Samsung 8000-series LCD/LED 3D TV (TPV 88)

Samsung unleashes 3DTV, with a bonus that just might cement their lead

• 3D - 2D: Off/On--for playing 3D content in 2D when there aren't enough 3D specs on hand.
• 3D View Point: Adjustment of overall 3D perception (10 steps).
• Depth: Adjusts the focal plane (imaging depth perception point) for 2D - 3D upconversion.
• 3D Optimize: (newly added feature with recent firmware update) 3-step control that provides a 3D range of adjustment for viewers that might have a hard time getting the 3D effect.

At the CES press conference in January and at their booth, Samsung made no reference to these adjustments being available in production sets. That they've gone the extra mile to develop and implement them is no small deal at all. Do begin your 3D viewing with these adjustments (3D View Point, Depth, 3D Optimize) in their factory default positions, and then, as you become accustomed to the 3D effect, try to adjust them individually to see if any changes make the 3D effects better (or worse) for you.

PERFORMANCE

3D Blu-ray Evaluation: Monsters vs Aliens

Detail

As the 3D process involves either/or left/right eye switching via the active 3D glasses, it’s difficult to achieve the same sense of visual sharpness that a comparable 2D presentation provides, but as the 8000 is a 1080p display, you’ll be getting all of the detail possible.

Color

With the set’s automatic 3D color adjustment, which shifts the white balance to match that of 2D viewing, the color quality is essentially the same for 2D and 3D viewing. As with other premium Samsung sets of late, the color accuracy (as measured by the color analyzer) is just about as good as it gets, with both the primary and secondary color points very closely matching the HD color standard.

Blacks

Aided no doubt by the modulated LED edge lighting, which Samsung calls Precision Dimming, fades to black are just that—completely and totally black. Unless you’re off to the side that is, where (as is typical with LCD flat panel sets), the blacks aren’t black, but rather a blue-tinged dark gray.

Shadow Detail

As the 3D glasses provide a substantial amount of overall brightness attenuation, the automatic 3D brightening feature helps preserve shadow detail when viewing 3D compared to 2D. In 2D mode, the set provides extremely good shadow detail, on par with top performing plasma sets and better than many other LCD/LED flat panels out there.

Artifacts/Noise

None noted.

Broadcast HDTV Evaluation: NBA Basketball (ESPN) (using 2D-3D conversion function)

Compared to regular 2D viewing, the Samsung’s 2D-3D function does add some 3D effect, but not as much as one would experience with a 3D-originated program. But, over the course of the game, there were numerous times where the 3D effect definitely added to the action (such as overhead camera shots where players leapt up and dunked the ball into the basket), and—this is very important—at no time did the 3D effect prove to be undesirable.

Detail

The various on-screen graphics during the game came across as sharp and crisp, and weren’t out of focus, indicating some rather smart processing going on with the Samsung’s 2D-to-3D conversion algorithm.

Color

The default (50) color setting is a tad on the high side, providing extra skin tone emphasis. Turning it down a few notches sets things right.

Blacks

When viewed on axis, the blacks are first rate, but fade somewhat going off axis. If the set is to be wall-mounted, an adjustable tilting mount that allows precision aiming toward the primary viewing position is the way to go (and is really a must for any wall-mounted LCD flat panel HDTV).

Shadow Detail

Wide shots from the floor showed the interior of Staples Center very well, all the way up to the nosebleed seats near the roof, with no evidence of black crush or loss of shadow detail.

Artifacts/Noise

None noted.

BOTTOM LINE:

With the exception of their forthcoming 9000 series LED edgelit LCD models (and their new 3D plasma sets), it’s hard to imagine how Samsung can top themselves, as the new 3D-capable 8000 is as good as its predecessor in all key respects, and includes the wonderful 2D-3D real-time conversion function. As real 3D content availability will be obviously limited for the next year or two, and may very well never be as widespread as HDTV is now, having the ability to provide a satisfactory 3D experience with any 2D program sets this 3DTV apart from the competition.