LED HDTVs - Samsung LN55A950 vs Sony KDL-55XBR8

LED-backlit HDTVs are becoming more and more popular. After all, they not only save energy and prolong shelf life. They also contribute to the picture quality of LCD televisions
. The Samsung LN55A950 and the Sony KDL-55XBR8 are two excellent examples. In fact, they are similar in many ways which is why it takes a closer look at both models to determine which one you should buy.

Design
In spite of their many similarities, the Samsung LN55A950 and the Sony KDL-55XBR8 have very different designs. In fact, the only thing they have in common here is that they both come with stands, which unfortunately, don't swivel. Their designs are not too impressive, though. In the case of the KDL-55XBR8, many are sure to mind the protruding side-mounted black speakers, even though they do appear stylishly suspended because of their transparent panels and have alternate color grilles, while the Samsung LN55A950 fails to make a statement with its plain black bezel with a subtle touch of dark gray.

Picture Quality
The picture quality of both models more than make up for what they lack in design, though, which is what makes them both outstanding LCD HD televisions. Both particularly deliver blacks that are extremely deep for an LCD television because of the local dimming function afforded by their LED backlighting. To understand this better, keep in mind that LEDs are arranged in color clusters which can be dimmed or turned off per individually. On the other hand, most LCD TVs use a fluorescent light, so a portion of it has to be dimmed to create black levels which are dark gray at best. The black levels offered by the Sony Bravia are especially impressive, coming close to that of the Kuros.

Video Processing
Another strong point of both models is that they offer solid video processing and superb dejudder capabilities, which combined with their 120Hz refresh rate, result in images that remain smooth and clear even during very fast motion sequences, like car chases or sports races. These processing modes are called Auto Motion Plus for Samsung and Motion Enhancer for Sony, which have three settings each.

Interactive Functions
Nowadays, televisions are not just used for watching broadcast shows or movies, but also for accessing the internet. This is particularly true for the LN55A950, which has a bunch of pre-loaded content and an InfoLink feature that allows you to access the latest information such as news and weather reports on your screen, and the KDL-55XBR8, which is compatible with the Bravia Internet Video Link, a video streaming device which lets you watch online videos from selected sites for free. The KDL-55XBR8 also has an interactive TV guide which provides updated program listings and schedules.

Connectivity Options
You won't be disappointed by the connectivity options offered by both models, particularly the Sony Bravia KDL-55XBR8, which has four HDMI inputs, a PC input and a USB slot along with various video inputs and both digital and analog video outputs. The Samsung LN55A950 also has four HDMI inputs and a PC input, as well as a headphone jack, while both have a DLNA certified network link which allows you to make them a part of your existing home network so you can access content from your other computers.

Power-Saving Options
The Samsung LN55A950 and the Sony KDL-55XBR8 are both highly energy-efficient, not just because they are LCD televisions but because of their LED backlighting. In addition, they have other power-saving options which exceed Energy Star compliance. For example, the LN55A950 has three power-saving modes and a default picture mode with a low light output while the KDL-55XBR8 has a Home Option which offers lower light output and an option to limit the peak brightness.

Cost
With all their features and qualities, there is no doubt why the Samsung LN55A950 and the Sony KDL-55XBR8 are at the top of the heap. Indeed, although the KDL-55XBR8 has a slight edge in terms of picture quality and connectivity, the LN55A950 is very impressive, too, which is why it is just as expensive as the former. This means you'll be left with a large hole in your savings, if you still have some left, that is. Then again, the viewing experience you get in return for many years to come should be worth it.