So, does anybody know if the Samsung LE40F86BD can do 1080p from component? I asked this question to Samsung support (the manual is contradictory, BTW, on page 6 it says it can't, on p18 it says it can!), and got this gem of a reply. I've highlighted the interesting bits:

With reference to your email regarding your LE40F86BD, LCD TV. This model of TV is HD and will output a 1080P signal through the HD input and via the RGB input on the unit


Wow, where do I start?

Output: Surely he means input?
HD input: What does he mean? HDMI, or HDMI & component?
RGB: I don't think you can do any HD through RGB! Has he confused RGB with component? Not a good sign!

So, if anyone could answer my question, I'd be very grateful!

(BTW, the following is unrelated, but I hope this information is useful to someone: Only one SCART connector supports RGB, and neither seems to support S-Video! Tight gits!)

I believe it does from memory when playing about with mine. If you have component lead why not give it a try & if you don't have a lead you might have 3 Phono leads knocking about which will suffice to try it. When connected push the info button on the remote & it will report the output on screen.

Thanks Paul, but I haven't ordered this TV yet. I'd like to find out before I do!

I'd be grateful if you could check for me.

Are you pleased with this TV overall? What do you use it for mostly, and has anything really impressed or disappointed you? Thanks!

HDTV test have a review here, worth a read and a search in the LCD section of AVF turns up lots of threads.

Very sorry just read your post agian mine is the LE40M86 not F86, apologies! & despite various reported problems with this set I have not had any problems other than Freeview judder (which did not affect me as I use Sky) however this has been fixed via an over air update now. To be honest I would certainly buy this set again even at the price I paid in June which was £1025, the picture quality is stunning & I'm not easily pleased.

I've read the review at HDTV test already but it doesn't say (and put a message on their forum), and read the manual. I couldn't even get an entirely straight answer out of the guys at Samsung! It's not like this was my first port of call!

@Paul: Thanks anyway. Yeah, I was considering the M86 before, but then I saw the F86 and it was only slightly more for a better picture, better blacks and 100Hz, as well as some ironed out bugs and a USB port for displaying pictures. Got 10% off at EmpireDirect!

Finally got a proper reply from Samsung:

"Unfortunately, there is a mistake in the user manual.
Yes, this TV will support 1080p via component."

And not an ambiguous term in sight!

Save the email just in case