screen/Picture Clarity
Equipped with LEDs instead of the traditional cold-cathode fluorescent lamps, the Samsung LN55A950 is able to produce deeper blacks through “local dimming”. Each company has their own methods of “local dimming”, and for Samsung it is the LED SmartLighting which produces deep blacks comparable to many Plasma HDTVs. In addition to the LED backlighting, the LN55A950 comes with LED Motion Plus and Auto Motion Plus to eliminate motion blur giving you smooth and clear images even during high speed chases.
The colors on this HDTV might be a bit off when using it right out of the box. Fortunately there are enough adjustable color options in the system menu to get the colors just right. When properly adjusted the colors are crisp and clear and the HDTV might just be mistaken for a Plasma HDTV. The only drawback to this HDTV is that the viewing angle is a bit too narrow as compared to the other models.
Features
The Samsung LN55A950 comes with all the connections you’ll ever need. There are 3 HDMI ports, 2 component ports, PC port, and an S-Video port at the rear of the HDTV. At the side you have an additional HDMI port, S-Video, composite connection, and a headphone jack, which many HDTVs lack and many users tend to look for. This HDTV also comes with an ethernet port and USB port to help you show off your photos, music and even videos. Samsung also sells the WIS08BG2X LinkStick which can connect this HDTV to your wireless router.
The LN55A950 also comes with preloaded content such as games, recipes, a slide show of pictures complete with background music, a children’s section(games, sing-alongs, and stories) and a fitness section. It is also possible to download new content from the Samsung website and play it on the HDTV using the USB port. Samsung also included a customizable overlay that displays news headlines, local weather, and stock market information all taken from the internet.
LED HDTVs are certainly becoming more and more popular these days. Indeed with their low power consumption and black levels comparable to Plasma HDTVs, LED HDTVs are on the rise. The only thing that is holding them back is their relatively high price compared to traditional LCD HDTVs and Plasma HDTVs. But that is fast becoming a thing of the past. So if you are looking for an LCD HDTV with very good colors, deep blacks, and impressive features, try the Samsung LN55A950 and you won’t be disappointed.
<< Click HERE to Read The Latest Samsung LN55A950 User Reviews >>
I’ve had this for a month now. I also bought the Samsung BD-P1500 with it. I love both units. I connected them to my Sony HT-CT100 soundbar and I am perfectly happy with the sound. Yes, I know the soundbar does not do HD sound,etc,.. but I don’t care because the soundbar is quite slick with the TV. Plus, it does what I want it to do so no complaint.
As for the TV. The picture is so crisp and clear and the black level really black that it took a while to get used to watching it. I have a DirecTV HD DVR attached to it too via HDMI and it is an entirely different level of watching TV. The images look so “real” as my daughter said.
I know the TV can do a lot of other things if you attach it to the internet. But, I bought it really for just watching HD TV and movies. So, I was/am not that concern about its other functions.
Right now, DirecTV just upgraded my DVR to 1080p, so I can’t wait to see any program or shows in 1080p. But the 1080i resolution is great as it is. So, no complaint in there either.
BTW, the upconversion from the BD-P1500 looks great too. Also, make sure you use HDMI 1.3b cables. I got mine here from BargainCell for < $10 each.
Hi,
Got my Samsung a950 recently, and its an exceptional TV. Fantastic picture and sound.
Had a question on the settings…the Movie mode is the worst. Too dark. The Dynamic is too bright and colors too saturated. I tried to lower the backlight and contrast for Dynamic, but still didn’t feel right.
The Standard seems to be the best. Can someone let me know what ideal settings they use for Standard settings (backlight, contrast, brightness etc.), and also the settings they use for Detail settings and Picture settings ?
Thanks.
Samsung’s e-mail support is a joke. I sent 2 separate e-mails and waited weeks for a reply. The reader apparently did not speak English since the answers did not fit the questions.
I am getting scared since the picture is starting to freeze-up occasionally and the warranty is running out; and their service is notoriously bad.
I consider the controls clumsy and confusing and not as good as my 11 year old Hitachi.
The picture quality is very good on most DVD’s and Satellite HD broadcasts. It has plenty of inputs/outputs. One annoying thing is that there is a delay between the audio output to a receiver and the picture, meaning that the sound and picture are out-of-sync, although it is almost unnoticeable. If you use only the TV’s speakers there is no problem.
