Although there isn’t room here to provide examples from every company and product category, let’s take a look at TV and home theater product categories from some key brands to see what their model numbers reveal.

Samsung TV Model Numbers

Here are some examples of what Samsung’s TV model numbers tell you. UN65TU7100FXZA:

U = LED/LCD TV. N = North America (if there’s an E, it means Europe). 65 = Diagonal screen size in inches. T = 2020 model. R = 2019, N = 2018, M = 2017, K = 2016 model, J = 2015 model, H = 2014 model (Samsung skipped the letters L, P, and Q in this category). U = 4K, Ultra HD, UHD. 7100 = Model series. F = Tuner type. F = U.S., Canada, Mexico. U, K, T = Europe. G = Latin America. X = Design. ZA = Made for the U.S.

UN40M5300FXZA:

U = LED/LCD TV. M = North America (an E would designate a European model). 40 = Diagonal screen size. M = 2017 model (K, J, and H would be the same as the previous example). Note that there is no U following the M. This means that the TV is either a 1080p or 720p HDTV (in this case, it’s a 1080p TV). 5300 = Model series. FXZA = Same as above.

QN65Q90TAFXZA:

Q = QLED (LED/LCD TV with quantum dot technology). 65 = Diagonal screen size. Q90 = 90 series 4K QLED TV (Q900 = 900 series 8K QLED TV). T = 2020 model. (R = 2019, N = 2018). A = Generation. FXZA = Same as above.

LG TV Model Numbers

LG provides the following model number structure for its TVs. OLED55CXP:

OLED = TV with OLED technology. 55 = Diagonal screen size in inches. C = Model series. May also be a B, E, G, or W. X = 2020 model (9 = 2019, 8 = 2018, 7 = 2017 model, 6 = 2016). P = U.S. model (V = European model).

65SN8500PUA:

65 = Diagonal screen size.S = Super UHD 4K TV (high-end LED/LCD TV).N = 2020 model (M = 2019, K = 2018, J = 2017).8500 = Model series.P = Region of sale (U.S.).U = Digital tuner type.A = Design.

43UN6910PUA:

43 = Diagonal screen size.U = Mid-range 4K UHD TV.N = 2020 model (M = 2019).6910 = Model series.PUA = Same as above.

43LN5000PUA:

43 = Diagonal screen size.L = 1080p or 720p TV LED/LCD TV.N = 2020 model (M = 2019, K = 2018, J = 2017, H = 2016).5000 = Model series.PUA = Same as above.

SONY TV Model Numbers

Here is what Sony’s TV model numbers tell you. XBR 75X850H:

XBR = North America.75 = Diagonal screen size in inches.X = TV class (X or S = premium, R = entry level, W = midrange, A = OLED, Z = 3D until 2017, 8K from 2019 going forward).8 = Model series.5 = Model in series.0 = Design.H = 2020 model (G = 2019, F = 2018, E = 2017, D = 2016, C = 2015, B = 2014, A = 2013).

XBR-65A9H:

XBR = North America.65 = Diagonal screen size in inches.A = OLED.9 = Model series.H = 2020 model (G = 2019, F = 2018, E = 2017, no OLED models before 2017).

Vizio TV Model Numbers

Vizio TV model numbers are short, providing model series and screen size info but not specifically denoting the model year. 4K Ultra HD TVs and smart displays don’t have any extra designation, while smaller screen 720p and 1080p TVs do. D55-E0:

D = Model series. The D series is entry-level. V, E, M, or P would designate higher-end models in the listed order. The D series has a mixture of 720p, 1080p, and 4K models. Some have smart features and some don’t. The V, E, M, and P series are all 4K Ultra HD smart TVs. 55 = Screen size. E0 = Internal Vizio designation. It may also be E1, E2, or E3 depending on when the TV was released. This isn’t exactly the same as a specific year designation.

The exceptions that Vizio makes to the above structure are in its smaller 720p and 1080p TVs. Here are two examples. D24hn-E1:

D = Model series.24 = Diagonal screen size.h = 720p.n = Not a smart TV.E1 = Internal Vizio designation.

D39f-E1:

D = Model series.39 = Diagonal screen size.f not followed by an n = 1080p TV with smart features. h not followed by an n would be a 720p smart TV.E1 = Internal Vizio designation.

Home Theater Receivers

Another product category that can have confusing model numbers is home theater receivers. However, just as with TVs, there is a logic. Here are some examples.

Denon Home Theater Receiver Model Numbers

AVR-X4700H:

AVR = AV receiver. X = Model series. 4 = Place in model series (can be a 1, 2, 3, or 4). 700 = 2020 model (600 = 2019, 500 = 2018, 400 = 2017, 300 = 2016, 200 = 2015). H = Compatible with Denon HEOS Wireless Multi-room Audio platform.

AVR-S750H:

AVR = AV receiver.S = Model series.7 = Place in model series (can be a 7 or 9).50 = 2019 model (40 = 2018, 30 = 2017, 20 = 2016, 10 = 2015).H = Compatible with Denon HEOS. Earlier models may end with a W instead of an H, which means wireless networking/streaming, but not necessarily HEOS compatibility.

AVR-S540BT:

AVR = AV receiver. S = Model series. 5 = Place in model series. 4 = 2018 model (30 = 2017, no 2019 model released). BT = Features Bluetooth but is not network, internet, or HEOS enabled.

