Samsung Series 8, 55 inch UN55B8500 LED LCD HDTV

Full array LED backlighting combined with local dimming produces the best picture quality of any LCD HDTV. The Series 8, 55 inch UN55B8500 by Samsung has the best picture performance of any Samsung LCD to date with superbly deep black levels and a dynamic contrast ratio of 7,000,000:1. The Auto Motion Plus feature for these models delivers a refresh rate of 240Hz, double the 120Hz of other models, ensuring even clearer and sharper fast moving on-screen action video typical to sports or motor racing. Worthy of note is the attractive styling and the ultra slim (1.6 inches) depth of the B8500 models.

As well as a superb picture the Samsung B8500 has a strong suite of features including content delivery via Internet connectivity. The included Samsung Media 2.0 suite encompases Internet@TV, DLNA connectivity, USB 2.0 Movie Multi-Media Center and a Pre-loaded Content Library (2GB Flash Memory). 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.

Connectivity is excellent including 4 HDMI and sound quality has not been overlooked with twin 15W speakers combined with SRS TruSurround HD.

Samsung have announced that they will be in future producing only edge-lit LED LCD HDTVs being satisfied with improvements they have made upon earlier models. With material costs being some 40% higher for full array LED the market pressure is to achieve similar results with edge-lit LED LCD. Manufacturers are researching a successful marrying of edge-lit LED with local dimming for some time in the future.

VIZIO VF552XVT 55 inch LED LCD

The Samsung B8500 LED LCD models are comparatively expensive so it’s worth pointing out a less expensive LED LCD with LED backlighting and local dimming the 55 inch VIZIO VF552XVT 240Hz LED LCD with Internet Apps. While the picture quality does not match the Samsung B8500 models it, does have an premium feature set including Internet connectivity for content delivery and an extensive array of picture optimization options. VIZIO’s continuing success in the marketplace indicates customers are appreciative of the LCD products being offered.

Resources

Samsung 55 inch UN55B8500 LED LCD Specification (pdf)

Advantages of LED LCD Backlighting

User Reviews and Price Comparisons

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