Understanding the Basic Differences of Samsung LED TVs

It seems lately that every time you look on the internet or watch a commercial there is a new TV ready to hit the market.  On top of that, as soon as a new model hits the market the prices of all the older models drop. The question use to be what type of TV should I buy?  Should I buy a DLP, projector, Plasma, LCD, or LED?  After some minor research I think it is more about the need and function of what you want your TV to do.

Regardless of what you decide to purchase you need to make sure you are purchasing a TV that fits your needs.  In my case my preference came down to buying a LED TV and in more particular a Samsung TV.  There are a handful of LED TVs to choose from other than a Samsung, but given the point in time I made the purchase, Samsung offered the best deal.

Samsung offers five Series of LEDs to choose from.  They are the 6000, 7000, 8000, 8500 series, although the 9000 series is not available to the public yet.  Besides the size of the screen in each series the differences comes down to a handful of specifications and bells and whistles the customer should take into consideration. The following will provide some of the specifics for each series. Knowing this information can help consumers decide, based on the size of their room, the location of the television, and how the TV will be used, which series is the right purchase.

Highlights of the Different Samsung LED TVs

Samsung 6000 Series 32”, 40”, 46”, 55” 1080p / 120Hz / LED-LCD HDTV

Model Numbers: UN40B6000VFXZA, UN46B6000VF, UN55B6000
Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 3,000,000 : 1
InfoLink™ RSS Service: For more details visit Samsung’s InfoLink™ description.
USB2.0 Movie: Multi-Media Center: Connect a thumb drive or digital camera quickly and easily. User-friendly interface allows access to videos, a music playlist and pictures via the remote.

Samsung 7000, 7100 Series 40”, 46”, 55” 1080p / 120Hz / LED-LCD HDTV

Model Numbers: UN40B7000, UN46B7000, UN46B7100, UN55B7000, UN55B7100
Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 3,000,000 : 1
USB2.0 Movie: Multi-Media Center
Internet@TV:

Samsung’s Benefits of using Internet@TV

–Access Internet content from Yahoo!®, Flickr®, and more while watching TV via easy-to-use TV widgets2.
–Add and delete the TV widgets of your choice in several easy steps.
–Enjoy the ever growing selection of content featuring information, video, photos, games, shopping, sports and more.

For further information refer to Samsung’s how to guide for setting up a network connection for wired, wireless, IDs, passwords and remote control.

Content Library™ (Flash):

Samsung’s Benefits of using Content Library Flash

–Content Library lets you easily access preloaded content.
–Additional contents can be downloaded from Samsung.com to a standard USB memory only.
–This additional content is played on TV using the USB.

For further information refer to Samsung’s how to guide for preloaded content and additional content.

DLNA™ Networking

According to the Digital Living Network Alliance “DLNA is a global collaboration of 245 of your most trusted brands, all working together to help you create the home entertainment environment you’ve always imagined.”  DLNA is promoting the sharing of digital media across personal computers, mobile devices, and other electronic products.

For further information reference Samsungs Guide to DLNA for their approach using their DLNA compatible TV products.

Samsung 8000 Series 46”, 55” 1080p / 240Hz / LED-LCD HDTV

Model Numbers: UN46B8000, UN55B8000
Refresh Rate: 240 Hz
Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 5,000,000 : 1
USB2.0 Movie: Multi-Media Center
Internet@TV
Content Library™ (Flash)
DLNA™ Networking

Samsung 8500 Series 46″, 55″ 1080p / 240Hz / LED-LCD HDTV

Model Numbers: UN468500, UN55B8500
Refresh Rate: 240Hz
Dynamic Contrast Ratio:  7,000,000 : 1
USB2.0 Movie: Multi-Media Center
Internet@TV
Content Library™ (Flash)
DLNA™ Networking

The biggest difference between the 6000, 7000, 8000 series when compared to the 8500 series is how they arrange their LEDs.  The 6000, 7000, 8000 series have their LEDs around the edge of the screen where the 8500 series has a full array of LEDs.  What this does is give the 8500 series more control of deeper blacks by turning off or dimming those LEDs in that area where deeper blacks are needed.

For more information on how local dimming works cnet gives a more in-depth review of  this function.

Samsung 9000 Series 46″, 55″ 1080p / 240Hz / LED-LCD HDTV

Model Numbers:  UN46B9000, UN55B9000
Refresh Rate:  240Hz

I am not sure when the 9000 series is due to release.  However some of the new features are the thickness of the screen which is a thick as a number 2 pencil, supports 3D with active shutter glasses, up-converts 2D programming to 3D, color touch screen remote, and lets you watch TV on your remote while another program is on the TV.  I will post more information about the 9000 series as it becomes available.

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