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Some individuals are within the lucky place to receive top-end stuff from high-end corporations for review. I'm not considered one of them. However a family member felt it was time for three-D and bought the logo new Samsung C8700. And I managed to get a just right look at it.
It used to be a Thursday morning whilst the mailman rang the door and entered with a large package deal labeled Samsung. The sensation of pleasure was onerous to suppress. I opened the field and saw the TV its stand and numerous cables. The instruction guide was once massive and contained directions in numerous languages, I handiest used it for putting in the stand though. Actual men do now not want consumer manuals! Read: geeks like me.
Layout
I had a excellent take a look at it after putting in the stand and sparsely putting it at the furniture. The very first thing I noticed was the silver metal border around the screen, a dangerous move considering the all-black trend of the final couple of years. But I truly like it. It makes the tv look extra premium and makes it stick out from the pack. The very edge of the television isn't silver however see through plastic. From the side it is very thin. Below an inch thick, that is about as skinny because it will get for sure.
The reveal is held by way of a 4-legged stand, which seems great. At first I wasn't certain however it grew on me. And the such a lot obvious advantages of the stands are the great steadiness of the TV and the original design. The all silver looks will disappoint some users despite the fact that; I've heard tales of people going for the C7700 just for the black borders around the screen.
Overall the Samsung C8700 is considered one of the prettiest TVs on the market. Its all silver layout and four-legged stand will make it stand out wherever it stands. The backlit Samsung emblem is also a very nice touch. Less successful is the branding on the lower left corner. And it must be noted that the design is not for everyone.
Connectivity & specs
The top-finish Samsung C8700 permits you to connect just about any device, such as you'd be expecting from a TV on this value class. It has four HDMI 1.four ports, the brand new usual which allows maximum 3-d visuals. Additional extra in comes with: PC audio in, RF in, Cl+ slot, 2x USB, 2x scart, optical audio, Ethernet, headphone and a couple of components. That is in reality nice connectivity proper there.
The entire connections are angled, so you'll be in a position to placed the Samsung on the wall without being worried approximately cables sticking out. I should additionally mention that among the connections require a unique 'extension' cable, which is equipped in the box.
It also packs some severe specs. It has 200hz, a new hyper 3D engine, Web, DLNA, PVR and a marketed contrast radio no tv will ever accomplish. Additional extra it's a LCD area-lit LED, because of this that the sunshine comes from the side. It has local dimming in 12 zones, meaning that the TV can regulate the sunshine at 12 portions of the display to reach higher blacks. These varieties of specifications will come back further in the evaluation; so do now not be disturbed if you do not know what any of them mean. For your comfort, here's the whole spec listing supplied through Samsung.
Remote
The Samsung C8700, C7700 and C9000 televisions are the primary to carry a distinct new remote. It is thinner silver faraway with backlit keys. The standard rubber keys had been replaced for flat keys, which come up with no aspect of reference for blind use. Also new are a couple of buttons, most relatively the three-D button.
I really like the new remote. It appears to be like amazing. The silver fits the TV well and I found the essential thing allocation logically.
Features
I'm slightly of a geek in phrases of these things. I all the time attempt to use each and every feature that a gadget has in retailer for me. Samsung has included so much in the new C8700, together with Internet apps and media play.
They've additionally supplied a new menu picture for the other features. It shows an icon of the feature on the edge of a wheel which you'll be ready to turn using your remote. Tv assists in keeping playing even after activating the menu, a nice touch.
The new Samsung utility retailer lets you obtain apps for the television. Providing differs in step with united states but it surely must include the likes of Twitter, Fb and weather. Downloading went with no trouble and the usage of the apps used to be a mixed experience. The limited processing capabilities of the TV should be discussed; do not be expecting iPad like experiences. Navigation wasn't at all times clean and probably the most apps had been utterly useless. Nonetheless it's a great improve from last 12 months's leds. However the somewhat progressed slow feel nonetheless makes me want to keep away from all of it.
Media play implies that you'll insert an USB device and play its content. This would most likely not sound like a big deal but it surely is. Samsung claims to strengthen just about each and every layout, and in a way they're right. The characteristic has advanced this year. The person interface first permits you to choose from Films, Tune or Photos. Surfing the USB disk follows after your selection; fortunately this is simple and fast. Sub maps are handled completely and I used to be ready to navigate with severe speed.
