Samsung’s 81 series high definition televisions are distinctive for their unique LED backlighting which features in two applications; LED Motion plus for motion blur reduction and Smartlighting for improving contrast ratio. The contrast ratio (dynamic) for these LCD HDTVs is a truly breathtaking 500,000:1 providing ultra-black blacks.

The Samsung series are all 1080p (1920(H) x 1080(V) pixels) full high definition LCD TVs and come with a digital ATSC HDTV tuner. Some other interesting features of this series are the side speakers combined with a rear woofer, three latest version (v3.1) HDMI inputs (one on the side) and a USB for convenience in tasks like plugging in a USB drive to view some photos on a large screen. Thre are in fact, three High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connections to allow simple connection HD digital devices like cameras, camcorders, laptops, disc players, game consoles, and satellite dish components.

For a simpler viewing experience Samsung have implemented the optional HDMI-CEC component of HDMI which allows global control all CEC-enabled peripherals. The Samsung has an S-PVA LCD panel which is also used on most larger panels in Sony’s XBR series – as Sony and Samsung share ownership of the LCD panel factory that makes them.

What’s so special about LED backlighting in the Samsung 81 Series LCDs?

LED backlighting technology has been utilized by Samsung to achieve three display improvements.

• LCD Blur Reduction – LCDs have a greater motion blur effect primarily because an LCD pixel remains lit, unlike the CRT phosphor screens which are strobed for a very short time. Numerous LCD manufacturers have combated motion blur by increasing the refresh rate to 120Hz. Mitsubishi have called their technology Smooth120Hz, Sony have Motion Flow, Toshiba has ClearFrame, LG – TruMotion Drive and JVC call it Clear Motion Drive II. The televisions video processor creates an interpolated frame between each existing frame to achieve 120Hz and make motion appear smoother for the viewer. Samsung have combated the inherent motion blur of LCDs by using the LED backlighting of the 81 series for what they call “Motion Plus,” a scanning technology that strobes the horizontal rows of LEDs progressively from top to bottom. Of note to gamers should be that this approach is superior for reducing computer generated motion blur introduced by video games.
• Improved Dynamic Contrast Ratio – Blacker Blacks – The dynamic contrast ratio for the Samsung 81 series is a truly impressive 500,000:1. Dynamic contrast refers to the fact that adjustments on a scene by scene basis. This dynamic contrast ratio is well ahead of all of the competition including the 7,000:1 ratio for Sony BRAVIA LCDs and 3000:1 and 1,000:1 for Panasonic and JVC. However, consumers should be careful not to base television choice on just the highest dynamic contrast ration which seems to be a competition point between manufacturers. It’s much like the mega-pixel count with cameras at the moment. Read PTek’s technology guide on contrast ratio for more information. Samsung utilizes multiple LED backlights to vary the backlighting across the LCD screen based on the image displayed. The technique produces improved contrast, stronger blacks and whites and a greater range of graduation between them. Samsung call the technology LED Local Dimming.
• Improved (larger) Color Gamut for more lifelike images – An advantage of LED backlighting is its provision of a wider color gamut compared to CCFL backlit LCD televisions. LED’s cover a broader range of red and greens up to 114% of the NTSC standards. With being able to display a more extensive range of colors, comes the attribute of colors being more natural or lifelike as they are closer to the human eye’s color perception range.
• Longer Life – As they are a solid state semiconductor device LED have a longer lifespan typically lasting over 100,000 hours.
• Lower Power Consumption – LED backlights have a lower power consumption than traditional backlighting sources.

In addition to the above advantages of LED backlighting, another factor which is going to drive their market uptake is the European Union’s RoHS initiative. This initiative seeks the removal of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated bi-phenyl and polybrominated diphenyl from electronic equipment sold in EU member companies. CCFL backlighting tubes can contain a significant amount of Mercury.

HDMI-CEC

Consumer Electronics Control (CEC or HDMI-CEC) is an optional feature of HDMI which Samsung has implemented which allows global control all CEC-enabled peripherals using a single remote. CEC will allow up to ten devices to discover and communicate with one another through HDMI cabled network.
Individual AV devices can control each other utilizing CEC. For example, closing the DVD tray could trigger the DVD player to switch the TV on, select the correct video source on the TV and set the appropriate video and audio modes for playback.

