Editor's note: Samsung has released a patch that is designed to alleviate the problems we experienced during this review. You can read about it here. However, as the update is optional for existing users, the review remains as is.
The F8 series sits at the high end of the Samsung product range, set apart from the rest by its implementation of 100Hz Motion Plus technology. The feature list, aesthetics and sound quality are all exceptional. However, the Motion Plus feature has serious problems that actually degrades the image quality, rather than improve it.
Design
For the F8 series, Samsung has changed their usual design, ever so slightly, and the result is quite attractive. In addition to the usual piano black chassis, the left and right sides of the unit are finished in clear plastic much like the Sony BRAVIA X-series. The connections at the rear are easy to access and additional connections on the side of the unit include HDMI and USB for music and photo playback.
The F8 has three HDMI ports in total, two component connections, one composite, a VGA PC connection and an integrated high definition tuner.
Features
The Samsung LA46F81BDX is a 46 inch LCD television with a native resolution of 1920x1080. As we mentioned, its main claim to fame is its 100Hz technology. If done well, it can greatly reduce the motion problems that have plagued flat panel televisions for far too long. PAL televisions are traditionally 50Hz and as such can display video signals at 50 frames per second. In theory, by doubling that frame rate to 100, any jerky motion (called judder) is removed. However, the original video signal is still 50 frames per second so an extra 50 need to be created via interpolation. This can lead to more problems than it is supposed to fix. In addition, removing judder problems also tends to remove motion blur, making images look extremely fake and unsettling.
Performance
In use, we found the LA46F81BDX suffers from poor interpolation with a slew of incorrect frames and frames repeated or displayed in the wrong order. Finer details like grain or particle effects also tended to confuse the unit making them morph into distracting moving patterns. We ran our series of tests on the LA46F81BDX numerous times. We watched Blu-ray and regular DVD films, ran gaming tests at 720p and 1080p, and viewed free-to-air digital television. We attempted to find a viable way to correct the problems we were experiencing without simply turning Motion Plus off but were unsuccessful.
Resigned to the fact that Motion Plus does not work as it should, we retested the TV with all 100Hz options turned off to see how well the Samsung performed -- the results were excellent.
We used the PlayStation 3 via HDMI to test 1080p and 720p gaming as well as Blu-ray compatibility. The colours and black levels were rich and images looked clear and crisp. There was some over-sharpening at default settings and the contrast needed to be adjusted as well, but these were easily configured.
To test standard definition (576i) we viewed the lobby scene from The Matrix on DVD. Being a 1080p panel, DVDs are not the optimal media but all things considered, the image quality was quite good with far less scaling artefacts than expected.
Conclusion
Considering the 100Hz technology is the selling point of the F8 series, it is unfortunate that it has been so poorly implemented. The score we have awarded the LA46F81BDX reflects its inability to perform as advertised. With the 100Hz feature disabled, it is a truly excellent television and would have received a score on-par with other high-end models we have reviewed. While some would argue that those purchasing this unit will still end up with a great television, we feel that they shouldn't have to disable some of its features to get it and therefore be paying a premium for something they cannot use.
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MrSmith
22/07/2008, 02:26 PM
rating
3/10
I bought this TV based on the 100hz motion plus. It's all a fake. If i could return it, i would and get either a Sony Panasonic or phillips. Samsung never again.
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spiderman
19/06/2008, 03:16 PM
rating
1/10
I bought this tv and it was waving badly and 100hz was poor. Store I bought it from gave me the later model A650? It's worse. screen shimmers and 100hz is a complete joke. Poorest picture I have ever seen. Returning it and getting the Sony or Phillips. Will never buy Samsung again. Hopefully 3rd time lucky with tv purchase!!!
Pros: nothing
Cons: everything
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Adzmax
11/06/2008, 09:07 PM
rating
9/10
A great TV, very happy with picture quality and the looks of the set are stunning. Once 100Hz/Motion plus is turned off it's an awesome set.
