You've read about them in this year's Consumer Electronics Show: LCD TVs with backlighting driven by tiny LEDs. This, together with laser-powered rear-projection TVs have been in the limelight for months, fueled by their supposedly superior picture quality. While the latter is still pretty much in prototype stage, we had our first teaser from the LED camp, a 70-inch whopper which is way ahead of the curve both in theoretical performance and pricing.

Upside: What sets this Samsung apart from regular LCD TVs is its new dynamic LED backlighting. Dubbed LED SmartLighting, this delivers a staggering 500,000:1 dynamic contrast by optimizing brightness on-the-fly, based on actual footage rendered onscreen. The switch from standard fluorescent lamp technology also enables the F9-series to consume less power, up to more than 30 percent, according to the Korean company. Matching its promising visual prowess are not one but two subwoofers. These augment a pair of tweeters to adequately cover the entire audio spectrum.


Another strong feature of the LA70F91B is its comprehensive connectivity option. High up on the performance ladder are three HDMI 1.3 terminals, one of which is mounted by the side for impromptu hookup with the latest HD-enabled laptops and video cameras. That's besides 1080p signal-handling capability, making them ideal for HD-DVD and Blu-ray players. As an added bonus, there is a Wiselink USB 2.0 port which handles onboard multimedia playback. This covers JPEG and MP3 files stored in portable devices such as MP3 players, digicams and thumbdrives.

For a 70-inch mammoth, this sleek-looking flat panel is surprisingly slim. Measuring only 149mm, it's just 20mm-plus bulkier than the average 52-inchers in the market. And like its current offerings, the F9 is dressed in glossy black piano finish from top to bottom, pedestal stand inclusive. Minimalists will probably be attracted by its picturesque appeal, thanks to its thin LCD frame and uncluttered front save for a pair of titanium trimmings flanking the set. Wrapping it up are other nice touches like soothing blue lighting and touch-sensitive controls.


Downside: If you thought the S$99,999 (US$65,788.98) Panasonic 103-inch plasma was way overpriced, wait till you check out the LA70F91B's cost. Slapped with a rather auspicious S$88,888 (US$58,478.09) tag, this panel has just unseated the dated Sharp 65-incher as the most expensive LCD TV in Asia. This is a premium product that will turn away most consumers except for the well-heeled. Don't bank your hopes on seeing more affordable but smaller-sized models, either. According to Samsung's representatives, this will very much depend on market response to this pilot launch.

Outlook: The Samsung LA70F91B has definitely set the bar for future LCD TV releases. While we doubt its regular counterparts will ever catch up anytime soon (contrast-wise, at least), we seriously don't think it will have a huge impact on the overall market. After all, the flat-panel battle is now being fought in the sub-50-inch category and the asking price is simply beyond the average Joe's means. We reckon it will take at least another year before such panels will reach critical mass and within our financial means. Enough said, dream on, folks.