Samsung UN40C7000 LED TV Review
| Review Specifications Calibration |
Model: Samsung UN40C7000
Description: 1080p LED Backlit LCD Television (ultra thin)
Reviewer: Jack Burden
Date: Spring 2010
Copyright © 2010 . All Rights Reserved.
Highlights
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At $1950 at local retailers, the UN40C7000 is an attractive but pricey options for this size of display. I'm actually a little surprised Samsung produced a 40" LCD with 3D ready features and in the super thin LED back lit category. All of those features keep the price hefty on a per inch scale. For those that have limited space for a larger TV and want the blade thin presence with the 3D, the UN40C7000 is a great choice – just not a bargain. Dont be surprised to see the price of the TV coming down some later this year. In competition is the Sony KDL-40EX700 and the Sharp LC-40LE820UN. I might also check out the 42" LG 42LE7500 which has local dimming LED backlighting.
Samsung UN40C7000 Features Overview
Samsung's 7000 series LED TVs for 2010 feature a new contemporary design thanks to the LED edge lighting. In fact the depth of the unit looked to us to be around the same 1.2 inches in depth from the 2009 model. The big difference that we noticed at CES 2010 in aesthetics was the much smaller bezel/frame which was only about 1 inch on top and sides of the TV screen. On the 7000 series LED TV line the Touch of Color is called "Mystic Earth".
Samsung's proprietary 3D enabled system allows compatibility with multiple 3D formats to provide access to 3D content from many sources. As we note often, the TV will obviously perform regular two dimensional duties, but is enabled for 3D should you introduce some 3D content. We viewed DirecTV 3D enabled content on this series. We noticed some eye straining when the picture changed scenes or programming. We believe this was due more to the content than the TV.
Our reviews of various Samsung 240Hz Auto Motion Plus models from 2009 showed this feature to be excellent for sports programming but removed the natural background blur for normal broadcast and DVD content - creating an annoying kitchy effect. We also now recommend turning the feature off or to the gaming option for electronic gaming. We'll be interested when reviewing to see if improvement was made with other programming.
Although we believe the benefits from new power reduction usage figures for these TVs are overstated and not very relavant (maybe $1 to $2 a month savings on a 46" LCD) - we'll mention them anyway. For the energy conscious Samsung's 2010 LED TV line up uses green design concepts to meet the more stringent Energy Star 4.0 requirements.
Samsung is expanding their Internet@TV service to add streaming content from Blockbuster, Netflix USA Today and VUDU video on demand as well as access to services such as Twitter, Picasa, AccuWeather, Pandora and more through the built-in ethernet connection or optional WiFi. We're ready to see these TVs open up WiFi capability as universal and not proprietary.
-Robert Wiley
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