Saturday, February 4, 2012

Samsung UN55D8000 55-Inch 1080p 240Hz 3D LED HDTV (Silver)

Samsung UN55D8000 55-Inch 1080p 240Hz 3D LED HDTV (Silver)

Product Details

  • Product Dimensions: 1.2 x 48.5 x 27.8 inches ; 35.7 pounds
  • Shipping Weight: 56 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
  • ASIN: B004N866SU
  • Item model number: UN55D8000YFXZA

By : Samsung
List Price : $3,599.99
Price : $1,559.12
Samsung UN55D8000 55-Inch 1080p 240Hz 3D LED HDTV (Silver)

Product Description

Size: 55-Inch


Amazon.com Product Description



3D Technology Checklist


This product is 3D-related. To help you get a great 3D experience, use the checklist below to ensure you have everything you need. 3D viewing requires:


A DisplayFirst, you'll need a 3D-ready display--whether it's a 3D HDTV, 3D projector, or 3D computer monitor. These displays have more processing power than standard 2D models for displaying 3D images in rapid succession.


A SourceYour display may be ready for 3D playback, but you'll still need a device to read 3D content. This can be a cable box with a subscription to a 3D channel, a 3D Blu-ray Disc player, or a PlayStation 3 system.


3D Content3D content--the actual entertainment, in other words--will be played back using the source mentioned above, whether it's a 3D broadcast from your cable provider, a 3D Blu-ray Disc, or a 3D video game.


3D GlassesFor now, the vast majority of 3D HDTVs require glasses for 3D viewing. Many use powered "active shutter" glasses, others polarized "passive" glasses. You'll need one pair per viewer, and they'll have to be compatible with your display, whether they're the same brand, or a pair of "universal" glasses designed to work across brands.


HDMI CableTo connect your source (such as a 3D Blu-ray Disc player) to your display, you'll need a high-speed HDMI cable. Cables with this designation feature bandwidth speeds up to 10.2 Gbps (gigabits per second), for carrying the 3D signal without any loss of quality.


If you want to get more information about 3D, shop our 3D products, watch videos, or interact with other customers, we invite you to visit 3D 101, our customer center about everything 3D.


Internet-Ready Devices


Internet-ready devices use your broadband connection to deliver dynamic content to your television, whether it's streaming video from Netflix, new music from Pandora, or a quick glance at today's weather forecast.


Although there is overlap, each manufacturer offers a unique bundle of free or paid services, including streaming video and music, social networking apps, online photo galleries, news and financial updates, weather info, sports scores, and a variety of other smartphone-like applications.


Manufacturers continue to add new content to their offerings, keeping customers current through firmware updates, and making a bit of research a prudent step in your buying decision.


Learn more about Internet-ready devices and HDTVs, how they work, what services are offered by different manufacturers, and exactly what you'll need to get started at our Internet TV 101 customer center.


February 2011For the ultimate TV enthusiasts, incredible picture quality and advanced connectivity are just the first step; the Samsung UN55D8000 LED TV goes a step beyond, adding elegant design to the formula. The Samsung "One Design" bezel is only 0.2 inches--as slender as they come--for a picture that's, well, all picture. On that commanding 55-inch screen you can enjoy Samsung' Smart TV, which puts the web, a wide range of apps, Skype video calling, and plenty more at your fingertips. Or connect a Blu-ray 3D player to get immersed in cinema-quality 3D programming--two pairs of active glasses are included.



Advancing the Art of Entertainment


Auto Motion Plus 240Hz


There's a big difference between seeing the game and seeing every split second of it. That's where Auto Motion Plus 240Hz technology comes in. All the action in every frame is analyzed and then adjusted so nothing goes by in a blur. From quarterbacks to cyber warrior, the action is always smooth, sharp and fluid.


1080p Full HD With Four HDMI Inputs


The UN55D8000 delivers Full HD 1080p resolution, for a superb level of detail and clarity in your picture. To connect your sources, four HDMI inputs are provided, for delivering a Full HD picture and audio over a single cable.


Samsung's "One Design"


The first thing you notice about the LED D8000 series is its barely visible 0.2-inch brushed metal bezel, a fine line that subtly frames the rich content on the screen and enhances the TV's light form factor. It rests on an improved Quad Stand, with minimalist visual appeal to fit in any viewing environment.


Micro Dimming Plus


Samsung's most innovative LED picture contrast technology delivers the deepest dark tones and brightest whites, while eliminating the "halo" effect and image distortion associated with diffused light.





