While the Samsung Galaxy Tab – a touch-screen tablet which will go head-to-head with the Apple iPad – snatched most of the media’s attention at the company’s showing at the IFA 2010 consumer electronics trade fair in Berlin, Samsung was quick to remind attendees that it is still fully committed to the 3D cause by launching the biggest full HD LED-backlit 3D TV in the world, and also a couple of 3D plasma TVs.
The Samsung UE65C8000 is a 65-inch behemoth which Samsung claims is the world’s largest LED-based 3D TV (the UE65C8000 would have picked up the world’s largest 3D TV crown were it not for Panasonic’s very own 65-incher, the TX-P65VT20 plasma 3D TV).
A gargantuan addition to the C8000 series, the Samsung UE65C8000 boasts a super-slim chassis (thanks to its edge-lit LED backlighting system), the company’s proprietary 3D video processor, Precision Dimming technology, and a number of multimedia features including Samsung Apps service and wireless connectivity.
The Samsung UE65C8000 is scheduled to hit UK shops in October, but the 3D LED TV won’t come cheap. Although UK pricing details are not available yet, in Europe the Samsung UE65C8000 commands a wallet-busting price tag of 5,995 Euros (around £5,000).
One of the very few TV makers still actively developing and selling plasma televisions, Samsung has bolstered its plasma range with the C680 and C490 3D-ready series. Both are available in 50-inch screen size (Samsung PS50C680 and Samsung PS50C490), and according to Samsung feature Clear Image Panel technology, wider viewing angles, and a 40% reduction in energy consumption compared to last year’s models.
The 3D Hyper Real video processing engine control on the Samsung PS50C680 and Samsung PS50C490 allows users to tweak contrast, colour and motion on the plasma TVs for an individualised 3D viewing experience. The PS50C680 is also equipped with Samsung AllShare technology that lets owners stream media content from compatible DLNA devices.
The Samsung PS50C680 and Samsung PS50C490 are priced at 1,349 Euros (around £1,125) and 1,099 Euros (around £915) respectively, but UK pricing and availability remains unknown at this time of writing.
