Samsung PN60E8000 Review

60" 3D Plasma TV with Smart TV and Smart Interaction

Samsung E8000 Plasma TV Saturated is a small word compared to all the features that the PN60E8000 sports. It is very much like the PN60D8000 that we enjoyed reviewing so much from 2011. It looks awesome, is super thin, has that fine matte black finish and all that Samsung can throw at the world from a TV perspective. The PN60E8000 is just awe inspiring with a full web browser with QWERTY enabled dual sided keyboard remote control, You also get the new Google search feature along with the Social TV and Social Networking control which brings up your social media settings on a side bar. It's a nice touch. It continues to have the much easier to use and well laid out menu from last years offerings. We covet it. It's easy and it works well. Of course it has built in Wifi and all the Internet TV options which are this year is called Smart Central TV.

Picture Quality

Color

Color accuracy and display has always been a strong point for Samsung plasma televisions and the E8000. Colors are realistic and richly saturated - the best and the most theater-like we experience. This is one of the reasons this plasma earns our top Picture Quality rating for 2012. In all of our recent Samsung plasma reviews we have commented on how much we liked the color performance and we continue to be impressed.

Black Level, Contrast

Black levels on the PN60E8000 are intense. Samsung has focused a lot of attention in their top end PN60E8000 models on black depth and it shows in spades. The Real Black Pro Panel in this LED backlit LCD TV combines structural advancements to go even further into black levels making software improvements and "tightening" the ribbons between the RGB pixel cells. This gives the TV a better surface area for color over last years models which were already great in the color and black level categories. Plasma TVs will continue to rule in black levels for 2012. Inky Black levels in this plasma combine with color to give a fantastic picture quality.

3D Viewing

AAfter putting on Samsung's new, lighter weight active 3D glasses that match up with the PN60E8000 we tested the performance of the 2012 models with some 3D content. Colors remained bright and will Full HD 3D there was plenty of detail in every scene. More importantly the picture in 3D is smooth and easy to watch with no flicker or crosstalk. The depth of the picture is impressive as well with images sinking into and popping off the screen.

Appearance

The 2012 Samsung plasmas retain mostly the same look as previous models except that instead of a 1" titanium color bezel the PN60E8000 has a matte brushed metal black bezel that looks quite distinguished. Samsung is calling it Titan Black. The color is subtle - as in you really do not notice it. There is a thin transparent crystal border that I'm not crazy about and the entire screen depth is little more than 1 inch in depth - which is also quite slim for a plasma television.

Smart TV

Samsung Smart TV In 2012, Samsung is expanding its Smart TV line and calling the menu Smart Central, offering plentiful features and multitasking capabilities—all from the family TV. Although it does not have the facial recognition software and front facing camera of the ES8000 line it has most everything else. Families can reconnect in today's busy world by leaving notes and memos to one another through their Samsung phone, TV, or computer. When the family is gathered together, they can enjoy not only movies but also picture albums displayed in a vivid slide show on the TV screen.

The new dual core processor built into the PN60E8000 allows you to multitask on your television. Keep your TV program on one part of the screen and use an app or the built in web browser on the other part.

Samsung is bringing Smart TV to its plasma TV line with models like the PN60E8000. Through a mobile Fitness app, users can connect the TV to their Samsung smartphone and view their weekly weight loss through the TV's built-in camera. A Wi-Fi-supported, virtual scale helps them kept track of their fitness goals and boosts self-confidence. With so many options to enhance everyday life, Samsung Smart TVs will quickly become an all-purpose tool for users' various needs.

Smart Interaction

New for 2012 on the E8000 is Smart Interaction, this new features centers around a camera built into the top of the bezel. The camera is tied to face recognition software than can configure certain option on the TV expressly by where the viewer is detected. The camera also allows for motion control of some TV functions and works with Skype for video calls and conferencing.

Dual Core Processor

The PN60E8000 also features a dual core processor that allows for multitasking on your TV. Split the screen and watch TV on one part while you surf the web on the full web browser included in the Smart TV suite.

QWERTY Remote

The cool QWERTY remote from last years returns with the E8000, the QWERTY remote makes using the TV's web browser and search functionality far easier than using the 5 way controller or numbers on a normal remote.