Digital Lifestyle > All Reviews > Hardware > Accessories > Samsung ES8000 Smart TV review

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 Samsung ES8000 Smart TV review

Samsung’s Smart TVs will be tough competition for Apple

Cliff Joseph

Manufacturer: Samsung
Pros: slimline HD TV with excellent picture quality and ‘Smart’ Internet connectivity and apps
Cons: expensive, face-recognition and hand gestures are gimmicky
Min specs: broadband connection for Internet connectivity
Price: £2500
We rate this 4 out of 5.Star rating:

Samsung is already giving Apple a run for its money in the smartphone market, and if Apple ever does launch a TV product it will find Samsung ready and waiting with its own Smart TV range.

We tested Samsung’s ES8000, a striking 55-inch TV with a slimline LED panel that measures barely one inch thick. This 55-inch model costs about £2500, but Samsung has a number of less expensive ‘Smart’ models available too – and let’s face it, we don’t expect an Apple TV to be exactly cheap either.

The ES8000 is impressive just as a basic TV, with excellent image quality and 3D capabilities. It also includes a built-in camera-sensor – similar to Microsoft’s Kinect for the Xbox – that allows you to log in to your personal profile on the TV using face-recognition, and to control it using a series of hand gestures. To be honest, we found that aspect of the ES8000 a bit gimmicky, but Samsung has also done a good job of bringing apps and Internet connectivity to its Smart TVs.

Just click a button on the TV’s remote control, and you are taken into the Smart Hub screen, which provides access to a number of apps. At the top of the screen you’ll see key apps such as the BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, LoveFilm and Netflix. Beneath that is a selection of other apps, organised into categories such as Social TV – which includes FaceBook, Twitter and GoogleTalk – as well as Games, Fitness and Kids.

Samsung’s Smart TVs will be tough competition for Apple

You can also download other apps that provide access to all sorts of online services, such as DailyMotion, Fishing TV, USA Today – and we even found an app that teaches you how to tie a bow-tie (‘cos bow-ties are cool).

Samsung also includes a proper web browser, and the ES8000 can be paired with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse so that you can control the browser just as you would with your Mac.

MACWORLD BUYING ADVICE >
1 | 2 | NEXT >

Reevoo Price Comparison For Samsung ES8000

Price comparison powered by

Prices, delivery and availability at 3 retailers		Go
	£1694	Go
	£1980	Go

Reevoo Reviews For Samsung ES8000

See more SAMSUNG ES8000 reviews on Reevoo.com

Submit your own review for this product

Click here for the latest reader comments

<<prev article | back to index | next article>>

Search reviews

Search Google

Newsletter signup

It's easy and free to get the latest news headlines, reviews and opinions straight to your email inbox. Sign up NOW to make sure you receive the latest Mac news, reviews and tutorials on your favourite topics.

Latest issue: Macworld

Find out what's in this month's Macworld here.

Macworld reader poll

Are you into iPhone gaming?:

View poll results

Have your say in the
Macworld Forums!

Register now

Stay on top of the latest, breaking Mac news and chat with other Mac professionals and enthusiasts about the issues that matter to you. Register with Macworld today to join our forums and receive our twice-weekly email newsletter, Macworld Mainline.

RSS

Have the latest content delivered to your desktop via RSS. Use the links below to get access to a specific blog, news, or reviews feed.

Subscribe to our feeds here

Latest news from Tech Advisor

MACWORLD MARKETPLACE

	LogMeIn Free - Remote Computer Access LogMeIn is a secure remote desktop software that lets you access your computers, files, and apps from anywhere on any device. Simply connect with LogMeIn Free and be free to work the way you want.
	TemplateCloud TemplateCloud.com is the design marketplace for graphic designers. You create designs, and use our software to build them into online editable templates. We sell your designs in different countries via different websites. Each time a customer uses your design, we pay you a royalty; the price is set by you.
	Amsys Amsys is recognised as the technical leader in Apple and has developed bespoke technical products and solutions to deliver class leading support to its business clients. Amsys clients can select from consultancy, integration, break-fix, recruitment, training and app development. Amsys make Apple products work for business.
	About NAD NAD Electronics has always stood out by doing things differently. Our relentless pursuit of great sound has earned us a ‘giant killer’ reputation. Every product is designed with heart and soul you can hear, emphasizing quality over quantity. We focus on the inside where it counts—and where you can hear the results.
	Sphero is a completely new type of gaming system. It's the world's first robotic ball that you control from your smartphone or tablet. You can drive Sphero, play tabletop and multiplayer games, use Sphero as a handheld controller for on-screen gameplay, and even explore augmented reality. Now with 20+ apps!
	MeteoGroup WeatherPro - the award winning weather app! Developed by professional meteorologists and providing weather forecasts for over 2 million locations with real-time, high resolution radar and satellite images, ski weather, water temperatures and more, WeatherPro is the most accurate and comprehensive weather app on the market.
	Beat the Credit Crunch - Lease your Mac from Hardsoft Hardsoft are the only 'one stop' solution for the supply and finance of I.T. to businesses throughout the UK via our regional branch offices. We are uniquely both equipment Apple Approved Reseller and licensed Credit Brokers and have tailored a solution which includes a full 3 year warranty and an equipment upgrade every 18 months.