New wave of digital television
LIKE other avid game show viewers, I often yell at the television.
LIKE other avid game show viewers, I often yell at the television.
To date, the contestants have shown no evidence of hearing me. Samsung's new TV, however, is listening to my rants.
The company's new smart TV, the F8000, is packed with features that listen, see and register your movements. Waving a hand at this TV, even talking to it, is justified under the unusual technological circumstances Samsung provides.
Just saying "Hi TV" in the presence of the F8000 triggers its voice function, which is trained to respond to questions, even if you use your broadest Aussie accent.
You can ask it if there is anything good on TV tonight, have it scan the guide for Bruce Willis movies, or ask it to open an app. The TV will offer suggestions if your query isn't clear.
Voice Interaction is not always accurate, and Die Hard films not always available, but Samsung's voice-recognition efforts are more convincing and more effective than most.
The F8000, like last year's models, also registers hand movements using a small camera that pops up from above the TV. Raise your palm in front of this camera, from your comfortable seat, and you can change the volume or channel, or select an item from the smart TV Hub by closing your hand.
Households in which "jazz hands" are a regular fixture can retract the camera to avoid televisual interruptions.
In addition to its remote-free interactive elements, Samsung has redesigned its Smart Hub menus in this quad-core-powered TV.
It now has four screens, showing off apps, social streams, photos and a TV guide. Shows can also be listed in a timeline, and recordings set.
Smart features aside, this 55-inch TV is impressive to watch. Its full high-definition, LED-backlit screen is bright, crisp and remains so on an angle, and options including Clear Motion Rate help produce blur-free images.
Samsung has also packed a feature called Micro-Dimming Ultimate into this TV to ensure every element is correctly illuminated, 3D for future-proofing, and a host of connections including four HDMI ports, Ethernet and built-in wi-fi. The look of the TV, at just 3.4cm thin and with an arc stand that's barely visible from the front, also works in its favour.
Not all of its smart functions work as and when you expect (don't say "Hi TV" in chats), and users may take some time to adjust to them. In a market without OLED screens, it's hard to beat this Samsung model. It has the screen clarity, the smarts and the looks to become an important member of the household.
> SAMSUNG SERIES 8 F8000 55-INCH LED LCD TV
Samsung, $4199
samsung.com/au
Rating: 4.5/5