Samsung C8700 forty six Review

0
873

Some people are within the lucky role to obtain excessive-stop stuff from excessive-end businesses for review. I’m not considered one of them. But a family member felt it was time for 3D and bought the brand new Samsung C8700. And I managed to get an amazing study it.

It becomes a Thursday morning whilst the mailman rang the door and entered with a large bundle labeled Samsung. The feeling of pleasure changed into hard to suppress. I opened the box and noticed the TV, its stand and a whole lot of cables. The guidance manual was large and contained commands in various languages; I handiest used it for installing the stand, although. Real guys don’t need consumer manuals! Read geeks like me.

Design

I had a terrific examine it after installing the stand and thoroughly placing it at the fixtures. The first thing I noticed changed into the silver metallic border across the display, a risky pass thinking about the last couple of years’ all-black fashion. But I absolutely adore it. It makes the television appearance extra premium and makes it stand out from the %. The very fringe of the tv is not silver; however, see via plastic. From the aspect, it’s fragile. Under an inch thick, it is approximately as thin as it receives for sure.

The screen is held using a four-legged stand, which seems super. At first, I wasn’t sure, but it grew on me. And the obvious blessings of the stands are the superb stability of the TV and the particular layout. All silver will disappoint some users, even though; I’ve heard tales of people going for the C7700 just for the black borders around the display.

Samsung

Overall the Samsung C8700 is one of the prettiest TVs in the marketplace. Its all silver layout and four-legged stand will make it stand out wherever it stands. The backlit Samsung emblem is also a completely first-rate touch. Less a success is the branding on the decrease left nook. And it must be referred to that the layout is not for anybody.

READ MORE :

Connectivity & specs

The excessive-quit Samsung C8700 permits you to attach honestly any tool, such as you’d count on from a TV on this rate class. It has 4 HDMI 1.Four ports, the new standard which permits most 3D visuals. Furthermore, it comes with: PC audio in, RF in, Cl+ slot, 2x USB, 2x Scart, optical audio, Ethernet, headphone, and a pair of additives. That’s, in reality, nice connectivity proper there. All the connections are angled, so you can be placed the Samsung on the wall without annoying approximately cables sticking out. I also have to mention that the maximum of the connections requires a unique ‘extension’ cable provided in the container.

It also packs a few serious specifications. It has 200hz, a new hyper 3-D engine, Internet, DLNA, PVR, and an advertised contrast radio no television will ever accomplish. Further extra it is an LCD part-lit LED; because of this, the light comes from the aspect. It has local dimming in 12 zones, which means that the TV can manipulate the mild at 12 parts of the screen to gain higher blacks. All these specifications will come back besides the evaluation, so do not worry if you do not know what they imply. For your convenience, here’s the full spec listing provided by Samsung.

Remote

The Samsung C8700, C7700, and C9000 televisions are the first to carry a unique new far off. It’s thinner silver faraway with backlit keys. The traditional rubber keys were replaced with flat keys, which provide you no point of reference for blind use. Also new are a few buttons, most fairly the three-D button. I virtually like the new remote. It looks first-rate. The silver suits the TV nicely, and I determined the important thing allocation logically.

Features

I’m a piece of a geek with regards to these items. I always attempt to use every function that a machine has in store for me. Samsung has covered plenty in the new C8700, which includes Internet apps and media play. They have additionally supplied a new menu photo for the specific features. It displays an icon of the feature on the brink of a wheel, which you may turn using your remote. Television keeps playing even after activating the menu, a nice touch.

The new Samsung application store allows you to download apps for the tv. Offering differs in line with u. S. A. However, it needs to encompass the likes of Twitter, Facebook, and the weather. Downloading went without difficulty, and the use of the apps become a mixed enjoyment. The confined processing skills of the TV need to be stated; don’t anticipate iPad like reports. Navigation wasn’t usually easy, and a number of the apps had been completely useless. Still, it is a nice upgrade from closing year’s less. But the slightly progressed gradual feel still makes me need to avoid it all.

Media play approach that you could insert a USB device and play its content material. This won’t sound like a massive deal; however, it’s miles. Samsung claims to guide virtually every format, and in a manner they’re proper. The feature has advanced this 12 months. The person interface first helps you to choose between Movies, Music, or Photos. Browsing the USB disk follows after your choice; luckily, this is easy and speedy. Sub-maps are handled perfectly, and I was able to navigate with critical speed.

