Samsung Pushes LCD HDTVs to 65 Inches

Samsung has introduced a 65-inch LCD TV, featuring a 120 Hz refresh rate, 4ms response time, Internet connectivity...and a $6,000 price tag.

At this year’s CEDIA expo, South Korean electronics giant Samsung has taken the wraps of its new LN65B650, a massive 65-inch LCD television sporting a 120 Hz refresh rate, 4 ms response time, and extensive connectivity options. Screen sizes over 50-inches have long been the realm of plasma sets, and Samsung is taking a chance by pushing LCD technology to that size—particularly since the LN65B650 relies on fluorescent backlighting rather than the currently-vogue LED backlighting for improved contrast and color reproduction. But Samsung thinks there’s a market—and is willing to place a $5,999.99 price tag on the LN65B650 to prove it.

The LN65B650 supports full HD 1080p resolution, and Samsung claims the unit offers a 100,000 contrast ratio (we assume dynamic), along with four HDMI connectors (three in back, one on the side) two component inputs, two composite inputs, two USB 2.0 inputs (on the side) along with Ethernet, optical audio, a PC input, and an RS232 port for hooking up to home automation systems. The unit is decked out with a grey version of Samsung’s “touch of color” theme, and features two 15 watt integrated speakers. Despite the unit’s size and CCFL backlighting, Samsung claims the unit’s Wide Color Enhancer 3 will offer accurate color reproduction in a wide variety of viewing environments. Surprisingly for a set of its size, the LN65B650 meets Energy Star 3.0 certification.

The system will also feature Samsung’s Medi@ 2.0 suite of connectivity options, including a built-in content library, DLNA compatibility, and Samsung’s Internet@TV service that pulls in content from the likes of Flickr, YouTube, and Yahoo using the Yahoo Widget Engine.

Samsung says the LN65B650 should be available this month for a suggested retail price of $5,999.99—putting it squarely in the camp of home theater enthusiasts.