Thin is in at Samsung. The company’s new 6000, 7000 and 8000 LED backlit series measure a svelte 1.2″ deep. These sets just about disappear when viewed from the side. The top of the line 8000 series, available in both 46†($3199.99) and 55†($3999.99) versions, adds true 240Hz refresh rate to the feature-packed 7000 series. Samsung calls these sets “LED TVs,†but exactly what does that mean?
What It Isn’t 
While Samsung identifies these new, thin sets as “LED TVs†in its ads and on the shipping cartons, and while its website proclaims “a new HDTV technology…,” this is simply not the case.
These sets use conventional LCD (liquid crystal display) technology. White LEDs (light emitting diodes) mounted around the bezel edge, instead of more conventional means of illumination, provide panel backlighting.
There are true LED displays, of course, like Mitsubishi’s Diamond Vision and Panasonic’s Astrovision, used as giant outdoor displays in stadiums and in New York’s Times Square, that utilize up to 30 million red, blue and green LEDs to produce a full-color HD image.
Best Buy piles on, mimicking Samsung’s advertising in its weekly circular, listing these sets as LED HDTVs, while other LCD-based sets are identified as “LCD HDTVs.†In-store shelf tags also identify the televisions as “LED HDTVs†(see photos).
LED backlighting is hardly new technology. Sony introduced the first LED backlit LCD HDTVs in Japan over five years ago and the first in the US in 2005. Sony first introduced edge-mounted LED LCD TVs in 2008.
So, despite Samsung’s position, large flat screen HDTVs continue to use one of two technologies: LCD and plasma. LCD sets not using LED backlighting, use fluorescent lamps (usually a type known as CCFL). So, should you choose to buy one of these ultra-thin new Samsungs, keep in mind you’re not buying “new technology,†never mind a scaled down version of a Diamond Vision football stadium display!
What It Is
As previously stated, the UN46B8000 has a refresh rate of 240Hz for improved motion resolution. Unlike some other vendors touting 120 Hz displays with scanning backlights as 240 Hz, this Samsung uses twin MEMC (motion estimation motion compensation) chips to achieve a true 240 Hz refresh rate. The chips create interpolated frames between actual source frames. Movie film moves at a rate of 24 frames per second. To achieve 240 Hz, film frames must either be repeated ten times, or new frames created (via signal processing) by interpolating two adjacent frames to create intermediate ones. The test results appear in the performance section below.
Inputs include an Ethernet jack (for access to select internet widgets and websites), a USB jack (for viewing compatible still photo, video files and music files and to add firmware updates), 4 HDMI inputs, 1 component video input with L/R audio, 1 composite input with L/R audio input and a 15 pin Sub D (analog) PC input. There is no S-video input.
Note that due to the shallow depth of this Samsung, the 8000′s HDMI inputs require sideways insertion at the panel’s rear edge. The connectors are spaced more closely than on any other set tested. While it’s a tight fit, all but one HDMI cable we tried had sufficient room for insertion. It’s likely, though, that there are other HDMI cables on the market that may be too fat to fit. Inserting an internet connected Ethernet cable into the “RJ45′ type jack enabled the 8000 to quickly self-configure, allowing use of Yahoo widgets for on-screen sports news and weather, as well as Flickr and other selected websites.
The UN46B8000 has four picture modes (Dynamic for showrooms, Standard, Natural and Movie) Except as otherwise noted, measurements and picture evaluations were made in the Movie mode, which was deemed as the most accurate.
There are a plethora of user settings in addition to normal picture settings (i.e. Brightness, Color, and Contrast etc.), including Dynamic contrast (buries darker areas into black and crushes lighter areas), Black tone (darkens darker areas but also buries dark detail), Flesh tone (makes skin redder) and Edge Enhancement (produces more distinct edges without halos) For the most accurate image set these controls to “offâ€Â.
The remote control is large with lit buttons. Hot buttons include “content” for internet widget activation as well as a media player (via USB) and picture size (6 aspect ratios including a 1:1 called “wide fit”).
