or Browse:
Type
Brand
Price
Need

Samsung UN60D8000

HDTV Review

Previous: Page 14

vs Panasonic TC-P55VT30

Next: Page 16

Series Comparison
Page 15

Conclusion

The Samsung UN60D8000 ($4299 MSRP) packs in every feature we’ve ever heard of, along with quite a few we’d never heard of. The TV is as thin as they come, with the panel measuring only 1.2 inches. The gleaming, 4-legged pedestal is also a pleasant change from the black box aesthetic. The Samsung UN60D8000 includes support for 3D display, two pairs of 3D glasses, built-in WiFi, a web browser, a remote with QWERTY keyboard, all sorts of contrast and local dimming features, connection to the Samsung app store, Skype, and a bunch of local networking options.

Every TV has good and bad points, so let’s summarize them here. In its favor, the Samsung UN60D8000 features the best integration of “smart” TV features that we’ve seen to date. The Smart Hub mission control interface makes perfect sense; we just needed someone to show the world how it could be done. The built-in internet browser, specifically, is more gimmick than computer replacement, but it’s nice to have. In terms of raw video performance, the contrast ratio is outstanding. The motion performance is among the best and smoothest that we’ve seen, if you take advantage of the video processing features (just remember to turn them off if you’re watching film-based content). The 3D performance is among the best we’ve seen from an LCD television, bridging the gap between LCDs and plasma TVs.

On the downside, the color performance was good, but not perfect. The viewing angle is abysmal, something that Samsung continues to struggle with on its LCDs. As with many of these ultra-thin TVs, luminance uniformity is a problem. The blotchiness of the backlight is visible in any dark scene.

The biggest obstacle, though, is the price. Though you’ll surely find it for a less than the $4299 MSRP, the price is still much higher than you’d paid for any similarly sized plasma TV. The cost to scale LCD panels to these monstrous sizes is reflected in the base price. Plasmas can simply be made bigger for less money. Why not get Samsung’s very own PN59D8000 ($2999 MSRP), which offers most of the same features for a lot less money? Plasmas won’t get nearly as bright as the Samsung UN60D8000, or any LCD, but it may be worth the trade-off if you’re determined for the best picture but hampered by a budget.

Overall, the Samsung UN60D8000 is a monster of a TV and you are not going to be disappointment. But prices like this require that you understand exactly what you’re getting for your money and whether you need every single feature. If not, there are very good TVs out there for less.

Advertisement
Loading Recently Viewed Products
Advertisement

Latest News
& Reviews

Samsung UN60D8000 Manual

Top Rated HD Televisions

  • Also in this series
    Samsung PN59D7000
    Samsung PN59D7000
    $2,599.00
    Size: 59 in.
    1

    Samsung PN59D7000

    The Samsung PN59D7000 ($2,599 MSRP) is a stunning, high-end plasma TV fashioned by Samsung for 2011. It has 59 inches of great, 1080p picture quality, and as a second-generation plasma, it handles 3D reasonably well. Read full review

    $2,599.00
    All Types
    Plasma
    Online Features (with or without)
    Yes
    With Online Features
    No
    Without Online Features
    Yes
    3D and non-3D TVs
    Yes
    3D TVs
    No
    Non-3D TVs
    Yes
  • Also in this series
    Samsung PN51D6500
    Samsung PN51D6500
    $1,299.00
    Size: 51 in.
    2

    Samsung PN51D6500

    The Samsung PN51D6500 is one of the best deals for a big screen plasma TV. The performance is strong in most regards and the weakness are endemic to plasma TVs, not with this model in particular. Read full review

    $1,299.00
    All Types
    Plasma
    Online Features (with or without)
    Yes
    With Online Features
    No
    Without Online Features
    Yes
    3D and non-3D TVs
    Yes
    3D TVs
    No
    Non-3D TVs
    Yes
  • LG 47LM6700
    LG 47LM6700
    $1,749.99
    Size: 47 in.
    3

    LG 47LM6700

    In addition to opinion-changing 3D images, this LG has a newly improved Smart TV menu system, and a remote that makes navigating the ever-expanding sea of content less of an odyssey. . Read full review

    $1,749.99
    All Types
    LED
    Online Features (with or without)
    Yes
    With Online Features
    No
    Without Online Features
    Yes
    3D and non-3D TVs
    Yes
    3D TVs
    No
    Non-3D TVs
    Yes
  • LG 50PZ950
    LG 50PZ950
    $1,500.00
    Size: 50 in.
    4

    LG 50PZ950

    This 1080p plasma television with internet and 3D capabilities is purportedly the best LG has to offer in 2011. Read full review

    $1,500.00
    All Types
    Plasma
    Online Features (with or without)
    Yes
    With Online Features
    No
    Without Online Features
    Yes
    3D and non-3D TVs
    Yes
    3D TVs
    No
    Non-3D TVs
    Yes
  • Samsung UN46D6000
    Samsung UN46D6000
    $1,299.00
    Size: 46 in.
    5

    Samsung UN46D6000

    Everyone wants a Smart TV, but how smart is buying the Samsung UN46D6000 for its $1299 MSRP? With its reasonably good performance in many categories and more internet features than you can shake an e-stick at, that question might be hard to answer if it weren't for this review. Read full review

    $1,299.00
    All Types
    LCD
    Online Features (with or without)
    Yes
    With Online Features
    No
    Without Online Features
    Yes
    3D and non-3D TVs
    Yes
    3D TVs
    No
    Non-3D TVs
    Yes

Features

  • TelevisionInfo.com 2011 Select Awards

    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...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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...

Advertisement
Samsung UN60D8000
HDTV Review

Previous: Page 14

vs Panasonic TC-P55VT30

Next: Page 16

Series Comparison