PICTURE QUALITY This model had excellent high-definition picture quality, and it did a top-notch job displaying the finest detail. Color accuracy was excellent, so colors looked very natural and lifelike. Very good contrast--the difference between the darkest blacks and brightest whites--gave images depth and dimension. The brightness level was good, making it a suitable choice for most rooms. The TV had deep black levels, among the best we've seen, giving images excellent depth and dimension. In scenes with subtly shaded light-to-dark areas, such as a sky during sunset, the TV did a very good job producing a smooth transition without distinct, coarse bands. Film mode operation for HD film-based content was excellent, with no visible jaggies along the edges of objects during motion scenes. Deinterlacing was very good, with minimal jaggies visible when converting 1080i content to the display's native resolution.
VIEWING ANGLE The overall viewing angle on this display is unlimited, as with all plasma TVs we've tested. Color accuracy, contrast, and depth of black level did not vary regardless of viewing position, unlike what we've seen with LCD TVs.
MOTION BLUR This Samsung TV has excellent motion performance, like most plasmas, with no visible blurring on our motion tests.
SCREEN REFLECTIVITY The glossy screen surface on this plasma TV is susceptible to reflections from a nearby lamp or window, though the darker screen technology it uses minimizes reflections to some extent. The dark screen also makes it less prone to glare than most plasmas we've tested and helps maintain good contrast even in a bright room.
3D PERFORMANCE The overall 3D effect was very good, on par with the better 3D displays. 3D images showed effective depth, with minimal levels of ghosting (left eye/right eye crosstalk) on our 3D test patterns and on a wide variety of 3D program content. We didn't see any increase in ghosting when viewing at off angles. In 3D mode, the display presented full 1080p resolution to each eye, showing all the detail from the best 3D content from Blu-ray disc. Image brightness was on the dim side, less than we expect for normal 2D viewing.
SOUND QUALITY This TV's sound is good, fine for typical TV programming, but it won't reproduce the full range of movie soundtracks and music. It has a limited volume range allowing the TV to play just adequately loud. At more typical listening volume levels the TV has a generally smooth sound, but only decent bass and impact. Also, at higher volume settings audible dynamic compression keeps the sound from distorting but also limits clarity when there are peaks in loudness. Generally, none of these issues are overly distracting and most viewers will find this sound quality acceptable.
EASE OF USE Overall, we found the set easy to use. Setting up the TV for the first time was very easy, as was access to features and controls you'll probably adjust only once. Ease of access to features you typically use more often was very good. Also, the remote is satisfactory, and the on-screen menu is very easy to navigate.
INTERNET FEATURES This TV provides advanced Internet capability. For 2013, Samsung Smart TVs sport a new Smart Hub interface that organizes content into five separate panels--for live TV, movies and TV shows from streaming services, personal content (photos, videos and music), social networks, and apps--while the current live TV show plays in a small window. You can search live TV, movies, and streaming services for content, and even get recommendations about TV shows or movies the TV thinks you'll like. When used with the included IR blaster, the TV remote control can double as a universal remote for other gear connected to the TV via its HDMI inputs. While we found that the set's ability to be controlled by hand gestures and voice commands was improved from last year's models, the way the TV interprets commands is not always consistent, so it's still quicker and easier to use the remote. This Samsung model comes with a smaller touchpad remote control that uses a simplified button selection. The new remote looks elegant and provides a thumb pad surface for navigating TV menus and the Internet, along with a limited set of buttons for the most-used functions. The remote is relatively straightforward to use but some may miss a numbered key pad, and hard navigation buttons. Though we find the thumb pad to be responsive, some may find the required thumb dexterity more cumbersome than the straightforward clicks of a traditional remote. Features include a full Web browser with support for Flash, which allows access to a wider selection of websites. Access to a library of applications is provided via "Samsung Apps." Movie streaming services include: Amazon Instant Video, Blockbuster, CinemaNow, Hulu Plus, Media Hub, Netflix, Vudu. The TV also includes a retractable webcam for access to video conferencing applications such as Skype.
CONNECTIONS This TV includes four HDMI inputs, one shared component/composite connection (which means you can only use one type or the other at a time), optical digital audio out, three USB ports, an Ethernet port, and built-in Wi-Fi. Wireless connectivity includes: DLNA network file sharing, and Bluetooth audio connection. Analog connections are made via special breakout cable adapters (included) that attach to the TV as single plugs. That means you plug your component, composite, or stereo cables into a dangling "pigtail" rather than the back of the TV itself. This is actually a more convenient way to make the connections on slim-profile models, but if you lose that adapter you'll have no way to connect your cables directly to the TV. The cable connections on the rear panel are recessed with side or bottom-facing ports, so wires don't protrude beyond the display's depth.
INCLUDED IN THE BOX The TV comes with: a printed user manual, an electronic manual in the TV's menu, a quick start guide, a remote with batteries, breakout cables (1 Component, 1 Composite and Stereo Audio, 1 Stereo Audio), four pairs of 3D glasses, and IR extender. ABOUT FIRMWARE VERSION: Our test results and picture settings are valid for the version of firmware indicated. If your TV's firmware differs from the one shown you either have an older or a newer version of firmware. Manufacturers may periodically upgrade the TV's firmware to enhance operation, fix bugs, or add features. Firmware upgrades may be downloadable directly to your TV via a wired or wireless network (if internet capable), USB port, or memory card, depending on your TV's capability. You can check your TV's firmware version, or upgrade to the latest firmware by pressing the menu button on your remote and navigating to the appropriate submenu, typically under settings. Consult the user manual or manufacturer's website if further guidance is needed.
