Samsung touches LCDs with color, shine

The Samsung LNA650T series adds a colorful accent around the edge of the frame.

(Credit: Samsung)

Samsung's design for its second-highest-end series of LCD TVs announced at CES 2008, the LNA650T adds a colorful accent along the edge of the panel, called "TOC" for Touch of Color, for a look that's a slight departure from the all-glossy-black look of 2007. Red (pictured) will be the first color available, although a company rep said purple and blue, among other colors, will follow.

These models otherwise seem very similar to the LN-T71F series from 2007, of which we reviewed the 46-inch LN-T4671F. They include 120Hz technology processing and similar panel specs (4ms response time, 178-degree viewing angles), as well as the same kind of shiny, reflective screen. The company says it has improved the screen over the 2007 models, so we'll see if the reflections we complained about in our reviews have been reduced.

Samsung is also touting a new user interface that makes managing multimedia content easier, in conjunction with a new remote control that incorporates a wheel for easier navigation.

The LNA650T series includes three sizes: the 40-inch LN40A650T, the 46-inch LN46A650T and the 52-inch LN52A650T. As with other Samsung HDTVs announced at the show, the company will release these models in March and didn't mention pricing by press time.

Samsung LNA650T key features

• TruMotion 120Hz technology
• 1080p native resolution
• Shiny screen
• Four HDMI with Simplay certification