Samsung LED HDTVs

Samsung has decided to take a huge leap forward with their LCDs with their launch of their new line of LED backlit panels. Designated with a "B" in the model number rather than an "A," look for these to be available in the early part of 2009. Generally ranging from 40" to 55", they all feature extreme contrast ratios, ultra slim designs (even with tuners included) and tons of extras. The top of the line 8000 series features 240Hz processing, chrome stylings, built in Ethernet connection and wireless-ready capabilities, and response times matching CRT displays (or so they claim).

Samsung is refocusing their attention on the "LED TV" (which obviously is really an LED backlit LCD) as their push for 2009. That means that all you Audioholics will have on more thing to explain to your less tech-savvy friends. LED backlighting does have a few advantages including much greater contrast ratios (since you can turn them off effectively making the contrast ratio infinity), it allows for very slim designs (great preparation for competition with the sure to be more expensive OLEDs on the horizon), and Eco-friendly operation. LED backlit LCDs consume less power than their similarly sized traditional LCDs and are mercury free. For more information please contact www.samsung.com.

Note the "XX" in the model numbers below will be replaced with the size - so the 55" 8000 model would be LN55B800.

LNXXB8000 Ultra-Slim LED HDTV with Auto Motion Plus 240Hz

Available 1st Half 2009 in 46” and 55” class sizes

• Samsung’s next-generation LED HDTV with mega dynamic contrast ratio
• Around an inch, ultra-slim depth even with built-in ATSC tuner
• Ultra Slim Design in chrome
• Next-generation Auto Motion Plus 240Hz frame interpolation technology, and 240Hz refresh rate, for further enhancement of picture quality, even with the fastest onscreen movements
• Fast Motion Picture Response Time (MPRT), matching that of traditional CRT displays
• Ultra Clear Panel for reduced reflection rate and increased contrast, even in brightly-lit rooms
• Connectivity panels located along the bottom of the set for a flush, wall-mount installation
• Built-in Ethernet connection, and wireless-ready capabilities, provide access to widget-based content and services from providers such as Yahoo!, Flickr, and more
• Meets Energy Star v3.0 requirement

LNXXB7000 Ultra-Slim LED HDTV with Auto Motion Plus 120Hz

Available 1st Half 2009 in 40”, 46” and 55” class sizes

• Samsung’s next-generation LED HDTV with mega dynamic contrast ratio
• Around an inch, ultra-slim depth even with built-in ATSC tuner
• Ultra Slim Design in semi-transparent ruby with dewdrop-like lighting effect
• Auto Motion Plus 120Hz frame interpolation technology, and 120Hz refresh rate, for further enhancement of picture quality, even with the fastest onscreen movements
• Ultra Clear Panel for reduced reflection rate and increased contrast, even in brightly-lit rooms
• Connectivity panels located along the bottom of the set for a flush, wall-mount installation
• Built-in Ethernet connection, and wireless-ready capabilities, provide access to widget-based content and services from providers such as Yahoo!, Flickr, and more
• Meets Energy Star v3.0 requirement

LNXXB6000 Eco-Friendly LED LCD HDTV

Available 1st Half of 2009 in 40”, 46” and 55” class sizes

• Samsung’s next-generation LED HDTV with mega dynamic contrast ratio, and deepest dark room contrast ratio
• Around an inch, ultra-slim depth even with built-in ATSC tuner
• Samsung’s eco-friendly Ultra Slim Design in semi-transparent ruby
• 40%+ decrease versus traditional LCD HDTVs of similar size
• Power indicator menu and optimized energy savings mode, which adjusts the backlight / picture quality while continuing to produce smoother, more natural images
• Auto Motion Plus 120Hz frame interpolation technology, and 120Hz refresh rate, for further enhancement of picture quality, even with the fastest onscreen movements
• Connectivity panels located along the bottom of the set for a flush, wall-mount installation
• Built-in Ethernet connection, and wireless-ready capabilities, provide access to Samsung’s InfoLink™ RSS service, with news, sports, weather and more info from USA Today
• Meets Energy Star v3.0 requirement.

LNXXB750 LCD HDTV with Auto Motion Plus 240Hz

Available 1st Half of 2009 in 40”, 46” and 52” class sizes

• Next-generation Auto Motion Plus 240Hz frame interpolation technology, and 240Hz refresh rate, for further enhancement of picture quality, even with the fastest onscreen movements
• ToC™ design in semi-transparent ruby
• Fast Motion Picture Response Time (MPRT) , matching that of traditional CRT displays
• Ultra Clear Panel for reduced reflection rate and increased contrast, even in brightly-lit rooms
• Wide Color Enhancer Pro matches source colors to the panel’s reproduction of wider range of the HD color gamut, for vibrant yet natural-looking color and images
• Built-in Ethernet connection, and wireless-ready capabilities, provide access to widget-based content and services from providers such as Yahoo!, Flickr, and more
• Meets Energy Star v3.0 requirement

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.