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Introduction
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01.Tour & Design
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02.Performance: Summary
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03.Performance: Blacks & Whites
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04.Performance: Color
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05.Performance: Motion
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06.Performance: Viewing Effects
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07.Remote Control
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08.Audio
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09.Connectivity
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10.Controls & Menus
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11.Formats & Media
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12.Power Consumption
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13.Conclusion
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14.Ratings & Specs
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15.Comments
Samsung PN50A760
Previous: Page 6
Performance: Viewing EffectsNext: Page 8
Audio
The Samsung PN50A760's remote is well designed and attractive. We particularlly like the bottom weighting that gives it good balance when holding it in different positions. Our biggest problem is that those with smaller hands may find the controls a bit too widely spaced to reach easily without shifting your hand. We also wish the remote were programmable to control other devices.
Ergonomics & Durability (6.65)
We've seen the remote that comes with the Samsung PN50A760 on other Samsung models like the LN46A750. The remote is well designed and attractive. We particularly like the way the back of the remote is curved and it's weighted towards the bottom with a bulging and tapering design that helps keep it balanced in your hand.
The buttons on the remote are backlit in a red light that is easier on your eyes than the bright white lights we see on some remotes. The buttons are mostly made of soft plastic and provide solid key travel and tactile feedback when pressed. We do still have some concerns about durability, however. The rotating dial in the remote is a moving part that can break and we detected the same rattling inside the remote we've seen on previous versions. We're not sure if that last is something to be worried about, but we would prefer it if our remotes didn't rattle.
Oh, and in keeping with the red highlights found on the PN50A760 itself the remote has a subtle red finish on the rotating directional pad, something we haven't seen on the other Samsung remotes we've reviewed.
Button Layout & Use (4.8)The Samsung PN50A760's remote is long, measuring almost ten inches in length. Thankfully the design means it stays well balanced, but we still find it a bit annoying to have to shift our hands so much to reach things like the number pad. In fact the remote is large enough that those with smaller hands may find it difficult to reach volume and channel controls from a neutral position. The labeling on the remote is generally good for the basic buttons, but some of the buttons are rather arcane. For example what do the four colored buttons sitting underneath the directional pad do?
Another interesting feature of the PN50A760's remote is the rotating directional pad. You can use it like a standard directional pad by pressing up/down/left/right, but it will also rotate like an old style iPod controller to quickly move up and down lists. Frankly we're not sure how much value this adds, and we're pretty sure it isn't made up for by the increased chance of the rotating part breaking.
Programming & Flexibility (1.0)The Samsung PN50A760's remote can't be used as a universal remote to control other parts of your home theatre system. It does support Samsung's Anynet+ technology, however. This allows you to control other Samsung devices connected to your HDTV with the remote. We much prefer a more universal approach, as such we only award a single point for this proprietary technology.
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