Best LCD on market today

By Jarrod T. Hood "tech hobby guy"

I am reviewing this TV compared to the LnT5271F.

52a650 from 9 ft away
Blu-ray- 9.5/10
DVD- 9/10
Sports- 8.5/10
Tv shows- 9/10

5271 from 9 ft away.
Bluray movies- 9.5/10
DVD Movies- 9/10
Sports- 7/10
Tv shows and tv movies- 9/10

So, for the 5271, my viewing experience with blu-ray, DVD, and Tv from 9 ft. is 9/10 or better. There is small issue with flashlights and clouding, but not too noticeable. When I watch sports, my experience drops to 7/10 due to motion blur. Mainly this is NBA. Will it happen with other sports as well? Not as pronounced with the NFL, but it still is not as crisp as I like. MLB is fine, as well as Indy car racing. Tennis has a little blur on the ball. This is because it is tennis. With AMP on, there are serious issues with vapors and Triple Ball effect (where the football is thrown, the ball splits in three.) I need to sit 14 ft away to not see the blur, which is impossible at this house. Yet, at 14 feet, the pq still is amazing and blur is 99% non-existent. I decided to return the set due to this issue.

Here is my analysis of the 52a650. I will start with the cons. There is a slight issue with my current TV with flashlights/clouding. However, turning energy saver to high reduces the issue. It is not as glaring as first TV I had. As far as clouding goes, it is similar to 5271- not a big issue. I have seen some vapor issues with AMP on, low to high. Some NBA replays and Groundhog Day. Vapors are less noticeable on TNT than ESPN. Comparing to the 5271, Vapors are less on TNT, similar to more on ESPN. There is no TBE even when AMP is on high- Cowboys game/other football games. This is dramatic improvement over the 5271. There is more blurring, though slight, of the tennis ball with AMP on. With baseball, the ball slightly splits and has artifacts with AMP on. As for positives, bluray was spectacular. MI 1 and 2 both looked sharp and handled motion scenes excellently. DVD of Batman Begins looked terrific. DVD of FOCKERS looked all right. Lost in HD looked fantastic. Leno is smooth. And I really can tell a difference between the 5271 and the 52a650 when it comes to sports motion blur. Both NFL and NBA games are crisper with significant less blurring around fast motion plays. This is worth the price for me. NBA finals looked very crisp, even at 9 ft. I am not saying it is perfect. I think TNT is better than ESPN when it comes to picture quality.

So for this TV, high ratings all around. Based on prelim research, it seems that the following are the best for the LN52A650:
Bluray and DVD- Movie, AMP off
DISH HD Movies and TV- AMP- off or low, Movie
NBA, NFL- AMP High, Standard or Movie
MLB, Tennis, NHL, soccer, probably golf- AMP off and Standard or Movie

I used cNet's Movie calibration setting for this TV.

Points to Realize: The so called problems of this TV are few and far between. Let us say I watch on ideal setting.
With sports, crisp picture, little to no blur, maybe a vapor or artifacts with AMP on, nice and bright.
With DISHHD- crisp picture, great contrasts of bright and dark, good smooth motion handling, maybe a vapor with AMP on. It is not perfect, I might see some bright spots on the sides (clouding/flashlights) The huge majority of the time it is stellar.
With PS3 movies, same as above, just better. Amazing blu-ray quality! Might see some bright spots during dark scenes. It is not perfect. It still is amazing. A possible vapor every once in a while, though this happens with AMP on.

It seems higher AMP gives movies and TV shows more "soap opera effect" Does it do anything for sports? I think that AMP on high for NBA increases smoothness, but introduces vapors every once in a while. For NFL, it increases smoothness; have not noticed problems with artifacts. A possible vapor in a fast play.

One option if brightness (clouding/ flashlights) in dark scenes is bothersome is to use ES on high. This reduces the issue significantly. This possibly takes away from lighter scenes though. Does the HD detail get lost if this happens? Also, having some lights on in the room could possibly reduce the issue, as you will not see the blackness as much. This really is not much of an issue.


All in all, a wonderful TV, and the best LCD for the buck on the market today. If you want to get the best LCD has to offer, go with this TV. If you want something that is close to the best, go with a different model or brand.