This is my last Samsung product.
I spent 2 years holding back until i found a TV worth the money… and it is this TV.
NOTHING compares to the picture quality of Local Dimming and Scanning LED BACKlit LCD displays. No Sidelit, or CCFL can match the quality… and personally I think this model beats the XBR8 and the New LGx. Toshiba and Vizio are playing Catchup right now, but i doubt they will reach the pinnacle that Samsung has with this 55A950.
Get this at the great price while you still can…
(Do not buy if you want a “thin” or “slim bezel” TV, only get it if you want the best PICTURE and MOVIE quality on the SCREEN itself. If you like Plasma thats fine too, this is not an LCD vs Plasma review.)
-Jimmy
I’ve wanted a High Def TV for several years and wanted to replace a CRT in the bedroom and living room. I spent way to many hours reviewing TV’s online and in stores but decided to take the plunge for the bedroom needs first. I had the choice boiled down to 3 sets, the Sony 40W4100, 40XBR4 and the Samsung LN40A650. Ultimately I pikced the samsung and have not regretted the choice. I have been very impreseed with the black levels (50K to 1 contrast) as well as the most important feature, non high def picture. The set has incredible off angle viewing as well as a myriad of picture settings. I am a techno junkie and have tested almost every variant of picture adjustments they offer. In the end I just set it on Dynamic mode and let it do its thing.
In December of 2008 I decided the address the living room needs and again went back to study all the options. In the 3 month gap from obtaining the bedroom setup Samsung released the A950 series. The list price was shocking but not as shocking as Sony’s XBR 8 Series. While the Sony has received great reviews I ultimately choose the LN55A950 and paid a little under 4K from crutchfield. (they will negotiate if you send them links to other etailers)
I have to say this was absolutely the right choice. This unit is coupled with a Samsung BD-P2550 Blue Ray player and is outright the best picture for the money on the market today. Even Samsung’s new LED TV (actually still and LCD) does not get the rave reviews as the A950. I highly reccomend you look at this TV is your in the market.
One of the best HD-TV sets on the market (if not the best)
with top of the line auto motion plus 120Hz and an
amazing 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio.
Its sleek design is impressive as is its astounding picture.
Full 1080p HD videos look better on this unit than on any other
HD-TV.
Out of the box the first thing you notice about this set is
its stylish design, the “Touch of Color” red that
accompanies the edges of its frame compliment its glossy
black exterior.
One should note that the series 950 is very slim for a 55 inch
LCD which is a plus for my particular media cabinet.
At its core the colors of the 950 are definitely more vivid
than on those of previous models such as the Samsung series
540 or even the ever popular Samsung LN46A650.
Once the unit is powered on a simple musical tone is played and
from there it takes only seconds (3-4) for the unit to display its first image.
Be aware that some have referred to seeing reflections or
a “halo” which occurs around the
upper glossy frame of the set under certain lighting.
While I have seen this myself I should note these instances are rare and will not distract you from the image on screen so for me this is a non issue.
Oddly the 950 also includes a built-in
hard drive (1 GB in size) and comes pre loaded with games,
recipes, work-out tips, and even gorgeous HD art.
While an interesting feature, this exercise is meant only
as a preview of the potential uses of TV’s in the future
as all the included material is mostly forgettable.
You can also attach your own USB hard drive to this TV via wiselink.
To take advantage of this feature I purchased the
Western Digital WD TV HD Media Player. With it I can see the full potential of 1080p HD videos such as Blu-ray but without the hassle of discs or the need for a disc player.
Finally any one looking to purchase a new HD-TV set should
seriously consider this one as I have yet to see any model
top the 950.
This is my second Samsung TV and I am very happy with this purchase. Sure its a pricey TV but its also loaded with great features, tons of settings, and the latest LED backlight technology which provides black level that takes LCDs into Plasma territory without the power demands or heat of plasma. This new 55 inch takes less power than my old 40 inch LCD panel due to the smart backlight which turns down (or off) LEDs in dark areas of the displayed image.
Overall I think its picture quality is up there with the high end Sony (LDC) and Pineer (plasma) displays. Samsung has really made a name for themselves in the last few years with there continually improving line of LCDs. I really like how each input saves its own settings so you don’t have to adjust whenever you switch inputs.
