I've been thinking of getting the LE26R41B and reading this thread made me go and check the new 74 series. Page 5 of the pdf manual states; 'Do not attempt to connect the HDMI/DVI connector to a PC or Laptop Graphics Card. This seems to be related to the TV's 'compatible video output modes' 480i/p, 576i/p, 720p,1080i. Ok, so Samsung says, HDMI 'allows the transmission of high definition digital video data and multiple channels of digital audio (5.1). I'm ok so far.
I know DVI only sends video, and there are 3 different types of DVI connections (DVI-A for analogue, DVI-D for digital and DVI-I for both. But most graphic cards are probably like my Sapphire ATI 9550 with a DVI-I connector for integrated analogue and digital video output. Its supposed to be HDCP compliant too, so I can't understand why you can only connect your HDMI/DVI cable to STBs, DVDs, or game consoles. If say, you wanted to play some of the Microsoft HD clips at 720p, to test getting HD from your PC, would it work then, which I assume is what Stig's (very helpful) review was referring to, or is it completely no go ? (Anyone else tested this?) Are all LCD TVs with only a HDMI connector like this or just Samsung?
(There's an LG 26LX2R with HDMI and seperate DVI-i connectors). While I'm ok with connecting the PC through VGA, it will mean only analogue from the PC to TV. There must be others who'd like to use their HDTV as a HD monitor as well, and I'm under the impression that with other manufacturers, like the LG, you can? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?
Thanks for any feedback.

I don't know the technical details, but I'm guessing that when you connect anything to the Samsung using DVI, the TV is expecting a signal which is either 480i/p, 576i/p, 720p or 1080i. A PC graphics card will not normally use these modes, but will specify a (high) resolution e.g. 1280x1024. By contrast, an XBox 360 can be set to 720p etc.

So, unless your graphics card can be set to '720p' etc. I'm guessing it won't work on the Samsung. If I ever have an HDMI to DVI cable handy, I'll try it, but I'm assuming the manual is correct!

Thanks for your kind words about my review. Another little detail to add: You can't access digital teletext if you have subtitles turned on - weird!

I too had wondered about the DVI aspect of the TV (mainly in the R41/R51 range) accepting signals from a PC and was quite dissapointed to read that a PC should only be connected via the VGA input. For the R41/51 ranges the optimal and maximum resolution specified for the PC input is 1320 x 768, so only a 720p signal would be catered for natively, 1080i would have to be scaled by the screen and PC anyway. Its just ironic that one of the major benefits of a high resolution screen is only available by VGA which is increasingly being phased out on high end graphics cards and laptops in favour of DVI

Onto shades8438's question about the R7 series compared to the R4 series... I went down to Apollo today to takje a butchers at the 32" LE32R74BDX and saw its rather more impressive big brother the 40" sat by its side... Picture looks nice, solid, very high levels of contrast and detail. It was enough for me to decide on the spot NOT to buy the 32" but to save up another couple of months for the extra wedge to buy a decent Alphason stand and the LE40R74BDX
Major differences seem to be R41/R51 ranges had 12m/s refresh rates(Samsung told me this a few months back as I was curious), the Contrast ratio and colour range is improved and theres a difference to the layout of the sockets on the rear by the looks of things with the larger screens getting side input s-video and composite (they were rear mounted on my 26")

thanks gave _up for the info

is 12m/s good enough for a xbox 360 for repsonse times as it were I don't have one but thinking about it and I wondering about sport and repsonse times when I get SKY HD installed will they be bulring?

thanks for any info

P.S. gave_up have you had any tearing probelms with your set as it same as me but I not got around to input any HD stuff on it yet so I wondering if it need a new firmware update as I hear there been probelms with some samsung models

Whats the Life time of these R7's ? I'm not going to be upgrading for another 6-10 years will it do?

Where abouts did you see the code?

Cheers.

It depends if you are going to want 1080p, HD DVB or any of the other new innovations over the next few years. My Sony CRT iDTV only lasted me 3 years, and I thought I'd have that a long time!

http://www.web-prices.com/tvs/produc...32R73BD_74.htm

Hi,
I saw this TV in the shops earlier today, and I was wondering if it has HDCP (for SKY HD) and also can a ps3 be used with it?

Is this worth the price? Here

Yes, it has HDCP, and it should work with the (non-existent) PS3.

The best price on PriceRunner is currently £1339, but I did get good service from 247AV.com

Another tip for anyone planning to buy an R74 for use with Windows XP MCE: I'm having trouble persuading it to work at 50 or 75Hz for smooth recorded TV playback...

