Samsung UE46B7020W, The cutting edge of technology

• Like almost every new product, the launch price of this "Edge" includes an exclusivity premium, and although it is well below that of its "Direct LED" cousins, it is clearly above conventional CCFL models of an equivalent range. However, its performance and design keep its quality/features/price ratio high enough for us to recommend it without hesitation.

• Price: €1,799

• Specialists' rating: 5

• Text: Javier SAIZ

The introduction of Samsung's new 6 and 7 series LCD televisions allows us, for the first time in these pages, to take a look at a hybrid concept between conventional or classic fluorescent backlighting (CCFL) and the more recent LED-backlit panels (direct LED). Unlike other panels based on a full implementation of diode lighting (such as Samsung's own F96 or the Philips model recently reviewed in these pages), the new LED Edge models do not have an array of diodes covering the entire back of the liquid crystal screen. Instead, they have two groups of LED elements located at the sides of the screen, which shine onto a series of reflective surfaces arranged behind the liquid crystal, reflecting their light so as to cover the entire surface. The small size of the LEDs, compared with fluorescent lamps or "full" LEDs, allows manufacturers to build extremely thin and lighter panels, which also make it possible to achieve lower power consumption than their competitors. Other advantages of LED lighting over CCFL are the absence of any kind of flicker, which gives the image more stability, as well as a wider color spectrum and a lower cost than "direct" LEDs. On the negative side, compared with the latter, Edge models lose an important feature, local dimming, and therefore the possibility of reaching their absolute black levels.

The design of the star of this review is truly accomplished. Everyone who has seen it has agreed, without exception, in praising its elegance and especially the panel's slim depth. The screen has a glossy black plastic frame, on which fingerprints are left and are very visible, with a transparent outer edge that breaks the uniformity and visually lightens the whole. If it is not hung on a wall, where it would protrude even less than the pictures with which it might share the space, the included stand continues the same light look with a completely transparent upright and a very thin black base identical in design to the frame. This feature of its appearance is not just "apparent" but real, and thanks to it this Samsung, stand included, weighs a mere 18.5 kg, which makes moving it easier, for example when cleaning behind it.

The rear panel has been designed with the clear intention of not losing the advantage of slimness if it is wall-mounted. For this reason, the connector layout is somewhat different from usual. First, there are not two separate connection areas, one for frequently disconnected devices and another for permanent ones; all are on the back. Second, the number of analog inputs is more limited than usual, reduced in this case to a single SCART input that accepts RGB signals, one composite video input, one component video input and one VGA input, with no S-Video input. But it goes even further: to use the first three it is necessary to use the included adapters, instead of connecting directly to the panel. Something similar happens with the four HDMI inputs (V 1.3), which point sideways rather than straight back, which would require moving the panel away from the wall by at least the length of the HDMI connector plus the inflexible part of the cable. It should be noted that if an HTPC is connected via DVI, the only possible audio connection is analog stereo through a minijack connector that is shared with the VGA input, so the two could not be used simultaneously. The connections available in addition to video include two USB 2.0 ports, an RJ-45 data network port and an optical digital audio output (Toslink). The manufacturer offers an optional WiFi adapter that connects to one of the USB ports (no. 2), recommending that external hard drives be connected to no. 1. The 7020 is DLNA certified and can recognize and play a long list of video file formats (including high-definition MKV and TS) from FAT, FAT32 and even NTFS partitions.

The 7020 comes with two remote controls: the main one, of normal size, with buttons for access to all functions, and a small secondary one for controlling the most basic ones (channel change, volume control and on/off) for more convenient everyday use. The main remote is large but very light, and the layout and size of the keys are very well judged, as is usual with Samsung. The finish and sense of quality could perhaps be improved, but in return it has switchable button illumination, a very interesting feature that saves batteries when the room's light conditions do not require it.

Once the initial setup process is complete, you can access the setup menu, where we find the style and design seen in last year's models, which, thanks to their ease of navigation and abundance of controls, let us adjust the television to our liking with great ease. As for picture settings, Samsung is one of the manufacturers that puts the most controls at the disposal of users who want to go a step beyond the preset modes in search of accuracy: color temperature, gamma and a fairly complete CMS (Color Management System), albeit one that works in a peculiar way, as discussed in the accompanying box.