So does it clearly play every layout out there? Yes and no. I threw lots at it, including media that the PS3 can’t play. AVI, MPEG, MP4 were all performed conveniently. MKVs were not a hassle either, even the massive 15+ gig ones. I had one example in which it declined to play my audio layout as it changed into not supported – DTS, I think. I became in cloud 9 until I came across a bit of hassle. Do those small HD cameras? They, from time to time, a report in a record known as.MTS is additionally referred to as AVCHD. The Samsung C8700 didn’t want in and could not even see the files seem in the browsing window. A small hiccup in an otherwise best playback rating, wager I’ve to apply the PS3 for AVCHD documents.

Calibrating

Everyone who’s critical approximate televisions can tell you that the right calibration is vital. To accomplish this, I calibrated the television for some specific scenarios and chose a compromise in the long run. Because I don’t need to exchange settings whenever I alternate to gaming, SD, or HD films. The menu is straightforward to use. I pressed show alternatives and located myself confronted by way of some sliders controlling: sharpness, assessment, backlight, colors, and so forth. I could also alternate the local dimming settings (smart LED) and how the television attempts to put off-grain.

After approximately 2 hours, I located a great compromise in settings, showing both SD and HD thoroughly. I had become the sharpness down a notch to do away with unwanted artifacts around gadgets, maximum surprisingly in SD signals. The contrast became upped a chunk but now not too much in any other case. It eliminates shadow info. Colors were set up high, and the backlight was set to the maximum with the eco sensor enabled.

The new eco sensor is Samsung’s reaction to Sony’s device. Basically, it reads the surroundings and changes settings accordingly. It can decrease brightness based on ambient mild, turn the TV off while there may be no signal, and a few different, less interesting things. The sound settings provide basic manipulate, not almost as sizable as the photo setting competencies. It allowed me to alternate the sound to the choicest settings for films, songs, and speech. And of the route, it has the surround mock-up placing, which I like. Last but now not least, the C8700 can normalize extent differences between channels. This can work, but I saved it off because I by no means revel in this problem tons.

Normally you’ll be accomplished now, but there is one more putting to worry approximately: 3-d. Samsung has supplied a big selection of gear to make the enjoy, especially the conversion device, as at ease as feasible. Settings include generated depth, brightness, and the manner the device generates the 3D impact. I noticed that larger depth in the settings could be sincerely quality or virtually traumatic. It all depended on how well the conversion labored in the first area.

So with my TV calibrated, it became time for a few real-world exams. So I did what each circle of relatives does… Join a 2TB HDD with 1080p content material and hundreds of films and TV collections that I legally own. But before that, I watched a few normal television.

Testing

Now undergo in thoughts that I don’t have the system to do a scientific check. I simply looked at the real global material and calibrated the tv the use of a way that every regular man or woman makes use of.

Review

First, a few well-known comments about the trying out method and findings: I watched content material in 3 classes: SD, HD, and gaming. I took my time and got a terrific have a look at one of a kind elements of the photo excellent, especially motion, colorations, black stages, and general sharpness.

First, my locating that applies to the whole thing I watched. The viewing angles in this TV are disappointing. A small perspective already resulted in a big loss of colors. Everything has become tinted pretty quick. There’s additionally a few lightning uniformity. It’s a problem that problems each part lit LEDs; essentially, the rims are extra brilliant because the heritage mild comes from the edges simplest. I failed to notice much at some stage in my tests, but it’s there. Okay, now for some actual-world testing starting with SD.

SD

First, I related a virtual television receiver container onto the Samsung C8700. The signal turned into SD (720×480) and 50hz. The first-class changed into k from a distance. For the forty-six” model, a distance of a minimum of 7 ft (2,1 meters) is suggested. From up close, the lack of pixels has become painfully obvious. I also observed that the television become not able to cast off all graining without dropping detail. Motion turned into handled well via the 200HZ engine; this means that the tv makes movement smoother by using more frames.

I looked for more SD materials and observed an episode of Glee. Episode 21. It stumbled upon the identical problem. The photograph wasn’t very sharp and regarded washed out. The lacking pixels become a big pain. Again the identical recommendation applies. Only strive to watch this from a distance! Students don’t purchase a 46″ television for a one-room house, which some call home to lose better. Overall I was upset by using the SD picture excellent however it wasn’t the Samsung C8700’s fault. It’s just tough to display DVDs crisp on a panel of this length. It’s watchable from a distance but does not get too near.

My 2nd test was one for destiny. Everything we watch is converted to HD. This new higher preferred equals greater pixels and, for this reason, a higher video best. In reality, we’ve got a lot of religion on this technology that we’re even changing old classics like Star Wars episode four-6 and the Shining to the new platform. Remember, even though a digital camera with ¼ the number of pixels shot those films, the extra dots need to appear from skinny air – not viable. So I best-examined HD films filmed after 2007, cutting-edge films.

