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Introduction
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01.Tour & Design
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02.Blacks & Whites
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03.Color Accuracy
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04.Motion
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05.3D
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06.Viewing Effects
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07.Calibration
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08.Connectivity
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09.Audio & Menus
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10.Multimedia & Internet
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11.Power Consumption
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12.vs Panasonic Viera TC-P55VT30
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13.vs Sony Bravia KDL-55EX720
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14.vs LG 47LW5600
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15.Conclusion
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16.Series Comparison
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17.Photo Gallery
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18.Ratings & Specs
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19.Comments
Samsung UN46D6500
Previous: Page 9
Audio & MenusNext: Page 11
Power ConsumptionMultimedia & Internet
Samsung pulls ahead of the pack with the Smart Hub
Internet Features (12.00)
The UN46D6500 is proof enough for us that Samsung has secured itself the first place spot in the race for the best “smart TV.” The problem with smart TVs is that the the number of content offerings is growing every week. Sony has dealt with this poorly, as we saw with the menus in the 2011 TVs, full of long, tedious lists of video providers. Samsung took a different, and better, approach with the new Smart Hub (see photo below).
The Smart Hub attempts to eliminate the divisions between content types by creating a home that lays everything out. A live TV feed is quartered in the upper left corner. Next to that, all streaming video partners are banded together so you can run keyword searches in a single place and get results from all of them. Then there’s a link to the Samsung App store. Below that, you can select between AV inputs, the DLNA network, and USB devices. It’s all here, all under one roof: TV as entertainment hub.
The standard partners are all pre-loaded, such as Netflix, Pandora, Facebook, Twitter, and the rest. Everything else can be downloaded from the ever-expanding app store. Like any decent app store, there are useful things, fun things, stupid things, and everything in between. The selection isn’t enormous, but it’s getting to be impressive, especially when compared to competing manufacturers.
Local Media Playback (16.00)
The Samsung UN46D6500 has three (THREE!) USB ports. We’re guessing that’s two or three more than many people will ever use, but it could prove useful. All three ports can read USB mass storage devices like flash drives, as well as select cameras and camcorders. The third USB port, though, has the ability to read full hard drives, provided that use a USB connection. This opens up the very enticing option of loading up a hard drive full of movies and plugging it right into the TV.
All three ports can play photos, video, and music clips. For a list of compatible file types, check the manual.
| Other Models in the UNxxD6500 Series | |
|---|---|
| For more information on other models in this series, check our Series Comparison Page. | |
 Samsung UN40D6500 40 in. |
 Samsung UN55D6500 55 in. |
Latest News
& Reviews
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18-May-2012
Samsung UN46ES6500 3D LED LCD HDTV Review
This TV has the performance and picture quality to match its good looks. Samsung’s robust Smart TV platform is just icing on the cake. Read More...
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18-May-2012
Samsung's 2012 Smart TV Platform: Explained
Samsung’s 2012 Smart TV Platform revolves primarily around the Smart Hub. The Smart Hub gathers all content the TV is capable of displaying under one roof: live TV, apps, streaming video and music, and personal media. Read More...
Samsung UN46D6500 Manual
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Features
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After testing dozens of televisions this year, the staff of TVI has made its official selections for the very best televisions of 2011. Read More...
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3D TV, Not Ready for Prime Time
If you’ve been shopping for a new TV is the last two years, you’ve probably heard a lot of hype about 3D. As with most new technologies, customers are awash in baffling terminology and misinformation. Here’s a simple guide to walk you through the basics. Read More...
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HDTV Streaming Content Compared
Televisions aren’t just getting their content through the coax cable anymore. Just as the internet has gradually moved towards a video-rich space—YouTube, Hulu, Vimeo, etc.—those same sorts of features are creeping into your TV sets. Like it or not, those 1000+ channels of direct cable are not enough anymore. Read More...
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Technology Preview: Haier Completely Wireless Television
Imagine a TV with no wires. You’re talking about WiFi, right? No, we mean no wires, at all. Haier, the Chinese company better known as an appliance manufacturer, is showcasing a new technology here at CES that conducts electricity wireless to the TV, as well as streaming content. The TV is pretty far from production at this point, but it’s among the more amazing things we’ve seen at the show. Here’s an in-depth look at the technology and how it might be implemented in future products. Read More...
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