A smart TV packed with features
Smart TVs are great, but some of their best
features, such as catch-up TV and on-demand video, are often hard to find or
difficult to navigate. Not so with Samsung's UE40F6400.This 40in, 3D TV has a
huge selection of online services accessible from a gorgeous, easy-to-use
interface.
Once you turn the TV on, you'll be greeted
by the smart TV interface, dubbed 'Smart Hub' by Samsung, but it can be set to
launch live TV if you wish. The interface has five screens split between TV,
Movies, Apps, Social and Multimedia. The TV and Movies pages recommend what to
watch based on other films and programs you've seen previously. These
recommendations were spot on, although in the case of TV programs it needs a
week to learn what you like to watch.
A
smart TV packed with features
A huge range of services are available on
the Apps page, including catch-up TV from BBC iPlayer and 40D, and movie-
rental services such as Netflix, Lovefilm, Acetrax and Blinkbox There are
dedicated apps for Facebook, Twitter and Skype on the Social page, along with a
web browser. As with all smart TVs, controlling the web browser and
social-networking apps using a remote is clumsy, but you can connect a USB
mouse and keyboard instead. The TV has a shiny black bezel and metal-effect
stand, but it's too chunky and the plastic build feels cheap.
The TV has plenty of connections, though,
including SCART and component video connections, and three HDMI ports. It also
has three USB ports, optical audio and headphone sockets. And built-in Wi-Fi
means you can connect to the internet without stringing an Ethernet cable from
your router.
The
TV has plenty of connections, though, including SCART and component video
connections, and three HDMI ports
We had no problems playing multimedia files
from a USB key or streaming them from a NAS using Smart Hub's Multimedia page.
It can even play MKV and QuickTime files, which often trip up other TVs. You can
record live TV to an external hard disk, too.
Freeview HD channels and Blu-ray movies
look sharp and detailed. Turning on Samsung's image-quality presets enhanced
the look of broadcast TV, but dark scenes looked inaccurate until we tweaked
the image settings. If you're a fan of 3D then you'll also be pleased by the
inclusion of two pairs of 3D glasses.
Its plastic construction feels cheap, but
it has excellent picture quality, a good selection of online video services
and, compared with smart TVs from other manufacturers, it's simple to use. It's
pricey at $1123.5, but its features and image quality put it a head above
cheaper TVs, making it good value.
Freeview
HD channels and Blu-ray movies look sharp and detailed
Our verdict
A large range of online video services and
a simple interface make the Samsung UE40F6400 a great smart TV
Key points
Plenty of online video services • Lots of
ports • Built-in Wi-Fi • Great picture quality • Plastic construction feels
cheap • Takes some tweaking to get the best picture quality for films
Best price online
Website: www.snipca.co
Price: $1,123
Alternative
Panasonic Smart VIERA LED TV TX-L32E6B
Price: $600
A cheaper and slightly smaller smart TV,
although its selection of movie rental and catch-up TV services isn't as good
as the UE40F6400's
Specifications
Screen
·
Screen size: 40"
·
Screen technology: LED
·
HD standard: Full HD 1080p
·
Motion Rate: 200 Hz
·
Resolution: 1920 x 1080p
Audio
·
Audio power: 20 W (2 x 10 W)
·
Mono/Stereo Sound: Stereo
·
Speakers
Connectivity
·
HDMI x 4
·
SVGA x 1
·
Composite video input x 1
·
USB 2.0 ports x 3
Energy consumption
·
Energy efficiency class A
·
On-mode power consumption: 58 W
·
Annual power consumption: 85 kWh
Tuner
·
DVB-T Tuner: Freeview HD
·
Picture enhancement: 3D HyperReal Engine
·
Sound enhancement
·
Dolby Digital Plus/Pulse
·
DTS Studio Sound
·
DTS Premium Audio 5.1
Smart
·
Catch Up TV
·
Social Networking
·
Full Internet Browser
·
Skype
·
Video on demand
·
3D ready: Active 3D
·
Wi-Fi capable: Built in Wi-Fi
General
·
VESA mount: VESA mount compatible - 200 x 200
·
Remote control
·
Accessories included: Table top stand
·
Internal menu languages 26 European Languages
Dimensions
·
Unboxed with stand - 928 x 617 x 265 mm (W x H
x D)
·
Unboxed without stand - 928 x 544 x 50 mm (W x
H x D)
·
Boxed - 1156 x 616 x 147 mm (W x H x D)
·
Weight - Unboxed - 8.6 kg, Boxed - 12.0 kg
|
