With the digital transition coming in 2009 the LCD HDTV market is booming as people upgrade to new TVs. When it comes time to buy a new HDTV you have to decide between LCD or plasma technology for the most part. Samsung has introduced several new HDTV models recently including some new plasma sets.

Samsung didn’t leave the LCD HDTV fan out either and introduced a new Series 8 line that includes models 850 and 860 both in 46-inch or 52-inch screen sizes. The new TVs feature the Samsung Touch of Color design that puts color inside the plastic housing of the TV rather than simply painting it on. Both the 850 and 860 models share similar specs with 50,000:1 contrast ratio, 120Hz refresh rate and four HDMI inputs as well as other input types. The TVs are also very thin at only 1.9-inches at the thickest part.

I have reviewed lots of TVs over the years and by and large I find myself a plasma TV man. In my home right now I have both a LCD HDTV and a plasma HDTV and I prefer to watch on the plasma much more than the LCD. The plasma TV is brighter, has better blacks and colors as well. The catch with the plasma is that it puts out lots of heat, which is an issue during Texas summers when it is already 150 degrees outside and not much cooler indoors.

Despite the heat I’ll take a nice plasma TV over a LCD any day and Samsung has come to the plasma fans assistance with a new series of plasma sets called the 7 Series. Engadget reports that the 7 Series includes sets with 50-inch, 58-inch and 63-inch screen sizes.