samsung UE-55-ES8000 Review
I was surprised to see this review online rather than being the test highlight in next months issue. This may mean there is a group test of the latest 55" led and plasma sets next month.
Am i right or am i right ?
Hi Andrew,
Excellent review but I have 2 questions if you don't mind:
1. how does backlight look like, any visible clouding, uneven backlight uniformity?
2. what about banding, have you noticed any on ES8000?
I'm asking because those 2 issues were the most annoying for users of last year 8000
cheers,
What a TV.
I think this is a real glimpse of the future and that we will see a lot of TV's similar to this one come along very soon. Other than making the touch pad into an actual touch screen I am not sure there is a lot more than can be done control wise though I am sure this system will be refined and improved a lot more. Anyone know how the touch pad works - does your finger/thump simply move a cursor around on the screen in any direction?
Nice to see Samsung really leading the way here. With rumours of Apple launching a TV it would have been all too easy to just wait and then bring something to market in response but they have beaten them to the punch this time!
Now, if they can do this but give it an OLED panel I'm sold. Shouldn't be too far off .....
Hi Andrew,
Excellent review but I have 2 questions if you don't mind:
1. how does backlight look like, any visible clouding, uneven backlight uniformity?
2. what about banding, have you noticed any on ES8000?
I'm asking because those 2 issues were the most annoying for users of last year 8000
cheers,
No to both, we didn't see any clouding or banding on our set.
Hi,
I noticed that you mentioned that there are four HDMI inputs.
The Samsung site states there are only three inputs.
Could you verify once more please?
The review also mentions iPlayer ... I can't find it on the set I purchased this morning and no ability to install (not included in the normal apps).
I've only counted 3 HDMI inputs on my set, unless one is hiding somewhere - albeit mine is a 40in set.
I have the same frustration ref lack of iPlayer. The only thing I could think of is that it is available via Freesat? I only have the one coax cable which feeds into my sky box so I can't get freesat without installing. New line off the dish. Fortunately I have a tecnika smart box connected via HDMI so I can get the iPlayer that way.
Yes I have the same problem, No iplayer on my samsung 55es8000, I can not find it on the samasung app store as well but at the same time I brought the samsung bd-e5500 smart player and the samsung app store on that has the bbc iplayer to download, so I have the iplayer app on my blu-ray but not my tv.????
Work that one out 
Presume the iplayer must be coming.... after all it's shown on the screen shots of on the samsung website! though frustraiting to be waiting....
Hi,
I noticed that you mentioned that there are four HDMI inputs.
The Samsung site states there are only three inputs.
Could you verify once more please?
Yes, the Samsung site says three HDMI, but our review set definitely had four.
This is interesting! Google search reveals various sites have either said 3 HDMI inputs or 4. Another user has said 3:
http://reviews.uk.samsung.com/7463-en_gb/UE46ES8000UXXU/samsung-46-es800...
Looks as if Samsung had 2 models of the ES8000. Will go over to Currys today & check.
46 inch ES8000 has 3 HDMI inputs.
Quite common for larger, flagship models to have different spec. More room on a 55in for starters 
Not as far as I know: it was just that we had this set early, so wanted to bring you the review ASAP.
Consulting Editor, What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision/whathifi.com Audio Editor, Gramophone