For gaming: Like other LCDs, in its default configuration there can be some trouble with some games with latency and image blur. I had one major issue with Rock Band when the animation behind the scrolling notes made the notes blur. You can use “E-Mode Game” to fix this but I found a better solution. Because you can not change the brightness/contrast or backlight with “E-Mode Game”, I used HDMI2 input for the Xbox 360 and changed the label on HDMI2 to “PC”. This tells the TV that you have a PC hooked up to HDMI2 and skips some of the color and image processing just like the “E-Mode Game” but you can now control brightness/contrast and backlight. This only works on HDMI2 and its briefly mentioned in the manual but it makes a much better low latency game mode than the “E-Mode Game” that Samsung provides.
For Movies: Much better than any other LCD due to the great black levels. Deep blacks and good dark detail can be seen with this TV with the right settings. With LED backlight and a Blu Ray player, blacks are actual black instead of dark gray and the black bars on widescreen movies disappear from view. And because its and LCD, bright seens have much more punch than even the best plasma displays.
For TV: If its standard definition don’t expect too be impressed. I think the scaler and standard def TV feed looks good for what it is and you can use the LOW setting of dynamic contrast and auto motion plus to make it palatable. But if you have HD TV it should look great on this TV.
Negatives: There is only one real negative to this TV but for me its a very, very minor one. When viewed from an angle, you will loose the inky blacks even from just 30 degrees off axis. Its not a big deal for me for two reasons. The couch is directly on-axis and it looks great from any seat on the couch. From the side chair (about 40 deg) it still looks great and you would probably not even notice you were losing some black level until you move to the couch. Off axis, this TV still looks as good as any high end LCD I have seen. So if you will often need to watch off axis, you do lose some of the benefits of the LED backlight and maybe you should go for a plasma because all LCDs have this issue and most have it much worse than this TV. I just think its noticed more because the on axis blacks are so good. That is why it is often mentioned in reviews. Then only other minor issue is that the stand does not swivel. That would have been a nice touch but with a TV of this size, I probably would not move it much.
For Geeks: This TV is great. The number of different settings you have to play with are unbelievable. You can even do both color balance and grayscale calibration with this TV without needed to go into the services menu. You are provided with full grayscale setting (RGB Gain and Cut) and Color (RGB and YCM) from the standard settings. I really like this because I can try to calibrate it myself without the worry of messing up the service menu settings.
So, you pay a lot for this TV but I think its worth it for the picture quality and a chance to check out LED backlight technology before all the other LCDs get it, and they will! I think LED backlighting is a breakthrough for flat panels and will continue to improve over the next few years and become standard for LCD. So, I just paid a premium to see it now.
UPDATE: I found that the issue with some games was with the “LED Motion Plus Setting” Best to turn this off for most games. Still, its nice to have that PC mode as well to reduce latency.
I did recently purchase the Samsung LN55A950 and must say it has been a remarkable TV.
I rarely write reviews on anything. I don’t love LCD or hate plasma. I have no desire to persuade anyone to buy this TV. I am just a guy who ditched a 20-year-old Trinitron because it was, well, time. When it comes to new purchases on anything I wait… wait…wait… and then buy the best I can afford.
I went with LCD over plasma because even though plasma image retention and burn-in issues are declared to “resolved”, I frankly was not interested in pampering, break-in or TLC of any kind for a television. I watch - and will continue to watch - a lot of non-16×9 content with black bars at the sides or top/bottom. Also my room is quite bright with a lot of windows and I wanted to be able to crank this puppy up whenever I needed to. I was a bit concerned about potential glare issues on this set but I have had absolutely no problem.
To me, this set has the contrast of a plasma and the “pop” of an LCD. I had a chance to see this set in a store environment prior to purchase (it was set in “dynamic” torch mode, of course). Still, I was immediately struck by the inky blacks of the LN55A950 as compared to any of the other LCDs. This is due largely to the LED backlighting instead of the cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) used in most large LCD displays. Actually, most LCDs have nice black levels to my non-videophile eye but the LN55A950 was in a category of its own and rivaled any plasma I saw in terms of inky blacks.
At home, I haven’t done any calibration yet but out of the box it looks just great. Blu-ray content is spectacular. I also have been quite pleased with the up-scaled quality of standard broadcast and typical DVD content.