TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
C9000, the ultimate TV for now
www
Change Size
www.samsung.com
How does one define the word “ultimate”?
Early last month, Samsung Electronics Indonesia asked whether I would be interested in reviewing the company’s “ultimate” 3D LED HDTV, an offer nobody in their right mind would refuse. So, just a couple of days before Christmas I received a huge box containing a huge LED HD TV, a Blu-ray player and a pair of 3D glasses – and my “ultimate Samsung experience” was about to start.
The first time I reviewed such a gigantic LED HDTV was around a year ago. My living room suddenly felt crowded because of the sheer size of the screen. The same happened when Sharp loaned me their 52-inch Quattron LED HDTV for a couple of weeks. Had I been allowed to keep these demo units after my review, I would certainly have run out of space to put them in my house — although I would certainly be a happier couch potato.
Anyway, the LED HD TV Samsung lent me this time (on which I watched the AFF final soccer matches between Indonesia and Malaysia) was its 55-inch C9000. Its overall design reminds me of Bang & Olufson’s TVs. The wide screen has a brushed aluminum bezel. The base is also made of the same material, which is unusual compared to most models available today that come with a transparent plastic bezel.
You want to hang the C9000 on the wall? No problem. The base can be detached and fixed to the rear of the screen. I wouldn’t do it though, as it would add to the thickness of the panel. By the way, Samsung managed to keep the entire screen — except the stand — 7.98 millimeters thin.
Besides, the swivel base has all the ports — unlike the UA55B7000WR I reviewed just one year ago whose ports are difficult to access as they were placed behind the screen. There are plenty of ports at the back of the base of the C9000, and Samsung has thrown in several adaptors and cables in the box too. Make sure you don’t lose them.
A sliding control panel can be found on the front side of the base. Touch it and it will glide out smoothly. It has several touch buttons. By the way, if the Blu-ray player is already connected, the TV will be automatically come on each time the player is turned on.
One ultimately important feature of the C9000 is a touch remote control. Many functions can be controlled by pressing the icons on the screen.
But the jaw dropper is that the remote can also function as a separate TV screen. It has a 3-inch LCD touch screen, which connects to the TV using Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth or infra-red (except when required). This is a great feature, as it allows us to watch anything while we move around the house, including when we go to that small room each time Nature calls.
This remote control is beautifully crafted like a Samsung smart phone. It comes with a large rechargeable battery and a separate charger. There is also another conventional remote control just in case someone forgets to return the touch screen one back in the living room.
To top it all, the touch remote is also a universal remote control. As if this was not impressive enough, the remote has a headphone jack, so we can watch Blu-ray content without disturbing other people. This is definitely technology that deserves thumbs up.
Now, is the display quality on par with the TV’s external beauty? Without a doubt. I like the color, saturation and uniformity of color from edge to edge. Lucky guests who came to my house also shared my opinion. Clearly Samsung has not overlooked any detail when making this TV as great as possible.
Do not forget that the C9000 is also Samsung’s first 3D LED TV. The HyperReal engine the electronic giant built into this TV works very well, too. In addition, it has the capability to convert 2D content into 3D.
On the audio side, the TV does not disappoint either. The Titanium-looking base contains the speakers that produce a sound powerful enough for the living room, although connecting it to a home theater system will give a sound arena better suited to a 3D visual experience. Samsung uses SRS TheaterSound.
Of course there are a slew of other features, such as the DLNA-based AllShare that lets us share media with other family members on the home network, Internet@TV, BD Wise and Anynet+.
Well, the “ultimate HDTV” also comes at the ultimate price of Rp 69 million. This is perhaps the most expensive LED HDTV in the 55-inch range. So it’s definitely not for everyone. But if you are an official at
the tax office and you have cash to burn, Samsung will add the Blu-ray player and two more pair of 3D glasses to the deal. Otherwise, just hurry to my house — before they come to take it back.
