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The 5 series of LCD televisions are part of Samsung's 2008 line of sets. The 5 series are the least expensive of the line that feature a 1080p native resolution. Above the 5 series is the 6 series line that adds 120Hz mode, and an ethernet connection. What the 5 and 6 series share in common are the 3D content support, and integrated USB port. The 5 series does use an anti-glare screen, however it's not the same "clear view" panel used in the higher end 6 and 7 series.
MSRP $950 - $2,099
Release date March, 2008
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Pros & Cons10
Reviews11
Details
Buy It9
Competitors17
Related17
Gallery6
Pros & Cons
9 positive
0 mixed
2 negative
How is the ProSCORE calculated?
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The ProSCORE is calculated based on the ratio of Pros & Cons about this product as voted by
approved reviewers from the ProductWiki community.
ProSCORE = 100 x (Pro votes) / [(Pro votes) + (Con votes)]
Numbers used for this ProSCORE:
Pro votes = 30
Con votes = 11
Total votes = 41
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Details
Specs
- 1080p native resolution
- 30,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
- 5ms response time
- Built-in HD Tuner
- Inputs: 3xHDMI 1.3, 2xComponent, 2xComposite, 1xS-Video, 1xVGA
550 features
USB port - view digital media content such as pictures and audio that are stored on USB mass storage devices without the need of a computer.
3 HDMI ports - the lower level series feature 3 HDMI ports, with the high-end models adding an extra HDMI port for more expandability. All HDMI ports are version 1.3.
Common to all 2008 Samsung plasmas
Anti-glare screen - first introduced in the Samsung's 71F series of television released in 2007, Samsung claims they have improved the glossy anti-glare screen to reduce glare and reduce reflections.
3D support - the televisions can accept and properly display 3D content. If you have the proper glasses and source conent the TV will handle 3D images.
Models
The 5 Series has the following naming convention: Samsung LNxxA550P. Where XX is replaced by the size of the television.
The 530 models which follow the Samsung LNxxA530 naming convention are exactly the same as the 550 models but use a non-glossy matte screen
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This report was started
March 13, 2008 at 2:07 pm by
Omar
with the last edit occurring
September 29, 2009 at 3:21 pm by
Matthew Kidd
This page has been viewed
44197 times,
with
207 edits by
16 contributors.
See the
full report history »
Buy It
Samsung LN37A550
• Samsung LN37A550 37-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
• LN37A550 37" LCD TV
UPC: 036725228160
EAN: 036725228160
MPN: LN-37A550
Samsung LN40A550
• Samsung LN40A550 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
• LN40A550 40" LCD TV
UPC: 036725228177
EAN: 036725228177
MPN: LN-40A550
Samsung LN40A530
• Samsung LN40A530 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
• LN40A530 40" LCD TV
UPC: 036725228290
EAN: 036725228290
MPN: LN40A530P1FXZA
Samsung LN46A530
• Samsung LN46A530 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
• LN-46A530 46" LCD TV
UPC: 036725228306
EAN: 036725228306
MPN: LN46A530P1FXZA
Samsung LN52A530
• Samsung LN52A530 52-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
• LN52A530 52" LCD TV
UPC: 036725228313
EAN: 0036725228313
MPN: LN52A530P1FXZA
Samsung LN32A550P
• Samsung LN32A550 32-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
• LN32A550 32" LCD TV
UPC: 036725228153
EAN: 036725228153
MPN: LN32A550P3FXZA
Samsung LN52A550
• Samsung LN52A550 52-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
• LN52A550 52" LCD TV
UPC: 036725228191
EAN: 335520263704
MPN: LN-52A550
Samsung LN37A530
• Samsung LN37A530 37-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
• LN37A530 37" LCD TV
UPC: 036725228283
EAN: 0036725228283
MPN: LN37A530P1FXZA
Samsung LN46A550
• Samsung LN46A550 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
• LN46A550 46" LCD TV
UPC: 036725228184
EAN: 036725228184
MPN: LN-46A550
Competitors
Samsung 5 Series (2008) is ranked 1st among it's competitors.
See the
top picks in
Televisions »
MSRP $1,200 - $1,600
Released June, 2008
Pros
- 10-bit panel
- Slick interface
- 1080p/60Hz support on component
- Great for gaming
Cons
- More expensive than other manufacturers
Samsung 5 Series (2008)
67%
vs.
Sony Bravia S4100 Series
33%
MSRP $1,499 - $2,699
Released April, 2008
Pros
- Accepts 1080p/60Hz and 24Hz content over both HDMI and component
- Good entry into 1080p native resolution without paying for fancy extraneous features
- 4 HDMI inputs
- Same Bravia Engine 2 as higher end models
Cons
- Minor upgrade over previous models
Samsung 5 Series (2008)
67%
vs.
Sony Bravia V4100 Series
33%
MSRP $1,100 - $2,700
Released March, 2008
Pros
- Four HDMI inputs
- Great black levels
- Great price/performance value
Cons
- Component input can't handle 1080p
- VGA input max resolution is 1280x1024
- TV is really 1080i steped up to 1080P (was told by toshiba techsupport)
Samsung 5 Series (2008)
67%
vs.
Toshiba Regza RV530U Series
33%
MSRP $1,400 - $3,000
Released March, 2008
Pros
- USB2.0 port for digital media
- Decent price for this level
- Fast and easy menu
Cons
- Only 3 HDMI inputs
- poor contrast
- Weak speakers
Samsung 5 Series (2008)
83%
vs.
LG LG50 Series
17%
MSRP $1,399 - $1,599
Released May, 2008
Pros
- Great picture quality
- Competes with the XBR6 series but comes in cheaper
- Fantastic black levels
Samsung 5 Series (2008)
100%
vs.
Panasonic Viera LZ800 Series
0%
MSRP $999 - $1,599
Released October, 2008
The REGZA RV525 series from Toshiba introduced in the fall of 2008 replaces Toshiba's 530 Series as their entry-level 1080p line. As an entry-level line the 525s lack a lot of the fancier features of the more expensive step-ups, most notably the lack of 120Hz refresh rate and motion compensation technology. The 525s are...
Samsung 5 Series (2008)
100%
vs.
Toshiba REGZA RV525 Series
0%
MSRP $799 - $2,099
Released April, 2008
Pros
- Attractive styling
- Handles most common PC resolutions including 1080p
- Support for 1080p/60Hz
Cons
- Speakers definitely don't replace dedicated sound system
Samsung 5 Series (2008)
100%
vs.
Philips 5000 Series
0%
MSRP $1,300 - $2,000
Released April, 2008
Pros
- Great connectivity options for this level
- Attractive styling
- Supports a lot of resolutions, including 1080/60p and 1080 over VGA
Cons
- No independent backlight control
Samsung 5 Series (2008)
100%
vs.
Philips 3600 Series
0%
MSRP $1,099 - $1,499
Released May, 2008
Pros
- Less expensive than the competition
- Powerful speakers
Cons
- Doesn't differentiate much from the TX Series
Samsung 5 Series (2008)
100%
vs.
Westinghouse VK Series
0%
MSRP $1,599 - $2,499
Released May, 2008
Pros
- Decent speakers compared to competition
- Decently priced compared to competition
- Great picture and price
Cons
- No 120Hz mode
- EPG doesn't work and can't digital 5.1 out of it
Samsung 5 Series (2008)
100%
vs.
Westinghouse TX Series
0%
MSRP $1,899 - $2,399
Released September, 2008
Pros
- Low power consumption
- Light weight
Cons
- Need a special JVC motorized mount to take full advantage of slim profile
- HDMI handshake problems
- No 1080p support over component input
Samsung 5 Series (2008)
100%
vs.
JVC SL Series
0%
MSRP $1,600 - $2,199
Released March, 2008
The P Series is a line of 1080p LCD televisions from JVC releases in 2008 and is one of the first line of HDTVs to have a built-in iPod dock. Specification-wise the P Series is similar to the lower priced X Series though the difference in prices isn't significant. Similar to the X Series and other JVC...
Samsung 5 Series (2008)
100%
vs.
JVC P Series
0%
MSRP $1,700 - $2,100
Released April, 2008
The 579 X-Series is JVC's least expensive line of LCD televisions that falls in the mid-range of other manufacturers with a 1080p native resolution. JVC differentiates their televisions by using their own proprietary image processing technology on their "GENESSA" chip. The 2008 X-Series televisions succeed the 2007 versions, though the difference in specifications is...
Samsung 5 Series (2008)
100%
vs.
JVC 579 X-Series
0%
MSRP --
Released February, 2008
Pros
- Better contrast ratio than VW Series
- Well priced
Cons
- Not much differentiation between other Vizio lines
- No dynamic backlight
Samsung 5 Series (2008)
100%
vs.
Vizio Envy Series
0%
MSRP --
Released March, 2008
Pros
- Decent price for the features
- Dynamic backlight system
- Good number of HDMI inputs
- 30A revision uses 10-bit panel
Cons
- 8-bit versus 10-bit panel
Samsung 5 Series (2008)
100%
vs.
Vizio Evolution Series
0%
MSRP --
Released March, 2008
The D74U Series of line of 2008 LCD televisions offer a 1080p native resolution and an ethernet port for accessing content and support directly from the Net. These sets bridge the grap between the lower end D64U series and the flagship SE94U series. Compared with the SE94s, 74U are missing the 10-bit panel and...
Samsung 5 Series (2008)
100%
vs.
Sharp AQUOS D74U Series
0%
MSRP $1,100 - $6,000
Released September, 2007
Pros
- Very Thin
- True film conversion to 48Hz in some models
- incredible black levels - great contrast and sharpness
Cons
- Confusion over which models offer true film conversion
- Larger display sizes exhibit noticeable banding problems
- Does not pass thru Dolby Digital 5.1 Altho it will output 5.1 from antenna source.
Samsung 5 Series (2008)
100%
vs.
Sharp AQUOS D64U Series
0%
Reviews
January 7, 2009
approved
reviewer

