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[Lazydocker]

Been planning on getting a new telly for a while and have spotted a Samsung LE40B530P7 (40" LCD Full HD) for £399.99+ VAT, which is tempting.  But I only have until Monday to grab it at that price.

I've had a good look at some reviews and the main criticism seems to be the sound quality, which isn't a major concern for me as I run all sounds through an Arcam (Dolby 5.1) amp.

Couple of questions.... Anyone have any experience of this telly?

Also, it only has 1 Scart socket, but can I run component input from the amp to a HDMI socket?

And will I still get full HD through the Amp (it's an old one from pre HD times)?

Thanks for your advice

[tunnie]

not got any experience of that exact model, but Samsungs are excellent pannels. I believe they still do a zero dead / hot pixel policy, if you get a single failed pixel, they will swap the TV, no issues.

[KillerWatt]

And will I still get full HD through the Amp (it's an old one from pre HD times)?

If your amp doesn't make provision for HD, then you won't get HD.

[cem_devecioglu]

And will I still get full HD through the Amp (it's an old one from pre HD times)?

If your amp doesn't make provision for HD, then you won't get HD.

good point..

[Lazydocker]

not got any experience of that exact model, but Samsungs are excellent pannels. I believe they still do a zero dead / hot pixel policy, if you get a single failed pixel, they will swap the TV, no issues.

Yep... I know they're a good brand (and it's a very good price as the cheapest online is nearly £20 more +£15 odd P&P!) and I thought I'd heard of that policy too :-/ :-/

I'm sorely tempted, although it'll open the floodgates for PS3 and Sky +HD as I've delayed both of these because I haven't got a HD TV 

[Lazydocker]

And will I still get full HD through the Amp (it's an old one from pre HD times)?

If your amp doesn't make provision for HD, then you won't get HD.

Was my thought... But I could run sound through the Amp with picture feed via HDMI input (I think) :-/ :-/

[tunnie]

And will I still get full HD through the Amp (it's an old one from pre HD times)?

If your amp doesn't make provision for HD, then you won't get HD.

Was my thought... But I could run sound through the Amp with picture feed via HDMI input (I think) :-/ :-/

Don't get caught up in HDMI, just because its digital, does not make it better. Proper component leads will be better than HDMI.

HDMI is just a single cable to replace the 5 in component.

[Martin_1962]

How many HDMI?


Mine has three with all in use.

Only used one Scart so far though

[Martin_1962]

And will I still get full HD through the Amp (it's an old one from pre HD times)?

If your amp doesn't make provision for HD, then you won't get HD.

Was my thought... But I could run sound through the Amp with picture feed via HDMI input (I think) :-/ :-/

Don't get caught up in HDMI, just because its digital, does not make it better. Proper component leads will be better than HDMI.

HDMI is just a single cable to replace the 5 in component.

Depends on the equipment.

A lot of HD sources are encrypted so component won't work.

As to SDTV component. Slightly different to RGB but may be TV settings for tham input but no improvement over RGB with component

[Lazydocker]

How many HDMI?


Mine has three with all in use.

Only used one Scart so far though

3 HDMI sockets, 1 Scart

This is the cheapest online option for the same TV

http://www.simplyelectricals.co.uk/samsung-le40b530p7-black.html

Or Dixons/Currys for £479

[Dishevelled Den]

Been planning on getting a new telly for a while and have spotted a Samsung LE40B530P7 (40" LCD Full HD) for £399.99+ VAT, which is tempting.  But I only have until Monday to grab it at that price.

I've had a good look at some reviews and the main criticism seems to be the sound quality, which isn't a major concern for me as I run all sounds through an Arcam (Dolby 5.1) amp.

Couple of questions.... Anyone have any experience of this telly?

Also, it only has 1 Scart socket, but can I run component input from the amp to a HDMI socket?

And will I still get full HD through the Amp (it's an old one from pre HD times)?

Thanks for your advice

I suppose it depends on the proposed source for your HD.

Should it be Sky all new Sky equipment only provides an HDMI output - the older Thomson receivers also had component outputs that could be used for the same purpose - an optical output for 5.1 sound (when available) and phono audio jacks for R/L sound channels.

If your amp hasn't HDMI inputs you might be in trouble if you were thinking about routing the HD through it.  If the amp has an optical input then you would normally route the output from the Sky receiver to this, if not then the phono provision on the Sky receiver can be routed to you amp instead.

In a straightforward application the HDMI output from the Sky receiver is taken to the television and the audio output in optical or stereo taken through the amp, I imagine the same would apply to any other HD sources depending on the available inputs on the television and the audio amp.

Although this Samsung is a discontinued model a lot of people seem quite happy with the manufacturer.

[Chris_H]

I have a Samsung and am pretty disgusted with it.  Sent the first one back and the second had the same problem which appears to be a design fault.

Manufacturer's solution? Switch off dynamic contrast in the service menu.  (That changes the spec no end!).  I can tie the EPG in knots if I use 'favourites' and sometimes the audio sounds as if it's coming down a pipe and can only be restored to normal by powering off and on.

Yes, I'm a fussy broadcast engineer but there is a lot of very poor kit around that could do with firmware re-writes and my Samsung LE32R74BD is one of them.

Try to check out the model before you buy.

[BigAl]

And will I still get full HD through the Amp (it's an old one from pre HD times)?

If your amp doesn't make provision for HD, then you won't get HD.

If you are planning to use freeview HD, i'd hold off as the spec has just been ratified, so all HD ready sets with digital freeview tuners wont receive HD broadcasts unless they can be upgraded to the new format

[Kevin Wood]

Yes, I'm a fussy broadcast engineer but there is a lot of very poor kit around that could do with firmware re-writes and my Samsung LE32R74BD is one of them.

Amen to that. You just know there'll be something that cripples any bit of AV kit these days. Like my DVD/HDD recorder that insists on trying to play a DVD as soon as you take it out of standby, meaning that if you were just wanting to browse through the EPG and set it up to record as programme you've got to wade through some really sluggish menus just to get it out of DVD player mode. 

Useability is at the bottom of the priority list down with post-warranty reliability with consumer electronics items. Probably because by the time you discover the problems you've already bought it so it doesn't matter.

Still, my Sony CRT is still going. Sounds like I'll have a great excuse to bin Murdoch's offering if when the Sky box dies though.

Kevin

[feeutfo]

having seen a mates hd picture on a samsung i wouldnt touch it with yours tbh. Not impressed at all. But its standard def you will watch most so check thats acceptable to you first. Some really are dire. Having said that could be a fair price depending on size.

Re sound there are no sound inputs to the tv at all on mine. Dont even have speakers on it. Like you i dont have an hdmi amp and its not an issue at all. It handels sky hd ps3 and xbox via optical cable and a single component socket. There are switchers available if yous amp does not have enough inputs. 

I dont use any scarts but the dvd recorder never gets used so i haven connected it up. Its just an expensive clock that tells the wrong time at the moment.

In short, the tv does the pictures and the amp does the sound.
Hdmi doesnt bother the audio if you dont want. Looked into an hdmi amp, onkyo of some sort, load of crap save you wedge......imho of course :-)