Samsung UE65HU8500 4K TV Review

VT
Vincent Teoh

When we reviewed the Samsung UE55HU8500 curved ultra high-definition (UHD) TV many months ago, we were suitably impressed by its image quality, but there were a few niggles that we wished could be eradicated. So when we were offered the opportunity to test the bigger 65-inch version, we gladly obliged, eager to check out if the latest software update brought about any improvement in picture performance.

Samsung UE65HU8500

Note: The design, user menu, connection inputs and remote controls on the 65in Samsung UE65HU8500 is the same as those found on the smaller 55in model, so please refer to our April review if you need more information or a refresher.

Calibration

We calibrated our Samsung UE65HU8500TXXU review unit in [Movie] mode (the most accurate picture preset out of the box) using a profiled Klein K10-A meter, DVDO’s AVLab TPG 4K signal generator, and SpectraCal’s CalMAN video calibration software. The TV’s well-implemented controls allowed us to achieve D65 greyscale, 2.4 gamma and Rec.709 colours in a cinch.

Greyscale

Pre-calibration RGB Tracking
Pre-calibration Delta errors
Pre-calibration RGB tracking and delta errors (dEs)
Post-calibration RGB Tracking
Post-calibration Delta errors
Post-calibration RGB tracking and dEs in [Movie] mode

Gamma

Pre-calibrated Gamma tracking in [Movie] mode Post-calibrated Gamma tracking in [Movie] mode
Pre-calibration gamma tracking (2.13)Post-calibration gamma tracking (2.38)

Colour

Post-calibration Colour saturation tracking in [Movie] mode
Post-calibration colour saturation tracking
Post-calibration colour errors in [Movie] mode
Post-calibration colour errors (<3 not appreciable to the eye)

Benchmark Test Results

Dead pixelsNone
Screen uniformityVery good for an edge-lit & curved LED LCD
Overscanning on HDMIDefeatable with 1080p and 2160p (UHD) content
Blacker than blackPassed
Calibrated black level (black screen)0.079 cd/m2 with [Smart LED] “Off
Calibrated black level (4×4 ANSI)0.079 cd/m2
Black level retentionStable
Primary chromaticityExcellent
ScalingExcellent
Video mode deinterlacingVery effective jaggies reduction
Film mode deinterlacingPassed 2:2 PAL and 3:2 NTSC tests in SD and HD
Viewing angleDecent – blacks & colours wash out beyond 40° off-axis
Motion resolution1080 lines (and likely higher) with [Motion Plus] engaged
Digital noise reductionOptional; effective when engaged
SharpnessDefeatable edge enhancement
Luma/Chroma bandwidth (2D Blu-ray)Full Luma; Chroma vertically softened
1080p/24 capabilityNo judder in 2D; mild judder in 3D
Input lag (high-speed camera)32ms in [PC] mode
Leo Bodnar input lag tester41ms in [PC] mode
Full 4:4:4 reproduction (from PC)Yes, with [PC] input label

Picture Quality

We updated our Samsung UE65HU8500 review sample with the latest firmware (at time of testing) of 1190, and were pleasantly surprised to find some positive effects. First was an improvement in the television’s pseudo-local dimming system: there was a reduction in visible backlight fluctuation, which means that we could up the HU8500’s [Smart LED] intensity to “Standard” to obtain deeper blacks while largely preserving luminance stability and shadow detail.

The motion hiccups which have afflicted high-end Samsungs over recent years appeared to have been effectively minimised by firmware version 1190 too. Yes, we still spotted the odd judder and/or tearing during scene cuts featuring a change of pace (for example as the camera switches from slow-motion replay to live sports action), but these instances were few and far between.

3D-wise, our software-updated Samsung UE-65HU8500 no longer applied forced motion interpolation to 50Hz content (e.g. from Sky 3D) in the third dimension, though this did mean that slow pans would display with some stutter unless [Game] mode was enabled. Crosstalk seemed to be reduced compared with when we tested the 55HU8500 back in April.

Input lag

Perhaps the most measurable improvement came in the form of gaming responsiveness. Placing a Leo Bodnar tester on our UE65HU8500 sample returned an input lag figure of merely 41ms once we relabelled the HDMI input to [PC], down from the 76ms we recorded on the 55″ HU8500 eight months ago on an earlier firmware.

Verdict

Difficult as it is to believe, Samsung has improved the already outstanding picture quality on its HU8500 series of curved UHD television just by releasing a software update. With deep blacks, accurate colours and excellent upscaling, it’s no wonder that the UE65HU8500 was voted as one of the best 4K Ultra HD TVs of 2014 in a recent side-by-side comparison event.

Highly Recommended