Samsung UE46ES7000 review

For this review we tested the 46in model in the new 7 series (ES7000), but it’s also available in 40in (UE40ES7000) and 55in (UE55ES7000) screen sizes. All models have identical specifications except for their dimensions and power usage. We’re confident that image quality will be practically identical across the range.

With its thin bezel, stylish chrome stand and amazingly thin case, the Samsung UE46ES7000U is an impressive TV. In addition to analogue, Freeview and Freesat TV tuners, it has a wide variety of internet services, it supports 3D content, and it even has a built-in webcam that lets you control the TV with gestures and voice commands.

Its image quality is fantastic, with vibrant colours and good contrast. HD content is sharp, but its digital noise reduction can make SD content look smudged. By default, the Standard picture mode includes Dynamic Contrast and Motion Plus, which is Samsung’s motion-smoothing technology. While Motion Plus is a matter of taste, the dynamic contrast is actually quite good and improves contrast without causing distracting changes in luminosity.

Pressing the large Smart Hub button on the remote takes you to a screen that looks like a smartphone home screen. It’s filled with apps and widgets. These include YouTube, Vimeo, Netflix, Facebook and Skype. It also has a built-in media player that can read files from a USB thumb drive or over the network using DLNA. As for its apps, Samsung’s Family Story app is a social network and its Fitness app uses the webcam as a virtual mirror. The Kids app lets parents control what their children watch on TV.

Speaking of the remote, you actually get two of them. One is a standard TV remote with tons of buttons arranged in a reasonably logical manner, while the other has far fewer buttons. Instead, it has a touch-sensitive area that can be used to control various functions. It also has a microphone built into the top that you can use to control the TV.

Voice and gesture control might seem like gimmicks, but they’re quite easy to use and are especially useful for triggering commands that would otherwise be buried five levels down in a menu.

Its 3D performance is impressive, and much less dark than we’ve seen on previous displays that use shutter glasses. There was little crosstalk, although watery scenes caused distracting reflections that the 3D processing couldn’t handle smoothly.

One fantastic feature, which we’d like to see on more modern TVs, is the fact that the UE46ES7000’s main processing unit is attached as a removable module, so that when an upgrade is available, you can simply attach a new box. This way, you’re investing in the large screen without risking it being out of date in a few years’ time.

While the UE46ES7000’s features may not suit everyone, there are so many that most people will be happy. Its basic image quality is great, and the numerous image options seem unnecessary, but they’re there if you want them.

We could complain that all the advanced features hike the price up too much, and that a stripped-down version would be better value, but we were impressed by the ES7000 series’ image quality, internet services and its relatively wide choice of control methods. If image quality is more important to you than features, then also consider the Panasonic Viera TX-P42ST50B.