Sony HX820 vs. Samsung Series 7: LED TV showdown
- — 06 June, 2011 17:15
If you're looking to buy a new LED TV for 2011, the big brands — Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic and others — all have plenty of models you can choose from. All of these TVs have different features on offer, different prices and different pictures, but if you've narrowed your choice down to one of two models it can be a difficult decision to make.
Here, we'e comparing the Samsung Series 7 to the Sony BRAVIA HX820. They're both one model down from the most expensive LED TVs offered by each brand, and we think they both represent good value for money without compromising on included features or high quality specifications.
Design
Both the Samsung Series 7 and Sony BRAVIA HX820 are well-built using high quality components — they don't feel at all plasticky or cheap. The HX820 has a single, sheer glass panel across its front, with no embossed bezel to catch dust, where the Series 7 has a very thin metallic strip running around the TV's edge. They're both very attractive TVs and we'd be hard pressed to pick a winner.
If we were forced to choose, we'd probably go for the Samsung Series 7 — its overall bezel is thinner than the HX820's, and the thin chromed edge looks very attractive. It's a very slightly thicker chassis — 29.3mm as opposed to the Sony's 27mm — but it's slightly smaller in all other dimensions for an identical screen size. It also comes with a superior remote to the Sony HX820.
Features
Both the Sony BRAVIA HX820 and the Samsung Series 7 have the full range of digital and analog connectors on offer, although older connectors like composite and component video are only available through break-out adapters. Both of these TVs should have more than enough connection options to allow you to plug in multiple devices.
Both TVs have Ethernet for connecting a wired network, and integrated Wi-Fi to connect a wireless router. If you're going to be using the Web features of these TVs — and you should, since you're paying for the features — we'd opt for wireless because there is no need to run messy cables, but neither TV is superior in this area.
Samsung's Web features are referred to by the Smart TV moniker, and Sony's come in the form of both BRAVIA Internet Video and Sony Internet TV. In terms of the amount of content on offer it's a tight race. Sony's streaming TV channels means there is always something running that you can watch, and the HX820 is a great tool for just flicking over to iView and catching up on all the ABC shows you've missed.
Samsung's app interface lets you do more though — since you can install the services you want, it's more versatile. BigPond Movies On Demand is also a big feature of Samsung's app line-up, so you can use the Series 7 to download movies without moving from your couch. We'd probably opt for the Samsung Series 7 over the HX820 in this area purely for the ability to download and try different apps on a whim.
In terms of 3D, both TVs have 3D transmitters built in and both come with a couple of pairs of active shutter 3D glasses. Replacement or extra 3D glasses for the Samsung and the Sony are edging $150 — Samsung wins out with its $129 sports-style 3D glasses, while Sony's best are $149.
Picture quality
Samsung's Series 7 and Sony's BRAVIA HX820 are both Full HD, 1080p, 46in LED edge-lit LCD TVs. They're both able to display excellent levels of detail when showing high quality content like a high definition Blu-ray movie. Again, it's a tight competition between the two and we think that whichever you choose will be a very high quality panel that's able to do an excellent job when it comes to displaying movies, TV, streaming video and other content.
We've had the chance to take a look at both the Samsung Series 7 and the Sony BRAVIA HX820 and run through a few movies on them, and while it's a very close comparison between them we'd have to give the gong to the BRAVIA HX820. It has excellent black levels in its Cinema mode, which means that if you're watching a movie in a dark room the background can melt away — you won't see any 'bright' black on the TV.
Both the Samsung and the Sony are able to display great colours, and both are very vibrant. Again, the Sony panel has a slight edge in the amount of detail that can be seen in colourful areas of the screen — an effect of slightly less saturation and better video processing.
When it comes to displaying fast motion video, however, we'd take the Samsung. It allows the intensity of motion compensation to be adjusted, so you can tweak to your heart's content and find the best setting for whatever you're watching. Sony's 'MotionFlow' implementation is still good, but offers less customisation — and the 'smoothest' mode is a little unrealistic.
Price and size
Sony wins out on price here, which is surprising. A year ago, Samsung was the price leader with its brand new range of slim LED TVs, and undercut the market significantly — and made a killing in the process. Sony's caught on and lowered its prices accordingly, and with almost all of its 2011 TVs offers a comparable product at a lower cost. It's surprising, but a Sony TV is actually now a good value purchase.
Samsung offers the Series 7 in two screen sizes — a 55in for $4099 and a 46in for $3199. Similarly, the Sony BRAVIA HX820 can be bought in 55in and 46in sizes but for a few hundred dollars less at $3999 and $2999 respectively. Sticker prices in big retail stores should be at least a few hundred dollars cheaper again for both brands.
Conclusion
Choosing between the Samsung Series 7 and the Sony BRAVIA HX820 is a difficult proposition. Both TVs look good, have good picture quality and offer a range of features built-in. After considering all the features on offer, we'd probably give line honours to the Samsung Series 7 — but only by a whisker. The Sony BRAVIA HX820 is also excellent, but the Samsung's extra features do go some way to justify its higher price tag.
Comments
Leirbag
Wed 08/06/2011 - 02:12
Is that showdown a joke ? Nothing about DeltaE ? Nothing about cross talking ? Nothing about gamma ? Not even a little contrast measurment ?
I don't mean to be disrespectful but honestly, if I want to hear "They're both able to display excellent levels of detail", "we think that whichever you choose will be a very high quality panel" or "Both are able to display great colours", I just go to Best Buy...
Savant
Mon 13/06/2011 - 02:41
This was a reasonably written review at the level of detail that a somewhat savvy customer audience would want. Levels of black, cross-talk, gamma correction, etc. all continue to get better every year on all offerings, and will be the subject of debate ad nauseu by he technophiles. However, most customers at this point cannot really tell the difference on sets of this class.
