The Samsung Q80R is a good TV with an image that some would possibly simply favor over the corporate’s costlier Q90R, which I reviewed last month. The Q80R prices much less partially as a result of it foregoes Samsung’s nifty, however non-essential One Connect breakout field and its new pedestal stand.
With all its electronics onboard, the Q80R can also be barely thicker than the Q90R (2.4 inches in comparison with 1.6 inches). That’s one thing most individuals can reside with whereas saving $800. Put in new-car phrases, you’re getting the efficiency bundle with out the horny wheels and trim.
Design and options
The Q80R is a 4K UHD (3840 x 2160 pixels) TV that employs a layer of quantum dots (the “Q” in QLED) to reinforce coloration. I examined the 65-inch class (64.5-inches diagonally) mannequin that weighs in at round 56 kilos. As I discussed, it doesn’t function the Q90R’s pedestal stand, opting as a substitute for the same old twin legs, although these snap in, foregoing the same old screws. There’s additionally a 400 x 300mm VESA mount level for wall mounting.
The Q80R isn’t as slim because the more-expensive Q90R, but it surely’s hardly a fatty.
The port array on the again of the TV consists of 4 HDMI ports, one with ARC (Audio Return Channel for output to soundbars and such), two USB ports, an optical digital audio output, RF (for cable/satellite tv for pc or over-the-air antenna), RS-232C, and ethernet. Wireless connectivity choices embody Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Samsung is annoyingly imprecise about some specs on its web site, so being the conscientious reporter that I’m—I requested, The Wi-Fi is 802.1ac, the Bluetooth 4.0, the HDMI ports are 2.0a, and the USB ports stay unspecified. The final simply streamed 2160p video, in order that they’re quick sufficient no matter they’re.
Remote and interface
Only final 12 months, Samsung’s top-end remotes have been clear and advertising-free. Now there are shortcuts for Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. To be honest, that’s improbable if these are the providers you utilize. If not, c’est la capitalisme.
Where Samsung is imprecise on port specs, it’s fairly particular that the included distant is mannequin TM1950C. Other than the promoting, and a scarcity of devoted transport controls, it’s one in all my favorites—easy, simple, engaging, and cozy to carry.
The configurable Samsung Smart Hub interface that seems on the underside of the display is sweet to take a look at and simple to make use of, so I’m going to skip my normal complaints. To my thoughts, it’s undoubtedly one of many high three in the marketplace, together with LG and Roku; although the business basically is doing fairly job on this division nowadays.
As far as viewing options are involved, there’s a channel information, a curated web streaming TV ecosystem, in addition to all the same old standalone providers and options. a few of which you’ll be able to see within the picture beneath.
Samsung’s Smart Hub interface being browsed utilizing the newest model of the corporate’s One Remote common distant management. Note that as a substitute of the transport controls (Play/FF/Rew) it wants, it now sports activities Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu buttons.
Ancillary options embody an improved ambient mode, which lets you add a digital picture that matches the wall behind the TV, rendering the TV’s display clear. Well, kind of anyway. Alternatively, you may show digital photographs or artistic endeavors as if the TV was an image body.
The TV helps Samsung’s personal Bixby digital assistant, which I like, plus two extra common digital pseudo-slaves: Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. There is an Apple TV app, plus assist for Apple’s AirPlay 2 multi-room audio tech.
The Q80R options FreeSync know-how, which reduces enter lag if you use the TV with a video-game console or a PC. A common program information remembers your content material selections and recommends packages that it predicts you’ll like. That’s nice, until you’re making an attempt to interrupt outdated habits.
Like all TV distributors, Samsung likes to bandy about equivalent to “Quantum HDR 16X,” which suggests the TV has excessive peak brightness. You ought to both ignore such pablum or function on the speculation that given the identical invented metric, larger numbers are higher.
Performance
The Samsung Q80R gives a lot the identical image because the Q90R, which suggests it has brightness for miles, renders spectacular HDR, and has extraordinarily correct and well-saturated coloration. As I discussed up high, that is largely as a result of the usage of a sheet of quantum dot re-emitters.
Where the 2 fashions range essentially the most is of their array backlighting. Samsung isn’t forthcoming concerning the quantity or zones in use, as they really feel simple-minded writers and patrons (that’s me and also you) would possibly choose purely on this quantity and never permit for different less-quantifiable methods. What I can let you know is that there’s significantly multiple zone in use, and that the black on the Q80R is nice, however not fairly as deep because the Q90R’s.
The Q80R, however, doesn’t undergo the Q90R’s defects, which embody poor transitions from zone to zone, with small, shifting vibrant objects (a zone counter). To be sincere, I choose fewer defects.
Both fashions undergo larger points with moiré or shimmer in extremely detailed pans or advanced space movement than the stellar 8K, Samsung Q900R I reviewed last May, however that TV’s in a category of its personal. Compared to different distributors’ array-backlit TVs (side-lit TVs have far fewer rendering points, however ship poor black ranges), the Q80R and Q90R are not any worse, however no higher.
Complex line rendering exams have been a difficulty as nicely for each TVs—extra so than most of their contemporaries; however advanced fanned line patterns should not one thing you’re more likely to run into throughout regular viewing.
The Q80R has an excellent image that some would possibly choose to the Q90R as a result of there are fewer defects.
Screen conformity is sort of good, with solely slight cloudiness seen with an all-white display at SDR brightness (round 500 nits). The impact diminishes as issues get brighter—the Q80R measured almost 1,300 nits in full-on white HDR with about 25 % display protection.
Motion is dealt with easily, although I at all times observe and price this with movement compensation set as excessive as vital. Some Hollywood sorts don’t like movement compensation, which is a part of the impetus for the not too long ago introduced Filmmaker mode for TVs. Personally, nothing kills my absorption in a film faster than stuttering on a fast pan, so the filmmakers can…. Write higher scripts and cease endlessly obsessing over the visible.
That stated, there’s some materials that can purchase an ‘80s shot-to-early-video look with compensation turned on. In that case—flip it off. Personal filmmaker mode!
HDR codecs
Traditionally, I’ve bugged Samsung about their lack of Dolby Vision assist, which is essentially the most well-known model of HDR. According to the corporate, nevertheless, plenty of content material (most notably Amazon Prime’s) can also be now delivered in HDR10+, which is Samsung’s personal dynamic metadata format. Dynamic implies that the metadata (i.e., directions to the TV on how you can alter itself), are embedded all through the video stream on a scene-by-scene, and even frame-by-frame foundation. Standard HDR10 sends this information simply as soon as earlier than the film begins; therefore, it’s a compromise between what’s greatest for vibrant scenes and darkish scenes.
It would’ve been very nice if the business had for as soon as settled on a mutual commonplace, however HDR information is infinitesimal in comparison with video information, so it’s really no pressure on the bandwidth to assist a number of HDR requirements.
A sensible selection for the frugal
The Q80R is a most wonderful TV, if I’ll go Keanu on you for a second. It’s a toss-up with the Q90R image-wise with ever so barely much less distinction, however much less defect-prone black.
Purely from my very own not-rich however not-really-poor perspective, if I have been to take one house from the lab, it might be the Q90R, just because I just like the pedestal stand. If I have been to purchase one, it might be the Q80R, as a result of $800 is some huge cash for a breakout field and stated pedestal.