Product Description

Samsung's 40" LN-S4092D enhances the master bedroom, living room or den with a startlingly realistic picture when it's on - and slim, elegant style when it's off. A 5000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and over one million pixels sharpen every picture; Samsung's Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp saturates it with the brilliance of 12.8 billion colors. Audio is equally impressive, with the full sound of Dual Acoustic Chamber System and SRS TruSurround XT emanating from hidden bottom speakers.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #39807 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Samsung
• Model: LNS4092DX/XAA
• Dimensions: 34.00" h x 44.00" w x 17.00" l, 60.60 pounds
• Display size: 40

Features

• Sleek, black 40-inch LCD HDTV with integrated NTSC and ATSC tuners; measures 39.5 x 29.5 x 13.0 inches (WxHxD) with stand
• Game mode enhances dark areas, sharpens the picture
• 1366 x 768-pixel resolution, 500 cd/m2 brightness, 5000:1 contrast ratio, 8ms response, 178-degree viewing angle
• Connections: composite (1 side, 3 rear), S-video (1 side, 1 rear), component (1side, 1 rear), HDMI (2 rear), PC RGB (1 rear), RF (2 rear)
• Bottom mounted speakers produce 10 watts apiece (20 watts total); SRS TruSurround XT virtual surround sound

Amazon.com Product Description
Samsung raises the bar again for LCD technology with its 40-inch LN-S4092D HDTV, which provides a high performance, large format LCD that also includes an integrated HDTV tuner as well as connectivity options for your PC and portable digital audio players. It has a glossy, piano-black cabinetry with a space-saving bottom-mounted speaker design. It sits atop a swivel stand that provides a +/-15-degree swivel that makes it easy to move the screen for optimal viewing. Additionally, the stand can be removed for wall-mounting via optional VESA compatible hardware.

The LCD panel incorporates the latest video technology from Samsung, all of which results in a richly vibrant color picture that's stunningly realistic. With the Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL), this set provides 92 percent of the NTSC standard color map--where typical LCD screens only cover 72 percent of this spectrum. The result is a superior color gamut than any other LCD TVs on the market for a more vivid color replication. Samsung's new innovative S-PVA (Super Patterned Vertical Alignment) panel technology allows you to see any display clearly with it the 178-degree wide viewing angle--horizontally and vertically.

The LN-S4092D features an unbelievable 5000:1 contrast ratio, 500 cd/m2 brightness rating (for brighter whites, deeper blacks, and every shade in between), a 1366 x 768-pixel resolution (for a widescreen 16:9 screen aspect ratio), 178-degree viewing angle, and a super-fast 8ms (millisecond) response time, which minimizes blurring of moving images and is especially helpful for sports and action movies.

The Samsung Digital Natural Image engine (DNIe) Video Enhancer refines all analog NTSC and wideband video inputs for an overall improvement in picture quality. DNIe improves contrast, white level, picture detail and incorporates digital noise reduction to improve lower quality video inputs. The 3D Y/C digital comb filter constantly analyzes the three dimensions of picture height, picture width, and picture changes-over-time to dramatically reduce edge image artifacts while improving transition detail. Other convenience features include:

• Picture-in-picture (PIP) enables convenient simultaneous viewing of TV programs and video or PC sources.
• Built-in image scaler to handle inputs from a variety of digital and analog audio/video sources.
• Parental Control (V-Chip) helps parents monitor what their children watch on TV by establishing rating limits.
• Auto volume leveler keeps audio volume consistent during channel changing.
• Clock on/off timer allows you to set a time to turn off the TV so it doesn't stay on all night, or wake you up in the morning.
• Multi-lingual on-screen displays in English, Spanish or French.

It also offers support for a range of Samsung MP3 players and other portable digital audio devices, with an RS-232 port enabling you to navigate the player's content on-screen with the LCD remote by connecting the device to the TV via an RS-232 cable (included). And Samsung worked closely with Microsoft to create a special Game Mode that optimizes image quality, sound and response time for more realistic video game play--with just a single touch of a button. The Game Mode enhances dark areas, sharpens the picture, speeds up the image processing response and enhances the sounds of your games.