So does it truly play each and every structure in the market? Yes and no. I threw so much at it, together with media that the PS3 cannot play. AVI, MPEG, MP4 were all played with ease. MKVs weren't an issue either, even the big 15+ gig ones. I had one example the place it declined to play my audio format as it was once not supported - DTS I think. I was in cloud nine until I came throughout slightly problem. Are you aware the ones small HD cameras? They from time to time file in a file called.MTS, sometimes called AVCHD. The Samsung C8700 did not want in and could not even see the recordsdata seem in the surfing window. A small hiccup in an in a distinct way absolute best playback ranking, guess I have to make use of the PS3 for AVCHD files.
Calibrating
Everyone who is serious about televisions can tell you that right kind calibration is critical. To perform this I calibrated the tv for a few other situations and in the end selected a compromise. As a result of I do not wish to switch settings each and every time I change to gaming, SD or HD movies. The menu is actually easy to use. I pressed show choices and found myself confronted by a few sliders controlling: sharpness, distinction, backlight, colours etc. I may also modification the native dimming settings (smart LED) and the way the television tries to remove grain.
After approximately 2 hours, I found a excellent compromise in settings, showing both SD and HD very well. I had became the sharpness down a notch to remove unwanted artifacts around objects, so much enormously in SD signals. Distinction used to be upped a bit of but not an over the top quantity of otherwise it removes shadow details. Colors had been set up prime and backlight was once set to most with the eco sensor enabled.
The logo new eco sensor is Samsung's response to Sony's system. Principally it reads the environment and adjustments settings accordingly. It might possibly lower brightness in conserving with ambient gentle, flip the TV off whilst there is no signal and a few different less interesting things.
The sound settings provide fundamental regulate, not nearly as extensive as the picture surroundings capabilities. It allowed me to modify the sound to the most appropriate settings for: movies, music and speech. And naturally it has the encompass mock-up setting, which I like. Closing however no longer least the C8700 can normalize quantity differences between channels. This will paintings but I stored it off because I never revel in this downside much.
Generally you may be performed now but there is one more setting to worry approximately: 3D. Samsung has provided a huge selection of gear to make the revel in, particularly the conversion system, as at ease as possible. Settings include: generated depth, brightness and the way the gadget generates the 3-d effect. I noticed that larger depth within the settings can also be in aspect of fact great or really annoying. All of it relied on how neatly the conversion labored in the first place.
So with my TV calibrated it was time for a few actual world tests. So I did what every family does... connect a 2TB HDD with 1080p content and hundreds of films and TV series that I legally own. However prior to that I watched some regular television.
Trying out
Now be mindful that I don't have the apparatus to do a scientific test. I simply looked at real global material and calibrated the tv the utilization of one way that every normal particular person uses.
First a few common feedback about the checking out procedure and findings. I watched content material in 3 classes: SD, HD and gaming. I took my time and got a good take a look at different facets of the picture high quality, especially motion, colors, black levels and general sharpness.
First my finding that applies to everything I watched. The viewing angles on this TV are disappointing. A small perspective already led to a considerable lack of colors. The whole lot changed into tinted reasonably quickly. There's additionally a few lightning uniformity. It's a drawback that issues each facet lit LEDs, principally the sides are extra bright since the background gentle comes from the sides only. I did not notice so much during my exams, however it's there. Okay now for some real international checking out starting with SD.
SD
First I connected a virtual tv receiver box onto the Samsung C8700. The sign used to be SD (720x480) and 50hz. The standard used to be k from a distance. For the forty six" type a distance of no less than 7 toes (2,1 meters) is recommended. From up close the loss of pixels was painfully obvious. I also spotted that the tv was unable to remove all graining without losing detail. Movement used to be handled neatly through the 200HZ engine, because of this that the television makes motion smoother through hanging extra frames in between.
I looked for more SD fabrics and located an episode of Glee. Episode 21. It stumbled upon the same problem. The image wasn't very sharp and seemed washed out. The missing pixels turn into a big pain. Again the similar advice applies. Best take a glance at looking at this from a distance! Scholars don't buy a 46" tv for a one-room space, which a few call house for lack of better.
Total I used to be disappointed through the SD image high quality but it surely wasn't the Samsung C8700's fault. It's simply very exhausting to show DVDs crisp on a panel of this size. It's watchable from a distance but don't get too close.
My 2nd take a glance at used to be one for the future. Every factor we watch is transformed to HD. This new higher same old equals extra pixels and therefore a greater video quality. In fact we have now such a lot religion on this technology that we're even changing old classics like Superstar Wars episode 4-6 and the Shining to the new platform. Remember although that a digital camera with ¼ the amount of pixels shot those movies. Which means that the additional dots want to appear from thin air - no longer possible. So I handiest examined HD movies filmed after 2007, up to date movies.