3D in HD


Enter a new dimension in TV and Home Entertainment with Samsung 3D TV. Experience cinematic-quality 3D entertainment in the comfort of your living room. Samsung 3D is a truly immersive viewing experience, with the power to fill your room with images you can almost touch. Connect to a Blu-ray 3D Player to play 3D titles or intensify your viewing experience by upconverting regular 2D content to immersive 3D.


Two pairs of active rechargeable 3D glasses are included to get you started. Samsung's active glasses are lightweight and comfortable, and will fit right over your prescription glasses.


Smart TV with Samsung Apps


Connect with Samsung Smart TV for a wealth of added entertainment options. The UN55D8000 features Samsung's Smart Hub, a simple menu system for connected features. Easily search for movies, shows and videos via online services and across connected devices, browse the web from your television, chat with friends, and access a wide variety of apps from Samsung Apps.


Samsung Apps is a growing collection of apps specifically built for your TV, connecting you to your favorite digital content like videos, sports, games, social networking, and much more. With web-connected apps on your Samsung Smart TV, you can stream movies from Netflix or Blockbuster, TV shows from Hulu, videos from YouTube, Next Level sports information from ESPN, music from, Pandora and view updates on your Facebook or Twitter accounts. The apps that matter to you, now available on your TV.


Also included with the UN55D8000 is a QWERTY Remote Control for easy typing of search terms, Twitter updates, etc.


Skype on Samsung TV


Enjoy the convenience and connectivity of free, IP-based, picture-in-picture video calls via Skype, right from your couch. Skype is nice on a 15-inch laptop, but it's a whole new experience on a display this size.


Built-in WiFi


Access all your Smart TV features or DLNA network content without the need for a wired connection or add-on device. The UN55D8000 has Wi-Fi connectivity right out of the box.


ConnectShare Movie


Connect a thumb drive or digital camera quickly and easily via one of the UN55D8000's USB ports. An intuitive, user-friendly interface allows access to videos, music, or pictures via the remote.


AllShare DLNA Networking


For even more entertainment options, the UN55D8000 lets you connect to your home network and stream music, videos, and photos from other DLNA Certified devices (your computer, network storage drive, etc.).


Ultra Clear Panel


Absorbing ambient light, Samsung's Ultra Clear Panel eliminates reflections, boosts contrast ratio, and creates a comfortable viewing environment. Enjoy crisp image details, natural skin tones, excellent shadow detail, and vibrant colors.


UN55D8000 Select Specifications


Video


Screen Size:


54.6 Inches


Display Type:


LED With Micro Dimming Plus


Resolution:


1080p Full HD


Inputs


HDMI:


4 (version 1.4)


Component Video (Y/PB/PR):


1


Composite Video


2 (1 Shared With Componenent)


PC Input:


1


USB 2.0 Ports:


3


Component Audio Input:


1


PC Audio Input:


1


Outputs


Digital Audio Output:


1


Weight and Dimensions


Dimensions (WxHxD):


48.5 x 27.8 x 1.2 Inches (48.5 x 31.0 x 9.5 Inches With Stand)


Weight:


35.7 lbs. (41 lbs. with stand)


What's in the Box


UN55D8000 55-Inch Class (54.6 Inches Diagonal) 3D LED HDTV, Stand, QWERTY Remote Control, Two Pairs of Rechargeable Active 3D Glasses, Documentation


Samsung 2011 LED/LCD Feature Comparison


Series


D8000


D7900


D7000


D6500


D6400


D6300


D6000


D5500


D5003


D5010


D5000


D4003


D4000


D630


D550


D450


D403


Screen Sizes


46", 55", 60", 65"


46", 55"


46", 55", 60"


40", 46", 55", 60"


40", 46", 55", 60"


40", 46", 55"


32", 40", 46", 55", 60"


32", 40"


22", 40"


22"


22"


19", 26", 32"


19", 32"


40", 46"


32", 37", 40", 46"


22", 26", 32"


32"


