Samsung UE40B7000 LED LCD TV Review
Overview:
Pros:
- Breath taking looks.
- Amazing screen performance with the use of LEDs.
- Ample connectivity options.
- Comes with 2 remote controls.
- Impressive Secure Digital (SD) video processing.
- Extensive networking and media playback performance with the help of Internet @ TV, Media Play, DLNA, etc.
- Consumes much less power than most LCD televisions of similar size.
Cons:
- Very poor audio quality.
- The chief remote is quite bizarre.
- Mild clouding and backlight bleeding may sometimes affect viewing satisfaction.
- The time delay in input may affect gamers who are sensitive.
- Absence of WiFi adapter.
Review:
Samsung Electronics is the world’s largest electronics company with its headquarters located in South Korea. Samsung Electronics has emerged to be the global market leader in more than 60 products, including semiconductor memory devices such as DRAM, SDRAM, flash memory and hard drives, digital displays such as LCD, plasma displays and OLED displays, home electronics, Blu-ray players, mobile devices, MP3 players, digital cameras and camcorders, laptops, printers etc.
Samsung has proved itself to be one among the best TV manufacturers in the world, with the production of LCD TVs and LED TVs. The latest addition to the market is the Samsung UE40B7000 LCD TV, which will be reviewed in the following sections.
The UE40B7000 LCD model features a 1080 p HD (1920 x 1080) resolution, a 40″ LCD display and LED edge lighting. The first thing one might notice about the UE40B7000 is its super thin display which can be credited to the usage of extra small LED lamps. Fortunately, the extra slim design of the UE40B7000 looks good because it does not have a thick connection panel. The only major concern regarding this particular model is with respect to the TV’s sound. It does not quite match the quality of the image.
Design:
Thinnest LCD TV?
The dimensions of the Samsung UE40B7000 are (H x D x W) 39.2” x 24.8” x 1.2″. It can be described as wafer-thin because it is only 3 cm in depth. Its meekly reflective “Ultra Clear Panel” is boded by a svelte black bezel infused with red accent near its outer edges. It is further enclosed by a thin strip of pellucid plastic extending beyond the borders. Underneath the Samsung logo, one might expect to find a smiling red-orange LED indicator light which blinks in correspondence to any remote control press even if you opted to turn it off in the user main menu. The black rectangular base of the swiveling pedestal stand sports red borders with transparent fringe, designed to match the bezel. The translucent pedestal stem also allows you to vaguely spot your cables running down the back of the Samsung UE40B7000 HDTV, which some people may consider an advantage.
Usage of LED:
Instead of using a full back array of Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps (CCFL) tubes for display related functions, the Samsung UE40B7000 has successfully managed to use edge mounted LED lamps which make the television screen much thinner. Apart from the advantage of having a thin TV, the electrical consumption is minimal. But in comparison to other TV’s, the UE40B7000 does not allow localised dimming. There is uniform brightness throughout and the back lights cannot be shut off, which is, obviously a disadvantage as it makes viewing less comfortable.
LED backlighting has the following benefits:
- It uses a system of grids to create a more even backlight across the monitor.
- Even perfect blacks are extremely feasible – unachievable with LCD TVs.
- Response times (when viewing a quickly shifting picture) are faster when viewing a quickly shifting picture.
- The assortment of colours that can be displayed is much better.
Picture perfect:
The screen size of the Samsung UE40B7000 LCD TV is 40 inch and has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and uses Mega contrast technology. The picture engine used is the Samsung LED engine. For images that are stunningly true to life what you need are the 3 C’s: contrast, colour and clarity. The Mega Contrast Ratio feature brings out all the shades of grey as well the shades of amber, fuchsia and magenta. A Wide “Colour Enhancer pro” with LED gamut ensures that each and every pixel is robust and vibrant. Apart from that, the 100 Hz Motion Plus technology removes edge-blur which makes the images picture perfect, literally.
Connectivity:
With 2 USB ports, 4 HDMI ports and a LAN port, the Samsung UE40B7000 40 inch LED LCD TV has all the connectivity you will ever need for the anticipated future. With an additional, readily purchased wireless USB stick, the UE40B7000 can be used in any home wireless network. The USB memory device can be used to permit it to play most multimedia file formats.
Infrared Remote controls:
The Samsung UE40B7000 LCD TV comes with two remote controls.
- The first remote control features a glossy black coating and is user-friendly with backlit buttons. It has a peculiar hook-shaped projection which curves backwards at the bottom of the remote, which according to some, adds to the looks.
- The second, smaller remote looks like a supersized key fob, and let’s turn ON or OFF the power to the Samsung UE40B7000. In addition to the basic power option, the remote also lets you change the volume and channels. The pebble shaped remote control is an exquisite piece of electronic art. Apart from the great looks, we have no reason to believe that the remote will be use at all.
Features:
Network Functionality:
The most elegant feature of the Samsung UE40B7000 Full HD Television is its network functionality. You can easily connect your TV to a PC network using a standard Ethernet cable that is used for networking. The only additional hardware you will require will be a router if you want to have access to a PC network. In the same way, you will have to have an internet connection for allowing online functions in the network.
