-
Introduction
-
01.Tour & Design
-
02.Blacks & Whites
-
03.Color Accuracy
-
04.Motion
-
05.Viewing Effects
-
06.Calibration
-
07.Remote Control
-
08.Connectivity
-
09.Audio & Menus
-
10.Formats & Media
-
11.Power Consumption
-
12.Vs RCA L40FHD41
-
13.Vs JVC LT 42P300
-
14.Vs Samsung LN40B650
-
15.Conclusion
-
16.Series Comparison
-
17.Ratings & Specs
-
18.Comments
Samsung LN40B530
Previous: Page 11
Power ConsumptionNext: Page 13
Vs JVC LT 42P300
RCA L40FHD41 Summary
• RCA L40FHD41 is cheaper, in more ways than one
Value Comparison Summary
The RCA L40FHD41 is a cheaper TV in all possible meanings. It retails for about $200 cheaper than the Samsung LN40B530. It scored a little worse in just about every test in our rubric, though it didn't really bomb in anything except the viewing angle test. The selection of ports on the RCA is a little better, but not enough to change our recommending the Samsung.
| Comparison Specifications | ||
 |
 |
|
| Samsung LN40B530 | RCA L40FHD41 | |
| Size | 40-inch | 40 inches |
| Price | $899 (MSRP) | $598 |
| Type | LCD | LCD |
| Format | 1080P | 1080P |
Blacks & Whites
The RCA L40FHD41 could produce deeper blacks, but the Samsung had brighter whites. Which is better? Considering that the contrast ratio is about the same, you may not notice much of a difference.
| Blacks & Whites Comparison Chart | |
 |
|
| Samsung LN40B530 Score: Black Level: 7.12 Peak Brightness: 9.2 Contrast: 7.71 |
RCA L40FHD41 Score: Black Level: 8.23 Peak Brightness: 6.65 Contrast: 7.28 |
Color Accuracy
Neither TV is a fantastic at keeping its color temperature consistent from deep blacks to bright whites, but the RCA showed a little more trouble in the mid-range, where you're more likely to notice. The Samsung only failed when the picture got very dark. The rest of the color tests were close, but the Samsung always performed slightly better.
| Color Temperature Comparison | |
 |
|
| Samsung LN40B530 Score: 7.1 | |
 |
|
| RCA L40FHD41 Score: 6.9 | |
| RGB Comparison | |
   |
|
| Samsung LN40B530 Score: 8.23 | |
   |
|
| RCA L40FHD41 Score: 7.83 | |
| Color Gamut Comparison | |
 |
|
| Samsung LN40B530 Score: 5.75 | |
 |
|
| RCA L40FHD41 Score: 4.43 | |
Motion
The RCA L40FHD41 did not have the best motion smoothness, and it created a fair amount of artifacting. In this contest, the Samsung LN40B530 is the winner.
| Motion Scores | ||
| Samsung LN40B530 | RCA L40FHD41 | |
| Motion Smoothness | 6.13 | 5.00 |
| Motion Artifacting | 6.63 | 4.75 |
Viewing Effects
The RCA L40FHD41's viewing angle is just plain bad, losing 50% of its contrast at only 16 degrees from center. Samsung wins.
| Viewing Angle Comparison | |
 |
|
| Samsung LN40B530 Score: 5.78 | RCA L40FHD41 Score: 3.7 |
Connectivity
The RCA offers more ports, which is particularly useful if you have more than one piece of standard definition equipment that needs the composite AV jacks or S-Video. Neither have media slots or internet connections.
| Connectivity Comparison | ||
| Samsung LN40B530 | RCA L40FHD41 | |
| HDMI | 3 | 3 |
| Component | 1 | 2 |
| Composite | 1 | 2 |
| S-Video | None | 1 |
| VGA | 1 | 1 |
| Analog Audio In | 3 | 4 |
| Digital Audio Out | 1 | 1 |
| Analog Audio Out | 1 | 1 |
| LAN | None | None |
| USB | None | None |
| Memory Card | None | None |
| Other | None | None |
Shop for the Samsung LN40B530
Latest News
& Reviews
-
30-Jan-2012
Superbowl HDTV Buying Guide
The weeks leading up to Super Bowl Sunday are fraught with anticipation and last-minute big screen HDTV sales. But rushing a major purchase can often lead to buyer’s remorse come Monday morning. Let us coach you to a winning purchase with this helpful guide. Read More...