want it
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Pros
- High contrast ratio
- Good black levels
- 1080p native resolution
- Glossy screen, but not as reflective as 71F series
- Great for gaming
Cons
- Doesn't have the same 'super-clear' screen as the 6 and 7 series
Competitors
ace660 prefers
Samsung 5 Series (2008) over
Philips 5000 Series,
Vizio Evolution Series,
Vizio Envy Series,
JVC 579 X-Series,
JVC SL Series,
Westinghouse TX Series,
Westinghouse VK Series,
Philips 3600 Series,
Toshiba REGZA RV525 Series,
LG LG50 Series,
Toshiba Regza RV530U Series,
Sony Bravia S4100 Series,
Sharp AQUOS D74U Series,
Sharp AQUOS D64U Series,
JVC P Series
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
April 7, 2008
approved
reviewer
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Pros
- High contrast ratio
- Good black levels
- Glossy screen, but not as reflective as 71F series
Cons
- Doesn't have the same 'super-clear' screen as the 6 and 7 series
- Glossy bevel can be distracting
- Only 3 HDMI inputs
- Poor built-in speakers
- No 120Hz display mode
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
March 1, 2009
approved
reviewer
Pros
- High contrast ratio
- Good black levels
- 1080p native resolution
- Glossy screen, but not as reflective as 71F series
- Great for gaming
Cons
Did not agree with any cons
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
March 19, 2009
approved
reviewer

