By Calvin Hsieh, Research Director
Samsung has more than 50 models listed on their US web site, including their latest LED TVs. In order to understand this Samsung’s LED TV positioning in their LCD TV product line, we made a comparison table, shown below. From the specifications and suggested prices, we can make some interesting points:
- In terms of product sizes and pricing, the B6 and B7 series LED TVs are closer to the A7 and A8 series LCD TVs than they are to the A6/B6 and A7. For example, LED B6 has 40”, 46” and 55”; LCD A7 40”, 46” and 52”. The price gap is similar ($400-500) for the same size comparison.
- The B6 and B7 series LED TVs are likely to eventually replace the A7 and A8 series, which use CCFL backlights. Samsung hopes that consumers find the advantages of LED TVs are enough that they can increase the suggested price, which would help Samsung increase revenues on high-end models. Samsung is likely to adopt LED backlights for all their high-end models and keep CCFL for entry- and mid-levels; LED TV is equivalent to high-end LCD TV in Samsung’s product line.
- The B6 and B7 series LED TVs adopted edge lighting instead of the direct lighting used in the premium A9 series. Edge lighting enables lower costs, but it does not support local dimming. Probably only high-end customers notice or value the difference. Many consumers will be glad to own any LED TV, and they may have no idea of the difference between edge and direct lighting. Another benefit is that edge lighting can enable slimmer design, which is a difference that all consumers can notice.
- After intensively promoting frame rate conversion in 2008, Samsung is using LED backlight as the next feature to enable improved picture quality. If this strategy works, Samsung can drive higher revenues from the high-end models now, and extend LED backlights to mid-level products in the future. So, it’s reasonable to expect there will be lower level B5 series LED TVs ranging from 32” to 46” or even 55”.
- For those consumers who value picture quality, Samsung will promote the B6 series 40” LED TV UN40B6000 ($2,299). For those who think applications are more critical and interesting, Samsung will offer the B6 series 46” LCD TV LN46B650 ($2,099) with DLNA. For consumers that feel size does matter, the 52” LCD TV LN52B610 is available at the same price, trading internet connectivity for larger screen size.
Table 1: Samsung FHD TVs by Series
|
Series |
B6 |
B7 |
B5 |
B6 |
B6 |
A7 |
A8 |
A9 |
| 55” |
$3,599 UN55B6000 |
$3,799 UN55B7000 |
$1,799 LN52B530 |
$2,099 LB52B610 |
?? |
$2,899 LN52A750 |
$3,299 LN52A850 |
$4,999 LN55A950 |
| 46” |
$2,799 UN46B6000 |
$2,999 UN46B7000 |
$1,299 LN46B530 |
$1,599 LN46B610 |
$2,099 LN46B650 |
$2,299 LN46A750 |
2,599 LN46A850 |
$3,399 LN46A950 |
| 40” |
$2,299 UN40B6000 |
?? |
$899 LN40B530 |
$1,199 LN40B610 |
$1,699 LN40B650 |
$1,899 LN40A750 |
|
|
| Frame
Rate |
120 Hz |
120 Hz |
60 Hz |
120 Hz |
120 Hz |
120 Hz |
120 Hz |
120 Hz |
| Backlight |
LED: Edge |
LED: Edge |
CCFL |
CCFL |
CCFL |
CCFL |
CCFL |
LED: Direct |
| Internet |
Ethernet |
Ethernet |
no |
no |
Ethernet |
Dongle |
Dongle |
Dongle |
| DLNA |
no |
yes |
no |
no |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
| Content Lib. | no | yes | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
