Some humans are within the lucky role to acquire high-quit stuff from high-cease corporations for evaluating. I’m now not one among them. But a member of the family felt it was time for three-D and bought the new Samsung C8700. And I managed to get a good take a look at it. It became a Thursday morning whilst the mailman rang the door and entered with a big package deal categorized Samsung. The feeling of excitement turned into tough to suppress. I opened the box and noticed the TV, its stand and a lot of cables. The guidance guide turned into massive and contained commands in many languages, I simplest used it to install the shelf. Real men don’t need user manuals! Read geeks like me.
Design
I had a great look at it after putting in the stand and punctiliously setting it at the fixtures. The first thing I noticed became the silver metal border across the display, a volatile flow thinking about the all-black trend of a final couple of years. But I absolutely adore it. It makes the tv appearance extra top class and makes it stick out from the %. The very edge of the tv isn’t silver but see-through plastic. From the facet, it is fragile. Under an inch thick, it truly is approximately as skinny because it gets for sure. The screen is held through a 4-legged stand, which seems outstanding. At first, I wasn’t positive, but it grew on me. And the direct benefits of the frames are the excellent balance of the TV and the specific layout. All silver will disappoint a few users, although; I’ve heard tales of human beings going for the C7700 only for the black borders across the screen.
Overall the Samsung C8700 is one of the prettiest TVs on the market. Its all silver design and four-legged stand will make it stand out anywhere it stands. The backlit Samsung brand is likewise a completely high-quality touch. Less a hit is the branding on the decrease left nook. And it has to be stated that the layout is not for everybody.
Connectivity & Specifications
The high-cease Samsung C8700 allows you to attach absolutely any device like you’d count on from a TV in this rate magnificence. It has four HDMI 1.4 ports, the new trendy which allows maximum 3D visuals. Further, greater incomes with: PC audio in, RF in, Cl+ slot, 2x USB, 2x Scart, optical audio, Ethernet, headphone, and a pair of additives. That’s genuinely high-quality connectivity right there. All the connections are angled, so you can put the Samsung at the wall without disturbing approximately cables protruding. I have to mention that the maximum of the links requires a unique ‘extension’ cable furnished in the field.
It additionally packs some severe specifications. It has 200hz, a brand new hyper 3-D engine, Internet, DLNA, PVR, and a marketed contrast radio no tv will ever accomplish. Furthermore, it is significant than an LCD edge-lit LED, which means that the mild comes from the side. It has local dimming in 12 zones, which means that the TV can control the mild at 12 elements of the display to better blacks. All those specs will come lower back further inside the evaluation, so don’t worry in case you don’t know what any of them imply. For your comfort, here’s the entire spec list provided by way of Samsung.
Remote
The Samsung C8700, C7700, and C9000 televisions are the primary to carry a unique new faraway. It’s thinner silver far off with backlit keys. The traditional rubber keys were changed for flat keys, which give you no point of reference for blind use. Also new are a few buttons, most noticeably the 3D button. I certainly like the new remote. It appears first-rate. The silver fits the TV nicely, and I discovered the key allocation logically.
Features
I’m a chunk of a geek about these things. I always attempt to use each function that a system has in store for me. Samsung has included a lot within the new C8700, such as Internet apps and media play. They have also supplied a new menu photo for the extraordinary features. It displays an icon of the function on the edge of a wheel, which you could flip the use of your faraway. Television keeps playing even after activating the menu, a pleasant contact.
The new Samsung application shop allows you to download apps for the television. Offering differs in line with u. S., But it should include Twitter, Facebook, and climate. Downloading went readily, and the use of the apps turned into a blended enjoy. The TV’s limited processing capabilities ought to be referred to; don’t expect iPad like reviews. Navigation wasn’t continually easy, and a number of the apps were absolutely vain. Still, it’s a nice improvement from the remaining year’s leads. But the marginally advanced sluggish sense always makes me want to avoid all of it.
Media play way that you could insert a USB device and play its content. This won’t sound like a big deal, but it’s far. Samsung claims to guide simply each layout, and in a way, they’re proper. The characteristic has improved this yr. The user interface first lets you choose between Movies, Music, or Photos. Browsing the USB disk follows after your selection; fortunately, this is straightforward and speedy. Sub maps are handled correctly, and I turned into able to navigate with severe speed.