After calibrating the panel, with a superb result incidentally, I began the video processing tests with the VRS and HQV discs in their three versions, PAL and NTSC DVDs on the one hand and BD on the other, using as a source a Pioneer BD player in Source Direct mode, which sets the output resolution to that of the material being played, making the task much easier. With the performance of the same manufacturer's plasma, which I had the opportunity to review a few months ago (CEC no. 63), still fresh in my memory, it was a pleasant surprise to find a clear improvement in every respect. Whereas on that occasion jaggies appeared fairly often, now they are hard to find, and doing so requires paying close attention. Diagonal processing has taken a major leap forward, bordering on perfection in the Jaggies 1 and 2 tests, in which perfect edges are obtained, even at angles very close to 10º. Also noteworthy is the result obtained with non-synthetic tests such as HQV's waving flag or the boat scene on the VRS disc, in which the ropes tensioning the sails at different simultaneous angles present the processor with a tough task. Nor does cadence detection put the Samsung in a tight spot: the usual 2:2 and 3:2 cadences are detected quickly and without problems, and the same goes for most of the less common ones, except in extreme cases, such as some of those found in certain types of "Anime" cartoons. When watching DTT, the picture is very clean in terms of deinterlacing defects; however, scaling produces a "softer" or more blurred image than some competitors, and if we are being very picky, a touch more sharpness would be welcome (as long as it does not come at the cost of other side effects). If we move on to watching movies on DVD, the result is similar: excellent deinterlacing, but if we are being picky (and I stress "picky"), a certain softness in the image is again perceptible. Comparing the image achieved by the 7020 from a 576i signal with that achieved by my combination of external video processor (DVDO VP50) and SDI player, it is clear that although the 7020 shows good detail and definition, it still has a little way to go to earn top honors.

There are two "outstanding subjects" inherent in LCD technology, regardless of the type of lighting used, that put it at a disadvantage compared with its plasma rivals: motion definition and limited viewing angle. In the first of these, our star holds up reasonably well if we play with the "100Hz Motion Plus" controls, setting a value of 7 or 8 for blur reduction and 0 for judder reduction, since the latter alters the original cadence and can produce the "home video" effect. As for viewing angle, the Samsung is about average among the LCDs I have had the chance to review, and to avoid losing quality it is best not to exceed 80-90º from the center.

In order to improve the black level, this series dims the backlight according to the average picture level on screen. That is, if it detects that this percentage falls below a certain predetermined level, the overall light intensity is reduced. In this way it achieves its goal, but with the side effect of also affecting the part of the screen that does contain picture, which also sees its brightness reduced, unlike direct LED models, which dim only the areas where there is no picture. For this reason, the calibration process requires the use of patterns that maintain a high average picture level, without which variations in the gamma curve make the process very difficult. Another characteristic of this LED Edge stems from the fact that, with the two light sources located at the sides, in a dark room a certain lack of uniformity in the black can be seen, as more light passes through the liquid crystal at the edges and less the closer one gets to the center, forming gray "patches" at the edges of the panel. In summary, the 7020 behaves very much like a traditional high-end LCD as far as black level and shadow detail are concerned: it achieves good performance but does not reach the level of full LED implementations or that of the best plasmas.

A simple way to improve LCD performance in terms of the previous paragraph is to place a very low-power light source behind the panel, achieving an effect similar to Philips' Ambilight, which noticeably improves the perception of black without losing the sense of screen brightness. Using precisely this little trick, I watched the complete Matrix collection on Blu-ray again: what a spectacle, folks! The panel's excellent sharpness, backed by accurate color calibration and a good gamma curve, achieves complete immersion in the movie that makes you forget very easily that you are reviewing equipment rather than enjoying a leisure session. Even in the gloomy scenes, no detail of the main characters' black leather coats is lost, and skin tones stand out for their realism against the green tints that dominate the trilogy's color palette. Another regular, the BD of The Fifth Element, has a downright hypnotic effect. I usually play just one or two of my sequences to check the contrast or the effect of calibration on color, but this time I could not resist indulging myself by watching the whole movie again for the umpteenth time and enjoying its superb naturalness and realism.

When it comes to discussing the Samsung's sound, it must be acknowledged that this is undoubtedly its weakest point. The laws of physics, the diameter of the cones and the absence of an enclosure do not allow the drivers to generate solid sound at the low end of the frequency range. Since they are located on the back of the panel, the treble does not come off especially well either, and even if things are pushed through the setup options, it never quite convinces.

CONCLUSION

Like almost every new product, the launch price of this "Edge" includes an exclusivity premium, and although it is well below that of its "Direct LED" cousins, it is clearly above conventional CCFL models of an equivalent range. However, its performance and design keep its quality/features/price ratio high enough for us to recommend it without hesitation.



WE LIKE

- Excellent video processing.

- Calibration possibilities.

- Design and energy efficiency.



COULD BE IMPROVED

- Black uniformity and level.

Samsung UE46B7020W, The cutting edge of technology

Specifications

RESOLUTION 1920 x 1080 p. NATIVE CONTRAST Not stated. ANALOG AND DIGITAL TUNER MPEG2 and H.264. CONNECTIVITY 4 x HDMI, 1 x component video, 1 x SCART (RGB) and CVBS. RJ-45 port. 2 x USB 2.0 ports. PCMCIA module. POWER CONSUMPTION 140W. DIMENSIONS (with stand) 996 x 692 x 255 mm. WEIGHT (with stand) 18.5 kg. DISTRIBUTOR Samsung (902101130).

Price: €1,799