Samsung UE40D6530 review

Samsung's UE40D6530 is sure to win admiring glances based purely on its design aesthetic. From the gorgeous crystal-necked pedestal to its translucent edge trim, this is one slimline LED LCD TV that dresses to impress. The good news is beauty isn't skin deep.

The UE40D6530 also offers an excellent hi-def image, as rich in detail as it is deliciously smooth. Once calibrated, it's a contender for best in class.

The Smart Hub portal is also a winner. Once you've lived with a net connected TV, it's difficult to imagine going back to a standalone gogglebox. Having iPlayer and YouTube on tap in the living room is a game changer, and Samsung's TV app store is the biggest there is.

Overall, this is an impressive Freeview HD net connected TV.

We liked

The smooth, detail-rich 2D HD images, excellent motion resolution, Samsung's content-rich Smart Hub apps and Video on Demand portal, the screen's elegant design, media playback support from USB, integrated Wi-Fi

We disliked

Crosstalking 3D performance; uneven file support when streaming from NAS devices across a network, poor integration of social media apps, clunky text entry and intrusive account demands

Final verdict

The UE40D6530 is a well-equipped Smart TV bolstered by an excellent 2D hi-def performance. For movies and sports fans, it won't disappoint.

Not every feature hits the bullseye – 3D suffers from crosstalk double-imaging and media streaming across the network is flawed – but overall this is a well priced, high-performance screen.

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