Samsung on Tuesday announced the release dates of its LED HDTVs, first introduced at CES, as well as its R-series portable multimedia players. The LED TV line-up includes screen sizes between 19 and 65 inches, with the first models coming to store shelves later in March. As before, the C7000, C8000 and C9000 series are capable of supporting 3D content through both a 240Hz refresh rate and a proprietary 3D processor that supports 3D format standards. They can also convert standard 2D content into 3D video in real time.

The 46- and 55-inch C7000 will ship in March, priced at $2,600 and $3,300 respectively. A 40-inch version ships in May for $2,000. April will see the release of the 55-inch and $7,000 flagship C9000, its 46-inch and $6,000 sibling, as well as the 55-inch, $3,500 and 46-inch, $2,800 C8000. A 65-inch C8000 with a $5,000 price tag is not due until July.

For a limited time, buyers of the above Samsung 3D HDTVs and 3D Blu-ray player or 3D home theater system will get the $350 3D Starter Kit for free. It includes a 3D version of Monsters vs. Aliens and two pairs of active shutter glasses.

As for the non 3D-capable LED HDTVs, there will be 55- and 46-inch C6800 models, due out in May and priced at $3,000 and $2,300, respectively. The same sizes in the C6500 series will be out in March, with $2,800 and $2,100 respective price tags. A 40-inch version is also out this month, costing $1,700, and a 32- and 65-inch version are coming in May, for $1,200 and $4,500, respectively.

6300-series TVs in 55-, 46- and 40-inch sizes are due this month, with $2,500, $1,700 and $1,400 prices, while a 60-inch model comes in May, at $3,000.

The C5000 series is similar, with 32-, 40- and 46-inch sets due this month, at $850, $1,200 and $1,500 price levels. The 55-inch C5000 will cost $2,300 when it arrives in May.

Finally, the C4000s will come out in March, with 32-, 26- and 22-inch models that will each cost $700, $550 and $430. A 19-inch model is due in May with a $380 price.

A noteworthy accessory is the 3-inch touchscreen remote control, which will be sold separately for $350. The remote ships with C9000 TVs and has a live feed of the currently tuned channel. An earphone jack is included and a Twin View feature lets users watch TV or Blu-ray discs on the TV and remote at the same time. It's only compatible with the LED-lit C7000, C8000, LCD C750 and Plasma C7000 and C8000. A release date is set for May. An $80 LinkStick plugs into a USB 2.0 port of compatible sets and gives users the ability to connect to online Samsung Apps and InfoLink RSS data. It arrives later in March.

At the same time, Samsung said it will bring its R1 and R0 personal multimedia players to North America. The R1 uses a 2.4-inch LCD touchscreen, a battery life rating of up to 50 hours when playing music or viewing photos and four hours of video watching. It supports Bluetooth headphones and comes with an FM radio and recorder as well as voice recording.

The R0 has a 2.6-inch screen, but navigation comes via tactile keys. Battery life is rated, curiously, at six hours of video and 30 hours of audio playback. A microSD memory card slot is present as well. Both have DivX support.

Either can be had in silver or black, and in 8GB or 16GB capacities. The R0 also gets a pink color option.

The PMPs ship in April, with an 8GB R1 priced at $150, a 16GB costing $180 and the 8GB and 16GB R0 priced at $100 and $130, respectively.

LED C9000

LED C8000

LED C7000

Samsung R0