With devices of all different designs, connectivity and interoperability evolving from what used to be a market dominated by devices dedicated to a single function or operation, TV manufacturers are embracing the change more and more. Some TVs offer Netflix, some offer Hulu and VUDU, some even combine other set top box solutions built right in. But as it stands right now, Samsung seems to have the best package, operation, design, diversity and connectivity for 2011.
While everyone is jumping on to the Apps bandwagon and the quantity thereof, Samsung is focusing on the content and the experience. Samsung Apps, a TV based app store with over 200 free and premium apps in the U.S and over 400 worldwide just announced deals with HBO and MTV. The HBO GO app which can be installed on a Samsung Smart TV or Smart Blu-ray player, will be available at no extra charge to HBO subscribers in the U.S., who authenticate through their current, participating television provider such as Verizon.
Along with some personal favorites of my own (Sopranos, Broadwalk Empire and True Blood) you also get access to their Documentary Films, HBO Sports, movies and a wide selection of bonus materials similarly to what’s offered to On-Demand customers. Coming with HBO GO is the “Series Pass” feature which notifies viewers when new episodes of preferred programs are available. You can also bookmark or save content to watch later by adding it to the “Watchlist” or alternately restrict content with parental controls.
The MTV app called the MTV Music Meter will showcase a countdown of the top 100 trending artists based on social media buzz and provide access to audio, video, artist news, tweets, bios and a feature that suggests similar artists.
But again it’s not just about apps it’s about the overall experience you have isn’t it? That’s where Samsung’s Smart Hub shines through. Smart Hub allows you to organize the applications you downloaded from the app store by creating folders and grouping content together. Apps, social networking and on-demand TV are all separated yet all unified with the use of its universal search function. The universal search allows you to search for and access content, across the Internet and on any connected storage, mobile device or PC on the network. So let’s say you want to watch a movie, using the built-in search feature it will scour all the places you can find the movie and provide a list of where you can get the content in a thumbnail overview. The ability to integrate picture-in-picture functionality and have social networking integration (Twitter and Facebook) while still watching the TV definitely intensifies the experience. Though I suppose some can argue against the overall desire of social TV, but with multiple views in which you can use smart hub through including removing it from view completely, Samsung has packed enough functionality to impress even the most dubious of consumer.
The inclusion of full web browsing (on select models), the redesign of Smart Hub, Samsung’s ConnectShare feature, the ever increasing pragmatic Samsung Apps and the powerful ecosystem the TVs and other samsung smartphones and tablets share they have certainly raised the bar for home electronics competitors in 2011. Below are some of the products that Samsung is offering and will feature most if not all of the experiences listed above.
Samsung Series 9 & Series 7 Monitor Models: TA950 & TA750 (Available in 23″ and 27″) Incorporates Samsung’s proprietary 3D, Smart Hub and ConnectShare technologies. Includes a built-in HDTV tuner that can further expand content choices to include live television and picture-in-picture function. Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution, Response Time: 2ms, Starting MSRP: $599
Samsung Central Station: Model: CA750 A unified desktop hub monitor that seamlessly connects all elements of the IT workspace, including notebook PC, display, peripherals, network, and AV. Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution, Response Time: 2 ms
Samsung LED D5500: (Available in 32″ and 40″) Includes 4 HDMI and 3 USB ports and the Allshare feature. Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution, available March 2011 32″ – $699.99 40″ – $899.99
Samsung LED D7000: (Available in 46″ and 55″) Features Samsung Apps, Smart Hub, Web Browser, Skype, 4 HDMI and 3 USB ports, Built-in WiFi, Allshare and Micro Dimming. Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution, 3D, 240Hz, available March 2011 46″ – $2,299.99 55″ – $3,099.99
Samsung LED D8000: (Available in 46″ and 55″) Features Samsung Apps, Smart Hub, Web Browser, Skype, 4 HDMI and 3 USB ports, Built-in WiFi, Allshare and Micro Dimming Plus. Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution, 3D (glasses included), 240Hz, available March 2011 46″ – $2,799.99 55″ – $3,599.99
