Samsung LN40A450 40-inch 720p LCD HDTV

If you've been thinking of making the plunge into the world of HDTV, but wanted to start out with an entry-level model, you should give full consideration to Samsung's new 40" model, the LN40A450.

This sleek new LCD television features an attractive price to someone with a limited budget, but who also wants some of the latest technological specs.

Since the LN40A450 is an entry-level model, you would expect that some of the major specs -- like resolution, pixel response and contrast ratio -- to fall well under the high-end LCDs in Samsung's vast new line-up for 2008, and you'd be right. Here's a quick feature review of the LN40A450 vs. some of Samsung's other new models.

The 40-inch LN40A450 includes the same primary specifications as the rest of the televisions in Samsung's 450 Series (or Series 4). It boasts a 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio (measuring the range of color gradation from the darkest blacks to the lightest whites the set is capable of producing. This represents a significant improvement vs. similar model sets from last year (8,000:1).

The LN40A450 also features an above-average 6-millisecond pixel response rate, which promises to reduce picture blurring and produce smooth, fast-moving images. While this is somwhat slower than the series 5 and 6 (550 and 650) LCDs from Samsung's 2008 line, it beats a good number of the most popular LCD sets on the market today. (Plus it bests Samsung's comparable models from 2007 by 2 milliseconds.)

The LN40A450 has a 450nit brightness, which is likely to display colors far more rich and realistic looking than you've typically seen on standard definition television. And the LN40A450 has integrated ATSC and QAM digital tuners, which means you'll be prepared for the new federal regulations set to go into effect in 2009 requiring television broadcasts to be high-def digital signals.

And don't forget to check whether any television you're considering has a sufficient amount of input options for your multiple video sources. The LN40A450 has a more than acceptable number, with 3 HDMI, 2 component, 1 S-video, 2 composite, and 1 PC input.

Of course, don't let us be the judge of whether this is the best HDTV for your needs. Consider the opinions of other buyers who were in your shoes. Check out reader reviews for the LN40A450 at Amazon.com.

Comparisons vs. Top 52" LCD TVs

Model	Contrast	Refresh	Max Res	HDMI	Resp Time	Weight	Price
Samsung LNT4042H	7,000:1		720p	3	8ms	40 lbs	Check Price
Samsung LNT4053H	8:000:1		720p	3		40 lbs	Check Price
Samsung LNT4061F	10,000:1		1080p	3	8ms	59 lbs	Check Price
Samsung LNT4065F	15,000:1		1080p	3	8ms	42 lbs	Check Price
Samsung LN-T4069	20,000:1	120hz	1080p	3	6ms		Check Price
Samsung LNT4071F	25,000:1	120hz	1080p	3	8ms	67 lbs	Check Price
Samsung LN-T4081F	100,000:1	120hz	1080p	3	8ms	73 lbs	Check Price
Sony Bravia 40XBR2	7,000:1		1080p	3	8ms	91 lbs	Check Price
Sony Bravia 40XBR4	18,000:1	120hz	1080p	3	8ms	58 lbs	Check Price
Sony Bravia 40XBR5	18,000:1	120hz	1080p	3	8ms	58 lbs	Check Price
Sony Bravia KDL-40S2400	5,000:1		720p	1	8ms	71 lbs	Check Price
Sony Bravia KDL-40S3000	8,000:1		720p	2	8ms	46 lbs	Check Price
Sony Bravia KDL-40V2500	7,000:1		1080p	2		43 lbs	Check Price
Sony Bravia KDL-40V3000	13,000:12		1080p	3	8ms	56 lbs	Check Price
Sony Bravia KDL-40W3000	18,000:1		1080p	3		71 lbs	Check Price

FULL COMPARISON CHART OF TOP LCD HDTVs
Compare Specifications of Best-Selling Televisions