Samsung Series 5 1080p Full HD LCD HDTV 37 inch LN37A550, 40 inch LN40A550, 46 inch LN46A550 and 52 inch LN52A550 Review

Samsungs LCD HDTV Series 5 has four 550 models, the 37 inch LN37A550, 40 inch LN40A550, 46 inch LN46A550 and 52 inch LN52A550. All are full high definition, 1080p (1920(H) x 1080(V) pixels), with a built-in ATSC/Clear QAM digital tuner. The contrast ratiois an impressively high 25,000:1 benefiting picture quality with more detail in very dark or bright scenes. The Energy Star compliance offers considerable power savings and is worth considering in a purchasing decision.

Samsung Series 5 1080p Full HD LCD HDTV

The fast 5ms response time of these Samsung LCDs will be appreciated by those who wish to use them for gaming. It reduces the likelihood of any annoying motion blur which LCD panels are suspect to. Samsung’s Super Patterned Vertical Alignment (SPVA) panel provides an excellent 178 degree viewing angle.

Video processing is handled by Samsung’s Digital Natural Image Engine (DNIe). If you’re able to stretch your budget to the Series 6 or Series 7 Samsung Full HD LCD HDTVs then you will find the DNIe is augmented by both Auto Motion plus 120Hz to reduce motion blur as well as the subtle judder effect when playing video sourced from 24 frames per second film.

Wide Color Gamut

A wider color gamut gives a television the capability of producing a larger range of colors for more “true to life” color images. For LCD televisions, the color gamut available depends upon the backlight which they require as the liquid crystals filter light rather than generate light such as with a phosphor screen. The Samsung A550 models have the new Wide Color Gamut CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp) for a larger gamut of colors and more natural images.

Other Samsung Series 5, A550 Model LCD HDTVs Notable Features

Each model has the V-Chip system which allows parents to block TV programs and movies rated as containing objectionable content.
Picture in Picture functionality is present but, only allows you to watch a TV channel in one window and video from a computer or DVD in the other.
Energy Star compliance delivering a 25% electricity use reduction. To gain an energy star for new models they will have to achieve a 30% reduction to meet the latest EPA specification for TVs (Nov 2007). Energy usage of your HDTV is worth considering as it typically consumes 10% of a household’s energy. ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy promoting energy efficiency.
Samsung have implemented CEC (Consumer Electronics Control or HDMI-CEC) to make it possible to activate other AV equipment such as a DVD player or game console from the one remote control.
Sound levelerfor consistent audio volume across channel changes.
Trilingual on-screen displays in English, Spanish or French.
Variable sleep timer to set a TV off time in varying time intervals.
Entertainment Mode provides customized picture settings, for different content (e.g., gaming, movies and sport).

Connectivity

In inclusion of a USB2.0 port (Samsung call it Wiselink) allow’s consumers to connect to a wide range of consumer AV equipment such as MP3 players, camcorders, and PCs and display, manage and play their content through the Series 5 LCD HDTV.
Other connection options available include;

3 HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) 3 rear/1 side
Component video: 2 rear (Y, Pb, Pr)
S-Video input: 1 rear
A/V inputs: 1 side/1 rear
Headphone jack
RF antenna inputs: 2
PC input: 1

Operation

The remote’s buttons are suitably large in size and have backlighting which, in a unique design, comes on automatically when the remote is picked up.
The on-screen menu is simple to use with easily legible text. If in doubt there is explanatory text displayed at the bottom of the menu.

Sound

The Samsung Series 5, A550 models come with SRS Lab’s patented SRS TruSurround XT surround sound technology. TruSurround XT is a multi-channel virtualization technology which produces a surround sound effect using only two speakers. It will handle up to seven (6.1) audio channels.

TruSurround XT combines three patented sound processing techniques from SRS Labs:

Dialog Clarity: Improves intelligibility of dialog

TruSurround: TruSurround creates multichannel signals in a way that takes advantage of the human hearing system and create a surround sound field. It carries Dolby certification.

TruBass: TruBass enhances bass performance utilizing proprietary psychoacoustic techniques. Perception of fundamental low frequency tones is restored by dynamically augmenting harmonics.

For more information on SRS’s TruSurround XT surround sound technology can be found on their web site.

MTS Stereo

Each model comes with an MTS (Multi-channel Television Sound - sometimes called BTSC) decoder enabling it to accept and decode a broadcast stereo signal.

Warranty

Samsung’s LCD, high definition televisions are backed by with a 1 year parts and labor warranty (90 days parts and labor for commercial use), with in-home service, backed by Samsung toll-free support.

Samsung Series 4 LCD HDTV Reduced/Modified Features

Lower Resolution - High Definition - 720p 1366 x 768 pixels
lower 10,000:1 to 3,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio depending on size
slower 6 ms response time
lower (450nit) brightness
No Picture-in-Picture (PIP)
No Wiselink (USB 2.0) to connect devices directly to your HDTV
Gain Optical sound out + RS232 connections

Samsung Series 6 LCD HDTV Additional Features

Touch of Color design
higher 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
faster 4 ms response time
Infolink (RSS feeds of customizable stock quotes, weather and brief news articles)
Auto Motion Plus 120Hz
Ultra clear panel for improved contrast and reduced reflection
Wheel key remote control
4th HDMI
Digital Media Adapter compatible for playback and navigation of Internet and PC multimedia

Samsung Series 7 LCD HDTV Further Additional Features

Internal flash memory (1GB) with pre-loaded interactive content such as cooking recipes, children’s entertainment, HD artwork and more
Integrated woofer for low frequency enhanced audio experience
DLNA Certified - Compatible for better interoperability with electronic devices from other manufacturers
Digital Contents Management (DCM)