The B650 has been released and here are some answers to the most commonly asked questions about the range.
First of all, model numbers and photos (thanks to Ziffius!):
USB connectivity:
With regard to plugging in a USB harddisk, the surprising news is that can plug in up to 2 disks, 1 in each USB port. The TV recognises each drive and will let you select between them for browsing. FAT, FAT32 and NTFS formatted drives are recognised.
From the USB hard disk, the TV appears to play just about everything I have thrown at it so far including MP4, MKV, and AVIs up to 1080p. Playback is mostly flawless (although the killa clip does not play successfully). Only a couple of files have failed due to unsupported audio format. This seems to be related to the audio encoding used.
Network Connectivity
As a DLNA video renderer, it is mostly useless. Pictures and music work fine but I am yet to find a video file that is supported over DLNA. File formats are limited to the set of exact video specifications supported by DLNA which is a substantially smaller sub-set of the formats supported by the TV in USB mode.
I compromise by having a NAS with a USB connection. When I need to shift files onto the drive, I use it in NAS mode. When I need to play stuff using the TV, I plug in the USB cable.
First of all, model numbers and photos (thanks to Ziffius!):
T = The first latter on the Internal project name Samsung used. The number after that refers to the case variation.
There's a B650T2, B651T3, B652T4, B653T5, B655T2, B656T3, B657T4, B658T5. I believe the B655-B658 are for Northern Europe, so presumably have cable tuners in.
T2 = Black/ Grey U Shape.
T3 = Black/ Red U Shape.
T4 = Black/ Grey V Shape.
T5 = Black/ Red V Shape.
B650T2 UK Retailers other than DSG/ Kesa (Comet)
It's hard to see from the photo's, but the grey stripe is curved outwards, the front isn't flat.
B651T3 In the UK, Exclusive to Dixons Group: Currys, PC World, PC World Business and Dixons
B652T4 In the UK, Exclusive to Kesa Electricals Group: Laskys and Comet.
B653T5 No Known UK retailers
USB connectivity:
With regard to plugging in a USB harddisk, the surprising news is that can plug in up to 2 disks, 1 in each USB port. The TV recognises each drive and will let you select between them for browsing. FAT, FAT32 and NTFS formatted drives are recognised.
From the USB hard disk, the TV appears to play just about everything I have thrown at it so far including MP4, MKV, and AVIs up to 1080p. Playback is mostly flawless (although the killa clip does not play successfully). Only a couple of files have failed due to unsupported audio format. This seems to be related to the audio encoding used.
Network Connectivity
As a DLNA video renderer, it is mostly useless. Pictures and music work fine but I am yet to find a video file that is supported over DLNA. File formats are limited to the set of exact video specifications supported by DLNA which is a substantially smaller sub-set of the formats supported by the TV in USB mode.
I compromise by having a NAS with a USB connection. When I need to shift files onto the drive, I use it in NAS mode. When I need to play stuff using the TV, I plug in the USB cable.
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