Onkyo Receiver Model Numbers

Onkyo has shorter model numbers than Denon but still provides some core information. Here are four examples. TX-8270:

TX = Two-channel stereo receiver.82 = 2017 model (81 = 2016 model).70 = Exact model (no new stereo receiver models since 2017).

TX-SR393:

TX-SR = Surround sound receiver.393 = The numbers on the left and right designate the model within a series, the number in the middle designates the model year (9 = 2019, 8 = 2018, 7 = 2017).

TX-NR595:

TX-NR = Surround sound receiver with networking and internet streaming.595 = Same meaning as the previous example.

TX-RZ740:

TX-RZ = High-end surround sound receiver model series with network connectivity and internet streaming.7 = Place in model series.40 = 2019 model (30 = 2018, 20 = 2017, 10 = 2016 model, 00 = 2015 model).

Yamaha Receiver Model Numbers

Yamaha model numbers provide information in a similar fashion as Onkyo. Here are examples. RX-V687:

RX-V = Home theater receiver.6 = Model in series.87 = 2019 model (85 = 2018, 83 = 2017, 81 = 2016, 79 = 2015, Yamaha skipped 80).

RX-A1080:

RX-A = Home theater receiver in AVENTAGE line (high-end).10 = Model in series.80 = 2018 model (70= 2017, 60 = 2016, 50 = 2015).

RX-S602:

RX-S = Slim profile home theater receiver.60 = Model in series.2 = 2018 model (1= 2017 model, 0 = 2016).

R-N803:

R = Stereo receiverN = Network and internet streaming capability.80 = Model in series.3 = 2017 model (2 = 2016 model, 1 = 2015 model, no 2018 or 2019 models released).

R-S202:

R = Stereo receiverS = Standard. No network or streaming features.20 = Model series.2 = 2016 model (1 = 2015, the 2016 model carried over through 2019).

Marantz Home Theater Receiver Model Numbers

Marantz has simpler model numbers that don’t provide a lot of detail. Here are two examples: SR7015:

SR = Surround receiver.70 = Model within a series (70 is top of the line, 60 is one step below top of the line, 50 falls into the mid-range).15 = 2020 model (14 = 2019, 13 = 2018, 12 = 2017, 11 = 2016, 10 is a 2015 model).

NR-1711:

NR = Slim-style network surround receiver.17 = Model in series.11 = 2020 model (10 = 2019, 09 = 2018, 08 = 2017, 07 = 2016 model, 06 is a 2015 model).

Soundbar Model Numbers

Unlike TVs and home theater receivers, soundbar model numbers often don’t provide specific feature details. You have to dig deeper into the product description provided by the product’s web page or through a dealer. For example, Sonos labels its soundbar products as the PlayBar and PlayBase. Klipsch has a simple system using the prefix R or RSB (Reference Sound Bar) following a one or two-digit number that signifies its position within its soundbar product category in ascending order, such as R-4B, R-10B, RSB-3, 6, 8, 11, 14. Another popular soundbar maker, Polk Audio, uses labels such as Signa S1, Signa SB1 Plus, MagniFi, and MagnaFi Mini. However, Vizio provides informative soundbar model numbers. Here are four examples. SB36514-G6:

SB = Soundbar. 36 = Soundbar width in inches. 514 = 5.1.4 channels (Dolby Atmos soundbar system with 5 horizontal channels, 1 subwoofer, and 4 vertically firing speakers embedded in the soundbar and surround speakers).

SB4051-DO:

SB = Soundbar.40 = Width of soundbar.51 = 5.1 channels (three-channel soundbar with subwoofer and surround speakers).DO = Internal Vizio tracking designation.

SB3831-DO:

SB = Soundbar.38 = Width of soundbar.31 = 3.1 channels (three-channel soundbar with subwoofer).D0 = Internal Vizio tracking designation.

SB2821-D6:

SB = Soundbar.28 = Width of soundbar.21 = 2.1 channels (two-channel soundbar with subwoofer).D0 = Internal Vizio tracking designation.

Blu-Ray and Ultra HD Blu-Ray Player Model Numbers

The last product category focused on here are Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc players. You need to pay attention not so much to the entire model number, but the first letters of that number. Blu-ray Disc player model numbers usually start with the letter B. For example, Samsung uses BD, Sony starts with BDP-S, and LG uses BP. One of the few exceptions is Magnavox, which uses MBP (the M stands for Magnavox). Model numbers for Ultra HD Blu-ray players start with the letter U which stands for 4K Ultra HD. Examples include Samsung (UBD), Sony (UBP), LG (UP), Oppo Digital (UDP), and Panasonic (UB). For all brands, the letter prefix is usually followed by a three or four-digit number that designates the player’s position within the brand’s Blu-ray or Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc player product category (higher numbers designate higher-end models) but doesn’t provide information about the player’s additional features.

Know Your Product Model Numbers

With all the tech terms and model numbers thrown at consumers, it can be a daunting task to figure out what a product offers what you might be looking for. However, product model numbers can provide useful information. Product model numbers are an important identifier when seeking follow-up service. Make sure you note the model number, as well as your product’s specific serial number for future reference. Model numbers are printed on both the box and in user guides. You can also find a TV or home theater product’s model number displayed on its rear panel, usually as a sticker that displays the serial number of your specific unit.