Samsung JU6500  TV Review

Review updated Mar 01, 2017 at 06:31am
Tested using Methodology v1.0 

Older Test Bench: This product has been tested using an older TV test methodology, before amajor update. Some of the test results below aren't directly comparable with other TVs. Learn more

Samsung JU6500

Track

Track

 0
 TV Settings
Notice: This TVs was replaced by Samsung KU6300
The Samsung JU6500 is a good and reasonably-priced 4k LED TV. However, it has a few flaws, like judder in 24p content and a loss of saturation at a wide angles.

Our Verdict

0.0
Mixed Usage 

Decent TV for a mixed usage. The Samsung JU6500 offers an average picture quality thanks to its high contrast ratio. It doesn't have the best viewing angles though.

Pros
  • Great overall picture quality in both dark and bright rooms.
  • Very low input lag.
Cons
  • No 24p support, which means judder is present while movies are playing.
  • Loss of color saturation at an angle.
0.0
Movies 

Average choice for movies in a dark room. The JU6500 produces decent blacks thanks to its good contrast, but it cannot play back movies without judder.

0.0
TV Shows 

Passable choice for watching TV shows in a brighter environment. The JU6500 upscales lower resolution content well and has a good anti-reflective coating, but it cannot get bright enough for very bright environment.

0.0
Sports 

The JU6500 is decent for sports watching. It doesn't have a lot of motion blur, so fast motion looks quite clear. Its screen is also fairly uniform so fields don't look blotchy. Unfortunately, its picture quality degrades when viewed from the sides.

0.0
Video Games 

The JU6500 is a great choice for playing video games. It handles fast motion well and its low input lag makes the gaming experience responsive and immersive.

0.0
HDR Movies 

Mediocre HDR performance. The JU6500 does support HDR, but it cannot reproduce bright highlights and lacks a wide color gamut.

0.0
HDR Gaming 

Mediocre TV for HDR gaming. While a good gaming TV overall, there are no major picture quality benefits due to the TV's limited HDR capabilities.

0.0
PC Monitor 

Mediocre PC monitor. The JU6500 supports chroma 4:4:4, but its narrow viewing angle can cause the picture quality to deteriorate when sitting closer to it.

  • 0.0
    Mixed Usage
  • 0.0
    Movies
  • 0.0
    TV Shows
  • 0.0
    Sports
  • 0.0
    Video Games
  • 0.0
    HDR Movies
  • 0.0
    HDR Gaming
  • 0.0
    PC Monitor
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Mar 01, 2017: Review published.
    2.  Updated Apr 06, 2015: Our testers have started testing this product.

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    How We Test TVs
    How We Test TVs

    We buy and test dozens of TVs yearly, taking an objective, data-driven approach to deliver results you can trust. Our testing process is complex, with hundreds of individual tests that take over a week to complete. Most of our tests use specially designed test patterns that mimic real content, but we also use the same sources you have at home to ensure our results match the real-world experience. We use two main tools for our testing: a Colorimetry Research CR-100 colorimeter and a CR-250 spectroradiometer.

    Test Results

    Older Test Bench: This product has been tested using an older TV test methodology, before amajor update. Some of the test results below aren't directly comparable with other TVs. Learn more

    Sort:
    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    0.0
    Style
    CurvedLockedLocked

    The Samsung JU6500 doesn't look like a budget TV. The borders are small and the TV is quite thin.

    The stand is very sturdy, and the footprint dimension is average.

    Stand

    Dimensions of 55" TV stand: 29.75" x 10.5".

    Borders
    BordersLockedLocked
    Thickness
    Max ThicknessLockedLocked
    Picture Quality
    0.0
    Contrast
    Native Contrast
    LockedLock : 1

    The contrast ratio is average. The blacks aren't as deep as you get with some other LED TVs, but they're still dark enough that it shouldn't be a problem.

    0.0
    Local Dimming
    Local Dimming
    LockedLocked
    Backlight
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    SDR Peak Brightness
    SDR Peak 2% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    SDR Peak 50% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    0.0
    Gray Uniformity
    50% Std. Dev.
    LockedLock%
    50% DSE
    LockedLock%

    The DSE is reasonably low, and the deviation in the uniformity, while bad, is better than much of the competition.

    0.0
    Viewing Angle
    SAMPLE
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    for videos & test results

    Samsung JU6500 Viewing Angle Video Sample
    LCD Type
    LockedLocked
    Color Shift
    LockedLock°
    Brightness
    LockedLock°
    Black Level
    LockedLock°

    The picture doesn't maintain its color accuracy at an angle, which isn't ideal if you have multiple viewing positions.

    Update 01/06/2017: We have changed the methodology of testing. Since this is an old TV which we don't have anymore, we extrapolated the results from 2016 TVs.

    0.0
    Black Uniformity
    Native Std. Dev.
    LockedLock%

    The black uniformity is good. No flashlighting. A little bit of clouding, but it isn't noticeable with normal content.

    0.0
    Pre Calibration
    White Balance dE
    LockedLock
    Color dE
    LockedLock
    Gamma
    LockedLock
    0.0
    Post Calibration
    White Balance dE
    LockedLock
    Color dE
    LockedLock
    Gamma
    LockedLock
    0.0
    480p Input

    The upscaling of lower-resolution and compressed media looks pretty good when 'Digital Clean View' is set to 'High.'

