MV - All our reviews are based on performance-per-pound; by that criteria, the Samsung is definitely one of the best sets you can currently buy, and certainly the match/superior of the Panasonics we've seen this year (as you can tell by the respective star ratings of those sets).
Pioneer itself predicted it'd be 2010 before someone outperformed the Kuros - we're still waiting (and if/when it comes, what price will these sets be?), but in the meantime those Pioneers are all but gone, and someone needing a TV today should be aware of all their options, at all screen sizes/prices.
MV - we clearly state in the review that we feel the Pioneer is still the superior set.
Sounds like your local store didn't have the Samsung set-up very well: as we, again, note clearly in the review, this TV requires careful set-up, plus should be used on the 'Clear' 200Hz setting, as others can look unnatural.
Hi Clare, I did read the review fully and reread what I wrote earlier. What I don't get is if the pioneer's (or panasonic's tvspec) are superior then why does this samsung deserve a 5* review. Is it a case of best of an average bunch or best of what is currently manufactured? Surely by now, like me, you would expect these manufacturers to have produced screens that have moved the game on considerably. There's no technical data posted in the review but it would be good to see this. Obviously what I saw is subjective.
I was unfortunate enough to see one of these being demoed whilst demoing some cyrus kit at my local hifi store. I own a Pioneer KRP 500M and this Samsung is not even close to it in terms of motion tracking and black levels. I couldn't watch it for too long as it was far too bright and the picture was unstable whilst tracking. Why this has been given 5 stars and what it is being compared to now Pioneer have withdrawn themselves from the market I have no idea. It is very slim. Big deal. I'd hate to watch a 4* screen. Come on WHF, sort it out, this is not a 5* product.
I believe people dont like their investment being criticised (paying over �2000 for a pioneer)then finding something else is just as good. But i agree with what hi fi said about tweaking the picture settings makes it better.
i cant believe people think kuro is the ultimate screen. Put it near a panasonic 600hz and their isnt much difference (look carefully seeing is beleiveng) it handles motion better than the pioneer. If you watch the kuro in a light room it wont be as good as lcd plus it is bulky and fat use more power not as sharp as lcds.
there isnt much difference in the bravia engine 1,2,3 its making you paranoid mr sonyse2t5> and the samsung aint oled. You wait for sony its like watchin paint dry. (sex on legs?) wat was all that about?
I've always admired the KURO but since Pioneer pulled of the TV scene then I'm so sure anymore. I've been saving up to get my first Plasma/LCD/LED television but the market is so big. none of the reviews help as they all have their pro's and con's.
I've got �2.5k to spend and looking in the 50" range but which has to be future proof for the next 3 years or so. been looking at the Samsung LED seires 7 55" but with the 8 series coming out, i am not so sure anymore. really don't understand why manufacturers are giving us consumers such a difficult predicaments!?
Sumsung have taken a challenge to Sony and the other Japanese marquees with their OLEDs so I say to Sony get the OLED range out!!! I like to see how sony can dominate the OLED as they have with its LCDs
Brivia 3 is looking like a simple facelift as your review with the pristine E series LCD shows.
BLUray on OLED look like HD video...and that MEGA contrast range....sex on legs...yes Kuro needs to step into the fray.
I purchased a 55 b6000 led samsung and wasn't happy
with the 100 hz motion processing so i upgraded to a 200hz 55 b8000 led and can say that is solved my motion issues i run it on 200 hz clear as the reveiw suggests also the review mentions running the backlight on 6 or below to avoid the leds betraying there postions on very dark scenes i confirm this is true
What i cannot understand is how many say the Pioneer kuros are the best TV's.. as far as i'm concerned the samsung blows the kuros out of the water hand down the samsung has incredible detail and colour its as sharp as a tack its in fact an utterly stunning TV..i owned a 46" sony x (first model) a great TV before ...but the samsung outperforms my old sony x
I seriously considered a 60" pioneer kuro.. their last model BUT it way to soft in the picture way too dull
and i didn't like the colours and that was with a pioneer lx71 blu ray player tweeked for max detail etc(i own one)also i tweeked all the settings on the pioneer kuro i simply could not buy this Kuro TV (or any plasma) so there are 2 sides to every point of view In no way do i wish to deprive plasma owners of the pleasure of the plamas but to each their own thats my 2 cents worth !!!