The screen bezel is finished in gloss black with a chrome-type edge. The 8000 includes a brushed aluminum swivel stand. It weighs in at just 39.5 lbs. (without stand).
Performance
The edge-mounted rows of LEDs produce a level of performance with both distinct advantages and disadvantages compared to conventional behind-the-LCD panel light sources. The major advantages of this configuration are low energy consumption, a very thin form factor and high image brightness. The UN46B8000 uses less energy than any large screen HDTV flat panel we’ve ever tested. In the “Dynamic” retail showroom mode it consumed just 148 watts with an on-center screen brightness of 79 ft. lamberts (the dynamic setting defaults to the “backlight” of 10, the maximum). The “Home” mode default is called “Standard” mode, (with a preset “5″ level backlight control setting) and consumed 123 watts. The “Movie” mode with the backlight set to “1″ consumed just 94 watts, with a brightness of 22.3 ft lamberts. Unlike rear mounted LEDs, which can change brightness within zones where the image darkens, the edge mounted design requires a steady intensity. This results in a steady power meter reading, and creates a direct correlation between the level of black and ultimate brightness. The best compromise is a backlight setting of “1″. Lowering the control to “0″ made the image too dim, while raising it caused blacks to lighten. The “1″ setting was fine for evening or day viewing with window shades; however, daytime viewing in rooms without window treatment may require a higher backlight setting to provide a sufficiently bright image, sacrificing deep black levels. The black level is quite low, though not as deep as our reference Pioneer Pro-141FD plasma
Getting the LED white light to travel from the edges to behind the LCD panel requires an optical wave guide that twists the light 90 degrees. This is no easy feat to perfect and Samsung hasn’t managed to completely nail it: screen uniformity wasn’t perfect when viewing a full white screen test pattern. On rare occasions, when viewing content with white areas at the top or bottom edge (see photo, note red circle is a room lamp reflection not the TV) or a blue sky, this non-uniformity gave the screen edge a schmutzy (dirty) appearance.
Viewing angle is another LCD issue, and this LED-lit LCD is no exception. Blacks appear lighter and whites darker as one moves off axis, either vertically or horizontally. While this effect is visible with all LCD displays, the fall off is greater with the LED edge-lit 8000. Measuring brightness at 20 degrees horizontal off dead center revealed a brightness decrease of 15%, along with lighter blacks. Whether or not this is an issue, depends upon your viewing distance and the width of your viewing area.
The 8000′s performance shined in areas of signal processing, motion resolution, noise reduction and gray scale accuracy, passing all the standard definition HQV tests for 3:2 Film detection, detail and noise reduction. It also passed the HD HQV deinterlacing 1080i signals and film cadence tests with the 8000 set to Film Mode 1. Warm 2 color temperature was near the industry D6500 standard and fine-tuned near perfection using the 8000′s “White Balance” control with the aid of signal generator and a Photo Research spectroradiometer.
There are two controls for the 8000s “Auto Motion Plus” 240Hz circuitry. Access is available by using the “Custom” mode (the other modes are factory presets and “off”). The first control labeled “Blur Reduction” can reduce or eliminate motion blur with video based sources such as live sports, newscasts, reality TV and some scripted series. The second control is called “Judder Reduction”, it smoothes out horizontal pans of film based sources (movies and many scripted TV series) eliminating the stutter present on other displays and supposedly reduces motion blur, though this is difficult to confirm. Unfortunately there is no objective test material currently available to quantify the amount of blur reduction with 24 fps source material.
Using the video-based FPD test disc, the “Blur Reduction” set to “0″ produced a motion resolution of 320 lines, the same as seen on most 60 Hz LCDs. Increasing the control to the “5″ position measured 630 lines of motion resolution, about the same result as most 120 Hz LCD flat panels previously measured. Cranking the control to the maximum “10″ position produced full 1080 line resolution. The only trade-offâ€â€a slight horizontal streakingâ€â€is more apparent as the control setting is increased. This was only noticeable close-up on light objects featuring dark details such as black lettering on a white street sign, or a girl’s dark lipstick against her light face as she swings on a rope. Overall the effect was insignificant enough to keep the control locked at the 10 maximum.
