Samsung LN40C630

The 40-inch Samsung LN40C630 doesn't have many of the hottest features, but it does offer solid picture performance at a relatively attractive price. Picture quality is well above average, with good blacks despite the use of a standard CCFL backlight instead of LED. Color performance is also good, though some technical drawbacks show up in tests. Some reviewers complain about the viewing angle, others say its fine. A reflective screen also comes in for criticism.

In terms of features, the 40-inch LN40C630 is Digital Living Network Alliance-compliant and can stream all sorts of movies, photos and music from a networked computer. However, it lacks the ability to stream content from the Internet. It features a 120 Hz refresh rate; though that's not as fast as some TVs, it's sufficient to effectively control any motion blur. Other screen sizes in this series include the 46-inch LN46C630, 55-inch LN55C630 and 60-inch LN60C630. Reports say that the Sony KDL-EX500 series, including the 40-inch KDL-40EX500 and 46-inch Sony KDL-46EX500 (Discontinued), are also good choices for those that prize value as well as performance. If Internet access is a must-have, Samsung also offers a step-up set, the 40-inch LN40C650 that adds it to the mix, but otherwise performs identically.

The most comprehensive review of the 40-inch Samsung LN40C630 is at TelevisionInfo.com. ConsumerReports.org also provides some information, though its review is of a different screen size in the series. Lots of user reviews can be found at Amazon.com and BestBuy.com.