HDTV/3D TV News
Samsung’s M87 series of LCD TV’s is distinguished from the M86 series by a small silver strip at the base of the screen. This adds a nice touch to what is already an outstandingly beautiful piece of kit. With its perfectly smooth round edges, the LE52M87 makes most other LCD TVs look like square slabs of plastic. Silver brushed finishes have given way to glossy blacks some time ago, and while the sometimes garish effect doesn’t appeal to everyone, the LE52M87BDX retains an air of chic sophistication that will bring admiring glances.
As with most of Samsung’s displays now, the LE52M87BDX is very, very shiny. The frame is glossy black, the stand is glossy black, and even the back of the television has this finish. It uses Samsung’s latest Super Clear panel, which is very reflective when the set is turned off.
There isn’t a boxy part to this television, with gentle curves and beveled edges everywhere. In typical Samsung fashion, the power button is right in the centre, which adds some nice symmetry to the look of the TV.
You will find the exact same inputs on the LE52M87BDX as all Samsungs from this range – two HDMI 1.3 inputs (one of which has RCA audio connectors as well) two SCART sockets – with only one accepting RGB, component and VGA.
On the left hand side, there you can find standard composite/s-video connections, and the third HDMI input. Down the right hand side there are manual controls for the television.
The LE52M87BDXs biggest selling point is a full HD enabled 1080p screen with a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution. This enables the panel to map a 1080i source such as Sky TV exactly, pixel for pixel onto the screen with a potentially far superior picture than an LCD which has to scale 1080i to fit. Complementing DNIe is Samsung’s Wide Colour Enhancer which has been designed to deliver more vibrant colours, especially around the edge of panels where they are more likely to appear washed out.
Samsungs trusty Digital Natural Image Engine (DNIe) forms the picture processing heart of the LE37R87BDX. The technology focuses on improving black levels, colour saturations and tone.
Two 10-Watt speakers form the audio capability of the LE52M87BDX with SRS TruSurround XT technology promising simulated 3D effect enhanced dialog and powerful bass.
By far the most impressive aspect of the LE52M87′s performance is the incredible black level performance. The depth and richness of blacks on this panel is well into Plasma territory. The achievement is due in no small part to the presence of Samsung’s ‘Super Clear Panel’ and the option to adjust the LE52M87′s backlight.
With Standard Definition (SD) sources such as Freeview, the LE52M87BDX inevitably suffers from trying to fit a 576 signal onto a 1080 screen. This is a problem all flat screens face however, and the LE52M87BDX compared to its rivals is a decent performer.
With High Definition (HD) sources, the sharpness and level of detail are stunning. The full 1080p standard really does make a difference on the LE52M87, especially when you get close up.
The one big criticism of the screen’s picture is the colour reproduction. Even with considerable tweaking, colours often appeared over saturated and skin tones sometimes less than realistic.
Audio performance on the LE52M87BDX can only be described as adequate. This is a result of 2 10w speakers being hidden in the bottom panel of the screen with a design which pushes the sound down and backwards only.
The Samsung LE52M87BDX is notable in that it has blurred the lines which separate good LCD TVs from good Plasmas. Its black level performance rivaling many a good plasma.
The all round performance of the LE52M87BDX is very impressive, and let down only by a slightly disappointing colour performance and indifferent SD pictures. Despite this the LE52M87BDx is up there with the best large LCD TV’s.
Sources:
http://www.ciao.co.uk
http://www.play.com
http://www.bizrate.co.uk
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