I wanted to give this TV sometime to get used to how it works. After having it for a few weeks, I have to admit I'm really glad I bought it. Before mounting it on the wall, I hooked it up side by side with the 50" Panasonic Plasma it is replacing, and I have to tell you, it makes a HUGE difference.
Picture:
Initially, harsh and overly bright, but after tweaking it for my tastes, very good color. With the TV setup next to my plasma, I tested the black levels visually, and much to my amazement, the Samsung actually matched the performance of my plasma for most uses. The only area where Plasma was better was when the picture didn't fill the screen, leaving the black bars along the top and bottom, and in those cases, its clear that this is an edge lit television.
Smart Functions:
If you are buying a TV and don't like having to hook up a specialty box like Roku, Amazon Fire, or Apple TV, you will be fairly pleased with the basic functionality that this TV offers. Netflix interface is smooth, fast and responsive, and for some shows, even streams in 4k, which makes a significant difference. Games are included such as Need for Speed Most wanted, but without a Samsung phone or compatible game controller, I don't think many will play them.
Controls:
This Samsung does not include a smart remote with touch sensitivity or a joy stick. Which means that you get a rather standard remote control. It is back-lit, which is nice I suppose if your watching in the dark. It also has some smart capability for controlling connected devices through CEC, which works well as expected. That said, it does have a weakness. The Keypad button opens a dialog on the screen that allows you to select functionality not easily accessible, including picture in picture. It's not the most user friendly experience.
DLNA playback is also adequate, though I still have some additional sources that I intend to test. I will post some details on supported formats, which if you're like me, can be a deal breaker. Fortunately for me, I have enough other devices connected that I really don't have worry much.
Connections:
The back of this TV is pretty standard when compared to other televisions in 2014. They are set at 90 degrees which is essential for mounting flat against the wall, which I did. I also added a USB thumb drive to the back because the gaming functionality seemed to require it.
Final Thoughts:
This is a great offering from Samsung. I suspect this model was introduced exclusively for Black Friday, which is when I bought it too. That said, it doesn't feel stripped down or hampered in anyway. In summary, this TV so far exceeds my expectations.
| Brand Name | SAMSUNG |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 43.7 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 48.8 x 10.8 x 30 inches |
| Item model number | UN55HU6840 |
| Batteries | 2 AA batteries required. (included) |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Color Name | Black |
| Special Features | Flat |
| Item Weight | 43.7 Pounds |
| Standing screen display size | 55 Inches |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Wattage | 82 watts |