I think most customers at this point want to know more about the features of the systems, like connectivity, remotes, glasses, remotes/screen GUIs and the like.
Unfortunately, no article anywhere to date in any medium really presents a good cross-comparison of these features. SImply put, I would really like to see a demo of each in some detail showing how one uses the sets in a real world environment.
Lijin
Sat 09/07/2011 - 02:33
Sony is an excellent company this ir the toughest thing to find what is better. Plese
James
Mon 05/09/2011 - 09:47
It's funny this review has come about because Sony don't like their products being reviewed next to Samsung's. Why? Samsung make around 80% of all components across the range for Sony (this particular model has the exact same panel as the UED6100/UED6530) with about 3% being built by Sony and the rest by other outside contractors.
Peter
Sun 27/11/2011 - 23:53
Im not entirely sure how you managed to arrive at the conclusion that the Samsing has better motion because I can tell you now considering I have had much more of a chance to play with both the samsung is disgusting with any motion at all. It has shocking jitter with even the slightest movement. The Sony is smooth and easy to watch.
Also to the coment made about sonys pannel. Its lcd component is from a sharp factory in japan and its a 10th Gen LCD as apposed to Samsungs 9th Gen. Also its a common misconception that Samsung produces Sony pannels its a play on words. Considering Sony owns 50% minus one share of the s-lcd factory and Samsung owns 50% plus one...
Jason
Mon 05/12/2011 - 15:50
Is there any question if these TV's settings were turned out of the box? I've purchased the Samsung and have been disappionted with the 'tinny' depth lacking scene while watching TV, which is what I'm mostly going to be using it for..the skin tones etc are all washed out.
Nick
Sat 10/03/2012 - 05:34
I believe SONY makes a better TV as far as performance but SAMSUNG's marketing and direction is better suited. The same reason why the reviewer is finding that the SONY is less expensive as a surprise. The same reason why he picks the Samsung. Samsung marketing and cutting the price slightly crippling other manufacture to lower the price and then Samsung is able to raise theirs upon popularity. SONY and other TV manufactures seriously need to step up there game because SAMSUNG's marketing is walking all over everybody. Smart TV/ Smart Marketing.
Anonymous
Sun 18/03/2012 - 11:06
In my opinion, Sony is the "Mercedes Benz" in the world of TVs. Sony made PlayStation just like MB made diesel engines and safety features that are very long for me to list. So.....its like choosing a BMW and Mercedes. Yes, I <3 <3 <3 <3 my S63 AMG and my E550 4matic
Dr. Pramod Shanker Soni, India
Mon 26/03/2012 - 05:47
In my opinion... both are great brands, gives edge to each other. The only minus point of LED is sound quality... You have to have external sound system to fully enjoy the movie...
Frank
Sun 01/04/2012 - 22:42
Sony Bravia.... Top of the line with no close runner up. Have 2 older 42, 2 new 55, new 60, and a new 70 in my home! I also have a new 55 samsung outside for the pool/spa area and far less quality compared to the sonys which is why she's outside. All are LED besides the older 42s but all LCD flat panels. Btw... DR. Who cares about the sound coming from these bad ass tvs. If you spent this kind of money for picture quality which is main goal here, then pony up and buy a good surround system.
Jay
Thu 19/04/2012 - 09:33
People make me laugh, they think that Sony is better than Samsung in the tv department, lol. Ok, yes this Sony tv is freakin awesome. My uncle has the 55 inch and I have tested it in every way. Beautiful TV, but me and my friend just got the 55 inch 7000 and 7900 series. And holy cow they offer amazing quality! My friend was about to purchase the HX820 cause uncharted 3 look awesome on it. But after seeing the Samsung, I was amazed. Quality was just simply better than the sony tv. The HX820 is still awesome but my now Samsung 7900 55inch is better!...My opinion
Adz
Wed 02/05/2012 - 19:26
Design..Sony wins, hello, I'm a samsung with chair legs as a stand, although wall mounted id agree samsung so its 50/50, regarding thickness..as i said if not wall mounting then who cares you still have a base to contend with. ....Motion? Samsung doesn't "correct" its created frames, so it shows a certain clear / blur /clear (or rather clear /blur /blur/blur/clear) creation, and most people would have to consistently adjust the bits dependant on program to get it right. Glasses...its called ebay HAH, however Sony entry glasses are only $99 , so technically cheaper for now. When it comes to content. Bigpond Movies vs Video Unlimited...um Sony wins, better content,more and higher quality. with other apps...sure samsung has ones you can download, but who does, the interface is slow and there really isn't much out there. When it comes to Internet content, Sony's twin chip processor makes those rubbish clips clear, while samsung doesn't. Finally for a real comparison you would have to compare the series 8 to the HX820, as the series 7 doesn't have the dynamic LED dimming owhile 3D content is being played. however Sony still or performs.
Dilan
Thu 10/05/2012 - 20:42
Samsung is not at all that bad! 3D quality is majestic! The design is very eye catching too.
Anonym
Thu 17/05/2012 - 02:32
The new sony TVs is much better thank samsungs, 'cause sony tvs use X-reality Pro which is better than samsungs, and sony tvs do also use Inteligent Led which is also much better
sarmus
Tue 22/05/2012 - 08:37
ALWAYS SONY IS THE BEST QUALITY TV AND ALL PRODUCTS OF SONY ARE A GRATE MAKE.BELIVE §§§§§§§§§§
Faizan
Fri 25/05/2012 - 23:40
Sony Bravia edges in both picture quality and indesign,it givs best picture performance against samsung tv.
savantik
Mon 06/06/2011 - 19:48
Sony has always been excellent & that's the reason behind Sony is adapting new generation FPR technology.