have it

love it
Pros
- High contrast ratio
- Good black levels
- 1080p native resolution
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
June 5, 2008
approved
reviewer

want it
Pros
- High contrast ratio
- Good black levels
- Glossy screen, but not as reflective as 71F series
Competitors
rogerchoi prefers
Samsung 5 Series (2008) over
Westinghouse TX Series,
Sony Bravia S4100 Series,
Philips 3600 Series,
Philips 5000 Series,
Sony Bravia V4100 Series,
LG LG50 Series,
Toshiba Regza RV530U Series,
Westinghouse VK Series,
JVC SL Series,
Sharp AQUOS D64U Series,
JVC 579 X-Series,
Sharp AQUOS D74U Series,
Vizio Evolution Series,
Vizio Envy Series,
JVC P Series
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
September 29, 2009
approved
reviewer
Cons
- Glossy bevel can be distracting
- Only 3 HDMI inputs
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
July 23, 2009
approved
reviewer

have it
Pros
- High contrast ratio
- Good black levels
- 1080p native resolution
Cons
Did not agree with any cons
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
July 19, 2008
approved
reviewer

have it
Pros
- High contrast ratio
- Glossy screen, but not as reflective as 71F series
Cons
- Glossy bevel can be distracting
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
August 7, 2008
approved
reviewer

have it

love it
Pros
- High contrast ratio
- Good black levels
Cons
Did not agree with any cons
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
July 19, 2008
approved
reviewer

want it
Pros
- High contrast ratio
- Good black levels
Cons
Did not agree with any cons
Competitors
goodbyemoff prefers
Samsung 5 Series (2008) over
JVC SL Series,
JVC 579 X-Series,
JVC P Series,
Vizio Envy Series,
Vizio Evolution Series,
Westinghouse VK Series,
Philips 3600 Series,
Philips 5000 Series,
Sony Bravia V4100 Series,
Westinghouse TX Series,
LG LG50 Series,
Sony Bravia S4100 Series
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
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