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General discussion

old tech vs new LCD HDTV

Feb 9, 2009 4:51PM PST

I am looking to buy a 40" lcd and I found a used LNT4081F , which is a 2007 model, was Samsungs best for that year. 500,000:1 dynamic contract with LED backlighting. I would like to know how this tv compares to a new LN40a650. The technology of the older TV is 60HZ but with LED motion plus vs 120hz with the auto motion plus of the new TV. I know the older has a gaming mode as well. Good one for HD tech. Thanks

Discussion is locked

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81 series
Feb 10, 2009 7:39AM PST

micron40,

Actually, the 81 series from last year would be more comparable to the 9-Series for this year, as both have the LED backlighting technology. The benefit is that it has local dimming, so if part of the screen is dark, the actual light behind the panel will dim to improve the picture.

Even compared with the 6-Series, the 2007 81-series unit has a higher contrast ratio. As far as picture quality and what looks best to you, I'll leave that up to you.

Hope that helps.

--HDTech

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81 series HD tech
Feb 10, 2009 1:49PM PST

Ok, well I am assuming that since it has the LED LCD and higher contrast ration...similar to a 9 series tv it will certainly have a better picture as I have seen what a 9 series picture produces...hence the price tag. Before buying it, my main concern is how it compares to the 6 series in terms on the 60hz vs 120 hz. Will I have a bad blurr effect in comparison when watching sports or playing video games? unlike other 60 hz lcd's it has the led auto motion technology....will this prove to operate more like a 120hz tv with this technology?? Thanks for the reply, Micron40 Happy

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120 vs 60
Feb 11, 2009 6:50AM PST

micron40,

You are correct about the Hz.

The LED Motion Plus is a little different than AutoMotion Plus, even though the terms are similar, they mean something different. So I'll explain those differences here.

LED motion plus used in our 81 series of televisions uses a breakthrough technology ‘Local Dimming’. The majority of LCD televisions use a cold-cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) to power the picture. This back light is unable to be turned on and off with speed. The 81 series is backlit (backlighted?) by an array of light emitting diodes (LED). Because of this, sections can be turned off independently and will greatly increase the black levels on the set.

So it helps with brigtness, panel bleed, and color variances as well as the darkest darks.

Now the 6-Series has 120Hz AutoMotion Plus, which fixes the inherent problem of motion blur. This has been inherent since the conception of LCDs. Traditionally, a CRT or other type technology will pulse the picture and and then go black - and the human brain can process this image. With LCDs, the image stays on the pixel until that individiual pixel is "told" to change to a different color, and the brain will process that "lag". Since LCD's can't pulse frames to reduce this, another way to improve the movement was to double the frame rate to 120 and have a frame of video repeated. So instead of inserting a black frame between the frames, we use interpolation which intelligently inserts a frame that is processed between the 1st and 2nd frame. That's the heart of AutoMotion Plus.

In turn, the AutoMotion Plus processing feature in the menu allows you to select the level of interpoloation that happens, thus customizing your picture based on the source that looks the best to you.

So that said, you will likely perceive less blur on the 6-series, particularly with video games and fast action. For slow scenes and picture quality, the 81 Series is an amazing picture, but will likely not respond to motion like the 6-Series would.

Combined, the 9-Series of our current lineup takes advantage of both technologies - LED Motion Plus and AutoMotion Plus.

I hope that helps explain the differences.

--HDTech

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HD-Tech
Feb 11, 2009 8:32AM PST

Thanks HD-Tech, you have informed me better than any...hats off to you. I found a review of the LNT4081F & wanted your opinion as to it's accuracy or bias. You have stated that the 120hz is better for video games & motion blurr...what do you think of this article.

"Samsung combines the local dimming feature with what it calls motion plus, a scanning technology that activates the horizontal rows of LED's progressively from top to bottom to dramatically decrease motion blurr in this 60hz panel. With Led motion plus activated the panel measured a record setting (For LCD) 800 lines of horizontal measured resolution, which is 33% greater motion resolution than that of any other LCD we tested including 120hz models from sharp and sony."

I know the 9 series is better, I just can't afford $3500. So i'll buy a 6 series or a used LNT4081F. Thanks

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new samsungs
Feb 11, 2009 4:58PM PST

Sorry, one other question I forgot to ask. My friend says if I decide to buy the newer tv to get the 650. He says the 750 is the same tv only adding a subwoofer & the 850 again the same tv just in a slimmer cabinet. So only the 950 being a better picture.....is this true?? Thanks in advance Happy

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Other features....
Feb 12, 2009 1:10PM PST

After the 6-Series, there are also some DNLA features, WiseLink will play some movie formats, as well as the Content Library in the 7 and 8 Series.

The 9-Series is the LED backlit LCD.

--HDTech

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Followup
Feb 12, 2009 1:03PM PST

micron40,

All articles, particularly one that compares us to manufacturers (and not even specific model numbers), are subject to the author's perception. I can't speak for the differences and similarities with competitive products AT ALL, so I have to respectfully let you decide on that.

The 81 Series was last year's model, and despite the fact that it was quietly introduced near the end of the year, I thought it offered one of the best pictures available when it came out, and it had a matching increase on the price tag for being the flagship piece last year. That said, I didn't watch a lot of fast action video on it, or compare it with this year's models. So I'd just be guessing.

Wish I had further insight. Watch some fast action on both panels, decide which one looks better, and decide for yourself. You're the best judge of what looks better.

--HDTech