HD
I began with Leap year. This new 2010 romantic comedy was once the easiest candidate because of the pretty surroundings of Ireland. And boy was it beautiful. The Samsung C8700's local dimming system does a perfect job in producing spectacular black levels. Black is in reality black on this tv! Movement used to be additionally excellent as the scenery flashed by. It used to be actually smooth. Some do not like this but I do. Leap year resulted in a completely dark room. All through the movie I couldn't realize that the tv was adjusting its brightness dynamically and to be honest during the tip I found the monitor every now and then too bright. Now not certain if the eco device really adjusted the LEDs accordingly.
Secondly I watched Avatar. This rapid p.c. movie used to be best possible because it will possibly truly tension the Samsung and display any imperfections. Allow me be honest there weren't many for me however may neatly be for some. It all rests at the motion. It is buttery easy and virtually seems to be unreal on account of it. Some won't like this but regardless of the environment I used I couldn't do away with it completely. I also noticed artifacts around some of the objects, but it wasn't a large deal because it simplest took place once. And I do no longer need seen it if I was being attentive to the movie.
Color reproductions and black levels have been once more spot-on. Even though I believe that the majority full LED native dimming sets may just do better, however that's most effective noticeable in an instantaneous comparability environment. And it's not like your neighbor will purchase one and install it right next to yours for showing. If someone experienced this please touch me and I'm going to take away that statement.
Blu-rays or legally owned 1080p content material are amazing in this set and the true this is why anyone may own a television of this quality in the first place. Colour replica is excellent and black-ranges are spot on. Movement isn't always treated perfectly. I noticed some artifacts and some other folks will find it unnatural no matter the settings. If you are one of those people than this can also be your deal breaker!
Gaming
Gaming. We all do it, a few admit it but few feel proud of it. I connected my PS3 to the Samsung C8700 to check gaming. Again I would no longer have the prime-finish stuff to degree enter lag, this evaluation represents what the bare eye sees.
First up used to be Need for Speed Shift. This new EA name was launched in 2009 and marked a metamorphosis for the series. Transferring extra in opposition to the semi-simulation racer with great graphics and impressive crashes. The Samsung C8700 held itself smartly throughout the tests. The color replica was once excellent and the picture remained crystal sharp in spite of best showing 1280x720 pixels. I did notice a few enter lag compared to my reference show, a 2ms TNT panel. However for me as a casual gamer I don't see this as a big issue.
LittleBigPlanet was once tested next and the Samsung C8700 nailed it. Input lag was even much less of a matter matter way to the slower paced game. The game showed better depth thanks to the sharpness and the scale of the display. Further extra I saw nothing unusual.
Last but now not least was the game Resistance 2. This widespread shooter sits top with the likes of Call of Responsibility and Battlefield Dangerous Company 2. My first impact wasn't too nice with this title. I found the colour tending a bit of an over the top quantity of in competition to the yellows. And I discovered halos round one of the most items right through heavy motion. I removed it after some tweaking, however it wasn't ideal.
Gaming was once great at the Samsung C8700 television. The big size actually makes the enjoy more immersive. I did realize some input lag however it isn't that gigantic of a deal.
Glasses
Samsung does not provide glasses with the television. Prices are 70 - one hundred thirty $ depending on the fashion you choose. Your choices are limited between Samsung rechargeable or non-rechargeable, the latter working on special batteries. Glasses from other manufacturers do not work.
For this check I used a set of non-rechargeable glasses. I discovered them to be moderate in each appears and comfort. They do not look as excellent as the dearer rechargeable glasses. And I felt a pinch at the touching aspect close to my ears. Transferring the glasses as bit relieved the pain.
Samsung claims that the glasses can paintings over 100 hours with a single battery and those numbers are impressive. But in spite of that I have to advise everyone to head for rechargeable ones - no much less than for yourself. They are higher looking, extra comfy and no one needs to save for batteries these days. My family member decided to buy 2 rechargeable for normal use and three non-rechargeable ones for guests.
Conversion
Samsung's biggest change for 2010 is 3D. It isn't a shocking move; competitors like Sony have driven it and everybody knew it used to be coming this year. However I nonetheless don't have any comparability because Samsung is the only one in the market with an absolutely to be had three-D set. I've noticed Sony's 3-D engine a even as again at a demonstration, however can not use it to check as a outcome of they were running special demos. For this part of the overview I tried the unique 2D to three-D conversion on quite so much of media. I could not test the native 3-D engine as a consequence of I do not personal a 3D Blu-Ray player. Sony replace the PS3 already!