You'll enjoy 480p, 720p and 1080i high-definition viewing right out of the box thanks to the built-in digital ATSC tuner, which pulls HD signals right from the airwaves. You can also connect the set to an optional receiver or cable/satellite set-top box using either the dual HDMI or single component connections. A standard analog NTSC tuner receives standard-definition (SD) programming.

High-quality virtual surround sound can be experienced with just the speakers built into the TV. SRS TruSurround XT technology delivers an amazing, simulated 3D effect with clear dialog and powerful bass. This set utilizes Samsung's Dual Acoustic Chamber System technology, which isolates each woofer and tweeter in its own chamber. DACS is a revolutionary, computer-simulated technology that enhances low-range sound performance, sharpens mid-to-high-range sound quality, and improves overall sound clarity. It produces 10 watts of power per channel (for 20 watts total). It offers the following connection options:

• Composite (RCA audio/video): 2 inputs (1 on the side)
• S-Video: 2 inputs (1 on the side)
• Component (Y/Pb/Pr): 1 input
• HDMI: 2 inputs
• PC: 1 D-Sub15 input
• RF: 2 inputs
• Sound monitor output: 1
• Digital optical audio output: 1
• Headphone: 1 (side)
• RS232 port: 1

Tech Talk
HDMI is a lossless, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface to link any audio/video source (such as a set-top box, DVD player, or AV receiver) with your TV--all over a single cable. It provides up to a 5 GB per second bandwidth for transmitting pure digital video and audio signals with no degradation in the transfer. It can carry up to eight discrete audio channels, making it compatible with 7.1-channel surround sound systems. Signals are encrypted with HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) to prevent recording. HDMI is fully backward-compatible with most DVI connections .

TruSurround XT audio adds three new audio enhancement technologies to produce an amazingly immersive sound experience.

• Dialog Clarity brings movie dialog into ÒfocusÓ during the playback of any surround-encoded material to make speech much clearer and crisper.
• TruBass creates incredible deep rich bass allowing a person to perceive significantly deeper, richer low bass tones that are far beyond the physical low frequency capabilities of the speaker itself.
• The SRS WOW feature widens the soundstage by processing standard two-channel stereo material as well as multi-channel encoded material for a dramatic improvement in the playback of any stereo audio over a two-speaker system.

Component video (also called Y/Pb/Pr) features a three-jack video input, which provides separate connections for luminance (Y), blue color difference (PB) and red color difference (PR). This results in increased bandwidth for color information, resulting in a more accurate picture with clearer color reproduction and less bleeding than you would get with S-Video or composite (RCA yellow video plug) connections. You will need a separate RCA left/right audio cable for sound.

What's in the Box
40-inch LCD TV (silver), tabletop stand, remote control (with batteries), AC power adapter, printed operating instructions

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Customer Reviews

Great picture, good black levels for LCD, terrific value
I bought this HD LCD only after consulting various sites and A/V forums. I didn't compare displays in stores, or even look at any. I am very pleased with my choice.

The reason I chose the 4092 over the 4051 is because the 4092 has a newer generation processor, higher contrast ratios, and a more refined design in my opinion. And the cost difference was minor.

The reason I chose 1080i max, instead of 1080p max, is because 1080p technology is still new, and very few sources for true 1080p output exist. Perhaps this will change in the next year or two, but even then, professionals argue whether or not the human eye can even detect a difference between 720p/1080i and true 1080p. Not to mention, if you plan on using this as a computer monitor as well as a TV, any 12-point text would appear teensy-tiny on such a big 1080p display!

As for competing products, in my research, I found most A/V enthusiasts/tech-heads regard this display as being as good as or better than its main competitor (Sony's XBR line), price difference notwithstanding. I just went with those opinions, so I can't compare Sony v. Samsung personally. (Sony and Samsung produce most components of the screen together in a joint venture anyway, so you'd expect little difference). Also, I find the Samsung black case more elegant than Sony's silver.

In terms of order/delivery, Eagle shipping was top-notch, professional and prompt. I ordered on Nov 24th and was estimated to receive the item Dec. 13-21. It arrived at the local Eagle distribution center Dec. 5; they called me on the 7th and delivery was made on the 8th. The driver deboxed the TV and was required to stay to make sure the set turned on fine. It came already on the swivel stand - totally plug-and-play. No dead pixels, and the set operated fine then.

