Samsung 8000-series LCD/LED 3D TV (TPV 88)
Samsung unleashes 3DTV, with a bonus that just might cement their lead
April 7th, 2010 -- by David Birch-JonesSource: The Perfect Vision
In order to watch 3D, you’ll need special active LCD-based shutter-type glasses, and for the introduction of their new 3D HDTV models, Samsung includes a promo kit that includes two pairs of active 3D spectacles (battery-powered, but not rechargeable), and a promo copy of Dreamworks’ Monsters vs Aliens in 3D on Blu-ray (real 3D, not the pseudo-3D that they’ve been hawking). Samsung’s website lists an optional set of 3D glasses with rechargeable batteries, which are slated for release later this month at an MSRP of $199.99/each.
As the 3D spectacles introduce both light attenuation as well as color shift compared to regular 2D (no glasses) viewing, the set features automatic compensation which ups the brightness and shifts the white balance accordingly, and the measured color temperature was roughly, but not exactly the same in both modes (with and without the 3D glasses and 3D function activated). There are also separate brightness and contrast memories for 2D and 3D viewing modes, which further aids in optimizing the picture quality for both.
CONNECTIVITY
In order to keep the cabinet depth as slim as possible, the input panel features an array of mini jacks for the component video, composite video and other A/V connections, and dongle adapters are supplied. There’s a LAN connection as well as a PC connection, with stereo audio inputs and a stereo audio output, along with an optical digital audio output. There are four HDMI inputs, with one of them tagged as a DVI input with a corresponding stereo audio input for PC gamers. The LAN connection provides access to a slew of internet apps, including movie and TV show streaming from multiple providers, internet radio, access to multi-media PCs on the home network, photo viewing and gaming, to name just a few.
USER INTERFACE
On Screen Display
Mostly unchanged from last year’s offerings, Samsung’s excellent OSD features logical groupings, and for important picture adjustments, the OSD doesn’t disappear after five seconds, which is usually the case with many other sets. Past models had some picture adjustments under the setup menu (and not the video menu), but this set features all picture adjustments grouped together. An info button shows the source format (picture resolution and timing) along with a green eco-meter that reflects the set’s power consumption.
Remote Control
Sleek and visually stylish, the remote control is a major design change away from last year’s remote control, which was the best in the business. This latest remote features a brushed metal keypad with membrane-type buttons, and is backlit with an ambient light sensor. But, the backlighting timer feature has a bug—activating the backlighting and waiting for the five second auto-off function then requires a second button push to re-activate the backlighting. Plus, when the backlighting is active, pushing any button temporarily disables the backlighting, perhaps a concession to the limited power capacity provided by the remote’s two AAA batteries (any backlit remote should be powered by at least a pair of AA batteries, and ideally four). Still, the remote is a very good design overall, though I would have been happier with last year’s remote, which was superb.
RECOMMENDED SETTINGS
As with many recent Samsung sets, going to the Movie mode puts the set into a condition where it delivers its best measured performance, meaning you will enjoy sufficient brightness for typical viewing scenarios, along with very good technical measurements. As the set is directed towards the video enthusiast, there’s a plethora of adjustments offered. For best results, start out with our recommendations below and then try out various settings to see if they have either a beneficial or deleterious effect.
- Color: 45
- Tint: G50/R50
- Sharpness: 20
- Picture Mode: Movie
- Backlight: 10
- Color Temp: Warm2
- Gamma: 0 (measures 2.28)
- HD size (pixel-to-pixel): Screen Fit
- Eco Sensor: On
- No Signal Power Off: On
- Black Tone: Off
- Dynamic Contrast: Off
- Color Space: Auto
- Flesh Tone: 0
- Edge Enhancement: Off
- Digital Noise Filter: Auto
- MPEG Noise Filter: Auto
- Film Mode: Auto 2
- Auto Motion Plus: Custom
- Blur Reduction (for video content): 5
- Judder Reduction (for film content): 2
- Smart LED: Standard
Right at posting time, Samsung announced the availability of updated firmware for their 3D models already on the market (including, of course, our review sample), with an additional control option that lets users adjust the 3D effect. At a recent training session for reviewers at their Los Angeles QA labs, Samsung chief engineer Simon Lee correctly pointed out that not all people see 3D the same way, and that the firm felt it important to give the user the ability to further fine-tune the 3D effect. Within the 3D picture adjust submenu, there are now the following 3D adjustment options:
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Comments
1. I don't know anyone who stays glued in front of the tv and doesn't multitask or otherwise move around. This alone will render 3D to a "cute, but who needs it" status. For example, you can't knit (like my wife), read or even grab a snack with 3D glasses on.
2. Someone will come up with an add on box that allows 120/240 Hz refresh LCDs or plasma to alternate frames wit shifted content and send a signal to blinker glasses for a 3D experience. This was done years ago with video games. I had one and grew tired of it in about 2 weeks.