So does it virtually play each layout out there? Yes and no. I threw plenty at it, such as media that the PS3 can not play. AVI, MPEG, MP4 had been all played readily. MKVs were no trouble either, even the large 15+ gig ones. I had one instance where it declined to play my audio layout because it turned into not supported – DTS, I assume. I changed into cloud 9 till I got here across a touch problem. Do those small HD cameras? They occasionally report in a report known as.MTS, also known as AVCHD. The Samsung C8700 failed to want in and could not even see the documents seem inside the surfing window. A small hiccup in an otherwise best playback rating, wager I’ve to apply the PS3 for AVCHD documents.
Calibrating
Everyone serious about televisions can let you know that the right calibration is vital. To accomplish this, I calibrated the tv for some exclusive eventualities and selected a compromise in the long run. Because I do not need to switch settings whenever I trade to gaming, SD, or HD movies, the menu could be straightforward to apply. I pressed show alternatives and discovered myself faced by a few sliders controlling: sharpness, contrast, backlight, shades, and so on. I may also trade the local dimming settings (smart LED) and how the television attempts to eliminate grain.
After approximately 2 hours, I observed an excellent compromise in settings, displaying both SD and HD very well. I had become the sharpness down a notch to eliminate undesirable artifacts around gadgets, maximum relatively in SD indicators. The contrast became upped a chunk but not too much otherwise; it gets rid of shadow details. Colors have been set up high, and the backlight becomes set to most with the eco sensor enabled. The new eco sensor is Samsung’s reaction to Sony’s device. Basically, it reads the surroundings and adjustments settings thus. It can decrease brightness based totally on ambient light, turn the TV off whilst there’s no sign, and a few different, much less thrilling things.
The sound settings supply simple control, no longer almost as considerable because of the image placing competencies. It allowed me to exchange the sound to the most beneficial films, tunes, and speech. And of the path, it has the surround mock-up placing, which I like. Last but not least, the C8700 can normalize volume variations among channels. This can work, but I saved it off because I in no way revel in this hassle plenty.
Typically you’d be executed now. However, there is one more lavish setting to worry about approximately: three-D. Samsung has furnished a big selection of tools to make the experience, mainly the conversion gadget, as comfy as possible. Settings encompass generated intensity, brightness, and the way the system generates the 3D effect. I observed that more considerable power in the scenes might be really first-rate or simply worrying. It all relied on how nicely the conversion labored inside the first region. So with my TV calibrated, it became time for a few actual global exams. So I did what each own family does. Connect a 2TB HDD with 1080p content and hundreds of films and TV collections that I legally own. But earlier than that, I watched a few everyday television.
Testing
Now bear in mind that I don’t have the equipment to do a systematic take a look at. I simply looked at the real global fabric and calibrated the tv the usage of a method that each normal man or woman uses. First, a few popular remarks about the checking out system and findings: I watched content in 3 classes: SD, HD, and gaming. I took my time and observed specific elements of the picture first-class, particularly movement, colors, black ranges, and trendy sharpness.
First, my locating that applies to everything I watched. The viewing angles in this TV are disappointing. A small rise already ended in a considerable loss of colors. Everything became tinted pretty speedy. There’s also some lightning uniformity. It’s a problem that troubles every side lit LEDs. Basically, the edges are greater bright because the background mild comes from the rims best. I overlooked a good deal during my exams. However, it is there. Okay, now for some actual global checking out, beginning with SD.
SD
First, I connected a digital tv receiver container onto the Samsung C8700. The sign changed into SD (720×480) and 50hz. The first-class become ok from a distance. For the forty-six” model, a distance of at least 7 ft (2,1 meters) is recommended. From up near, the dearth of pixels became painfully apparent. I also noticed that the television was unable to remove all graining without dropping detail. Motion turned into dealt with well with the aid of the 200HZ engine; this means that that the tv makes movement smoother via placing more frames in between.
I looked for more significant SD materials and determined an episode of Glee. Episode 21. It stumbled upon the identical problem. The photograph wasn’t very sharp and regarded washed out. The missing pixels grow to be a huge ache. Again the same recommendation applies. Only try looking at this from a distance! Students do not buy a forty-six” tv for a one-room house, which some name home for lack of higher. Overall I was upset with the aid of the SD picture friendly. However, it wasn’t the Samsung C8700’s fault. It’s only tough to show DVDs crisp on a panel of this length. It’s watchable from a distance, however, do not get too near.
My 2d take a look at was one for the future. Every issue we watch is converted to HD. This new higher general equals extra pixels and thus a higher video satisfactory. In reality, we have a lot of religion in this generation that we’re even converting antique classics like Star Wars episode 4-6 and the Shining to the brand new platform. Remember, though, that a digicam with ¼ the quantity of pixels shot the one’s films. Which way that the extra dots want to seem from thin air – now not feasible. So I best-examined HD movies filmed after 2007, contemporary movies.
