Difference in Samsung 8000 and 8500 ??? - Blu-ray Forum

choctaw · 02-27-2010, 01:39 PM

I bought the Samsung 8000 about a week ago at the local best buy. I didn't even know that a 8500 model was already out. I got the 55 inch model for about 2200. I was just wandering if there were any major differences between these 2 models. I see that the 8500 is about a grand more so what gives ?

Thanks in advance.

Memnoch · 02-27-2010, 03:31 PM

The 8000 is "edge lit" with LEDs where the 8500 is "back lit" with LEDs. Back lit is supposed to be better, but like you said, it is hard to justify the extra $1000 unless you have it laying around. And most people really can't tell $1000 worth of difference, even with the two sets next to each other. These were both 2009 models, so when you look at what is coming out this year, it's like Samsung saying that the 8500 isn't worth the extra bucks either.

Most (if not all) of the 2010 Samsungs are edge lit. I think Samsung feels they have achieved as good a picture using edge lit technology and aren't putting out any more back lit TVs. They have also been sued over some of the technology they used in their 8000, 8500, and a few other sets, so they have stopped making them.

Most people consider the LG 55LH90 (a back lit TV) to be as close as anyone got last year to the quality of the Samsung 8500, for about half the price. So if you are more interested in a back lit TV, you can pursue that for even less then you paid for the 8000 edge lit TV you just bought. Mine ran $1800, but you can get one from CircuitCity.com for $1700 with Bing cashback, and another place or two for $1600, but that is a little harder to come by.

Best of luck.

cawgijoe · 02-27-2010, 03:50 PM

Unfortunately edge-lit even in the Samsung models does not hold a candle to backlit. Agree on the "not worth $1,000 more" comment, but if you are picky or want the best that a current LCD set with LED lighting can achieve, then look for a backlit model.

The LG is a good choice as well as the Vizio 551/552 series.
Great values for the dollar.

Videophiles are a bit horrified that Samsung is not making a backlit set this year and that will probably (depending on reviews) draw them to the Sony HX900 (the only Sony backlit set) and other brands such as LG, Vizio, Toshiba.

LED edge lighting is a definite compromise. The sets are thin and are more energy efficient then CCFL sets. Thats good. The problem is that the light has to be diffussed across the panel evenly. Many a review comments on uniformity issues. Also, edge lighting really doesn't do anything to improve contrast or black levels.

I'm looking at getting a 52 - 55" set this year and am waiting on the price of the Sony HX900, though I believe it will be too rich for my blood......and will also be looking carefully at the Vizio PRO series announced at CES. Their 55" will have LED backlighting with local dimming.....120 zones.......2 inches thick.....and 3D to boot. $2,500 MSRP.

Cnet just did a review on the new Sony edge lit NX800 and they were not too impressed with the PQ, stating that it was comparable to last year's Samsung models.

HHX · 03-01-2010, 02:23 AM

Check also if you can find the A950 models - I think some places still offer them - its a backlit model (the model before the 8500) that has gone way down in price but still offers an amazing picture quality (I own the 46" and it looks as good as the 8500 I look at work every day).

choctaw · 03-01-2010, 04:30 PM

Thanks for the info.

I am amazed at the PQ in my TV (b8000). I previously had a 40' sony bravia that I bought 4 years ago. This new 55' tv almost looks virtualized. Everything is almost 3dish and really sharp. I have the geek squad coming over to calibrate it next week. Does the calibration cover Blu rays as well? (not sure how I can improve in that area) or is it just for Dish Network channels? I am going to have to get used to this as I am not accustomed to watching blurays like this.

Anyone else notice a major difference when upgrading sizes?

Wingman1977 · 03-01-2010, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choctaw

Thanks for the info.

I am amazed at the PQ in my TV (b8000). I previously had a 40' sony bravia that I bought 4 years ago. This new 55' tv almost looks virtualized. Everything is almost 3dish and really sharp. I have the geek squad coming over to calibrate it next week. Does the calibration cover Blu rays as well? (not sure how I can improve in that area) or is it just for Dish Network channels? I am going to have to get used to this as I am not accustomed to watching blurays like this.