The “Judder Reduction” control makes pans appear smoother. The trade-off was that film-based material appears more like “live video” with a smoother texture as the control setting is increased, as if the film grain has been reduced or nearly eliminated. Comparing the 8000 against our reference Pioneer Pro-141FD confirmed the video-like look, noticeable even when the control is set to “Off”! Some viewers like the improved smoothness while others (including myself) don’t. The best compromise was with the control set to position “1″.
HDTV color accuracy was excellent. With the 8000′s “Color Space” set to auto the primaries show a very slight deviation from the Rec. 709 HDTV standard. Samsung claims the colors can be precisely fine tuned using the 8000′s custom “Color Space” control; if one has the inclination and the proper test equipment.
Evaluating image quality using Verizon FIOS cable (SD and HD) and Blu-ray confirmed the UN46B8000′s ability to produced fine looking pictures. The judder reduction circuitry really smoothed out the image during fast action sequences, such as seen in the Transporter 3 Audi-Mercedes chase (Chapter 10) on Blu-ray.
The full motion resolution and overall excellent performance places the UN46B8000 at the top of all the LCD HDTVs tested. We will see if the 8000 can keep its crown when we review the current Samsung and Sony LED rear backlit models currently in queue. Despite our quibbles regarding its “new technology†advertising, this Samsung is the first HDTV to deliver the dream of a thin, light weight, bright, clear 46″ HDTV that you can easily hang on the wall like a painting. The HD Guru awards the Samsung UN46B8000 ♥♥♥.
-HDGuru® with Michael Fremer
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True, the new Samsungs are not proper LED tvs but edge lit LCD panels. It’s just a big marketing ploy by Samsung that the rest are sure to follow. Its just a run up for OLED that will hit the shelves big time in a few years. LCD tvs in name will be history by then.
I love the set. it’s extremely thin, and I the color is brilliant. I haven’t noticed much flashlighting, triple ball effect, or other problems which effect most standard LCD sets. If you’re relying on factory settings for picture quality, you should seriously go to [...]
Do not use the slim wall mount if you have one. It’s magnetic and causes some problems w/ the set.
I was able to take advantage get a steal of a price on a sale, and had to jump on it. If you have money to burn, it’s a great set. there are some 9 series standard LCD sets from Samsung which are great.
Be aware that there are no true LED sets out there. This is an edge lit set. That means that there are some LED’s along the edges of the screen providing backlight to the lcd screen. The next series, 9000, will feature local dimming LED which are spread in zones throughout the set. Not a true LED, but closer, however .. more than likely.. you’ll pay the price.
If you’re in the market for an edge lit LED-LCD set, and you’re happy w/ 46in, jump in. If not, wait it out a bit until there’s new tech you want badly, or until the prices drop.
Went to purchase the Kuro and walked out with the Samsung LED 8000. By far a superior TV with a superior picture! There is simply no other TV on the market that compares.
Good overall review. I am planning on buying one of these now that they could be had for around $2600. The lower end 6000 series is now around $2000 so thye look to be pretty good deals.
I just bought three 558000 led lcd and one 468000 led lcd, and I have been using the the 55inch for two days now and just got the 46inch up. the 55 worked ok for the first day:) the second day I was downloading wigets to the tv (youtube) of course, everthing was fine till about 20 youtube later ( yes they play one right after another without seting anything) half the screen has alternating lines of good and bad video? I will call samsung monday:) wish me luck
The guru mentioned that due to the shallow depth of this Samsung, the 8000’s HDMI inputs require sideways insertion at the panel’s rear edge. The connectors are spaced more closely than on any other set tested. While it’s a tight fit, all but one HDMI cable we tried had sufficient room for insertion. What are the brands of HDMI cable that fit this TV?
