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Introduction
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01.Tour & Design
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02.Blacks & Whites
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03.Color Accuracy
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04.Motion
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05.Viewing Effects
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06.Calibration
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07.Remote Control
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08.Connectivity
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09.Audio & Menus
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10.Formats & Media
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11.Power Consumption
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12.Vs RCA L40FHD41
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13.Vs JVC LT 42P300
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14.Vs Samsung LN40B650
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15.Conclusion
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16.Series Comparison
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17.Ratings & Specs
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18.Comments
Samsung LN40B530
Previous: Page 8
ConnectivityNext: Page 10
Formats & Media
Audio & Menus Summary
Editorial Note: This is a review of the Samsung LN40B530. Test results are for this model, but should indicate the general performance of other sizes in the LNxxB530 series. The LNxxB530 series includes the following models: LN32B530, LN37B530, LN40B530, LN46B530, and LN52B530. Read here for more details on series differences.
• Poor audio performance
• Great menu
Audio Quality (3.0)
The Samsung LN40B530 does not perform satisfactorily. The speakers may be fine for watching the news or your terrible, secret addictions to reality TV, but regular movie viewers will want to look at TVs with better audio performance, or investing in a decent speaker set.
The issue, as with so many TVs, was the bass response. Those tiny speakers simply can't produce the necessary oomph. Even with the LN40B530's custom controls, which allow you to tweak a small, onscreen equalizer, you'll never get better than a muffled, crumpled bass tone.
Menu Interface (7.0)
The menu interface on the Samsung LN40B530 is simple and intuitive. As you can see from the screen shot below, the submenus are broken up by icons, which are more or less understandable. It gets a little vague when you see the TV with a magic wand in front of it, but the great navigation makes up for any misunderstood iconography.
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| The main menu |
Occasionally, a sub-submenu steps away from the pleasant navigation, and you need to look down and find the Return button on the remote control.
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| The Picture Options sub-submenu |
Manual (6.5)
The manual that ships with the LN40B530 is pretty good. It walks you through all the features and controls. Samsung's explanations of the features is not always elucidating. For instance, the Dynamic Contrast feature is described as 'You can adjust the screen contrast so that the optimal contrast is provided.' Really? Thanks, Samsung, but telling us that this feature actually makes the contrast jump up and down depending on the signal intensity would have been more useful. You can find the Samsung LN40B530's manual online here.
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| The manual has the answers, but not the most thorough answers, to your questions. |
| Other Models in the LNxxB530 Series | ||||
| This is a review of the Samsung LN40B530. The other sizes of HDTVs in this series should be similar in terms of performance and usability. For details about any differences, click on the image to jump to the Series Comparison page. | ||||
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| Samsung LN32B530 32-inch |
Samsung LN37B530 37-inch |
Samsung LN46B530 46-inch |
Samsung LN52B530 52-inch |
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