I can�t believe your review. I have one and it can�t handle low bit rates. Images are blurred and judder is apparent. Even on ordinary DVDs. I watched I am Legend and the amount of blurring was nauseous I had to stop watching it. Analogue and some Sky transmissions are rubbish. I am getting a refund as I am not paying � 1900 for that kind of performance.
I think you should give the set a real test which it will fail miserably. Don�t get me wrong it looks good and I bought it because I believed all the hype. Even your review disappoints me as you are saying it handles lower transmissions well and analogue which it clearly does not.
I can well believe that the settings can make all the difference. If experts like you say its tricky to set up, what chance does the man on the street have? Any chance you can share your complete list of settings?
Just bought this tv today and cant belive how blurry the screen is on Sd... Any chance you can share your complete list of settings, As i dont want to go down the same road as Bedweljp...
Have just bought this Samsung UE46B8000 and only had it a couple of days. Very pleased with the picture quality and ease of use...but the sound quality on the film that we watched lastnight was absolutely awful and spent a lot of time trying to get it to sound right. I know that american movie sound tracks leave a lot to be desired as they tend to garble their word most of the time, but certain speech levels on this set distort quite badly. I think I am definitely going to have to invest in some other type of speakers as it ruined the film. So...don't expect great sound quality straight out of the box!! By the way my hearing is perfectly normal...."sorry what did you say!"
Comments
It sounds like you might have some set-up issues and need to tweak your settings, bedweljp.
MV - All our reviews are based on performance-per-pound; by that criteria, the Samsung is definitely one of the best sets you can currently buy, and certainly the match/superior of the Panasonics we've seen this year (as you can tell by the respective star ratings of those sets).
Pioneer itself predicted it'd be 2010 before someone outperformed the Kuros - we're still waiting (and if/when it comes, what price will these sets be?), but in the meantime those Pioneers are all but gone, and someone needing a TV today should be aware of all their options, at all screen sizes/prices.
MV - we clearly state in the review that we feel the Pioneer is still the superior set.
Sounds like your local store didn't have the Samsung set-up very well: as we, again, note clearly in the review, this TV requires careful set-up, plus should be used on the 'Clear' 200Hz setting, as others can look unnatural.
Clare - good point, well made. I'll get back in my box now!
Hi Clare, I did read the review fully and reread what I wrote earlier. What I don't get is if the pioneer's (or panasonic's tvspec) are superior then why does this samsung deserve a 5* review. Is it a case of best of an average bunch or best of what is currently manufactured? Surely by now, like me, you would expect these manufacturers to have produced screens that have moved the game on considerably. There's no technical data posted in the review but it would be good to see this. Obviously what I saw is subjective.
I was unfortunate enough to see one of these being demoed whilst demoing some cyrus kit at my local hifi store. I own a Pioneer KRP 500M and this Samsung is not even close to it in terms of motion tracking and black levels. I couldn't watch it for too long as it was far too bright and the picture was unstable whilst tracking. Why this has been given 5 stars and what it is being compared to now Pioneer have withdrawn themselves from the market I have no idea. It is very slim. Big deal. I'd hate to watch a 4* screen. Come on WHF, sort it out, this is not a 5* product.
�1609 inc vat & 5 year warranty @ costco
Looks good indeed!
I agree.