HD

I began with Leap for 12 months. This new 2010 romantic comedy was the appropriate candidate due to the beautiful surroundings of Ireland. And boy changed into it beautifully. The Samsung C8700’s nearby dimming machine does an exquisite task in producing astounding black tiers. Black is surely black on this television! The motion also became true because the surroundings flashed using. It was definitely clean. Some do not like this, but I do. Leap year led to a completely dark room. During the film, I could not word that the tv is adjusting its brightness dynamically, and being honest, at some stage, in the end, I located the screen now and then too vivid. Not sure if the eco-machine virtually adjusted the LEDs for this reason.

Secondly, I watched Avatar. This rapid pace film changed into perfect because it may, in reality, stress Samsung and show any imperfections. Let me be honest, there weren’t many for me, but it might be for a few. It all rests on the motion. It’s buttery easy, and almost appears unreal due to it. Some will no longer like this; however, I couldn’t take away it absolutely no matter the placing I used. I additionally observed artifacts around some of the items. However, it wasn’t a big deal as it is most effective befell as soon as. And I would not have visible it if I was taking note of the movie.

Color reproductions and black levels had been once more spot-on. Although I assume that most full LED neighborhood dimming sets may want to do higher, it is truly the simplest great in a right away contrast environment. And it is no longer like your neighbor will buy one and set it up properly next to yours for showing. If a person experienced this, please touch me, and I’ll cast off that assertion.

Blu-rays or legally owned 1080p content material are high-quality on this set, and the real purpose why a person might very own a tv of this quality within the first area. Color duplicate is wonderful, and black-tiers are spot on. Motion isn’t treated flawlessly. I saw a few artifacts, and some people would discover it unnatural regardless of the settings. If you are one of these human beings, then this can be your deal-breaker!

Gaming

Gaming. We all do it; a few admit it; however, few experience happy with it. I related my PS3 to the Samsung C8700 to check the game. Again, I do not have the high-stop stuff to degree enter lag; this evaluation represents the naked eye. First up became Need for Speed Shift. This new EA identify was launched in 2009 and marked a trade for the series. Moving more towards the semi-simulation racer with super photos and mind-blowing crashes. The Samsung C8700 held itself nicely in the course of the tests. The color reproduction became suitable, and the photo remained crystal sharp despite the most effective showing 1280×720 pixels. I did notice some enter lag as compared to my reference show, a 2ms TNT panel. But for me, as a casual gamer, I do not see this as a big trouble.

LittleBigPlanet becomes examined subsequent, and the Samsung C8700 nailed it. Input lag was even much less of a trouble thanks to the slower-paced game. The sport confirmed higher intensity way to the sharpness and the dimensions of the display. Furthermore, I saw nothing unusual. Last, however, no longer least became the sports Resistance 2. This popular shooter sits excessive with the likes of Call of Duty and Battlefield Bad Company 2. My first effect wasn’t too outstanding with this title. I found the color tending a chunk an excessive amount of toward the yellows. And I located halos around a number of the gadgets at some stage in heavy motion. I bumped off it after some tweaking. However, it wasn’t perfect. Gaming became nice at the Samsung C8700 tv. The massive size, without a doubt, makes the experience extra immersive. I did notice a few enter lag, but it is now not that big of a deal.

Glasses

Samsung would not offer glasses with the television. Costs are 70 – a hundred thirty $ depending on the version you pick out. Your options are limited between Samsung rechargeable or non-rechargeable, the latter working on special batteries. Glasses from other producers do not work. For this test, I used hard and fasted non-rechargeable glasses. I located them to be average in both seems and luxury. They don’t appear as a top because of the more steeply-priced rechargeable glasses. And I felt a pinch on the touching point near my ears. Moving the glasses a bit relieved the ache. Samsung claims that the glasses can work over 100 hours with an unmarried battery, and people numbers are marvelous. But regardless of that, I have to recommend everybody to move for rechargeable ones – at least for yourself. They’re higher looking, greater at ease, and nobody wants to shop for batteries nowadays. My family member determined to purchase 2 rechargeable for ordinary use and 3 non-rechargeable ones for visitors.

Conversion

Samsung’s largest exchange for 2010 is 3-d. It’s no longer a surprising flow; competition like Sony has driven it, and all and sundry knew it became coming this year. But I still have no contrast because Samsung is the simplest one obtainable with a completely to be had 3-D set. I’ve visible Sony’s three-D engine some time again at an illustration but cannot use it to evaluate because they were going for walks unique demos. For this part of the review, I attempted the unique 2D to 3-d conversion on a huge variety of media. I couldn’t look at the local 3-d engine because I don’t own a 3-d Blu-Ray participant. Sony replace the PS3 already! The 2D to three-D conversion is very smooth to use. There’s a button on the remote saying 3-d, press an,d the real-time converting begins. Further tweaks are possible on the menu, controlling things like depth simulation, color correction, and so on. I stored everything at default for this check because the depth simulation at maximum emphasized errors too much, and a decrease fee made the entire three-D experience a mean enjoy. I commenced with SD.

