Samsung announces 71, 81 series 1080p LCD HDTVs
By Ryan Block 
posted July 11th 2007 8:19PM
posted July 11th 2007 8:19PM
The 81 series ups the ante with an LED backlight, bumping the contrast ratio to a measly 100,000:1, and also comes with 10-bit processing, 8ms response time, an ATSC / clear QAM tuner, CEC HDMI, USB, and also lands in August in 40, 46, 52, and 57-inch sizes( for $3000, $4000, $5000, and $7000, respectively).
The 81 series could wind up to be a milestone in LCD TV. There are potential artifacts and the LED BLU might not completely fix the cadence issue but if implemented right, LD technology could push plasmas on their way out for good.
Oh, brillant, I can see the guys at Samsung:
"Hey guys, let's call this TV the 71, and this one the 81."
"OK, yeah! How big are they?"
"Oh, 40-57 inches of course!"
Yeah, because, you know... it has nothing to do with generation progression or tech level, or anything.
This is really good news. Hopefully now they will drop the prices even further for the -65F series. Right now the 4665F is going for $2206 on Amazon.com. Although I wouldn't mind having one of these models. The specs are ridiculous!
your welcome anthony, i just picked up the 4665f 4 days ago, thus enacting the law that makes the new generation come out and i can only assume a price drop accordingly. well lets hope these things come out within 24 days so i can switch em out...
Question Mr.Block...Does the Samsung 81 series also have 120hz refresh rate like the 71 series?
I'm curious...
Samsung's LCDs are always higher contrast ratio than anyone else, how are they accomplishing this? Is it just marketing BS, or are they really that much better? I can't even imagine accomplishing 25,000:1 contrast on a modern LCD, much less 100,000:1, LED or not. Where the hell are they getting these numbers?
I mean, the very best contrast desktop monitors are still 1500:1 or 2000:1, and I think those are all S-PVA. I can't see a new generation of PVA giving that much improvement. Maybe this dynamic contrast ratio I've been seeing is to contrast what gray to gray is to pixel response?
Before calling bullshit you may want to read around. These TVs have a new technology even when compared to Apple or other LED backlit momitors, it is called Local Dimming. The technology is also developed by another company, Brightside if my memory serves me well. The trick is, within the same *frame* to selectively light the required portions of the screen. You can achieve much deeper blacks (Because you don't need to rely on the LCD crystals to block the light) and thus much better contrast ratio.
LED backlight (BLU) also removes the need for color filters. Instead of having a CCFL and *decomposing* light into 3 colors and then reproduce the required color, this LED BLU technology strobes color in rapid succession. Removing the filters increases color output (Gamut and intensity) by a lot. Strobing also improves motion blurring a lot too (Because of the way the eye acquires images - rather complex stuff). Most 120HZ TVs use BFI (Black Frame Insertion) at 120Hz but rapidly strobing is supposed to be better. All this leaves out as far as 120Hz is solving 3:2 cadence issues.
Excellent answer, thank you.
are there any model numbers avail for the 81 series screens yet? Sammys site shows screens, but not sure if they are the ones, as they only list 15000:1 contrast..
Oh, have i been waiting for these LED-LCD's! Finally! But ouch, the jump from 52" to 57" is $2000, bit too much?
i wonder if this 81 series is going to be better than the plasmas G8 from pioneer?
the most important thing for me is shadow details and black details
does any one have seen the 81 series in person??
Check out the article in Popular Science which explains the how's and why's this technology works. The sectioning of the screen to avoid light bleeding etc. etc. Then Google "samsung 81 series" under images to see examples. Basically the Black is black without affecting the contrast of the other colors that are displayed. So the brightness of the highlights remain intact. The two affects combined is what produces the high numbers stated. This stuff is why I haven't gone HD yet- by fall 2008 the 40 incher will be 1800 bucks on Ebay.
The current 4066F (60 Series) has just gone down in price from $2299.99 at Best Buy to $1999.99 so they are definitely trying to liquidate all these TV prior in the next couple of weeks as the 70s and the 80s come in. It's definitely enticing to get a 60 at that price but man, the 80 series just seems that much better. I guess I should wait another 6 months like around Christmas to actually dive right into the LED Backlight technology when everyone else does to like Sony or LG.
I saw the 71 series in person, its at a local circuit city in my area. Its freaking beautiful, it shows a demo of the Auto Motion Plus 120hz. Plus they had it playing a samsung bluray I think that it was the most spectacular demo of a display I have ever seen. I swear to you it felt like I was looking through a window and that I was actually in the movie. It's sooo clear and so detailed, You'll all be excited when you see it? Plus the touch panel of turning it on, Man theres so much to say about it, It's just awesome.
Can anyone tell me why I can't purchase the 52' LCD 71series yet? It is Sept 5th and there are also no reviews on this new Samsung. I'd like to get some feedback about this beauty before I drop a load of ching!
The Samsung 81 Series with LED backlighting is a sight to see. The blacks delivered by having LED backlighting are incredible. The LED backlighting also gives a wider color gamut for more natural images and reduces the motion blur which LCDs are prone to. Samsung's approach to reducing motion blur is different to other manufacturers and is actually better for gaming. There is a full review of this TV's technology at www.presentationtek.com?p=267