I can't believe that people pay this kind of money for a 46" LCD when they can get a 50" Kuro for not much more!
they ll never be an lcd to get close to never mind better a kuro plasma ,
I believe people dont like their investment being criticised (paying over �2000 for a pioneer)then finding something else is just as good. But i agree with what hi fi said about tweaking the picture settings makes it better.
i cant believe people think kuro is the ultimate screen. Put it near a panasonic 600hz and their isnt much difference (look carefully seeing is beleiveng) it handles motion better than the pioneer. If you watch the kuro in a light room it wont be as good as lcd plus it is bulky and fat use more power not as sharp as lcds.
i could`nt agree with alanjo more well said!
there isnt much difference in the bravia engine 1,2,3 its making you paranoid mr sonyse2t5> and the samsung aint oled. You wait for sony its like watchin paint dry. (sex on legs?) wat was all that about?
I've always admired the KURO but since Pioneer pulled of the TV scene then I'm so sure anymore. I've been saving up to get my first Plasma/LCD/LED television but the market is so big. none of the reviews help as they all have their pro's and con's.
I've got �2.5k to spend and looking in the 50" range but which has to be future proof for the next 3 years or so. been looking at the Samsung LED seires 7 55" but with the 8 series coming out, i am not so sure anymore. really don't understand why manufacturers are giving us consumers such a difficult predicaments!?
Can you guys help please?
Michael
Sumsung have taken a challenge to Sony and the other Japanese marquees with their OLEDs so I say to Sony get the OLED range out!!! I like to see how sony can dominate the OLED as they have with its LCDs
Brivia 3 is looking like a simple facelift as your review with the pristine E series LCD shows.
BLUray on OLED look like HD video...and that MEGA contrast range....sex on legs...yes Kuro needs to step into the fray.
Hi
I purchased a 55 b6000 led samsung and wasn't happy
with the 100 hz motion processing so i upgraded to a 200hz 55 b8000 led and can say that is solved my motion issues i run it on 200 hz clear as the reveiw suggests also the review mentions running the backlight on 6 or below to avoid the leds betraying there postions on very dark scenes i confirm this is true
What i cannot understand is how many say the Pioneer kuros are the best TV's.. as far as i'm concerned the samsung blows the kuros out of the water hand down the samsung has incredible detail and colour its as sharp as a tack its in fact an utterly stunning TV..i owned a 46" sony x (first model) a great TV before ...but the samsung outperforms my old sony x
I seriously considered a 60" pioneer kuro.. their last model BUT it way to soft in the picture way too dull
and i didn't like the colours and that was with a pioneer lx71 blu ray player tweeked for max detail etc(i own one)also i tweeked all the settings on the pioneer kuro i simply could not buy this Kuro TV (or any plasma) so there are 2 sides to every point of view In no way do i wish to deprive plasma owners of the pleasure of the plamas but to each their own thats my 2 cents worth !!!
I can�t believe your review. I have one and it can�t handle low bit rates. Images are blurred and judder is apparent. Even on ordinary DVDs. I watched I am Legend and the amount of blurring was nauseous I had to stop watching it. Analogue and some Sky transmissions are rubbish. I am getting a refund as I am not paying � 1900 for that kind of performance.
I think you should give the set a real test which it will fail miserably. Don�t get me wrong it looks good and I bought it because I believed all the hype. Even your review disappoints me as you are saying it handles lower transmissions well and analogue which it clearly does not.
What Hifi,
I can well believe that the settings can make all the difference. If experts like you say its tricky to set up, what chance does the man on the street have? Any chance you can share your complete list of settings?
Just bought this tv today and cant belive how blurry the screen is on Sd... Any chance you can share your complete list of settings, As i dont want to go down the same road as Bedweljp...
Have just bought this Samsung UE46B8000 and only had it a couple of days. Very pleased with the picture quality and ease of use...but the sound quality on the film that we watched lastnight was absolutely awful and spent a lot of time trying to get it to sound right. I know that american movie sound tracks leave a lot to be desired as they tend to garble their word most of the time, but certain speech levels on this set distort quite badly. I think I am definitely going to have to invest in some other type of speakers as it ruined the film. So...don't expect great sound quality straight out of the box!! By the way my hearing is perfectly normal...."sorry what did you say!"