Full HD 1080p


240Hz


120Hz


3D


Samsung Apps


Your Video


Search All


Web Browser


Skype


HDMI Inputs


4


4


4


4


4


4


4


4


2


2


2


2


4


4


4


2


2


USB Ports


3


3


3


3


3


3


3


2


1


1


1


1


1


2


2


1


1


WiFi Built-In


Micro Dimming


Micro Dimming Plus


Micro Dimming Plus


Allshare


Qwerty Remote Included


3D Glasses Included


Design


One


One


One


One


One


ToC


ToC


ToC


High Glossy Black


ToC


ToC


High Glossy Black


ToC


ToC


ToC


ToC


High Glossy Black


Bezel Type


Ultra Thin


Ultra Thin


Ultra Thin


Ultra Thin


Ultra Thin


19" has 2 HDMI inputs 19" and 22" have only 1 HDMI input


The Samsung UND8000 series has a unique, visually stunning design that minimizes the frame around the screen for a nearly all-picture look. It produces deep black levels with accurate color, along with excellent video processing and improved 3D picture quality. The Smart Hub Internet portal boasts more apps and streaming services than the competition, along with a functional Web browser, and is easier to use thanks to the included dual-sided Bluetooth keyboard with a screen and QWERTY keyboard.


See all Product Description


Technical Details

  • QWERTY Remote Control
  • Samsung Smart TV
  • 3D LED-LCD HDTV (LED Backlight)
  • Two pairs of 3D glasses included in box
  • Full HD 1080p resolution

 

Samsung UN55D8000 55-Inch 1080p 240Hz 3D LED HDTV (Silver)

 

Customer Reviews

This review is a little long winded. Skip to the bottom for just the pros and cons. Or, keep reading to waste 10 minutes of your life.

Over the last 5 years, I have been using a 58" Panasonic Plasma TV. Not a bad TV, but not the greatest either. It was only 1080i, it got hot pretty fast (which made the room hot and the air condition kick on too often), and the dimensions were weird (I looked at entertainment centers that should fit a 60" TV, but the TV still wouldn't fit.). I felt an upgrade was in order.

I'll have to admit, shopping for a TV was pretty fun. A lot of work though. The research was overwhelming at times. Websites upon websites, magazines, books, different people's inputs, salesmen trying to sell you different things depending on which store you went to, etc. I narrowed it down to one of many Sony HDTVs or a Samsung C or D series. After narrowing it down to those 2 brands, it was a little easier. I went to about 4 different Fry's Electronics and 7 different Best Buys to check it out in different situations. After that, it came down to the UN55D8000 (boy, did I memorize those numbers). To make the decision easier, I was looking on Amazon, and to my amazement, they had it for $500 less that everyone else, plus free shipping. Score!

With the free shipping, it usually takes a little longer. I would say, from the time the order was placed, until it got to my front door, it took about 1.5 weeks. It came delivered from Home Direct, USA and had no issues with delivery. They were going to set up the TV, but I told them not to, since my entertainment center hadn't come in yet. I opened up the box, put the TV on a soft cloth (our bed's comforter) and installed the stand. Eight screws, piece of cake. I connected the Directv receiver and a PS3. There are a few settings you will set in the beginning when the TV turns on. Takes about 2 minutes, literally. After that, the fun begins! Going from 1080i to 1080p is a huge difference! I had a recording of Chuck on the DVR and it almost looked live. I also watched some regular satellite programming and even the non-HD channels looked amazing.

After wiping the drool off the floor, I wanted to check out the 3D part of the TV. I popped in the free copy of Shrek the 3rd in the PS3, put on the glasses and waited to be amazed. Aside from the amazing colors, it looked exactly like 2D! WTH?! Then, I remember reading somewhere that the PS3 does indeed play 3D movies, BUT with an upgrade. I waited about 30 minutes for the upgrade to finish. After that, loaded up the dvd again, and there was the movie with that funky 3D image. Hey wait, I have 3D glasses on, how come I see that. Oh, oops. Batteries need to be installed in the glasses. Finally! The 3D image was awesome! Seriously, watching TV in 3D is amazing. I can't wait `til there's more media in 3D. As it stands right now, the only real movies in 3D are either documentaries or cartoons, with the exception of a few regular movies (i.e. Resident Evil, Step Up 3, etc.)

I just set it up last night, so I can't give you a whole lot more information. But, even if I did have more time, I don't think I can give you the detailed specs that you might be looking for. I'm not an expert on home theater. Here's an overview of pros and cons:

PROS:

The lack of a bigger bezel really does make a difference. Not only aesthetically, but in terms of functionality, too (better 3D viewing. It looks like you're looking thru a window.).

Images are spectacular. Whether it be regular programming, HDTV programming, or Blu-Ray.

