Sony looking to purchase LED HDTVs from Samsung?

Just because it's prepared to source millions of flat panels from a joint venture with Sharp, don't think Sony is even close to satisfying its hunger for LCDs. Word from the Seoul Economic Daily is that it may also deal with Samsung on LED backlit televisions (beyond the existing S-LCD partnership,) a decision probably somewhat related to its move towards cheaper white LEDs (already used by Samsung) in upcoming BRAVIA sets as opposed to its more expensive Triluminos backlighting scheme. This shouldn't affect the marketplace immediately, but tuck that knowledge away for TV shopping 2010, the price difference between one brand and another probably doesn't buy as much difference as you think.

[Via Bloomberg]

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 1st 2009 9:21PM]

Remember back in the tube-TV days when most people made their own tubes?

Aren't there about 2 makers of panels now.

TV's are becoming like gasoline, they all come from the same pipe (manufacturing facility) the only difference is the additives (internal electronics).

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 2nd 2009 10:31AM]

Samsung LED TV Sold more than 650,000 since March.Samsung plan to supply Sony with TV panels 40 inches, 46 inches and 55 inches.

[Darren Pillans Posted Aug 2nd 2009 11:25AM]

So will Sony's current 46 and 52 inch RGB LED models be their first and last?

What a shame they didn't do a 40 inch, I'd probably get one.

:(

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 2nd 2009 1:11PM]

Sony's current RGB LED backlit TVs are 55" & 46". They are also not their first - there was the Qualia 46" TV and the 70" XBR from a couple years back. As for the last? Hope not, though it's true they are expensive!

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 2nd 2009 11:21PM]

There are only 3 majors in the LCD biz (Samsung, Sharp, LG, not counting cheapie Chinese panels) it doesn't surprise me that they'd eventually buy from one of those 3. Any real picture differences between the edge-lit style Samsung employes on their 6,7, and 8000 series and the RGB LEDs Sony uses on their XBRs are so negligable and the price war so extreme now in our economy that Sony pretty much has no choice but to go the Samsung route. Besides, Samsung is dominating this market segment so much if Sony doesn't act fast they'll not stand a chance. I think it's a really amazing descent from dominance that Sony has taken over the past 5 years and I wonder if they'll ever regain their no. 1 status in any of their core product catagories. Saying all that I anticipate their edge-lit panels (assuming they are, which I don't see them not being) and hope they can stay somewhat competitive.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 3rd 2009 2:35PM]

On the recommendation of a relative who also purchased the TV, I have studied this model and has a lot to work on the LED-backlit LCD display. The attractive slim form and the reduction of energy consumption are enormous benefits such as saving a few dollars a month is a good thing in these times of high electricity costs. This is my first LCD HDTV (I am curious evening, I suppose), because I was an upgrade from a reliable (but very bulky and heavy backbreakingly) Sony 29 “WEGA CRT. I knew I wanted something lighter and more elegant in appearance ( I do not want a huge monster with 61 “+ DLP system that is safe) and the 7000-series of Samsung 40″ LED HDTV offers in spades.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 6th 2009 3:24AM]

Samsungs edge LED lits are cheaper , and are of second quality as compared to Sony's Trilluminous Local Dimming LED's

Sony's LED's Are not only superior but also have different technology ,Which doesn't allow them to bring their price down.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 9th 2009 9:08PM]

A few things to note; Samsung 6000, 7000 and 8000, series LED panels are an edge lit panels that have a place in the market that was created to be more affordable to the average consumer. Benifits are, thin design, bright lumanence and 100% of the HD color spectrum. based on an 8 bit source which currently is only Blu-Ray disc. the trilumanence LED's that Sony currently has in its LED panels can reach a higher color spectrum only if the source is higher then 8 bit.(not going to happen as Blu-Ray is the last from of software going to be purchased....internet streaming is taking over) with that said, Samsung is now in its 4th generation of LED based panels and is releasing new models in Q4 that will posses local dimming of zones with white LED's from the back of the panel. they are the models that in essance are more comparable to the sony units with trilumanence back lit LED's.
Are the Sony models better? No, look at the halo effect from the panels as they are using poor qualitry video proeccessors that can not handle the color reproduction properly or the motion. Samsung is using a dual core video processor that is far superior and hadles color reproduction, and motion better. look for the 9000 series comming in Q4 and you will be blown away.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 13th 2009 1:43PM]

Its only a backlight.. there is ALLOT more going on in that TV than what kind of light is powering it. The picture perfromance wether its a Samsung, Sharp, or a Sony is still going to be vastly different, add to that the manufacture's building process, and the quality of materials they use inside the TV. The Sony will always look better, if for no other reason, is that they have a better understanding of video processing (dont be fooled, about 80-90 percent of all you see on TV is done with Sony broadcast equipment). Dont assume that a backlight makes them all the same. Give 3 Chefs the same ingrediants and you WILL end up with 3 different meals.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 13th 2009 1:57PM]

Hey "LED Insider" .. your asumption about the color performance is not true. The triluminous LEDs (with the video engine) allow for all the variations of color and intensity to be shown in the ATSC color spectrum, rgardless if it is a 8 bit or 10 bit. Basically, even in an 8 bit signal, there are colors variations that most TV's still cant represent accurately, then the engine takes over and makes asumptions on what that color should be. Those new LED's from Samsung are very agressive and has probelms with deeper tones in the higher spectrums of color. It is clearly seen on a Samsung when you have oversaturted greens and reds. Check out a field of grass on one of their sets (especially LED backlight) .. no grass field is that green.. is it pretty - yes, is it accurate - no. Also, the halo affect has always been worse on the Sammy's (check out the reviews on HD Guru & CNET). The panels ARE different and make a huge difference in this instance, and light leakage has (at least in the past) been worse on the Sammy's.

Are LED backlit tv's cool looking.. absolutely.. but just becasue they are LED, doesnt automatically make them better. .... but they are getting better....

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 14th 2009 5:05PM]

Hotrod, you're right on all accounts.

Why can I just get what I want in a Sony TV?

Native (1:1 pixel) 1080p
Triluminous LED backlighting
10-bit, Bravia Engine 3 processing
Good static & dynamic contrast ratio
Good cd/m2 brightness level
240 Hz refresh rate (MotionFlow)
24p cinema mode (3:2 pulldown)
4-5 ms response time
Game Mode
Excellent off-angle viewing (178/178)
DLNA function
Up-conversion of 480i/p
Detachable floating speakers
HDMI, a VGA and DVI-I inputs
in 42", 47", 52", & a 55-60" sizes

Why can't I have what I want from a LCD TV?
Why won't Sony make me a custom LED TV?
The price be damned, this is what I crave!

SONY, LISTEN - what I have listed above better be your XBR-10.
I'll let you skimp on the Triluminous and go with just white LEDs, but the rest better be there!