Samsung has rapidly (in the last few years, at least) taken over the flatscreen market with its LCD TVs. But, just as everybody else was catching up, the company has further flexed its technology muscles with its LED-backlit panels, and therefore taken a significant foothold in a new, unexplored sector.
As well as launching a whole category of LED-lit LCD TVs while most rivals are still struggling to get one or two models out, Samsung has upset the apple cart by proving with the UE40B7000 that LCD TVs using edge-mounted LEDs aren’t necessarily a poor relation to the original direct LED approach.
The B8000 tested here is a step up from the B7000 – the main step being 200Hz processing. This is a genuine system, too, where the picture really does refresh 200 times a second, rather than the pseudo 200Hz trickery employed by Philips and LG that combines a 100Hz refresh rate with a scanning backlight.
The only other real difference between the B8000 and B7000 ranges is the addition of a metallic desktop stand and eye-catching edge trim to the already chic design.
Features the UE46B8000 shares with the B7000s include a depth of just 30mm; quadruple HDMIs; twin USB port; and a LAN socket. You can access Samsung’s online service via the LAN or an optional (£40 or so) wi-fi USB dongle.
In action, the UE46B8000 delivers all the picture strengths of its stablemate while also injecting extra quality courtesy of the 200Hz system. Blacks are deep and natural, and deliver a robust two-fingered salute towards people who reckon edge-mounted LEDs struggle in this area. Colours excel, too, achieving intense saturations without looking unreal – provided you avoid the Dynamic picture mode, at least.
Furthermore, since Samsung’s 200Hz engine is genuine, there’s little of the flickering and ghosting that can mar pseudo 200Hz systems based around scanning backlights.
My only picture concerns are the way contrast plummets if you watch off axis, and the poorly-judged nature of some of the TV’s presets. Oh, and please partner the 46B8000 with a separate audio system – its built-in speakers are as flimsy as an MP’s expenses claim.
Despite these quibbles, the 46B8000 remains one of the finest displays I’ve seen. It might even be the TV that potentially kills off direct LED lighting before it’s even properly got started.
HCC VERDICT: 4 (out of 5) - BEST BUY!!!
Price: £1,800 Approx
Copyright 2006 - 2009 Future Publishing Limited
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In the latest Home Cinema Choice:
Samsung led backlit TVs are
Cabral (not verified) - 20 November 2009 - 11:21pmSamsung led backlit TVs are nothing but design. SD picture is just a smear on the screen.
My 7000 55inch (same as the
Barry Wilkinson (not verified) - 21 November 2009 - 12:16pmMy 7000 55inch (same as the 800 you say) went back after two days due to very bad clouding on dark scenes. Watching from 3 metres away the picture could change considerably in sharpness by just moving my head from side to side. I was also forever changing the settings to find an ideal picture compromise, but never did. On bright pictures it looked stunning.
led tv
led tv (not verified) - 22 November 2009 - 4:45pmThe B8000 range of Samsung LED televisions are without doubt stunning panels but their high prices may be prohibitive to some looking to get into the LCD LED lit TV market.
Therefore the B7000 range may be a better option if you don't mind a 100Hz set. Better still, go for one of the Samsung B6000 TVs as they still have the same picture rendering features of the the B7000 sets but don't come with the multimedia options like internet@TV.
LED TV
Sinclair (not verified) - 23 November 2009 - 10:05amI have a 46B6000 and cannot praise this set enough.
Granted, as the reviews say, the picture settings take a LOT of tweaking, but perseverance and a THX test disc speeds things up no end.
On Freeview, SKY (SD or HD) and Blu-Ray the picture is incredible. I sit about 4m away from the set and am still blown away by the sharpness and depth of colour. Gaming with Call of Duty 2 and Halo 3:ODST also looks amazing and there's never any trace of smearing or artifacts on screen.
Audio is (like the reviews also say) the weak point, but having a set like this and relying on the internal speakers is to entirely miss the point of Home Cinema, particularly at this screen size.
Samsung UE46B8000XW LED TV
John Bedwell (not verified) - 24 November 2009 - 6:02pmMy opinio do not buy it
Problems with this set
1) Motion Blurring of images especially black tones in all modes. Faces seemed to move and would appear liquid or the hair would stay after they had moved and this would result in the image appearing fluid. Analogue and freeview and standard DVDs not good
2) There was an enormous amount of bleed from the edges of the screen which interfered with the video being played.
varied dark backgrounds blur and move with the action. A good example of this is the programme Star gate Universe (as it is filmed in very low light and varying shades of blacks on walls and characters in dark clothing). I arrived to the point where I found it impossible to watch.
Standard DVD playback is not great I watched I AM LEGEND there was an enormous amount of motion blurr especially dark scenes.
On your adverts you say this is the next generation TV with SHARPER IMAGES, DEEPER BLACKS AND BRIGHTER COLOURS. It does not point out that these images are sometimes distorted and are an inherent problem with these displays.
In my opinion this is a misrepresentation of your product and false advertising which I think should be brought to the attention of trading standards. I certainly will be blogging this fact if it is not resolved to my satisfaction.
Glad I read some of the user reviews
Morpheus (not verified) - 31 December 2009 - 10:58pmWell it seems as though the reviewer here is a bit of a rouge after reading some of the user reviews. It seems too apparent that reviewers have become acustomed to poor lcd/led screens to the point where a 5/5 could still mean the set is not acceptable. I'll stick with CRT :)
Hi John, Did you get your TV
disgruntled samsung customer (not verified) - 6 January 2010 - 5:14pmHi John,
Did you get your TV fixed or get refund? If so, how? Unbelieveable that Samsung says my clouding is acceptable and TV dont have fault.
Thanks for the post, I like
Alan Smithee - 15 January 2010 - 7:16pmThanks for the post, I like the review on this television as well as what makes the LED TV a giant step ahead of traditional tvs. I hgihly anticpate my client Sharp to sell millions this year.