Samsung Plasma PDP6500: (Available in 51″ and 59″) Features Samsung Apps, Smart Hub, 4 HDMI and 2 USB ports, Built-in WiFi and Allshare. Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution, 3D, 600Hz Subfield Motion, available March 2011 51″ – $1,599.99 59″ – $2,199.99
Samsung Plasma PDP7000: (Available in 51″ 59″ and 64″) Features Samsung Apps, Smart Hub, 4 HDMI and 2 USB ports, Built-in WiFi, Allshare and Real Black Filter. Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution, 3D, 600Hz Subfield Motion, available March 2011 51″ – $1,899.99 59″ – $2,599.99 64″$3,399.99
Samsung Plasma PDP8000: (Available in 51″ 59″ and 64″) Features Samsung Apps, Smart Hub, Web Browser w/QWERTY remote, Skype, 4 HDMI and 2 USB ports, Built-in WiFi, Allshare, Real Black Filter and Local Contrast Enhancer. Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution, 3D, 600Hz Subfield Motion, available March 2011 51″ – $2,099.99 59″ – $2,799.99 64″$3,599.99
Blu-ray Player BD-D5300: Features Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, HDMI, Optical Digital Audio, USB 2.0, Samsung Apps, Smart Hub, Allshare. Available March 2011 $149.99
Blu-ray Player BD-D5500: Features Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, Component Video, HDMI, Optical Digital Audio, 3D, USB 2.0, Samsung Apps, Smart Hub, Allshare. Available March 2011 $179.99
Blu-ray Player BD-D6500: Features Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, DTS-HD High Resolution, DTS Master Audio, Component Video, HDMI, Optical Digital Audio, 3D, USB 2.0, Samsung Apps, Smart Hub, Allshare. Available March 2011 $299.99
Blu-ray Player BD-D6700: Features Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, DTS-HD High Resolution, DTS Master Audio, Component Video, HDMI, Optical Digital Audio, 3D, USB 2.0, Samsung Apps, Smart Hub, Allshare. Available March 2011 $299.99
Blu-ray Player BD-D7000: Features Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, DTS Master Audio, HDMI, Optical Digital Audio, 3D, USB 2.0, Samsung Apps, Smart Hub, Allshare. Available March 2011 $299.99
Blu-ray Player BD-D7500: Features Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, DTS Master Audio, HDMI, Optical Digital Audio, 3D, USB 2.0, Samsung Apps, Smart Hub, Allshare. Available March 2011 $349.99
[UPDATE] I’ve added photos of the QWERTY Remote as well as for the Plasma TVs
Enjoy the pictures!
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Damn Samsung really? No 60″ or above models for the D8000 series?
Thank you for bringing that to my attention. While at the event i don’t really recall seeing many Plasma displays. There might have been a couple mounted to a wall but they weren’t labeled. I’ve included 3 Plasma models 2 of which are available up to 64″. I agree though a 64″ D8000 would have been nice. Especially with what they’re doing with their Ultra Bezel ONE design concept. Basically your getting less bezel to the point where it’s virtually edge-less TV, all screen. So that 64″ is actually 64″ of TV and not 64″ + the extra 2-3″ of bezel. Should be noted that the Plasmas 7/8000 also have the same ultra thin ONE design as their LED LCD compadres.
Well when I return from my deployment I was going to upgrade my displays. I have been used to my 60″ and 70″ SXRD models and I hoped by the time I return the models from Samsung would have been past the 60″ size. Looks like I will be getting some more Sony models again. I am not taking anything away from Samsung though. They stepped up their game a couple years back. For me the size limitation for the LEDs is holding them back for me to purchase. Can’t wait to check out all the models though when I get back to my partime job at Best Buy.
To be honest i haven’t seen many manufacturers recently announce any TVs up to 70″. Most approach around 55″ i think the largest i seen for retail was from Panasonic with the new VIERA 3D HDTVs (65″) and that’s just an inch over Samsungs. I’ve notice over the years that displays have been edging away from the 70′s and upper 60′s.
i am really a big fan of samsung lately. a while ago they had not a good rep when it came to stuff. im getting to the point that samsung is where ill go for my electronics.
Yes, exactly. They are creating a synergy between their products that actually justify the support of their brands. Simply have just two of their products gives you so much potential. Apple has dominated that experience for quite some time and no one really has challenged them quite like Samsung is, at the moment. Not to say others haven’t.
Cool.