By MK Wong

DIGITAL TV broadcasts have been around for some time in Singapore (since the launch of TVMobile).

However, TV manufacturers have been slow to adopt this technology. In order to receive a digital broadcast, you had to buy an optional DVB-T (digital video broadcast-terrestrial) receiver unit.

Not so with the new range of LCD TVs from Samsung.

Starting from the Series 6, the iDTV (integrated digital television) feature is built into the TV set itself.

Scouting around for a new TV with iDTV capabilities can be a pretty confusing affair. For example, Samsung offers three ranges to choose from - Series 6, 7 and 8.

What are the differences?

Series 6 offers the best value for money, with excellent features such as a 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. This is almost unheard of in the previous generations of LCD TVs.

With such a high dynamic range, colours show up more brilliantly and almost leap out of the screen.

In the Series 8, the contrast ratio goes to an amazing 70,000:1. A comparison of the Samsung LA46A850S1M Series 8 46-inch LCD TV with a Series 6 model clearly shows the former has much deeper blacks and richer colour rendition.

This is even more obvious when playing a high-definition Blu-ray movie.

In fact, the Series 8 goes far beyond the functionality of a mere TV set.

For instance, with its embedded Content Library, I was able to peruse electronic books for children, recipes and even enjoy a spot of visual relaxation.

For the last bit, I found myself unwinding to soothing music and slideshows of spectacular landscape scenery. It sure beats watching the news, which is awash with reports of financial turmoil.

You can also update the content, that is, download it free from the Internet (via the Samsung website link supplied).

The WiseLink feature available in the Series 6 lets you slip in a USB 2.0 flash drive to view photos and play music files. The Pro version built into the Series 8 allows for the playback of movie files as well.

The Series 8 is DLNA-enabled (digital living network alliance). So you can watch multimedia content stored in your home local area network.

This means that you do not even need to have the content transferred into a flash drive. Just set the system to stream movies, photos or audio content from your PC or notebook located in another room and you can enjoy them in the comfort of your living room.

If that is not enough, the infoLive function built into the Series 8 allows you to connect to the Internet via an Ethernet cable. You will then be able to receive up-to-the-minute news headlines, stock market data and weather reports directly on the TV.

Final say

With impressive specs, Internet integration and plenty of connectivity options, the Samsung Series 8 46-inch LCD TV brings television viewing to a new level of sophistication.

This article was first published in Digital Life, The Straits Times on Oct 15, 2008.