Samsung's 70-inch LED-backlit LCD television now on sale

Samsung's gettin' busy this morning in Korea with the launch of their 70-inch Full HD LCD television. Not only is it the world's largest commercially available LCD, this 1080p pup also brings a 120Hz refresh along with Samsung's local dimming LED backlighting solution for a reported 500,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio... for whatever that measurement's worth. The LN70F91BD is another ACAP packer featuring 3x HDMI 1.3 terminals and a USB 2.0 jack for purposes unknown. Available in S.Korea only at the moment with worldwide sales starting in the second half of the year. Only ?59,000,000 for the privilege which translates to about $63k or €48k -- chump-change for culturally ambiguous superstars.

[Via AVING]

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 14th 2007 3:36AM]

Finally the specs meet my needs! I love LED BACKLIT especially in this size! Now when'll my wallet meet my need?

[solomon Posted Jun 14th 2007 4:58AM]

*WANT*

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 14th 2007 4:31AM]

Isn't that the guy from Kung Fu Hustle.

[jeremah Posted Jun 14th 2007 4:43AM]

Wrong country entirely...

[Wai Posted Jun 14th 2007 4:16AM]

Wow! 63k! Now should I get a Lexus LX470 or a 70" Samsung LCD TV... HMMMMMMMMM

[Jill Sandwich Posted Jun 14th 2007 4:21AM]

*whine*

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 14th 2007 4:29AM]

USB jack is a common feature on a lot of new TVs, particularly Philips LCDs/Plasmas. At minimum it will allow you to play a sideshow of pictures and whatever MP3s, and in some cases it will allow the playback of video files, possibly H.263 (DivX,XviD). I know a few new DVD players can play DivX/XviD over USB, but yet to test it on actual TVs. Philips rep mentioned the flagship plasma will do videos over USB, but wasn't sure what codecs were supported.

[ieatburritos Posted Jun 14th 2007 8:48AM]

The previous models have a USB jack as well. The whole LNT series (4061, 4661, 4665, 5265) all have USB jacks. They're actually used for reprogramming the firmware on the mainboards. According to the guys at Avsforum who have had problems, Samsung will actually mail out a USB drive with new versions of the firmware on it to reflash the boards.
I personally have a 5265 and have not had any problems with it, but others have.
As far as playing slideshows with the USB port.. i haven't tried, nor read my manual to find out.. but it's possible.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 14th 2007 8:53AM]

Ah, did not think about servicing, great idea actually. We (I'm an Australian salesman) don't use the USB port for such function yet, we're still using RS-232 (serial). When LG had a recent issue with TVs they had to send out thousands of techs to service the effected models. If they had just used USB keys (and if the models had USB ports), as you said they could mail USB drives out saving tens of thousands of dollars.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 14th 2007 12:55PM]

The Samsung Syncmaster 940ux, uses USB as an input from a PC exchewing DVI. Wouldn't it be cool if this thing were to do the same.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/21/samsungs-19-inch-syncmaster-940ux-lcd-picks-usb/

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 14th 2007 4:51AM]

$63k? Does it need 1.21 gigawatts to run as well?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 14th 2007 5:04AM]

So why is he pointing at the girl?
I swear, sometimes when I see these KOrean ads I wonder if the electronics are not just a cover for slave trade. You know, they pretend to sell TVs but in reality...

Also, mental note to self: rob a bank.

[Lord Farkward Posted Jun 14th 2007 5:55AM]

He says: "this is the love of my life. oh, and this is my wife"

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 14th 2007 6:59AM]

I thought the (US available) Sony KDL-70XBR3 took this accolade already because it was announced at CES at January and is on sale in Summer (preorder for $33k). From what I can tell they are the same panel, 70", LED backlight and 120Hz tech. Oh well, maybe it is because the Samsung is available now?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 14th 2007 2:26PM]

Now thats what I call entertainment!

[quasar Posted Jun 14th 2007 5:29PM]

http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servlet/ProductDetailDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=1003751&navigationPath=32050n100188

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 15th 2007 4:44AM]

This sounds almost like the holy grail of TV's.

LCD. Check.
LED's. Check.
70" screen. Check.
1080p. Check.
120Hz refresh and HDMI 1.3. Check and check.

Of course, everything continues to evolve, but this seems to have it all.

But will it handle 12-bit color depth? That would be the final thing I could think of.

Too bad it's the cost of a car.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 15th 2007 8:46AM]

The models look like they're two kids dressed for the prom. I don't get it. What are they trying to tell me:

"The Samsung LN70F91BD 70-inch LCD TV. It might not help you on your prom date, but with a picture so large and so sharp, you might not miss getting laid?"

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 15th 2007 8:45AM]

The models look like they're two kids dressed for the prom. I don't get it. What are they trying to tell me:

"The Samsung LN70F91BD 70-inch LCD TV. It might not help you on your prom date, but with a picture so large and so sharp, you might not miss getting laid?"

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 15th 2007 8:52AM]

...sorry for the double-double-post-post, firewall hiccuped. :(