High Definition Multimedia Interface:
It is the easiest way to get HD video and pictures onto LED TVs. It is as easy as using single HDMI cord and images can be transferred without data loss or any headaches.
Picture and Audio Playback:
A very important function that the Samsung UE40B7000 allows the user is playback of picture and audio from your PC while it is switched on. In order to do this, you must have the software. The Samsung UE40B7000 comes with the necessary software called PC Share Manager Version 2.0. It is compatible with windows.
Performance:
Video Processing:
Standard definition video processing is very good on the Samsung UE40B7000 LED TV. On using Game Mode for critical viewing for investigating its video processing properties, the following were observed:
- Really bad video-mode de - interlacing
- No film-mode de – interlacing was observed
- Digital noise suppression at baseline was marginally worse
- The 100 Hz Motion Plus feature greyed out and therefore could not be activated
Sound Quality:
As obvious from the acoustic limitations imposed by the Samsung UE40B7000’s super slim chassis, its internal speakers sound hollow. It can however go fairly loud without distorting, and dialogues are reasonably clear without any disturbances. The Samsung UE40B7000 does not produce any significant background noise while in use or in standby mode. But it you are into critical listening, you might want to consider spending some extra money on an external home theatre system.
Gaming:
If you are the kind of person who loves gaming, there are different options to choose from. There is an interface card slot which is additional as well as two USB 2.0 ports that you could use. High Definition sources are particularly strong on the Samsung screen. High Definition Gaming (HDG) also works glibly.
Users are given the option of selecting a pre-configured Game Mode, which cuts out the dynamic contrast and makes a few other changes, but it is not a must; you can get just as good results by doing some of your own tweaking.
Content Flash Library:
Feel like playing a game of chess instead of watching TV? LED 7000’s Content Flash Library let’s you do that with so much ease. You can create your own content, ranging from children’s games to fitness to even a movie. Downloading is even easier.
Energy efficiency:
LEDs utilize a large amount less power (between 100W and-0W) than the traditional fluorescent backlighting so the TV will be less expensive to operate than its competitors.
Warranty:
The Samsung UE40B7000 comes with a limited 12 month warranty for parts and labour.
Conclusion:
The UE40B7000 is the successful end result of Samsung Electronics’ commendable effort at implementing edge-lit LED backlighting technology on a flat screen HDTV. This first generation product is not problem-free. The edge LED system does contribute a lot to some backlight uniformity issues, the severity of which varies from unit to unit. Mild clouding and backlight bleeding are common in the series, but with proper calibration and ambient light setting, it does not turn out to be a great issue.
Samsung has also introduced low APL auto-dimming that has adversely affected the image quality of darker scenes. The auto-dimming can be further prevented by engaging Game Mode and disabling Dynamic Contrast. But this does come with an unfortunate side effect – we will have to sacrifice on video processing capabilities of the monitor, motion resolution and 1080p/24 handling. Having talked about all the demerits, the Samsung UE40B7000 LED TV is does have its merits. The television set’s stunning design; deep blacks, accurate colours, advanced motion-compensated frame interpolation (MCFI) technology, impressive video processing, superior energy efficiency and extensive networking/ media-playing functionalities did enough to earn the Samsung UE40B7000 a well-deserved place as one of the best LCD TVs available in the market.
Looking for a thin LCD TV with great looks, stunning display capabilities, and abominable networking skills? You just read the right review. Invest thoughtfully and bring home this lovely “piece of art”.
Check other Samsung LCD TV Reviews, JVC LCD Television Reviews, Specs in this website.
Samsung UE40B7000 LED Television - Technical Specification Details
| Manufacturer | Samsung |
| Model Name | Samsung UE40B7000 LED TV |
| Model number | UE40B7000 |
| Display size | 40 inch |
| Bezel Color | Rose Black |
| Swivel (left/right) | Yes (20/20) |
| Display Type | LED |
| Resolution | 1920×1080 |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Additional Display Features | Mega Contrast 24p Real Movie Samsung LED Engine |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 39.2 in. x 24.8 in. x 1.2 in. |
| Weight | 23.31 kg |
| Remote controls | 1 x RS-232 1 x IR Remote |
| Audio Output Mode | SRS TruSurround HD Sound |
| Audio Output Power | 10W |
| Speaker Type | Down Firing |
| Sound Effect System | SRS Trusurround HD & Dolby Digital Plus |
| Woofer | Yes |
| Speakers | Two |
| Convenience Features | Auto Sleep Auto Off Picture in Picture Sleep Timer Auto Channel Search Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) Game mode EPG Internet@TV Content Library |
| Additional Features | Auto Channel Search Game Mode Wide Colour Enhancer |
| Input / Output | 4 x HDMI Interface 1 x Composite Video 1 x Composite Audio 1 x Component Video 1 x Component Audio 1 x PC / VGA 1 x PC / VGA Audio 1 x Cable / Antenna 1 x Ethernet 2 x USB 1 x DVI 1 x Scart 1 x PCI Slot 1 x Digital Audio |
| Power Supply | 220 ~ 240 V / 50 ~ 50 Hz |
| Standby Power | 0.1W |
| Package contents | Power Cord Batteries Wall Mount Remote Control Simple Remote Control Install CD Slim Gender Cable Instruction Book |
| Warranty | 12 months |
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