August 2nd, 2009
Samsung, LG unveil cool new LED-backlit HDTVs
By now, we all know that LED-backlit LCDs are at least the short-term future for HDTVs, until (and if) OLED sets become commercially viable. Yes, they’re priced too high for most consumers, but so were LCDs with 120Hz refresh rates a couple of years ago. (You can now find 120Hz sets around the $1,000 price point.) In the meantime, if you can’t afford ‘em, you can at least gawk at ‘em.
LG’s latest sets, including an LED model, are definitely worth a look. That’s because the company has managed to eliminate so much of the bezel that it can advertise an “edge-to-edge” screen and pretty much get away with it. There’s a conventionally backlit series, the SL80, which boasts a 150,000:1 contrast ratio (at least on the spec sheet) and LG’s TruMotion 240Hz technology. The SL90 (pictured above) is the LED version, with a depth of just 1.15 inches. Unfortunately, LG has released no details about specific models or any pricing or availability info.
Samsung does have those details for its new 8500 LED series, which consists of two models due in September. Trying to put all other contrast ratios to shame, the 8500 series boasts a 7,000,000:1 ratio, while offering a 2ms response time and 240Hz refresh rates. Equally importantly, the sets feature Samsung’s Internet@TV - Content Service, which makes use of the Yahoo Widget platform for networked content like weather and sports updates, Twitter, YouTube and the like. Also making use of the 8500’s Ethernet connection is the Medi@2.0, which lets you stream media from the PCs on your home network to the TV. Given the prices—$3,599.99 for the 46-inch UN46B8500 and for the $4,499.99 55-inch UN55B8500—it couldn’t have killed Samsung to include built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi as another networking option, but that option is still rarely being offered.
Sean Portnoy spent several years as an editor at Computer Shopper magazine, most recently serving as online executive editor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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