Korean company Samsung has worked its way up from the status of derided budget-manufacturer to become one of the world's largest producers of TVs. Liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) dominate Samsung's product range, and these panels are produced by "S-LCD", a Samsung-Sony joint-venture. At the same time, however, Samsung continues to produce plasma TVs. The Samsung LCD range varies more widely than with other brands. Televisions.com has taken the time to collect all of the information relevant to the United Kingdom as accurately as possible. Some varieties, however, are not available in all countries.

Samsung LCD: 7000 Series
The 7000 series builds upon the features offered by the 6000-series models. There's no difference in the tuners and video technology, but the 7000-series TVs can play back various kinds of multimedia files via USB or over a network. Furthermore, the TVs can access internet services provided by Samsung and its partner Yahoo. For CI Plus, the same applies here as does for the 6000 series (above).

In some European countries, the 7020 models are called "7090" because of differing terms in the guarantee; many models in this series also come in red, in which case their names end in "7000".

Televisions.com has already thoroughly tested the 40-inch UE 40 B 7090 from this series. For the other models - the UE 32 B 7000, UE 46 B 7000, and UE 55 B 7000 - we used technical specifications and our knowledge of the 40-inch model to produce extensive analyses, as well as detailed comparisons with competing models.

UE 32 B 7000

More black and lower power consumption are Samsung's promises for this LCD TV. These improvements stem, the manufacturer claims, from the type of backlight technology: Instead of fluorescent tubes, this liquid crystal display uses LEDs to illuminate its picture.

UE 40 B 7090

Extremely elegant, eco-friendly, 40-inch LCD TV with LED backlighting, excellent picture quality, and a rich list of features. Weaknesses plague the sound and user-friendliness during TV viewing.

UE 46 B 7000

Slim, dark, and thrifty - this liquid crystal display (LCD) TV from Korean manufacturer Samsung is something special. In particular the light source, which is responsible for making the LCD picture visible, differs from the norm: Instead of fluorescent tubes, the UE 46 B 7000 uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

UE 55 B 7000

The Korean manufacturer Samsung has pitched this model in the top class of flat-panel TVs. The liquid-crystal display (LCD) uses white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as a backlight - in cheaper LCDs, fluorescent tubes take on this task.

Samsung LCD UE 32 B 7020, 32 inches (81.3 cm), 850 GBP
Samsung LCD UE 40 B 7020, 40 inches (102 cm), 1,050 GBP
Samsung LCD UE 46 B 7020, 46 inches (117 cm), 1,440 GBP
Samsung LCD UE 55 B 7020, 55 inches (140 cm), 2,100 GBP

Samsung LCD: 4 Series
The 4 series currently comprises only four models, all of which are typical second TVs for the bedroom or kitchen and offer basic features.

Samsung LCD LE 19 B 450, 19 inches (48.3 cm), 180 GBP
Samsung LCD LE 22 B 450, 22 inches (55.9 cm), 205 GBP
Samsung LCD LE 26 B 450, 26 inches (66 cm), 310 GBP
Samsung LCD LE 32 B 450, 32 inches (81.3 cm), 320 GBP

Samsung LCD: 5 Series
The 5 series contains the entry-level Samsung LCD TVs - and, with 15 models, it offers plenty of variety. Within the series, the products branch off further - here, therefore, we'll look at the individual varieties separately.

Samsung LCD: Series B 530
These are the cheapest models in the Samsung LCD series. The screens provide Full HD resolution (1,920 x 1,080 pixels), and the tuners accept analog cable TV, digital terrestrial, and digital cable (DVB-T/DVB-C) - for digital signals, also in high definition. They do not, however, support the forthcoming CI Plus encryption process - depending on the country of operation and the local cable operators, the TV will might fail to display certain digital channels.

Samsung LCD LE 37 B 530, 37 inches (94 cm), 550 GBP
Samsung LCD LE 40 B 530, 40 inches (102 cm), 500 GBP
Samsung LCD LE 46 B 530, 46 inches (117 cm), 650 GBP

Samsung LCD: Series B 541
For screen-diagonals of 32 inches or more, this sub-series provides Full HD resolution, and all the models in the series come in white instead of the black casings of the 530-series. The rest of the technology, however, matches that of the 530 series.

Samsung LCD LE 19 B 541, 19 inches (48.3 cm), 185 GBP
Samsung LCD LE 22 B 541, 22 inches (55.9 cm), 220 GBP
Samsung LCD LE 32 B 541, 32 inches (81.3 cm), 420 GBP
Samsung LCD LE 40 B 541, 40 inches (102 cm), 600 GBP

The B 550 sub-series also builds upon the 530-series template. In addition, the Full HD TVs offer a USB socket for playback of MP3 music files and JPEG photos. Furthermore, the TV will recognize and support CI Plus from September onward. The only way to tell the difference between models that do and don't support CI Plus is to look at the exact model number: Instead of "WWXXC", the new models end in "WPXXC".

