Samsung LN40A550 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

Samsung LN40A550 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Samsung’s 550 Series is a perfect way to step up to Full HD 1080p resolution. A fast 5 ms response rate produces smooth-motion scenes for sports and action movies, and a dynamic contrast ratio of 30,000:1 makes for deep blacks and crisp lines (15,000:1 in 32-inch and 37-inch models). Superb connectivity and networking with a USB port and 3 HDMI 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 2.0, turn your LCD into a full-scale home viewing gallery, or connect your MP3 player for a dynamic audio experience.

lifestyleWhat’s New?

  • 30,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio: up from 15,000:1 on 2007 models (15,000 on 32-inch and 37-inch models) (Learn more)
  • Fast 5ms response time: down from 8ms on 2007 models thanks to a new high-speed liquid crystal

Features Overview

  • Full 1080p HD (Learn more)
  • 178-degree viewing angle from all four axes with Super Patterned Vertical Alignment (Learn more)
  • 3 HDMI 1.3 ports: Simplay compliant (Learn more)
  • USB 2.0 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
  • DNIe Digital Natural Image Engine improves the picture by enhancing the contrast, detail, and white balance (Learn more)
  • Clear panel technology for deeper blacks and more vibrant colors (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 (PIP) 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 IR receiver required.
  • Swivel stand included
  • 1 year parts and 1 year labor warranty (90 days parts and labor for commercial use), with in-home service, backed by Samsung toll-free support

Series 6 Step Up Features

  • 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
  • AutoMotion Plus 120Hz image interpolation for smoother motion
  • 4ms response time
  • Transparent and Opaque Color (TOC) bezel
  • Ethernet port with Infolink free RSS feeds
  • 4 HDMI 1.3 ports
  • Sports and Game modes
  • Compatible with Samsung’s Home Digital Media Adapter for playback and navigation of Internet and stored PC multimedia

Series 7 Step-Up Features

  • Internal flash memory (1GB) with pre-loaded interactive content such as cooking recipes, children’s entertainment, HD artwork and more
  • Integrated woofer for an enhanced audio experience
  • DLNA-Compatible: for better interoperability with electronics, computers and mobile devices from many different manufacturers (Learn more)

Sizes

  • Series 5 1080p LCD HDTVs are available in 32-inch, 37-inch, 40-inch, 46-inch, and 52-inch models (LN32A550P, LN37A550P, LN40A550P, LN46A550P, and LN52A550P)
  • Series 6 1080p LCD HDTVs are available in 19-inch, 22-inch, 32-inch, 40-inch, 46-inch, and 52-inch models (model numbers LN19A650A, LN22A650A, LN32A650A, LN40A650T, LN46A650T, LN46A650T and LN52A650T)
  • Series 7 1080p LCD HDTVs are available in 40-inch, 46-inch, and 52-inch (model numbers LN40A750T, LN46A750T and LN52A750T)

What size TV should you get?

Learn More

Full HD 1080P

full HD 1080P Full HD, or 1080p, 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 1080p 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 120Hz motion blur reduction technology dramatically reduces motion blur and judder.

1080p

Super Clear Panel

clear panel chart Samsung enhances the clarity of select LCD HDTVs by replacing the light-diffusing plastic face of traditional LCD HDTVs with a natural black panel with a clear anti-glare shield. Reduced reflection of external light creates a new dimension in image clarity, highlighting black and darkened areas, enabling vibrant, more compelling colors and a brighter, clearer picture. Black will never again appear grayish. Black details will show in vivid black even in dark scenes.

The latest version of Samsung’s breakthrough super clear panel technology makes colors appear more vibrant and blacks even deeper than ever. Enhanced films reduce glare and optimize off-angle viewing.

super clear panel

30,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio/500 nit Brightness

25,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio 30,000:1 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.

Digital Natural Image Engine

DNIe image DNIe The Samsung Digital Natural Image engine. This exclusive Samsung technology dramatically improves the picture by enhancing the contrast, detail, white balance and reduces. dnie chart

Wide Color Enhancer/Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp

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.

wide color enhancer wide color enhancer wide color enhancer wide color enhancer

Connectivity

wiselink 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 HDMI 1.3 inputs (including one on the side), and the handy HDMI-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. HDMI is the best performing interface for displaying an HD source on an HDTV.