Price on Amazon was very good!

Delivery was pain-free.

A lot of settings options, so you can set up the TV to your preference and the viewing scenario (i.e. movie, standard, etc.)

3D movie watching is stunning! I just wish Panasonic didn't have exclusive rights on Avatar.

CONS:

SmartTV is a cool feature. But, not a necessity. I really doubt that I'll Facebook or Tweet from the TV.

Audio isn't great, but it's adequate. I wasn't really expecting much from a flat screen TV.

Did not come with the touch-screen remote as was supposed to be the case in the beginning of the year.

Have to mail in the vouchers (or register online) in order to get the 3D glasses. True, you do get a 3D starter kit with this TV, which has the glasses, but those glasses are a little different and use batteries. Also, you have to send out to get the free copy of Shrek Forever and Megamind. I really shouldn't complain, though, since these are free.

Needs a more detailed manual on how to use most of the features. The manual it comes with is thick, but it's just because it's the same thing in different languages.

Sorry for the long review. Us Yelpers write a lot of gibberish, don't we?

UPDATE: After playing around with the TV a little more this weekend, I noticed that the top of the screen had some light flickering (around where the bezel meets the screen and it was about 1/16" tall and went almost across the whole TV. I'm hoping it's not the "edge lighting.") It only did this on some channels on Directv. Most channels were fine and Blu-Ray was fine. I'm thinking it's either the receiver or possibly the cheap HDMI cable. I have a Monster M1000 series cable coming in later this week, so I'll switch it out and update.

Also, there has been talk all over online about people having problems pairing the remote. I had zero problem and did it about 5 feet away from the TV.

One last thing, one of the glasses in the free 3D kit didn't seem to work. I changed out batteries and nothing. Then, the next morning, I tried it again, but this time turning off the bluetooth in my phone, and it worked. Whether this had an effect on it, I don't know. But, just thought I'd throw that out there.

BTW, this weekend, I watched Tangled in 3D and played MLB2K11 on the PS3...... WOW! I'll have to admit, I liked 3D, but I thought it was just a novelty. No way. 3D is much different now than when we had those blue and red glasses. It changes the whole experience.

UPDATE 2: Didn't have to do anything to get the line gone. It just went away one day.

Also, I finally got the 3D glasses from the voucher that's in the TV. Unfortunately, they are the 3300s and not the 3700s that I kept seeing from people at CES. I won't knock the rating down, but I am a little disappointed that the glasses and the remote that were advertised earlier in the year didn't come with the unit, nor even thru mail. Also, the charger for the glasses is $199! No, thanks. I'll just charge it using the USB cable.

I wanted to give this TV a glowing review; after all, it has some of the latest LED technology, and the style is trend setting. After a week with this TV, I am less than satisfied with the 'Samsung Experience'. Let me get this off my chest first. Did you ever go to an event, like a county fair, early, when not all the rides and attractions were open? You're excited because it looks like it can be a lot of fun, but it's just a bit too early for the full experience. Well, that's the way I feel about this TV. First of all, the 3d glasses that are supposed to ship with this TV were not in the box. Instead, there is a voucher you may mail in, or go online to order (which I did). After a week and no response, I called to find out why the delay. I was told to read the voucher's fine print, which said there was a 10-12 week wait for the glasses. Not good. Secondly, I found an issue with the remote control unit, which is not a fun thing to have in your hand. It is sort of short and stubby, with two sides. One side has a QWERTY keyboard for text entry, and a touch-sensitive pointer. I find that the up, down, right, left controls do not work correctly with my unit, and called support to report this. They seemed very interested in the matter and told me they would call back in 45 minutes (after they set up a testing unit) for further info. There was no call back. Another reviewer mentioned the difficulty in pairing the remote with the TV, via Bluetooth. I also found this to be a problem and not consistently easy to do.

Samsung has incorporated a feature called Smart Hub into their 'Smart TV'. This is a portal that has Netflix, Vimeo, YouTube, Facebook, Pandora, a web browser, and several games and applications that are either free or paid for. The feature is nice and I look forward to seeing it develop. You need to register your TV and create an account, similar to an Apple ID, before you can purchase any of the apps. You would think you could do this from the TV, but you can't; you need to go online to do this. Not a big deal, but it was confusing. The Samsung website is not ready for prime time either. The discussion board is not yet running. One nice thing is the Live Help, which works VERY well. However, I was not able to get the level of help I needed.

