Samsung LN37A550 37-inch 1080p LCD HDTV

With the February 17, 2009 deadline for full HD-compliance looming over everyone's heads, many consumers are deciding to make the investment now in a new big-screen HDTV so they'll be ready.

The new 550-series 37" LCD from Samsung, the LN37A550, is a reasonable choice to consider if you're looking to spend a modest amount, become compliant with the new standard, and enjoy all the benefits HD television has to offer.

If you've waited till now to make the HD leap, the Samsung LN37A550 is just one reason why now's the perfect time to switch. Modern technology has allowed leading manufacturers like Samsung, Sony, Sharp and the others to perfect LCD TV, prices have dropped substantially since the early days of LCD now that the sets are in wider production, and there's more high-definition content than ever to make full use of your investment.

But is the LN37A550 the best HDTV for your needs? Consider this quick feature review...

Let's get one thing out of the way right off the bat. 1080p is overkill for a 37" television. Most tech geeks will tell you the difference between 720p and 1080p resolution is nearly imperceptible to the naked eye on a set under 46" or so. But if you can get 1080p on a set as reasonably priced as the LN37A550, who are we to complain?

Then there's the other important specifications on any LCD television: pixel response and dynamic contrast ratio. Here the LN37A550 excels vs. similarly sized sets from just a year or two ago.

With a 5-millisecond response rate and 15,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, the LN37A550 promises to deliver sharp pictures and rich colors that will be a world of difference in comparison vs. the standard definition television you're used to.

The LN37A550 comes equipped with integrated digital tuners (ATSC and QAM), which means you'll be ready to display the digital signals mandated by the new federal regulations set to go into effect in February 2009.

Another vital thing to examine is the number of input options for connecting your video sources. The LN37A550 will almost certainly have you covered with its 3 HDMI, 2 component, 1 S-video, 2 composite, and 1 PC input.

Finally, don't let this site's or any other review of the LN37A550 be the final word. Your research isn't complete until you find out what other buyers like you think about the LN37A550 or any other set you're considering. Read user reviews of the LN37A550 at Amazon.com.

Compare the LN37A550 to these LCD HDTVs: