Samsung's Gorgeous LED Backlit HDTVs; Drool

More than anything else, CES has televisions--gorgeous televisions. Although some of the wow-factor has dropped off a bit over the years as now HDTVs can be bought in Wal-Mart, Samsung still pulled the covers off of something we now lust for in our living rooms.

Samsung announced just before the show that it would have on display a family of LED backlit LCD HDTVs. The line will be composed of the "Luxia" 8000, 7000 and 6000 series, running from most feature-rich down. The 8000 series sets itself apart with a 240 Hz refresh, while the other two are 120 Hz.

The entire line features LED backlighting, which is now slowly becoming common on premium computer displays. LED backlighting consumes less power than traditional Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps (CCFL) while giving off better contrast ratios as well as an instant on response.

The 8000 and 7000 also have an Ethernet port for “Internet@TV - Content Service,” developed with Yahoo!, for on-screen updates of stocks, weather, sports scores and more. Users will also be able to browse Flickr and YouTube right from the TV.

The new LED sets will come in 55-inch and 46-inch diagonals, with the 7000 and 6000 line also getting a 40-inch to make things a bit more affordable. Pricing has not yet been announced.

“Samsung has proven LED technology is a viable choice for consumers desiring the best picture possible from an LCD television. Samsung’s latest LED televisions redefine the standards for viewing quality, energy-efficiency and home entertainment décor,” said Jonas Tanenbaum, Vice President of LCD HDTV Marketing at Samsung Electronics America. “Samsung stays committed to developing technology and products that go beyond current expectations of value, quality and innovation. And, we are excited to be a part of this exciting point in TV evolution.”

Best of all, these HDTV’s are sleek and slim at around an inch thick. Look for them within the 1H 2009 time frame.