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Ever buy a big-ticket item like a TV, only to have buyer's remorse just a few months later when a newer model with cooler features is introduced? Wouldn't it be great to get those newer features—and possibly even better performance—without having to buy a whole new TV?
That's the concept behind Samsung's Evolution Kit ($300), an add-on module that attaches to a special port on the back of many Samsung smart TVs. To see if the Evolution Kit could deliver on that promise, we purchased Samsung's 2013 Evolution Kit (SEK-1000) and installed it on the Samsung PN60E8000, last year's top-of-the line plasma TV.
While the Evolution kit did successfully update the TV to many new features, we're not sure everyone will feel the upgrade warrants its $300 price tag.
We found the Evolution kit relatively easy to install, but you have to follow instructions or you run the risk of "bricking" the kit so it will no longer function. In fact, the first kit we received didn't work; apparently there were production issues with the first run, so we had to purchase another sample, which worked fine.
The provided "Quick Setup" printed guide is easy to follow and provides most of the important installation steps, which include first updating the TV's firmware and then unplugging the TV from the power source. But some important information was only related as footnotes in the main user manual, and you can easily miss them if you only rely on the quick guide. For example, you need to make sure no USB storage devices are connected to the TV before installing the kit.
Also, the quick guide fails to explain how the kit should be connected to your network if you want a wired Ethernet connection. And you don't find out how to install the provided LAN adapter until after it's been attached to the TV. This can be inconvenient, as the kit's LAN port is covered by a removable sticker, with a pull-off tab that can get jammed between the TV and the kit. You would have to remove the kit to get to the tab, which can be a bit annoying.
After updating the TV's firmware and unplugging the TV's power cord, you attach the kit to the TV's Evolution slot, which is also covered by a removable sticker; you then plug the TV's power cord back into an AC outlet or power strip. Once the TV is turned back on, an on-screen notification appears to let you know the kit was detected, and the TV begins installing the updates.
Once installation is completed, a setup guide—similar to the one on new Samsung TVs—steps you though several procedures, including setting up the Internet connection, selecting the input for your cable or satellite box, determining your TV service provider (by entering your zip code), setting up the new universal touch-pad remote (which replaces the TV's old touch-pad remote) to work with the Evolution kit and the TV's Bluetooth IR blaster (used to control other gear), and enabling the control of your cable box.
Unfortunately, the update procedure wipes out any saved calibrated picture settings, returning the TV to its default, out-of-box settings. If you decide to purchase an Evolution kit, we recommend that you record all TV's post-calibration picture settings prior to installing the Evo kit so you can easily return the TV to its optimum picture settings. Once setup was completed, the TV again searched for updates, automatically downloading and installing them if any are found.
As promised, the kit updated the TV's older 2012-style interface to Samsung's current 2013 Smart Hub interface, replacing the single-page-with-a-scroll-bar menu with a five-panel interface that has separate areas for live TV, movies, and TV shows from streaming services, personal content (photos, videos and music), social networks, and apps.
The new Smart Hub home page is the one for live TV, and includes the "S Recommendations" feature, which makes content suggestions based on your viewing habits. This is one of the biggest advantages of the upgrade. And while the 2012 interface did let you control a cable or satellite box with the TV's remote, the newer one also lets you search your TV provider's program lineup, much as you would with a Google search. Also, while the older version is limited to controlling a set-top box and Blue-ray player with the TV remote, the updated system also lets you control a home-theater system.
The TV's overall menu system gets a modest upgrade. Some controls are renamed (such as noise reduction) and some submenus are moved to different locations, so there may be a slight learning curve while you reacclimate yourself to the TV's menus.
The updated interface also applies to the on-screen directions for using voice commands and hand gesture controls for those TVs that include these features. For example, the more intrusive "bouncing bubbles," located on the bottom of the screen on 2012 sets, have been replaced by a more subtle box with a transparent background on the top right side of the screen, so you can still view the program that's playing.
Also, while the hand-gesture controls didn't change much, the update provided a significant improvement in voice control, increasing the number of recognized commands from about 15 to well above 60. These mainly provide more control over live TV by offering different ways to change channels, adjust the volume, and find shows to watch.
As mentioned, the Evolution Kit comes with its own remote, the same model provided with this year's smart TVs. (The TV will continue to work with its more basic remote.) Like last year's secondary remote, the new remote has a touchpad and a built-in microphone for voice commands and searches, but it's more compact, and the touchpad operation is a bit smoother and more responsive. But we found that removing the back panel to access the batteries and Bluetooth sync button can be difficult with the new remote, and you may need a screwdriver or other thin implement to pry the cover off.
The Evolution Kit also offers a few hardware improvements, including an expansion of the TV's internal memory from 785MB to 1.11GB, which provides extra storage for downloading apps and future updates. The kit offers an upgrade from last year's dual-core processor to a quad-core processor, which seems to help the Smart Hub load faster.
In other tests, though, we didn't find much improvement. For example, we timed how long it took to load the Smart Hub, and then a movie on Netflix, a video from a DLNA server, and a Flash-heavy website. We found there was little difference between the PN60E8000 with or without the Evolution Kit installed. We also compared it to the 2013 PN60F8500 flagship plasma and didn't see much of a difference, either. Unless you're multitasking, you may not see much benefit from the updated processor.
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The Evolution Kit pretty much does everything it claims to do, though not every feature on newer models—such as Screen Mirroring, which lets you display content from a compatible smart phone or tablet on the TV's screen—is made available via the upgrade kit. The big issue, we imagine, will be whether the benefits outweigh the Evolution Kit's $300 cost—you could buy a new 32-inch TV for the same price.
Basically what you're getting for the money is a new remote control, a new, improved interface, and advanced live TV controls. Most of the Internet features (such as the Web browser and apps) are available on the 2012 set without the upgrade. The new hardware features, such as the faster processor and the memory upgrade, seemed to be of only marginal benefit. Frankly, it's too bad that Samsung can't just offer some of these updated features—such as the upgraded voice control and S Recommendations— as a firmware update to owners of older sets.
We think the Evolution Kit is an interesting concept, and it may provide peace of mind for owners worried about their TV becoming outdated. But given its price, the Evolution Kit doesn't make sense for most Samsung TV owners, unless more extensive voice commands and a new interface are critical to your TV-viewing enjoyment. If you really want advanced control of your cable or satellite box and the ability to include live TV programs in your search, you might consider a Google TV set-top box, which comes with a full Web browser and access to the Google apps market. Such advanced streaming media players start at under $100, and can be used with any brand TV, not just an already smart Samsung Smart TV.
—Chris Andrade
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