Samsung UN55ES8000

Pros: Great picture
Unparalleled feature set
Upgradable hardware port
Great black levels

Cons: Terrible built-in speakers
Poor out-of-the-box calibration
Still uses active 3D technology
Voice and Motion tech feels gimmicky

Summary: This set comes with all the features we've learned to expect with a high end set. Samsung's SmartHub apps are the most full-featured on the market. This year's processor's makes it feel significantly more snappy than last year's model. This model in particular comes with a port for incremental hardware updates which is definitely an interesting feature. Hopefully we'll see them do some neat things with that.

Out of the box the picture is good. Not perfect. The AutoMotion plus which kicks in the set's ability to use it's 240hz is set on "standard" which gives the image the 'soap opera effect.' Personally I enjoy the look but it also causes artifacts. I find the "clear" setting to give the optimum image on this set. I also find the Eco settings annoying. This setting will automatically reduce the backlight of the set depending on the ambient sensor. Some may find this helpful but I found it annoying and the constant backlight was easier for me to pay attention to.

Like most flat screens the speakers on this set are little more than tin cans.

The 3D is ok and uses active glasses like previous models. I would like to have seen passive implementation but it's still not the big of an issue. At least 3D is still a niche feature.

The motion and voice controls work, although there are some issues. Occasionally the audio of whatever you're watching will trigger the audio controls and cause annoying bouts of needing to yell "cancel" at the screen. The motion control works yet is simply impractical. If it worked better than remote control maybe i could see a purpose to it but you simply can do more with a remote and faster. The set includes a traditional remote along with a touch remote that works great. The touch remote has a built in mic that you can activate even if you turn off voice commands on the set itself. The mic on the remote worked great and was the only practical implementation of the feature. I found it worked close to 100% of the time while using the remote. I would use it more if it was more full-featured. For example I can access SmartHub but can't just tell it to go to Netflix. Either way, the mic and camera can at least be used for Skype which is cool, yet not important enough to persuade most customers.

The black levels are fantastic and make huge leaps over previous year models. This set is the best picture LCD fans can get. There's not much more I have to say about that. If you need proof, just go into a store and look for yourself.

Samsung once again brings its fully featured menu system to this set. Dozens of individual picture adjustments make this set ripe for calibration, yet I found most settings to be optimal. Yet die-hard picture enthusiast will absolutely love the settings.

If you're looking for the best picture and money is not an option - consider this set.