It is a fact that LED HDTVs produce deeper blacks than standard LCD sets, the reason being that its backlight consists of many tiny LED bulbs that can be dimmed more significantly or even turned off completely to match the dark areas on the screen. This is especially true for local-dimming LEDs, like the Samsung UN55B8500, which is one of Samsung’s best LED HDTVs yet.
Design
Unlike most of Samsung’s HDTV models which sport a red tint, the black frame of the UN55B8500 is interrupted only by a blue power indicator, that can be disabled if desired, and is edged in a transparent
Samsung UN55B8500
border, making it look silver from the side, where it is also very attractive with a depth of just 1.6 inches – not as thin as its edge-lit peers but slim enough. Its stand – a transparent stalk atop a brushed metal base which conveniently swivels from side to side – adds the right finishing touches.
Like the clicker of the B8000 models, the clicker of the UN55B8500 offers RF capability, and offers a more responsive scroll wheel and backlit buttons. It also has a secondary remote that fits nicely in one’s hand and offers controls for power, channel and volume, while its on-screen interface remains the same as its peers – still the best in the market.
Screen/Picture Clarity
As mentioned earlier, the black levels of this Samsung HDTV are superb, exceeding those of every HDTV currently available, which, combined with impeccable shadow detail and highly saturated primary and secondary colors, deliver breathtaking images that are so lifelike they could almost spill out of the screen. Color accuracy is excellent, too, with blooming pegged at a minimum. In fact, the only problem is its poor off-angle viewing, which you shouldn’t notice anyway with its swivel stand.
A 240Hz refresh rate is included, as well, along with Samsung’s customizable dejudder processing. 24p, 1080p and 1080i sources are displayed just as they should be.
Features
Although not able to stream videos from Amazon Video-on-Demand, the interactive suite of the UN55B8500 is extensive enough. Aside from the usual widgets for Yahoo news, weather, finance and video, Flickr, Twitter and YouTube, there is also a TV Guide and an extra widget called Rallycast that provides access to text messages and Facebook updates. There are also plenty of picture adjustments and solid digital connectivity with four HDMI inputs, a PC input, a component-video connection and two USB inputs, though scarce analog connections are provided. As if it isn’t energy-efficient enough, three power-saving modes have been added, too.
Indeed, the Samsung UN55B8500 proves superior in almost every aspect, so what’s there not to like? Its hefty price tag. Unfortunately, all its great features come at a high cost. Then again, all the best things do.
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