PICTURE QUALITY Picture quality was excellent. Reproduction of fine image detail was excellent. Color accuracy was excellent, so colors, especially flesh tones, look very natural and lifelike. Contrast—the difference between the darkest blacks and brightest whites—in dark scenes was okay, so images had some depth, but it was not the best. Black levels were OK and maintained some contrast in darker scenes, but they fell short of the better TVs. The quality appeared to worsen as we viewed from the sides—see our Viewing Angle results, below. Image brightness was adequate (with the brightness at max), making it a suitable choice for all but the sunniest rooms. Its reproduction of smooth edges on image content. Deinterlacing of 1080i video was excellent. Its frame-rate compensation for 1080i film-based content was excellent.
VIEWING ANGLE This Samsung model has a moderate viewing angle—decent—but not as good as the better-performers. The best viewing position for this model is directly in front. When we viewed the TV from the sides, image quality got worse. the picture showed a moderate loss of color, so flesh tones looked a bit washed out. Black levels visibly brightened, and reduced the contrast especially on dark scenes. Lastly, we viewed the image from above and below center screen, and noticed good vertical viewing angle performance, with only slight changes in color, contrast, and black level.
MOTION BLUR In our motion tests, this Samsung LCD (LED) had only fair motion performance, with significant blurring.
SOUND QUALITY We got sub-par sound quality, with below average performance. It could be acceptable for typical programming, but its shortcomings would be obvious with movie soundtracks and music. In our listening evaluations, we found the bass (low frequency sound) was absent and very well defined. Treble (high frequency sound) was very good. The treble was generally neutral, notably closed in. This TV should be OK if the room isn't too noisy—we found the speakers could produce a mediocre volume level. If sound quality matters to you, you might want to add a soundbar or other external speaker system.
EASE OF USE The remote controls the TV via an IR light beam which must be pointed at the TV. It has a full number keypad for entering channel numbers. The buttons are backlit making it easier to use in the dark.
INTERNET FEATURES This TV provides internet functionality via its "NS" portal, with access to a library of applications. Movie streaming services that can be downloaded to this TV, or are built-in, include Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Max/HBO Max, Netflix, YouTube.
CONNECTIONS This model has 2 HDMI inputs one USB port, and an optical digital audio out, an Ethernet port, and WiFi wireless networking.
WHAT'S INCLUDED A remote control.
