The Samsung Smart LED D5500 TV impresses with its vibrant LED screen, and its ability to sync media from multiple devices, for example by playing movies via USB drive or transferring media files wirelessly.
The 40-inch TV is stylishly constructed with clean lines, and can fit into virtually any space, whether on a table or mounted on a wall. Plus, it was particularly simple to set up.
The TV features a hub where users can install apps, and transfer pictures, movies and music wirelessly from a home WiFi network or LAN support.
Visually, the TV provides crystal clarity, and the quality of the LED screen can be adjusted to pre-set configurations such as 'movie', 'gaming', 'natural', 'dynamic' or 'standard'. It can also be custom configured by fine-tuning settings such as sharpness and contrast.
Console gamers won't get much better than the Samsung Smart LED D5500 TV, as it features a game mode and detects when it's connected to a PS3 or Xbox360, and immediately speeds up the performance of the game. It was also very easy to set up the gaming configurations.
Specs:
Pros: Full HD LED TV viewing; great app management and Web browsing; intuitive and fast set-up and TV tuning.
Cons: Pricey, lack of 3D capability and high screen reflection.
Rating: 8/10
Recommended retail price: R8 999
Size: 40-inch
Resolution: 1920x1080
Display: Ultra clear panel
Video: Wider Enhancer Plus and SRS Theatre Surround Sound
Audio: Dolby Digital Plus
Smart TV functionality: Smart Hub, Samsung apps, smartphone remote support
The TV features four HDMI inputs, two USB ports, a LAN port, headphone jack, and a number of other options. For a TV that can't provide 3D viewing, the quality of its high-definition (HD) viewing still impresses. Considering that 3D technology is not yet perfect, this can be easily forgiven, especially for home users that are not 100% convinced on home 3D viewing and wearing 3D glasses for extended periods of time.
A disadvantage, I found, was the fact that the TV has a very shiny screen, and it became irritating to watch during a bright afternoon, as there was a lot of glare reflected from it. I recommend that users view this TV in a slightly dark room, or where there are curtains.
One of the highlights of the TV is its app management and app store. All apps you would normally find in an Android marketplace or the Apple iStore can be downloaded. It also allows for Web browsing. And in the hub, one can view their favourite TV shows while browsing apps at the same time.
The TV is truly an innovation from Samsung, and, I think, sparks a new generation of convergence between PC technology and crystal-clear HD television viewing.
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