Samsung LCD LE 32 B 550, 32 inches (81.3 cm), 420 GBP
Samsung LCD LE 37 B 550, 37 inches (94 cm), 510 GBP
Samsung LCD LE 40 B 550, 40 inches (102 cm), 550 GBP
Samsung LCD LE 46 B 550, 46 inches (117 cm), 800 GBP

Samsung LCD: 6 Series
Among the classical Samsung LCD TV series, this is the upper mid-range. Here, again, the series includes a number of sub-series. The B 620 series offers the cheapest of the Korean manufacturer's TVs with 100-hertz technology. The tuner accepts DVB-T and DVB-C (both also in high definition), and a USB port allows playback of photos and music. The screens have Full HD resolution and, from September onward, are also supposed to support CI Plus. Again, the only way to tell if a model is of the new type is to check the exact model number: Instead of "WWXXC", it should end in "WPXXC".

Samsung LCD LE 40 B 620, 40 inches (102 cm), 700 GBP
Samsung LCD LE 46 B 620, 46 inches (117 cm), 940 GBP
Samsung LCD LE 52 B 620, 52 inches (132 cm), 1,430 GBP

Samsung's B 650 series combines some more unusual screen sizes. In fact, the series' features even vary from one model to another. The 19- and 22-inch models only have 50-hertz technology, 1,366 x 768 pixels resolution, and - apart from a digital tuner for cable and terrestrial signals - no fancy extras.

The models with a screen-diagonal of 32 inches or more provide a significantly richer set of features. 100 Hz Motion Plus aims to display moving objects precisely, and the USB and network connections allow the TVs to play back a multitude of multimedia file-types. Additionally, the devices can access internet services from Samsung and its partner Yahoo. This autumn, the tuners will gain CI Plus support - the new model numbers will have "WP" instead of "WW".

In some European markets there is a "B 651" version of the series, with a transparent-red frame, as well as a B 652 series with no multimedia technology. In red, the latter is known as the B 653.

Samsung LCD LE 19 B 650, 19 inches (48.3 cm), 200 GBP
Samsung LCD LE 22 B 650, 22 inches (55.9 cm), 250 GBP
Samsung LCD LE 32 B 650, 32 inches (81.3 cm), 520 GBP
Samsung LCD LE 37 B 650, 37 inches (94 cm), 630 GBP
Samsung LCD LE 55 B 650, 55 inches (140 cm), 1,550 GBP

Samsung LCD: 7 Series
The 7 series rounds up the selection of conventional Samsung LCD TVs. With 200 Hz Motion Plus, the manufacturer hopes to display even-more-uniform motion sequences than is possible with its 100-Hz models. Like the technology from panel-partner Sony, these Samsung models generate 200 images per second - TVs from other manufacturers that advertize 200 hertz actually generate just 100 images and insert the same number of black frames in-between.

The 7-series TVs can play back numerous types multimedia from a USB stick or across a PC network. Furthermore, they can also access internet services provided by Samsung and partner-firm Yahoo. The tuner accepts both analog and digital cable, as well as digital terrestrial TV. From September, the TVs with "WP" (instead of "WW") in their model number will also support the CI Plus encryption process.

Samsung LCD LE 40 B 750, 40 inches (102 cm), 980 GBP
Samsung LCD LE 46 B 750, 46 inches (117 cm), 1,250 GBP
Samsung LCD LE 52 B 750, 52 inches (132 cm), 1,950 GBP

Samsung LCD TVs with LED backlight
In its top LCD models, Samsung has replaced the fluorescent lamps mounted behind the screen with side-mounted light-emitting diodes (LEDs). This reduces power consumption and allows for much slimmer construction than with other flat-panel TVs. The different technology has little effect, however, on the picture. Samsung's use of the term "LED TV" for models using this type of backlight causes unnecessary confusion: These are and will always be LCD TVs.

Samsung LCD: 6000 Series
Among Samsung LCD TVs with LED backlights, the 6000 series costs the least. The TVs provide a digital tuner for terrestrial and cable signals, and the picture is supposed to appear especially fluid thanks to 100 Hz Motion Plus technology. Photos and music play back from USB storage media, and 6000-series models released from September onward will also support CI Plus - look out for "WP" instead of "WW" in the model number.

Samsung LCD UE 32 B 6000, 32 inches (81.3 cm), 625 GBP
Samsung LCD UE 40 B 6000, 40 inches (102 cm), 950 GBP
Samsung LCD UE 46 B 6000, 46 inches (117 cm), 1,170 GBP

Samsung LCD: 8000 Series
The features of the 8000 series are identical to those of the 7000 series, except that this more expensive range has 200-hertz technology. Like their fluorescent-tube relatives from series 7, the 8000-series TVs actually generate 200 images per second. And, once again: from September, models whose names include "WP" will support CI Plus.

Samsung LCD UE 40 B 8000, 40 inches (102 cm), 1,350 GBP
Samsung LCD UE 46 B 8000, 46 inches (117 cm), 1,650 GBP

Often, discontinued product generations will offer almost as much as their successor models - and you can pick many of them up at bargain prices second-hand or as clearance stock. If, therefore, you're still interested in technical details or tests of these older models, check out the reviews listed below.

