If you’re looking for a 55-inch LED-based HDTV, the Samsung UN55B7000 LED HDTV and the Samsung UN55B8000 55-Inch LED HDTV are two of the top offerings from Samsung. Both deliver breathtaking images at much less the energy consumed by other models. The UN55B8000 is more expensive, though, which makes one wonder if the UN55B7000 is just as good.
Let’s take a look at the key differences of both models. For one, you can be able to tell them apart by just a glance, since the UN55B7000 has a distinct amber border on its panel, while the only touch of color on the UN55B8000 is its blue power indicator, which can even be turned off. Both are among Samsung’s thinnest HDTVs, measuring a maximum of 1.2 inches deep, although the UN55B7000 is a few inches taller. Both also come with matching swivelling stands – charcoal grey for the UN55B8000 and red for the UN55B7000.
Their clickers are different, too, with the one that comes with the UN55B7000 being more user-friendly, with backlit buttons that are easy to press and differentiate instead of the less-than-responsive scroll wheel. Its design has been slightly modified, too, so that it remains stable on flat surfaces, although it won’t work unless pointed to the screen – something the UN55B8000’s clicker, with its RF capability, can do. Both have secondary remotes for power, channel and volume controls.
When it comes to picture quality, both offer relatively deep blacks due to their LED lighting, although those of the UN55B8000 are slightly deeper since it sports a dynamic contrast ratio of 5,000,000:1 whereas the UN55B7000 has 3,000,000;1. The UN55B8000 also comes with a Wide Color Enhancer Pro that maximizes each pixel for more vibrant colors, although the colors displayed by the UN55B7000 are no less vivid and the images no less crisp.
The last major difference is that of the refresh rate. In particular, the UN55B8000 prides itself on its high refresh rate – 240Hz – which is two times better than the UN55B7000. Still, both effectively prevent blurring even with the dejudder processing turned off – a mechanism scarce on Sony HDTVs.
These are the major differences of the Samsung UN55B7000 and the Samsung UN55B8000. Other than these, the rest is pretty much the same. Both get a score for interactivity with basic Yahoo widgets that keep you posted on the latest news, weather and stock market updates so you don’t have to turn off your computer, and both allow you to access media files from networked computers without leaving the room. Like other Samsung models, both also have an extensive built-in content library which you can access anytime.
Both models are highly energy efficient, mainly because they are edge-lit LED-based LCD televisions, which means they consume nearly half less than conventional LCDs and even less than other types of HDTVs. In addition to that, you get three power-saving modes that cut down energy consumption even further. As for connectivity, there aren’t too many analog connections but there are four HDMI inputs provided – enough for your digital devices – as well as a VGA input for your computer and two USB ports that make it easier to share files directly from your thumb drive, MP3 player or digital camera.
So, should you buy the Samsung UN55B7000 or the Samsung UN55B8000? If you want truly outstanding picture quality, you should go with the latter, that is, if you are willing to pay more. On the other hand, the images on the former are not half bad, and are still sure to keep you happy.
About the author – Edward McKellen is an HDTV expert who writes HDTV reviews for HDTVreviewlab.com. To read more about the Samsung UN55B7000 or check out the latest HDTV reviews visit HDTVreviewlab.com