I'm trying to order the LE40R74BDX and only comet have them in stock for a whopping £300 more than the online retail prices. Where are they? Some sites say not due for release until 1st May ??????

I want one now!! Anyone know who has them in stock at a good price?

I ordered mine from empire direct a few days ago. They said it would be about a week . Now they say it will be mid may because samsung concentrated on the 32 not the 40. What a bummer. Anybody got any sujestions on a dvd/home cinema to compliment the tv. Any idea welcome !!!

Just bought the Logitech Z-5450 Digital 5.1 Speaker System - Wireless rear Speakers. I was worried it wouldnt work with my wireless router, but it works great!! Ebuyer were the cheapest.

HI i went into my local dixsons and saw the tvs side by side 32" and the 26" and the 26" looked clearer is this just me or are they diffrent

Hi there,

Firstly quality topic as this is the only discussion i have found and i was about to buy the previous 40" samsung lcd

Anyways, has anyone seen a review on this in any mags? I have been buying What LCD / Plasma for the idea of getting a 37" lcd but the 40" is a better idea and hardly difference in ££.

I had found this review on the old model

Previous 40"

For those whose have the new model is it better?

Sorry if im repeating the same questions already asked!

cheers

adi

Hi all - I've never been here before today, and have read with interest every single entry (all three pages) as last week I ordered (from Dixons, using the £300-ish discount) the new 40" R7 series Samsung. I have been looking at all sorts of LCD's recently, and was about to get the 42" LG (because I find an all-black TV better to watch and there are few of these around, apart from the Pioneer, which is a grand more).

So far I can tell you there are no magazine reviews yet (I try to read reviews before spending this amount of cash!), but thankfully everyone here seems pleased with theirs. Mine arrives on Wednesday (26th April) so I'll let you all know how I get on (if it turns up).

Any idea about a decent virtual surround system, or a surround with wireless rear speakers? I have a wooden floor so can't hide the cables anywhere.

Hi Phaetonlwb,

Sounds like you and me have the same idea in mind as i have been scouring the web!

i'm guessing these sets dont work with 1080 only 720?

They will emulate 1080i via HDMI or component

Ah cool thanks stig

It's a job to take it all in when you have just started to decide on taking the £1300 plunge!

Scared I might forget a feature etc and with buying Sky+ very soon as well it's a few quid to pay out for something that could very easily not be upto the job!

Guys don't worry about the quality issue. Ask the sales reps to hook the tv up to a digital feed. Then you will see the true capabilities. Beautiful !!

Sony are all lined up at the front of the tv sections at the moment in Currys all on HD feeds, this is why people get mislead that Sony are the best. No, it is becuase they pay to have prime positioning and digital feeds.

I ordered the 40" from shop at digital, they are now out of stock but they can't deliver until Saturday. I hear RGB direct have them in though.

Well, as promised Currys (aka Dixons) called me today to confirm a 4-hour delivery slot tomorrow (between 10.30 and 2.30) and to say that tomorrow I'll get a call 30 mins before they are due to arrive, so can't complain at that.

All I need to do now is find a suitable TV cabinet - had one of those glass ones before but took it back because all you could see was dust (well, all my girlfriend could see was dust).

Will let you know if they turn up on time and if it's the right telly! Oh, and if it seems to be any good or not.

"Good morning Mr Phaetonlwb, we're here to install your washing machine..."

I've got an LE40R74BD on order, so am very keen to hear what the series is like in use.

Dave

I sometimes think i'm over cautious when buying stuff and looking at a forum compared to a magazine review makes things alot easier to make that decision - i'm gonna hold out for another week so i can see how you guys find the LE40R74BD then me and my mate are gonna stroll into somewhere or call someone up and try and strike some freebies if we order 2 x lcds at the same time! Bet you all have your dvds at the ready to test your new tvs

how do the new r7 lcds compare to the le40m51s?

Yesterday was a busy day!! I decided not to wait around for Digital Uk, instead I called RGB who had the LE40R74BDX in stock. I drove all the way to London from Cardiff (took 4 hours there and 4 hours back) to pick it up so that I could watch the football on it. The money I saved went towards the petrol as they are £50 cheaper than other online stores and £300 cheaper than comet / dixons.


Its amazing, the first impression is.....'oh my god, its massive!!' Then when you turn it on you need not do anything almost. It automatically gives you the options to programme channels and within 2 minutes it has all the freeview channels hooked up. The remote is brilliantly designed as well.

By the way it has an optical feed which I thought the spec said it didnt somewhere, anyway sounds great and looks great. Cant wait for Sky HD.

By the way, you need to buy a decent scart cable to get the best quality picture.