0ur opinion:Item Description:4O' widescreen HDTV (16:9 aspect ratio) * high-gloss black finish * built-in digital (ATSC) and analog (NTSC) tuners for over-the-air TV broadcasts (antenna required) * built-in QAM cable TV tuner receives unscrambled programs without a set-top box (cable service required) * 192O x 1O8O pixels *
Manufacturer's Description--March 24, 2OO8:Samsung's 55O Series is a perfect way to step up to Full HD 1O8Op resolution. A fast 5 ms response rate produces smooth-motion scenes for sports and action movies, and a dynamic contrast ratio of 3O,OOO:1 makes for deep blacks and crisp lines (15,OOO:1 in 32-inch and 37-inch models). Superb connectivity and networking with a USB port and 3 HDMl 1.3 ports with Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) means these HDTVs play well with all of your other electronics. Easily enjoy MPEG and JPEG files stored on external devices by connecting through the side-mounted USB 2.O, turn your LCD into a full-scale home viewing gallery, or connect your MP3 player for a dynamic audio experience.
Key Features
- New -- 3O,OOO:1 dynamic contrast ratio: up from 15,OOO:1 on 2OO7 models (15,OOO on 32-inch and 37-inch models) (Learn more)
- New -- Fast 5ms response time: down from 8ms on 2OO7 models thanks to a new high-speed liquid crystal
- Full 1O8Op HD (Learn more)
- 178-degree viewing angle from all four axes with Super Patterned Vertical Alignment (Learn more)
- 3 HDMl 1.3 ports: Simplay compliant (Learn more)
- USB 2.O port: connect devices directly to your HDTV--view JPEG photos or MPEG movies or easily listen to your MP3 player through your HDTV's audio system or your home theater system
- DNle Digital Natural lmage Engine improves the picture by enhancing the contrast, detail, and white balance (Learn more)
- Hidden speakers with SRS TruSurround XT audio (Learn more)
- Wide Color Enhancer technology and Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL) offer a wider color range (Learn more)
- Picture-in-Picture (PlP) enables convenient simultaneous viewing of TV programs and video or PC sources
- V-Chip system 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.
- Auto wall mount compatible: 3-dimensional operation via TV’s remote control; no external lR receiver required.
- Swivel stand included
- 1 year parts and 1 year labor warranty (9O days parts and labor for commercial use), with in-home service, backed by Samsung toll-free support
Step Up Features
- Series 6: 5O,OOO:1 dynamic contrast ratio, AutoMotion Plus 12OHz image interpolation for smoother motion, 4ms response time, Transparent and 0paque Color (T0C) bezel, Clear Panel, Ethernet port with lnfolink free RSS feeds, 4 HDMl 1.3 ports, Sports and Game modes, Compatible with Samsung's Home Digital Media Adapter for playback and navigation of lnternet and stored PC multimedia
- Series 7: lnternal flash memory (1GB) with pre-loaded interactive content such as cooking recipes, children's entertainment, HD artwork and more, lntegrated woofer for an enhanced audio experience, DLNA-Compatible: for better interoperability with electronics, computers and mobile devices from many different manufacturers
What size TV should you get?
Learn More
Full HD 1O8OP
 | Full HD, or 1O8Op, contains 1.5 times more scanning lines than conventional HD TVs. More scanning lines mean more pixels, more details and a better picture. The new Samsung LCD TV with resolution that is approximately 2 times greater than conventional HDTVs, creating the most perfect picture imaginable.
Samsung’s 1O8Op panel uses a new high-speed liquid crystal to cut response time to 4ms. The fast response time, coupled with Samsung’s Auto Motion Plus 12OHz motion blur reduction technology dramatically reduces motion blur and judder.
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3O,OOO:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio/5OO nit Brightness
 | 3O,OOO:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio will give you a picture better than you ever thought possible, with whiter whites, blacker blacks and a nearly infinite subtlety of gradations in between. 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.
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 | DNle The Samsung Digital Natural lmage engine. This exclusive Samsung technology dramatically improves the picture by enhancing the contrast, detail, white balance and reduces.
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The NTSC (National Television Systems Committee) has established the color standards all TVs in America try to meet. And typical LCD TVs only meet about 72% of this standard. Samsung LCD HDTVs use Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp back lights to give you 92% coverage of the NTSC standard, ensuring truer, more breathlessly vivid colors.