HD
I started with Leap for 12 months. This new 2010 romantic comedy turned into a suitable candidate because of the lovely surroundings of Ireland. And boy turned into it stunning. The Samsung C8700’s nearby dimming device does a high-quality activity in producing spectacular black ranges. Black is, without a doubt, black on this tv! Motion changed into also properly as the surroundings flashed by using. It becomes spotless. Some don’t like this, but I do. Leap 12 months led to a completely dark room. During the movie, I couldn’t observe that the television was adjusting its brightness dynamically. To be sincere throughout the end, I found the display screen now and then too vibrant. Not sure if the eco device absolutely adjusted the LEDs as a result.
Secondly, I watched Avatar. This rapid pace movie was best because it can truly strain the Samsung and display any imperfections. Let me be sincere. There were not many for me. However, it could be for a few. It all rests on the motion. It’s buttery clean and nearly looks unreal due to it. Some will now not like this, but no matter the placing I used, I could not cast off it absolutely. I additionally observed artifacts around several gadgets. However, it wasn’t a huge deal as it handiest occurred once. And I wouldn’t have visible it if I was listening to the movie.
Color reproductions and black tiers have been once more spot-on. Although I assume that most full LED nearby dimming units may want to do higher, however, it truly is the handiest substantive in an immediate evaluation environment. And it is now not like your neighbor will buy one and install it right next to yours for displaying. If someone skilled this, please contact me, and I’ll remove that statement. Blu-rays or legally owned 1080p content material are brilliant on this set and the real reason why a person might very own television of this quality inside the first location. Color reproduction is tremendous, and black-levels are spot on. Motion isn’t always dealt with correctly. I saw a few artifacts, and some humans will discover it unnatural no matter the settings. If you are one of these humans, then this can be your deal-breaker!
Gaming
Gaming. We all do it, some admit it, but few feel pleased with it. I related my PS3 to the Samsung C8700 to test gaming. Again I do not have the excessive-cease stuff to degree enter lag; this review represents what the bare eye sees. First up became Need for Speed Shift. This new EA identifies turned launched in 2009 and marked a change for the collection. Moving extra towards the semi-simulation racer with perfect pictures and dazzling crashes. The Samsung C8700 held itself properly for the duration of the assessments. The color reproduction turned into the top, and the image remained crystal sharp no matter the simplest, showing 1280×720 pixels. I did word some enter lag as compared to my reference display, a 2ms TNT panel. But for me, as a casual gamer, I don’t see this as a huge issue.
LittleBigPlanet turned into examined subsequent, and the Samsung C8700 nailed it. Input lag changed into even less of a problem thanks to the slower-paced recreation. The recreation confirmed better intensity way to the sharpness and the scale of the show. Furthermore, I saw not anything uncommon. Last, however, now not 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 impression wasn’t too splendid with this title. I observed the coloration tending a bit an excessive amount of closer to the yellows. And I found halos around some of the items during heavy motion. I got rid of it after some tweaking. However, it wasn’t ideal. Gaming became significant at the Samsung C8700 tv. The huge size genuinely makes the experience more fantastic immersive. I did observe a few input lag, but it is not that huge of a deal.
Glasses
Samsung doesn’t offer glasses with the television. Costs are 70 – a hundred thirty $ relying on the version you pick out. Your alternatives are confined among Samsung rechargeable or non-rechargeable, the latter running on special batteries. Glasses from other producers don’t make paintings. For this, I was hoping you could take a look at I used a fixed of non-rechargeable glasses. I located them to be average in each eye and comfort. They don’t look as proper as the extra high priced rechargeable glasses. And I felt a pinch on the touching factor close to my ears. Moving the glasses a bit relieved the ache.
Samsung claims that the glasses can work over one hundred hours with a single battery, and those numbers are astonishing. But despite that, I should advocate for every person to go for rechargeable ones – as a minimum for yourself. They’re better searching, extra at ease, and no one desires to buy batteries these days. My family member decided to purchase 2 rechargeable for ordinary use and three non-rechargeable ones for guests.
Conversion
Samsung’s most extensive trade for 2010 is 3-D. It’s not a stunning circulate; competition like Sony has pushed it, and all of us knew it become coming this 12 months. But I nevertheless haven’t any contrast because Samsung is the simplest one obtainable with an altogether to be had 3-d set. I’ve seen Sony’s 3D engine some time lower back at an illustration. However, I cannot use it to evaluate because they have been running 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 test the local three-D engine because I do not own a 3D Blu-Ray participant. Sony updates the PS3 already!
