Samsung's D8000 55-inch 3D LED TV offers Internet browsing and crystal-clear graphics for the ultimate in viewing pleasure. It loses points, however, when the slow Internet connection is taken into account.
Design
The D8000 comes standard with a chrome claw-looking stand that's simple and modern in design and easy to connect, although, because of its size, this can't be done alone. The stand is included with the TV, but should you prefer a wall mount, this will be an added expense.
The stand has a manual swivel function, which allows for multi-angled viewing. Despite its size, it's still very slim and measures just over 2cm thick. It has a chrome border, is aesthetically appealing and is not bulky.
Usability
The TV's graphical interface is user-friendly and easy to navigate, as is the device's Internet portal - Smart Hub - which has preloaded apps such as Facebook, Twitter and Skype, as well as Samsung Apps.
The standard remote control works pretty much the same as any TV remote, although it did have some Braille characters on it. The review unit came with a Qwerty remote, which is not included with the D8000. However, I only found it more useful when using the Smart Hub apps; I really wouldn't bother with it otherwise. It's also bulkier than the standard remote.
The D8000 has four HDMI ports, one audio optical out, a single component cable port with an adaptor, as well as a single audio video port with an adaptor.
Connectivity
The D8000 includes apps that have the same look and feel as those on a PC or mobile device, although connecting to them was not the most pleasant experience, and it took some time getting used to the Qwerty remote to navigate the Smart Hub. Attempting this with the standard remote took a while longer and was frustrating.
If users want to make Skype calls, they will need to purchase a camera kit, as the TV does not have a built-in camera.
I found that connecting to the Internet was slow in comparison to connecting via my laptop, and the TV always seemed to be 'updating'. Additionally, the user app interface does not allow for any customisation.
Display
The screen offers full HD viewing at 1920 x 1080 pixels, and this is where the device really shines. The striking difference between regular viewing and HD viewing is notable immediately when switching to HD-enabled channels.
The screen is also 3D-compatible, although the 3D glasses are sold separately. The 3D effect is subtle. The glasses included with the review unit were battery-powered, and could be charged via one of the three USB ports on the unit. There is also the option to upscale from 2D to 3D, and the unit is Blu-ray compatible.
However, one drawback I noticed when viewing in full 3D is that the resolution is automatically downscaled.
The device has a built-in eco light sensor, which measures the intensity of the room's light and automatically adjusts the brightness of the screen display.
The D8000 is able to play directly from external storage devices such as USBs, as well as DVDs and Blu-ray players, and I found that it connects well with all of these.
In summary
Overall, the Samsung D8000 is a great gadget to own - if you have R50 000 to spare. Picture quality is superb, especially when viewing in HD or 3D, and it's really easy to use for normal TV programming. I'm not totally sold on its Smart Hub, however, and I think a lot can be done to improve the browsing experience. There are also quite a few extras that are nice to have, but all come at an additional cost.
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