Samsung Electronics has revealed prices and market availability for its new species of Flat-Panel TVs, LED HDTV Series 8000, 7000 and 6000. The new portfolio of LED HDTVs use edge-mounted LEDs as their primary light source rather than traditional Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps (CCFL). By using LEDs, the entire line is highlighted by superior contrast ratios and color detail, ultra-thin depths and substantial decreases in energy consumption.
The Samsung 8000, 7000 and 6000 Series also incorporate a wide selection of state-of-the-art picture quality enhancements and networking features.
“The era of LED televisions for the mainstream consumer has finally arrived, and the new Samsung LED HDTV line has raised the industry bar for viewing quality, energy-efficiency and stylish, modern design,” said Jonas Tanenbaum, vice president of LCD HDTV Marketing at Samsung Electronics America. “Samsung’s vision to create eco-friendly products that can evolve with the needs and desires of our consumers is reflected in our new line, and is matched only by our commitment to bring value and quality into the home.”
All three of Samsung’s LED HDTV Series achieve dynamic contrast ratios that surpass those of traditional LCD HDTVs using a CCFL, for deep, blacks and crisp whites. The use of LEDs and Samsung’s Wide Color Enhancer Pro feature work together to also produce a more vivid, yet natural range of colors with a variety of content. The Ultra Clear Panel allows more light to pass through the screen while reducing reflections from ambient light, resulting in a bright and detailed picture. Samsung’s “Natural” mode optimizes picture settings to ensure the brightness advantage of LCD displays and the cinema-like richness of plasma displays with any content.
To battle motion blur the LED HDTVs utilize Samsung’s Auto Motion Plus frame interpolation technology and fast refresh rates. The 8000 Series features a quick 240Hz refresh rate -“ four times that of other TVs -“ to nearly eliminate the ill effects of displaying quick, action-packed motion. Both the 7000 and 6000 Series feature an also-swift 120Hz refresh rate for viewing clarity with sports, movies and video games. New for 2009 is the option for advanced users to customize Auto Motion Plus by adjusting for judder and motion blur independently.
With Samsung’s Medi@2.0 suite, available on the 8000 and 7000 Series, consumers can enjoy a wide array of entertainment options without leaving the couch. The Internet@TV – Content Service, developed in association with Yahoo!, provides onscreen access to web-based content from a host of Yahoo! properties (Flickr, News, Weather, and Finance), and well-known names like USA Today and others. The widgets-based interface and scrollbar are activated with the push of a button, and run along the bottom of the screen for easy browsing of the latest programs and content. Even after purchase, consumers will be able to enjoy a growing library of widgets, as the widget development kit will be open to content providers willing to create new offerings. The Medi@2.0 suite also includes wired and wireless DLNA compatibility, allowing consumers to enjoy photos, music and videos from a networked PC right on the television. A collection of photos, artwork, games, recipes and more comes pre-loaded on the television as well, while two USB 2.0 connections make it easy to access music, photos and movies from a variety of portable devices and drives.
The 6000 Series includes access to Samsung’s InfoLink RSS Service, for a quick and easy way to have the latest news, sports, weather and stock information onscreen with just a touch of the remote. Two USB 2.0 connections are also included for instant sharing of favorite multimedia with family and friends without having to huddle around a PC and monitor. The models in all three series are just over an inch thick with tuner, yet include the comprehensive connectivity and features that consumers expect from the latest HDTVs.
Samsung’s innovative ultra-slim wall-mount solution complements Samsung’s latest ultra-thin televisions by reducing the gap between the TV and the wall to a mere 0.6 inches, as opposed to the larger gaps of bulkier solutions. In addition, the wall-mount (sold separately) and ultra-thin LED HDTV combine, to make the installation and adjustment experience similar to hanging a picture frame.
The LED HDTV line also features the latest versions of Samsung’s Touch of Color (ToC) design, which uses dual-injection molding to coat a translucent, colored surface to achieve an attractive crystalline appearance. For 2009, the ToC bezel begins as a deep piano black fading into distinct chrome, and finishes as a clear prism (8000 Series) or light ruby highlights (7000 and 6000 Series) along the outer edges. The color intensity within the bezel subtly changes with the viewing angle, and further accentuates the thinness of the television.
Samsung LED HDTVs all meet the more stringent Energy Star v3.0 guidelines by cutting power consumption to significant new lows. Compared to 2008 Samsung LCD HDTVs of similar size, the 2009 Samsung LED HDTVs consume 40 percent less energy, helping consumers to save on electrical bills and reduce their carbon footprint. An optimized energy savings mode adjusts the backlight and picture quality while continuing to produce smoother, more natural images. LEDs are also a mercury-free light source, which provide yet another degree of environmental friendliness and safety versus other backlight technologies.
The sets are becoming available now and have a retail price range of $1599.99-3999.99.