Went to 6th avenue to buy the new 63″ Samsung plasma but couldn’t after viewing the UN7000 they had on the wall, which had best 3d effect I’ve ever seen and super resolution without any video effect. The Samsung plasma had no 3d effect and a $6000 Kuro playing the latest Batman also had no 3d effect compared to the 7000. After taking the 7000 home I learned about the 8000 and traded in after a week. The 8000 is clearly better (had 4 days now), I usually do a custom 5/2 motion setting and then standard TV (T/W digital) has some 3d effect (first time I’ve seen that), good high def tv looks like bluray (wow), and the bluray pictures are so amazing and 3d that I see them literally in my dreams, and the 3d effect is present thru the entire movie. It’s as though each viewing quality was pushed up to the next level. We just sit and watch the amazing 3d effect, finally even changing from Forbidden Kingdom after several times thru, from 7000 to 8000. 5th element is too good to describe, up till 2:30AM just to watch. Underworld evolution is perfectly detailed and bright enough while on any other TV I’ve seen is too dark. The opening and ending scenes are so real they’re unreal (hard to describe). Just bought a pioneer elite BDP23FD which plays pretty well. The 7000′s motion wasn’t quite good enough and had to be adjusted back and forth during movies, the 8000 is noticably better and finally up to par. For some pictures, I set motion to standard but most are best at custom 5/1 or 5/2. This gives both the movie effect and ultimate 3d effect at the same time – wow. Other’s (younger people) prefer more video effect, which makes people look real (literally) but as though they’re standing in the room and not in a believable movie, again with custom I get the best of both and can leave the setting alone thru the movie, although can switch to standard motion for certain scenes to become absurdly real – such as in Forbidden Kingdom when the staff and blade from Jet Li and the warlord are shown close up or when the little bird flies in at the end. It’s easy enough to set the player to any desired setting, I’ll look to see if it can be programmed to a few settings from the remote. I have experience with 1080p/24 projectors, my 60″ Sony 120Hz DLP and what I’ve seen in the stores on several occasions, but the 8000 is amazing and by far the best picture (in terms of 3d realism while still having a film effect) and at $3100 bargaining at 6th Ave a good deal. It’s so light at 60 lbs I carried it and set it up myself, grabbing middle bottom and side. I don’t see any issue viewing off angle. Sorry for the rambling but wanted to share my experience…
I think the Sammy 55 9000 series is going to be about $800 to $1000 more than the same size 8000 series. BestBuy matched a sales Sears was having on 4th of July for $3399. Went ahead and made the plunge. yeah, teh local dimming on the 9000 would be nice, but of all the issues I read about, concern about the black levels is not up there for me. Certainly not to the tune of $800 and waiting 2 more months. The UN55B8000 is beautiful TV.
PLEAZ HELP I need owners feed back ( rating on 10 ) before purchasing…
Thanks for Samsung LED review, esp on the “what it isn’t”, any word on the competitors (e.g. LG has a cheaper 55″ LED at a big box and also a Sony 55″ LED), how do they stack up vs Samsung’s 55″ LED (and the LG has a lower glare screen than Samsung for the folks with windows like me)
I was kinda waiting for the price to drop down on the samsung 55″ 7000 but the price is dropping on the 55″ 8000 as well. would my best bet to buy the 8000 for the 240hz orrrr what about the samsung ln52b750 ? I know Im loosing a couple inches but I have read good things about it to.I have looked at several tv’s but its getting down to buying one.I am going to best buy today to look around again.I also have a xbox-360 would the 240hz be better then the 120hz? And what about the new samsung 9000 do you have any info on that?? thanks bob
Please help…
We have the 7500 series and we still have blurr with hockey and football games? We are hooked up to our HD receiver with an HDMI/DVI cable (no adapter).
Thanks for your time
I am deciding between LN46B750 and UN46B8000, which one would you sugeest? LN is around 1600 and UN 2400. is the difference worth it?
Thanks!