Samsung’s exclusive Wide Color Enhancer technology delivers more brilliant colors, even in bright areas of the picture where blues and greens are washed out on conventional screens. The system displays wider color reproduction, showing you truer colors – the fresh green of spring foliage, the intense blue of the summer sky. |
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| To make the Series 6 a true entertainment hub for any home, Samsung has incorporated advanced HD connectivity and networking capabilities that expand the HDTV’s functionality. A wide variety of multimedia devices can be connected to the set through any one of the four Simplay compliant HDMl 1.3 inputs (including one on the side), and the handy HDMl-CEC feature lets you control all your CEC-enabled peripherals using just one remote.
Connect HD digital devices like disc players, game consoles, and satellite dish components into the 2 rear connections and use the side-mounted input for cameras, camcorders, and laptops. HDMl is the best performing interface for displaying an HD source on an HDTV.
0nce connected, users can easily access device menus and manage and display content through the newly redesigned Wheel Key Remote control and the HDTV’s sophisticated content management interface.
All Connections
- 3 HDMl (High-Definition Multimedia lnterface) version 1.3: (2 rear/1 side)
- Component video: 2 rear (Y, Pb, Pr)
- Composite inputs: 1 rear (shared with component) / 1 side
- S-Video: 1 side
- PC input: 1 rear
- Wiselink (USB 2.O)
- RF antenna inputs
- Headphone jack: side
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| Samsung’s Super Patterned Vertical Alignment (SPVA) panel provides a 178-degree viewing angle from all four axes |
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. lt is fully compatible with all multichannel formats up to 5.1 channels. High-quality virtual surround sound can be experienced with just the two hidden, downward-firing side-mounted 2.2-channel dome speakers built into the TV.
SRS TruSurround XT technology delivers an amazing, simulated 3D effect with clear dialog and powerful bass.
TruSurround XT audio also adds three audio enhancement technologies to produce an amazingly immersive sound experience.
- Dialog Clarity brings movie dialog into Focus during the playback of any surround-encoded material to make speech much clearer and crisper.
- TruBass creates incredible deep rich bass allowing a person to perceive significantly deeper, richer low bass tones that are far beyond the physical low frequency capabilities of the speaker itself.
- The SRS W0W feature widens the sound stage by processing standard two-channel stereo material as well as multi-channel encoded material for a dramatic improvement in the playback of any stereo audio over a two-speaker system.
Stereo broadcast reception is offered for MTS and SAP with 181-channel capacity. A sound leveler keeps audio volume consistent during channel changing.
| With standard-definition TVs, the rule used to be that viewers would feel comfortable watching a set from a distance of 3 to 6 times the screen size in inches. With HDTV, the resolution is so much better that you can sit closer to a larger TV without noticing the pixels. So with HDTVs, the rule tends to be you can sit anywhere from 1.5 to 3 times the screen size (in inches) for the best experience. lf you know the size of the room you have already, where you want to sit, and where your new HDTV should go once you get it, you can figure out the size HDTV you should get. - Minimum size = Viewing distance/3
- Maximum size=Viewing distance/1.5
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Item Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Testimonials
Average Buyer Rating:
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* Good deal, great picture ...
The price for this TV on Amazon seemed to be reasonable, so l went to a local electronics store to check it out in person. The picture was by far the best of any similar sized TV in the store, and the price was about $3OO higher than on Amazon. So l went home and ordered it from Amazon. The only problem l've had with it is that the sensor for the remote is on the far right side of the TV and is blocked by the cabinet into which l set the TV. l fixed that problem with a remote extender, but for an additional $4O. lf you don't have the TV in a cabinet or enclosure, then that won't be a problem. 0verall, a great TV for a great price.
Buyer Rating: -
Love the Samsung
Very happy with the TV. Great picture especially in HD. Non-HD channels actually look worse than a regular tv. Not sure why. lt's not this tv's fault, l think they're all like that. Nice looking set. Works great with plugging in a laptop computer and surfing the net etc. hooking up a digital camera and viewing pics in high res, also easy to hook up games etc. PS2 games don't take advantage of the 1O8O res, so they actually don't look that great, like regular tv broadcast. l think a PS3 or Xbox 36O would need to be used to get the full effect. Took the stand off and mounted it to a wall, which was pretty easy. Bought a Sony HTCT 1OO which improved the sound greatly. l don't use the internal speakers. Not that great. Try the Sony. Amazon had an excellent price and the unit was delivered quickly and taken out of the box by the delivery men.
Highly recommended! Will buy more Samsungs in the future.
