Samsung gets the LED out

Last night, Samsung officially unveiled the 2009 TV lineup we saw at CES, including a wider assortment of LED-backlit LCD models, enhanced access to Internet content, and 120Hz/240Hz LCD models that give users greater control over a TV's video-processing technology.

Taking LED to the edge

Samsung's new LED lineup employs edge-mounted LEDs. The use of LEDs, rather than conventional lamps, can improve black levels and produce more natural colors. However, because the LEDs are placed along the edges of the set, rather than across the entire back panel, they can't be locally dimmed, where segments of the backlight can be separately lit or dimmed. We're looking forward to testing this type of LED backlight to see if these new sets offer the same black-level improvements we noted in the A950 (model information and complete LCD TV Ratings are available to subscribers), which uses a full-frame LED backlight with local dimming.

Three new ultra-slim LED LCD lines are now offered: the entry-level 6000 series, a step-up 7000 series (Click on image above for a closer look), and the top-of-the-line 8000 series. We're expecting a replacement for the A950 later this summer. Here's a quick breakout of the lines' sizes, prices and availability:

• 8000 Series (Available in May)
  – 46-inch class: $3,300
  – 55-inch class: $4,000


• 7000 Series (Available now, except as noted)
  – 40-inch class: $2,500 (later this month)
  – 46-inch class: $3,000
  – 55-inch class: $3,800


• 6000 Series (Available now, except as noted)
  – 32-inch class: $1,600 (June)
  – 40-inch class: $2,300
  – 46-inch class: $2,800
  – 55-inch class: $3,600

New menus, greater control

A main difference is that 8000-series sets (Click on image at right for a closer look) have a 240Hz refresh rate (the TV actually quadruples the TV's frame rate using interpolated frames), while the 7000 and 6000 series sets have 120Hz technology. These sets have new menu options that allows more advanced users to separately adjust the TV's anti-blur and anti-judder circuitry (called Auto Motion Plus). Some viewers have complained that while many video-processing technologies have indeed reduced the jerkiness we see when film (24 frames per second) is displayed on a TV (60 frames per second), the smoothing can also make film-based sources look too much like video. This feature is something we'll be looking at closely in our labs to see if it offers viewers a better alternative.

Suite interactivity

Another difference is that 7000- and 8000-series sets have the new Medi@2.0 suite, Samsung's annoyingly named integration of the Yahoo Internet Widgets we wrote about at CES. Using onscreen widgets, you can access a variety of Internet-based information and entertainment content, such as news, weather, sports, and Flickr photos. The TVs also come preloaded with content, including artwork, games and recipes. The 6000-series sets instead have the InfoLink RSS feeds the company introduced last year. Cosmetically, the sets have piano-black bezels that fade to chrome, although the 8000 series has a "clear prism" finish, while the 7000 and 6000 models have the more-familiar reddish Touch of Color finish.

All models can also access home networks via an optional ($80) wireless dongle that slips into a USB port.

Video streaming coming

One thing we thought the sets lacked: direct access to a streaming video service. However, Samsung execs told us to expect an announcement or two in coming months. Netflix and Amazon On Demand seem the most likely candidates, since Samsung's Blu-ray players support Netflix and the Amazon service can be added to the widgets menu.

Stay tuned for separate reports on other Samsung TVs and Blu-ray players. — James K.Willcox