Samsung LN40D550 40-Inch 1080p 60 Hz LCD HDTV (Black)

List Price : $699.99
Price : $498.68

Product Description

Size: 40-Inch
February 2011Compromise on price but not on features. Samsungs affordable 550 LCD HDTV series delivers Full HD resolution, playback of files from USB drives or over your home network from DLNA Certified devices, a wealth of HDMI inputs, and plenty more, all wrapped up in Samsungs eye-catching "Touch of Color" design.

Crisp, Clear Picture Quality From a TV With a True Sense of Style
1080p Full HD With Four HDMI Inputs
The LN40D550 delivers Full HD 1080p resolution, for a superb level of detail and clarity in your picture. To connect your sources, four separate HDMI inputs are provided, for delivering a Full HD picture and audio over a single cable.
Touch of Color Design
Samsungs "Touch of Color" design features a hint of amber color naturally blended into Samsungs traditional piano black bezel frame, for eye-catching style even when your TV is turned off.


Exceeds ENERGY STAR Standards
The LN40D550 exceeds the strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and US Department of Energy by up to 30%. That means you get lower utility costs, and a smaller carbon footprint.
ConnectShare Movie
Connect a thumb drive or digital camera quickly and easily via the LN40D550's USB port. An intuitive, user-friendly interface allows access to videos, music, or pictures via the remote.
AllShare DLNA Networking
For even more entertainment options, the LN40D550 lets you connect to your home network and stream music, videos, and photos from other DLNA Certified devices (your computer, network storage drive, etc.).
Game Mode
The LN40D550 features a "game mode," which turns off much of the picture processing for a faster video response. This is ideal for fast-paced video sources like video game systems, and will help gamers get the performance they're after.
Audio Performance
SRS' TheaterSound, available in new Samsung HDTVs, is an all-in-one audio suite that directly addresses the three most common consumer TV audio complaints--inconsistent volume levels, unintelligible vocals, and poor, dimension-less sound. SRS helps ensure you get great audio from the LN40D550's two 10-watt speakers, and additional technologies like Dolby Digital Plus and support for multi-channel sound (MTS) add even more on the sonic side of things.
PC Connectivity
The LN40D550 also features a PC input, so you an use it as a computer monitor.
LN40D550 Select Specifications
Video
Screen Size:
40 Inches
Display Type:
CCFL-Backlit LCD
Resolution:
1080p Full HD
Inputs
HDMI:
4 (version 1.4)
Component Video (Y/PB/PR):
2
PC Input:
1
USB 2.0 Ports:
2
Component Audio Input:
2
PC Audio Input:
1
Outputs
Digital Audio Output:
1 (Rear)
Weight and Dimensions
Dimensions (WxHxD):
39.1 x 24.1 x 3.2 Inches (39.1 x 26.3 x 10 Inches With Stand)
Weight:
31.4 lbs. (38.6 lbs. with stand)
What's in the Box
LN40D550 40-Inch Class LCD HDTV, Stand, Remote Control, Documentation
Samsung 2011 LED/LCD Feature Comparison
Series
D8000
D7900
D7000
D6500
D6400
D6300
D6000
D5500
D5003
D5010
D5000
D4003
D4000
D630
D550
D450
D403
Screen Sizes
46", 55", 60", 65"
46", 55"
46", 55", 60"
40", 46", 55", 60"
40", 46", 55", 60"
40", 46", 55"
32", 40", 46", 55", 60"
32", 40"
22", 40"
22"
22"
19", 26", 32"
19", 32"
40", 46"
32", 37", 40", 46"
22", 26", 32"
32"
Full HD 1080p
240Hz
120Hz
3D
Samsung Apps
Your Video
Search All
Web Browser
Skype
HDMI Inputs
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
2
2
2
2
4
4
4
2
2
USB Ports
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
WiFi Built-In
Micro Dimming
Micro Dimming Plus
Micro Dimming Plus
Allshare
Qwerty Remote Included
3D Glasses Included
Design
One
One
One
One
One
ToC
ToC
ToC
High Glossy Black
ToC
ToC
High Glossy Black
ToC
ToC
ToC
ToC
High Glossy Black
Bezel Type
Ultra Thin
Ultra Thin
Ultra Thin
Ultra Thin
Ultra Thin
19" has 2 HDMI inputs 19" and 22" have only 1 HDMI input

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.2 x 39.1 x 24.1 inches ; 31.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 46 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B004N866S0
• Item model number: LN40D550/G1FXZA
  

Technical Details

• 1080p resolution
• Touch of Color design
• Exceeds ENERGY STAR standards
• ConnectShare Movie
• AllShare DLNA networking

 

Samsung LN40D550 40-Inch 1080p 60 Hz LCD HDTV (Black)

 

