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Samsung H8000 TV Review

Tested using Methodology v0.9
Reviewed Apr 29, 2014 at 12:00 am
Samsung H8000 Picture
8.0
Mixed Usage
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
This TV was replaced by the Samsung JU7500

The Samsung H8000 LED TV is a great TV, but if you don't need the curved screen, go for a cheaper model, like the H7150. It has about the same picture quality.

Our Verdict

8.0 Mixed Usage

Overall, the Samsung H8000 LED TV is a great TV with tons of features. The curved screen is a novelty that doesn't add much to the experience, though, and the picture quality is similar to lower-end models. Therefore, unless you really need the curve, go for a cheaper Samsung model, like the H7150.

Pros
  • Great contrast ratio with good blacks.
  • Very few reflections, and can get very bright. This TV is excellent in a very bright room.
  • Good 3D with no crosstalk.
Cons
  • The curved screen doesn't improve the experience significantly.
  • As with all Samsung LED TVs, the picture quality degrades when viewing it at an angle.
  • 8.0 Mixed Usage
  1. Updated Apr 29, 2014: Review published.
  2. Updated Apr 27, 2014: Our testers have started testing this product.
  3. Updated Apr 07, 2014: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Video

Test Results

Design
Design
Design

This TV has a curved screen. At first, this is quite noticeable while watching movies, because the sides appear bigger than usual. After a while though, you get used to it.

Design
Stand

The stand is 34" wide, which is very wide. It didn't fit on our table, so we had to extend it.

Design
Borders

0.47" (1.2 cm)

Design
Thickness

Curve included: 2.83" (7.2 cm)

Picture Quality
8.7
Picture Quality
Contrast
Black 0.029 cd/m²
White 101.4 cd/m²
Contrast 3,497 : 1

It performs well in a dark room. The contrast ratio is very good. The colors were very accurate out of the box.

7.0
Picture Quality
Black Uniformity

The H8000 has a few backlight uniformity issues. A little bit of clouding can be seen on the left side of the screen.

7.5
Picture Quality
Gray Uniformity

The gray uniformity is one of the best of the LED TVs that we have tested. The left and right edges appear a bit whiter because of the curved screen.

5.6
Picture Quality
Viewing Angle
Viewing Angle 18°

The viewing angle is quite poor. As soon as you are off-axis, the colors lose saturation. The curved screen also diminishes the experience off-axis.

9.5
Picture Quality
Average Room
Reflection 0.9%
Surface Type Glossy

Because the screen is curved, the reflections stretch horizontally. It only reflects lights that are directly in front of the TV. We had to move our background lights closer to the camera for them to be captured by the picture. The finish is glossy, so the reflections are attenuated, but more defined.

9.0
Picture Quality
Bright Room
Max white 345.5 cd/m²

The maximum brightness of the TV won't be an issue in a bright room. As long as a window isn't directly in front of it, it is great.

10
Picture Quality
3D
3D Yes
Picture Quality
Pixels
4k No
Motion
8.0
Motion
Motion Blur

It handles motion quite well, as you would expect from a high-end LED TV.

Motion
Motion Interpolation
Motion Interpolation Yes
Inputs
7.7
Inputs
Input Lag
Input Lag 46.1 ms

When the input type is set to PC, the H8000 has a low input lag of 46.1 ms. This is average, but hardly noticeable, even for fast games.

Inputs
Side Inputs

4 HDMI
3 USB
1 Digital Audio Out
1 Composite In

Inputs
Rear Inputs

1 RF In
1 Composite In
1 Ethernet
1 Composite In

Smart Features
9.0
Smart Features
Smart TV

The smart features are great on this TV. It isn't as user friendly as LG's WebOS, but you can do a lot more. Check out our full review of Samsung's 2014 Smart TV platform.

Smart Features
Remote

It also comes with a useful smart remote. You can control the cursor just by pointing at the screen.