4K TV Reviews

Samsung UN85S9AF LCD/LED Ultra HDTV Video Test Bench

As noted in the review, the black level of the set with a full-screen black test pattern was so low that the black level could not be accurately determined with the test tools we normally use. Even with the Backlight control at near its middle setting (10), the peak white level measured over 40 foot-lamberts—uncomfortably bright on dark scenes in a darkened room. I backed off to a Backlight level of 7 (Contrast on 90), which produced a comfortable peak white level of 35 ft-L.

BEFORE Calibration

AFTER Calibration

The pre-calibration RGB Balance shown in the accompanying chart was taken in the Movie mode, at the above 35 ft-L brightness level and with the Color Tone on Warm2. The pre-calibration gray scale Delta E values in this mode averaged 0.93 (!), with a maximum of 1.31 at 100%. While this hardly demanded any improvement, I went ahead and did a calibration, using only the 10p White Balance controls. The post-calibration, gray scale Delta E averaged 0.39, with a high of 1.00 at 90%.

(Delta E is a figure of merit that indicates how closely a display adheres to the Rec. 709 HD color standard. Experts generally agree that at levels below 3 to 4, the result is visibly indistinguishable from perfect color tracking. A Delta E may be used to characterize either white balance (gray scale), as above, or color, as below.

In the Rec. 709 color gamut setting, the color gamut’s pre-calibration color Delta E averaged a solid 2.3. After calibration, it averaged an exceptional 0.81, with a maximum of 2.4 in magenta (primarily for slightly excessive saturation). No other color’s Delta E was higher than 0.89 (blue).

With the Dynamic Contrast on Low (the setting I marginally preferred) and the Gamma control centered, the gamma averaged 2.17 with a low of 2.03 at 90% brightness and a high of 2.29 at 20%. With Dynamic Contrast Off, the average gamma was 2.26, with a high of 2.33 at 20% brightness and a low of 2.17 at 90%.—TJN

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COMMENTS
LordoftheRings's picture
Submitted by LordoftheRings on February 14, 2014 - 5:51pm

The top part: Too much space between it and the TV's top.

Also, rounded edges would be more attractive.

Yep, I'm just not crazy about that stand's design; not complete to me.

dnoonie's picture
Submitted by dnoonie on February 14, 2014 - 6:24pm

Although the price of this TV is way out of my range it is encouraging to read about such an excellent product. At least we know Samsung understands how to make an excellent product and is willing to put it out there.

Eventually the tech in this TV will find it's way into reasonable priced products...

Thanks for checking it out for us.

David Vaughn's picture
Submitted by David Vaughn on February 14, 2014 - 11:03pm
That's got to be the ugliest TV I've seen in years. Who designed the stand? Staples?
dommyluc's picture
Submitted by dommyluc on February 15, 2014 - 6:02am

I have been reading a lot about the new 4K "P' line from Vizio, and it includes a 70" model with full-array LED backlighting and 64 local dimming zones. Also Internet apps, AC wireless, 960 refresh rate, backlit remote, and a lot of other features. I heard the list price is going to be $2600. I am pretty sure Vizio isn't the only company that knows people aren't going to pay outrageous prices for TVs.Does Samsung honestly believe they can sell that TV for $40K? And I agree with David that the TV is ugly as hell. And how much use is a stand that only tilts up and down? Most people tilt their TVs left and right.
A little off-topic, but something that really steams me: I keep reading reviews of 4K TVs where the writers (from other magazines, of course. The esteemed authors at S&V would not be this dumb. LOL!)say that they cannot see how the TVs are of any use since you would need a huge screen to notice the difference in 4K upconversion, but these same writers rave about 10" tablet displays that have 2560 x 1440 resolution. What's up with that?

kent harrison's picture
Submitted by kent harrison on February 16, 2014 - 9:00am

For 40.000 dollars I could use it for better thing just too watch tv.

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