Okay, enough with the gripes. This is one fine TV. It is very light, has a narrow profile and includes a nice, chrome-plated stand that lets you to rotate the TV about 30 degrees in either direction. A big factor for me was the thin bezel, which allowed me to fit a 46" set into my 43" wide cabinet. The TV has plenty of inputs, including some strange connectors that let you to connect component and composite video. I do have a non-HDMI DVD that uses the component connectors, and it worked well. The setup of the TV is not difficult if you have some experience with hookups, and I was able to get all the components and my receiver working in short order. As I mentioned above, I am not a big fan of the shape of the remote, and I am trying to duplicate most of the functionality in my Harmony universal remote.

One thing I did was hook up my TV to my iMac to show photos to my photo club. I was not expecting the quality to be better than my 27" iMac, but it was FAR better. The color was most natural in Movie mode, Warm 1 setting. The sharpness was uncanny. I saw no obtrusive artifacts on the screen and was pleased as punch at the jaw-dropping quality of my photo images (and so were the club members). The TV is connected to our UVERSE system, and the HD quality is very good. I have no measurement or calibration tools, but I have a fine eye for photography. The color balance, contrast, and sharpness are excellent. The only thing I need to get a handle on is the 'Film mode', which can turn watching Modern Family into a strange experience; it almost makes some programs look like they were videotaped like a soap opera. I leave this feature 'off' for the time being. Tonite we watched the 10 Commandments (1956), and the quality was incredible! I have yet to see any Blue Ray DVDs, as I haven't purchased a player yet. And, of course, I don't have the glasses for 3D. I do plan to update my review as these things change.

This TV merits at least a 4-star rating. I may add another depending on how things develop.

Update 6/8/2011

Finally received my 3d glasses from the 'Samsung Fulfillment Center'. They are active-shutter type glasses and come with standard USB cords to charge them. You can plug the cords into the back of the set and the glasses will recharge when the set is ON. We watched our first 3D movie together last night. The 3d effect was excellent and I could see no artifacts. The glasses fit over my lenses and were comfortable. They turn on automatically when they sense a 3d broadcast, which is nice.

The chunky remote usually just sits waiting to be used, as I have programmed a Harmony Universal remote to allow me to use SmartHub and control most of the functions. SmartHub is still evolving and there are many update messages that indicate it is constantly upgraded. I do enjoy the Vimeo and Vudu sites, as well as Netflix. The gamed, browser and other 'apps' are not appealing to me yet.

I continue to laud the picture quality on this set. I can't say it is better than a Sony or Panasonic or other brand, but I have no reason to look further. I can only describe the HD quality as 'rich' and brimming with tonality. The shadow detail amazes me, and the blacks are truly black. I never find the the picture to be overly contrasty or saturated. I also find no reason to fiddle with the controls, once they are set. After over a month of viewing, I still find myself saying 'that's remarkable' when I watch high quality broadcasts. Again, I use ATT Uverse as my cable provider, and our signal quality is very good. I don't expect to buy another TV of this caliber for a good long time, and feel confident that this Samsung will grow with us for years to come.

Update 11/18/11

After months of use, I still like this TV. Samsung, it appears, is trying to be like Apple and even sent me a survey ploying me with questions about why I liked Apple computers, iPads, iPods, etc. I can see they are trying to formulate a strategy. Let me say that SmartHub is their way of giving TV users an 'app' experience. It has fallen short IMHO. The apps they have are rather cheesy and I'd rather use an iPad while watching TV, than switch to Smarthub and turn off the programming. Another failing, they don't give you access to Amazon streaming for movies (they used to, but not in the 2011 TVs). Why? AppleTV is a good accessory for Netflix, Youtube, and many other features and it has a far better interface. The only thing I like about SmartHub is the 'Explore 3D' feature that has several creative 3D features on it. With the current dearth of 3D source material on DVD, it's nice to have a handy place to experience it and show it to friends. You should really check that out.

One negative on this TV, the viewing angle. If you are off-axis, the picture washes out and you lose the experience of seeing really deep blacks.

1 comment:

  1. This is an awesome deal for this TV. I cannot wait to get one of these TV’s. I have been looking for a new HDTV ever since my co-worker at DISH convinced my parents to add the HD free for life to their account. I am planning to give them my old HDTV so they can have the full experience and enjoy their TV watching. I love that it has the Apps loaded on it and the kids are going to love the 3D technology.

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