-
26-Jan-2012
Samsung UN32D5500 LED LCD HDTV Review
The D5500 has a rather high MSRP of $699, considering it’s only a 32-inch TV. There are some “premiums upgrades,” a term we use with some dubiousness, knowing that these features can be far less valuable than they appear. Nevertheless, at its core this is a good television. If you can find it a significantly reduced price it would make a great addition to a home theater. Read More...
Samsung LN40B530 Manual
Top Rated HD Televisions
-
Also in this series
$1,749.001
Size: 59 in.Samsung PN59D7000
The Samsung PN59D7000 ($2,599 MSRP) is a stunning, high-end plasma TV fashioned by Samsung for 2011. It has 59 inches of great, 1080p picture quality, and as a second-generation plasma, it handles 3D reasonably well. Read full review
$1,749.00All TypesPlasmaOnline Features (with or without)YesWith Online FeaturesNoWithout Online FeaturesYes3D and non-3D TVsYes3D TVsNoNon-3D TVsYes -
Also in this series
$2,612.002
Size: 60 in.Samsung UN60D8000
The Samsung UN60D8000 retails for a whopping $4299 (MSRP). That's well over a $1000 more than the equivalently-sized plasma from Samsung that includes nearly all the same features. Read full review
$2,612.00All TypesLCDOnline Features (with or without)YesWith Online FeaturesNoWithout Online FeaturesYes3D and non-3D TVsYes3D TVsNoNon-3D TVsYes -
$706.973
Size: 46 in.Samsung UN46D6000
Everyone wants a Smart TV, but how smart is buying the Samsung UN46D6000 for its $1299 MSRP? With its reasonably good performance in many categories and more internet features than you can shake an e-stick at, that question might be hard to answer if it weren't for this review. Read full review
$706.97All TypesLCDOnline Features (with or without)YesWith Online FeaturesNoWithout Online FeaturesYes3D and non-3D TVsYes3D TVsNoNon-3D TVsYes -
4
Size: 50 in.LG 50PZ950
This 1080p plasma television with internet and 3D capabilities is purportedly the best LG has to offer in 2011. Read full review
All TypesPlasmaOnline Features (with or without)YesWith Online FeaturesNoWithout Online FeaturesYes3D and non-3D TVsYes3D TVsNoNon-3D TVsYes -
$714.935
Size: 42 in.LG 42LV5500
The LG 42LV5500 is packed with a lot of fun features that may sound good, but can distract from what a TV is supposed to do: deliver a good picture. Fortunately, the color performance cannot be beat. Read full review
$714.93All TypesLEDOnline Features (with or without)YesWith Online FeaturesNoWithout Online FeaturesYes3D and non-3D TVsYes3D TVsNoNon-3D TVsNo
Features
-
TelevisionInfo.com 2011 Select Awards
After testing dozens of televisions this year, the staff of TVI has made its official selections for the very best televisions of 2011. Read More...
-
3D TV, Not Ready for Prime Time
If you’ve been shopping for a new TV is the last two years, you’ve probably heard a lot of hype about 3D. As with most new technologies, customers are awash in baffling terminology and misinformation. Here’s a simple guide to walk you through the basics. Read More...
-
HDTV Streaming Content Compared
Televisions aren’t just getting their content through the coax cable anymore. Just as the internet has gradually moved towards a video-rich space—YouTube, Hulu, Vimeo, etc.—those same sorts of features are creeping into your TV sets. Like it or not, those 1000+ channels of direct cable are not enough anymore. Read More...
-
Technology Preview: Haier Completely Wireless Television
Imagine a TV with no wires. You’re talking about WiFi, right? No, we mean no wires, at all. Haier, the Chinese company better known as an appliance manufacturer, is showcasing a new technology here at CES that conducts electricity wireless to the TV, as well as streaming content. The TV is pretty far from production at this point, but it’s among the more amazing things we’ve seen at the show. Here’s an in-depth look at the technology and how it might be implemented in future products. Read More...
(add your own)