I like this Samsung product, I am dreaming but I have not enough money.
Thanks for this post
great article, thanks for explaining that this isn’t new technology. I saw this at Best Buy and the quality did seem superior to the other TVs there.
I happen to own a UN55B8000 and this thing blows away any plasma picture I have ever seen.
Sam Bass
Posted on 7th June, 2009
This has to be the most useless uninformed review I have ever read!
You guys are knit picking.This t.v. is perfect.The picture quality is amazing.It’s thin and it’s easy to lift or mount on a wall.The television may seem a little “softer” than the old 9 series models because it uses less power.Approximately 40% less power which equals a lower electric bill,a cooler t.v. and a cooler room. Anyone with common sense can see this t.v. is bang for your buck.I’ve seen these t.v.’s for as low as $2,400.You could never find a new model Kuro,Sony Bravia etc. for that cheap.
what were the measurements for the set? how close was white balance? good tracking from top to bottom? I agree it looks good but I would love to know the numbers. Also what do you use to take measurements, I have an old Sencore unit but it is not very accurate with LCD’s. Thanks
jeff
2Conversion Van
“I still have not found an impressive 26″ LCD. It’s not all about price point at this size is it?”
What do you think about sony 26v4500 – toppest 26″ LCD TV on a market… or maybe 1/2 priced Samsung 26B450 – cheap and good enough. Im hesitating between them… or maybe middle-one 26S4000 – good price in Russia, less than $500.
New sasmung OLED TVs have good picture quality but unreal price tag.
Thanks for blog!
What’s that Marketing People stretching the truth to try and trick the ignorant? What happened to truth in Advertising. Anyways now that June 12th has passed I’m looking for a new bedroom TV to replace the old 25″ analog Sony. I came across a neat (specs on paper) Samsung 23″… but you can’t tilt or swivel the set (What is Samsung thinking?). Why can’t the manufacturers put any cool high end technology into the smaller sets. I still have not found an impressive 26″ LCD. It’s not all about price point at this size is it? I love cool high end tiny gadgets – iPod is a great example.
DirectTV has begun downloading 1080P movies directly to their HD vcr. You can currently view ” The top 10 movies ” directly (no pun intended) from the vcr with the obligatory rental fee of course. :-) without being connected to the internet. They look great BTW. A call to a senior staff person at DirecTV, stated they intend to roll out much more 1080P content in near future. Again, no internet connection, the 10 most popular new releases now available in 1080P.
Actually, I just sold my 71 inch Samsung DLP and bought the Series 8 (UN55B000XF), and it is stunning.
Unfortunately, there are no cable systems that broadcast any more than 1080i. The only signal sources that do are the Blu-ray players. I have the Sony. While it has the HDMI output I used my 4 year old Pioneer Receiver to handle all inputs and outputs to get the great sound. This older model will not transmit 1080p and requires the Sony to be in 1080i mode.
You can’t win for losing. Now another 2K+ needed for the latest receiver.
Bottom line – you update one component, you upgrade them ALL!
The Tiger
Update: After days and days of research, many tests and so many visits to BB I finally made the best decision.
Pioneer Elite pro 111
Best. Tv. Ever.
$2999 – $300 (10% moving coupon, it works!)
$2699.
Just a couple of observations…..the heat issue…while those of you commenting about Plasma talked about how cool the LED was, your mssg sounded like you did not put you hand on a plasma but were referencing the past….If you did wereboth sets showing the same thing, were they both setup the same(as much as possible)? The answer is that both Panasonic and Samsung plasmas currently on the market feel very close to the same as the LED….but then it depends on where you put your hand on the LED, doesn’t it??? Try it. I was in a store that had a Panasonic 720, a Samsung 720 and the LED all merchandised vertically-one row. The LED looked great, then I began to notice that the lighter colors were far superior on the Plasmas. Try it….you don’t even need a 1080 Pan/Sam to see the difference.
The generalized statement about power consumption is just more BS. Yes the new plasmas do consume more than the LED, as do virtually all other LCD’s.
