Samsung Series 7000 LED LCD HDTVs are one of the new LED Luxia HDTV series moving Samsung from direct lit LED LCD to edge lit. Series 7 includes the 7000 models (55 inch UN55B7000, 46 inch UN46B7000 and 40 inch UN40B7000) and the 7100 models (55 inch UN55B7100 and 46 inch UN46B7100). Bezel coloring is the only difference with the 7000 models coming with a clear blue/grey bezel and the 7100 models with ruby red.

LED backlighting vastly improves two inherent weaknesses of LCD display technology with conventional CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps) backlighting – low contrast ratios and less deep blacks. It shows in the exceptionally deep black levels and enormous dynamic contrast ratio (3,000,000:1) of the 6000 models. The additional move to edge lighting with the LED Luxia models has enabled Samsung to produce even lighter and thinner (1.2 inches) LCD HDTVs.

Other advantages of LED Backlighting include blur reduction (assisted by Auto Motion Plus 120Hz) for gamers and sports fans, a larger color gamut for more lifelike images, improved reliability and a faster response time (4ms). Advanced users will appreciate the new option to customize Auto Motion Plus by adjusting for judder and motion blur independently.

With each new HDTV series televisions are moving more towards being an entertainment hub rather than just a broadcast receiver. With the 7000 series comes Samsungs Media 2.0 suite including, Internet@TV, DLNA connectivity, USB 2.0 Movie Multi-Media Center and the Pre-loaded Content Library (2GB Flash Memory).

With 2 GB of flash memory available you can move some of your digital pictures, audio files and videos from devices such as cameras or USB drives to your HDTV. The USB 2.0 Movie: Multi-media Center feature helps you quickly connect to your digital camera, USB drive or MP3 player. The USB 2.0 interface allows you to access videos, playlists and pictures with your remote. Utilizing the wired and wireless DLNA compatibility one can locate photos, music and videos from a networked PC from your HDTV.

The Internet@TV Content Service 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 interface is a widgets-based scrollbar across the bottom of the screen for easy browsing. Widgets can be added after purchase and Samsung have a widget development kit available to content providers to expand the content offerings.

The preloaded content library is a multimedia collection including photos, artwork, games, recipes and more.

Jumping back to hardware, Samsung have boosted connectivity with no less than 4 HDMI ports (rear). Sound has not been overlooked by Samsung with the 7000 models featuring twin 10W down firing speakers with subwoofers and SRS TruSurround HD for virtual surround sound.

An outstanding feature of the 7000 series LED LCD HDTVs is the substantial power savings available through using 40 percent less power (Energy Star V3.0 compliant) than conventional LCDs. You can also feel virtuously green knowing that you have a HDTV which is also free of lead, mercury and other VOCs.

LED backlit LCD HDTVs are a significant jump in the quality and reliability of LCD HDTVs and are a must to investigate if you are in the market.

Resources

Overview of Samsung’s 2009 LED LCD HDTV Range

European Models

Samsung 7000 Series | Samsung UE40B7000WW, UE46B7000WW, UE55B7000WW (ruby bezel)
Samsung 7000 Series | Samsung UE40B7020WW, UE46B7020WW, UE55B7020WW (clear blue/gray bezel)

Samsung Series 6 (6000) LED Edge Lit LCD HDTVs

Series 7000 Specification (pdf)

Quick Guide (pdf)

User Manual (pdf)

User Reviews and Price Comparisons

Samsung UN55B7000 – 55″ LCD TV – 120Hz – widescreen – 1080p (FullHD) – HDTV – black

Samsung LUXIA 46″ Black LED Flat Panel LCD HDTV – UN46B7000

Samsung 40″ Black LED Flat Panel LCD HDTV, Model UN40B7000