Samsung DU7192 (IPS) vs Sharp GP7

The maximum luminance for HDR content on the Samsung DU7192 is 245 nits, but is often exceeded by even lower results. Such values are insufficient for comfortable viewing of HDR material due to the lack of appropriate image dynamics and the colour distortions caused by the device's low brightness. While the manufacturer has equipped the device with an HDR format featuring dynamic metadata, specifically HDR10+, it is rarely used compared to Dolby Vision, which Samsung has yet to introduce in its televisions. It is also worth noting that the Samsung DU7192 only covers 82% of the wide colour gamut DCI-P3, meaning that sending signals in a wide dynamic range should be avoided, as significant colour loss will be evident.

Overall, the Samsung DU7192 delivers high-quality images that will satisfy most users. The television stands out particularly for its vivid colours and decent contrast. Thanks to UHD technology, the image on the screen is sharp and clear, even during fast-moving scenes. The DU7192 also supports HDR, allowing for better reproduction of details in bright and dark areas of the image.

In terms of HDR, the Sharp GP7 can pleasantly surprise us. The maximum brightness around 500 nits is the threshold at which the real advantages of high dynamic range become visible. During our tests, we achieved stable values between 430 and 500 nits, which translated to clearer distinction of elements in both bright and slightly darker scenes. Additionally, there is a DCI-P3 color gamut coverage of around 95%, which allows for vibrant, visually pleasing colors. Of course, this is not the highest league, but for this price range – a big plus.

The best factory mode we used throughout the testing process was "Filmmaker." However, like most modes, it had its drawbacks. Starting with the most basic chart, the white balance, we observed a pronounced dominance of red in SDR and HDR modes. Although green also appeared in HDR mode, it did not significantly affect the overall perception. This resulted in an image with a noticeable yellow tint, particularly evident on the whites and the faces of the actors.

Another important chart, arguably more significant, is gamma, which controls contrast in materials with a standard colour palette. In factory mode it performed reasonably well, but with one notable issue regarding the darkest scenes. Here, it was significantly lowered, resulting in excessive brightening, which robbed the film of its contrast and suspense.

As for HDR content, the white balance remained similar. The main change occurred in the EOTF curve chart. Initially, we saw a bulge that, like the gamma curve, brightened the darkest scenes considerably. However, the curve then drastically changed, and the measured result dropped below the reference line, diminishing the dynamism of the film even further.

Upon taking it out of the box, in movie mode, the GP7 doesn’t perform badly at all. In HD materials, we noticed slight disturbances in white balance – drops in red and blue, which made the image have a slightly greenish tint. This is visible, for example, on the faces of characters, which become less three-dimensional. The gamma is somewhat brightened in places, resulting in less deep blacks. In 4K HDR content, a cooler, bluish tone additionally emerges, making colors appear less natural. On the other hand, looking from the "out of the box" perspective, these settings are not bad – just minor adjustments are needed, and we will try to improve them with special tools.

Samsung even with its entry-level televisions, provides advanced tools for calibration, and we put these to work. The results of our efforts were more than satisfying. The white balance, which previously had a strong yellowish tint in both scenarios, now looks much improved, although slight deviations from the ideal are still noticeable. Nevertheless, the image is significantly cleaner than before the calibration process. We were able to model the gamma well for SDR materials, achieving as much contrast as the television can provide. The EOTF curve has also been adjusted, preventing the image from becoming excessively lightened or darkened. However, it is worth noting that for HDR materials, the deltaE errors remain quite high, with the primary issue being the unit's insufficient brightness.

Calibration really makes a difference in GP7. After implementing the adjustments, we achieved a better white balance in HD content, and the colors started to look much more natural, with minimal deviations and without a clear dominance of individual colors. In 4K HDR, the change is not as spectacular, but still noticeable. The gamma has been brought to a more neutral level, although there is still a visible issue with a slight boost in the brightest details on the screen. The lack of control over dynamic tone mapping limits our maneuvering room, but nonetheless, this is a significant step forward compared to the factory settings.

Let’s revisit the smoothing of tonal transitions function. It can be set to either "off" or "auto." As expected, setting it to "off" results in significant gradation issues. On the other hand, when set to "auto," both movies and TV shows offer smoother colour transitions. However, this function has notable drawbacks: it interferes with the director’s intent by softening the effect of film grain and, more concerning, it often blurs small details, misinterpreting them in the process. For this reason, we consider this feature ineffective and do not recommend using it, as the tests for tonal transition smoothness were conducted with this function turned off.

Next, we assessed the image scaling, which is crucial for watching lower-resolution materials. Unfortunately, as this is one of the manufacturer’s lower-end models, the scaling function does not perform well. The result is heavily blurred details, and a noticeable white halo forms around characters, detracting from the viewing experience.

The TV can quite well scale lower quality content. Our test panels were well reproduced, and although there was minimal aliasing on small, delicate shapes (for example, thin branches), it still looked satisfactory. Additionally, the GP7 offers a "10-bit color reproduction" feature to smooth out tonal transitions in poor quality materials. It is useful, but at the expense of some details, which is why we recommend turning it on only when we are really watching something of poor quality.

Although the Samsung DU7192 is the entry-level model in the manufacturer’s range, it does come equipped with motion smoothing technology. While this feature is somewhat limited in comparison to higher-end models, its inclusion is a notable advantage in its price category. The maximum refresh rate available on the TV is 60 Hz, which is adequate for movies and TV shows but falls short for fast-moving content like sports.

Within the motion smoothing settings, there are two features aimed at improving fluidity: "Motion Blur Reduction" and "Clear Motion (LED)." We’ll discuss the latter later, but first, let’s focus on the former. Unfortunately, despite being present, we found no noticeable difference when adjusting this setting. Regardless of the chosen option, the picture maintained the same stuttering effect typically associated with 24 fps content.

The Samsung DU7192 uses a panel with an average response time. However, it is worth noting that this type of panel outperforms VA panels in a similar price range, making it a more suitable option for watching sports compared to other budget models.

With a 60 Hz refresh rate and an average response time, it's hard to expect miraculous smoothness. In dynamic tests, like the one with the "little green man," it is evident that the image can blur and occasionally lose sharpness. For watching movies and series, this is acceptable, especially since one can use a motion smoother with three levels of adjustment. However, if we care about ultra-smooth sports broadcasts or super responsive gaming, we may feel underwhelmed.

The Samsung DU7192 is equipped only with HDMI 2.0 ports, which is to be expected given the device's price point and its target consumer market. As a result, it does not support the highest resolutions or frame rates available on the latest generation consoles. It does, however, feature the basic gaming functionality of ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). Unfortunately, it is disappointing that the manufacturer did not include GameBar, a feature that has become a standard even in lower-end TVs. GameBar would have provided significant convenience by allowing gamers to easily adjust settings quickly during gameplay.

Let's not kid ourselves – the GP7 is not a television for the most demanding console gamers. Yes, it has ALLM that will automatically switch the TV to low latency mode, but it lacks VRR or G-Sync. There is also no advanced menu to facilitate the adjustment of settings during gameplay. Dolby Vision in games? Yes, but with such high input lag that it's hard to talk about comfort. If we play occasionally and do not aim for the highest standards, we can get by, but fans of technical innovations will be disappointed.