Out of the Box - Initial Views: Wow - most people are surprised by just how slim the UE55B7020 is - in fact less than an inch and a half in depth.Samsung has done well by ensuring that everything you could do with is built-in in the package, unlike some of its competitors who occasionally move key components out to a discrete box you have to find space for. It also looks delightful, with a noticeable black surround and a thin see-through connection linking the monitor and the stand.

Sound Quality: This leads to a weak spot common in contemporary Televisions - the sound quality is only middling. The thickness of the UE55B7020 is too small to include a adequate audio system. It would be astute to look at adding a surround sound system.

Screen Performance: The difference with the UE55B7020 is that, instead of fluorescent tubes to supply backlighting, it uses LEDs. What some reviewers haven’t understood is that the display itself still uses tried and tested LCD expertise. The advantages of LEDs as opposed to fluorescent tubes are:

* LEDs present a more even light - they make use of a grid system, rather than the traditional fluorescent light source.

* Faultless blacks are doable - out of the question with established Televisions.

* The display responds earlier.

* The colour range that can be displayed is better.

Socket connectivity: The UE55B7020 has all the connections to join to other appliances and computers that the largest part of us are to be expected to require - an LAN port, 2 USB ones and 4 HDMI connections. The USB ports allow the playing of a range of multimedia file formats as well as to your wireless set-up (you will want a separate dongle.) And the LAN network connection permits easy access to files on your home network.

There are in point of fact two remotes. The main one curves over at one end (designed to place on an easy chair arm?). A tad curious to hold initially, but you get used to it. The second, smaller remote merely allows volume power and channel changes.

Cost in use: The UE55B7020 consumes around 115W in operation - well below the normal requirement. Less than a watt on standby.

Conclusion: The UE55B7020, as with other flatscreen TVs, needs a separate audio system to give decent audio. Nonetheless the colours and blacks it produces on screen, using its new LED expertise are staggering, making it a TV that you should seriously deliberate purchasing if looking for a TV in this price range.

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