Samsung is a world leader in the production of high definition television products. They have had to compete with huge, successful television manufacturers like Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba and Motorola. Samsung’s products have gone from basic introduction models to highly successful engineering marvels that are as good, if not better than their larger competitors.

Samsung manufactures several different model lines, all with different features. They offer a model line called the series 600 that is perfect for first time HDTV buyers since its easy to use and yet has all the features and quality of much higher priced competitors.

The main difference between the sets within the 600 series is the screen size. The features and the quality of the image are the same among all the series 600 HDTVs.

The Samsung LN46A650 is the 46 inch screen size model in the 600 series. What makes it unique in the HDTV marketplace are the standard features that Samsung has incorporated into the model line.

The Samsung 46 LCD HDTV is the perfect HDTV for most rooms as it allows viewing from almost any angle and the image quality is magnificent.
Here is a list of features that we will also explain below:

• 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
• 178 degree viewing angle
• Auto Motion Plus 120 Hz image interpolation technology
• 4 millisecond pixel response time
• 120 Hz refresh rate

Samsung describes their molding process which creates the outer shell of the HDTV a Touch of Color. The frame is created using the same process that’s used in the automotive industry. It utilizes Samsung’s unique transparent and opaque color molding process and creates a clean, smooth black finish with just a hint of translucent red color that is visually appealing and attractive in almost every type of decor.

The Ultra clear LCD panel they use is partly responsible for producing the incredibly clear and vibrant picture quality. What this refers to is that Samsung has replaced the light diffusing plastic face of traditional LCD HDTVs with a natural black panel that has a clear anti-glare shield. It reduces the light that’s reflected externally and creates an image clarity that highlights black and darkened areas, creates richer, truer colors and a brighter overall picture. The blacks don’t appear grayish. This panel also allows you to see the screen from angles other than simply directly in front of it.

They also have what they call Wide Color Enhancer that enhances the color spectrum and delivers truer colors, so that greens, blues and reds do not appear washed out or faded, but vibrant and realistic.

What they call Auto Motion Plus 120 Hz image interpolation actually doubles the frame display rate from 60 to 120 frames a second and doesn’t repeat the same image to make more frames. It calculates what the middle frame would be between two frames and inserts that frame in between the two successive frames. This means that you can view fast action scenes without any degradation of high definition image quality.

50000:1 dynamic contrast ratio refers to the increase in the sets capability of creating realistic contrast and brightness levels. It aids in the picture quality by creating whiter whites, blacker blacks and almost an infinite subtlety of gradations in between.

120 Hz refers to the number of frames that refresh per second. The higher the number, the smoother and more defined the movement becomes.
Also important to know is the pixel response time rate. For the Samsung LN46A650 HDTV, the pixel response rate is a blazing fast 4 milliseconds. (Traditional HDTVs are usually around 8 millisecond response time).

Finally, they have made the television with a viewing angle of 178 degrees. That means that you can view the set with perfect picture clarity while standing up, off to the side and directly in front. You do not lose any picture quality when viewing at an awkward angle.

OK, in a nut shell:

• LCD - It stands for Liquid Crystal Display and without getting too technical it is  the type of TV, the other is Plasma
• HDTV - High Definition TV
• HDMI - High Definition Multimedia Interface is a type of cable to connect electronics to HDTVs

Keep in mind, not all LCD’s are HD. Check the box, owner manual or the TV itself, if it’s HD it will say it somewhere.

If you are using cable or satellite, your good to go but if you are on an antenna or rabbit ears, you’ll need to buy a digital converter box by February of 2009.

If you’re one of the Flintstones, you may still be using an old-fashioned curved-screen television. It’s time to switch up to one of the new DLP TV, don’t you think?

All types of flat panel televisions - from LCD display televisions to plasma TVs and projector units, are superior to old screens in a variety of ways. They don’t lose definition when seen from the edges, making those least-desired seats in your living room perfectly acceptable. They also have significantly better resolution than old-style televisions. You may still be able to make out the pixels when you sit close, but because high def television sets use digital technology instead of less-accurate analog, they have a much superior picture, either in still frames or motion. And they are designed to work well with all the latest technology, from blu-ray to HDTV.

Up until recently, flat-screen sets have been on the expensive side, and a lot of people who needed a new set were waiting until the prices came down a little. Well - it’s time. Small LCD TVs cost what an old-fashioned television would cost, if you could still find them, and even the large screens are often under a thousand dollars.

Before you buy, though, you need to (more…)