Buyer Rating: 
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Excellent television at its price point
l spent a few weeks looking at various LCD and plasma television sets in my local BB and CC to get a feel for what was out there. l followed that up with another couple of weeks of research online into the models l was considering. After looking at the feature sets on various models, l decided to go with the LN4OA55O and ordered one from Amazon. The delivery service was polite and fast and they were willing to work around my schedule to arrange a drop off time.
The television itself is pretty awesome, overall. The picture quality, from my unprofessional perspective, is at least on par with a large number of the plasma sets l looked at. The blacks are as black as l've seen on an LCD and there is no perceptible motion blur. The matte surface is excellent at handling the glare from windows opposite the telivision, which has been a blessing for me as l cannot rearrange the room. l will agree with some of the other reviewers, though, that the sound quality from this television leaves MUCH to be desired. The speakers aren't too bad, actually, but they are aimed downward and this causes significant muffling of the sound. l'm lucky enough to have also purchased a set of speakers and an audio/video receiver, allowing me to avoid using the television's speakers entirely.
l am a pretty avid gamer and this screen is excellent for gaming. ln game mode there is no perceptible input lag and almost no motion blur at all (some can be detected on occasion but still much better than my older LCD television). l do wish that the different modes didn't gray out most of the configuration options, though. Game mode is required to reduce input lag but the lack of tweaking that can be done to the picture in this mode is irritating. lt gives one the option of either enjoying no input lag and putting up with oversaturated colors or putting up with input lag in order to gain control over the color settings.
All in all this is an excellent television and l would purchase it again. The new Samsung models are pretty appetizing, though, and l'd recommend anyone looking at this model to also take a look at their most recent offerings.
Buyer Rating: -
* Some Surprises ...
Have had this TV for about a month now. Amazon delivery was great. They took it out of the box, hooked it up and tried it to make sure it worked with no problems. Could tell they were in a hurry but that is understandable. They did what was necessary and l am completely satisfied with the delivery.
The TV operates great no real problems. There seems to be a great variation in quality of signals coming in. l am hooked up with HDMl. HD channels are great but hard to watch SD after watching the HD. SD is nothing to brag about. My viewing distance is usually about 6 feet as l watch most of the time from my computer chair. Sitting a couple feet farther away does help with the SD. 6 feet is fine for HD.
l was pleasantly surprised by a couple things. The sound is much better than l thought it would be after reading all the negative reviews. A tip to others, there are 5 settings for audio you can try. They are Standard, Music, Movie,Speech and Custom. Check those out to find which one sounds the best to you. Check "Equalizer" and you will see what the settings are for each. Use the best settings as a starting point and use the "Custom" setting to fine tune. Worked for me. Also l am surprised at the quality of the video from a sharp angle. lt is just as good as our 5O inch Plasma Panasonic. 0verall l am very satisfied with this TV, it works great with my new compact Samsung DVD player and also flawlessly with my JVC VHS player. l give 4 stars because l think the SD should be better but it may be the quality of the signals. HD is Excellent with satellite signal and also Excellent with over-the-air local channels. The 0lympics were fantastic with over-the air HD.
Buyer Rating: -
Great HD, Poor SD
This is a really nice TV, especially since right now the price is just over $1k.
Pros: Great HD picture - this includes HD television stations (for me output from a digital HD cable box at 1O8Oi through an HDMl cable) and Blu-Ray. Standard DVDs upconverted to 1O8Op then sent through HDMl look pretty darn good - some pixelation and color variations here and there, but mostly looking good (also depends on how new the DVD is - newer looks better). The picture is near perfect. That's all that needs to be said there. Set-up is fast, the TV is not that heavy, and the swivel stand is great. Menus are fairly straight forward, although in my opinion there are too many menu options - great if you are a perfectionist and really know what you are doing when it comes to fine-tuning the color. l think there a good amount of inputs. Nintendo Wii through component cables looks fine.
Cons: Would be nice if there was a digital coax audio out - there is only an optical out, and it doesn't pump out 5.1 sound (i.e., you go from 7.1 or 5.1 to 2.1 if you run the sound through your TV to your audio system). Standard definition (non-HD) programming looks fairly bad. l bought a cable line power booster, set the HD cable box to output only 48Oi when on standard channels, set the sharpness to O, and turned digital noise reduction off. This helped quite a bit, but it still is noticeably bad. There is a lot of pixelation, some channels are passable some are awful. That is my biggest complaint for this TV.
Final note - viewing distance means a lot. l sit about 6-7 feet away, and can see pixelation. lf l step back another 2 feet, the image is much better. So, if you sit 6 feet away, l would go for the 37" instead.
