Samsung flat-panel LCD TVs
A complete, side-by-side comparison of all of the models of this TV type from this manufacturer.
Price range (MSRP):
$600 to $6,000
Initial release dates:
Now through September
Size range (inches):
15 to 46 (diagonal)
Highlights:
PC input on all models
While not quite as popular as Sharp's Aquos models, Samsung's flat-panel LCDs are still extremely competitive, and the company offers a complete lineup for 2005 with a whopping 15 models. They're roughly divided into small-screen 4:3 sets that aren't really suited to HDTV or DVD--think of them as kitchen or smaller-bedroom sets--and larger-screen 16:9 models that can display HDTV signals and, in larger screen sizes, challenge plasmas in the living room or the home theater.
As with its 80-inch plasma, Samsung announced a couple of LCD technologies at CES that haven't exactly arrived on time. One, known as a flat-fluorescent (FFL) backlight,
was supposed to be available in the LNR409D, but that model, in fact, uses a standard backlight. Then there was the
LNR460D, powered by a light-emitting diode (LED) backlight. According to scuttlebutt, Samsung's implementation of both of these technologies will be delayed until next year.
Meanwhile, the mammoth 57-inch
LNR570D is also late to the party, and no announcements regarding its availability have been made yet. The largest model confirmed so far, the 46-inch LN-R469D, successor to
2004's LTP468W, will supposedly arrive in September.
While we haven't reviewed any of the models below yet, it's worth noting that the
LTP326W from 2004 performed well. We like the fact that the 2005 sets offer PC inputs throughout the lineup. Many of the models include the company's dubious Anynet feature, which allows control of Anynet-equipped Samsung gear via the company's remote--not a big deal by any means. Otherwise, many of the models are extremely similar aside from styling, and their aggressive prices at all screen sizes should keep Samsung near the top of the flat-LCD popularity list.
The Samsung lineup
From entry level to top of the line, with the step-up features that distinguish each line from the previous ones highlighted.
The LT-P45 series is Samsung's entry-level offering among flat-panel LCDs. You'll notice that the
native resolution of each of these sets is different, with the 15-, 17- and 20-inch sets at 1,024x768, 1,280x1,024, and 640x480, respectively. Despite the relatively high native resolutions of the 15- and 17-inch sets, the component-video inputs of all three of these televisions are able to accept only
480i or
480p signals. In other words, they'll work fine for DVD or standard television images but aren't really intended for high-def. Although all three are equipped with a VGA-style PC input that accepts HD material, not many HD sources, other than computers, have VGA-style outputs. In addition, note that these are
4:3 TVs, not wide-screen.
- 1,024x768, 1,280x1,024 or 640x480 native resolution
- Component-video input (480i/480p only)
- PC input
The LN-R50 series is mostly comparable to the LT-P45 series, although there are a few differences. The native resolution of the 20-inch model is higher, at 800x600, so it should display more detail with DVD sources. The design is also different, as the LN-R50 series has speakers mounted on the sides instead of on the bottom. As with the LT-P45 series, these are 4:3 TVs.
- 1,024x768 (15-inch) and 800x600 (20-inch)
- PC input
- Component-video input (480i/480p only)
The LN-R8W series is Samsung's entry-level, wide-screen LCD flat-panel offering. They feature a 1,366x768 native resolution, which means they can display every detail of 720p content. Their connectivity is highlighted by an
HDMI input, two component-video inputs, and a PC input. Unlike the component-video inputs on the 4:3 models, the ones in this lineup can accept either standard- or high-definition sources. Note that this series has only a single tuner, compared to the step-up dual-tuner model. On the other hand, it includes Samsung's Anynet feature, which allows the set to act as a control hub to other Anynet-enabled Samsung gear via the TV's remote. This feature is cool if you own a lot of late-model Samsung gear, but we prefer a well-programmed
universal remote.
- 1,366x768
- HDMI input
- Two broadband component-video inputs
The Samsung LN-R408D is a step up to the LN-R8W series. This 40-inch LCD adds a built-in
ATSC tuner and a CableCard slot, which means that no external hardware is needed to receiver over-the-air HDTV or digital cable.
- 1,366x768 native resolution
- ATSC HDTV tuner
- Digital Cable Ready
- PC input
- HDMI input
- Two component-video inputs
- Anynet control
The LN-R9D series is the step up to the LN-R8W series. These sets feature a 1,366x768 native resolution, which means they should be able to resolve every detail of 720p material. All models feature a built-in ATSC tuner that allows them to receive over-the-air HDTV without an external tuner. The 40- and 46-inch sets have a CableCard slot, which makes it possible to receive digital cable with no external hardware needed. Their connectivity is highlighted by an HDMI input, a PC input, and two component-video inputs. All models except the 26-inch model feature a side panel with an additional A/V input.
- 1,366x768 native resolution
- ATSC HDTV tuner
- Digital Cable Ready (409D and 469D models only)
- HDMI input
- PC input
- Two component-video inputs
- Anynet control
Home Phone and Internet $60/mo
Editors' top HDTVs