3. The loss in brightness and detail is not worth the 3D addition. A really good high contrast picture provides 3D type information anyway.
Why don't the gurus that come up with these advances add things that would be potentially useful such as built in DVRs (for off air HD sets) or devices to interface with a home server?
Richard, I suspect a lot of movie buffs stay glued to the screen. Also, there are certain events in sports that I really stay engaged with. Just my $0.02 worth
Richard, I suspect a lot of movie buffs stay glued to the screen. Also, there are certain events in sports that I really stay engaged with. Just my $0.02 worth
Richard - Sorry you are so negative -
I do/have done sports (scuba diving, skiing, surfing, endurance cycle racing) but I have never enjoyed watching any sort of team sports on TV. However, since getting the new Samsung 8000 set I upgraded (with great aggrivation and time - since 3-D is so new) my Comcast set top box so I can receive ESPN 3-D - My son-in-law will enjoy the game and the 3-D and I'll just enjoy the 3-D.
If you don't like something - please don't buy it - My experience with the 8000 series has been fantastic - The above mentioned son-in-law and wife watched a movie and then a 3-D demo and stated it was the best toy I had ever purchased in the last 20 years.
I wish you the best
jn
Always the question in this pursuit. Having been on the bleeding edge of DVD-Audio and other AV "next big things", I wonder if it is time to pull the trigger. I have been persuading myself that my Mitsubishi DLP is god enough for now- but I know I will have to make a commitment eventually. I would truly appreciate a review of the Samsung Plasma equivalent set when it arrives; my watching area is designed to be low light.
Why does Samsung appear to have abandoned their true backlit LED 9000 model, with the new 9000 series being side-lit? Surely this is a major step backward? It now starts me to look elsewhere such as Sony, LG or Toshiba as they have back-lit displays, which is disappointing, as Sumsung seemed to be the leader in so many different ways.
I fear the fake 3D hype will be taking over all sides of the industry, including movie producers. Most people don't seem to realize what stereo optics is all about...it is NOT about shifting an image 2.5" and calling it a day. There is MORE DATA in 3D and it cannot be simulated. It isn't even complicated to explain.
For example, if you are having a conversation with someone, your right eye sees details of their right ear that your left eye cannot, and vice-a-versa. Furthermore, a single lens will be missing detail of both ears.
Trying to simulate this will simply result in a flat picture of someone's face, placed at whatever fake "distance" from the viewer the producer wants.
Very interesting. I was curious how quickly this technology appeared ready for the mass market. So these early sets are simulating? Is this like upconverting a std. DVD by interpolating data?
Robert,
It is very important to note that, while the 8000-series Samsung sets can do 2D-to-3D upconversion (bear in mind that this is a switch selectable feature), they **also** can play real 3D content (i.e., Blu-ray material originally captured in 3D). So, the set is not always "simulating" 3D.
The point is that the set can play true 3D content in the here and now, but it also provides a mechanism that allows you to enjoy 2D content that is processed in real-time for 3D viewing. The choice is yours.
Best,
Chris Martens
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
Charles,
I think you're absolutely right that there are some (perhaps many?) misconceptions about stereo optics, 3D viewing, etc.
For an interesting expansion on this discussion, you may want to take a look at David Birch-Jones' "Special TPV Report: Hollywood Post Alliance Technology Retreat 2010", which covered, in part, a presentation that focused on issues and challenges surrounding 3D viewing.
Here's the link: http://www.avguide.com/blog/special-tpv-report-hollywood-post-alliance-t...
Best,
Chris Martens
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
Chris, thanks for that link. Exciting times!
I have always been an early adopter:
Retired from the IT rat race my wife and I purchased a Daweoo 42" EDTV model over 6 years ago. At the time it was the best quality (from then DVD) that we had ever seen. We watched 15 to 20 movies a month - Then we got tired of it - Netflix disks would sit for six months to a year before we returned them. We found ourselves spending a lot of time sitting on the bed watching a 37" Hdtv.
Last month my wife turned to me and said (guys - don't be jealous) why don't we upgrade our media room to "state of the art". So being the good husband I immediately started buying. The monitor end of this, after many weeks of research, was the Samsung 8000 series (55") LCD-LED". (I won't bore you with speakers or AV receivers at this point.) We couldn't be happier - the limited 3-d content is fantastic - the Bluray and wifi HD from Netflix are also astonishing.
In my retirement years I do art photography for shows and galleries - so I am used to looking for good color and resolution. This set is as good or better than when I couple a 5D Mark II to a 500 f 4.0 L series lens. (Sorry if non-photo types are left out here ).
Bottom line - It is well worth looking into.
All the best,
Nickerjo,
leaningpalmstudio.com