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Anyone looking to upgrade Smart TV of the living room is easily caught in the classic question of “which model to buy?”. We know that in times like this (crisis and pandemic) the pocket can speak louder, however it is possible to have price and quality when thinking about a 4K like CrystalUHD from Samsung.
The new smart TV has just arrived in Spain in four size configurations (50″, 55″, 65″ and 75″), delivering good processing quality in entry-level models. In addition, it is full of news: integrated personal assistant, single remote control, gamer mode and even a quick shortcut to camouflage it among the works of art in the room.
To check all the functions and say if it really was an evolution compared to Samsung's 4 2019K portfolio, we tested the 8000 inch TU55 and we tell you here, in full, everything you need to know about this smart TV.
Design
In the inevitable comparison to last year's LED lines, we see considerable improvement in terms of design. even in montagem it is more noticeable practicality, as the table supports are fitted into the spaces of the base, instead of screwed to the back as in other Samsung lines.
The thin edges try to approach intermediate models, with the seal of infinite edges, delivering an immersive experience independent of content. By following the philosophywireless” from Samsung, the Crystal UHD has a channel on the back for routing connections and there are even clips to guide cables to the underside of the TV.
In quick review of remote control, it works in a similar way to other Samsung universals: minimalist, has a built-in microphone, shortcuts to ambient mode and also to services Netflix, Amazon Prime Video e balloon play – the latter replaces the unhelpful internet browser shortcut. The “On/Off” button on the base of the TV continues with the option to cycle through the functions (press) and confirm the selection (hold).
Fabric
Armada of the Mighty 4K crystal processor that christens the line, you get more vibrant colors, an optimized contrast ratio, better upscaling and enhanced control of HDR and HDR10+ content. The LED screen has a 60Hz refresh rate, the basics for watching games, videos and movies with a high frame rate per second. Without any problems, I was able to enjoy series and movies on UHD/4K streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
In practice, the technical specifications live up to what was promised. The light is contained in the thin edges and there is a great consistency of brightness distribution (in bright images, I didn't notice darker bands than they should have been). The movements are very smooth, staying at 60Hz, with the option to interpolate the frames in the device settings.
As a “legacy” of the previous generation (from the RU7100), the viewing angle and reflections leave something to be desired. The semi-gloss screen finish helps a little, but it doesn't eliminate outside lights depending on the environment you're in. If the light focus is on the sides and bounces off bright objects, the brightness can already be noticed on the TV.
At an angle above 35-40 degrees you can see a sudden decrease in dark tones, so I preferred to watch Crystal at dusk due to the arrangement of furniture in my living room. Even so, it's worth remembering: this is still an entry-level 4K LED TV. With the proposal in mind, she delivers more than necessary.
Audio
In two channels, with full power of 20W RMS, the audio system does not impress and does not disappoint. We're still talking about a basic television (with an intermediate look), so for most less demanding uses it delivers great quality. As is to be expected, at high volumes the distortion is minimal, there is little bass and the definition in general is very good.
In our tests of games, music clips and streaming services, the audio performance was immersive and befitting all the quality displayed on screen. The addition of prominence, in turn, is the possibility of Crystal UHD being able to receive content Dolby Digital Plus, with up to 8 channels, and can serve as a gateway to the cult technology Dolby Atmos. To the spectator who demands more “bass”, we recommend the soundbar HW-T550 (R$1.699) from the manufacturer, a partnership that matches the design of the TU8000.
Environment Mode
A fun addition is Ambient Mode, a feature that tries to integrate your smart TV into the environment where it is installed, imitating a “smart board”. This is useful for those who have created the habit of leaving the television on in the living room – don't worry about the low risks of the burn-in effect. In communication with the smartphone, you can create photo layouts, simulate wallpapers and abuse the smart functions of both gadgets.
Interesting was always having to download the content of the landscapes apparently included in the app. Every time you want to migrate from the chosen layout to another, there goes a few more seconds of download. By this point, I say that it is a slowness of the service itself, since the speed and stability of the connection were the same that allowed consuming the 4K streaming content that I mentioned above.
To compensate for this slip, in the integration with the cell phone via the Smart Things application, the user can add photos almost instantly for TV – after downloading and configuring the layouts. There's an animated mode with brush strokes, a duo with a calendar, random arrangement or rotating modes for your gallery. Deserved warning: unless they are internet memes, know very well which photos are chosen when syncing personal devices so you don't have an unwanted surprise on a 50-inch screen.
Via Bluetooth, even without Smart Things, the Crystal UHD turns into an interactive music player that reacts to the sound played. Among the templates in the mode, this was the one that most stole my attention. I can imagine situations where it would be more practical to use the TV as a “Bluetooth speaker” than to connect the smartphone to a laptop that needs to charge the battery, for example.
The artistic functionality is reminiscent of another model, the QLED The Frame. In turn, this is better with the environment by technical specifications and lighting sensors that adjust the brightness of the TV. Still, having Ambient Mode on Crystal UHD is a great incentive for “tech intervention” for housing artwork on a huge smart screen.
Interface and Voice Assistant
Running the operating system Tizen 5.5, characteristic of the manufacturer's current smart TVs, the Crystal UHD navigation is fluid. There is a bar at the bottom of the screen with access to applications, with a dozen factory installed. Streaming services, both audio and video, remind you of your last play and can even make suggestions according to popularity (as in the case of Netflix) or directly from your own favorites list (on Prime Video). The quick preview can help you decide your next playthrough even before migrating from an app.
