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Samsung Series 5 LCD TV - Why So Series?

By Andy Sim - 20 Jul 2010
Launch SRP: S$1399

DisplayMate & HQV Tests

Calibration - Spyder3TV Report

To maintain a standard across our review units, we calibrated the Samsung Series 5 with the Spyder3TV Home Theater Color Calibration kit prior to our display tests. This is to ensure that we assess the HDTV based on optimal display settings, and not purely on visual estimation alone. At this point, we've also disabled all the bells and whistles such as color and edge enhancement features. After the calibration process, optimized values were recorded as such: Brightness at 31, Contrast at 98 and Color at 35. In addition, black and white luminance readings were measured at 0.020 and 180.743 cd/m2 respectively. With such admirable luminance values, we expect sable blacks and bright white levels, no less. Note that calibration was performed based on the TV's "Standard" preset.   

Brightness and contrast settings didn't deviate too much from the expected norm. However, a final calibrated color reading of 35 hints that this panel has a tendency to produce stronger colors than the conventional LCD breeds.

 

DisplayMate Tests

DisplayMate is an application which generates a sequence of test patterns to determine the capabilities of imaging devices like color and gray-scale accuracies for example. For our tests, we've hooked up the C550 to our display test-bed PC via its HDMI connection. To be fair across the board, we have also disabled all visual enhancements on the TV in order to reduce the variables involved. Here are some findings based on the relevant and critical test patterns:

Screen Uniformity
Although the screen delivered a uniform background with most gray shades, minor compression artifacts can still be picked up with lighter gray shades. Subtle tint variations were also visible at the extreme corners. Other than that, we didn't notice any abnormal backlights bleeds across the panel.

Dark Gray Scale
The Series 5 managed convincing blacks as well as bright gray hues, with a small exception of block "number 8" where a variation in tint was apparent between the corner and middle blocks. Here's another observation, and it might come as a surprise - this TV's horizontal viewing angles impressed us with little contrast shift nuances.  

Color Scales
Gradations were linear along the bright and dark bands. Little tracking error was observed on both primary and secondary colors. It is clear that Samsung's panel has the muscle for vibrant hues, given that its color levels had to be muted after the calibration process. Additionally, there were little signs of color shifts at extreme viewing angles on the horizontal plane. 

256-Intensity Level Color Ramp
White levels were depicted with bright illuminations but its accuracy could be better. Compression artifacts might not have showed up on the Color Scales test, but they did rear their ugly heads towards the darker spectrum here. 

 DisplayMate Color Scales Test - There's little question about the Series 5's color reproduction and even gradations. However, you might want to know that compression artifacts were slightly more evident on the 256-Intensity Level Color Ramp test.

IDT HQV Tests

IDT's HQV Tests are designed to assess image quality and the handling of digital displays and players through a variety of video signal processing tasks which includes decoding, de-interlacing, motion correction, noise reduction and film cadence detection. We've programmed the Blu-ray player to playback in 1080i in order to stress the TV's video processor. This compels the processor to convert interlaced signals into progressive to accommodate the HDTV's panel. Here are the results we noted on three of the most crucial tests:

Digital Noise Filtering
Although the C550 did fairly well on DisplayMate, its digital noise filters were a letdown, sadly, and revving the video processor at top gear didn't seem to improve its dismal noise processing. Stubborn noise levels remained. The only upside here was that image details were mostly kept intact.  

Diagonal Filter Test
On the bright side, the Series 5 made up for lost ground with its stellar de-interlacing facilities. No signs of "jaggies" were visible as we witnessed the TV's interlaced to progressive transformation on a 1080 scale.  

Film Resolution Loss Test
Similarly, Samsung's HyperReal engine managed to pull the right punches when decoding 24p content. If we may add, its Film Mode "Auto1" feature offered better results than the "Auto2" alternative.  

Our experience with Samsung displays has taught us that they aren't very adept at noise removal. Once again, the same flaw presented itself when charged with HQV's noise filtering test.

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8.5
  • Design 9
  • HD Performance 9
  • SD Performance 8
  • Features 9
  • Value 8.5
The Good
Extensive AV connectors
DLNA support
Impressive HD performance
The Bad
Average standard definition reproduction
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