When I first received the Samsung LN55A950, I received a marketing sample not quite ready for the retail world. It was literally shipped in a big brown box with nothing more than the TV, remote control, cleaning cloth and cover.



The TV is well protected with the soft foam lined bag and the size Styrofoam blocks to keep the TV away from the sides of the box. The package weight is 51.3kg so don't attempt to move this TV around alone. The TV and stand measures 1364x882.6x337.8 mm and weighs 42 kg.



All of the inputs are located on the back and left side of the TV. To the side, for quick access, we have HDMI Input #4, WiseLink USB Input, Composite Input 2, Audio Input (Left & Right Channels) and headphone input. On the back we have a much larger selection of inputs and outputs. From the top and going left to right, Digital Audio Out, PC Audio In, PC VGA In, HDMI In (x3), Composite Audio Out (Left & Right), EX-Link, DVI In for HDMI 2 Composite Audio (Left & Right), two sets of Audio (Left & Right Channels) and HD Component In (YPbPR), LAN, S-Video and ANT In.



There's definitely a fair number of inputs and outputs, but if you had this as the center of your entertainment system, you'll want to have that kind of flexibility. There's no question that I could see someone using all of those inputs. Personally, I would even like to see a DVI input in addition the VGA for PC.

On the back is also where the product label is fixed to. My TV was manufactured June 2008.



Looking at the backside from an overview perspective, the TV has two 15W speakers located roughly half way to the top and about 12" away from the center line.



The TV is actually so big that you'll need to excuse the living room background. I would suggest giving yourself about 10' of space between your eyes and the TV screen to full enjoy the display. Any closer and you'll need to turn your head just to catch the details off to the side!

Supporting the TV is a large rectangular base plate. It measures 26"x13" (LxW) and offers no flexibility in terms of display tilt or rotation. The base is made out of glass, much like the rest of the bezel. Be sure to rest the TV on a solid flat footing.



Display control can be done at the bottom right where the buttons are touch sensitive behind the glass. They won't be used frequently unless your remote control dies. Located below the buttons is a single red LED, about 1mm in diameter. This LED can be used to indicate power is being received but the TV is on standby.



If you press on any of the touch sensitive buttons, the entire array will light up. Each LED will stay on for a few seconds and then turn off if there is no follow up activity. The TV will respond to the user's interactions with a soft beep.



When you actually turn on the TV, a white LED will illuminate below the Samsung nameplate and the red LED turns off.