Bold and beautiful

Samsung’s 70-inch LCD TV makes for great viewing, but the price is daunting

Whoever said all good things come in small packages obviously hasn’t seen Samsung’s new 70-inch LCD TV. The glass-chrome behemoth has an overwhelming presence, a screen that allows you to examine every flaw on a pretty face in minute detail, a set of impressive features and a price that takes your breath away. The package is daunting, the impact, lasting.

THE GOOD

The full HDTV (high definition TV) (1080p) comes with LED backlighting, which lends it a stunning contrast ratio of, as Samsung claims, 5,00,000:1. But ignore the figures and the contrast is great. Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of high-definition content available on TV, unless you are into gaming with the Microsoft X-Box, where you have games.

What I love are the large number of connectors and a USB port on the left side (now you can’t connect your thumb drive to watch videos, play MP3s or look at family pictures, but it’s used to upgrade the TV software). Also on the left are a headphone, composite, HDMI (high definition multimedia interface) and S-Video inputs. The rear also has many connectors (standard RF input, HDMI, optical sound output, a D-Sub, a 2 HDMI and and two sets of component inputs), but there’s no S-video input here.

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The built-in 2.2 sound system (two speakers+two woofers) ensure the sound is clear even at low volumes.

THE BAD

For some reason, Samsung has decided to put the remote control IR sensor at the right edge of the TV. So though it offers a 178-degree viewing, if you are sitting in the left corner of the room, you will have to either get up or twist and turn your remote to turn up the volume or change the channel.

If you are fond of your classics like Charlie Chaplin or Raj Kumar movies, the TV can be disappointing. Since these DVDs are recorded and work in the 4:3 mode and not in 16:9, which is the native mode, it will wipe off almost 20 inches of your screen and turn it into an ugly black patch. So you will pay for a 70-inch TV, but get a 43-inch one.

The one-year warranty on what I call capital investment is really bad. If the TV breaks down on the 29th day of the 11th month, you have a battle on your hands. At this price and with minimal sales, support will not be easy.

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The TV comes with a universal remote control (most LCD TVs ship with one), but a non-programmable one, so it may not work with your set-top and/or DTH box, but will work with your stereo and DVD player. With the cable moving out and DTH an alternative, the programmable remote control would not be worth it.

Besides, at 88 kg with the stand and 111 kg in the pack, it will certainly not be easy to take it to your 16th floor condo. The TV also comes with the auto wall mounting option, but the Samsung website doesn’t mention it, only the manual does. There are other things missing on the site and as the shops still don’t have brochures, one has to live with terms like TBD (to be disclosed), or deal with misleading information during the demo: executives tell you the TV has two tuners for PIP while the website mentions only one.

THE UGLY

At Rs 24 lakh, the price is a big deterrent. For that amount, you could buy a house or a big car. Besides, not many people except your friends will get to see your big buy. Still, if you’re willing to take a home loan to buy it, call me over. I’ll bring the popcorn. For details, visit the Samsung showroom (in all the major metros) or tinyurl.com/2wfckd.

Gagandeep S. Sapra is the Chairman and CEO of System3 group of companies. gagandeep@system3group.com