The overall design of
the Samsung A850-series 52" LCD HDTV can be described in two words - "sleek"
and "thin". In fact the screen itself is just a shade under two inches thick.
To complement its thin profile,
the bezel around the display is only 5mm away from being flush with the
screen so there's nothing to distract the eye.
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The Samsung LN52A850S1F has a detachable base that can
be swapped out if the unit is attached to a 400mm VESA wall mount.
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The thin screen enhances the clean design, although it also makes the TV a bit difficult to
move around. Having to pick up a seventy-pound display when you have a 5mm
sliver of plastic cutting into your hand isn't comfortable. If you're going to mount the LN52A850S1F on a
wall via its 400mm VESA mounts, definitely ask two friends to help you lift it.
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Samsung's
LNA40A850 stand can be pivoted up to 30 degrees so that the side and back
panel connections can be reached without having to move the TV's
stand. |
If you eschew wall mounting this thin sliver of a widescreen HD television and stick
with the included base, you'll be pleased to note that while the bezel of the TV is
made out of plastic, the base stand that Samsung ships with the LN52A850S1F HDTV
is thick tempered glass. The base is reassuringly heavy and maintains the dark cherry finish
after repeated dustings.
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The rear of
the TV houses the rear panel connectors, the VESA mounts and grating that
exhausts heat away from the LCD. Power is supplied by single AC power port
just below the data connections.
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There are four
VESA mounts spaced at 400mm, designed for M8-sized screws. This unit is
light enough that it can be mounted on VESA-compliant articulated
arms.
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A combination of a glossy
plastic display and dark colouring means that the LN52A850S1F is a superb dust magnet,
attracting particles of dirt seemingly out of thin air to coat its mirror finish.
Obsessive compulsive cleaners will enjoy wiping this LCD HDTV down several times
a day with the supplied microfiber cleaning cloth.
Crouching Remote, Hidden Control Panel
The
Samsung
A850-series HDTV can be controlled via one of two remotes or with the control
panel on the bottom right side of the screen. The buttonless control
panel is exceptionally difficult to see, hard to use (because the buttons
are flush touch-sensitve keys) and its poor illumination
doesn't help matters.
The screen's control 'buttons' consist of a touch sensitive strip, the problem is they blend into the LCD TV's bezel so well they can't be seen
from more than a few inches away. That makes them difficult to find,
especially when its dark. Once pressed, the buttons do light up with a
dull red light, however don't lose the remote or you will be completely out of luck.
The back-lit buttons are only properly visible at eye level, and since
the buttons are on the bottom bezel of the HDTV it's unlikely the illumination
will be seen unless you're sitting on the floor.
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