    0.0
    720p Input

    720p content like cable TV looks good too.

    0.0
    1080p Input

    Upscaled 1080p is also great. It doesn't look soft.

    0.0
    4k Input

    4k content looks good and sharp.

    0.0
    Color Gamut
    Wide Color Gamut
    LockedLocked
    DCI P3 xy
    LockedLock%
    DCI P3 uv
    LockedLock%
    Rec 2020 xy
    LockedLock%
    Rec 2020 uv
    LockedLock%
    0.0
    Reflections
    Reflection
    LockedLock%
    Screen Finish
    LockedLocked

    The JU6500 has a semi-gloss screen finish which doesn't reflect a lot of light. A few overhead lights won't be an issue.
    It's capable of about average brightness, so it should be fine in most situations.

    0.0
    3D
    3D
    LockedLocked
    3D Type
    LockedLocked
    Pixels
    TypeLockedLED
    Motion
    0.0
    Motion Blur
    Refresh RateLocked60 Hz
    Response Time
    LockedLock ms
    Overshoot
    LockedLock ms

    The Samsung JU6500 is pretty good for motion blur. If you want less, you might want to upgrade to the JU7100.

    0.0
    Image Flicker
    PWM Dimming Frequency
    LockedLocked
    BFI
    LockedLocked
    BFI Frequency
    LockedLocked
    BFI In Game Mode
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    24p Playback
    Judder-free 24p
    LockedLocked
    Judder-free 24p via 60p
    LockedLocked
    Judder-free 24p via 60i
    LockedLocked

    This TV does not display 24p properly, even though it accepts it as an input. You can see judder when watching movies. It is a small and consistent judder though (called 3:2 pulldown), so not necessarily a deal breaker for most people.
    At least, you can turn on 'Auto Motion Plus' to add the soap opera effect to get rid of it.

    0.0
    Motion Interpolation
    Motion Interpolation (30 fps)
    LockedLocked
    Motion Interpolation (60 fps)
    LockedLocked
    Inputs
    0.0
    Input Lag
    1080p @ 60Hz
    LockedLock ms
    1080p With Interpolation
    LockedLock ms
    1080p @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode
    LockedLock ms
    1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
    LockedLock ms

    When 'Game Mode' is turned on, the input lag of the Samsung JU6500 is low (26.5 ms). Under PC mode, the input lag is 48ms.

    0.0
    Supported Resolutions
    ResolutionLocked4k
    1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
    LockedLocked
    1080p @ 120Hz
    LockedLocked
    4k @ 30Hz @ 4:4:4
    LockedLocked
    4k @ 60Hz
    LockedLocked
    4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
    LockedLocked

    To achieve Chroma 4:4:4, enable UHD Color and label the input as PC.

    Side Inputs
    Rear Inputs
    Total Inputs
    HDMILockedLocked
    USBLockedLocked
    Digital Optical Audio OutLockedLocked
    Analog Audio Out 3.5mmLockedLocked
    Analog Audio Out RCALockedLocked
    Component InLockedLocked
    Composite InLockedLocked
    Tuner (Cable/Ant)LockedLocked
    EthernetLockedLocked
    DisplayPortLockedLocked
    IR InLockedLocked
    SD/SDHCLockedLocked
    Inputs Specifications
    HDR10
    LockedLocked
    5.1 Passthrough ARC Dolby Digital
    LockedLocked
    Dolby Vision
    LockedLocked
    5.1 Passthrough ARC DTS
    LockedLocked
    5.1 Passthrough Optical Dolby Digital
    LockedLocked
    5.1 Passthrough Optical DTS
    LockedLocked
    HDMI 2.0 Full BandwidthLockedLocked
    ARCLockedLocked
    USB 3LockedLocked
    HDCP 2.2LockedLocked
    CECLockedLocked
    MHLLockedLocked
    Variable Analog Audio OutLockedLocked
    Sound Quality
    0.0
    Frequency Response
    Std. Dev. @ 70
    LockedLock dB SPL
    Std. Dev. @ 80
    LockedLock dB SPL
    Std. Dev. @ Max
    LockedLock dB SPL
    Max
    LockedLock dB SPL
    Low-end Cutoff
    LockedLock Hz

    OK low-end cut off for a TV, and it does get loud too. But the frequency response is poor, especially at higher volumes. Pumping may be present.

    0.0
    Total Harmonic Distortion
    Distortion @ 70
    LockedLock
    Distortion @ 80
    LockedLock
    Distortion @ Max
    LockedLock

    Good distortion at lower volumes, but there is a moderate increase in distortion as the volume increases.

    Smart Features
    Apps

    Major Apps Available

  • Netflix
  • YouTube
  • Vudu
  • HBO Go
  • Hulu Plus
  • CinemaNow
  • Crackle
  • Amazon Video
  • Pandora

    Check out our full review of Samsung's smart features.

  • 0.0
    Interface
    Smart OSLockedLocked

    The app selection is limited, and it doesn't have a fancy remote. There is a built-in web browser.

    The TV comes with just a basic remote, which isn't a user friendly device for using the built-in web browser.

    0.0
    Ads
    Ad-free
    LockedLocked
    Opt-out
    LockedLocked
    Remote
    RemoteLockedLocked
    Misc
    Power ConsumptionLockedLock W
    Power Consumption (Max)LockedLock W
    FirmwareLockedLocked