LED = more natural colors

Sure, you have five senses, but HD home video indulges just one of them — sight. And, as you might be aware, sight is nothing more than the ability to perceive or interpret information from visible light. Ahh, that's the word: light. At its most fundamental level, your HDTV's performance is intimately linked to its ability to produce light. HDTVs use a variety of light-producing mechanisms, but the Samsung LN46A950 uses a wide-color-gamut LED backlight, offering a dynamic light source that optimizes a color's hue for reproduction of natural, lifelike colors. And when it comes to the LN46A950, that's just the beginning. A full HD 1080p resolution delivers the highest video resolution currently available — 1920 x 1080 pixels — scanned progressively with a super-fast 4ms pixel-response time for the smoothest, most lifelike image around. Samsung's Auto Motion Plus 120Hz frame-rate conversion technology delivers accurate reproduction of film-based content for a true home-theater experience. Also, there's no shortage of color, brightness, and detail across the LN46A950's 16:9 widescreen panel: a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) in combination with a wide color enhancer optimizes color reproduction while a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio conjures up precise, stunning detail, scene after scene. Finally, enjoy video from a variety of digital and analog sources thanks to a built-in image scaler and integrated ATSC and Clear QAM digital tuners.

Playing the numbers game — Auto Motion Plus 120Hz™

Here's a little secret: television and film were not created equal. Film is shot at 24 frames per second. And just about every movie disc you can buy is encoded at that speed. But television programming runs at 30 frames per second, and most TVs conform to that standard. When you watch a DVD on your TV, fitting that 24-frame content onto a 30-frame screen isn't a seamless process. You can't divide 24 by 30 evenly so video engineers fill in the gaps by placing one frame on the screen three times and the next one after that two times, which can cause stutter and other visual artifacts. Alternatively, 120Hz image processing shows 120 frames per second, showing each film frame five times and each TV frame four times, allowing TVs to reproduce unconverted, evenly extrapolated 24 fps movie and 30 fps television programming. The LN46A950's Auto Motion Plus 120Hz technology virtually eliminates any motion blur and creates smooth transitions between frames. The result is a clearer picture you have to see to believe.

Add a Touch of Color to your wall

When the first batch of Model T cars rolled off the Ford assembly line in 1908, the saying went, "You can have any color you want, as long as it's black." It seems manufacturers of flat panel televisions use the same philosophy in their production. Shop for a flat panel, and you'll find a sea of unrelenting black bezels. Samsung, however, has added a Touch of Color to some of their TVs, like the Series 9 LN46A950. Touch of Color (ToC) is a manufacturing process that infuses a rich color hue into the solid bezel during production, eliminating the need for paints or plastic veneers. With a Touch of Color, your Samsung TV will make a bold design statement hanging on your wall.

Not just an image processor, an image engine — DNIe

So what is the Samsung Digital Natural Image engine (DNIe), and why does it matter? DNIe is innovative technology that delivers a crisp, lifelike picture that more closely resembles the look of film regardless of the input signals used. Five image processors and a six-times density enhancer ensure the best picture from any source. Plug in your standard DVD player, and the LN46A950 will increase the quality of the picture. This technology guarantees the truest colors and highest contrast, while virtually eliminating digital artifacts.

Sounds good, too

Picture is only half of the high definition experience. Sound makes it complete. If you don't have the full surround sound setup, you can still get a rich sound from the LN46A950 with its SRS TruSurround XT™. TruSurround is a patented SRS technology that solves the problem of playing 5.1 multichannel content over two speakers. TruSurround delivers a compelling, virtual surround-sound experience through any two-speaker playback system, including internal television speakers and headphones. It is fully compatible with all multichannel formats up to 5.1 channels. Take full advantage of this virtual surround-sound experience with the LN46A950's built-in dual 10W speakers and integrated woofer.

High definition and connectivity go hand in hand

Video comes from more than one source these days, and that doesn't mean from two sets of rabbit ears rigged together atop your TV. No, video comes from DVD and Blu-ray, from cable and satellite, from the internet and from your camcorder or digital camera. With so many diverse sources, you need a diverse set of connectivity options . . . and the LN46A950 delivers. Four HDMI inputs (described in detail below) provide optimal HD connectivity, while two component-video inputs and one S-video input are great for DVD and VHS input. Use your new Samsung flat panel as a computer monitor for watching online content with a PC input, and hook up your portable media player, digital camera, or digital camcorder thanks to a Wiselink® USB v2.0 port.

