Samsung UE46B8000 46-inch Widescreen Ultra Slim Full HD 1080p LED TV with Freeview - Black

 

 

Create your own review

I've had this TV a week now. Once I'd ordered it (and while waiting for its arrival) I read some average reviews. There seemed to be an issue with clouding (white patches on the screen during dark scenes), sound was awful and people said that the thinness was its only saving grace. I thought I was about to take delivery of a complete lemon.

So I unpacked it, ignoring the advice to do it with another person as I just couldn't wait to get it out of the box. It is less than 3cm thick (compared to 56cm for my old CRT) and lifted out the box with ease, only weighing 22kg. I assembled the base (very heavy, there is no way this TV is falling over) and slotted it in place - I really do recommend a couple of people, I just about managed it but I was lucky not to cause a mishap.

Turning it on allows tuning to take place. I hadn't realised it had Freeview built in (I just had Sky+ HD installed) and was surprised when it started sucking channels down the aerial. These were of fairly good quality, although a couple (including ITV) had pretty bad artefacts - not the fault of the TV. I then set up the TV answering a few questions and I was away. I downloaded the new Firmware from the Web before watching in earnest to make sure I had software that was as up to date as possible.

Size is great - just a few centimetres of black around it. It is very classy.

The remote is pretty stocky, but I use the Sky HD remote to do 99% of the functions except set up (switch the Sky remote to TV and press Help to cycle through the inputs for example). It turns on when lifted which is pretty smart. There is also a pebble sized remote included which just access volume and Freeview.

Plenty of inputs round the back. One actual scart (which connects in to an adaptor) and a couple of components/phonos. FOUR HDMI ports, which is pretty incredible. And, my favourite, a couple of USB ports - these let you (1) plug in a Samsung wireless dongle to access the Web and media on your PC - mine hasn't arrived yet so can't comment and (2) watch films, photos and listen to music on a memory stick. This worked really well and is agreat feature if you haven't got a wireless dongle attached.

To avoid too many wires a piece of white plastic is provided to wrap them in as they come down from the TV. Very neat, especially as there are clips provided to route the wires around the TV. Nice touch and well appreciated.

Menus are well laid out, and after a small bit of searching you learn where it all is.

So what about the picture - HD channels from Sky are fantastic. I found myself watching Finding Nemo just because it looked so fantastic. Cricket is excellent, football had no motion blur. It is incredible, I am very, very impressed and haven't found (touch wood) any of the issues I have heard about. It is a gorgeous set. Standard SD footage is actually very good. ITV shows look crisp (we are still saying "Is this HD?") and non-HD is better than I would imagine. I haven't heard a single complaint, and haven't had a need to play with the various settings (backlight, motion etc).

PS2 games are SD and therefore not totally perfect on the screen, although this is being picky. There is a Game setting for PS3/Xbox which is meant to stop a lag issue. I haven't tried this yet (PS3 coming for Xmas for my son).

Sound - it is actually quite good. OK so you don't feel like you're in a cinema but for a front room it more than does the job. I've got it on the pseudo surround setting and it fills the room. There is an Eq setting to tweak it but life is a bit too short!

So do I have any reservations: well, on the bezel you can very slightly see indents where the screws go. This is very minor and you'll soon forget this. Also the stand doesn't swivel which is a bit of an inconvenience. Other than that I have no issues at all.

I highly recommend the set, for the money it is unbeatable. There are better TVs but not at this price point. If you are looking for great picture on a TV which looks spectacular then I would highly recommend this. Samsung have done a really great job with this set. 10/10.

I got the set and was very happy because it was easy to setup and looks amazing. As with other reviews I was expecting there to be a problem with the sound quality. The sound really isn't great but i can overlook this as most people have surround sound set up to their TV.

The real issue for me is that there is fuzzing around objects when the motion is too quick. I didn't notice at first but now it's all I see when i'm watching TV and it's so frustrating. I went for the 200hz TV because this was supposed to stop this from happening.

I'm so gutted because the picture quality is amazing and i want to get rid of my TV after only two months. If you do go to buy this TV make sure you they allow you to view the TV using Sky and not a Blu Ray player.

Hope this helps.

If you can find a better flat screen TV then let me know.....the quality is fantastic, the depth of colour, the whites and blacks are all superb. There is no issue that I can see with fast moving objects all are sharp and clear. The sound is as good if not better than any CRT TV....yes the sound does come from onboard speakers in the back of the TV so is a little muted.......if you want Hi-Fi then plug in your amp and speakers.

Some reviewers just want perfection.....this is as close as you can get.

I'm loving this TV.

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 3 customer reviews...

 

Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

Search Listmania!