Best LCD TVs over 40-inch

By Ty Pendlebury on 20 July 2009

In the past few years, we've seen a massive increase in both the quality and quantity of LCDs over the 40-inch mark. And while the images they produce are still, in most cases, not up to the level of plasma, they now represent much better value for money.

Most LCDs of this size now feature a 1080p resolution and full-HD tuners. Getting a full-HD resolution is important because it allows you to see HD broadcasts and Blu-ray discs in their native format.

Some of the newer features to look for are LED backlighting, which results in deeper blacks and better colours, and home networking — which means you can stream media from another PC or a home server.

Samsung UA40B7100

The Samsung UA40B7100 is the most "entertaining" television yet, and further evidence that the way forward for LCD televisions is in LED-backlighting.

Editor's rating:8.6 User rating:9.7
     • Full Review • Specs • Images • Video • Where to Buy

  • Good: Yet another strong television from Samsung • Good black levels for an LCD • Oodles of useful features • Slim, and one of the best wall-mounting solutions yet
  • Bad: Over-sharp at default settings introducing noise • Pricey • Requires a lot of tweaking to get the best picture quality
  • Specs: LCD • 40 inch • 100 Hz • 1920 x 1080 pixels • See more specifications
  • RRP: AU$3,899.00

Topics: 100hz, 1080p, lcd, samsung, sony, toshiba, best, tv, best lcd tv, 40-inch

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Comments (33)

  • mike commented on 08/11/2009 16:16 Report abuse

    samsung has many power problems don't purchase one if you can help it. Power supply cost 400,.

  • weezer commented on 05/11/2009 06:28 Report abuse

    Bought a 50 inch samsung in 2004. 2007 we had a 200.00 repair for the tuner. This week the repair will be 769.00 for the (engine). We won't do the repair or buy another samsung. So much for being the best on the market. I was told by the repairman to buy a Vizio at Wal-Mart and get the extended warranty. Today's televisions aren't built to last more than five years.

  • Shez commented on 04/11/2009 23:25 Report abuse

    I had a Loewe—100Hz CRT Television Cantus 3872 which I am looking to replace. What would todays equivalent be?

  • Robjc63 commented on 24/10/2009 22:46 Report abuse

    I have had a Samsung 82cm LCD TV for over 4 years and it is perfect. Admittedly on fast movement in dark scenes there more lag than currant ones but it is just as good as when new. I will be upgrading next year to a 106cm LCD and it will be a Samsung. PS I have one of the first widescreen Samsung LCD PC monitor that is 7 years old and has no missing pixels and is as new. there are only 25 picures per second and 50 fields - when you go to the movies you will notice even moderate pans are jerky unless the viewer is distracted by something in the forground that the camera is tracking. Don't pay extra for 100+hz

  • krisman commented on 19/10/2009 22:02 Report abuse

    i bought the samsung 55 inch LED LCD tv series 7.very happy with performance
    by far the best contrast and picture quality.i have heard samsung service is poor.i hope i never need it.

  • glow worm commented on 06/10/2009 14:07 Report abuse

    My husband and I are the about to retire and watch more TV type of couple....mainly watching TV and DVDs...meaning no games and usage of all those extras. We want to invest in 40" HD TV finally - yes we have been living under a huge rock. So, is it to be plasma or lcd? HELP please. Price around $1200 - $1700.

  • Nuke_1969 commented on 05/10/2009 20:26 Report abuse

    Samsung warranty sucks, it takes moths to repair unit. I am currently waiting after a month to find out if samsung can even supply the required part, also this this is the third repair in 12 months.

  • Barnz commented on 07/09/2009 18:34 Report abuse

    LG Rear Projection...Don't go there. We have one dead expensive brick in our loungeroom. Have had nothing but problems about 16 months after purchasing it.

  • Sharp commented on 04/09/2009 02:11 Report abuse

    If your worried about the LED's burning out, buy a Sharp, the lights can be replaced individually. They should be released sometime in September. 40" only to start and bigger later.

  • brandon commented on 29/08/2009 11:50 Report abuse

    samsung thats a joke the only way to go is loewe

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