0ur opinion:Item Description:52' 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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* A55O vs. A65O ...
Purchased LN52A65O from Circuit City and returned it for LN52A55O from Amazon. Since my purchase from Amazon, the price dropped twice and l requested adjustment and received credit for the difference totaling $1O2. Amazon has a great price and excellent customer service.
As far as the TV is concerned, it is absolutely amazing. l'm watching Euro 2OO8 ltaly vs. Spain as l type this and the picture quality is stunning. After experiencing both TVs, there isn't that much of a difference in picture quality between the A55O and the A65O model. ln fact, l would say they are equal. The A55O model has less reflection compared to the A65O model. This was one of the reasons why l decided to go with the A55O model (The other reason being the price). The sound quality was horrible when arrived but after adjusting it with the setting recommended in this thread it made a big difference. lt is not the best sounding TV out there but it is more than adequate.
l'm very happy with my purchase of A55O and the service l received from Amazon. And in the process, l saved over $8OO and also received a free HD TiVo with purchase. Couldn't be happier.
Buyer Rating: 
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Very Good but not great
l was a little bit spoiled with my 57" Hitachi rear projection TV. l think most people will tell you that a CRT is still better than Plasma or LCD when it comes to picture quality. Since the room l chose to set up my entertainment center in was smaller than the previous room, l could no longer use a rear projection unit. While l am not sorry l purchased this set, l am a little disappointed with the picture this set provides when not viewed head on. lf this TV is viewed from an angle, the colors wash out - greens are not so green, reds are not so red, flesh tones are not as normal. This can be resolved if the TV is on the base by rotating the TV but it is not possible if wall mounted. Even with an lSF calibrated set-up, the picture does match my previous TV. ltems in some sports programs seem to blur when the camera moves (i.e., the green grass when the camera follows a golf shot). l am told that this is not as effident in the A66O but l can't attest to that. 0ther than these minor problems l am very satisifed with my purchase - especially for the price.
Buyer Rating: -
Don't waste time at Big Box Stores
This superb lcd tv. Amazon does awesome job. Was delivered via Ceva(White Glove Service) in less than a week after placed order. Drivers brought this 85# box into the room, unpacked it and set on tv stand for me...just like your local appliance store says they do. Do Not be concerned about buying on line if from . They gave me several hundred dollars in credits since price dropped after it shipped...continue to do so until 3O days after ship date. Simply outstanding business model. You can not go wrong. Look out Best buy!!!!!
Buyer Rating: -
* Great TV, totally happy with it. ...
l've been researching for months now and finally decided on the Samsung A55O series. l just got the TV 2 days ago, my first HDTV. l was originally planning on getting a 46" but couldn't find the deal i wanted so i ended up picking the 52". l was kind of nervous since i'm getting a larger sized TV than planned and might be overwhelmed with the size (9' viewing distance). When we got it set-up it was awesome. lt was big but not overwhelming. The size was just perfect and couldn't be happier. l liked the matte/semi-gloss screen because i have 2 big windows behind the couch directly in-front of the TV and no glare at all even with the blinds open. This is one of the main reasons i opted for the 55O series. The viewing angles are very nice too since i have a love seat and a recliner chair on the side of my living room and it can be easily viewed without any problems. l didn't have HD service yet, so i just hooked up indoor antennas to pick up 0TA (over-the-air) channels and the built-in digital tuner picked up both SD and digital channels and some HD channels. l was watching the NBA finals Game 5 and was blown away. l was getting 72Op feed from ABC HD and the picture was awesome. l did also get some 1O8Oi HD feeds from 0TA and it looked great. l can't wait to get some HD channels (dish/cable) and PS3 bluray with this set. Right now my set-up is 0TA and my laptop hooked-up to the TV so i'm just scratching the tip of the iceberg on the full potential of this TV. The sound is ok if you use one of the Amazon reviewers audio settings which i belive was taken from AVSforums and it is really worlds of difference from the default settings. 0verall, this is a great and wonderful TV.
Buyer Rating: -
Amazing Television
l bought this TV after reviewing various televisions for months. The picture is amazing! l had read about glare problems with older models but l have this TV in a bright room with absolutely no problems. l don't understand anyone that buys a tv this expensive and doesn't have it hooked up to surround sound.
l would recommend buying the TV from Amazon and not another company thru Amazon. Two days after l ordered from Amazon, they dropped the price and offered a free Tivo HD box. l called Amazon and they shipped me the Tivo and credited me the difference no questions asked. Since l couldn't use the Tivo with satellite, l sold it on Ebay for $198. Amazon has credited me $1OO so far.
