Apr
16

Samsung LED TV

Filed Under LED TV, Samsung LCD TV | Leave a Comment 

So putting the usual hype aside for a moment, what is LED TV exactly and what benefits does it offer?

The latest Samsung LED TVs, such as the UN46B7000, use an edge-lit LED-based, TFT active matrix, LCD panel (what a mouthful of techno-jargon!). Basically this means that the TV uses LED Backlight technology to increase the amount of light passing through the LCD panel.

So far Samsung is the only company to announce a full lineup of LED-based LCD TVs. These are still expensive as new technology products usually are, before the production volumes crank up.

However, if you’re desperate to impress your neighbours today, LED TVs offer the most advanced technology (at least until OLED comes along) and their design looks as sexy as hell, not least because they’re super thin.

Samsung also claim a 40% reduction in the power consumption for the LED TV compared with previous model, same size TVs.

samsung-led-tv-UN46B7000

Features:

The LCD TV panel is only 1.2 inches thick and the 46 inch model weighs around 50lbs (light for its size) and Samsung claims it is very easy to hang on a wall as a result.

For comparison a previous Samsung LN46A950 LED-backlit TV, which was released in 2008, weighs around 68lbs for the same screen size.

  • 3,000,000:1 Mega Contrast ratio provides an extended brightness range - deep blacks and bright  whites.
  • Advanced Color Processing for a wider range of natural colors and greater picture depth.
  • Auto Motion Plus 120 Hz technology eliminates virtually all motion blur, for a  smooth and crisp picture.

Street Price at time of posting:

The Samsung UN46B7000 has a screen size of 46 inches and a price of around $2,500 (April 2009).

Reviews and User Feedback

CNet said:

“. . [there are] some picture quality trade-offs caused by the LED system, namely less-than-perfect uniformity and off-angle viewing, along with the backlights’ somewhat distracting fluctuations.”

User Comments:

“HD, bluray quality is one which leaves viewer speechless”

“Fantastic picture, deep blacks, easy to set up”

“Overrated & overpriced”

“Incredibly thin, amazing blacks, high price!”

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Apr
11

LCD TV Ratings - Best LCD TV April 2009

Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment 

Let’s start by identifying the best LCD TV brands. The general consensus based on reviews and user feedback at the moment is that Samsung and Sony almost always get good ratings and are in front of the rest.

Exactly how far in front is always hard to say because new developments and LCD TV models come thick and fast.

To generalize further, Sony LCD TVs are often, but not always, the most technically advanced and tend to rate well on picture quality and facilities. On the other hand they are also often the most expensive in a given category.

Samsung tend to be close to the best in quality and feature scores and (much) more price competitive than Sony. On this basis Samsung’s leading position is no surprise.

Samsung-LN52B550-LCD-TV

Key points to Remember

The other manufacturers such as Sharp, Panasonic, LG, Pioneer and the European brands might not rate as highly overall, but they often produce standout sets in a certain area. In other words, their overall range is not as consistently good as Sony and Samsung, but they produce individual TVs that are.

As we always say, go and look at (and listen to) TVs that are in your price and feature range. Take a favorite DVD with you so you get a consistent reference point to compare from.

You may find an LCD TV from a second tier manufacturer that is from your point of view does everything you want and is on a run out, or you are able to negotiate a good price. If so, take it.

Also remember, time is on your side when you’re buying, because there’s only one way LCD TV prices are heading - and it ain’t up!

Budget TVs

This is a tricky area. Some budget brands are shortlived, or their back end product suppliers change regularly. This means that after sales support is something you need to be confident in, if you’re buying a budget brand, unless you are happy to throw your LCD TV away if it fails in 2 - 3 years.

Performance wise, sometimes budget models are reasonably close to the big name brands. For example Popular Mechanics (of all people!) compared the 40-inch Samsung LN40A650 against a budget 42-inch set from Vizio.

Vizio is a budget TV maker that’s well regarded for producing good value TVs. Not surprisingly, the Samsung was better, but in case the difference in picture quality was so big that the magazine said: “While the Vizio is a steal at less than half the price of the Samsung, buying a pricier set could be the smart choice.”

LCD TV Comparison Table - Ratings and Prices

Brand Model Size Type Rating Price Range
AOC AOC Envision L32W761 32 LCD Consumer Search “Best Budget 32-inch LCD TV” $495-$600
Samsung Samsung LN32A450 32 LCD Consumer Search “Best 32-inch LCD TV” $600-$800
Sony Sony Bravia KDL-32XBR6 32″ LCD TV 32 LCD Pricegrabber 5 stars $670-$930
Sharp Sharp Aquos D65U 42″ LCD TV 42 LCD Pricegrabber 5 stars $820-$1200
Samsung Samsung LN46A550 46″ LCD TV 46 LCD Pricegrabber 5 stars Consumer Search “Best value among 40-inch LCD TVs” $980-$1500
Sony Sony BRAVIA KDL-46XBR6 46″ LCD TV 46 LCD Pricegrabber 5 stars $1750-$2700
LG LG 47LG60 47 LCD Consumer Search “Best 47-inch LCD TV” $1450-$1700
Vizio Vizio SV470XVT 47 LCD Consumer Search “Best budget 47-inch LCD TV” $1220-$1350
Samsung Samsung LN52A60 52 LCD TV 52 LCD Cnet.com “Editors’ Choice” $980-$1500
Sony Sony BRAVIA KDL-52V4100 52″ LCD TV 52 LCD Pricegrabber 4.5 stars $1380-$1800
Pioneer Pioneer Elite KURO PRO-151FD 60″ Plasma TV 60 Plasma Pricegrabber 5 stars $4200-$5000
Samsung Samsung LN52A750 52″ LCD TV 52 LCD Pricegrabber 5 stars $2050-$2430
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