Samsung LN46B650 or LN46B750

Samsung LN46B650 or Samsung LN46B750


The B750 is a hands down choice over the B650. I just wanted to note that the B750 probably is a superior model to this one, but it comes at a higher price.


There are three key changes to the B750 model: 240hz refresh rate, a matte screen, 150,000:1 contrast ratio. This all costs about an additional $250-$300 depending on when/where you buy. For some people, that isn't much of a difference when you're already spending nearly $2000 on a TV, and if that's the case, I see no reason not to buy the b750 model.


I think it's also worth note, however, that cnet and other reviewers have argued that the benefits of 240hz refresh rates over 120hz is fairly insignificant and difficult to notice (see their reviews for the Sony XBR9 series and last year's Sony KDL-52XBR7). Their chief TV critic argues in separate article in 2008 that 240hz was not worth waiting for. But, I still think it's worth going into a store and taking a look at the differences between 240hz and 120hz before making a final decision.


The matte screen is really a matter of preference and your room. I've already noted in this review that the B650 screen is very glossy and, in dark scenes, may reflect ambient light in the room. A matte screen should reduce these problems (though it's unlikely it will completely eliminate them). At the same time, a glossy screen can make colors "pop" more and sometimes make blacks look even deeper.


As far as dynamic contrast ratio is concerned, there is a lot of debate in the A/V community about how these measurements are taken and how well they can be used to judge actual quality. The dynamic contrast ratio is a measure of the difference between the screen's whitest white and blackest black. That means they measure the white with the TV screen brightness at maximum and the black with the brightness at its darkest. These measurements can further be thwarted by the coating on the screen (a matte screen vs a glossy screen on top of the same panel will yield different results). Also, there are absolutely no standards in how these measurements are taken. That means that Samsung can use different methods to measure the contrast ratio on different models. Likewise, Sony likely uses a very different measurement system than Samsung. That's not to say the B750 contrast ratio is the same (or worse) than the B650, I'm just saying that it may not be discernible to your eye. You need to judge it yourself.


As I've said, the best way to evaluate these differences are to see the models in person. If you do, make sure that you are watching an HD source (preferably a 1080p blu ray player) and that each TV is connected to the HD source in the same way and are showing the same movie. I bought this TV because I needed one before the b750 was scheduled to be released, otherwise I might have given the b750 much greater consideration.

M. Joachim "Matt"

Posted in: Samsung LN46B650, Samsung LN46B750