The 2D to three-D conversion may be very smooth to apply. There’s a button on the far off pronouncing 3-D, press, and the actual time converting begins. Further tweaks are feasible inside the menu, controlling such things as depth simulation, color correction, and so forth. F stored the entirety at default for this check because the depth simulation at most emphasized mistakes an excessive amount of, and a lower cost made the complete 3-d experience a median experience. I commenced with SD.
Glee turned into a good take a look at the case. The busy hallways of overly stereotyped teenagers gave me the appropriate opportunity to see if the Samsung C8700 can align gadgets nicely. And it turned into. People within the front ‘popped out’ a chunk, while heritage college students really remained within the again. Even with movement, the whole thing stayed satisfactory. I can indeed say that an episode of Glee is well worth looking at in 3-D, notwithstanding a small loss of colors.
Next was a motion test. I played again an F1 race that I had recorded. F1 is like NASCAR, however, with corners and contemporary technology. It turned into raining, and I turned fascinated to see how timing photos and cars would show. After ten mins of viewing, I become upset and forced to take off the glasses. All of this turned into because my glass of water became empty, and I needed to refill. After refilling, the glasses stayed off because the short-shifting automobiles have been an ache to look at. Cars going from the right aspect of the display screen closer to the left weren’t sharp and ‘shook’ heavily on the display screen surface. The system actually could not maintain up with the short pace. On an advantageous word: pics have been rightfully confirmed in the front of the motion, and the extra depth changed into thrilling to watch at times. Just no longer while there were any rapid shifting cars round – Red Bull cars and such.
Commercials are in no way amusing to look at, besides when they’re approximately a product you need to purchase. This has nothing to do with my 1/3 three-D look at even though, which became standard television. I’m sad to mention that the C8700 made mistakes frequently when the classified ads hit in. I discovered slogan text (purchase cheese now) to come out even as the rate remained within the background. On top of that, some of the images were not sharp. Overall the loss of brightness and the pain from the glasses made standard television not endorsed for three-D conversion. Your mileage can also range; some suggest lend themselves extra to the gadget than others.
I popped Avatar in my PS3 and hit 3-d at the far off. Mind you, I have not seen this movie in three-D inside the cinemas, so no reference there. Avatar appeared extraordinary in 3D. In the beginning scene, whilst the main individual floats look remarkable. Objects appeared sharp, and the television made extensive calculations to mistakes. The most effective disadvantage isn’t indeed Samsung’s fault; however, a compromise within the active shutter glasses method. These darkened glasses paintings like shades and dispose of a few brightness when viewing 3D. This happened in all the pictures I noticed.
Last, however, no longer least: gaming. I grew to become on my PS3 and commenced the titles I discussed earlier. I became again torn between desirable and bad stories. LittleBigPlanet made no distinction at all. But it does work in racing titles. Overall I felt the video games had been constructed up in 4 layers of intensity, with not anything honestly popping out of the TV or sitting absolutely inside the heritage. I found lots of instances of crosstalk, and that wasn’t the most effective hassle. Some of the gadgets showed ‘halos’ around them; some weren’t sharp and different. We’re not as far at the heritage as they needed to be. It made the experience very tiring, and consequently, I may not use it a lot. Native three-D video games can trade my thoughts; however, for now, gaming in 3-D is a no pass, with the Samsung C8700 at least.
So right here’s what I reflect on consideration on the conversion system by using Samsung. It works. However, your mileage can also range. Some of the tvs suggest/movies don’t work too extraordinary, especially with various shifting objects. I also discovered an SD 3-D manner extra frustrating than HD 3D, with the latter showing very sharp textures and objects. For now, Gaming’s a no go along with conversion, a pleasing gimmick to not last. Also, a no move is watching 3-d in a resting position. You can’t watch 3-d with the glasses at a 90-degree angle. Doing so will bring about a black display screen. I’d like to stress that I wasn’t capable of checking local 3D, so for now, my opinion approximately 3-d is a situation to change.
Conclusions
Samsung did an excellent task with the C8700 LED television. Its layout is lovely and could please most shoppers – however, no longer all. Watching SD is a bit of a pain on the large display, so a few feet of viewing distance is cautioned. HD content material appears terrific, though, with super black stages and extraordinary color duplicates. But the overly easy motion can annoy some and please others. The 3-D conversion machine may be very smooth to use and may paintings extremely well. Significantly HD films are transformed nicely. Fast-paced SD or gaming have to live into the 2D realm for now. You can not virtually go incorrect with the Samsung C8700. It’s a high-quality tv but be prepared to miss a few minor flaws for this costly silver piece of engineering brilliance.