Pros: Easy to use setup and menu system, good picture quality, stunning looks and good pricing
Cons: Very VERY easy to scratch and hard to clean (even the supplied cleaning cloth leave fine scratches over the set), poor 100Hz/Motion plus
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Oz XR6
09/06/2008, 08:44 PM
rating
9/10
Had this TV for 3 weeks now and love it despite problems with the motion plus not working properly. Calibrated the picture using the settings on this site which improved the picture greatly. http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/Samsung-LE40F86BD/Settings.php
Pros: Fantastic picture, great looking design.
Cons: Motion plus doesn't work even after firmware upgrade.
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KyesaRRi
09/06/2008, 03:11 PM
rating
3/10
Had this tv for 6` weeks now, started off great using my Wii at 570i and 360 at 1080p. Tv "blew up" at the 4th week of having it, and again the 6'th week [a few hours ago].
Pic of what im talking about:
http://users.tpg.com.au/aeverdsl//R0010678.JPG
[large 3mb, i cbf to scale it]
Pros: Great picture and sound, love the anynet functions
Cons: Reliability, 100hz gimmick
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neiligans
20/05/2008, 12:01 PM
rating
7/10
Have just purchased the 40inch model and as there are good and not so great reviews here i'm not happy to find out now (after i have purchased!) that there is problems with the motion plus and 100hz! I really hope that the patches help these issues. Can someone tell me is there any difference to the patch 1012 and 1013? I have now downloaded both and wanting to know which one to implement?? Any advise would be great. Cheers!
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philn
19/05/2008, 04:34 PM
rating
7/10
When we decided to buy another LCD, I knew that Samsung from from my observations looked very good, picture and styling, until we outlayed $2.5K for a new TV. The HD/SD free to air TV is great, colours, sharpness of picture and the true black. However when
connected to Foxtel, it is poor (via AV connections), there are lip sync problems which are very distracting and the sharpness of the picture could be better. I Had to down grade an tune Tv to watch Foxtel from RF out on the IQ Box to overcome the lip synch. There are some minor problems with the 100hz motion plus (slightly better than our older Panasonic LCD TV.
My rating is more to do with the lip synching because we watch a lot of Foxtel programs.
Pros: HD Tuner is great, HD/SD pictures are very good, the picture sharpness, crisp colours and black blacks (not dark grey). The design is very stylish.
Cons: 100 hz motion plus not as good as advertised. Lip Synch issues when watching foxtel via AV connections is distracting
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Girish111
19/05/2008, 02:27 PM
rating
5/10
I have just purchased this beast !! Now reading at the user / editor reviews .. I am just don't know whether I made a wise decision. Lot of ppl here are complaining about the 100 hz motion plus feature.
Can any of you answer :
1) How to check the firmware ?? I just bought the LCD today (19/05/2008)
2) Will installing the firmware work ??
3) Where is the serial number located ??
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hughtc
12/04/2008, 09:12 AM
rating
8/10
had my 40" for 2 weeks now, have dvd and PC connected over HDMI, even with an old gfx card the PC image is excellent, and dvd looks as good as you could hope for, given that it is only SD res. MotionPlus issues haven't affected me, as i leaev it off / think it's a bit of a gimmick anyway, but it's nice to know that firmware fixes are possible
Pros: excellent blacks and good colours
many connection options
Cons: unable to reorder digital channels! A ridiculous omission in a TV costing >$2k
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monto
29/03/2008, 11:51 PM
rating
8/10
Been using it for a week and loving it. Hooking it to a PC running at 1920x1080 is so wonderful, now I am using it more as a computer monitor! It's wonderful and I would give it high score but there are minor issues to share with potential buyers.
Pros: Beautiful design and beautiful picuture.
Cons: 1. The 100hz motion plus can sometimes look a bit fake, perhaps because our eyes see natural worlds with a slower refresh rate.
2. A bit of light leaking near the edges when I am watching the screen from some angles with dark scene.
3. This one is annoying, it takes 10 seconds to power up.
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