Samsung’s Best New TV: The UN65D8000 Is Skinny And Internet-y

The shiniest of Samsung’s new TV fleet, the 65-inch UN65D8000, browses the net, runs apps and offers local dimming – plus the usual active 3D. It’s also thin as hell, with a new redesigned bezel that looks straight up gorgeous.

The flagship LCD set (also available in 55-inch and 46-inch versions) is essentially last year’s 8000 line – same 240Hz refresh rate for a smoother picture and bright LED backlighting. But the most striking part of the refresh is the new, tiny bezel – shrunk down to 0.2 inches around. It makes older sets look a bit chubby (and means less distraction from what you’re watching). Other boosts include some webby perks: an added full web browser and “media search” – perhaps a stab into Google TV territory – and built-in Wi-Fi, precluding pesky dongles. And speaking of peskiness (or rather its absence), the D8000s – along with the rest of the new sets – will support Samsung’s snappy, lightweight Bluetooth 3D glasses. This Bluetooth support means no annoying issues with interference or living room line of sight that can make IR glasses a drag.

The new flagship plasma is another skinny D8000 series – 1.5 inches deep, full web browser and active 3D.

The rest of the lineup plays it fairly straight – 3D, mostly the same, and with some weight shed (plus support for those Bluetooth shades):

• LED D7000 line shares the 8000′s 0.2 inch bezel, in 46-inch, 55-inch and 60-inch models.
• LED D6400 Series – 120Hz refresh, active 3D, sizes in 32, 40, 46, 55 and 60 inches.
• Plasma D6500 Series – identical to the D8000 (sans browser), with 51-inch and 59-inch sizes. No Bluetooth glasses support for this one, alas.

Discuss

(3 Comments)
  • [–]

    skyrma

    Friday, January 7, 2011 at 11:36 PM

    why edge-lit with local dimming instead of full-array with local dimming? :(

  • [–]

    mace

    Monday, April 18, 2011 at 3:20 PM

    can some one please tell when is this TV coming to Australia. OR whether It’ll ever come here? Thanx

  • [–]

    cj

    Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 3:08 AM

    is this tv out on the market as of now? i heard the d8000 series was to replace the c8000 with all of its flashlighting problems and if so why havent they pulled them from the shelves??

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