GADGET WATCH: Samsung D8000

vChristmas is coming, and that means plenty of people are on the lookout for gadgets to use as gifts, and for people to buy for themselves. And this year there are several new televisions on the market that are sure to garner some attention.

Samsung has been at the forefront of the television market with its line-up of Smart TVs. The D8000 is at the heart of the Series 8 line-up, and is sure to be on a few wish lists – so how does it stack up?

Hardware and features

The D8000 is a 55-inch model, has the capability to display active 3D images and comes with a dedicated pair of glasses, although they need to be charged through the television.

You can connect the television to a network via a wireless connection, or Ethernet, along with three USB ports, four HDMI ports, two composite ports, and one component and VGA port.

The edge around the screen is quite thin, and the television itself is held up by a four-prong stand, although it can be mounted on a wall if the user chooses. Controls can be found behind the device itself, which come with a proximity sensor.

The device also ships with a QWERTY remote.

What’s the consensus?

The good news is that performance here seems to be top of the line. Over at CNET, the publication noted that the screen shows off deep images with rich contrasts, increasing the sharpness in the picture, especially when showing off Blu-Ray devices.

“While our D7000 struggled in one noise test by leaving a vapour trail behind a flock of birds, the D8000 behaved much better, and could suggest there has been some software tweaks of the noise reduction strength.”

At PCWorld, the publication praised the number of connections available for users, and particularly liked the software make-up, saying it has the best web features out of any television on the market.

“The iOS-like grid layout of Samsung’s Smart Hub is easy to navigate, and Samsung’s App Store equivalent lets you pick and choose what services you want your TV to access.”

Despite complaining over a few mixed results, including the hardship of having to use social media platforms on a television, the performance appears to be a positive one. Google Maps was especially praised, looking good on a big screen.

However, it did say that users will find a better web experience on a PC.

At CNET, while the device itself was praised there were a few complaints over software features, including the BigPond Movies option, which is still limited in how much content it offers.

“Colour is also a weak point; while movies and TV look great, it struggles with reproducing solid colours. The vivid blue disclaimer screen at the start of many Blu-rays wasn’t consistent across the screen with lightening at the sides, and the same occurred on all-black screens such as credits.”

Who’s it for?

Overall, this is a great television. The picture quality is sound, the web features are both numerous and easy to use, and the design of the television itself looks smart in most living room set ups.

Although there are a few wiggles here and there with some software options, these aren’t dealbreakers. If you’re in for a new television and are prepared to pay, the D8000 is definitely worth some consideration.