Been planning on getting a new telly for a while and have spotted a Samsung LE40B530P7 (40" LCD Full HD) for £399.99+ VAT, which is tempting.  But I only have until Monday to grab it at that price.

I've had a good look at some reviews and the main criticism seems to be the sound quality, which isn't a major concern for me as I run all sounds through an Arcam (Dolby 5.1) amp.

Couple of questions.... Anyone have any experience of this telly?

Also, it only has 1 Scart socket, but can I run component input from the amp to a HDMI socket?

And will I still get full HD through the Amp (it's an old one from pre HD times)?

Thanks for your advice

Lazydocker wrote on 28. Nov 2009 at 22:12:

If your amp doesn't make provision for HD, then you won't get HD.

tunnie wrote on 28. Nov 2009 at 22:16:


Yep... I know they're a good brand (and it's a very good price as the cheapest online is nearly £20 more +£15 odd P&P!) and I thought I'd heard of that policy too

I'm sorely tempted, although it'll open the floodgates for PS3 and Sky +HD as I've delayed both of these because I haven't got a HD TV 

Lazydocker wrote on 28. Nov 2009 at 22:23:


Don't get caught up in HDMI, just because its digital, does not make it better. Proper component leads will be better than HDMI.

HDMI is just a single cable to replace the 5 in component.

tunnie wrote on 28. Nov 2009 at 22:26:



Depends on the equipment.

A lot of HD sources are encrypted so component won't work.

As to SDTV component. Slightly different to RGB but may be TV settings for tham input but no improvement over RGB with component

Lazydocker wrote on 28. Nov 2009 at 22:12:


I suppose it depends on the proposed source for your HD.

Should it be Sky all new Sky equipment only provides an HDMI output - the older Thomson receivers also had component outputs that could be used for the same purpose - an optical output for 5.1 sound (when available) and phono audio jacks for R/L sound channels.

If your amp hasn't HDMI inputs you might be in trouble if you were thinking about routing the HD through it.  If the amp has an optical input then you would normally route the output from the Sky receiver to this, if not then the phono provision on the Sky receiver can be routed to you amp instead.

In a straightforward application the HDMI output from the Sky receiver is taken to the television and the audio output in optical or stereo taken through the amp, I imagine the same would apply to any other HD sources depending on the available inputs on the television and the audio amp.

Although this Samsung is a discontinued model a lot of people seem quite happy with the manufacturer.

Quote:

If you are planning to use freeview HD, i'd hold off as the spec has just been ratified, so all HD ready sets with digital freeview tuners wont receive HD broadcasts unless they can be upgraded to the new format

having seen a mates hd picture on a samsung i wouldnt touch it with yours tbh. Not impressed at all. But its standard def you will watch most so check thats acceptable to you first. Some really are dire. Having said that could be a fair price depending on size.

Re sound there are no sound inputs to the tv at all on mine. Dont even have speakers on it. Like you i dont have an hdmi amp and its not an issue at all. It handels sky hd ps3 and xbox via optical cable and a single component socket. There are switchers available if yous amp does not have enough inputs. 

I dont use any scarts but the dvd recorder never gets used so i haven connected it up. Its just an expensive clock that tells the wrong time at the moment.

In short, the tv does the pictures and the amp does the sound.
Hdmi doesnt bother the audio if you dont want. Looked into an hdmi amp, onkyo of some sort, load of crap save you wedge......imho of course