Samsung LA-40B530 or Sony KLV-40S550?

[devilhunterx]

Both are : PKR 80,000

Which one to get? Any suggestion? Pros/Cons?

 

[CerebralTiger]

Here's a CNET UK review for the Bravia S5500, which is pretty much the same as S550....the former is the European model, while the latter is Asian.

http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/televisions/0,39030218,49303331,00.htm



Sony Bravia S550 Pros/Cons:

+ Bravia Engine 3 provides superb Standard Definition video upscaling/upconversion quality. This is useful if you're mostly going to use the TV for viewing 480i/p content.

+ Calibrated black level is 0.05 cd/m2, which is very good for an LCD TV

+ Decent viewing angle (100 degrees)

- Panel contrast ratio is around 3000:1, which is a bit less than that of the Samsung B530. (While its dynamic ratio is stated as 30,000:1, keep in mind that the term 'Dynamic Contrast' is more or less a marketing gimmick, and is not a factual representation of the panel's contrast).

- Bravia Engine 3's processing introduces a large amount of input lag, which is reducible to some extent when you enable 'GAME' mode. Either way, this is a major drawback if you're into competitive multiplayer games that require quick reflexes (Example: fighting games like Tekken and Street Fighter, online shooters like Modern Warfare 2, and the slew of music-based games like Rock Band).

- The S550A's backlight module is based on first generation CCFL technology. As a result, primary chromaticities aren't represented as accurately as they could've been. Green, in particular, is skewed towards blue, while Red seems a little washed out / under-saturated.

- Lack of white balance control in the user menu (can be configured from the service menu, but only people with technical know-how can do so)

- Average SD video de-interlacing

- Lackluster audio



Samsung B530 Pros/Cons:

+ Superior panel contrast ratio, as compared to the Bravia S550

+ Good color accuracy (unlike the S550, Greens actually look like Greens here)

+ White balance controls present in the user menu

+ Calibrated black level is 0.04 cd/m2, which is slightly higher than that of S550 on paper, but in actual the difference isindiscernible.

+ Good SD video de-interlacing capabilities

- While the Standard Definition video upscaling/upconversion quality is decent enough, it's inferior to that of the Bravia Engine 3 powered S550

- Viewing angle is 90 degrees, which is inferior to that of S550

- Severe input lag that can be reduced to some extent by activating 'GAME' mode. The S550 and B530 are pretty much in the same boat, as far as this shortcoming is concerned

- Lackluster audio (pretty much the same quality as the Bravia)



@devilhunterx: Your decision purely rests on the kind of features you're looking for. If you're into competitive multiplayer gaming, I wouldn't recommend either of the two sets. However, if you're mostly going to be watching Blu-ray/HD movies, then I would slightly lean towards the Samsung B530. Similarly, the Samsung does a great job of de-interlacing the Standard Cable TV broadcast signal, while the S550 is average in this regard. However, non-interlaced content like DVD movies or digital satellite TV broadcast will look better on the Bravia.

 

[susman]

@celeberal tiger
nice explained bro

@topc starter
i would say go for the samsung.
imo samsung lcd > bravia

 

[devilhunterx]

Thanks CT. That link you provided isn't the same set. The one I am looking at has Bravia Engine 3.

What set you would recommend? I am looking to buy a LCD TV mainly for gaming in Karachi with a budget of 90,000 MAX.

 

[AFQ]

why dont u go for Samsung LED tv, its price is around 80k for 42inch.

 

[CerebralTiger]

Thanks CT. That link you provided isn't the same set. The one I am looking at has Bravia Engine 3.

Yup, you're right....that's the main difference between the two versions....exterior-wise, S550 is the same as S5500, whereas feature-wise it's more in line with the European W5500....here's a pretty detailed W5500 review that discusses all aspects ranging from calibration settings, SD TV, HD movies, and games:

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/Sony-KDL40W5500/

What set you would recommend? I am looking to buy a LCD TV mainly for gaming in Karachi with a budget of 90,000 MAX.

If you want an LCD for gaming, then I'd recommend a set with little to no input lag. One thing I should point out is that the 'Response Time' stated in the specs is not to be confused with input lag. They're both totally different things.

Unfortunately, Bravia Engine 3 processing is known to cause high input lag, which is why even the elite X-series is still using Bravia Engine 2 Pro. However, since the X-series is ridiculously expensive, I'd advise you to look for a Sony set that's running on Bravia Engine 2

The options available to you in this regard are: KLV-40S400A, KLV-40V400A, KLV-W400A, KLV-W450A, KLV-Z450A. The input lag on each of these sets (with GAME mode activated for W450A and Z450A) is negligible, ranging from 0 to 10 ms.

One of the first 3 sets should fall into your price range. W450A and Z450A are more expensive, mainly due to the 120 Hz/240 Hz Motion Flow gimmick and higher contrast ratios.

Try to find a good deal for the W400A, since its backlight module is superior to that of S400 and V400. Otherwise, the rest of the specs are the same.



There are certain Panasonic (G10 series), Sharp (LE700), LG (SL8000), and Samsung (A558, B850) panels with negligible lag, but I'm not aware of their availability and prices in Pakistan.