Glee became an awesome check case. The busy hallways of overly stereotyped young adults gave me the precise opportunity to peer if the Samsung C8700 could align-items nicely. And it turned into. People within the front ‘popped out’ a piece simultaneously as background students virtually remained within the returned. Even with motion, everything stayed high-quality. I can genuinely say that an episode of Glee is worth looking at in 3-D, despite a small loss of colors.

Next turned into a motion test. I performed back an F1 race that I had recorded. F1 is like NASCAR but with corners and modern-day technology. It was raining, and I become interested in peer how timing pix and vehicles might show. After ten minutes of viewing, I changed into dissatisfied and pressured to take off the glasses. All of this became because my glass of water turned empty, and I needed to fill up. After refilling, the glasses stayed off because the short moving motors have been an ache to observe. Cars going from the right aspect of the display screen closer to the left were not sharp and ‘shook’ heavily on the display floor. The gadget clearly could not maintain up with the short pace. On a nice observation: graphics had been rightfully confirmed in the front of the action, and the extra depth turned into exciting to watch at times. Just no longer whilst there were any rapid shifting motors round – Red Bull vehicles and such.

Commercials are never a laugh to observe, except when they’re about a product you need to purchase. This has not anything to do with my 0.33 three-D test although, which turned into normal television. I’m sad to mention that the C8700 made errors regularly when the advertisements hit in. I observed slogan text (buy cheese now) to come out even as the rate remained in the historical past. On top of that, a number of the portraits were not sharp. Overall the loss of brightness and the glasses’ discomfort made ordinary television not endorsed for 3D conversion. Your mileage can also vary; some indicate lend themselves greater to the gadget than others.

I popped Avatar in my PS3 and hit three-D on the faraway. Mind you, I have not seen this film in 3-d inside the cinemas, so no reference there. Avatar seemed extraordinary in 3D. The establishing scene while the main person floats looks perfect. Objects appeared sharp, and the tv made errors in extensive calculations. The simplest downside isn’t always surely Samsung’s fault but a compromise in the lively shutter glasses technique. These darkened glasses work like sunshades and eliminate some brightness while viewing three-D. This occurred in all the footage I saw.

Last, however, not least: gaming. I became on my PS3 and started the titles I mentioned in advance. I was again torn between correct and horrific stories. LittleBigPlanet made no difference in any respect. But it does paintings in racing titles. Overall I felt the games were constructed up in four layers of depth, with nothing, in reality, popping out of the TV or sitting absolutely inside the heritage. I located numerous times of crosstalk, and that wasn’t the handiest problem. Some of the gadgets confirmed ‘halos’ around them; some were not sharp, and others were not as a way of the historical past as they needed to be. It made the enjoy very tiring, and consequently, I might not use it a lot. Native 3-d games can change my thoughts; however, gaming in three-D is a no pass, with the Samsung C8700 as a minimum.

So right here’s what I consider the conversion device using Samsung. It works, but your mileage can also vary. Some of the television suggests/films don’t work too brilliant, mainly with many moving objects. I also observed SD 3-D way extra irritating than HD 3D, with the latter displaying very sharp textures and gadgets. For now, Gaming’s a no go together with conversion, a nice gimmick with a purpose to no longer remaining. Also, a no go is looking 3-d in a resting role. You can not watch 3-d with the glasses in a 90-degree perspective. Doing so will result in a black display screen. I’d like to stress that I wasn’t capable of testing native 3-D, so for now, my opinion about three-D is difficult to trade.

Conclusions

Samsung did a superb process with the C8700 LED tv. Its layout is stunning and will please maximum buyers – however, no longer all. Watching SD is a bit of an ache at the massive display, so a few toes of viewing distance is suggested. HD content seems awesome although, with wonderful black tiers and brilliant color duplicate. But the overly easy movement can annoy a few and please others.

The 3-d conversion gadget could be very clean to use and may paintings fantastic. Especially HD movies are converted well. Fast-paced SD or gaming ought to stay in the 2D realm for now. You can’t actually move wrong with the Samsung C8700. It’s a super television, but be organized to overlook some minor flaws for this expensive silver piece of engineering brilliance. I’m Robin Chung, author of the Dutch book Tegenlicht. I have an internet site that brings interesting studying fabric from all forms of fitness and gaming. The website also consists of a discussion board to discuss the articles, and you may order my e-book from there.