Prior to delivery, I went to the cable company local service center (highly recommended to do this) and got an HD "STB" (set top cable box), $5/mo charge for that (with DVR), along with a $5/mo add-on subscription to HD cable channels. (For Comcast and Cox customers, it's widely viewed that the 3416 Motorola DVR cable box/STB is better than the 6412 - I asked for the 3416 model specifically).

I also ordered the highly-rated Oppo 971 DVD player to make best use of the Samsung display's DVD-rendering. It's awesome, and plays DVD-Audio and DivX also.

I used the following connections:

* VIDEO: HDMI directly from cable STB to TV (for best viewing of HD channels)
* VIDEO: S-video directly from cable box to TV (for best viewing of "SD" Standard Definition channels)
* AUDIO: Optical digital cable for Dolby 5.1 Surround from cable HD STB to A/V receiver, bypassing the TV (because the TV will not output surround sound to your home theatre system, so it's best to use digital straight to the AV receiver and turn off the TV speakers, if you have that home theatre option)
* VIDEO: DVI->HDMI from DVD player to TV
* AUDIO: 5.1 Surround sound audio cables from DVD player to AV receiver
* VIDEO/AUDIO (optional): 5-cable Component Video (R/G/B + front channel L/R audio) cable from DVD player to A/V receiver, and video component in 3-cable R/G/B from receiver to TV (an alternative to digital connections in case your DVD player does not have HDMI/DVI out)
* VIDEO: Basic RCA video cable from VCR to TV
* AUDIO: Basic RCA audio cables from VCR to A/V receiver (for VCR sound to home theatre)

Also before delivery, I ordered and connected a power-filtering surge suppressor, the Belkin PF40, from Amazon. This does 2 important things:
1) isolates the power circuitry to reduce/eliminate interference between different AV components or other appliances, and
2) regulates delivery of power and protects against surges (small or large) which can shorten the life of the display.
Insurance, of sorts, as well as providing cleaner sound and picture. It seems to live up to those expectations, so I'm happy with that.

After plugging in the A/V connections to the back of the TV, I turned on the set. The colors were pushed, so I went into the TV settings and used the following ones for the "Custom" mode, which I am using for all inputs:

Energy Savings: High
Contrast: 82
Brightness: 90
Sharpness: 0
Color: 45
Tint: 50
Color Tone: Warm2
Digital NR: off (Samsung's "DNIe," I presume)
Film Mode: off
Game Mode: off (exaggerates colors bigtime)

As for the TV/cable picture quality, I am highly satisfied. I set the cable box to output a 720p signal. As expected, HD channels look the sharpest imaginable, and there is little-to-no lag with motion. The quality of your HD signals will vary based on your signal provider/source. My cable area ("head-end") was upgraded for improved HD frequencies last year. Some areas have not yet been (your cable company will be able to tell you), so your HD picture quality may vary, and it's not the fault of the set in that case. Also, some networks/stations produce better quality HD signals (NBC better than CBS, for instance). Also, when you go to the cable company local office to upgrade your STB from Standard cable to Hi-Def, make sure to tell them to turn on your "ADS" feature (that's what it is for Comcast anyway), which allows your HD cable box to automatically detect whether the channel signals are HD or SD. People at the 800 number generally don't know how to do that.

DVD picture quality is also amazing, near-HD, using the digital connection from my Oppo player. No significant difference between digital and component connections. I set the DVD player to output a 1080i signal.

Cable picture quality looks near-HD when using S-video cable to view Standard Def "SD" cable TV channels. SD channels are not (I believe) broadcast in 16:9 widescreen, so the Samsung TV has a "Zoom1" mode (Zoom modes work fine in my set) which enlarges the SD picture to use the full widescreen of the set. The tradeoff is that some of the top and bottom of the broadscast is cut off. You may wish to use the 4:3 standard-screen mode to view SD channels - there will be black sidebars on either side of the screen then.

Even the non-digital VCR images look the same as on high-quality tube set. No complaints there, for sure.