Customer Reviews

I chose this model over other 32-inch LCDs because I'm a sucker for things like network streaming, a 5-band equalizer, picture-in-picture, and firmware updating. It also has a semi-documented headphone jack in the rear -- just turn off the speakers for it to work. Also, the power cable detaches, so you can replace that yourself.
One might dismiss this TV altogether since it doesn't have LED edge lighting, but that tech does not appear to be earning its price premium so far, considering a higher percentage of panel defects, and a black level so intense that detail often gets lost. 60Hz is also not a deal-breaker, since 120Hz tends to only show its strength with sports programming.
The picture quality is ultimately subjective, of course. But I found it well above average. Unfortunately, you can't completely disable Dynamic Contrast. The TV will tell you that it's off, but some enterprising Internet detectives at televisioninfo.com have determined that this is a ruse, which leads to some unavoidable light trailing and somewhat crushed blacks. DVDs look surprisingly good, and standard-definition signals look very solid but not outstanding.
Dynamic Contrast, Black Tone, Shadow Detail, Edge Enhancement and the noise filters should probably be turned off. Unfortunately, these features can create more problems than they solve; use them sparingly. Like Spider-Man once said, "With power comes responsibility."
I have a Roku box connected through HDMI, an Xbox 360 via component, and clear QAM cable TV through the RF antenna jack in the rear. These hookups are going straight into the TV inputs -- no receiver. I figure that this eliminates a testing variable or two. Picture quality and sound was great from all three sources. When I streamed Netflix over Xbox Live, the Xbox appeared to upscale to 1080i. I could not get my 720p Roku box to do this over HDMI.
(Edit: I have also now tried a third-party VGA adapter for the Xbox 360. It looks quite good using the console's "Expanded" reference level; at least on par with component, and upscaled DVDs look quite good, but not as good as Blu-ray.)
Audio is in a better boat, since the SRS functions can actually be turned off (as far as we know). There's also that 5-band equalizer. I thought the TV did surprisingly well for two downward-facing 10-watt speakers, but they won't quite replace dedicated external audio.
The D550 doesn't do Internet apps, but this feature is becoming increasingly redundant. As for network sharing, you are not limited to Samsung's proprietary, Windows-only "PC Share Manager" software, either. There's a variety of free, multi-platform software that handle networked media libraries. Unfortunately, Samsung appears to have not implemented DLNA according to spec, so you may have trouble getting third-party software to work properly. I had the best experience with TVMobili, which is thankfully free and compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux. Serviio is also good.
In its promotional material, Samsung swears that its Wi-Fi "LinkStick" dongle is required for wireless networking (and it is not bundled with this TV). This is simply not the case. You can just use a wireless-N Ethernet "game adapter," which can be had for as little as $30 if you shop around. Dongles are also only compatible with a few devices from one manufacturer.
(Edit: It's come to my attention that an Intellinet 523974 might also work in place of Samsung's official dongle. I cannot directly confirm it, though. It is also reportedly 2.4Ghz, while the dual-band Samsung model adds a 5Ghz option.)
The "E-manual" built into the TV's menu system isn't very good and is difficult to navigate. The PDF version on their website is... a PDF version of the e-manual. Which is white text on a black background. So much for printing it out...
Also, the two-piece pedestal requires a Phillips screwdriver. That's not bad, but the screws required quite a lot of torque to get them all the way in. Also, you need to attach the top part at a certain angle, or else it won't be flush with the base.
A note about shipping: Amazon Prime does not currently provide 2-day or next-day shipping for this unit; "3-5 business days" is the official line. This is not unusual for products of this size and weight. However, the unit arrived at my door less than 48 hours after I ordered it. So I appreciate Amazon's and UPS's fast service! But your own experience will vary according to your distance from the warehouse and other factors.
(Update 4/25: This item is not currently shipped from and sold by Amazon, nor eligible for Amazon Prime. "Video ; Audio Center" is handling the item instead. I am not familiar with their service, so the previous paragraph does not apply to the current purchase experience. "3-5 business days" is still the official shipping time, but I don't know how long it may take this third party to process the order before shipping. It may take a few hours, or a few days. Just a friendly heads-up.)
Despite this TV's quirks and poor documentation, I think it gets 5 stars for a really good picture and above-average sound (as long as you tweak that equalizer for some bass). I guess that's what matters most in the end, right?
Please leave a comment if I've left you with questions, and I'll answer to the best of my knowledge.
--Edit Jan 13 2012--
Just reporting in to say that the unit is still performing just fine. It's performed quite well as an interim computer monitor -- just make sure to label the input as "PC." I don't recommend using it as a permanent computer display, because pixel density at this screen size is sub-optimal. (At desktop distance, you don't want larger than 24 inches, assuming a maximum resolution of 1920x1080.) But with some cool-looking wallpaper, its presence is not unwelcome :)
However, LG has been pricing their LCDs very aggressively lately, so I recommend researching those units as well.

For the last year I've been looking for a TV to replace my 2009 Samsung 26" LCD. It had what some people call "smudging" or "smearing" where if two really dark images move near one another, the black area would leave a trail. It looks sort of like when you make a dark circle with a pencil and run your finger over it. It made night scenes in movies and games really distracting. I even saw it in people with black hair watching 720p Lost episodes.
From what I can tell so far, this set has none of it. I went through a Sony, a Toshiba, an LG, and another Samsung. All but the LG had this issue, and the LG had atrocious black levels due to it being a technically "better" IPS panel. I love my LG IPS monitors, but for TV it looks awful. So I stuck with Samsung's PVA panels, and boy am I glad I did.
I immediately turned off all the video processing options and turned the backlight down from 14 to 8. IMPECCABLE picture as far as I'm concerned. Looks incredible even at 1080i. It's no plasma, but hey, 32-inch plasmas don't exist, so I'm content with LCD.
I have no idea how the input lag is for video games since I play relatively slowly paced games. No fighters, competitive FPS, or other twitch reflex games in my library. I'd be a bit leery if that's super critical for you until more accurate tests are out there. It seems fine to me, but I'm not very sensitive to lag, so take it with a grain of salt.
Bottom line, great picture quality, great black levels (for an LCD), decent motion handling (it IS only 60Hz), lots of options to mess with, plenty of inputs, a sleek design. I would buy this TV again in a heartbeat, personally. As the first reviewer said, JUST what I was looking for.

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