You can look into the screen on the LED and see the store behind you…as with many of the newer LCD’s, because of a glossier screen. Maybe a better concept than the blanket statement of which is best in light, would be the concept of proper mounting/placement of the product…..there are very few light issues, plasma or LCD, that cannot be corrected if you have the ability to tilt or swivel the set a small amount.
Burn in….please…..read your LCD manuals…..headline news for how long? don’t leave in bright direct sunlight for more than how long?
The facts are it is easier to fix burn in(if you are careless enough to allow it) on a plasma than an LCD…..hmm! let’s see I can run a full action movie on the plasma for 24 hrs to get rid of it…..or I can get this, UPLUG MY LCD FOR A WEEK” to get rid of it.
The nature of the process for generating the colors dictates that with equally well made plasmas and lcd’s the plasmas will always serve the color needs best.
If you put an action BluRay on anything except a Pan/Sam plasma you get how many vertical lines of resolution……do you know…..low 900′s more than likely….Put the same BluRay on the 600Hz plasmas and you lose not lines of resolution. Now think thru that and before you ignore my next statement think thru it and try it if you dare. If your new xyz lcd is performing at 900 or so lines of vertical resolution during fast action, and has inferior color, and your 600Hz 720 plasma is running a true 720 lines of vertical resolution with the same fast action, which will look the best?????? That was a question, not a statement……but you may be amazed when you do the comparison.
Gotta go catch a train.
Sam
I wish this review had some discussion about screen glare. If you google lcd vs plasma one of the points that is always brought up is that for a brightly lit room, LCD is superior. My viewing area has three tall windows about 15 feet directly across from the set with conventional wood slat type blinds. On a glass screen TV such as plasma, you cannot stand to watch the set in the daytime due to the lines from the light leakage thru the slats. I currently own an 56″ rear projection HD-ILA, and glare is not a problem at all. I am sure many homeowners have a situation like me, where the room conditions are not ideal for a set that has a screen that reflects glare to a great extent.
about this 8000series in games…how about input-lag? not bad or not bad with “game mode”? if “game mode” is on, is there possible to keep all 240hz and other smootheners/motion resolution boosters on? thanks :)
scott is correct. my 58 inch samsung plasma, which i bought in March, is like a room heater. its amazing, i have the ceiling fan on all the time the set is on. i saw the LED today at best buy and i am truly amazed, no heat and super thin. i am frustrated and depressed. i wish i had waited two months. oh well, time to take a thousand dollar loss on craigs list and buy the new one….
sigh….
I looked at these Samsung 6/7/8000 LCD tvs, at CES this last January, and was not impressed right off the bat. Formfactor is great, but picture quality is noticably softer than the 950 series, and said this to the Samsung rep by these tvs at CES. He was surprised that I thought that. I also thought that Toshiba’s LCD display was the best looking at CES, as far as picture quality is concerned. I own a Samsung 52″750 series as a loft tv for the kids and it looks great with bluray, but the soap opera effect really bugs when watching reqular HD sat. I am hoping the new 240hz looks better, which the Toshiba in what little viewing I have done, does look promising, at least a lot less annoying.
Great, so they’re thin. Why is Samsung replacing the 9-series with these? My LN46A950 (LED backlight array with local dimming) looks 100% better in low-light settings than these do. In fact, I’ve only seen a couple of high-end plasmas that have better black levels and contrast ratios than the 9-series Samsung LCDs. To those that think that plasma is the only way to go…well, I was looking for something that won’t burn-in running my game consoles and using it as a monitor for my HTPC, have a longer lifespan (plasmas still burn out faster than even CRTs), don’t double as space-heaters, and don’t jack up my power bills. Don’t get me wrong, plasma is great for some people, but it wasn’t the right choice for my application, especially since my 9-series LCD looks better than most plasmas as it is.
Surprisingly,ðn author is a fine fellow !!!
I think, if you will keep writing ! Thank you !!!
