Home > Consumer Reviews > Samsung LE-37A686 - 37'' Widescreen 1080P Full HD LCD TV - With Freeview

Identical to LE37A656, but this has better contrast ratio 35000:1, the frame is not quite as red and the base is rectangular not oval. Apart from that, spec identical, 4 HDMI, 1080p etc. etc.

I opened the box, removed the packaging, plugged in my scart/HDMI cables & power lead, pressed plug & play and that was it.

The picture quality is totally fabulous. The A616 & A656 might be cheaper, but for the overall TV's performance I'd pay more everytime.

Thank you Samsung

I did a lot of research before I purchased this TV, and I haven't been disappointed. This is my first LCD TV and I found that the out of the box picture is fine. However, spend a little time going through the `picture menu' and you end up with a really wonderful experience for the eye. Can't fault it when viewing Blu-ray. All in all a very good TV. Last thing, I found this advice on the net. When watching anything in HD, it is better to watch from no further away than 2.5 times the size of the screen, in this case about 7 feet. You get the full benefit of Blu-ray.

When I first saw the SAMSUNG 686 in store I was not impressed with the picturebut changing the position of the TV in the shop made the difference. do not make judgements by the picture in the store as it depends on aerial and settings made on the set.

I spent a long time researching 37inch televisions and this was the best value for money.

Setting up only takes minutes but getting the best settings takes a while.backlight, contrast,brightness,sharpness, colour, black adjust, dynamic contrast, gamma, white balance, flesh toneand edge enhancement.I think I have got the perfect picture but what suits me may not suit everybody so it is important to make the adjustments. It is best to make your settings when watching an in studio programme ( I did it while watching Loose Women). The colour will depend on camera and lighting work for that particular programme.You could be forever changing your settings.

The sound is adequate but I will invest in surround sound.

The big bonus is the wiselink USB port. I have loaded all my photo"s on a memory stick from Picassa and these are shown as albums with date and title.
I have downloaded my music from WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER to my ZEN MP3 PLAYER and these are shown in albums or as individual titles and artists.
I found stores lacking in knowledge of USB PORTS on tv sets and even which TVS had a port so I had to look at each TV. I did find an old boy in Currys who was really clued up. He showed me how with a few clicks on the mouse to format from WHA to MP3

I think all TVs will eventually have a USB port. it is so useful to slip the MP3 player and memory stick in your pocket when visiting friends. So much better sitting in a comfortable armchair tham crowded round a computer screen My music and photos are now on a memory stick and a small MP3 player which can be shown on my TV in a easy to find system of folders.

Thanks to Amazon for an excellent service

Bought this TV because we wanted a second flatscreen freeview TV for another room. This TV is so good it has quickly been promoted to the main room. Picture is very bright and clear. HDMI input makes picture better than I've seen on any other TV anywhere. Very flexible inputs too. I found I can access our whole library of digital photos by connecting an external hard drive to the USB input.