Once 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 HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) 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 2.0)
  • RF antenna inputs
  • Headphone jack: side

Super Patterned Vertical Alignment

wide angle Samsung’s Super Patterned Vertical Alignment (SPVA) panel provides a 178-degree viewing angle from all four axes

Audio Features

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. It 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 WOW 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.


Which Size HDTV is Right for My Room?

HDTV Size chart 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.

If 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
  • Series 5 1080p LCD HDTVs are available in 32-inch, 37-inch, 40-inch, 46-inch, and 52-inch models (LN32A550P, LN37A550P, LN40A550P, LN46A550P, and LN52A550P)
  • Series 6 1080p LCD HDTVs are available in 19-inch, 22-inch, 32-inch, 40-inch, 46-inch, and 52-inch models (model numbers LN19A650A, LN22A650A, LN32A650A, LN40A650T, LN46A650T, LN46A650T and LN52A650T).
  • Series 7 1080p LCD HDTVs are available in 40-inch, 46-inch, and 52-inch (model numbers LN40A750T, LN46A750T and LN52A750T)

Customer Review: Sansumg LN40A550
This is a great Tv with a picture worth watching. The service was good and was delivered in about 10 days. I would recommend this tv.
Customer Review: Great tv for the price
Hello,

I have had my tv for about 7 weeks now and thought is was time to give some input that should be helpful for anyone looking to buy. I am very happy with it and would highly recomend it. Simply, it is the best price vs quality on the market. I use it for Fios HD, PS3 gaming and blu-rays.

First, I bought it online from Amazon when it was at its lowest price (much cheaper than BB or CC with sales or coupons). It was delivered within 5 minutes of when CEVA told me they would be there. The driver brought it in, we opened it up and set it up. Looked good, then signed for it and he was off. CEVA is supposed to help set it up (Amazon white glove service). Remember, never sign for anything until after you see it!!

After about a week I noticed (on solid color scenes) that the screen was ununiform. One area from top to bottom about 3 inches wide was much lighter that the rest of the screen. I had Samsung service come out and they told me “I have never seen anything like this before.” Samsung told be they would need to replace the panel (not the tv). I did not want a “rebuilt” tv after just getting it, so I called Amazon. Amazon was happy to send me a replacement and CEVA delivered it and picked up the old set. The new set has no problems.

I decided on the 550 because I do not feel the 120hz 650 model is worth the extra $500. Also, the room is very bright during the day and I did not want the glare that the 650 would give. However, if I had a dark room and the extra cash, I would have picked the 650 for the much higher contrast ratio and the option to use the 120hz.

My setup is a 40A550, PS3, Fios HD, my laptop, and an Onkyo TX-SR506 with Infinity speakers for surround sound. The Fios and the PS3 are connected to the tv using monoprice.com HDMI cables and optical cables (for surround sound) run to the Onkyo from the PS3 and FIOS. I tweaked the settings on the tv using combinations of some posts here and what i felt looked natural.

The speakers on the tv are just ok, but what I would expect from a flat tv. I generally use the Onkyo for surround sound.

If I would rate this tv, I would give it 4 stars out of 5 stars because of its poor PIP setup. The PIP will only work with analog through the RF connection. The channel cannot be change without going into the menu screen. And since analog is going to be turned off by Feb. 09, is will be useless unless you buy a digital to analog converter box. So, I got a digital converter box and use that remote to change the PIP. What a short sighted design flaw on an otherwise good tv.

Also, Fios in my area of NJ has turned off analog now to make room for more HD, and is planning a major expansion of its HD channels soon. I have about 30 now (plus PPV and on demand) with promises of 150 HD channels by the end of the year. If you can get FIOS, I highly recommend it. The picture quality is amazing and the internet is super fast. Even the regular tvs look much much better.

Remember the picture on any tv is only as good as its source.

Samsung LN40A550 40-inch 1080p LCD HDTV

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