LG and Samsung get the red out; new HDTVs sport crimson colors

With a host of fine-performing, piano-black HDTVs on the market, LG Electronics and Samsung are the latest manufacturers to introduce sets that try to stand out with stylistic flair. Both brands are launching new flat-panel models imbued with red color accents. Since some LCD sets from both brands have done well in our recent Ratings, available to subscribers , the new models promise to be more than just pretty faces, with performance to complement their stylish designs.

LG promotes “Scarlet” fever
LG’s new LG 60 Series—code-named “Scarlet”— features a super-slim profile and red-colored back and side panels. The TV line was launched with a splashy—and fake—ad campaign that promised a new TV series, named Scarlet, starring a young Hollywood ingénue and a big gala premiere, but was actually pitching a new series of TVs.

The new 60 Series sets will be offered in 32-, 37-, 42-, 47- and 52-inch screen sizes with 1080p resolution and 120Hz technology that doubles the TV's frame rate to reduce motion blur. They boast new “Intelligent Sensor” technology, which claims to automatically adjust the TV’s brightness, sharpness, color and tint to match the surrounding light in a room. The sets also have a new “invisible” speaker system—located inside and behind the TV’s bezel—and use LG’s Clear Voice technology, which boosts certain frequencies to help keep dialogue audible when background noise increases.

The 60 Series sets start shipping this month, at prices ranging from $1,700 to $3,800. Later this summer, new thinner (1.7-inch) 42- and 47-inch versions will be available, at a price to be disclosed closer to launch.

Samsung adds a Touch of Color
The new Samsungs use the Touch of Color (TOC) design announced at CES, which uses an injection molding process to infuse subtle red colorations into the material of the bezel itself. The effect is a reddish glow embedded into the semi-transparent piano-black finish of the bezel.

The TOC design is included in Samsung’s Series 6 (650) and Series 7 (750) LCDs, which feature 1080p resolution (except for the 17- 19- and 22-inch models), 120Hz technology (all models 40 inches and larger), and InfoLink networking, which provides RSS feeds of news, weather, sports and other content from USA Today directly to the TVs (no computer is required). The sets also include USB 2.0 with WiseLink, which provides access to, and management of, digital images and music stored on flash drives, camcorders or portable media players.

Both 6- and 7-series LCD TVs will work with a $35 wireless accessory, called Wireless LinkStick, designed to provide wireless access to the InfoLink RSS feature, supposedly obviating the need for an Ethernet connection.

Series 7 LCD TVs include several step-up features not found in 6-series models, including internal flash memory loaded with content, such as high-def artwork, cooking recipes and children’s game, and WiseLink Pro, which can play MPEG-4 and DiVX files as well as digital photos and MP3 music files. The 7-series TVs are also compliant with the Digital Living Network Alliance (DNLA) protocol.

Series 6 models are available in 19-, 22-, 31.5-, 39.9-, 45.9- and 52.2-inch screen sizes, with prices ranging from $480 to $3,200. The Series 7 sets, which launch this month, are available 39.9-, 45.9- and 52.2-inch screen sizes, at suggested retail prices of $2,600, $3,200 and $3,500, respectively.

The Touch of Color is also extended to Samsung’s Series 6 650 plasma line, which is offered in 50-, 58- and 63-inch screen sizes at prices ranging from $2,600 to $5,000. The 1080p sets include invisible speakers, WiseLink, Anynet+ (Samsung’s name for HDMI-CEC single-remote control of components) and 4 HDMI inputs.—James K. Willcox

Comments

[John Rowley]

I recently bought a Samsung 750 series 46" LCD TV. How about a rating on it?

[TOM JOSEPH]

CE - YOU GUYS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ON TOP OF NEW PRODUCTS.
CAN WE HAVE A REVIEW OF THE SAMSUNG 750 SERIES, ASAP.
IF YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO FOLLOW THIS SAME OLD SCRIPT
THIS WILL BE MY FIRST AND LAST SUPSCRIPTION.

[Josh Jarrard]

For the LOVE OF GOD... will you PLEASE rate the new Samsung Series?

I am a sales person and I really do enjoy using consumer reports as a refference when making reccomendations.

C-Net is KILLING you guys when it comes to be on top of new products.

So pleaseeeee do some new TV reviews before I die of extremely old age 68 years from now.

[everett whitney]

To " M. Magee - 14 May - " ? LG ? "

This is the former ... " goldstar " ... of South Korea.
A huge conglomerate that sends essentially all manner small appliances here ... also bought out the name only of Zenith years ago.

Some what lacking in any national, local C.S. for their HDTVs.

[m magee]

Where are "LG" products made?

[Adam]

I was wondering if you will be testing the 6 or 7 Series. Also the 7 Series already launched, I was sold a 52" at Best Buy. I am excited to hear about some ratings on it.

[Paul Eng]

Hi Patricia,

Thanks for catching that small typo in our post. We have since corrected the error.

Paul Eng
Sr. Web Editor

[Patricia]

Typo in the second paragraph under Samsung-there is no 17" model, it should say 19" instead.