Veritable viewing versatility

A variety of video content sources mean you have a variety of viewing needs. The LN46A950's Entertainment mode allows customized picture settings, optimized for different content, such as sports, movies, or gaming. Picture-in-Picture (PIP) enables convenient simultaneous viewing of TV programs and video or PC sources. Finally, because your place will become the new favorite for movie night and game-day viewing, you'll need the LN46A950's wide 178° x 178° viewing angle to give everyone a clear view of all the excitement.

Keeping you in touch with the world

Just in case you spend so much of your time with your new LN46A950 that you forget to spend the appropriate amount of time surfing the web, Samsung has included the InfoLink RSS feature on this TV. You'll enjoy access to news, weather, sports, and stock information from USA Today right on your screen via RSS link. (Requires internet connection).

HDMI: advanced connectivity

Bringing you the absolute best in connectivity, Samsung's LN46A950 features four HDMI connections. HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the only interface in consumer electronics that can carry both uncompressed high-definition (HD) video and uncompressed multi-channel audio in all HD formats including 720p, 1080i and even 1080p. Your incoming media content comes in a variety of sizes, resolutions and formats, and with that in mind, HDMI systems automatically configure to display that content in the most effective format. Since HDMI carries all channels on video and audio, there is only one cable to plug into any HDMI-enabled source and display device. No more complicated cable set-up when installing your home theater system, and no more ugly cable mess behind your components. HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on this single cable. Also, HDMI is fully backward-compatible with DVI. (Please note that a physical adapter, sold separately, is needed to make the conversion from HDMI to DVI.)

Avoid the 'No Wire' ire

The advent of HDMI has been monumental in the advancement of all your favorite audio and video gadgets. Don't miss out on all that your new LN46A950 offers — in terms of high-definition audio and video connectivity — by leaving a set of HDMI cables off the list. Vann's sales representatives are here to explain all your options, so you can make the best purchase and get the most out of your HD system. Call for expert advice: 1-800-769-5668.

ENERGY STAR of approval

Seeking to meet your demand to reduce energy use and preserve the environment, Samsung has made sure that the LN46A950 meets the U.S. government's standard for ENERGY STAR® qualification. What does the ENERGY STAR qualification mean? ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. For the family or homeowner, energy efficient choices can reduce energy consumption and expenses by up to one third while resulting in similar savings of greenhouse gas emissions, without sacrificing features, style or comfort. ENERGY STAR helps you make the energy efficient choice. When a product boasts the ENERGY STAR qualification, this means the product meets stringent government standards set by the EPA and US Department of Energy for conserving both energy and the environment. So whether you are concerned for the environment, your pocket book or both, this HDTV helps ensure both are given an easier load to bear.

Comparison Specifications

• Screen size: 46" class (45.9" measured diagonally) full HD 1080p LCD
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• Viewing angle: 178° x 178°
• Progressive features: Auto Motion Plus 120Hz™ / Digital Natural Image engine
• Best video inputs: 4 HDMI v1.3 (3 rear, 1 side)
• Other inputs: 2 rear component video / 1 rear S-video / 2 composite (1 rear, 1 side) / 1 PC input / 1 USB 2.0 / 2 RF antenna / Headphone jack
• Audio enhancements: SRS TruSurround XT™
• Built-in speakers: 2 x 10W down-firing speakers / Integrated woofer
• Mounting options: Table stand included
• Remote Control: Matching gray Touch of Color remote and standard universal wheel-key remote control included

Additional Specifications

• Panel response time: 4ms
• Tuners: Built-in NTSC, ATSC, and Clear QAM tuners
• Dynamic contrast ratio: 1,000,000:1
• DNLA™ certified
• Touch of Color™
• WiseLink™ Pro USB 2.0 input
• InfoLink™ RSS feeds
• Wide Color Enhancer
• Pre-loaded Content Library™: Exercise, children's entertainment, cooking, image gallery, games
• ENERGY STAR qualified

Manufacturer Specifications

• Ultra Clear Panel™ advanced LCD technology
• Lamp: Cold-cathode fluorrescent lamp
• Entertainment mode
• Picture-in-picture viewing
• Stereo broadcast reception supports MTS multichannel sound and SAP second audio program with 181-channel capacity
• V-Chip system
• Trilingual on-screen display: English / Spanish / French
• Variable sleep timer
• Channel coverage: VHF 2-13 / UHF 14-69 / CATV 1-125
• Antenna: CATV/VHF/UHF 75 ohm, F-type

Dimensional Specifications

• Dimensions: Without stand: 45.7" W x 27.5" H x 4.2" D / With stand: 45.7" W x 29.9" H x 11.8" D
• Weight: Without stand: 58.0 lbs / With stand: 67.7 lbs

Samsung LN46A950 Warranty Details

18-month parts and labor warranty