Full HD TVs are capable of showing high definition images that are up to five times as sharp and detailed as old style 'standard definition' images. You'll need to have an HD source, such as a Blu-ray player, games console or HD TV to be able to really see the difference though. All TVs on sale today are HD-Ready. A Full HD TV has a letter p after it and this means that the picture is shown in the best possible quality.
1920 x 1080 is the highest resolution available on a television. Often shortened to 1080p, it refers to the number of pixels a screen can display and the level of detail it can show.
This is a technology that aims to give a 3D depth to any 2D content watched on your TV. As with all 3D effects, it's done by getting the left and right eye to analyze things differently. The aim is to create a sharp contrast between foreground and background images, using overlapping and different levels of brightness and contrast. The LG Blog has a fantastic article that explains how 2D to 3D conversion works.
The 3D HyperReal Engine is a combination of new hardware and software that processes the 3D images on the Samsung UE40D7000 and other Samsung 3D TVs. It offers impressive 3D images from a range of sources, such as Sky and 3D Blu-ray players. The 3D HyperReal Engine also performs 2D - 3D conversion and is compatible with a wide range of standards found in broadcasts and PC content. For 3D content the sets need to be viewed with Active Shutter glasses.
A TV that's 3D ready lets you view 3D television, movies and games in full 3D. 3D TV uses stereoscopic technology (the same thing currently being used to thrill audiences in 3D cinemas) which shows a slightly different image to each eye in order to create depth. Forget crummy old cardboard glasses, modern 3D television uses Active Shutter Technology to delivery full HD 3D movies and programmes.
To watch 3DTV you'll need a TV such as the Samsung UE40D7000, a pair of 3D glasses for each viewer and a 3D video source. A 3D Blu-ray player is a popular choice, and Sky TV have content that's available now for 3D TVs. Although in it's infancy, 3D gaming is also set to take off soon, with the Sony PS3 offering free firmware upgrades to allow people to enjoy 3D gaming in HD.
The 40D7000 has 4 x HDMI inputs. HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface and is a standard used for audio / visual equipment. Like the older scart, HDMI is a port that allows you to connect things like Blu-ray players and games consoles to your television. Unlike scart, they're very easy to plug in - and take up a fraction of the space scart leads do. HDMI allows for HD devices to send high resolution information to the television. HDMI is an uncompressed digital signal, as opposed to previous analog interfaces such as S-Video, component video and composite video. In short, HDMI is the best way to connect your AV equipment and is going to be with us a good way into the future. There's a really good blog post over at Hi-Def hardware if you'd like to find out more.
Freesat HD is a joint venture between ITV and BBC and allows you to watch high definition television on an HD-ready television. The Samsung UE40D7000 has Freesat HD built in, but you can also buy separate digital 'boxes' that allow you to receive it. As with Freeview HD, there's no subscription charge to pay for the service. The difference between Freesat and Freeview is that Freesat is satellite based and Freeview is terrestrial. You will need a satellite dish in order to receive Freesat HD. These are available cheaply online from Amazon. It's well worth a visit to the Freesat HD on the official webpage to find out more about the service. And there's an excellent article on Freesat HD and Freesat here. You'll also want to have a read through the helpful FAQ section on UK Satellite Help.
If the idea of paying a subscription fee each month for HD television programs doesn't appeal then you'll be pleased to know that the Samsung UE40D7000 comes with Freeview HD built in. Freeview HD is the high definition big brother to Freeview and allows you to enjoy completely free access to HD stations such as BBC HD and many more. There are currently over 50 Freeview HD stations, with the line-up constantly being revised and added to. Find out what you can watch on Freeview HD here.
If you're into gaming then you'll appreciate the special game mode offered by the 40D7000. Game mode alters the way the TV processes the picture from your games console and means faster response time, and better quality images. This is especially noticeable on an HD gaming console. Game mode optimizes image and sound quality making for the perfect gaming experience. It enhances dark areas and sharpens the picture as well as speeding up image processing.
Internet@TV allows you to access Internet content through your TV. Internet@TV isn't directly surfing the Internet, rather accessing small bits of content called apps, or widgets. These are simplified versions of the Internet that include stuff like being able to use Twitter, Facebook, eBay and of course watching clips on YouTube. Internet@TV also lets you check news, weather, sports and whats coming on TV. To access Internet@TV you'll need to have a wireless router at home and also a wireless dongle attached to your TV. (Unless your TV has a built in wireless connection).
Samsung Apps allow you to get online content on your TV. Using your remote, the TV and your broadband connection you can enjoy all kinds of movies, games, news and video content free. Here's some of the things you can do with the 40D7000.
Samsung TV has it's own App Store - a place where you can download gadgets to your TV that each allow you to do something different.
Most people will want to connect the Samsung UE40D7000 to their home network wirelessly, but you can also use an ethernet cable connection.
For a full list of information and available apps, check out the Samsung TV Apps page.
Skype compatible TVs allow you to use the successful Skype video chat system through your TV. Skype is a fantastic way to keep in touch with loved ones when they are in different parts of the country, or anywhere in the world. You can chat with your friends and family from the comfort of your living room without a headset or computer.
To get Skype TV you'll need four things:
You can find out more about Skype for TV at the official website: http://shop.skype.com/skype-for-tv/ which has info on compatible cameras and TVs. There's also a good video on the subject below.
TVs that access the web in one form or another have been around for a number of years now. The kind of service on offer varies from manufacturer to manufacturer but usually allows you to access online content such as music, videos and apps without directly being able to access the internet via a browser. The Samsung UE40D7000 features a built in web browser that offers you freedom to surf and go anywhere on the web you want to, as if you were in front of a laptop or desktop computer.
This TV screen technology is found in many Samsung TVs, such as the 40D7000. It aims to separate out and improve colours shown on the screen. It shows a wider range of colours even in the brightest areas of the display, where blues and greens might traditionally appear washed out. What you end up with is a full colour sprectrum with deep natural looking colours.