Anyone else notice a major difference when upgrading sizes?

Oh yeah, I do. I had a Samsung LN-T4061F (which the panel cracked) which I replaced with a Samsung LN-B630 (120Hz which I returned to BB) and now I own a KDL-46XBR9 and the six inch difference is huge IMO.

SellmeyourDVD · 03-01-2010, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choctaw

Thanks for the info.

I am amazed at the PQ in my TV (b8000). I previously had a 40' sony bravia that I bought 4 years ago. This new 55' tv almost looks virtualized. Everything is almost 3dish and really sharp. I have the geek squad coming over to calibrate it next week. Does the calibration cover Blu rays as well? (not sure how I can improve in that area) or is it just for Dish Network channels? I am going to have to get used to this as I am not accustomed to watching blurays like this.

Anyone else notice a major difference when upgrading sizes?

Go to Cnet or TweakTV to get settings for your TV. Best Buy's "calibration" isn't an ISF calibration.

The "calibrators" for Best Buy are also only trained for ONE weekend, just FYI. There are some horror stories floating around about BB calibrations and how much of a rip off they really are.

choctaw · 03-01-2010, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SellmeyourDVD

Go to Cnet or TweakTV to get settings for your TV. Best Buy's "calibration" isn't an ISF calibration.

The "calibrators" for Best Buy are also only trained for ONE weekend, just FYI. There are some horror stories floating around about BB calibrations and how much of a rip off they really are.

Are you serious ?

They charged me a $100 to come do an "in home" calibration. The employee said that the geek squad would come in and measure the lighting in your living room and make adjustments accordingly. He said that they use a computer to do all of this so that they wouldn't make any mistakes.

He also showed me a in store display of 2 tv's, one calibrated and the other with factory settings. He went into "show the Blue" mode and the snow on the calibrated set looked a lot better.

Im such a sucker when it comes to buying expensive investments !

SellmeyourDVD · 03-04-2010, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choctaw

Are you serious ?

They charged me a $100 to come do an "in home" calibration. The employee said that the geek squad would come in and measure the lighting in your living room and make adjustments accordingly. He said that they use a computer to do all of this so that they wouldn't make any mistakes.

He also showed me a in store display of 2 tv's, one calibrated and the other with factory settings. He went into "show the Blue" mode and the snow on the calibrated set looked a lot better.

Im such a sucker when it comes to buying expensive investments !

Did they show you two tvs next to each other like this???

Here's the story http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...26tbs%3Disch:1

I've also read a story (from a member on here) about how a BB calibrator came over to their house, saw that the person had a Kuro Elite, and said "this tv is a Kuro, it doesn't need a calibration," and then left.

choctaw · 03-05-2010, 01:44 PM

LOL, no it didn't look anything like that.

There were 2 tv's and he froze a picture, then went to "show blue only" mode or something and the picture had snow in it, but u could see the blue really show up even though the majority of the screen was white filled with snow as opposed to the other image that looked very realistic and obviously seemed to be the better picture.

02-27-2010, 01:39 PM	#1
choctaw Member Member since:Nov 2007	Difference in Samsung 8000 and 8500 ??? I bought the Samsung 8000 about a week ago at the local best buy. I didn't even know that a 8500 model was already out. I got the 55 inch model for about 2200. I was just wandering if there were any major differences between these 2 models. I see that the 8500 is about a grand more so what gives ? Thanks in advance.

03-01-2010, 04:30 PM	#5
choctaw Member Member since:Nov 2007	Thanks for the info. I am amazed at the PQ in my TV (b8000). I previously had a 40' sony bravia that I bought 4 years ago. This new 55' tv almost looks virtualized. Everything is almost 3dish and really sharp. I have the geek squad coming over to calibrate it next week. Does the calibration cover Blu rays as well? (not sure how I can improve in that area) or is it just for Dish Network channels? I am going to have to get used to this as I am not accustomed to watching blurays like this. Anyone else notice a major difference when upgrading sizes? Last edited by choctaw; 03-01-2010 at 04:36 PM.

