Samsung's 61-inch HL61A650 RPTV HDTV reviewed

by Darren Murph posted Dec 24th 2008 at 9:02AM

Let's face it: there aren't too many new RPTVs hitting the market these days, but for those looking to save a little coin at the expense of a little depth, Samsung's HL61A650 is worth a look. The reviewers over at Home Theater Mag were able to take this beast in for a sit-down, and overall, they were duly impressed. The 61-incher included a respectable amount of ports, sufficient picture controls, very accurate colors and a swell remote. The main knock (outside of the bulky size) was the lackluster black level; in fact, critics noted that it was "among the worst that it had measured." That aside (if you can overlook it), but HDTV was said to perform "well above its pay grade," meaning that it could be an "ideal set at the right price for the casual viewer who will leave it in Dynamic mode and watch a heavy dose of sports in a brightly lit room."

Filed under: Reviews, Displays, Samsung, CRT

Tags: hdtv, HL61A650, rear projection, RearProjection, review, reviewed, RPTV, samsung

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

Andy Sullivan @ Dec 24th 2008 11:25AM

The demise of the RPTV is really a shame. For most people wanting a BIG screen they really do fit the bill nicely. They are light in weight and the depth is not a problem for most, especially when most flat panels are not ending up on a wall anyway. The past two years has seen very little R&D for RPTV which makes you wonder where they could be now if Sony, JVC, Hitachi. Panasonic, Pioneer etc had stayed the course. Early reviewers say the new Mitsubishi Laser driven RPTV provides the best PQ ever, that's EVER seen.

Neutral

Erwos @ Dec 24th 2008 11:37AM

Agreed - if Mitsubishi can get the laser tech down to where DLP is, price-wise, they'll have a very compelling solution. The idea that everyone needs a wall-mounted TV is absurd.

Neutral

JediMstr @ Dec 24th 2008 11:29AM

Why was the HL-61a650 reviewed so late? The HL-61a750 (followup model) came out last summer and is a MUCH superior model. Even the prices listed for the 650 are actually more applicable to the current 750 model.

It's like just releasing a review of the 2G iPhone today.

Highly Ranked

Andy Sullivan @ Dec 24th 2008 12:19PM

Let's face it, RPTV's gets no love in the current world of flat panels. No marketing, no press, no interest by the reviewing media. Which leads to no R&D, no sales, no promotion. The consumer is the loser in the end, they'll just probably never realize it.

Highly Ranked

Jonded @ Dec 24th 2008 12:13PM

Wow. Why was this reviewed so late? And the list price the review lists is $1700?! I just purchased an HL61A750 with the LED light engine, which is MUCH superior for $1450 from Amazon. The HL61A650 can be had for $1250 these days. Makes me wonder if this review got lost on someone's desk 9 months ago.

Neutral

Galley @ Dec 24th 2008 12:12PM

I just scored a 50" Samsung 1080p DLP RPTV from a friend for $500. Sure, it's no Sony XBR, but it still looks pretty good. Did I mention it was only $500?

Neutral

kevin @ Dec 24th 2008 10:45PM

I actually got this set through new egg for $1080 about three weeks ago, shipped, no tax, I watch my fair share of movies, and sports, and did not see the problems they mentioned, apparently im not an videophile haha. I agree this set was out along time and the LED is the replacement, strange, but i love this set and the value, i have an 18X30 family room and this was just big enough.

Neutral

heavystarch @ Dec 28th 2008 12:54AM

I just purchased the 67" LED version (HL67A750) for $1798 with free shipping from Vanns.com

This TV is stunning. They should do a followup review but use the 67" LED version like mine. I don't know many 67" Plasma/LED panels under $2k with full 1080p, 120Hz, 3D ready, etc...

Neutral

ExLoony @ Dec 28th 2008 7:36PM

+1 on the HL67A750. A fabulous beast at excellent price. I've been living with one for about 3 months now and the only downside I have found to it is a slightly slow time changing sources. But with a 50,000 hour life expectancy on the very bright PhlatLED light source (way to go, MIT !), amazing color gamut, a gazillion inputs, 120p picture with motion interpolation for film, etc, etc... it is just stunning for the price. You have to find 12" more depth than an LED or Plasma but heck it will still be as color accurate as the day it was unpacked 5 years from now, which is more than you can say about the LED backlight or the plasma. And your speaker system needs that depth too, so the furniture ends up matching.

Yeah, RPTV is still a viable, competitive choice.

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