The system settings in general are quite brief, but there is a remarkable harmony between this and the very punctual minimalism of the remote control. As usual, the connection can be made to the Smart Things to integrate other Samsung devices and control the TV from your cell phone. With the account link, your voice ID “Voice ID” is also shared.
When dealing with personal assistants, Crystal UHD supports Bixby ou Alexa for smart functions. Activation works by controller: once you've set up your favorite, just hold the microphone button and ask a question. The range and effectiveness are good, recognizing actions even with the control being next to the arm, resting on the couch. Unfortunately, for now Bixby is only available in English, with slight errors when detecting the voice (it was necessary to test a second time and delete the saved profile and start the assistance successfully).
In the case of Alexa, there is the security of integration between the device and your Amazon account. The first few times, I found myself saying “Alexa” before the command, which luckily is not necessary. At this point, I see a huge hit in the interface, as anyone who already has a device with the assistant can hear the question and try to perform the same order. To see the commands it supports, just go to the settings menu and check out a well-explained list.
An unintuitive interface detail was the Amazon Music, which opens as part of the TV's UI (not a secondary app) if you ask it to play a song or artist. In it, I felt errors when manipulating the player by the remote control, which hesitated to recognize the “OK” as an action to pause the song being played. Also, the controller's “play/pause” button was bizarrely not mapped to serve as this player's “play/pause”, which should be equally intuitive.
Anyway, Alexa needed to recognize the song request as it does in Echo Dot and automatically open the default service – in my case, Spotify – as a favorite to play songs. Something even more annoying: the intelligence warns that the current device it is not compatible with Spotify, as the assistant informs if you do the command, even if it comes installed from the factory. Asking for specific programs like “play The Office on Amazon Prime Video” doesn't work either, as Alexa responds with browser video results and YouTube clip suggestions.
We recommend keeping an eye on the list of supported commands and memorizing them, because those who start from intuition when using their voice to control the smart TV should remember commands similar to smart speakers – and not commands you would make to an assistant integrated into the system. television operation.
Connectivity and Gamer Mode
Are HDMI 3 (one being ARC), 2 USB, 3 entradas A/V components, an optical audio output, cable TV input, and an Ethernet (LAN) port. If you prefer to connect a speaker, you will be glad to know that there is Bluetooth 4.2, even if the sound system handles all types of playback. When detecting a device in HDMI, Crystal will recognize and even name some devices, such as recent video games.
Speaking of which, the TU8000 has the famous Gamer Mode, which takes care of the screen's response time and optimizes the contrast of the scenes, with low latency. In case you prefer fine adjustments, there is a special function Game Motion Plus to make the gameplay smoother by taking care of the frame rate, perfect for fans of shooting and action games.
As tests of this mode, I played Ghost of Tsuhima, the last exclusive of this generation on PlayStation 4. Aside from the graphical beauty, it was satisfying to see how colors, contrast and frame rate matched very well as I purposely toggled the Crystal UHD function on and off. Yes, the difference can be crucial depending on the content, including when testing at 60Hz/60fps. Especially in certain games that support HDR, as the case of this title, the TV handled very well.
Conclusion
We can say that the Samsung Crystal UHD 4K delivers with quality everything that has been tested in terms of audiovisual. If you add that to the intuitive interface, easy assembly, smart modes, mid-range design and the average personal assistant system, it does the trick. With the refinement of a few slips, it would reach perfection as a basic 4K proposition.
Between processor and features, there were subtle improvements compared to the entry-level 4K model (RU7100) from last year that we have already indicated here at Techlifers. Just put it on the scale and you'll see proximity in both values. In any case, we recommend keeping an eye on promotions so that the cost-benefit ratio is even better. However, we do not fail to reinforce the greatness of Crystal UHD: simply the best entry-level 4K smart TV you can get in 2020.
Check below the list of values and sizes of the TU8000 available in the national territory:
- Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Smart TV for 50 rubles: R $ 3.199;
- Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Smart TV for 55 rubles: R $ 3.899;
- Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Smart TV for 65 rubles: R $ 5.699;
- Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Smart TV of 75 units: R $ 8.699.
Did you enjoy learning about the special functions of the Samsung CrystalUHD? Let us know in the comments if you liked this 4K TV!
| Sizes (in inches): | 50?, 55?, 65?, 75? and 82? |
| Curve Screen: | No |
| Type: | LED |
| Border type: | infinite borders |
| Series: | Crystal UHD Series 8 |
| Panel technology: | PurColor |
| Panel resolution: | 4K |
| Connections and inputs: | 3 x HDMI Inputs; 2 x USB Inputs; 1 x RF input for open TV; 1 x RF Input for Cable TV; 1 x Entrada AV; 1 x Optical digital audio output; 1 x LAN input; Wi-Fi 5 Bluetooth (BT4.2) Anynet + (HDMI-CEC) |
| Processor: | CrystalUHD |
| Image Resources: | Auto Motion Plus HDR Premium HDR 10 + HLG Movie Mode nature mode Mega Contrast UHD Dimming |
| screen frequency: | 60Hz |
| Audio Features: | Dolby Digital Plus Multiroom Link Audio Bluetooth |
| Speaker type: | 2 channels |
| Check: | Single Remote Control with built-in microphone Netflix, Prime Video and Globoplay functions |
| Operational system: | Tizen™ |
| voice commands: | Yes |
| Virtual Assistants: | Alexa e Bixby |
| Gallery Mode: | Yes |
| Browser: | Yes |
| Energy consumption: | 145W |
| Color: | Black |
| Prices: | 8000″ TU50: R$3.199; 8000″ TU55: R$3.899; 8000″ TU65: R$5.699; 8000″ TU75: R$8.699. |