It will be very useful!
I have to say that these have not been very impressive, at least in the stores. I saw one next to a Toshiba 240hz LCD model and the Toshiba had demonstrably better color and image in almost every way. I don’t see any reviews for the Toshiba, however so maybe it was just calibrated better. I still think the Panasonic G,V and Z series has the best picture overall, but the Toshiba has the best picture I have seen on an LCD – in a store setting.
Just the best TV out there for those who don’t want room heaters .
CCFL lit LCD’s and even worse my plasma put out so much heat it made extended viewing a problem, at one point I needed a fan to blow the heat from my room.
Warmth from this TV is hardly perceiveable. This alone made it worth while. I may unpack my plasma in the witertime if by boiler goes..
@ allen west,
not so fast- s&v compared the sharp to a first gen Kuro. and there’s no “THE mighty kuro”. you do realize pioneer made more than 1 “kuro”? oh, and “kuro” isnt a model number? (i.e., bravia, viera, regza, luxia etc…)
LCD still can’t deliver inky blacks and turns film into video quality. All this for 4 grand. Save 2 grand and go buy a plasma – technology that delivers at half the price.
Sharp XS1 RGB LED LCD was tested by Sound and Vision Magazine and it beat the mighty KURO in blacks and easily!
“HD GURU called it the best LCD ever”. Wow, that’s like saying “this plane is the best prop plane ever”. The picture on this thig blows compaired to a good plasma. LED! LED! LED!, you all bought into this marketing hype nonsense. So it’s thin, I don’t watch a TV becasue it’s thin, I watch it because it has a good picture and the reason why I watch a plasma. How can so many people be so brain washed over a inferior TV picture technology. Any videofile knows plasma has and will always have a better picture. People, you’re watching a plastic screen with lights behind it (or around it in this case)!!
LCD televisions are all the rage these days. It’s little wonder that the markets today are inundated with endless models of plasma televisions from various brands. But this one LCD TV is really outstanding right now. Because it has an outstanding picture quality, thanks for sharing.
Can the set do 10 repeated frames for 24hz material AND still retain full 1080 lines in motion when set to “10″?
The interpolated frames on the old 120hz models absolutely destroy the look of film and I’m sure the 240hz interpolation is just as bad (or even worse).
I went to best buy today to buy the elite pro 111 because a few days ago was $4399 and now is down to $2999… next to the elite was this same model but 55″ for 3999.
I was amazed by the picture of the “led” tv.
Now, the elite was connected to crappy satellite and the samsung had a blu-ray source so I asked one of the employees if she could switch the blu-ray to the elite. She did and then I change the picture mode of the pioneer to “pure’. Amazing too.
The movie(transformers, I think)in the samsung looked more like 3-d and a little soft like a video game, in the Elite it was more real, more natural, perhaps more grainy with awesome blacks.
I’m confused.
Fair and balanced review.
i wonder how the XBR8 stacks up to this 8 series which is more of a true LED technology using local dimming technology. the series 9 Samsung LED comes out in August i believe which will use this local dimming tech.
Does the 8000 have the same backlight pumping problem that the other Luxia LCDs had? (meaning that the whole screen darkens during dark scenes to give off the illusion of deeper blacks. This in turn darkens the whites/highlights on the screen too) This “feature” couldn’t be turned off in the other Luxia LCDs.
I don’t know how accurate this review is. This is an edge-lit LED model. The locally dimming models (such as the upcoming Samsung 9000 series and the currently available Sony XBR9 are locally dimming models…and are superior.
guru,
you never clarified what this tv does with 24p. does it multiply by 10, does it interpolate, or does it make any difference?
Using 24fps native sources , the judder reduction (jr) “off” or “0″ position the 8000 does 10-10 frame repeat, interpolated frame insertion occurs with jr set to position 1-10 (according to Samsung).
HD Guru
Totally awesome, but when will LCD/LED/OLED finally beat out plasma for blacks?
Looking dam hot, thats going to be my next purchase.