The TV has a sleep timer, useful if you fall asleep while watching DVDs, so that the TV's not on all night and the display life isn't shortened by that.

If you are a remote junkie, you might like to order the highly rated Harmony remote control, as you will not be thrilled with Samsung's. (But if you are a remote junkie, you probably already have the Harmony anyway.) For myself, Samsung's is alright now, but I have a learning remote for my Pioneer A/V receiver, which I may program to control the Samsung TV as well.

If you are considering upgrading your AV receiver along with getting an HD LCD TV, I would recommend getting an HD-enabled receiver, such as Onkyo's TX-SR604 or 674 ($350-$550). This will reduce the number of cables needed, and the sound quality and value of this Onkyo family is regarded to be excellent as well. You may as well order Onkyo surround sound speakers, if you need those, too. Terrific sound and value (although the Onkyo 604 and 674 receivers do not come with any "HT packages" at this time, so you would get them separately).

If you can stomach the price difference (I couldn't, but some may) and expect to view the TV from more than 9 or 10 feet away, spending the extra bucks for the Samsung LN-S4692D 46" model would be advisable. I am 10' away from the TV and the screen is barely big enough for the amount of money I spent.

All in all, extremely satisfied with Amazon, shipping, price, and Samsung LN-S4092D display!

Excellent HDTV, but be sure you need it
Perhaps I just got caught up with the HDTV craze this Christmas, or perhaps I'm well-prepared for the coming HDTV revolution. Either way, think before buying any HDTV. I got this set - a few days later than the estimated delivery date, no big deal - and it is a gorgeous set. Features are easy to use, relatively light weight, handsome styling. And if you use it to watch, say, even a non-HD DVD (using HDMI), the picture is stunning.

I'm guessing the picture is also stunning if you have an HD signal, but that I can't tell you for sure. I'm a DirecTV subscriber in a rural area where no local stations send HDTV over the air. So I get no free HD signal, and the non-HD channels look fuzzy on an HDTV. Sort of like someone covered the screen in a glaze. Not horrible, but not as good as on an old-fashioned CRT television. So right now I have DVD playback that is far superior to what I had before, but about 60 channels of television which are inferior to what I had before.

I called DirecTV to see about getting an HD receiver, which was my plan anyway. I learned that, 1) HD receivers with DVR (recording) are in such short supply that I had to enter my name on a waiting list, 2) the HD plan only gave me about 5 HD stations (Discovery, ESPN, ESPN2, and a couple of others I didn't care about), 3) the HD plan required that I change receivers (of course), pay $10 more a month, and mysteriously pay $99 to lease the new receiver which was replacing another receiver I'd already "leased" at the same rate just a few months ago, 4) if my area had HD local channels - which it doesn't - I'd have to get my dish replaced to get them in HD.

So, had I gone the route I planned, I'd have given up 60 good looking channels and digital video recording to get 55 bad looking channels and 5 great (only 3 that I cared for), and lose video recording, and pay $99 upfront and $10 a month to boot, and if ever local goes HD, to get my dish replaced.

Bottom line is that HDTV has not yet matured to the point that it's a great idea for everyone. Urban users with free HD in the air will benefit most from an HDTV. Satelite users like myself will have to wait for a future, hopefully soon, in which there are more than three or for HD channels available, and in which HD receivers with DVR capability are not so rare. Right now all we get is superior DVD playback, and a ton of fuzzy non-HD stations - on a very pretty screen.

Great TV
I've had this TV about 3 weeks and am really impressed. I'm having one issue with it, however. Watching a DVD - no problem, great sound and picture. Watching cable TV, though, I get a hum in the audio and a red and green horizontal line running from bottom to top in the picture. Sometimes, this is worse than at other times. After having the cable co. come out and talking to a Samsung rep, it seems that it is a grounding issue. I live in an old house that doesn't have grounded plugs. So, I will have to live with that until I can have my house rewired! Not the TV's fault, but something to consider if you live in an older house. The black cabinet is really beautiful and the on/off button at the bottom of the cabinet glows a neon blue when the set if off. So, it's cool looking off as well as on. Love the swivel cabinet, and the connections are easy to access. Football games are so great in HD and I can't wait until hockey season starts!