LE-37 A 557

Review of this 37-inch LCD with impressive contrast.

LE-40 M 71 B

Review of this three-year-old TV, eloquently demonstrating the huge progress made by LCD technology in recent years.

LE-40 M 87 BD

Review of this high-scoring Full HD TV from 2008.

LE-40 M 91 B

Things don't always go right first time - with the LE-40 M 91 B, Samsung celebrated the premier of the LED backlight. Unfortunately, it wasn't such a shining occasion - read more in our in-depth review.

LE-46 F 71 B

Thanks to a slot for memory cards, the LE-46 F 71 B offered a handy extra for digital photographers. Our review describes the set's features in detail.

LE-46 A 656/659

The Samsung LE-46 A 656/659 kicked up quite a stir with its lofty contrast ratio - read more about the 2008 TV in our review.

LE-46 A 956

Manufacturers also learn from their mistakes - the second generation of Samsung TVs with LED backlighting, released in 2008, impressed with excellent colors. Read the review here.

LE-52 M 86

Samsung's big-screen LCD premier, poaching in plasma territory with the LE-52 M 86.

LE-52 A 659

Yesterday's news: The LE-52 A 659 appeared in autumn 2008, but has already been overshadowed by the class of 2009.

Samsung LCD: Highlights

Samsung 200 Hz - Technology:
Samsung LCD TVs weren't the first to offer 200-hertz technology - this honor goes to the manufacturer's panel-production partner, Sony - but Samsung is hard on Sony's heels. The technology is intended to eliminate the weaknesses of older LCD TVs - in particular, the frequent motion blur. Besides top electronics, however, the TVs also need fast, responsive panels. Compared to older models, current liquid-crystal displays switch much more quickly from light to dark - and back. Without this added speed, the so-called "Motion Plus" technology would be totally ineffective.

200 Hz Motion Plus generates 200 images per second, which is no easy task - TV channels (or DVD players) only deliver 25 per second. And, to complicate matters further, these 25 images appear not intact but, rather, split up into 50 "interlaced" images. To put it more clearly: A TV camera records images in horizontal lines. First, it records the uneven-numbered lines - first, third, fifth, and so on. These form the first interlaced image. The second interlaced image then consists of all the even-numbered lines - 2, 4, 6, and so on. One 50th of a second elapses between the recording of these two images, meaning a rolling football, for example, will be in a different position in the two images. This "interlacing" method of capturing images causes no bother on tube-based TVs.

Liquid-crystal displays, however, work using "progressive" images - they build up the image sequentially from top to bottom, with "line 2" being plotted immediately after "line 1". Anyone who's watched videos on computer monitors - which also work progressively - will know the effect already: Edges of moving objects fray, making it nearly impossible to enjoy the picture. Whether a TV works at 50, 100, or 200 hertz, it must first remove the interlacing, and therefore repair the frayed edges - this process is known as "de-interlacing". Once reconstructed, the 50 images must be converted into 200 separate frames - the Samsung technology therefore has to generate intermediate picture content. This requires so-called "motion prediction" technology.

To come back to our football example, the trick is to guess, virtually in real-time, where the ball will be between images. That's not a massive problem as long as the ball is rolling smoothly across the grass. But as soon as a player kicks it in a different direction, the 100- or 200-hertz technology is in trouble: On the one hand, it cannot let the ball appear to keep moving in the old direction, and, on the other, the ball cannot dissolve into pixel noise - both errors are common in motion-prediction TVs.

Samsung and Sony's 200-hertz technology has drummed up a bit of an arms race among TV manufacturers: This year, many of the product brochures bear "200 Hz" logos. But almost all rival systems actually generate just 100 intermediate images, inserting black frames in-between in an attempt to improve contrast.

Televisions.com's tip for 200 Hz:
Beware of manufacturers' attempts to impress with big numbers: No single technology can guarantee a great picture without the help of a number of other factors, all finely tuned to one another for optimum performance. Even some 50-hertz TVs produce excellent results - although some, of course, do not. Still, it has to be said: The 200-hertz technology in Samsung LCD TVs is extremely sophisticated.

Samsung LCD: LED backlighting - Technology:
Samsung didn't discover LED backlighting alone, but was the first manufacturer to release it in a series-production model. Let's have a quick look at the technical background: Liquid-crystal screens do not produce their own illumination, and therefore require a separate light source. Normally, fluorescent tubes behind the screen provide the necessary illumination for a visible picture, but light-emitting diodes promise to use less power. Furthermore, they allow optimization of the colors.

Samsung presented the first LCD TV with an LED light source in 2006 - with limited success. But the Korean company was undeterred: Since Spring 2009, the manufacturer offers an entire armada of flat-screen TVs with LED technology. In current models, the LEDs sit around the edge of the display, making the casing significantly thinner than that of other flat-panel models.

The following were involved in producing this article on Samsung LCD TVs:

Author(s): Karl-Gerhard Haas
Editor in Chief: Florian Friedrich
Photos: Manufacturer and AV T.O.P. Messtechnik GmbH
Last updated: September 2009