Samsung's 2012 TVs: voice/gesture control, integrated Foxtel and apps, cheap upgrades

[csimpson]

Samsung introduced its 2012 TV range last night, with a total of 44 LED and plasma televisions to be made available over the next year.

Samsung 2012 TVs: voice and gesture, exclusive content, cheap upgrades

23 of 35 slim LED TVs, 4 of 13 LED/LCDs, and 4 of 6 plasma TVs incorporate some or all of Samsung’s Smart TV technology. These features range from voice and gesture control, to a range of exclusive content deals, to compatibility with future upgrade kits.

I have to say I'm really impressed. Samsung is hitting a lot of home runs with this year's line-up. LG's local announcement is today but they'll be hard-pressed to stay competitive. Sony is a no-show. Panasonic is disappointing.

Thoughts, guys?

[Fishface]

I won't get too excited until the OLED models come out.

[csimpson]

LG's announced its models as well:

LG has announced a new range of LED and plasma TVs for 2012, heavily pushing its Cinema 3D models as well as smart technology.

LG pushes 3D for 2012 TVs

As well as Cinema 3D, the company is also pushing a range of Smart TV features in its 2012 line-up. A quarter of LG’s new TVs come with a Magic Motion remote control which allows gesture-based navigation of a TV’s on-screen interface, and the company’s four top LEDs come with an enhanced Magic Motion remote with voice recognition capabilities.

I'm not that excited by any of this year's LG TVs. I think some of the mid-range models might be good value for money (LM7600 47in probably my top pick) but they're not as technologically advanced as Samsung's.

I've also had the chance to write up the first Australian review of the top-of-the-line LG LM9600 - it's a pretty good TV but I did encounter some backlight problems.

[oculi]

don't suppose saumsung still make 2D TVs? 3D isn't something i see myself using ever and i'm looking to buy a 55+ incher soonish.

also do samsung use flicker glasses or polarised glasses?

EDIT AFTER READING ARTICLE: didn't realise they sold series 9,8,7,6,5,4 in parallel...

[akashra]

It's pretty pointless saying "our product does everything but print money" when they don't also specify a price.

[oculi]

bit annoying they only offer the gesture control bollocks on the slim TVs, what if i want a TV to be "cheap" and functional? wonder if you will ruin the pseudo 3D effect by flailing your arms around in front of your face.

might just have to get a cheapo until the features i want become more standard, though it would be nice to queue up legal torrents etc on it I spend most of the time looking at a TV, not interacting with it.

[csimpson]

Originally Posted by oculi

bit annoying they only offer the gesture control bollocks on the slim TVs, what if i want a TV to be "cheap" and functional? wonder if you will ruin the pseudo 3D effect by flailing your arms around in front of your face.

might just have to get a cheapo until the features i want become more standard, though it would be nice to queue up legal torrents etc on it I spend most of the time looking at a TV, not interacting with it.

The cheapest TV that'll work with the Magic Motion remote is the LS5700, which comes in 42in and 32in. It's a fat 100Hz LED that I think will probably not be more than $1300 for the 42in.

In other news, Sony might bring out an OLED TV too.

[Zee]

I played with the 2012 models in the US a few weeks back - thanks to the sales dude at Fry's that, even after I told him I wasn't buying, and was just there to check out the new toys before we got them, still spent an hour with me letting me play with the TV, remote, menu's etc.

To be honest, the new remote is kind of funky, but would just piss me off at the end of the day. The whole gesture thing is just too slow, and a direct button is way quicker. Voice recognition didn't seem to work for half the sales guys when they tried it, and once again, even if it did, I would only use it as a backup should I lose my remote. It really is way too slow...

Having said that, the blacks on the new 64" plasma did seem to be better than the current model, and although I am not a fan of the new remote and features, they are pretty cool - so long as the old remote codes stay working, I don't really care.

Anyway, looking forward to actually installing a few. I noticed there were no OLED TV's released yet - which was kind of disappointing.

Z...

[[KEi]SoVeReIgN]

44 Different models?

What a way to confuse consumers. I never understood why no manufacturer has really cracked the easy to understand model range. Samsung is probably the best at it but they're all rubbish.

[oculi]

Originally Posted by Zee

I played with the 2012 models in the US a few weeks back - thanks to the sales dude at Fry's that, even after I told him I wasn't buying, and was just there to check out the new toys before we got them, still spent an hour with me letting me play with the TV, remote, menu's etc.

To be honest, the new remote is kind of funky, but would just piss me off at the end of the day. The whole gesture thing is just too slow, and a direct button is way quicker. Voice recognition didn't seem to work for half the sales guys when they tried it, and once again, even if it did, I would only use it as a backup should I lose my remote. It really is way too slow...

Having said that, the blacks on the new 64" plasma did seem to be better than the current model, and although I am not a fan of the new remote and features, they are pretty cool - so long as the old remote codes stay working, I don't really care.

Anyway, looking forward to actually installing a few. I noticed there were no OLED TV's released yet - which was kind of disappointing.

Z...

interesting! in that case i'll buy a "cheap" one without all that nonsense. I'll be able to use my galaxy nexus as a remote anyway.

I agree on the confusion, maybe its part of their their business model? seems stupid to me but i guess they want to be competitive at every price point.

[Phido]

Samsung has the worse looking/functioning remotes in the business. So getting rid of them is a big plus.

Gesture control seems a bit gimmicky. Cool I guess, a unique feature.

Things like Iview app, Foxtel, bigpond movies, BBC world app are big things that I would imagine really add to the viewing experience. They seem to be putting a big effort into local apps relevant for Australia.

[heath_303]

im looking at the new LG tvs this year, my samsung LCD is just about to die for the second time, its forgetting its settings every time i turn it off and takes like 10 seconds to turn on

so the mrs has given me the all clear to get a new tv, i think LG has the design edge this year, i really like the 55" LM9600 and will be glad to see one in store to see the full array LED.

im a fan of the LG passive 3D and dual play is a really cool feature that i will use.

the only thing that i like about the samsung is it knows who is watching the tv and can be locked when the kids are watching to certain channels and limit their viewing to a duration you can set, thats really cool imo.

[richan3185]

Originally Posted by heath_303

the only thing that i like about the samsung is it knows who is watching the tv and can be locked when the kids are watching to certain channels and limit their viewing to a duration you can set, thats really cool imo.

I might be abit cynical but, you could parent your kids?

[OldnBold]

Originally Posted by Phido

Things like Iview app, Foxtel, bigpond movies, BBC world app are big things that I would imagine really add to the viewing experience. They seem to be putting a big effort into local apps relevant for Australia.

I think the BBC app is the only one I would use of that lot. Have to agree the LG series looks the goods for now.

[heath_303]

Originally Posted by richan3185

I might be abit cynical but, you could parent your kids?

i agree, but i thought it was a cool feature that it recognizes the viewer and only gives access to apps and content you rate.. at the end of the day you sit with your kids to watch tv anyways so its not that big of a deal and hence why i really want the LG LM9600 anyways, passive 3d glasses are cheap and its full array led