Samsung UN55B8000 – The Pros and Cons of an Edge-Lit HDTV

The high-performing 55-inch Samsung UN55B8000 is one of Samsung’s most talked about LCD HDTV models, not just because of its price – 00 to 00 – but also because it is at the top of the line of Samsung’s edge-lit LED televisions. But what exactly is an edge-lit HDTV?

An edge-lit HDTV is a type of LED-based HDTV, so first, you have to understand how LED-based televisions work. Compared to usual LCD televisions which use a fluorescent lamp for a backlight, LED-lit ones use hundreds of tiny bulbs called light emitting diodes (LEDs), hence the term LED-based TV. These bulbs do not only use less electricity and last longer than the fluorescent lamp. They are also arranged in clusters that can be turned off entirely, resulting in black levels as outstandingly deep as those on Plasma televisions.

Because of this, many want to buy an LED-based HDTV. And now, there’s one more reason why they should – edge-lit HDTVs. While regular LED-based HDTVs are direct-lit, meaning to say their panels are covered with LEDs, edge-lit HDTVs, like the Samsung UN55B8000, have only a few rows of LEDs covering the top and bottom of the panel. Instead of projecting the light forward, they project it to the center of the screen to a light guide plate which then focuses it forward.

Edge-lit HDTVs have a few advantages, one of which is that they can be made thinner and lighter – something Samsung is definitely taking advantage of. Indeed, Samsung’s latest LCD HDTVs are very slim, and therefore, more stylish, especially when mounted on the wall. In fact, the UN55B8000 is just 1.2 inches deep at most.

Also, while LED-based televisions are already known to consume about half the energy consumed by conventional LCD televisions, those that are edge-lit consume even less. In particular, according to tests, the UN55B8000 consumes up to 40 percent less energy than it normally would.

As for the cons of an edge-lit HDTV, these are basically issues on screen brightness, uniformity and the heating of the frames, especially along the top and bottom where the LEDs are situated. Samsung has done a good job of minimizing these, though, so that with the UN55B8000, you can only notice the lack of uniformity during dark scenes, and only if you have a trained eye.

Aside from the fact that it is an edge-lit HDTV, the Samsung UN55B8000 is an excellent HDTV for other reasons, such as its 240Hz processor, which results in clear and crisp images even during fast-moving scenes and its accurate colors, which contribute to creating amazing picture quality. It comes with interactive features, as well, such as an extensive library of built-in content and Yahoo widgets to keep you posted on the latest updates in the weather, news and stock market. Connectivity, though not its strongest point, is quite good, too, with four HDMI inputs, a PC input and two USB slots to name a few.

So, is the Samsung UN55B8000 a good buy? This is something you shouldn’t be asking any longer after reading this. After all, you already know the reasons why it is very expensive, the same reasons that make it not just a good but a great HDTV, a true cut above the rest.

Edward McKellen is an HDTV expert who writes HDTV reviews for HDTVreviewlab.com. To read more about the Samsung UN55B8000 or check out the latest Pioneer HDTV reviews visit HDTVreviewlab.com

Similar Posts:

• The Samsung SCX 6320 Toner Creates Quality Documents And Photos
• Blue Ray Discs – An Introduction
• Many Causes Why You Must Select Blue Ray DVDs
• Ipod Docking Station Reviews
• best laptop computers, dvd duplication services & game cheat codes