SRS TruSurround XT

SRS Lab’s TruSurround XT simulates a surround sound field using only two speakers. Twin channel stereo output can be produced from mono, stereo or multi-channel input signals. Visit SRS Labs website for more information on how SRS labs manages its feat of surround sound from two speakers.

User Reviews and Price Comparisons

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Samsung LNT5781F 57-inch 1080p LED LCD HDTV with LED Motion Plus

Samsung’s Extended Service Plan

Extended Service Plan

Specification Samsung 81 Series LCD HDTVs

• Widescreen Aspect Ratio HD-Grade 1920 (H) x 1080 (V) pixel resolution: High resolution pixel density with built-in image scaler to handle inputs from a variety of digital and analog audio/ video sources.
• LED Motion Plus™
• Super clear panel
• Wide Color Enhancer:optimizes a color’s hue resulting in more natural colors.
• 178º(H)/178º(V) viewing angle:improves viewing angle, contrast, and brightness to provide an even better picture.
• 10 bit processor
• 500,000:1 contrast ratio/550nit brightness: As two of the most important determining factors in overall picture quality, contrast and brightness levels achieve new heights in this latest generation LCD panel. Samsung’s new LCD TV’s give the most stunning realistic picture quality ever from a flat
  panel set.
• Wide Viewing Angle Panel
• Built-in digital tuner: (ATSC/Clear QAM)
• Picture-in-Picture (PIP): enables convenient simultaneous viewing of TV programs and video or PC sources.
• Game Mode: enhances dark areas, sharpens the picture, speeds up the image processing response and enhances the sounds of your games. Picture and sound quality optimized for the special needs of gaming systems at the touch of a button.
• Response time: Fast 8ms response time minimizes blurring of moving video.
• V-Chip system1 allows blocking of rated TV and movie programs determined by the parent to contain objectionable content.
• Trilingual on-screen displays in English, Spanish or French.
• Variable sleep timer to turn the TV off in varying time intervals.
• SRS TruSurround XT™: TruSurround is a patented SRS technology that solves the problem of playing 5.1 multichannel content over two speakers. TruSurround delivers a compelling, virtual surround sound experience through any two-speaker playback system, including internal television
  speakers and headphones. It is fully compatible with all multichannel formats up to 5.1 channels.
• Stereo broadcast reception: (MTS& SAP) with 181-channel capacity.
• “Hidden” side built-in speakers with 15 Watts x 2 Audio Power
• Low-range speaker on back cabinet enhances acoustic performance
• Auto volume leveler keeps audio volume consistent during channel changing.
• Side A/V ports provides easy connections so you can connect a camcorder, digital camera, or any other digital device with no hassles.
• Removable stand and VESA compatible hole mounts: If you want to install your TV on your wall, you can easily remove the stand and use a VESA compatible wall mount to safely and stylishly attach your TV to the wall.
• Auto wall mount compatible: 3-dimensional operation via TV’s remote control; no external IR receiver required.
• Swivel stand
• Connections:
  • HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface): 3 (version 1.3)
  • Component video: 2 (Y, Pb, Pr)
  • S-Video input: 1 side/1 rear
  • A/V inputs: 1 side/1 rear
  • PC input: 1
  • RF antenna inputs: 2
  • RS-232C Connections
  • USB 2.0
  • HDMI-CEC
• Premium audio: Improved sound quality with dedicated low-range speaker system
• Headphone jack

Warranty 1 year parts and 1 year labor warranty (90 days parts and labor for commercial use), with in-home service, backed by Samsung toll-free support.

• Panel: Wide (16:9) LCD
• TV system: American NTSC standard color
• Channel coverage: VHF 2-13, UHF 14-69, CATV 1-125 (up to 181 pre-selected channels)
• Antenna: CATV/VHF/UFH 75-ohm, F-type
• Watts per channel: 15W x 2