The 2D to 3-d conversion is so easy to use. There's a button at the remote announcing 3D, press it and the true time converting begins. Additional tweaks are imaginable within the menu, controlling things like depth simulation, color correction and so forth. For this test I saved the whole lot at default since the depth simulation at maximum emphasized mistakes too much, and a decrease price made the whole 3-D revel in a typical experience. I started with SD.
Glee was once a just right test case. The busy hallways of overly stereotyped teenagers gave me the very best chance to peer if the Samsung C8700 is able to aligning objects properly. And it was. Other people in the entrance 'popped out' a little, even as background students really remained within the back. Regardless of motion the whole thing stayed fine. I will probably be able to really say that an episode of Glee is worth gazing in 3-D, despite a small loss of colors.
Next was once a movement test. I performed again a F1 race that I had recorded. F1 is like NASCAR but with corners and up to date technology. It was raining and I was interested to look how timing photographs and vehicles would show. After ten minutes of viewing I was dissatisfied and forced to take off the glasses. All of this was because my glass of water used to be empty and I needed to refill. After refilling the glasses stayed off because the fast moving cars have been a pain to watch. Cars going from the suitable aspect of the reveal towards the left were not sharp and 'shook' heavily on the display surface. The system obviously couldn't keep up with the quick pace. On a positive word: graphics have been rightfully showed in entrance of the motion, and the additional depth used to be fun to observe at times. Just now not when there were any fast paced automobiles around - Pink Bull automobiles and such.
Advertisements are by no means a laugh to watch, except whilst they're a few product you want to purchase. This has not anything to do with my third three-D check despite the truth that, which used to be regular television. I'm sad to say that the C8700 made errors often when the advertisements hit in. I discovered slogan text (purchase cheese now) to pop out even as the cost remained within the background. On top of that probably the most photos were not sharp. General the lack of brightness and the soreness from the glasses made regular television now not really useful for 3-d conversion. Of course your mileage may range, some presentations lend themselves extra to the gadget than others.
I popped Avatar in my PS3 and hit 3D at the remote. Mind you I have never seen this film in 3-d within the cinemas so no reference there. Avatar seemed wonderful in 3D. The hole scene while the principle persona floats appears to be like fantastic. Gadgets regarded sharp, and the tv made to errors intensive calculations. The only downside isn't in reality Samsung's fault however a compromise within the lively shutter glasses technique. These darkened glasses paintings like sun shades and cast off a few brightness whilst viewing 3D. This happened in the entire photos I saw.
Remaining however now not least: gaming. I grew to become on my PS3 and began the titles I mentioned earlier. I used to be again torn between excellent and bad experiences. LittleBigPlanet made no difference at all. But it does work in racing titles. General I felt the video games have been constructed up in 4 layers of intensity, with nothing truly coming out of the TV or sitting utterly within the background. I found a large number of cases of crosstalk and that wasn't the one problem. A few of gadgets confirmed 'halos' around them, some weren't sharp and different weren't as a ways at the historical past as they needed to be. It made the enjoy very tiring and subsequently I may not use it much. Local 3-D video games can change my mind but for now gaming in 3-D is a no go, with the Samsung C8700 at least.
So here's what I consider the conversion gadget through Samsung. It in point of fact works however your mileage might vary. Some of the tv presentations/movies do not paintings too nice, particularly with numerous transferring objects. I additionally found SD 3D far more irritating than HD 3-D, with the latter exhibiting very sharp textures and objects. Gaming for now's a no go with conversion, a nice gimmick so that you simply can no longer last. Also a no go is staring at 3-D in a resting position. You'll be in a position to't watch three-D with the glasses in a 90-level angle. Doing so will result in a black screen. I'd like to fret that I wasn't able to test native 3-D, so for now my opinion about 3D is subject to change.
Conclusions
Samsung did an incredible task with the C8700 LED television. Its design is lovely and can please most buyers - however no longer all. Observing SD is a little bit of a ache on the huge monitor so a few ft of viewing distance is advised. HD content seems to be excellent even though, with great black ranges and amazing colour reproduction. But the overly smooth movement can annoy some and please others.
The three-D conversion system is really easy to use and will work great. Particularly HD movies are transformed well. Fast moving SD or gaming will have to stay into the 2D realm for now.
You can't in reality cross incorrect with the Samsung C8700. It is a very good tv but be ready to overlook a few minor flaws for this pricey silver piece of engineering brilliance.
