Samsung unveiled the UN46C9000.

Measuring just 7.98 mm thick, with a glinting aluminium chassis, the set is more guillotine than gogglebox. But it’s also brimming with the latest audio visual technology. Samsung’s most ambitious and audacious TV ever. Visually the set is stunning, with jaw-dropping attention to detail.

The back of the UN46C9000 Is In many ways as striking as the front. A chromed hump joins the brushed aluminium panel to its pedestal stand; rivets artfully hold the thing together It’s an inspired piece of engineering. Inevitably, the panel itself Is too thin for AV inputs, so these have been ingeniously worked into the rim of the stand, as has the TV’s sound system. As this is too small to support many of the inputs required, the set ships with a selection of adaptors, which come with pinch-locks to secure them in place.

Space is tight HDMI leads can be connected directly (there are 4 inputs), but component, Scart and phono AV Inputs need adaptors. At the side of the stand are USB ports, one of which is for a supplied Wi-Fi dongle, which can be used to take the set online and/or to connect the fancy touchscreen remote for additional functionality.

Net-sawy

The UN46C9000 is fully network compliant. Via Ethernet and could immediately see other networked uPnP/DLNA devices. Naturally the screen will also pull media from attached USB devices. File support is wide, and includes hi-res MKVs.

Once online, you can use Samsung’s lnternet@TV portal, where you will find YouTube, Facebook and LoveFilm apps plus simple games. Samsung’s own App store promises more functionality later this year.

Samsung UN46C9000 3D LED TV, BDC6900 3D Blu-ray Player & SSGP2100T 3D StarterKit

Overall Rating:

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Sale Price: $2,997.00

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Picture quality Is hugely impressive. While the set uses Edge-LED backlighting, there’s no obvious unevenness with the illumination. Images are very sharp.Black levels are very good and colours vibrant. The Blu-ray of Avatar is arguably the most striking hi-def release this year in terms of resolution and fidelity, and on this Series 9 model it looks simply tremendous. Detail zings and colours ping. Visiting Pandora Is an almost hallucinogenic experience. Images from the Freeview HD tuner are equally spectacular.

To evaluate motion resolution is clean at 1080 lines. however, some detail is lost, with definition reduced to around 850-950 lines depending on the settings deployed on the screen (engage LED Motion Plus for the best results). Overall, this can be considered a significant improvement in motion resolution over some LCD panels we’ve seen.
Curiously, there is no picture mode on the set which gives you 1:1 pixel matching. Every viewing mode features an element of overscan. As there really is no need for overscan when playing Blu-ray. there should be at least one mode which offers it.

Naturally, as the range-topper in the Samsung TV line-up, 3D compatibility is a major draw. The panel is compatible with all current 3D formats: Full HD 3D, side-by-side, top and bottom and checkerboard. LCD screens need a high frame rate for 3D to be effective. Unlike plasma, a 120Hz refresh rate just doesn’t cut it. There’s too much overlap between the left and right images. Doubling the refresh rate to 240Hz is mandatory. Samsung elaborates on this with a technique called Dual Black Insertion. Instead of a left/left/ right/right image refresh, we get left/ black-frame/right/black-frame. There are two benefits from Inserting this black frame: motion appears crisper and image retention between frames is reduced.

We auditioned the set with a small selection of 3D Blu-ray discs (Monsters Vs Aliens is bundled with Samsung’s 3D glasses, which are sold separately), the Xbox 360 game of Avatar and. of course, Sky 3D Sky is currently producing some interesting 3D material. A series of 3D shorts are being broadcast which are tremendously revealing. One is a speeded-up view of London, with plenty of skylines and architecture. This kind of subject matter is ideal for revealing crosstalk, a double-image effect created when picture information in the left/right frames overlap. Here, the 9000 was found wanting; if you look for crosstalk, you’ll find it – take a look at the steeple during the opening sequence of Monsters Vs Aliens 3D BD. Stop searching for it, though, and you soon become engaged In the 3D effect; the sense of depth is excellent.

Silver surfer: This high-end screen has a high-end finish, too.

All 3DTVs are currently locked to 3D glasses supplied by the same manufacturer. So their appeal is tempered by their spex-appeal. Samsung’s SSG-2100ABs embrace B-movie futurism when it comes to design, but they are more comfortable than most. The balance is good, and they don’t absorb as much light as some rival glasses. Consequently, images retain more mid-grey and shadow detail when seen In 3D. Prescription spectacle wearers might find them a tight fit, though, when they double up. Please take care with these glasses as they are not robust. I found this out during the audition process. My advice is not to place them on a sofa in a darkened room…

With so little 3D content actually available, the 2D-to-3D conversion mode has undeniable appeal. Such conversion technology is rapidly becoming a hot topic in the industry. At times it can be quite fun. If you stick to HD and are prepared to experiment, you will discover some good effects. Typically, if the source material was originally shot for 3D (Avatar is a prime example) it’ll work better than most; and cinematic material generally / looks better than TV fare.

There are several ways manufacturers can achieve 2D-to-3D conversion. The simplest is to use an algorithm which divides an image vertically, bringing the bottom slice to the fore, treating the middle as mid-distance and top as far distance. The Samsung is slightly different. Its algorithm is based on depth processing. An image is broken-down into 96 segments and analysed for depth separation. It’s then layered and split to create a stereo image. However, when you do the conversion, the picture develops thin vertical black bars left and right.

In many ways, the set’s audio performance is its biggest surprise. The 9000′s form factor meant I had already written off its audio potential, but the inventive placement of drivers in the pedestal creates a quite acceptable noise, it doesn’t suffer from the phone-call thinness of rival slim-screens, and for general use the stereo spread is effective.

There’s no doubt that the Series 9 stands as the crowning glory of the Samsung’s TV design and technology divisions, it’s many ways an extraordinary product which warrants its lofty position in the range, and it’s a great example of just how accomplished an LCD can be – none of Samsung’s main TV rivals have a comparable ‘statement’ product. As a feature-packed set it represents the leading edge in functionality. To see one is to want one

THE VERDICT
Samsung UN46C9000

Highs: Stunning design and build quality; blisteringly sharp 2D image; advanced multimedia playback abilities; smooth 3D; good audio

Lows: Wi-Fi touchscreen remote frustrating to use

Performance:***** (5/5)
Design:***** (5/5)
Features:***** (5/5)
Overall:***** (5/5) VERY GOOD

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The Verdict: According to Home Theater Magazine September 2010 Volume 17 No. 9

PERFORMANCE****½ (4.5/5)
FEATURE****~ (4/5)
ERGONOMICS***½~ (3.5/5)
VALUE***** (5/5)

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