As with the smaller
D7000 HDTV we saw, the
Samsung UN55D8000 offers among the best picture quality we've seen from an LCD set. The problem is, however, that this TV's larger size shows up more flaws in Freeview and even Freeview HD material.
But the UN55D8000 truly shines with HD content from a games console, Blu-ray disc, or online service like Microsoft's Zune store. We tested the Spider-Man 3 Blu-ray on the TV, and found the image to be utterly alluring and packed full of detail. Most impressive, though, was how true the TV was to the original Blu-ray image. The original film grain was visible, which might not be to everyone's taste but shows that the TV is representing the signal as it was burnt to Blu-ray.
If you want to see a smoother image that doesn't have any perceivable grain, the TV can arrange this, courtesy of its digital noise-reduction system. We tested this on Spider-Man 3, and the very noticeable grain was reduced to the point where it was almost invisible. The overall image quality wasn't too badly compromised either, although there was a slight softening of the picture.
We aren't so keen on the TV's motion-smoothing correction, though. As such features go, this TV's version is as artefact-free as we've ever seen, but we still find the process of making film look like video quite unpalatable. You may feel differently, though. Fortunately, you can turn the motion-smoothing feature on or off, as you see fit.