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
Samsung LED/LCD 8500 240hz HDTV	LCD TVs	The Dragon	67	08-09-2010 06:02 PM
Samsung Led 8000 Series Picture Settings Need Help	LCD TVs	Bluray Freak 2009	32	05-06-2010 02:50 PM
quick question about samsung 8500 series	LCD TVs	muathusanjose	8	03-21-2010 08:55 PM
samsung 46in 8500	LCD TVs	fjp4873	6	01-24-2010 01:57 PM
Samsung 46inch 8500 Lcd-Led model	LCD TVs	fjp4873	6	01-18-2010 01:09 AM

02-27-2010, 03:31 PM	#2
Memnoch Expert Member Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Northern VA 4K collection:185 Blu-ray collection:185 Trading Score:1	The 8000 is "edge lit" with LEDs where the 8500 is "back lit" with LEDs. Back lit is supposed to be better, but like you said, it is hard to justify the extra $1000 unless you have it laying around. And most people really can't tell $1000 worth of difference, even with the two sets next to each other. These were both 2009 models, so when you look at what is coming out this year, it's like Samsung saying that the 8500 isn't worth the extra bucks either. Most (if not all) of the 2010 Samsungs are edge lit. I think Samsung feels they have achieved as good a picture using edge lit technology and aren't putting out any more back lit TVs. They have also been sued over some of the technology they used in their 8000, 8500, and a few other sets, so they have stopped making them. Most people consider the LG 55LH90 (a back lit TV) to be as close as anyone got last year to the quality of the Samsung 8500, for about half the price. So if you are more interested in a back lit TV, you can pursue that for even less then you paid for the 8000 edge lit TV you just bought. Mine ran $1800, but you can get one from CircuitCity.com for $1700 with Bing cashback, and another place or two for $1600, but that is a little harder to come by. Best of luck.

02-27-2010, 03:50 PM	#3
cawgijoe Special Member Member since:Feb 2007 Trading Score:1	Unfortunately edge-lit even in the Samsung models does not hold a candle to backlit. Agree on the "not worth $1,000 more" comment, but if you are picky or want the best that a current LCD set with LED lighting can achieve, then look for a backlit model. The LG is a good choice as well as the Vizio 551/552 series. Great values for the dollar. Videophiles are a bit horrified that Samsung is not making a backlit set this year and that will probably (depending on reviews) draw them to the Sony HX900 (the only Sony backlit set) and other brands such as LG, Vizio, Toshiba. LED edge lighting is a definite compromise. The sets are thin and are more energy efficient then CCFL sets. Thats good. The problem is that the light has to be diffussed across the panel evenly. Many a review comments on uniformity issues. Also, edge lighting really doesn't do anything to improve contrast or black levels. I'm looking at getting a 52 - 55" set this year and am waiting on the price of the Sony HX900, though I believe it will be too rich for my blood......and will also be looking carefully at the Vizio PRO series announced at CES. Their 55" will have LED backlighting with local dimming.....120 zones.......2 inches thick.....and 3D to boot. $2,500 MSRP. Cnet just did a review on the new Sony edge lit NX800 and they were not too impressed with the PQ, stating that it was comparable to last year's Samsung models.

03-01-2010, 02:23 AM	#4
HHX Expert Member Member since:Oct 2008 Blu-ray collection:1 Blu-ray reviews:2	Check also if you can find the A950 models - I think some places still offer them - its a backlit model (the model before the 8500) that has gone way down in price but still offers an amazing picture quality (I own the 46" and it looks as good as the 8500 I look at work every day).

03-05-2010, 01:44 PM	#10
choctaw Member Member since:Nov 2007	LOL, no it didn't look anything like that. There were 2 tv's and he froze a picture, then went to "show blue only" mode or something and the picture had snow in it, but u could see the blue really show up even though the majority of the screen was white filled with snow as opposed to the other image that looked very realistic and obviously seemed to be the better picture.

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals