Photos: Samsung UE46B8000 1080p TV with Twitter, widgets and LED backlight

By Ian Morris on 02 June 2009, 4:14pm

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Photos: Samsung UE46B8000 1080p TV with Twitter, widgets and LED backlight Image 1

Not so very long ago we got our hands-on a Samsung series 7000 TV and very impressed we were too -- so much so, we gave it an Editor's Choice award. Now the UE46B8000 has landed in our office, and we're just as excited about this one. The 8000 series has the same stunning looks as the 7000, but with a few subtle modifications. It's still as thin as a supermodel before breakfast, but the rose-black touch of red has been replaced by a more transparent style, with hints of aluminium.

Crucially, this TV features Samsung's new 200Hz picture mode (or 240Hz in regions that use 60Hz mains supplies, including the US). The goal here is twofold. The first is to claim you're the first manufacturer to do 200Hz; the second is to provide smoother images. Of course we'll be checking whether it makes any difference, along with all the other features of this TV, in much more detail in our full review soon.

As with other Samsung TVs this year, the 46B8000 comes equipped with the company's widgets system, provided by Yahoo, but for the first time you get a funky little Twitter app included. This means that you can watch Jeremy Kyle and still keep up-to-date with your friends. We tried the text input from the remote control, and were disappointed by how sluggish the whole thing was. It took over 10 minutes to type in a single message, using some fairly basic punctuation and minor spelling errors.

The remote control reflects this change, offering a cool semi-transparent style too, alongside the same strange curved styling found on the 7000's controller. Interestingly, the remote uses RF rather than infrared. We like that you don't have to point the controller at the screen, but the downside is this system will thwart some universal remote controls.

We think you'll agree that this Samsung, like its younger sibling the UE407000, is a stunning looking TV jam-packed full of brilliant features. We're thoroughly looking forward to putting it through its paces. But until then, why not enjoy our photos and let us know what you think via the comments section below.

Update: A Samsung UE46B8000 review is now on the site.