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Samsung UN55C8000

Discontinued
Reviewed
October 2010
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Samsung UN55C8000

Pros
  • Good picture quality
  • 3D-capable, with 2D to 3D conversion
  • Internet connectivity
  • LED backlight
Cons
  • 3D requires accessory glasses
  • Screen uniformity issues
  • Expensive
 
 
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The 55-inch Samsung UN55C8000 is a technological masterpiece, reviewers say. It's packed with just about every top feature for 2010, including an LED backlight with local dimming and a 240 Hz refresh rate to minimize blur. The biggest buzz is the UN55C8000's ability to display 3D content. It's also able to convert any standard 2D content and display that as 3D on the fly, though reports say that the results are inconsistent. In addition, to see any 3D at all you will have to obtain Samsung's accessory 3D glasses separately (*Est. $150 per pair).

Features don't stop at 3D. Samsung also offers one of the more ambitious suites of Internet applications available, including most of the usual content providers, such as Netflix and Amazon Video on Demand. Samsung also offers a TV app store where owners of the UN55C8000 and other Samsung Internet-capable TVs can download cell-phone-like apps -- mainly games such as Monopoly and Texas Hold 'em. Wi-Fi connectivity is built in.

The picture quality of the Samsung UN55C8000 is very good, reviewers say, but not perfect. Blacks, while strong, fall short of competing TVs like the LG LE8500 series, including the 55-inch 55LE8500 or the 47-inch 47LE8500 (Discontinued). Several reviewers also complain about screen uniformity that's less than ideal, though others say that this Samsung TV performs better than most LED edge-lit LCD TVs in that regard. Performance with 3D content is generally thrilling, but ghosting artifacts are occasionally seen. Color performance is terrific, as is signal processing. If 55 inches is too large for your living room, Samsung also offers the UNC8000 in a 46-inch screen size as the UN46C8000. If, on the other hand, you want something just a wee bit bigger, the 65-inch UN65C8000 is also available.

Lots of reviewers have weighed in on Samsung UNC8000 sets, including the 55-inch Samsung UN55C8000. Home Theater Magazine and TelevisionInfo.com have the most detailed reports, though some might find all of the information presented a little overwhelming. Non-videophiles might find the detailed and but digestible reports at CNET, BigPictureBigSound.com and AVGuide.com more helpful. HDGuru3D.com has a report that focuses only on 3D performance. User reviews are available at Amazon.com.
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LG INFINIA 47LE8500 47-Inch 1080p 240 Hz Full LED Slim LCD HDTV with Internet Applications
In Stock.
Average Customer Review:  
  
 
 
 
Where To Buy
 
 
Samsung UN55C8000 55-Inch 1080p 240 Hz 3D LED HDTV

 (185 reviews)
Buy new: $3,499.99 $2,599.00   4 Used & new from $2,100.00

In Stock.

 
 
 

Our Sources

1. CNET

CNET provides a reasonably detailed report on the 55-inch Samsung UN55C8000. Some warts are found, but performance overall is called solid. Features are terrific, even though David Katzmaier considers 3D to be a work in progress.

Review: Samsung UN55C8000, David Katzmaier, April 7, 2010

2. Home Theater Magazine

This long review provides plenty of meat for videophiles. Thomas J. Norton gives a thumbs-up -- and the magazine's Top Pick award -- to the 46-inch version of Samsung's UNC8000 3D TVs. Picture quality and features put the set at the "top of the pack in flat-panel HDTVs."

Review: Samsung UN46C8000 LCD 3D HDTV, Thomas J. Norton, May 2010

3. TelevisionInfo.com

This detailed and often highly technical review looks at the 46-inch set in the Samsung UNC8000 series, but David Kender says comments largely apply to the 55-inch UN55C8000 as well. Overall, the TV is called very good, but not perfect. Kender particularly disapproves of a dynamic contrast feature that can't be turned off. Despite some glitches, 3D performance is called "pretty good."

Review: Untitled, David Kender, May 21, 2010

4. AVGuide.com

This review of Samsung's UNC8000 3D LCD TVs informs without overwhelming its readers. The TVs are called a worthy successor to Samsung's 2009 offerings -- also well regarded -- with the bonus of 3D capability and the ability to convert 2D to 3D with reasonably good results.

Review: Samsung Unleashes 3DTV, with a Bonus That Just Might Cement Their Lead, David Birch-Jones, April 7, 2010

5. BigPictureBigSound.com

This is another good review for those looking to get the lowdown on the Samsung UN55C8000. Those interested in how well the 2D to 3D conversion offered by the TV works will find Chris Chiarella's comparison of "Avatar" converted from 2D to 3D, with the 3D version shown in theaters to be a worthwhile read.

Review: Samsung UN55C8000 55-inch 1080p 3D LED TV Review, Chris Chiarella, May 5, 2010

6. HDTVGuru3D.com

Aside from some issues with crosstalk, which appears as ghost images in some scenes, the 3D performance of the Samsung UN55C8000 is generally applauded. However, a screen uniformity issue in the test TV leads Gary Merson to postpone commenting on the set's 2D performance for the time being.

Review: Samsung UN55C8000 -- HDGuru Exclusive First Review, Gary Merson, March 31, 2010

7. Amazon.com

The Samsung UN55C8000 has begun to accumulate enough user reviews to be meaningful. A significant percentage of users give it a top grade, though a small number also report issues -- or sets that stopped working altogether.

Review: Samsung UN55C8000, Contributors to Amazon.com

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